Archive for 1999

31ST DEC: Ruff at Amwell briefly before flying south, also pr Smew, 5 Goldeneye, c30 Siskin, 2 Redpoll, Chiffchaff and Bullfinch....prob Merlin over Oughtonhead, Hitchin....Chiffchaff calling nr Kings Meads....Ferruginous Duck (unknown origin) still on R Lea in Ware

30TH DEC: At Amwell - 2 Bittern, 2 Smew, drake Goosander through, 3 Ruddy Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 10 Siskin & 2 Redpoll....2 Snipe at East Hyde....400+ Black-headed Gull, 42 Teal & 21 Gadwall at Chadwell Meads....c50 Lapwing around Pirton....male Blackcap at Blackmore End....9 RL Partridge at Wickham Hall Farm....around Shafford Farm, Ver Valley - 30+ Snipe, 7 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 50+ Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting, 25+ Meadow Pipit, 15+ Skylark, Kingfisher, 4 Little Grebe, C Buzzard & Nuthatch....RH Smew at Wilstone Res and escaped White Pelican at Tringford....12 Snipe at Munden

29TH DEC: At Chadwell Meads: 2 Stonechat, 75 Wigeon, 171 Lapwing, 6 Shoveler, 97 Coot, 8 Moorhen, Meadow Pipit....Chiffchaff at Puckeridge

28TH DEC: Male Black Redstart in Apsley in car park of Wickes DIY....red-head Smew at Wilstone Reservoir and 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull in roost....Greenshank, 104 Lapwing, 6 Snipe & Green Sandpiper in flooded fields by River Colne, nr Munden House, Watford, ref138005....C Buzzard over Hexton Woods and 50+ Golden Plover over....at Amwell - Bittern, Chiffchaff & 2 red-head Smew....2 C Buzzards over Watton-at-Stone, nr entrance to Woodhall Park....4 male Goodsander at Stockers Lake

26TH DEC: 3 Goosander and Smew at Stockers Lake

25TH DEC: Female Ferruginous Duck on R Lea in Ware still...at Amwell - Bittern and 3 Smew

24TH DEC: Brent Geese reported from Amwell in front of hide (no number given), also 2 Water Rails and Bittern from public hide

23RD DEC: Black-tailed Godwit at Wilstone Reservoir briefly, 5 Goldeneye also....Woodcock flushed off wasteground on Great Ashby Way, Stevenage....escaped White Pelican at Tringford Reservoir still...at Chadwell Mead - 53 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall & 14 Teal....35 Golden Plover at Wickham Hall Farm, Bishops Stortford....Ruddy Duck, Water Rail, Goldeneye, Snipe, Wigeon, Redpoll and Siskin at Amwell....Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail and Water Rail at Rye Meads

22ND DEC: Chiffchaff at Puckeridge

20TH DEC: Chiffchaff calling at Glaxo Wellcome site, Ware

19TH DEC: 86 Redwing on Rothamsted Estate, Harpenden

17TH DEC: Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Northaw Great Wood nr scout camp enclosure with tit flock inc 2-3 Marsh, also Nuthatch and Treecreeper....3 female/imm Common Scoters at Hilfield Park Reservoir to 1035 at least....Ferruginous Duck in Ware....2 C Buzzards over Lilley Hoo at TL123281....female Blackcap in a Ware garden....2 male Goosander at Amwell, also Water Rail, Wigeon and many Shoveler

16TH DEC: Male Blackcap along R. Lea, Harpenden

15TH DEC: Dead Woodcock found nr pond in High Street, Watford....2 C Buzzards roosted at Whempstead at 1530....30+ Fieldfares at Tewin, also 4 RL Partridge

5TH DEC: Ferruginous Duck in Ware (the bird is unringed, although does have a damaged left eye)....70 Skylark in stubble field east of Essendon, also Redpoll and Little Owl

3RD DEC: 6 Lesser Redpoll at Shafford Mill, also Chiffchaff, C Buzzard, 2 Reed Buntings and 60 Skylarks

2ND DEC: "Hundreds" of Golden Plover in fields off Coursers Road, Colney Heath....at Friday Lake - female Ruddy Duck, c12 Wigeon

1ST DEC: Bittern at North end of North Met Pit, Lea Valley, from Pochard Hide...also one Bittern from Watchpoint Hide

30TH NOV: Ferruginous Duck in Ware....c400 Golden Plover and 100 Lapwing around Symonshyde

27TH NOV: 2 Marsh Tits in private garden in Sherrardswood...Bittern from Lea Valley watchpoint....male Stonechat and 26 Fieldfare on 5th fairway at Bridgedown Golf Club, nr Barnet

26TH NOV: c250 Golden Plover + 100 Lapwings in field opposite Bowmans Farm, Coursers Lane, nr Colney Heath....Merlin at Upwick, nr Bishops Stortford....at Verulamium Park, St Albans - 10 Shoveler, 12 Pochard, 2 GC Grebes and 3 Grey Heron....60 Wigeon & 19 Shoveler at Chadwell Meads....34 Snipe at Amwell

25TH NOV: Female Ferruginous Duck on R Lea in Ware town between Saracen's Head pub and the Priory, with Tufted Ducks

24TH NOV: Female FERRUGINOUS DUCK on River Lea in Ware town....Marsh Tit, Sparrowhawk and Gadwall at Pond Wood, Potters Bar

21ST NOV: c40 Golden Plover over Rye Meads....Green Sandpiper and Snipe at Amwell

20TH NOV: 550+ Golden Plover and 80 Lapwing at Coursers Farm next to M25....Little Owl and Marsh Tit in North Mymms Park....male Blackcap in a Bushey garden

19TH NOV: 3 red-head Smew at Stockers Lake....Herts/Essex border - Bittern still at 70 Acres Lake watchpoint

