Selected records for January & February 2001
WHITE PELICAN Tring Res, the escaped bird present until at least the 17th Feb (FOTR).
BITTERN Amwell GP, 1 on the 6th, 2 on the 14th, and 1 on the 16th Jan (BD/DL/NA), and 11th and 14th Feb (DJ/RP). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 15th Jan (PL). Marsworth Res, 1 on the 1st Jan, and reported on several dates to the 13th Feb (FOTR/PC). Rye Meads, 1 on the 27th Jan, and 13th Feb (RMP). North Met Pit, 1 on the 5th Feb (NA).
LITTLE EGRET River Chess, upstream from Scotsbridge Mill, 1 on the 3rd (AM/BS), 3 on the 4th (per JTh), and 7th Feb (AM) and 2 on the 11th Feb (HB).
BLACK SWAN Bury Lake, 1 on the 14th Jan, and 11th Feb, and 2 on the 25th Feb (PL).
WHOOPER SWAN Tring Res, 2 on the 6th Jan (DF).
LSR WHITE-FRNTD GSE Ware, the escaped adult on the River Lea on the 4th Jan (DT).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Amwell GP, 16 on the 18th Jan (NA), and max 3 on the 14th Feb (BL/DL). Gade Valley, Great Gaddesden, 1 with a probable Ruddy Shelduck reported by a farmer in the last two weeks of Feb (per SD). Verulamium Park, St Albans, 1 on the 14th Feb (MT), with presumably the same bird further up the Ver Valley on the 22nd Feb (PS).
SHELDUCK Amwell GP, 3 present throughout the period (BR/DL). Rye Meads, max 7 on the 28th Jan (RMP). Stanstead Abbots GP, up to 3 throughout Feb (BR).
MANDARIN DUCK Verulamium Park, St Albans, a tame female on the 6th Jan (CE). Tykeswater Lake, a pair on the 8th and 20th Feb (SM).
PINTAIL Hilfield Res, a male on the 13th Jan (SM). Stockers Lake, 1 in early Feb (per JTh).
GARGANEY Rye Meads, a male on the 1st, 6th, and 7th Jan (RMP).
RED-CRSTD POCHARD Stockers Lake, a male on the 3rd Feb (PD), and 3 (2 males) on the 1st Feb (PL).
FERRUGINOUS DUCK Ware, the female was seen on the River Lea daily until the 20th Jan (DL).
GREATER SCAUP Hilfield Res, 1 on the 14th, 2 on the 15th, and 1 on the 17th Jan (TB/SM).
GOLDENEYE Stockers Lake, max 18 on the 11th Feb (PL). Amwell GP, max 34 on the 23rd Feb (BR).
SMEW Wilstone Res, a redhead on the 1st Jan, and seen intermittently to the 23rd Feb (FOTR). Stockers Lake, 2 redheads on the 7th and a male on the 14th Jan (BT/PL). Hilfield Res, 4 (1 male) on the 13th Jan (SM). Amwell GP, max 10 (6 males) on the 26th Jan (BR), and 10 (5 males) on the 14th Feb (TA).
GOOSANDER Amwell GP, a pair on the 6th Jan, and 10th Feb (DL). Stockers Lake, max 10 on the 7th (8 males), and 14th (9 males) Jan (BT/PL), and 7 (5 males) on the 11th Feb (PL). Wilstone Res, max 11 on the 14th Jan (MC). Bury Lake, 12 on the 31st Jan (AM).
RUDDY DUCK Hilfield Res, max 206 on the 14th Jan, and 103 on the 22nd Feb (HRBR).
GOSHAWK Central Herts, a male on the 16th and 17th Jan (RFo).
COMMON BUZZARD Prae Wood, 2 on the 7th Jan, and 24th Feb (SM/BR). Watton at Stone, 1 on the 7th Jan (RH). Redbournebury, 1 on the 14th Jan (CS). Gorhambury, 1 on the 16th Jan (Rfo). Telegraph Hill, 2 on the 25th Jan (NA). Tring garden, 1 over on the 28th Jan (IB). Withstocks Wood, a pair throughout Feb (MR). Abbots Langley, 1 over on the 17th Feb (BC). Rye Meads, 1 on the 24th Feb (RMP). Hexton, 2 on the 25th Feb (NA).
