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Little Grebe: Tachybaptus ruficollis. C, Re, Br
One pair reside annually. Largest winter flocks have included;
17 birds in February 1954 and 20 birds in Jan/Feb 1955.

Great Crested Grebe:Podiceps cristatus. U, Br
The majority of records involve visiting birds from the Luton Hoo Estate.
1 immature 25/7/87.
2 immatures June 1989.
Adult and 2 immatures July 1991, with an adult 27/12/91.
1 adult throughout 1992.
1 adult 12/4/93.
3 adults June 1993.
1 adult 24/10/93.
A pair bred in 1994 but deserted their clutch.
2 adults 18/2/95.
1 adult 14/7/95.
1 adult 3/6 - 31/7/96.
1 adult 15/11/98.
1 adult 17 - 25/6/01.

Manx Shearwater: Puffinus puffinus Ra
1 was found dead at the sewage farm October 1953.

Cormorant: Phalacrocorax carbo C, Re
Individual adults and immatures visit the area monthly and regularly use surrounding trees to dry their wings. Maximum counts have included;
5 birds October 1991.
5 birds July 1994.
5 birds December 1995.
7 birds 5/11/00.

Little Egret: Egretta garzetta Ra
1 bird 3/5/95.
1 bird 7/5/99.
1 bird 9/9/99.
1 bird 26/7/00. 1 bird 18/9/03.

Bittern: Botaurus stellaris Ra
One was shot near Lawrence End January 1856.

Grey Heron: Ardea cinerea C, Re
An average of 6 birds are regular around the site monthly. Maximum counts have included;
10 birds 30/5/95.
A 'purple' looking melanistic bird was present 4/10/93.
1 bird found dead 1/7/95 at the mill had been ringed as a pullus at Hornso, Jylland, Denmark.

Mute Swan: Cygnus olor C, Re, Br
Between 1 - 2 pair reside and breed annually.

Whooper Swan: Cygnus Cygnus Ra
1 was shot at New Mill End 1890.

Pink-Footed Goose: Anser brachyrhynchus Ra
1 was present 23/10/92.
1 was present 25-30/9/94.

White-Fronted Goose Anser albifrons Ra
1 bird was present 21/2/93 when it was joined by a second bird 28/2/93.

Greylag Goose: Anser anser C, P, Br
1 pair 12/5/93.
1 bird 26/12/93.
4 birds between 21/4-26/4/94.
1 bird between 25/9-1/10/94.
1 bird on 18/2/95.
1 bird during February, August & September 1996.
1 bird during November & December 1997.
1 pair between April - May 1998.
3 birds throughout the Spring of 1999.
1 bird 14/5/01 then 7/8 - 10/8/01.
1 pair with 7 fledglings throughout August & September 2001, though were
thought to have bred at Luton Hoo.
6 birds 8/9/02.
1 bird 1/2/03.

Canada Goose: Branta Canadensis C, P, Re, Br
First bred in 1986 when a pair had a brood of 8 young predated. Has bred subsequently in each year with varying success. Peak winter counts have included;
220 in September 1992.
359 in September 1993.
215 in August 1994.
Ca 300 in August 1994.
220 in December 1995.
378 in February 1996.
Ca 200 on 3/9/00.
214 on 28/10/01.
291 birds on 21/9/03
During 2003, five - six pair reared a record 28 fledglings.
A bird ringed as a juvenile at Ollerton, Notts in 1980 was controlled at East Hyde in 1983 before being shot later at Luton Hoo.

Egyptian Goose: Alopochen aegyptiacus Ra
2 birds 1/3/03.

Common Shelduck: Tadorna tadorna Ra
1 pair present 16-30/3/86.

Mandarin: Aix galericulata S
1 pair bred and raised three young in 1986.
1 female 29/5/88.
1 male with 2 female 9/12/90.
1 female 13/10/91.
1 male 1/1/96.
1 female 5/10/96.
1 female 28/4/98.

Wigeon: Anas Penelope C, P
Maximum yearly counts have included;
9 male & 5 female 31/1/87.
1 pair 8/1-18/3/88.
2 pair 17/12/89.
1 pair 4-11/2/90.
1 pair 18/2/91.
3 pair 19/1/92.
1 pair 17-30/3/93.
2 pair 20/1/94.
1 male 22/2 - 15/3/95.
1 pair 31/1/96.
2 male & 1 female 11/2/96.
1 pair 12/1 - 9/2/97.
1 pair 16/1/00.