18TH NOV: 4 Lesser Redpoll at Brookmans Park

17TH NOV: 48 Great Crested Grebe on Wilstone Reservoir....White Pelican still at Tringford Reservoir....flock of 10 large swans (possible Whooper) over a Ware garden

16TH NOV: Escaped White Pelican at Tringford Reservoir then Startops at 11am....at Little Berkhamsted - Woodcock, 25+ Siskin, 4 male Bullfinch and Little Owl

15TH NOV: At Beech Farm - 5 Grey Partridge (BT Site), 5 Fieldfare, Jay and 11 Golden Plover over

14TH NOV: C Buzzard over Tingley Plantation, nr Pegsdon

13TH NOV: Escaped White Pelican at Wilstone Reservoir....Water Rail at Amwell GPs in front of hide at dusk

12TH NOV: 12 Fieldfare over Watton-at-Stone....Kingfisher at Brookmans Park....male Blackcap in a Tring garden....at Chadwell Meads - 40 Lapwing, 11 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 4 Tufted....Grey Wagtail at Kings Mead

11TH NOV: Firecrest in a Sherrardswood garden, also Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker

10TH NOV: Roost of c2000 corvids at Beech Farm, mostly Jackdaws....Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and 14 Siskins at Lemsford Springs

5TH NOV: Pr Bullfinch at Croxley Common Moor

4TH NOV: 2 C Buzzards over a Kimpton garden....one pale C Buzzard over St Pauls Warden....(Essex/Herts border) Bittern at 70 Acres Lake watchpoint

3RD NOV: 8 Shoveler, 7 Cormorants and Mandarin Duck at Verulamium Lake, St Albans

1ST NOV: At Coopers Green Lane - 16 Lapwing, 100s Starling, 9 Pied Wagtail but no Golden Plover yet....C Buzzard west over Telegraph Hill....16 Shoveler on Verulamium Lake, St Albans

30TH OCT: Swallow at Amwell GPs

29TH OCT: C Buzzard over Watton-at-Stone....at Chadwell Meads - 34 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 7 Gadwall, Kingfisher

22ND OCT: at Rye Meads - 2 Water Pipits, 125 Teal, 27 Snipe & 1 Chiffchaff....at Amwell - Bittern, 5 Swallows, 45 Redwing, 4 Redpoll & 35 Snipe....Merlin over Stonebury Farm, Buntingford....Short-eared Owl at Beech Farm/Hatfield Aerodrome, viewable from behind Notcutts Gdn Centre, Smallford

21ST OCT: 4 House Martins over Woodhall Farm, H Hempstead

20TH OCT: 4 Little Owls at Takeley, Hope End....(Herts/Essex border) Bittern and 2 Water Rails at Bittern Watchpoint, Lee Valley - open daily from 1000-1600 (free entry). Details 01992 702200

18TH OCT: Great Northern Diver at Hilfield Reservoir - access to the site is only via a permit (key) obtainable from the Wildlife Trust (01727 858901) or warden, Gary Elton, or viewable from M1 bridge

17TH OCT: C Buzzard over Easneye Woods, Amwell at 1045....2 Egyptian Geese at Amwell GPs

15TH OCT: 2 Stonechat and female Reed Bunting at Croxley Common Moor....99 Lapwing, 8 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and Reed Bunting at Chadwell Mead....Buzzard sp (reported to soar with flat wings) drifting up Lea Valley from Ware to Hertford....2 Little Grebe on R Lea nr Ware Lock....9 Redpoll, Swallow, 4 C Buzzard, 3+ Chiffchaff and 5+ Reed Bunting at Shafford Mill....c20 Golden Plover at Wilstone Reservoir

14TH OCT: SHORT-TOED LARK reported west over Amwell GPs at 0905 - no further details....at Stonebury Farm, Buntingford - 2 Wheatear, 3 Swallows & C Buzzard

12TH OCT: 5 House Martins south over Rothamsted Exp Stn

11TH OCT: "99% probable" 1st winter Caspian Gull at Amwell Pits....6+ House Martins over North Mymms Home Farm

10TH OCT: Buzzard sp. south of Langley on B656 London Rd, Swallow nearby

8TH OCT: At Rye Meads - 2 Jack Snipe, 32 Common Snipe and 1 Garganey....Common Buzzard over Brookmans Park, also Redwing and Chiffchaff, 4 House Martins west....5 Swallows and Common Buzzard over Shafford Mill, St Albans....Hobby & House Martin over Stockers Lake....2 C Buzzards over Watton-at-Stone

6TH OCT: 4 Swallows south at Puckeridge at 1430

5TH OCT: Female Stonechat at Amwell GPs, opposite obs point ay 1100

4TH OCT: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Verulamium Park, St Albans

3RD OCT: C Buzzard over Sacombe, also 3 Swallows over Dane End

2ND OCT: Hobby over Easneye Woods, Amwell at 1600

1ST OCT: Honey Buzzard low S over road betw Marsworth and Wilstone Reservoir, Tring at 1605....Short-eared Owl at Hatfield Aerodrome 1445 hunting, from footpath behind Notcutts....juv Honey Buzzard over South Oxhey....2 Honey Buzzards flew from Herts into Beds over Luton Airport, 1 at 0925, 1 at 0950....Kingfisher at Water End....130 Linnets nr Coursers Farm....4 C Buzzards over Watton-at-Stone....C Buzzard, Hobby and Greenshank at Amwell Pits

30TH SEP: Red Kite over Lilley Park Wood (Herts/Beds border) also 50+ House Martins....female Wheatear, 3 Little Owls and a Common Buzzard around Essendon....2 Common Buzzards over "Bardolph's", east of Watton-at-Stone....Common Buzzard over Croxley Common Moor

28TH SEP: Honey Buzzard over Amwell

27TH SEP: Honey Buzzard over Wilstone Reservoir, mobbed by crow before heading SE....Honey Buzzard over Ivinghoe Beacon at 1640....Hobby over Brookmans Park station

26TH SEP: At Amwell - Honey Buzzard and Common Buzzard over, Osprey circled pits at 1150 before heading SE, also many Swallows south

25TH SEP: More Honey Buzzards! 2 over Tyttenhanger GPs at 1330, one landing in Coppice Wood (8 Hobbies there)...1 over A414 towards Bridgens Hotel...1 east over Patmore Heath at 1120...