LARGE FALCON SP Stevenage, 1 on Southgate House on the 26th Jan (MG).
WATER RAIL Amwell GP, max 2 on the 14th Jan, and 14th Feb (DL/RP). Rye Meads, max 9 on the 27th Jan (RMP). Burymead Springs N.R, Hitchin, 2 on the 19th Feb (CBu).
OYSTERCATCHER Dane Park, Bishop’s Stortford, 1 flew over calling at 21.00 hrs on the 7th Jan (HC).
RINGED PLOVER Amwell GP, 3 on the 10th (BR), 2 from the 23rd, and 4 on the 24th Feb (DL).
GOLDEN PLOVER Maple Cross, 340 on the 3rd Jan (MR). Woodoaks Farm, 150 on the 14th Jan (PL). Bloodhounds Wood, Bishop’s Stortford, 30 on the 16th Jan (HC). Sandridge, 100 on the 18th Jan (AG). Stanborough Farm, 50 on the 18th Jan, with presumably the same flock at Symondshyde Farm on the 22nd Jan (JM). Great Amwell, roundabout, max 200 on the 28th Jan (BR). Coursers Road Fields, 31 on the 29th Jan (MW). Theobald’s Park Farm near Waltham Cross, 300 on the 3rd Feb (DL). Rye Meads, 30 on the 3rd Feb (RMP). Beech Farm, 300 on the 17th Feb (SM).
DUNLIN Lea Marsh RSPB Reserve, 1 on the 21st Jan (RMP).
JACK SNIPE Rye Meads, 1-2 birds present until the 24th Feb (RMP). Amwell GP, 1 on the 5th Jan (DL), 2 on the 25th Feb (BR/AR), and 1 on the 27th (TA). Broxbourne GP, 1 on the 28th Jan (BR).
COMMON SNIPE Rye Meads, max 18 on the 13th Jan, and 24th Feb (RMP). Amwell GP, max 100 on the 14th Jan, and 35 on the 8th Feb (DL). Tyttenhanger GP, max 17 on the 28th Jan (SP).
WOODCOCK Stanstead Abbots GP, 1 on the 13th Jan (BR). Rye Meads, 1 on the 3rd Feb (RMP). Brocket Park, 1 on the 4th and 15th Feb (AD/JM). Tring Res, 1 on the 15th Feb (MC). Broxbourne Woods, 1 on the 18th Feb (BR). Broxbourne GP, 1 on the 25th Feb (BR).
REDSHANK Amwell GP, 1 on the 14th Jan (BR).
GREEN SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, max 3 on the 14th Jan (RFo). Rye Meads, max 4 on the 13th Jan (RMP). Scotsbridge Mill, 1 on the 20th Jan-11th Feb (PD/AM/HB). Amwell GP, 1 on the 14th Feb (RP/DL). Stanstead Abbots GP, 2 on the 25th Feb (BR).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Wilstone Res, an adult on the 6th Jan, a first winter on the 25th Feb (DB), and an adult on the 28th Feb (SR). Hilfield Res, an adult on the 6th, 7th, and 13th Jan, and 11th and 24th Feb (SM/HRBR).
LITTLE GULL Stanstead Abbots GP, a 1st winter on the 13th Jan (BR).
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Hilfield Res, 3 adults roosted on the 7th Jan, and 1 on the 11th Feb (HRBR). Amwell GP, an adult on the 9th Jan (TA). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 9th Jan (MC).
KITTIWAKE Wilstone Res, 3 adults and a first winter roosted on the 25th Feb (DB). Stockers Lake, 1 sick bird on the 25th Feb (PL).
RING-NECK’ PARAKEET Stevenage, 1 on the 16th Feb (BR).
MONK PARAKEET Boreham Wood, 16+ on the 7th Jan, and 19+ on the 3rd and 18 on the 11th Feb (SM).
BARN OWL Harpenden, 1 on the 20th Jan (MR). Westbourne Green, 1 on the 2nd Feb (AB). Cromer, 1 on the 3rd Feb (SW). Coopers Green Lane, 1 on the 9th Feb (CB). Dane Street Farm, at the southeastern corner of Luton Airport, 1 from the 9th-28th Feb (MR).
