Selected records for September and October 2000
GT NORTHERN DIVER Hilfield Res, an adult on 14th-18th Oct (PM).
GT CRESTED GREBE Hilfield Res, max 82 on 9th Sep (SM).
SLAVONIAN GREBE Smallford Lake, 1 on 29th Sep (BL).
BITTERN Amwell GP, 1 on 21st Oct (BR).
WHOOPER SWAN Wilstone Res, 1 on 5th Sep (PS), 2 on 15th Oct (SR), and 4 on 22nd Oct (MC).
BLACK SWAN Stockers Lake, 2 on 14th and 18th Sep, and 1 on 30th Oct (PL). Bury Lake, 1 on 20th and 22nd Oct (PL). Troy Mill, 1 on 27th Oct (PL).
WHITE FRONTED GSE Lynsters Farm, 1 on 12th Sep-30th Oct (PL).
BARNACLE GOOSE Wilstone Res, 1 on 5th Sep (PS), and up to 3 present in Oct (MC). Stockers Lake, 1 on 14th and 18th Sep (PL).
BAR-HEADED GOOSE Wilstone Res, 2 on 13th Oct (MC).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Amwell GP, 2 on several dates (DL/NA).
SHELDUCK Wilstone Res, 1 on 19th Oct (MC).
MANDARIN DUCK Alerford Park Lake, a pair on 3rd-10th Sep (SM). Aldenham Res, a pair on 27th Oct (SM).
WIGEON Troy Mill, 123 on 27th Oct (PL).
PINTAIL Wilstone Res, a drake on 22nd Oct (IE).
GARGANEY Amwell GP, a male on 1st and 9th Sep (BR/MI). Wilstone Res, a male from 11th Sep-20th Oct (DB/MC). Tyttenhanger GP, a female on 17th Sep (RP). Rye Meads, 1 on 8th Oct (GW).
SHOVELER Amwell GP, 90 on 9th Sep (MI).
RED-CRSTD POCHARD Hilfield Res, a pair on 1st Oct (HRBR).
NORTHERN POCHARD Hilfield Res, max 152 on 1st Sep (SM).
TUFTED DUCK Amwell GP, a leucistic female on 21st Oct (BR).
GOLDENEYE Hilfield Res, a male present throughout the period (HRBR). Amwell GP, 1 on 29th Oct (BR).
RUDDY DUCK Maple Lodge, max 12 on 12th Sep, and 9 on 24th Oct (PL). Hilfield Res, max 126 on 17th Sep and 127 on 6th Oct (HRBR/SM). Aldenham Res, 3 on 27th Oct (SM).
HONEY BUZZARD Amwell GP, singles on 21st (BR), 26th and 28th Sep. Bramfield, 4 on 22nd Sep (TG). Telegraph Hill, 2 on 22nd Oct. Pitstone Hill, Bucks (all seen to fly into Herts), 11 on 22nd, 7 on 23rd, 3 on 24th, 7 on 25th, and 5 on 27th Sep (PCo et al), and 2 on 1st Oct (JTh). Digswell, 3 on 23rd Sep (TG). Hilfield Res, 1 on 23rd Sep (GW). Sandon, 3 on 23rd. Tring Res, singles on 23rd and 27th Sep (PC/RH/MC/PW/PCo), and 1 on 1st Oct (AGr). South Oxhey, singles on 23rd Sep and 1st Oct (GE). Borehamwood, 1 on 24th Sep (SM). Puckeridge, 5 on 24th. Bridgen's Hotel, 1 on 25th Sep. Patmore Heath, 1 on 25th Sep (ME). Dagnall (Bucks), 1 seen flying south towards Herts on 27th Sep (AGr). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 25th Sep (GW). Bloodhound Wood, 1 on 27th Sep (DW). Tea Green, 2 on 1st Oct (MR).
RAPTOR SP Stevenage, a flock of 13 large raptors circling high over on 3rd Sep (RP).
RED KITE Lilley, 1 on 30th Sep (JP).