24TH SEP: 5 Honey Buzzards east over A120 at Puckeridge at 1055....Common Buzzard SE over East Hyde, also many Swallows, House Martins, Skylarks, Starlings and Meadow Pipits through, also 2 Turtle Dove, Green Sandpiper and a Whitethroat

23RD SEP: 2 Common Buzzards, Ruff and Hobby at Kingsmead....Honey Buzzards: 1 circled Hilfield Reservoir for 10 minutes at 1450 then headed high south...1 over Ware town centre at 1515...1 over wood 1 mile south of Sandon at 1430...two 6 miles east of Baldock high over Sandon at c1215...1 south just south of Watford at 1310...2 over Wilstone...1 over Startops End Reservoir at 1215...Wheatear at Miswell Farm, next to Wilstone...30 House Martins over Sherrardswood

22ND SEP: at Telegraph Hill - 1 Honey Buzzard south at 1610, 1 southwest at 1740, also 2 Common Buzzards, 450 Swallows and 35 Meadow Pipits over in 2 hours....3 Honey Buzzards from Pitstone Hill appeared to roost in Ashridge Woods....Herts/Beds/Bucks border, 7 Honey and 1 Common Buzzard E of Tring, flew SE between Pitstone Hill & Ivinghoe Beacon at 1715....6-8 Whinchats at north end of Croxley Common Moor in bushes

21ST SEP: Honey Buzzard circled Amwell GPs at 1230 before flying west at 1240

20TH SEP: 12 Yellow Wagtails in St Nicholas' Park, Stevenage....Common Buzzard soaring over Hexton

18TH SEP: Probable ringtail Montagu's Harrier over Ashwell am

17TH SEP: Water Rail, 3 Snipe, 2 Greenshank & 100 Lapwing at Amwell....Crowned Crane on private land near Thundridge....female Garganey on smaller pit at Tyttenhanger, also 3-4 Hobbies, Willow Warbler, 50+ Lapwing and 2 Snipe....Hobby and movement of Swallows at Redbournbury

10TH SEP: 2 Black Terns and a Hobby at Wilstone Reservoir....at Amwell - 6 Greenshank, Ruff and Common Sandpiper....10 Grey Partridge in Great Braitch Lane, Hatfield Gdn Village....Whinchat just south of derelict church in Thundridge, Ware

9TH SEP: Wheatear at ICL, Stevenage....at North Mymms Park - 2 Yellow Wagtail over, also Hobby, 3 Sparrowhawks, Little Owl, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 3+ Lesser Whitethroats, 5+ Whitethroats, pr Little Grebe with 2 young and a Marsh Tit

5TH SEP: 2 Hobbies over Jersey Farm, St Albans at 1400....at Redbournbury - Wheatear, Woodcock and 4+ Clouded Yellows

4TH SEP: 2 Greenshank and Ruff at Amwell on new pit....at Kings Mead - 3 Greenshank, Ruff, Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe and numerous Lapwing

3RD SEP: At Amwell - juvenile Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank and 3 Wigeon....at Kings Mead - 4 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, Common Sandpiper and 3 Ringed Plover....at Beech Farm - Greenshank on lake by farm (now has more water in it) and Wheatear on excavated area betw. footpath and BT site....Green Sandpiper on Coopers Green Lane pit....4 Hobbies at Tyttenhanger GPs, near Tyttenhanger Farm

1ST SEP: Whinchat near open farm at Tyttenhanger Pits, also Common and Green Sandpiper on fishing lake....Osprey at Amwell GPs....on King's Mead - 7 Greenshank, 2 Ruff and 3 Ringed Plover....Common Buzzard over Ware road at Watton-at-Stone

31ST AUG: Unconfirmed probable WHITE STORK (maybe the suspect one recently in Bucks) over Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead towards Piccotts End at 0720....Buzzard in field adj to Bedmond Lane nr Prae Wood....Spotted Flycatcher at Potters Crouch

28TH AUG: 4 Greenshanks and 3 Common Sandpipers at Kings Mead, Ware....Greenshank at Amwell....8 Snipe over Dane O'Coys Rd, Bishops Stortford at 0715, 3 Spotted Flycatchers also....56 Lapwing at Wickham Hall Farm, B Stortford....2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Teal and Spotted Flycatcher at Cheshunt Park....Turtle Dove, 5 Buzzards and Spotted Flycatcher around Redbournbury....c500 corvids in a field at Wood End (300 Rook, 150 Jackdaws, 50 C.Crows), Turtle Dove also

27TH AUG: 7 Common Sandpipers at Wilstone, Tring

24TH AUG: At Tyttenhanger GPs - 2 Greenshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers and Green Sandpiper....at Beech Farm - 4 Greenshanks & Green Sandpiper on lake by farm (now almost dried up) and Wheatear

23RD AUG: 4 Sandwich Terns at Tyttenhanger GPs, on peninsula adjacent to bridleway....2 Greenshank at Amwell....2 Little Owls near Essendon....Spotted Flycatcher at Little Berkhamsted