Gadwall: Anas strepera C, Re, Br
Breeding first noted in 1992 when 1 pair reared 8 young. This remains the only successful breeding records with all future attempts failing. Subsequent breeding attempts and peak winter counts have included;
1 pair hatched 10 young in 1993.
1 pair hatched 6 young in 1994.
1 pair hatched 10 young in 1995.
21 birds 25/1/91.
29 birds 25/1/92.
18 birds February 1993.
20 birds 6/2/94.
28 birds 22/2/96.

Common Teal: Anas crecca C, P
Pairs summered in 1994 and 1995 and although displaying was noted, breeding could not be proven. Peak counts have included;
5 birds 30/11/86.
7 pair 15/12/91.
10 pair 23/1/92.
6 pair February 1993.
4 pair January 1994.
7 on 9/3/96.
7 male & 9 female 28/12/96.
5 pair 5/1/97.
4 pair 19/3/98.
8 pair 19/12/99.

Mallard: Anas platyrhynchos C, Re, Br
A common sight along the river. Maximum counts of birds have included;
163 birds 25/1/91.
65 birds 30/5/92.
73 birds 5/1/97.
62 birds 12/9/99.
110 birds 2/1/03.

Pintail: Anas acuta Ra
A male between 2-19/2/92.
1 female 27/12/99.

Garganey: Anas querquedula Ra
A male on 29/4/84.

Shoveler: Anas clypeata C, P
Maximum yearly counts have included;
1 male 31/1/87.
2 male 22/3/89.
2 pair 11/2/90.
2 pair January & February 1991.
1 pair May 1992.
2 female 20/12/92.
2 pair 24/1/93.
3 male & 1 female January 1994.
4 male 31/1/96.
10 male & 8 female flew over site 28/2/96.
1 male 15/4 & 22/6/97.
1 pair 5/2/98.
1 pair 5/2/01.

Pochard: Aythya farina U, P
1 female 9/2/91.
1 female 3/1/93.
1 male 4/1/96.
5 pair 9/1/96.
2 pair 30/1/96.
1 female 13/3/96.
1 male 1/1/97.

Ferruginous Duck: Aythya nyroca Ra
1 at Newmill End overwintered 1890/1.

Tufted Duck: Aythya fuligula C, P, Br
Once a common sight along the river, has now become irregular over recent years. Previous breeding and peak counts have included;
3 pair bred 1986.
24 birds March 1987.
1 pair bred 1987.
7 pair summered but did not breed 1989.
4 pairs bred 1990.
5 pairs summered of which 2 pair bred 1991.
4 pair summered of which 1 pair bred 1992.
4 pair summered 1993.
2 pair summered 1994.
5 male & 1 female 19/1/96.

Greater Scaup: Aythya marila Ra
A male between 18-23/2/91.

Goldeneye: Bucephala clangula. Ra
1 male reported during the second winter period of 1992.
1 male 5/1/97.

Smew: Mergus albellus Ra
A pair on 14/2/91.

Goosander: Mergus merganser S
7 birds 18/1/85.
1 female 25/1/91.
4 redheads between 10-15/12/91.
2 redheads throughout January 1992.
1 male 1/1/97.
1 male 17/10/99.

Ruddy Duck: Oxyura jamaicensis U
1 pair 7/5 - 13/5/99.
1 male 10/6/99.
1 male 8/4 - 27/4/00 when it was seen regularly displaying to female Mallard.
2 male 8/5 - 11/5/00.

Honey Buzzard: Pernis apivorus Ra
1 bird 11/5/02.

Red Kite: Milvus milvus Ra
1 wing-tagged bird 21/3/99.
1 bird 28/5/99.

Sparrowhawk: Accipiter nisus C, Re, Br
At least two pair breed annually in surrounding woodland.

Common Buzzard: Buteo buteo C, Re
Once a rare sight, (the first record being 14/8/95), this species can usually be seen somewhere around the area during the year. Breeding attempts have occurred recently at nearby locations of Luton Hoo and Luton Airport.