MARSH HARRIER Amwell GP, singles through on 21st, 22nd, 29th (BR) and 30th Sep (DL). Waterford Heath, 1 on 30th Sep (DL). A late record for August of 1 in the Rib Valley at Puckeridge on 11th (MO).
HEN HARRIER Pitstone Hill, Bucks (seen to fly into Herts), an imm male on 23rd-25th (PCo et al)
HARRIER SP Ashwell, 1 thought to be probably Montagu's Harrier flew over on 18th Sep.
HARRIS HAWK Langley, 1 on 10th Oct (AMo).
RED-TAILED HAWK Amwell GP, 1 on 29th Sep (BR). Hunsdon, 1 on 30th Sep (DL).
COMMON BUZZARD M25 between jcts 16 and 17, 1 on 3rd Sep (AMo). Rye Meads, singles on 8th and 26th Sep (RMP). Watton at Stone, max 2 on 20th Sep (BR), and 4 on 1st Oct (RH). Amwell GP, up to 4 daily 21st-29th Sep (BR/Rfa), and singles on 1st, 15th, and 29th Oct (DL/BR). Pitstone Hill, Bucks (seen flying into Herts), 8 on 23rd Sep (PCo). Harpenden, 1 on 23nd Sep (MR). East Hyde, 2 on 24th Sep (MR). Prae Wood, 3 on 25th Sep and 1st Oct (SM). Essendon, 1 on 30th Sep (RP). Puckeridge, 1 on 30th Sep (MO). Wellpond Green, 1 on 30th Sep (MO). Bardolphs, 2 on 30th Sep (AR). Croxley Moor, 1 on 30th Sep (JB). Sacombe, 1 on 3rd Oct (NS). Sarratt Bottom, 2 on 6th Oct (JM). Brookmans Park, 1 on 8th Oct (RP). Ver Valley, Shafford's Mill, 1 on 8th and 15th Oct (JP). Hare Street, 1 on 14th Oct (AB). Deadman's Hill, Sandon, 1 on 28th Oct (BR).
OSPREY Amwell GP, 1 on 1st Sep (GW), 2 on 23rd (BR), and 1 on 26th Sep (TA/MB). Pitstone Hill, Bucks (seen flying into Herts), 1 on 23rd Sep (PCo et al).
MERLIN Hare Street, a female on 22nd Oct (AB).
HOBBY Hilfield Res, max 3 on 2nd, last record on 26th Sep (HRBR). Brookmans Park, 1 on 2nd and 27th Sep (RP). Tyttenhanger GP, a family group of 4 (2 juvs) on 3rd and 17th Sep (GB/RP), and max 8 on 25th Sep (GW). Jersey Farm, St Albans, 2 on 5th Sep (GK). North Mymms Park, 1 on 9th Sep (RP). Maple Lodge, singles on 12th and 25th Sep (PL). Ver Valley, Redbournebury, 1 on 17th Sep (MT). Sawbridgeworth Marsh, 2 on 23rd Sep (per HC). Rye Meads, max/last 2 on 23 rd Sep (RMP). Stockers Lake, 1 on 28th Sep (PL), and 8th Oct (AN). Amwell GP, max 5 on 29th Sep (BR), and 2 on 1st and 1 on 2nd Oct (DL/DJ/MB). Moor Mill GP, 1 on 1st Oct (SM). Maple Lodge, 1 on 10th Oct (PL).
GREY PARTRIDGE Hatfield Garden Village, 10 on 11th Sep (JMo).
WATER RAIL Amwell GP, 1 on 8th and 17th Sep (DL/DJ). Hilfield Res, 1 on 4th and 15th Oct (HRBR). Wilstone Res, 1 from 15th Oct (MC). Stockers Lake, 1 on 20th-22nd Oct (PL). Rye Meads, 1 on several dates (RMP).
CROWNED CRANE Near Thundridge, 1 on 17th Sep (NS).