22ND AUG: Possible Honey Buzzard flew NE over Baldock at 6.30pm....Common Buzzard at Barwich Ford

21ST AUG: At Kings Mead, Ware - 3-4 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover, Clouded Yellow also

20TH AUG: 2 SPOONBILLS at Wilstone Reservoir, circled for several minutes, settled briefly before flying high out over Bucks...at Beech Farm - 3 Whinchat, Wheatear, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 7 Grey Partridge....Green Sandpiper and 2 Wheatears at Coopers Green GPs, 2 Clouded Yellows also

18TH AUG: At Tyttenhanger - Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 85 Lapwing, 25+ Tufted Duck and Pochard

17TH AUG: Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper on scrape at Tyttenhanger GPs....Clouded Yellow along the A10 embankment opposite Pinehurst Estate, Hertford....8 Greenshank and 3 Green Sandpipers at Beech Farm GPs

15TH AUG: At Amwell - 3 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper

13TH AUG: Wood Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, Hobby & Common Sandpiper at Tyttenhanger GPs on scrape area south of causeway....at Beech Farm GPs - 7 Greenshank (which flew south) and 3 Green Sandpipers....at Coopers Green GPs - 4 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and 200 Lapwing....Greenshank at Startops Reservoir, Tring, flew E at 0900....35 House Sparrows in one bush in a Garston garden

12TH AUG: Marsh Harrier (presumed juv), 3 Greenshank & Common Sandpiper at Tyttenhanger GPs....3 Spotted Flycatchers (2 ad, 1 jv) in North Mymms Park....2 Grey Partridge seen from Great Braitch Lane, Hatfield Garden Village....3 Spotted Flycatchers at Astrope....Hobby north over Frogmore

11TH AUG: Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Spotted Flycatchers in Dane O'Coys Road, Bishops Stortford

7TH AUG: Hobby at Brookmans Park near railway station

6TH AUG: 5 Buzzards over Shafford Cottages (along Bow Bridge/Redbourn Rd St Albans), Hobby also....at Tyttenhanger GPs - 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Grey Heron, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Teal, 130 Lapwing, 5 Little Grebes and 12 Common Terns....3 Green Sandpipers and Grey Partridge at Beech Farm....5 Grey Wagtails at Wilstone Reservoir....Buzzard over Redhill, nr Baldock

5TH AUG: At Amwell - 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and Turtle Dove, also Buzzard over Easneye Wood....White-letter Hairstreak in a Ware garden

4TH AUG: At Amwell - Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and 11 Common Terns

2ND AUG: At Wilstone Reservoir - 2 Common and 1 Green Sandpiper and eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard

1ST AUG: Common Buzzard over High Broomin Wood, Dyes Lane, Stevenage

30TH JUL: At Tyttenhanger - 2 Greenshank, Hobby, 14 Common Tern, 90 Lapwing & Yellow Wagtail....Wheatear (fem/juv) in Wardswood Lane on Beds/Herts border TL 102268 (nr Galley Hill)....Wheatear at Sacomebury Farm (no fthr details) and Buzzard at Sacombe Green....Hobby over North Mymms Cricket Club....Yellow Wagtail in flooded field, Stockers Farm....Wheatear and Green Sandpiper at Coopers Green GPs

26TH JUL: Little Egret on R.Lea at East Hyde....Hepatic Cuckoo in Hertford

23RD JUL: At Tyttenhanger GPs - Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Hobby carrying food....at Amwell - Ruddy Duck, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher

22ND JUL: 2 juvenile Whinchats on rough grassland betw Beech Farm and Hatfield Aerodrome....at Amwell - Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Buzzard over....Common Sandpiper at Kings Mead, Hertford

21ST JUL: At Amwell - Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Ringed Plovers, Pintail

20TH JUL: Raven south over a Kimpton garden, mobbed by corvids

17TH JUL: Buzzard over Tingley Wood near Pirton....Yellow Wagtail in a Hitchin garden

16TH JUL: Common Buzzard over East Hyde along R.Lea....Ringed Plover at Tyttenhanger Pits

15TH JUL: Kingfisher at Gobbion's Wood

14TH JUL: Hobby over Hexton village

13TH JUL: At Amwell - Teal, Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plovers (+ Lesser White-fronted Goose with Canadas) plus 2 Hobbies over Easneye Wood

8TH JUL: Summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe at Wilstone Reservoir, Tring....Hobby pursuing House Martins near Chiswell Green, 3 Corn Buntings also

7TH JUL: 2 Ringed Plover over Tyttenhanger GPs, 35 Lapwing also

5TH JUL: Juv Little Ringed Plover at Stockers Farm on flooded field....Bar-tailed Godwit on a Grovehill sports field in Hemel Hempstead

4TH JUL: At Stockers Farm - 2 summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Lapwing and 1 Teal on flooded field....at Tyttenhanger - 75 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Lapwing, 6 Grey Heron, Little Grebe, 3 Green Woodpeckers and 4 Common Tern

30TH JUN: Green Sandpiper and Redshank at Tyttenhanger GPs

28TH JUN: Female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Riverside Nursery Centre, Essendon Rd nr Bayford

27TH JUN: Grasshopper Warbler reeling behind Tring Sewage Farm

25TH JUN: Pr Little Owl 1/2 mile SW of Little Berkhamsted

24TH JUN: Pr Spotted Flycatcher in Kimpton garden

19TH JUN: Firecrest with juvenile in private garden near Hertford

18TH JUN: 3 Green Sandpipers at Beech Farm GPs....4 Ringed and 5+ Little Ringed Plovers at Coopers Green GPs

16TH JUN: Pair of Hawfinch with 2 newly fledged young in Bayfordbury

15TH JUN: 2 Red Kites west over Lemsford Springs (first record for reserve)....2 Whooper Swan (feral?) on heronry island at Wilstone