Kestrel: Falco tinnunculus C, Re, Br
A Common sight around the area with at least two pair resident.
A bird ringed as a pullus in Barnsley in 15/6/93 was found waterlogged near East Hyde 29/10/93. It was dried out overnight and released the next day.

Merlin: Falco columbarius Ra
Fem/imm 23/12/97.
1 bird February 2002.

Hobby: Falco subbuteo S. P. Br?
Recorded most summers with adults seen catching House Martin, Swift and dragonflies around the area.
A pair present during summer 1999.
A pair present during summer 2001.
Adults with immatures noted during the summer of 2002 must have bred locally.

Peregrine Falcon: Falco peregrinus Ra
1 on 4/1/99 was also reported 16/1/99.

Red-legged Partridge: Alectoris rufa C, Re, Br
A common sight around the area.
A covey of 17 birds wintered during1993.
A covey of 26 birds 8/12/96.
21 birds 23/11/02.

Grey Partridge: Perdix perdix C, Re, Br
Once a common species around the area, more recently numbers have reduced considerably. Maximum covey totals have included;
7 birds 3/3/95.
26 birds 30/11/99.
16 birds 18/1/02.

Common Pheasant: Phasianus colchicus C, Re, Br
Common.
An albino bird 28/8/02.

Lady Amherst's Pheasant: Chrysolophus amherstiae Ra
There currently exists a well established but declining population around the Luton Hoo Estate, and any records surely relate to wandering birds from this site.
1 male 28/3/94.
1 female dead along B653 (Lower Luton Road), 21/2/95.

Common Crane: Grus grus Ra
5 birds at West Hyde 12-14/3/03.

Water Rail: Rallus aquaticus S, Re?
1 bird 21/11/93.
1 bird 26/12/94.
1 bird during 1st winter period 1995.
1 bird 28/1/96 & 11/2/96.
1 bird during 1st winter period 1998.
1 bird 7/2/99.
1 bird 22/8/99.
1 bird 27/1/00.
1 bird 8/1/02.

Moorhen: Gallinula chloropus C, Re, Br
Numbers have reduced noticeably over the past decade. An average of 7 pair currently reside around the area. Maximum winter counts have included;
73 birds 10/1/91.
69 birds 13/12/92.
40 birds 30/1/93.
57 birds 11/12/94.
58 birds January 1995.
41 birds 9/3/96.
40 birds 1/2/97.

Coot: Fulica atra C, Re, Br
An average of 8 pair reside around the area. Maximum winter counts have included;
56 birds January 1995.

Little Ringed Plover: Charadrius dubius Ra
1 bird 16/4/85.
1 bird 28/4/86.
2 bird were present during a day in the Spring of 1995. (Exact date unknown).

Golden Plover: Pluvialis apricaria U, P
An irregular visitor to the area. Maximum winter counts have included;
200 birds 4/4/83.
340 birds 26/3/92.
300 birds 16/3/93.
200 birds 14/12/93.
40 birds 6/1/95.
21 birds 19/12/98.
150 birds 11 - 14/4/99.
60 birds 14/3/00.
33 birds 14/12/01.
16 birds 27/11/02.
75 birds 7/3/03.

Lapwing: Vanellus vanellus C, Re, Br
An irregular breeder depending on crop types around surrounding fields. Species favours Field Bean usually grown west of the valley. Peak winter counts have included;
c300 birds 19/1/92.
c250 birds 1/2/93 & c350 birds 26/12/93.
c320 birds 5/10/97.
c2000 birds between 19/2-11/3/93.
A bird ringed as a pullus on site 13/6/83 was found shot two and a half years later at Ste Gemme la Plaine, Vendee, France.

Dunlin: Calidris alpina Ra
1 bird on 5/1/85.

Ruff: Philomachus pugnax Ra
1 at New Mill End between 30/1-14/2/54.

Common Snipe: Gallinago gallinago S, P
Recorded most winters though over recent years this has been with single counts and is clearly a declining species along this stretch of river. Maximum counts have included;
15 birds 12/2/90.
32 birds 1/12/92.
20 birds 25/1/93.
29 birds 23/1/94.
17 birds 15/3/95.
9 birds 27/1/96.