RINGED PLOVER Kings Meads, 3 on 1st (GW), 2 on 2nd (MI), and 1 on 9th Sep (RH). Wilstone Res, 2 on 20th Sep and 1 on 10th Oct (MC).
GOLDEN PLOVER Hilfield Res, 1 over on 10th Sep (HRBR). Courser's Road, 15 on 17th Sep (PS). Great Amwell, 6 on 14th Oct (BR). Wilstone Res, up to 400 present in Oct (MC). Rye Meads, 58 over on 23rd Oct (RMP).
LAPWING Amwell GP, 100 on 17th Sep (DJ) and 230 on 29th Oct (TG). Chadwell Meads, 99 on 15th Oct (DT). Wilstone Res, 150 on 22nd Oct (IE).
DUNLIN Amwell GP, 1 on 4th Sep (BR). Rye Meads, 1 on 16th Sep (RMP). Hilfield Res, 5 over on 24th Sep and 1 on 1st Oct (HRBR). Wilstone Res, singles on 15th-16th and 22nd Oct (MC).
RUFF Kings Meads, 2 on 1st-2nd (GW/MI), 1 on 3rd-4th (MI/RH), and 1 on 23rd and 30th Sep (Rfa/DBo). Rye Meads, 2 on 3rd Sep (RMP). Amwell GP, 1 from 4th- 16th Sep (BR/TA/MI). Hilfield Res, 14 over on 24th Sep (HRBR). Wilstone Res, 1 on 16th Sep (PCo).
JACK SNIPE Rye Meads, 2 on 8th and 1 on 23rd Oct (RMP).
COMMON SNIPE Kings Meads, 3 on 4th Sep (RH). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 17th Sep (RP). Amwell GP, max 15 on 13th Sep (DL) and 100 on 28th Oct (BR). Rye Meads, max 35 on 16th Sep (RMP), and 32 on 8th Oct (GW).
WOODCOCK Ver Valley, Redbournebury, 1 on 9th Sep (MT). Wheathampstead Park, 1 on 26th and 29th Sep (MR).
CURLEW Rye Meads, singles on 3rd and 8th Sep (RMP). Hilfield Res, 1 over on 10th Sep (HRBR).
REDSHANK Hilfield Res, 1 on 2nd Sep (SM). Amwell GP, 1 on 19th Sep (BR). Wilstone Res, 9 on 21st Sep (DB), and 1 on 13th Oct (MC).
SPOTTED REDSHANK Amwell GP, a juvenile on 2nd Sep (MI/BR).
GREENSHANK Kings Meads, 7 on 1st (GW) and 3 on 4th Sep (RH). Rye Meads, max 5 on 2nd, with singles on 8th and 20th Sep and 20th Oct (RMP). Beech Farm/Coopers Green GP, 1 on 3rd sep (AG). Amwell GP, birds present daily 1st-22nd Sep with max of 5 on 9th, and singles on 24th and 26th Sep (BR/TA/MI), and 1 on 1st Oct (per DJ). Wilstone Res, 1 on 21st and 24th Sep (DB/MC).
GREEN SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 1st Sep (AG). Beech Farm/Coopers Green GP, 1 on 3rd Sep (AG). Wilstone Res, 1 on 10th (PW), and 24th Sep (MC). Rye Meads, max 6 on 10th-16th Sep (RMP). Maple Lodge, max 2 on 12th Sep (PL). Chiltern Green, 1 on 24th Sep (MR). Maple Lodge, 1 on 10th Oct (PL).
COMMON SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 1st Sep (AG). Wilstone Res, 2 on 5th Sep (PS). Amwell GP, 1 on 8th Sep (DL). Hilfield Res, max 4 on 12th with 1-2 present to 27th Sep (HRBR). Watton at Stone, up to 3 daily until 20th Sep (BR). Rye Meads, 2 recorded on three dates (RMP).
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Amwell GP, up to 3 adults daily from 13th with a max 4 on 30th Oct (BR).
(CASPIAN GULL) Amwell GP, a probable 1st winter on 11th Oct (TA).