12TH JUN: Tree Pipit singing in Potters Crouch Plantation....Hawfinch at Bayfordbury in private garden (near Hertford)

11TH JUN: Curlew over Aylesbury Arm Grand Union Canal, north of Wilstone

10TH JUN: At Amwell - Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and 2 Egyptian Geese

9TH JUN: Hobby mobbed by Lapwings near Brookmans Park Rlwy Stn

7TH JUN: Grey Partridge, Hobby overhead, pr Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer around Hatfield Garden Village playing field

4TH JUN: 6-8 Hobbies over Wilstone Reservoir, also up to 15 Common Tern....tame drake Mandarin on NW fringe of Aldenham Reservoir....Siskin on garden feeder in Hertford Heath....Tree Pipit singing in North Mymms Park....at Tyttenhanger - 2 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 2 Gadwall, 8 Reed Bunting and Cuckoo

3RD JUN: Hobby over Wickham Hall Farm nr Bishops Stortford

2ND JUN: Red Kite mobbed by crow over Walkern, nr Stevenage

31ST MAY: Pair of Hobby seen near St Albans Abbey

30TH MAY: Hobby, Kingfisher and pr Lapwing at Tyttenhanger

29TH MAY: No sign of RR Swallow....Turtle Dove at Bowmansgreen Farm car park, London Colney....Peregrine and 2 Corn Buntings at Deadmans Hill, Sandon

28TH MAY: RED-RUMPED SWALLOW at Hilfield Park Reservoir till 1405 but not again by 1645, then again around 1900, also Hobby there....2 Mandarin, Little Owl and Little Grebe near Essendon....Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Marsh Tit at Firs Wood NR....Buzzard over Lilley, Turtle Dove there also

27TH MAY: Male Stonechat at Merry Hill fields, Bushey

26TH MAY: Buzzard over Telegraph Hill

25TH MAY: Hobby near St Albans Cathedral

22ND MAY: Grasshopper Warbler and 1-2 Tree Pipits at Potters Crouch Plantations

21ST MAY: Buzzard over Sopwell Golf Course

20TH MAY: 4 Hobbies over Amwell Pits at 1130....2 Snipe and Common Tern at Sawbridgeworth Marsh

17TH MAY: Red Kite over A414 between Hertingfordbury and Welwyn....Hobby and Cuckoo at Marsworth Reservoir, Tring

15TH MAY: In Cheshunt Park: pr Hobby, pr Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, 3 Little Owl territories in area. This site has produced all 3 woodpeckers this year also....at Amwell - Little Ringed Plover, Egyptian Goose, 2 Teal, Ringed Plover and Redshank....Common Sandpiper on R LEa at East Hyde

14TH MAY: Hobby at Tyttenhanger

13TH MAY: Common Buzzard soaring over Moneyhill, Rickmansworth, also 1 Hobby

10TH MAY: Whooper Swan at Startops Reservoir, Tring and Hobby over

9TH MAY: Nightingale singing and showing well at Smallford Lake from 7.30pm at least from scrub at TL197072

Of interest, a Swallowtail Butterly seen by a reliable observer in car park of Rothamsted Station, Harpenden on 5th May

Late news from 6TH MAY: Smallford Gravel Pits - Nightingale (23rd Apr also) & 2 Wood Warblers with 2 Shelduck and 2prs Lapwing at Coopers Green GPs....Beech Farm Pits - Greenshank, drake Mandarin, 2-3 prs Lapwing, pr Grey partridge and 2 singing Reed Warblers

7TH MAY: 2 Yellow Wagtails at Wheathampstead....no sign of Temmick's Stint at Amwell, 3 Black Terns there....Nightingale singing at Rye House RSPB, by bridgeway to HMWTrust Hide, Grasshopper Wblr reeling by hide....3 Black Terns at Tyttenhanger early am, 1 remaining at noon, female Common Scoter still and 2 Turtle Doves, Wheatear, LR Plover and Common Sandpiper also....Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipits and 6 spp warbler in North Mymms Park

6TH MAY: Temminck's Stint at Amwell GPs, 2 Black Terns, Buzzard & 2 Common Sandpipers also....Sanderling and 6 Black Terns at Startops Reservoir, Tring....2 Hobbies at Wilstone Res....3+ Corn Buntings at Allen's Green....Turtle Dove calling from Park Wood north of Throcking TL333315

5TH MAY: Temminck's Stint at Amwell GPs....Blue-headed Wagtail at Wilstone Reservoir....at Tyttenhanger Pits - female Common Scoter (Coursers Lake), Greenshank, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 4+ Common Terns, Cuckoo, 1+ Swift....11 Little Terns through Wilstone Reservoir, also Common Buzzard, Greenshank, Black Tern and Arctic Tern....2 Hobbies over rape fields north of Sandridge....2 Tree Pipits in open area in middle of Potters Crouch Plantation

4TH MAY: Tring - Little Tern, 2 Arctic Terns and several Hobbies at Wilstone, Black Tern at Startops....4 Swifts over St Albans city centre and Garden Warbler singing in Verulamium Park (since 1/5)....Swift over Brookmans Park

2ND MAY: Black Tern on large fishing lake at Tyttenhanger Pits....Grasshopper Warbler at Sawbridgeworth station....at Amwell - Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, House Martin

1ST MAY: Male Ring Ouzel Maidencroft, Hitchin....Red Kite over Marshalls Heath nr Wheathamsted....at Amwell - Grey Plover, Turtle Dove, Lesser White-fronted Goose....3 Nightingales and 2 Grasshopper Warblers at Rye Meads....Female Whinchat west of Newnham village in rape field....Garden Warbler singing in North Mymms Park....Garden Warbler and Cuckoo at Springwell Lake

