Selected records for July and August 2000
GREAT CRSTED GREBE Hilfield Res, max 70 (inc 15 juvs) on 13th Aug (SM).
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Hilfield Res, up to 7 adults were seen during the period, a youngster was seen associating with a family of Great Crested Grebes from 6th Jul, another brood of 2 yg from 30th Jul did not survive. The last record was an adult on 27th Aug (SM/HRBR). Wilstone Res, 1 on 8th Jul (MCo).
LITTLE EGRET East Hyde, 1 on 26th Jul (MR). Watford, 1 flew over Tesco's on 7th Aug (BH).
SPOONBILL Wilstone Res, 2 touched down briefly on 20th Aug (DB/PBi).
WHOOPER SWAN Wilstone Res, 1 throughout Aug (FOTR).
BLACK SWAN Stockers Lake, 2 seen on several dates during the period (PL).
WHITE-FRONTED GSE Lynsters Farm, 1 on 24th Jul (PL). Stockers Lake, 1 on 27th Aug (BT).
LSR WHITE-FRNTD GSE Amwell GP, 1 on 13th Jul (TF).
BARNACLE GOOSE Wilstone Res, 1 throughout Aug (FOTR). Stockers Lake, 1 on 20th Aug (PL). East Hyde, 1 on 24th Aug (MR).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Amwell GP, 1 on 5th Aug (DL).
RUDDY SHELDUCK Stockers Lake, 1 on 5th Aug (PL).
MANDARIN DUCK Aberford Park Lake, Borehamwood, 4 juvs on 15th, and 5 on 22nd Jul (SM). Amwell GP, a female on 19th Jul (BR). Hitchin Priory, a male on 21st Jul (DBo). Stanborough Lakes, a male on 23rd Jul (DB). Hilfield Res, 2 on 17th Aug (HRBR).
WIGEON Stockers Lake, 1 on 14th Aug (PL). Amwell GP, 1-2 from 24th-29th Aug (BR).
PINTAIL Amwell GP, 1 on 17th, 21st and 27th Jul (BR/GW).
GARGANEY Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 11th Aug (RF/TS). Amwell GP, a 1 on 26th-28th Aug (BR).
RED-CRESTED POCHARD Hilfield Res, 1 possibly a hybrid on 2nd Jul (HRBR). Wilstone Res, an eclipsed male on 2nd Aug (KH), and a female (with yellow plastic ring) present on several dates in Aug (FOTR).
POCHARD Maple Lodge, 3 broods in Jul (PL). Hilfield Res, max 195 on 31st Jul (SM), and 278 on 20th Aug (HRBR).
SCAUP West Hyde, a pair reported to have bred on the lake next to Lynsters Farm (SJ).
COMMON SCOTER Hilfield Res, a male from 18th-24th Jul (SM), and 6 (5 males) on 26th Jul (SM/HRBR).
GOLDENEYE Hilfield Reservoir, a male on 8th-9th and 22nd-23rd Jul, and throughout Aug (SM/HRBR).
RUDDY DUCK Fairlands Valley Lake, Stevenage, 1 on 17th, and 2 on 29th Jul (2nd and 3rd site records AF). Amwell GP, 1 on 23rd Jul (AH). Maple Lodge, max 9 on 24th Jul (PL). Hilfield Res, max 28 on 31st Jul (SM), and 67 on 22nd Aug (SM).
MARSH HARRIER Wilstone Res, 1 on 11th (JW), and a juv female on 29th Aug (SR/MC/JR). Tyttenhanger GP, a juv on 12th Aug (SP).
COMMON BUZZARD East Hyde, 1 on 16th Jul (MR). Tingley Wood nr Pirton, 1 on 17th Jul (NA). Mill End, 2 on 23rd Jul (PN). Sacombe Green, 1 on 30th Jul (AR). High Broomin Wood, Stevenage, 1 on 1st Aug (RH). Amwell GP, 2 over Easnye Wood on 5th Aug (TH). Redhill, 1 on 6th Aug (DC). Wilstone Res, 1 on 21st Aug (FOTR), Barwich Ford, 1 on 22nd Aug (NS). Drayton Beauchamp, 1 flew towards Tring (into Herts) on 28th Aug (SD). Redbournebury, max 5 on 28th Aug (MT). Bedmond Lane, 1 on 31st Aug (AG).