LSR SPOT WOODPECKR North Mymms Park, 1 on the 3rd Jan (DDe). Rye Meads, singles on the 7th Jan, and 22nd Feb (RMP). Ware, 1 on the 18th Jan (BR). Little Bushey Lane, (Watford end), 1 on the 29th Jan (MW). Wymondley Lower Plantation, 2 on the 7th Feb (RB). Gobions Wood, Brookmans Park, 1 on the 13th Feb (RP).
WAXWING Welwyn Village, 1 on the 6th-7th Jan (CB). Stevenage, 4 on 6th-8th (AD/REg/RH), 18 on the 9th (TA), and 20 on the 10th-14th Jan (JS). Waterend, Wheathampstead, 9 on the 6th Jan (REv). Puckeridge, 1 on the 7th Jan (MO). Batford Sewage Works, approx 10 flew SW on the 7th Jan (JC). Ware garden, 1 on the 11th Jan (NS). Turnford, 4 from the 13th (Rfa), and 5 on the 18th Jan-11th Feb (NA). Bishops Stortford, 3 on the 20th Feb (per JTh). Mill Green, Hatfield, 11 from the 24th-28th Feb (BTr).
BLACK REDSTART Wilbury Way Industrial Estate, Hitchin, a male on the 22nd Jan (RM).
STONECHAT Hatfield Garden Village, a pair on the 1st Jan (JM). Hertford Heath, 2 on the 14th, and 1 on the 15th and 16th Jan (DD). Beech Farm, max 3 on the 7th Jan (SM). Chadwell Meads, 2 on the 27th Jan (DT). Tringford, 1 on the 1st Feb (MC). King’s Mead, a pair on the 9th Feb (CB). Rye Meads, 2 from the 10th-22nd Feb (RMP). North Mymms Park, a male on the 16th Feb (RP). Colney Heath Lane, a male on the 26th Feb (BL). Ware Marsh, 1 on the 20th Feb (MW). Dane Street Farm, southeast of Luton Airport, a female from the 23rd-28th Feb (MR).
FIELDFARE Chiswell Green, 72 on the 6th Jan (CE), Near Bramfield, 150 on the 6th Jan (AD). Hoggate’s Wood, Bishop’s Stortford, 50 on the 6th Jan (HC). Wickham Hall Lagoon, max 70 on the 18th Jan (HC). Hare Street, 200 on the 13th Jan (AR). Redbourn, 40 on the 20th Jan (JD). Bassus Green, 120 on the 24th Jan (RB). Woodhall Estate, Watton-at-Stone, 70 on the 28th Jan (per JM). Great Gobions Farm, Bramfield, 150 on the 28th Jan (per JM). Hertford Heath, 150 on the 5th-6th Feb (DD). Tewin, 50 on the 6th Feb (LB). Colney Heath Lane, 100 on the 8th Feb (BL). North Mimms Park, max 50 on the 16th Feb (RP). Bowman’s Farm, 90-100 on the 15th and 17th Feb (SP/SM). Chiltern Green, 410 on the 18th Feb (MR). Brookmans Park, 60 on the 20th Feb (RP).
REDWING North Mymms Park, max 70 on the 6th Jan (RP).
CETTI’S WARBLER Rye House Marsh, 1 on the 14th, and 27th Jan (RMP). Broxbourne GP, 1 on the 28th Jan, and 25th Feb (BR).
BLACKCAP Rickmansworth garden, a female from the 1st Jan-12th Feb (HB). Sawbridgeworth garden, a male on the 2nd Jan (JH). Ware, 1 on the 8th Jan (BR), and a pair on the 20th Jan (DL). Puckeridge garden, 1 on the 20th Jan and a pair on the 4th, and a female on the 10th Feb (MO). Wheathampstead garden, a male on the 23rd Jan (LH). Folly Ave, St Albans, 1 on the 21st Jan (MT). Jersey Farm garden, a pair on the 4th, and a female on the 7th Feb (WH). Enfield garden, 3 males on the 6th Feb (JMu). Cheshunt garden, a male on the 7th Feb (RFa). Gustard Wood, a male on the 24th Feb (PW).