28TH APR: Heron/Crane sp over Lemsford - described as heron-like but neck carried out straight, not tucked in, wings quite long and slender....Nightingale and Green Sandpiper at Stanstead Abbotts GPs

27TH APR: Woodlark flew over Amwell calling

26TH APR: Grasshopper Warbler at Rye Meads....Dotterel in bare field south of Newnham to Ashwell Road....Swift over Startops Reservoir

24TH APR: Female Dotterel near Baldock....Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Sawbridgeworth Marsh....at Amwell - Garden Warbler, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 25+ Sedge Warblers, 3pr Little Ringed Plovers, drake Garganey, Common Sandpiper, pr Redshank, 2 Whitethroats and a Water Rail....2 Nightingales, Turtle Dove, 13 Snipe, pr Redshank, 3 prs Lapwing, Grasshopper Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at Rye Meads....2 singing Tree Pipits at North Mymms Park....2 Wheatears at King's Mead NR

23RD APR: Drake Garganey at Amwell....Tawny Owl and Cuckoo at Shenley Park....at Croxley Moor - Cuckoo, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers and 4 Reed Buntings....3 Corn Buntings nr Chiswell Green Rose Gardens

22ND APR: RED-RUMPED SWALLOW briefly over causeway between Startops and Marsworth Reservoirs, Tring

21ST APR: Cuckoo and 4 Whitethroats at Sawbridgeworth Marsh

19TH APR: Red Kite over Patmore Heath, also 4 House Martins and a Willow Warbler there

18TH APR: Cuckoo at Tewin....At Amwell - Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Common Tern, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover

17TH APR: Male Stonechat in a Kings Langly garden

16TH APR: Osprey at Amwell briefly before heading high north....4 singing Sedge Warblers and Water Rail at Sawbridgeworth Marsh....Swallow at Wickham Hall Farm

15TH APR: 4 Redpoll, Grey Wagtail and Willow Warbler in North Mymms Park

14TH APR: Buzzard over Throcking

13TH APR: Buzzard seen over Hexton-Lilley road

Late news from January - female Black Duck seen briefly at Wilstone Reservoir on 11th January (identity confirmed after checking skins at Tring, first thought to be a hybrid)

10TH APR: AMERICAN ROBIN reported from a garden in Hitchin, seen for 5 minutes only....c120 Golden Plover (summer plumage) at Kimpton....Blackcap in Hatfield Garden Village

9TH APR: Swallow and Little Ringed Plover at Amwell....Whitethroat, Swallow, 2 Gadwall and Kingfisher at Tyttenhanger....at Amwell - drake Garganey, male Blackcap, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshanks, House Martin, 3 Swallows, Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper....2 Whooper Swans and 2 Common Terns at Wilstone....3 Ruddy Ducks, 3-4 Swallows, 2 Grey Wagtails and pr Great Crested Grebe with young at Verulamium Park, St Albans

8TH APR: Male Ring Ouzel, 15 House Martins and Willow Warbler at Tyttenhanger....Drake Ruddy Duck and 2 Grey Wagtails on River Lea at East Hyde....Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Redshank and Willow Warbler at Amwell....2 Sedge Warblers and 3 Blackcaps at Rye House Marsh....2 Little Ringed Plovers and 2 Swallows at Stockers Farm....male Brambling in Hemel Hempstead....Chiffchaff at Ickleford

7TH APR: Drake Pintail on Tring Sewage Lagoon and female Goldeneye at Startops Reservoir....at Beech Farm - 3 Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Willow Warbler, 6 Little Grebe, 3prs Grey Partridge and 2 Sand Martin....150+ Fieldfare at Nashes Farm, Sandridge....male Blackcap in Belsize Close, St Albans

6TH APR: Curlew and House Martin at Wilstone Reservoir....5 Buzzards at Prae Wood and one at Aldbury Nowers

5TH APR: Pair of Mandarins in a flooded field next to River Lea at Wheathampstead TL182143

4TH APR: Osprey at Tring Reservoirs. First seen at Wilstone then Startops then drifted back to Wilstone. "It stayed only another 10 minutes". 3 Swallows at Startops....at Amwell - 50+ Sand Martins nest-hole building, also Swallow and Redshank

2ND APR: Marsh Harrier nr Rye Meads sewage works....Green Sandpiper at Cassiobury Park watercress beds also LS Woodpecker drumming nearby....2 singing Blackcaps and 6 Jay in Hoggates Wood....Little Owl at Wickham Hall Farm....Brambling in Dane O'Coys Rd, Bishops Stortford

1ST APR: 2 Buzzards overhead and Kingfisher at Gorhambury....At Wilstone - Shelduck, drake Pintail, 60 Fieldfares, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 100 Sand Martins....Green Sandpiper at Amwell....Kingfisher at Water End....2 Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and 50+ Fieldfare at North Mymms Park

27TH MAR: At Amwell - Drake Garganey, 15 Sand Martins, 8 Teal, 8 Chiffchaff, Egyptian Goose, 2 Grey and one White Wagtail

26TH MAR: Ruddy Duck at Verulamium Lake....at Amwell - 2 Buzzards, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Swallow, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and drake Garganey....Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Gobions Wood, Brookmans Park, also 6 Redwing, 14 Meadow Pipits and a Fieldfare....Buzzard and 2 Grey Wagtails at Gorhambury

25TH MAR: Green Sandpiper, 2 Shelduck, 2 Goldeneye at Rye House Marsh

24TH MAR: Black-necked Grebe and drake Garganey at Amwell GPs....Kingfisher and Blackcap at Gorhambury

23RD MAR: At Rye Meads - 11 Redshank, 75 Snipe, 3 pairs Lapwing....at Amwell - 110 Sand Martin, drake Garganey and 3 Ringed Plover