OSPREY Wilstone Res, 1 flew south on 20th Aug (IE).
HOBBY Chiswell Green, 1 on 8th Jul (RP). Easneye Wood, 2 on 13th Jul (TF). Stockers Lake, 1 on 13th Jul (PL). Hexton, 1 on 14th Jul (NA). Amwell GP, 1 on 15th and 1 at Amwell RAB, 1 on 16th Jul (DL). Hilfield Res, a pair bred, 1 yg fledged (SM), and max 4 on 20th Aug (HRBR). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 23rd and 30th Jul and 13th Aug (SP). Ware, max 2 on 29th Jul (DL). North Mymms, 1 on 30th Jul (RP). Brookmans Park, 1 on 7th Aug (RP). Frogmore, 1 on 12th Aug (SW). Wilstone Res, 1 on 23rd Jul (RM), and 1 on 29th Aug (JR).
GREY PARTRIDGE Beech Farm, 7 on 20th Aug (AG).
WATER RAIL Amwell GP, 1 on 10th Aug (BR). Broxbourne GP, 1 on 26th Aug (BR).
OYSTERCATCHER Amwell GP, 1 on 22nd Jul (BR). Wilstone Res, 1 on 23rd Jul (RM), and 2 on 24th Jul (AL). Hilfield Res, 1 on 7th Aug (SM).
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Stockers Farm, 1 juv on 5th Jul (SY). Startops End Res, 2 on 5th Jul (MC). Near St Albans, 2 on 4 dates to 21st Aug (PB). Amwell GP, 2 (1 juv) on 13th Jul (TF). Kings Meads, 1 on 21st Aug (TA).
RINGED PLOVER Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 7th Jul (RFo). Amwell GP, max 6 on 21st Jul (GW), and 5 (1 yg) on 4th Aug (RH). Nr St Albans, 4 (1 yg) on 12th Jul, and 1 on 9th Aug (PB).
GOLDEN PLOVER Near St Albans, 1 on 21st Aug (PB).
LAPWING Amwell GP, 100 on 15th Jul (DL). Coopers Green GP, 100 on 19th Jul (WH). Tyttenhanger GP, 100 on 6th Aug (RF). Near St Albans, 150 on 24th Aug (SM).
DUNLIN Amwell GP, singles on 6th-7th, 21st-22nd and 24th Jul (BR/GW), and 1 on 4th Aug (RH/DL). Hilfield Reservoir, 2 on 9th and 1 on 27th Jul (HRBR/SM). Startops End Res, 1 on 29th Jul (RM). Nr St Albans, 1 on 14th, and 2 on 16th-18th Aug (PB).
RUFF Wilstone Res, 2 on 20th Aug (IE).
COMMON SNIPE Tyttenhanger GP, 4 on 9th (RF) and 18th Aug (RP). Bishops Stortford, 8 flew over on 28th Aug (AH).
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Stockers Farm, 2 on 4th Jul (AN/SY). Startops End Res, 1 on 5th Jul (DB). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 20th Aug (RF).
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Hemel Hempstead, 1 on 5th Jul (MCr). Wilstone Res, 1 over on 28th Jul (AL).
REDSHANK Amwell GP, singles on 9th, 15th and 17th Jul (DL). Hilfield Res, 2 on 29th Jul (HRBR). Near St Albans, 2 ad + 2 yg on 12th Jul, and 3 on 9th Aug (PB).
GREENSHANK Near St Albans, 1 on 17th and 23rd Jul (GE), and 2 on 9th, 3 on 14th, and singles on 8 dates 16th-29th Aug (PB/SM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 27th Jul (HRBR). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 30th Jul and up to 6 birds present on eight dates in Aug (SP/RF/AG). Wilstone Res, 2 on 8th Aug (JW). Amwell GP, up to 8 birds recorded on eighteen dates 8th-29th Aug (BR/TA/RP/RH). Beech Farm/Coopers Green GP, 11 on 13th Aug (SP), and 8 on 17th, and 4 on 24th Aug (AG). Startops End Res, 1 on 13th Aug (EG). Butterfield Meadow, Sleapshyde, 3 on 17th, 2 on 19th and 30th Aug (BL). Kings Meads, 2 on 20th, 3 on 21st and 4 on 28th Aug (DBo/TA).