CHIFFCHAFF Rye Meads, max 9 on the 6th Jan (RMP). Puckeridge garden, 1 on the 6th Jan-13th Feb (MO). Amwell GP, 1 on the 14th Jan, and 10th Feb (BR). King’s Mead, 1 on the 9th Feb (CB). Beech Farm, 1 on the 15th and 17th Feb (WH/SM). Burymead Springs N.R, Hitchin, 4 (inc 1 abietinus) trapped and ringed on the 19th Feb (CBu).
FIRECREST Codicote garden, 1 trapped on the 17th Jan (TK). Rye Meads, 1 on the 9th Feb (RMP). Post Wood, Ware, 1 on the 11th Feb (DJ).
RAVEN Ver Valley, St Albans, 1 reported flying over the Pre Hotel on the 11th Feb (JT).
TREE SPARROW Beech Farm, 1 on the 1st Jan (Dbo). Coursers Road Fields, 2 on the 28th Jan (PS), and 6 on the 5th Feb (per GE). Tyttenhanger GP, 4 on the 18th Feb (per SP).
BRAMBLING Hadham Park, Bishop’s Stortford, 3 on the 5th Jan (HC). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 21st Jan (SP).
SISKIN Bricket Wood, 50 on the 1st Jan (CE). Amwell GP, max 39 on the 6th Jan (DL). Stockers Lake, 75 on the 20th Jan (PD). North Mymms Park, 11 on the 16th Feb (RP).
REDPOLL Rye Meads, 2 on the 1st Jan, and 27th Feb (RMP). Berkhamsted garden, max 3 on the 5th Feb (SD). Bricket Wood, 2 on the 9th Jan (BC). Sherrardswood garden, 1 on the 13th Jan (DJ). Amwell GP, max 30 on the 20th Jan (PS), and 5 on the 10th Feb (DL). Stockers Lake, 10 on the 3rd Feb (PD). Berkhamsted Common, 5 on the 14th Feb (SD). Tykeswater Lake, 2 on the 15th Feb (SM).
HAWFINCH Broxbourne Woods, 1 on the 21st Jan (BR), and 7 on the 3rd Feb (DL).
REED BUNTING Rye Meads, max 65 on the 27th Jan (RMP). Hilfield Res, up to 25 in Feb (HRBR).
CORN BUNTING Marsworth Res, c125 roosting in Feb (FOTR).
List of observers: Nigel Agar, David Anderson, Toby Austin, Helen Baker, Glen Barnes, Chris Beach, Dave Bilcock, Tony Blake, David Booth (Dbo), Les Borg, Neil Bristow, Andy Broadhurst, Roger Broadie, Ian Burrus, Cliff Butterworth (CBu), Mike Campbell, Jason Chapman, Hugh Coe, Peter Colston, Bob Cripps, Paul Davies, John Davis, Bill Day, Daphne Dean (DDe), Chris Dee (Rye Meads Partnership), Timothy Dick, Derrick Dorken, Anthony Dorman, Stuart Downhill, Rob Egan, Gary Elton (Hilfield Reservoir Bird Report), Colin Everett, Rupert Evershed (REv), Ross Facer (Rfa), Daniel Fletcher, Ted Fletcher, Alan Ford, Richard Foster (Rfo), Friends of Tring Reservoirs, Alan Gardiner, Andy Grimsey (AGr), Mark Gurney, Lynne Halford, Andrew Hardacre, Wendy Hatton, Tim Hill, Ray Hooper, James Horgan, David James, Melanie Jardine, Tom kittle, Basil Lewis, Paul Lewis, David Lindop (Dli), Derrick Ling, Arthur Livett, Jim Margerison (JMa), Anna Marret, John Moss, John Motch (JMo), John Murray(JMu), Steve Murray, Murray Orchard, Steve Pearce, Rupert Pyrah, Barry Reed, Alan Reynolds, Steve Rodwell, Mike Russell, Nick Sampford, Bill Shepherd, Ian Smart, Clifford Smout, Joyce Staines, Phil Stead, Dick Tanner, Joan Thompson, Mike Thompson, Joy Thornley, Barry Trevis (BTr), Barry Turner, Stuart Warrington, Stephen Welch (SWe), Mic and Jan Wells, Peter Wilkinson, Rosemary Wilkinson.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for Jan/Feb 2001