LSR BLK-BACKED GULL Amwell GP, max 530 roosted on 17th Oct (BR).
GT BLK-BACKED GULL Rye Meads, singles on 11th and 30th Sep (RMP).
SANDWICH TERN Hilfield Res, 1 on 24th Sep (HRBR). Wilstone Res, 2 on 24th Sep (DB).
COMMON TERN Wilstone Res, 3 on 5th Sep (DB). Hilfield Res, singles on 24th and 27th-28th Sep (HRBR/SM). Amwell GP, 1 on 1st Oct (BR).
ARCTIC TERN Wilstone Res, 6 juvs on 16th Sep (PCo).
BLACK TERN Wilstone Res, 1 on 5th (DB), 2 on 6th (MC), 1 on 23rd (PC/RH), and 1 on 27th Sep (PW/MC).
COLLARED DOVE Woodoaks Farm, 60 on 14th Sep (PL).
TURTLE DOVE East Hyde, 2 on 24th Sep (MR). Rye Meads, last record, 1 on 30th Sep (RMP).
R-N PARAKEET Bury Lake, 1 on 18th Sep (PL). Wilstone Res, 1 on 24th Sep (JTh).
PARAKEET SP Bishop Stortford, 1 on 21st Oct (HC).
SHORT-EARED OWL Beech Farm/Hatfield Aero, 1 on 1st (AMo), and 22nd Oct (RH). Wilstone Res, 1 over on 30th Oct (PCo/MC).
SWIFT Fairlands Valley Lake, Stevenage, 2 on 7th Sep (AF). Rye Meads, 1 on 12th Oct (RMP).
LSR SPT WOODPECKER Kitewells Pond, Borehamwood, 1 on 9th Sep (SM). Verulamium Park, St Albans, 1 on 4th Oct (MT).
SHORT-TOED LARK Amwell GP, 1 over with Skylarks on 14th Oct (BR).
WOODLARK Digswell, 1 over on 30th Sep (TG).
SAND MARTIN Maple Lodge, 7 on 25th Sep (PL). Hilfield Res, 50 on 3rd Oct (SM).
SWALLOW Rye Meads, max 125 on 9th Sep, last record 3 on 14th Oct (RMP). Ver Valley, Redbournbury, 100 through on 17th Sep (MT). Little Munden, 100 on 30th Sep (DL). Puckeridge, 4 on 6th Oct (NS). Ver Valley, Shafford Mill, 5 on 8th Oct (JP). Langley, 1 on 10th Oct (AMo). Foxdells, 3 on 14th Oct (HC). Hare Street, 3 on 14th Oct (AB). Ver Valley, Shafford Mill, 1 on 15th Oct (JP). Hilfield Res, 3 on 16th Oct (HRBR). Amwell GP, 1 on 30th Oct (TA). Colney Heath Lane, 1 on 31st Oct (BL).
HOUSE MARTIN Aldbury, 200 on 9th Sep (DL). Rye Meads, max 200 on 16th Sep, last record 1 on 14th Oct (RMP). Ver Valley, Shafford's Mill, 25 on 7th Oct (JP). Brookmans Park, 4 on 8th Oct (RP). Stockers Lake, 1 on 8th Oct (AN). Maple Lodge, 150 over on 10th Oct (PL). Hilfield Res, 300 on 10th Oct (SM). North Mymms Park, 6 on 11th Oct (DD). Rothamsted Exp Stn, 5 on 12th Oct (MR). Mill End, 1 on 21st Oct (PL). Hemel Hempstead, 4 on 21st Oct (PG).
MEADOW PIPIT Rye Meads, 117 south on 23rd Sep (RMP).
ROCK PIPIT Wilstone Res, singles reported throughout Oct with 2 present on 15th (SR).
WATER PIPIT Rye Meads, 1 on 21st and 2 on 22nd Oct (RMP/GW).