GREEN SANDPIPER Amwell GP, up to 3 daily in Jul (BR/GW/AH), and up to 5 daily in Aug (BR/RH/TH). Tyttenhanger GP, 1-2 birds on five dates 23rd Jul-24th Aug (SP/RF/RP/AG). Wilstone Res, singles on 28th Jul (AL), and 2nd (KH), and 8th Aug (JW). Coopers Green/Beech Farm GP, 1-4 birds on eight dates 30th Jul-27th Aug (SP/WH/AG/RF/TS). Near St Albans, 1-2 birds on six dates 14th-22nd Aug (PB/SM). Kings Meads, 1 on 21st Aug (TA/RH). Cheshunt, 2 on 28th Aug (RFa).
WOOD SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 6th, 13th, 15th and 18th Aug (RF/AG/SP/AGr).
COMMON SANDPIPER Hilfield Res, up to 4 birds on twelve dates 1st Jul-16th Aug (SM/HRBR). Amwell GP, up to 3 birds from 4th Jul-31st Aug (BR/GW/DL/TA) Wilstone Res, 1-5 birds from 11th Jul, and up to 7 in Aug (MC/AL/IE/MCo). Beech Farm/Coopers Green GP, 2 on 19th Jul (WH) and 1 on 27th Aug (RF/TS). Kings Meads, 1 on 22nd Jul (AR), and 3 on 28th Aug (RH). Tyttenhanger GP, 1-3 birds on six dates 23rd Jul-28th Aug (SP/RF/RP/AGr/AG/SM). Near St Albans, 1 on 23rd Jul (GE). East Hyde, 1 on 26th Jul (MR). Batchworth Lake, 1 on 20th Aug (HB).
TURNSTONE Wilstone Res, 1 on 23rd Jul (SR).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Hilfield Res, an adult on 18th Jul (JTh). Amwell GP, a juv on 18th Aug (BR). Broxbourne GP, a juv on 26th Aug (BR).
BLACK-HEADED GULL Hilfield Res, a leucistic bird on 30th Jul (SM).
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Hilfield Res, 1 on 26th Jul (TB), and 10th Aug (HRBR).
SANDWICH TERN Tyttenhanger GP, 4 on 23rd Aug (GW).
COMMON TERN Fairlands Valley Lake, Stevenage, up to 4 in Jul, and 3 in Aug (AF). Aberford Park Lake, 1 on 18th Jul (a site mega SM). Tyttenhanger GP, max 14 on 30th Jul (SP), and 17 on 6th Aug (RF). Amwell GP, 11 on 4th Aug (RH). Wilstone Res, 8 on 20th Aug (IE). Hilfield Res, 2 on 25th Aug (HRBR).
BLACK TERN Wilstone Res, 1 on 25th Jul (MC), and 5 on 14th Aug (JW). Startops End Res, 1 on 30th Jul.
TURTLE DOVE Therfield, 2 on 23rd Jul (DL). Amwell GP, 1 on 5th Aug (TH). Redbournebury, 1 on 28th Aug (MT). Wood End, 1 on 28th Aug (TF).
COCKATIEL Hilfield Res, 1 on 9th Aug (SM).
CUCKOO Colne Valley, Rickmansworth, last calling male on 2nd Jul (HB). Hilfield Res, a juv on 15th-16th Jul (SM/HRBR). Hertford, 1 on 26th Jul (BB).
BARN OWL Potters Crouch, 1 on 30th Aug (PS).
LSR SPT WOODPECKER Oxhey Woods, 1 on 28th Aug.
YELLOW WAGTAIL Hitchin Garden, a male on 17th Jul (TB).
NIGHTINGALE Balls Wood, Hertford Heath, 1 on 17th Jul (HC).
REDSTART Bishops Stortford, a juv on 8th Aug (JFi).
WHINCHAT Beech Farm, 2 juveniles on 22nd Jul (SP), and 3 on 20th Aug (AG). Hilfield Res, 1 on 23rd Aug (HRBR).