22ND MAR: At Tyttenhanger - 2 male Wheatears, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 8+ Pied Wagtail, 2-3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 pairs of Gadwall

21ST MAR: Curlew at Rye Meads....3 Marsh Harriers at Wilstone Reservoir

20TH MAR: Drake Garganey and Ringed Plover at Amwell....2 Grey Wagtails on Furzefield Brook, Potters Bar

19TH MAR: Red Kite soaring over Marshalswick, St Albans....Redpoll and singing Chiffchaff in North Mymms Park....Chiffchaff singing in a St Albans garden

18TH MAR: At Tyttenhanger - 9 Shoveler, Kingfisher, 3 Lapwing....2 Siskin in a Brookmans Park garden....c50 Sand Martins through Wilstone, also 3 Goldeneye, 5 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap....Common Buzzard over Rothamstead Experimental Station

17TH MAR: 3 Red Kite (yes 3!) at Wilstone Reservoir....at Nashes Farm, Sandridge - male Wheatear, 24+ Corn Bunting, 25+ Yellowhammer, 18+ Stock Dove and 280+ Fieldfare

16TH MAR: 3 Short-eared Owls at Beech Farm, also 50 Fieldfare over

14TH MAR: 12 Sand Martins over Marsworth Reservoir, Tring....2 Sand Martins at Tyttenhanger

13TH MAR: 2 male Wheatears at Tyttenhanger Pits on the large mound on new flooded area, also Green Sandpiper, Redshank and Wigeon there....2 Grey Wagtails on River Ver at Gorhambury and one in Verulamium Park near the mill

12TH MAR: 2 Sand martin over Amwell, also drake Goosander there....Jack Snipe from East Hide, Rye House Marsh....several Chiffchaffs singing at Amwell and Rye House Marsh....Brambling in garden on Dane O'Coys Road, Bishops Stortford

11TH MAR: Male Garganey and 2 Water Rail from public hide at Amwell and Egyptian Goose there....Common Buzzard just south of Whitwell east of B651....3 Short-eared Owls at Hatfield Aerodrome from 4pm, with 2 Barn Owls from 6pm and a Little Owl seen entering the Trident tail....Peregrine and Little Owl at Merry Hill, Bushey (Woodland Trust site)....at Amwell - 2 Redshank, 2 Goosander, 7 Goldeneye, drake Garganey (from public hide), 2 Ringed Plover and Egyptian Goose

10TH MAR: 3 Kittiwakes at Hilfield Park Reservoir

10TH MAR: 2 Short-eared Owls seen from 4pm at Hatfield Aerodrome

8TH MAR: 2 Green Sandpipers at Stanstead Abbotts Gravel Pit in SE corner

7TH MAR: Chiffchaff along entrance track to Amwell

6TH MAR: Green Sandpiper at Stanstead Abbotts GPs in SE corner of pit

5TH MAR: 7 Redpoll in Roebuck, Stevenage....Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl and 5 Grey Partridge at Beech Farm/Aerodrome....Common Buzzard and 2 Stonechat at Jockey End, Gaddesden Row....Kingfisher and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Gobions Wood, Brookmans Park

4TH MAR: 8/9 Kittiwakes in Wilstone Reservoir gull roost (7/8 adults and 1 1st-w)....Common Buzzard near Ware

3RD MAR: 3 Short-eared Owls at Beech Farm

29TH FEB: 2 Stonechats and 15 Snipe at north end of Broxbourne Gravel Pits....2 Long-eared Owls at 70 Acres Lake

26TH FEB: Green Sandpiper at Tyttenhanger Pits in newly flooded area, also Kingfisher, 25 Pochard and 13 Gadwall, plus 6 Brambling and "several" Reed Bunting nearby

24TH FEB: Red Kite near Whitwell....2 Barn Owls at Hatfield Aerodrome/Beech Farm (after 5pm)

20TH FEB: 2 Kingfishers and 3 marsh Tits at Gobions Wood, Brookmans Park....Lesser Spotted Wdpkr at south end of Cassiobury Park, Watford

19TH FEB: Red-necked Grebe at Hilfield Reservoir....Tring Reservoirs - 2 Stonechats, 4 Siskin, male Pintail (Tringford), 2 Snipe (sewage farm) and at Wilstone - Little Owl, Red-crested Pochard and 4 Goldeneye

18TH FEB: Amwell - 253 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 4 Goldeneye, 20 Siskin (by public hide)....Short-eared Owl at Hatfield Aerodrome and 120 Fieldfare at Beech Farm

17TH FEB: (Just outside Herts) 4 Long eared Owls and 7 Smew at 70 Acres Lake, Lee Valley

15TH FEB: Red Kite over Aston....3-4 Short-eared Owls at Hatfield Aerodrome, also Little Owl going to roost "in Trident tailplane", 1000 Golden Plover (in area) and 2 Grey Partridge

13TH FEB: Red-necked Grebe at Hilfield Reservoir....Hatfield Aerodrome - 4+ Short-eared Owls, Little Owl and Barn Owl plus male Stonechat....At Stockers lake - Water Rail, 2 Smew, 9 Goldeneye and 8 Goosander....Green Sandpiper and Snipe at Rye Meads....Chiffchaff in Sawbridgeworth....Stonechat, 5 Bullfinch, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting at Croxley Moor

12TH FEB: Drake Garganey at Amwell from Public Hide with Teal, also Egyptian Goose there....3 Short-eared Owls, 1 Long-eared Owl and 2 Barn Owls at Hatfield Aerodrome and Stonechat, Green Sandpiper, 10+ Teal, 20+ Meadow Pipit and 1 Reed Bunting at Beech Farm....At Stockers Lake - 7 Goosander (4 drakes), 2 Smew (1 drake), 2+ Goldeneye, many Gadwall, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and large mixed flock of Siskin, Goldfinch and Chaffinch