YELLOW WAGTAIL North Mimms Park, 2 over on 9th Sep (RP). Bishop Stortford College, 1 on 17th Sep (HC). St Nicholas Park, Stevenage, 12 on 20th Sep (RH). Rye Meads, 5 on 23rd Sep, last record 1 on 10th Oct (RMP). Hilfield Res, last recorded on 24th Sep (HRBR). Puckeridge, 3 on 30th Sep and 1 on 1st Oct (MO). Chiltern Green, 1 on 1st Oct (MR). Amwell GP, 1 on 14th Oct (BR).
REDSTART Rye Meads, 1 on 30th Sep (RMP).
WHINCHAT Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 1st Sep (AG). Rye Meads, 1 on 9th and 2 on 26th-27th Sep (RMP). Tring Res, 4 along dry canal on 10th Sep (AL). Thundridge, Ware, 1 on 10th Sep (MB). Fairlands Valley Lake, Stevenage, 2 on 13th Sep (AF). Croxley Moor, 6 on 22nd Sep (BT).
STONECHAT Rye Meads, 1 on 26th-27th Sep, and 2 present in Oct (RMP). Amwell GP, a female on 5th Oct (MB). Hay Wood, Boxmoor, 1 on 10th Oct (KJ). Beech Farm, 2 on 14th Oct (DBo). Croxley Moor, a pair on 15th Oct (BT). Tringford Res, 2 on 25th Oct (MC).
WHEATEAR Beech Farm/Coopers Green GP, 1 on 3rd Sep (AG). Hilfield Res, singles on 3rd and 26th Sep (HRBR). ICL, Stevenage, 1 on 9th Sep (DBe). Ver Valley, Redbournebury, 1 on 9th Sep (MT). Courser's Road, 1 on 17th Sep (PS). Miswell Farm, Tring, 1 on 23rd Sep (LA). Rye Meads, singles on 27th Sep and 21st Oct (RMP). Hatfield Golf Club, Essendon, 1 on 30th Sep (RP). Hare Street, 2 on 14th Oct (AB).
REDWING Brookmans Park, 1 on 8th Oct (RP). Hilfield Res, 2 on 8th Oct (SM). Rye Meads, 3 on 9th and max 55 on 23rd Oct (RMP). Mill End, 1 over calling on 20th Oct (PL). Bishop Stortford, 3 on 30th Oct (HC).
MISTLE THRUSH Aspenden, 65 on 2nd Sep (TF).
SEDGE WARBLER Hilfield Res, last recorded on 10th Sep (HRBR). Rye Meads, 60 on 9th, last record 2 on 30th Sep (RMP).
REED WARBLER Rye Meads, 40 on 9th Sep, last record 1 on 22nd Oct (RMP). Hilfield Res, 1 trapped on 15th Oct (HRBR).
LESSER WHITETHROAT Hilfield Res, 4 trapped on 10th Sep (HRBR). Rye Meads, 5 on 9th, last record, 1 on 21st Sep (RMP).
WHITETHROAT Hilfield Res, last recorded on 10th Sep (HRBR). Chiltern Green, 1 on 24th Sep (MR). Rye Meads, 40 on 9th, last record 1 on 30th Sep (RMP).
GARDEN WARBLER Rye Meads, last record 1 on 30th Sep (RMP).
BLACKCAP Rye Meads, 50 on 9th Sep, last record 1 on 22nd Oct (RMP). Hilfield Res, 10 trapped on 10th, last recorded on 24th Sep (HRBR).
CHIFFCHAFF Rye Meads, 40 on 9th Sep, with a good number wintering (RMP). Chiltern Green, 1 on 1st Oct (MR). Rothamsted Exp Sta, 1 on 1st Oct (MR). Hilfield Res, 1 throughout Oct (HRBR). Brookmans Park, 1 on 8th Oct (RP). Berkhamsted Common, 1 on 14th Oct (SD). Ver Valley, Shafford Mill, 3 on 15th Oct (JP). Stocker's Lake, 1 on 20th Oct (PL). Maple Lodge, 1 on 24th Oct (PL). Troy Mill, 1 on 27th Oct (PL).