WHEATEAR Coopers Green GP, 1 on 30th Jul (SP), and 2 on 20th Aug (AG/SP). Sacombebury Farm, 1 on 30th Jul (AR). Hilfield Res, 1 on 30th Jul (HRBR), and 20th and 23rd Aug (SM/HRBR). Wilstone Res, 2 on 8th Aug (FB). Haberdashers School, 1 on 9th Aug (SM). Beech Farm, 1 on 20th and 24th Aug (AG). Butterfield Meadow, Sleapshyde, 1 on 28th Aug (BL).
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Potters Crouch, a pair nested in the beer garden of the Holly Bush PH (PS). Burnham Green, 2 (1 juv) on 18th Jul (DBo). Rothamsted Exp Sta, 1 on 3rd Aug (MR). Amwell GP, 3 on 5th Aug (TH). Bishops Stortford, 5 on 11th, 6 on 12th Aug and 3 on 28th Aug (AH/HC). Astrope, 3 on 12th Aug (EG). North Mymms Park, 3 (1 juv) on 12th Aug (RP). Smallford Lake, 1 on 14th and 28th Aug (BL). Cheshunt Park, a pr feeding 5 yg on 20th and 1 on 28th Aug (RFa). Little Berkhamsted, 1 on 23rd Aug (RP). Redbournebury, 1 on 28th Aug (MT). Great Offley, 2 on 30th Aug (JD). Potters Crouch, 1 on 31st Aug (AG).
RAVEN Kimpton garden, 1 over mobbed by corvids on 20th Jul. (RS).
TREE SPARROW Coursers Road, max 75 on 29th Jul (LM) with 23 birds ringed in Jul (GE).
SISKIN East Hyde, 1 flew south on 13th Aug (MR).
CORN BUNTING Chiswell Green, 3 on 8th Jul (RP).
INSECT NEWS
CLOUDED YELLOW Hilfield Res, 1 on 3rd Jul, and 2 on 25th Aug (SM). Haberdashers School, 1 on 10th and 1 on 29th Aug (SM). Hogg Lane nr Hilfield Res, 1 on 15th Aug (SM). A10, Pinehurst, Hertford, 1 on 17th Aug (NS). Coopers Green GP, 2 on 20th Aug (AG). Kings Meads, 1 on 21st Aug (TA). Aberford Park, Borehamwood, 1 on 24th Aug (SM). Moor Mill GP, 2 on 24th Aug (SM). Shenley Hospital, 1 on 24th Aug (SM). Beech Farm, 2 on 27th Aug (RF/TS). Croxley Moor, 2 on 28th Aug (AM). Tyttenhanger GP, 4 on 28th Aug (SM).
MARBLED WHITE Hilfield Res, 15 on 8th Jul where only 1 was seen last year (SM).
List of observers: Nigel Agar, Toby Austin, Helen Baker, B. Barnes, Dave Bilcock, P. Birch, Tony Blake, David Booth, Teresa Brown, Francis Buckle, Phil Busby, Mike Campbell, Duncan Coates, Hugh Coe, Michael Collard, Mike Crisell, John Davis, Stuart Downhill, Gary Elton (Hilfield Reservoir Bird Report), Ian Eyre, Ross Facer, Jack Fearnside, Jim Fish, Ricky Flesher, Ted Fletcher, Alan Ford, Richard Foster, Friends of Tring Reservoirs, Alan Gardiner, Brendan Glynn, Andy Grimsey, Ed Griffiths, Andrew Hardacre, Wendy Hatton, Tim Hill, Ray Hooper, Brian Hopkins, Keith Hudson, Colin Hull, David James, Stephen Jones, Basil Lewis, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Arthur Livett, Anna Marett, Lee Marshall, R. Middleton, John Moss, Steve Murray, Aftab Nasir, Paul Nunn, Steve Pearce, John Pritchard, R. Pyrah, Barry Reed, Alan Reynolds, Steve Rodwell, Josephine Russell, Mike Russell, Nick Sampford, Robin Smith, Terry Smith, Phil Stead, Joan Thompson, Mike Thompson, Barry Turner, Jenny Wallington, Gareth Watkins (HBC website), Steve Welch, Graham White, Steve Younger.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for July/August 2000