Herts Bird Club Bulletin, covering March and April 2000
Red-rumped Swallow attracts a flock of Dippers
Winter visitors departed early and summer birds seem to be arriving earlier every year; but I am totally bewildered by the fact that despite hammering my south coast patch every day, Herts birders have managed to record every spring migrant earlier than me! I have a theory that birds arrive on the Isle of Wight, rest and feed up, and then give Hampshire a miss. Well that’s my excuse anyway.
Despite the early arrival of many migrants, Spring passage so far appears to have been light but varied. Apart from a report of a female Ferruginous Duck at Tring (very briefly), wildfowl were highlighted by a couple of Black-necked Grebes at Amwell, a Brent Goose at Hilfield, a drake Scaup at Rye Meads, the regular Long-tailed Duck at Troy Mill, and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers at Wilstone. A drake Pintail was seen on and off at Tring and the wintering drake Garganey remained at Amwell until 23rd Apr. The only passage Garganey were a pair at Wilstone Reservoir, the only Smew was found at Troy Mill, and Goosander had all left by the end of March.
Once again raptors featured highly with no less than 6 Red Kites, 5 Marsh harriers, 6 Ospreys and 3 Merlins. A Goshawk was found at Wilstone and a Peregrine at Bushey. The Long-eared Owl at Rye Meads remained until
24th Apr and at least one Short-eared was still at Beech Farm on 8th Apr.
A smattering of waders were highlighted by a report of a Dotterel near Ashwell (24th and 26th Apr), 1-2 Oystercatchers at Wilstone on several dates, 1-2 Jack Snipe at Rye Meads, a flock of 7 Black-tailed Godwits over Wilstone, 1-3 Whimbrel recorded from four sites, single Curlews at Rye Meads and Wilstone, and a Turnstone at Tyttenhanger (17th Apr).
Single Mediterranean Gulls were found at Rye Meads and Hilfield, 7 Little Gulls were at Wilstone (8th Apr) and 4 passed through Hilfield between 8th and 17th Apr. A Yellow-legged Gull was at Amwell mid March, 3 Kittiwakes at Hilfield (3rd Mar), 10 roosted at Wilstone (4th Mar) with 1 there on 13th-14th Apr. Wilstone also hosted a Little Tern (11th Apr) and the only 2 Black Terns (26th Apr).
A report of a Red-rumped Swallow at Startops End Reservoir sent pulses and wheels racing on 22nd Apr but the bird was not seen again. Equally as brief was the Woodlark which flew over Amwell calling on 27th Apr. Tree Pipits were located at three sites, and a ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit spent two days at Hilfield, where a ‘Blue-headed’ Wagtail joined its Yellow cousins on 14th Apr. Just 2 ‘White’ Wagtails were found despite good numbers being recorded elsewhere in the London area. Nightingales were found at Smallford Lake, Rye Meads (2), and Stanstead Abbots GP, and single Black Redstarts at Tyttenhanger and Stevenage. 5 Stonechats were recorded from four sites, but only 2 Whinchats were seen, and Wheatear passage appears to be below average. A male Ring Ouzel was at Tyttenhanger on 8th Apr, and Grasshopper warblers were found at Rye Meads (2), Sawbridgeworth Marsh, and Amwell GP. Undoubtedly the most obliging passerine of the period was a Pied Flycatcher posing at Hilfield Reservoir from 11th-16th Apr. Glen ‘Brambling’ Barnes’s St Albans garden continues to be the best site in the county for Brambling, otherwise 1-6 birds were seen at four sites. The only record of Hawfinch came from Stockers Farm, though I hear that Post Wood is still fairly reliable.
A couple of Ravens came close to the county border when they were seen over Marsworth on 7th Apr. A visit to Pitstone Quarry might just get them on your Herts List, though these birds are illusive and are possibly best looked for at Steps Hill (Bucks). Anna Marett added two new birds to her garden list with Egyptian Goose and Common Tern. (no doubt on the peanut feeder).
Lee Marshall.
Lee's contact details are here.
Systematic bird sightings for Mar/Apr 2000