Jack Snipe: Lymnocryptes minimus S, P
1 bird was ringed 16/1/82.
1 bird 17/11/91 & 8/12/91.
1 bird 16/3/95.
1 bird 6/2 - 20/2/96.
1 bird 27/12/96.
1 bird 5/2/98.
1 bird 14/2/99.

Woodcock: Scolopax rusticola S, P
1 bird 22/1/94.
1 bird 16/3/95.
1 bird 3/1/02.

Bar-Tailed Godwit: Limosa lapponica Ra
1 bird 7/5/01.

Redshank: Tringa tetanus U, P
1 bird throughout January 1982.
1 bird 19/4/84.
1 bird 14/3/93.
1 bird 24/3/01.
1 bird 30/9/03.

Greenshank: Tringa nebularia Ra
1 bird 9/8/84.
1 bird 13/8/93.

Green Sandpiper: Tringa ochropus S, P
1 bird 18/8/91.
1 bird 9/5/93.
1 bird 13/8/93.
1 bird 29/9/93.
1 bird 20/9/95.
1 bird 20/2/96.
1 bird 24/12/01.
1 bird 27/1 - 4/4/02.
1 bird 29/9 - 17/3/03.
1 bird 8/7/03.

Common Sandpiper: Tringa hypoleucos S, P
1 bird between 19/11-18/12/49.
1 bird 6/7/86.
1 bird 14/6/90.
1 bird 8/5/94.
1 bird 31/8/95.
2 birds 18/5/97.
1 bird 4/10/99.
1 bird 15/5/00.
1 bird 26/7/00.
1 bird 17/8/01.
1 bird 16/12/01 - 5/1/02.
2 birds 25/4/02.
1 bird 24/8/03.

Grey Phalarope: Phalaropus fulicarius Ra
1 was shot on a pond between East Hyde and Chiltern Green in November 1891.

Little Gull: Larus minutes Ra
1 bird 18/10/87.

Black-Headed Gull: Larus ridibundus C, P, (Re)
Almost a resident species, disappearing only between mid May-mid June. Two 'sooty' plumaged birds were present during December 1992 and later were seen roosting at Hilfield Reservoir in Hertfordshire. Peak counts have included;
320 birds 5/8/95.
272 birds 19/8/96.
350 birds 31/7 - 4/8/97.
308 birds 11/10/98.
310 birds 27/2/99.
510 birds 8/8/99.

Common Gull: Larus canus C, P
Singles generally noted around the site during winter and passage months. Ploughing on nearby fields usually results with multiple counts. Peak counts have included;
32 birds 14/8/95.

Lesser Black-Backed Gull: Larus fuscus C, P
Singles generally noted flying along the valley on passage, but have been noted resting around the meadow during heavy rain. Peak counts have included;
25 birds following a plough 24/8/03.

Great Black-Backed Gull: Larus marinus S, P Same as with the previous species though less likely to be seen at rest.

Kittiwake: Rissa tridactyla Ra
An immature 24/10/98.

Common Tern: Sterna hirundo Ra
1 bird along the river between 24/6 - 16/7/01. It was briefly joined by a second bird on 3/7/01.
The same long staying bird as above returned between 18/6 - 20/6/02. (It was sporting a BTO leg ring).
1 bird flew downriver 26/6/03, and was again seen dive-bombing a Little Egret on 1/7/03.

Arctic Tern: Sterna paradisaea Ra
1 bird 22/4/99.

Stock Dove: Columba oenas C, Re, Br
An average of three pair breed locally.

Wood Pigeon: Columba palumbus C, Re, Br
Common! Peak winter counts have included;
c1000 birds 25/12/86.
c4000 birds 25/1/94.

Collared Dove: Streptopelia decaocto C, Re, Br
A common species around the area. Peak winter roost counts have included;
45 birds between January and February 1992.

Turtle Dove: Streptopelia turtur S, Br
Sadly now an uncommon sight around the area and generally involves birds on passage. Of interest;
A late departing bird was present 4/10/92.
A singing male was present during 1993.
Breeding was confirmed in 1995 with 4/5 young reared.
A singing male was present during 1996.
A singing male was present during 1997.
3 birds during August 1999.
A pair held territory during 2000.
1 bird 23/5/02.