11TH FEB: Bittern at Amwell Pits from Public Hide, flying between reedbeds at 1130

10TH FEB: Black-necked Grebe at Hilfield Reservoir....Beech Farm/Hatfield Aerodrome area - 2 Short-eared Owls, Barn Owl and male Stonechat

9TH FEB: Red Kite (orange wing-tagged) and 3 Common Buzzards near Whitwell

5TH FEB: Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl and 2-4 Short-eared Owls in Hatfield Aerodrome/Beech Farm area, also mixed flock of c300 Golden Plover and Lapwing....at Amwell GPs - 3 Goosander and 137 Lapwing

4TH FEB: Bittern and 2 Water Rails from the Public Hide at Amwell GPs....Barn Owl at Hatfield Aerodrome around 5.15pm

3TH FEB: Hawfinch near Sawtrees Cold Christmas (view from the road looking over the wood towards Barwich Ford - the tallest tree in particular)

1ST FEB: Barn Owl and Short-eared Owl at Hatfield Aerodrome, around 1530....Bittern, 2 Jack Snipe and 2 Chiffchaff at Rye Meads

31ST JAN: 2 Short-eared and up to 3 Long-eared Owls (in a hedge near old aircraft enclosures) at Hatfield Aerodrome

30TH JAN: Kingfisher, Siskin and flock of 20 Skylark at Tyttenhanger GPs

29TH JAN: 1st-w Med and adult Yellow-legged Gull in Hilfield roost, no sign on Red-necked Grebe....1 Short-eared Owl at Hatfield Aerodrome....29 Teal and 1 Redpoll at Beech Farm but no sign of any SE Owls....13 Gadwall and 23 Pochard at Tyttenhanger GPs....Shelduck at Amwell

27TH JAN: At Kings Mead - 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe and 28 Common Snipe....Common Buzzard over Easeneye Wood, Amwell....Rye Meads - Green Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail....at Westmill near Tonwell - 50+ Siskins, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Kingfisher....3 SE Owls still at Hatfield Aerodrome and male Stonechat, viewable from footpath behind Notcutts Garden Centre....6 LE Owls still just outside Herts at 70 Acres Lake, also 10 Smew in area

26TH JAN: Redhead Smew at Bury Lake, Rickmansworth....2 Blackcaps in Wheathampstead

25TH JAN: Water Rail showing very well at Amwell GPs and GBB Gulls in good supply

24TH JAN: 3-5 Short-eared Owls flying from 1450 around Hatfield Aerodrome area and adjacent rough ground to west, also Grey Wagtail Beech Farm....4-500 Lapwing with few Golden Plover at Stanborough Farm, Coopers Green Lane

23RD JAN: 3-4 Short-eared Owls in Beech Farm GPs/Hatfield Aerodrome area, also 2 Stonechats and 5 Grey Partridge in area....Common Buzzard around Sheepcote Lane area of Wheathampstead....flock of 23 Blackbirds at Dane O'Coys Farm, Bishops Stortford, also flock of 11 Long-tailed Tits

22ND JAN: 4 Tree Sparrows and 5+ Brambling at the Coursers Road area, also 450+ Fieldfare in locality....male Brambling in Cromwell Road, Hertford

21ST JAN: Drake Garganey from 1st hide at Rye House Marsh

20TH JAN: Male Stonechat on Croxley Moor....Common Buzzard near Sarratt

17TH JAN: Little Egret at Wilstone Reservoir, first seen yesterday

16TH JAN: Male Blackcap in Brookmans Park

15TH JAN: Red-necked Grebe at Hilfield Reservoir plus Long-eared Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Water Rail (also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, a 1st-w Med Gull in roost)....7 LE Owls and 8 Smew 70 Acres Lake (no sign of Bittern)

14TH JAN: Stanborough Reedmarsh - 13 Corn Bunting, 34 Reed Bunting and 3 Water Rails....400+ Golden Plover and 50 Lapwing near Smallford

11TH JAN: 4-5 LE Owls 70 Acres Lake

9TH JAN: Bittern and 2 Smew Amwell GPs....Common Buzzard near Nuthampstead....6+ LE Owls, 6 Smew and Bittern 70 Acres Lake....Smew on Bowyers Water

8TH JAN: Waxwing along West Riding, Bricket Wood at 11.15....6 LE Owls, 5 Smew 70 Acres Lake (Old Herts) and Red-necked Grebe inside Essex at nearby Dodds Weir....Common Buzzard over North Mymms Park

7TH JAN: Chiffchaff at Stockers Lake

6TH JAN: 5 Long-eared Owls on island in 70 Acres Lake again(this is technically Old Herts!)....flock of 10 Goldfinch in a St Albans garden

5TH JAN: 6 Long-eared Owls (9 reported early am) showing well on small island at 2.25pm also 4 Smew there....(just outside Herts) Slavonian Grebe and 5 Smew on pit just south of Broadwater Gravel Pits (female Long-tailed Duck here)....4 Smew on Stockers Lake and pr RC Pochards on Inns Lake

4TH JAN: Slavonian Grebe at south end of Springwell Lake, next to Stockers Lake at 1255 at least....5 Long-eared Owls near 70 Acres Lake, drake Smew on lake and Bittern from hide also....Pair Red-crested Pochard on Inns Lake, adj to Stockers Lake

2ND JAN: Female Smew, Red-crested Pochard, 3 Goosander at Wilstone Reservoir

1ST JAN: Jack Snipe at Amwell GPs, also 10 Common Snipe, 2 Water Rail, Merlin and 100 Lapwing

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