WILLOW WARBLER Hilfield Res, last recorded on 10th Sep (HRBR). Berkhamsted Common, 1 trapped on 13th Sep (SD). Rye Meads, last record 1 on 21st Sep (RMP).
GOLDCREST Rye Meads, max 40 on 21st Oct (RMP).
FIRECREST Wilstone Res, 1 on 22nd Oct (IE).
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER North Mymms Park, 4 on 9th Sep (RP). Aldenham, 2 on 10th Sep (SM).
LONG-TAILED TIT Amwell GP, 58 on 29th Sep (TG).
WILLOW TIT Rye Meads, 1 on 1st Sep (RMP).
RAVEN Abbots Langley, a pair displaying by the M25/A41 junction on 6th Oct (CE).
TREE SPARROW Courser's Road, 30 on 17th Sep (PS). Wheathampstead Garden, 1 on 23rd Sep (MR). Chiltern Green, 2 on 1st Oct (MR).
LINNET Coursers Road, 130 on 1st Oct (RP). Lynster's Farm, 150 on 24th Oct (PL).
SISKIN Rye Meads, 7 on 16th Sep (RMP). Berkhamsted, 15 on 1st Oct (SD). Amwell GP, 1 on 29th Oct (BR). Stocker's Lake, max 20 on 30th Oct (PL).
REDPOLL Amwell GP, up to 5 (identified as Lesser Redpolls) from 15th Oct (BR). Ver Valley, Shafford Mill, 9 on 15th Oct (JP).
INSECT NEWS
CLOUDED YELLOW Ver Valley, Redbournebury, 4 on 9th Sep (MT). Haberdashers School, 1 on 20th Sep (SM). South of Hatfield, 7 on 23rd Sep (SM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 17th and 30th Sep (SM).
PAINTED LADY Berkhamsted, 1 on 30th Sep (SD).
HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH Berkhamsted, 1 on 27th-28th Sep (SD).
RYE MEADS Selected records for July-August 2000
Shelduck-bred on site raising 6 yg. Oystercatcher-1 on 23rd Jul. Little Ringed Plover-7 on 6th Jul. Black-tailed Godwit-2 on 6th Jul. Greenshank-max 5 on 20th Aug. Green Sandpiper-max 4 on 16th Aug. Common Sandpiper-2 on 26th Aug. Turtle Dove-max 9 on 26th Jul and 26th Aug. Cuckoo-last recorded on 5th Jul. Redstart-a female from 20th-27th Aug. Whinchat-4 on 26th Aug. Lesser Whitethroat-max 5 on 26th Aug. Garden Warbler-max 20 on 11th Aug. Spotted Flycatcher-1 on three dates in Aug.
List of observers: Nigel Agar, Lynne Atkinson, Toby Austin, Helen Baker, Glen Barnes, Mike Baverstock, David Beer, David Bilcock, David Booth, John Britten, Allan Burrows, David Carter, Paul Clark, Hugh Coe, Peter Colston, Daphne Dean, Stuart Downhill, Mick East, Gary Elton (Hilfield Reservoir Bird Report), Chris Evans, Ian Eyre, Ross Facer, Jack Fearnside, Ted Fletcher, Alan Ford, Alan Gardiner, Tom Gladwin, Ed Griffiths, Andy Grimsey, Peter Gudgeon, Roy Hargreaves, Gini Hay, Ray Hooper, Mike Ilett, K Jackson, David James, Graham Knight, Basil Lewis, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Arthur Livett, Anna Marett, Paul McManus, Jol Mitchell, Adrian Moss, John Moss, Aftab Nasir, Murray Orchard, Jonathan Palmer, John Pritchard, R.Pyrah, Barry Reed, Alan Reynolds, Steve Rodwell, Mike Russell, Rye Meads Partnership, Nick Sampford, Robin Smith, Philip Stead, Tony Stride, Dick Tanner, Joan Thompson, Mike Thompson, Barry Turner, Gareth Watkins (HBC Website), Dennis Whiffen, Graham White, Paul Wright.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for September/October 2000