Cuckoo: Cuculus canorus S, P
Sadly an ever increasing stranger to the Upper Lea Valley with sporadic records since 1995.

Barn Owl: Tyto albaU
Although several pairs breed nearby, and mostly via release schemes, this species continues to be a special sight at East Hyde;
1 bird 31/1/85.
1 bird between 30/1 - 1/2/93.
1 bird was found dead in 1994.
1 bird 24/11/98.
1 bird 20/1/01.

Little Owl: Athene noctua C, Re, Br
1 pair are resident.
Tawny Owl: Strix aluco C, Re, Br
Two pair are resident.

Long-Eared Owl: Asio otus Ra
1 bird 16/12/91.
1 found dead in February 1992.

Swift: Apus apus C, P
Generally seen in small numbers around the area. Of interest a bird seen to drop dead out of the sky on 7/6/34 contained over 20 blood sucking flies of the order Crataerina pallida! Peak counts have included;
c300 birds 20/5/96.

Ring-Necked Parakeet: Psittacula krameri Ra
One bird flew upriver 9/8/03.

Kingfisher: Alcedo atthis C, Re, Br
1 pair reside along the river.

Green Woodpecker: Picus viridis C, Re, Br
1-2 pair reside around the area.

Great Spotted Woodpecker: Dendrocopos major C, Re, Br
1-2 pair reside around the area.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: Dendrocopus minor Ra
1 male 17/4/02.

Skylark: Alauda arvensis C, Re, Br.
Peak counts have included;
100+ January 1982.
100+ September 1989.

Sand Martin: Riparia riparia U, P
18 birds 31/3/94.
5 birds 4/5/95.
1 bird 10/5/98.

Sand Martin x House Martin Hybrid: Ra
A recently fledged juvenile of this mix was ringed within the House Martin colony at Hyde Mill Farm in 2001. Brief views of what was probably the same or a related bird were obtained in 2002, but, in the absence of capture, confirmation was not forethcoming.

Swallow: Hirundo rustica C, P, Br
Pairs regularly breed around the various farm and sewage work buildings.

House Martin: Delichon urbica C, P, Br
A traditional nesting colony exists at Hyde Mill Farm.
A bird ringed as a juvenile on 19/9/85 at Stock, Ingatestone, Essex was controlled as a breeding female a year later at East Hyde.
A bird ringed as a juvenile on 2/10/94 at Sandwich Bay was controlled as a breeding female at East Hyde 5/8/95.

Meadow Pipit: Anthus pratensis C, Re, Br?
Can be seen and heard year round. During the 1980's a bird was ringed at the sewage farm and recovered dead in Iceland, only the third ever British ringed bird to be recovered. Peak winter counts have included;
72 birds 19/12/92.
61 birds 3/1/93.

Water Pipit: Anthus spinoletta Ra
Between 1971 - 1975 birds were noted at the sewage farm on 4 occasions. Only 1 record was noted subsequently, date unknown.
All records concern single birds noted during a one day stay except for a bird that stayed between 16/12/70 - 16/3/71.

Yellow Wagtail: Motacilla flava S, P, Br
Peak passage counts have included;
24 birds 3/9/95.
Confirmed breeding during 1997 & 1998.

Blue-Headed Wagtail: Motacilla flava sp. Ra
An individual showing characteristics of the race Beema, and presumed to be in fact a flava x flavissima hybrid was present 7/5/01.

Grey Wagtail: Motacilla cinerea C, Re, Br
At least one pair resides around the area.

Pied Wagtail: Motacilla alba yarrellii C, Re, Br
A common sight around the area. Peak winter counts have included;
200 in 1952.

White Wagtail: Motacilla alba alba Ra
1 bird 10/4/96.
1 bird 26/4/96.

Wren: Troglodytes troglodytes C, Re, Br
Common.

Dunnock: Prunella modularis C, Re, Br
Common.

Robin: Erithacus rubecula C, Re, Br
Common.

Black Redstart: Phoenicurus ochruros Ra
End of August 2000 a male bird spent at least a week in the area when it was caught and ringed. What was presumably the same bird was seen briefly in May 2001.

Whinchat: Saxicola rubetra U, P
1 female 2/6/89.
1 bird 31/5/91.
1 female 20/9/95.
1 bird 12/5/96.

Stonechat: Saxicola torquata U, P
1 male 2/5/99.
1 male 23/12/01.
Fem/imm 6/3/02.

Wheatear: Oenanthe oenanthe Ra
2 female 25/9/97.

Blackbird: Turdus merula C, Re, Br
Common.

Fieldfare: Turdus pilaris C, P
A bird carrying nesting material was noted during April 1997. Peak winter counts have included;
c100 birds during the winter 1986.
c100 birds during the winter 1990.
c150 birds 28/11/93.
c200 birds during the winter 1996.
c250 birds during the winter 2001.

Song Thrush: Turdus philomelos C, Re, Br
Common.

Redwing: Turdus iliacus C, P
Peak winter counts have included;
Ca 100 birds 1986.
Ca 100 birds 1988.
Ca 500 birds 1995.

Mistle Thrush: Turdus viscivorus C, Re, Br
Common. Peak counts have included;
42 birds on 5/8/03.

Grasshopper Warbler: Locustella naevia Ra
1 bird singing 3/6/00.

Sedge Warbler: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus C, P, Br
Single pairs breed around suitable habitat.

Reed Warbler: Acrocephalus scirpaceus C, P, Br
Single pairs breed in small reed beds lining the river and scrape.

Lesser Whitethroat: Sylvia curruca C, P
Individuals noted most years though breeding yet to be confirmed though strongly suspected.

Common Whitethroat: Sylvia communis C, P, Br
Several pairs breed annually around the site.

Garden Warbler: Sylvia borin U, P
Individuals usually only heard in song on passage.

Blackcap: Sylvia atricapilla C, P, Br
At least three pair visit the area each summer.

Chiffchaff: Phylloscopus collybita C, P, Br
Common around the area with occasional individuals overwintering.

Willow Warbler: Phylloscopus trochilus C, P, Br
Once a familiar sound around the area, over more recent years only 1-2 pairs have been heard.

Goldcrest: Regulus regulus C, Re, Br
Common though normally heard rather than seen.

Spotted Flycatcher: Muscicapa striata S, P
Once a common sight around the area its now a good record to see one. Recent records have included;
1 bird on the very late date of 21/10/98.

Bearded Tit: Panurus biarmicus Ra
1 bird 28/12/65.

Long-Tailed Tit: Aegithalos caudatus C, Re, Br
A few pairs reside around the area.

Marsh Tit: Parus palustris S, Re, Br
At least one pair resides around the area.
Breeding confirmed in 1995.

Willow Tit: Parus montanus U, Re, Br
Breeding confirmed in 1991.
Breeding confirmed in 1993.

Coal Tit: Parus ater C, Re, Br
At least 2 pair reside around the area.

Blue Tit: Parus caeruleus C, Re, Br
Common.

Great Tit: Parus major C, Re, Br
Common.

Nuthatch: Sitta europaea S, Re, Br
Usually heard rather than seen.

Treecreeper: Certhia familiaris C, Re, Br
At least 2 pair reside around the area.

Golden Oriole: Oriolus oriolus Ra
1 bird 12/5/51.

Red-Backed Shrike: Lanius collurio Ra
Bred annually around the site until 1959.

Jay: Garrulus glandarius S, Re, Br
Seen regularly throughout the year.

Magpie: Pica pica C, Re, Br
Common.

Jackdaw: Corvus monedula C, Re, Br
Common. Peak counts have included;
120 birds 26/2/90.

Rook: Corvus frugilegus C, Re, Br
Common around the area with a small rookery to the north lining the B653, as a spin off from the much larger colony at Luton Hoo.

Carrion Crow: Corvus corone C, Re, Br
Common.
A white winged bird was present 10/10/98 and 18/9/03.

Starling: Sturnus vulgaris C, Re, Br
Common.

House Sparrow: Passer domesticus C, Re, Br
Although once a very common sight around the area, numbers continue to decline.

Tree Sparrow: Passer montanus Ra
A maximum of 35 birds were counted 8/2/87, with breeding last confirmed in 1990 with a pair feeding young during May. The last birds were sadly recorded from the site 31/7/94.

Chaffinch: Fringilla coelebs C, Re, Br
Common.
55 birds along Thrales End Lane 27/10/96.
30 birds 1/11/98.

Brambling: Fringilla montifringilla S
15 birds on 31/10/93.
10 birds on 22/2/95.

Greenfinch: Carduelis chloris C, Re, Br
Common.

Goldfinch: Carduelis carduelis C, Re, Br
Common. Maximum winter counts have included;
30 birds 15/10/95.

Siskin: Carduelis C, P
Often seen in flight over area during winter months.
55 birds 18/1/98.

Linnet: Acanthis cannabina C, Re, Br
Common around area. Peak counts have included;
c100 birds 2/9/90.
c200 birds 27/9/98.

Lesser Redpoll: Acanthis flammea S
Another decreasing species around the area. Up until the mid 80's flocks of up to 30 birds could be located most winters feeding in the Alders by the Thrales End Lane bridge. More recently though, individual birds or small partys are usually heard in flight passing down the valley.

Crossbill: Loxia curvirostra Ra
Probably August, and during mid - late 80's three birds dropped in to drink at one of the ponds, an area now occupied by the scrape.

Bullfinch: Pyrrhula pyrrhula C, Re, Br
At least two pair can be seen, though generally heard, around the area.

Hawfinch: Coccothraustes coccothraustes Ra
Apparently recorded around East Hyde prior to 1946 but no further details available. Subsequent records include;
1 bird 23/5/85.

Yellowhammer: Emberiza citrinella C, Re, Br
Another declining species though birds can still be found around the immediate surrounding farmland.

Reed Bunting: Emberiza schoeniclus C, Re, Br
Between 1-2 pair reside around the area. A possible winter roost may occur in reeds close to the scrape and this will be investigated fully in due course.

Corn Bunting: Emberiza calandra S
Once recorded as a breeding species, over recent years has become very scarce. The last bird recorded was in song along Cooters End Lane during the summer of 1996.

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The following species are known escapes or species of "Unknown Origin".

Sacred Ibis: Threskiornis aethiopicus
1 bird was recorded sporadically between 1980 until May 1983.

White Stork: Ciconia ciconia.
A known escape roamed along the valley between Batford and Luton Hoo during 6/4 - 24/4/98.

Peacock: Pavo cristatus
A male wandered up Thrales End Lane 10/6/99.
Calling males heard from the eastern valley slopes 15/3/98 & 10/6/99.

Whooper Swan: Cygnus cygnus
Wandering feral birds from the Wardown Park clan visit the meadow sporadically during each year and have done so since June 2001, generally in parties of twos and threes.

Black Swan: Cygnus atratus
One was seen sporadically during December 1990.

Canada x Greylag Goose:
Individuals of this hybrid have been seen sporadically on the meadow since December 2001.

Canada x Barnacle Goose:
Offspring of this mix were noted during September 1996, January 1998 & January 1999.

'small race' Canada Goose:
An individual showing characteristics of Richardson's was present during April 2002. An individual present during April 2003 showed intriguing patterns relating to a 'small race' Canada x Barnacle hybrid.

Barnacle Goose: Branta leucopsis
Three birds were present during September & October of 1996, but subsequently just one bird has been present amongst the Canada's until present day. Mainly present sporadically during Autumn and winter months.

Snow Goose: Anser caerulescens.
1 bird 19/1/92.

Bar-Headed Goose: Anser indicus.
Individuals recorded during February 1991 & 1992, and mid April 1993. Also singles reported in January & March 1996 and April 1999.

Swan Goose: Anser cygnoides
Recorded:
2/2/88.
15/8/88.
15/2/90.
January & June of 1991.

Cape Shelduck: Tadorna cana
1 bird 25/9/94.

Ruddy Shelduck: Tadorna ferruginea
1 female present 25 - 30/9/94.

Chiloe Wigeon: Anas sibilatrix
1 male between 5/9 - 22/9/89.
1 male 8/1/90.

Muscovy: Cairina moschata
A pair resided at the Mill Farm until 1999. They bred during 1995 and reared 9 young, and again in 1997 rearing 1 young.

Chukar: Alectoris chukar
Singles seen around the area most years, with the last being along Thrales End Lane on 8/5/01.

Feral Pigeon: Columba livia.
Usually seen around homesteads to the East.

Cockatiel: Nymphicus hollandicus
1 bird flew over the site during a day in September 1992.

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