Selected records for March & April 2001
SLAVONIAN GREBE Hilfield Res, a pair in summer plumage on the 28th Apr (SM).
CORMORANT Amwell GP, 2 pairs nesting in March is the first breeding record at this site (BR). Wilstone Res, a bird of the continental race sinensis on the 18th Apr (PS).
WHITE PELICAN Tring Res, the long staying escapee present to the end of Apr (FOTR).
BITTERN Amwell GP, 1 on the 17th Mar (BR).
GREY HERON Brocket Park, 25 nests on the 12th Mar (BT). Verulamium Park, St Albans, 16 occupied nests on the 16th Mar (BT).
BLACK SWAN Ware, 2 on the River Lea throughout the period (DL). Stockers/Bury Lakes, 2 on the 21st Apr (PL). Rye Meads, 4 on the 22nd Apr (RMP).
WHITE-FRNTD GOOSE Lynsters Farm, 1 on the 1st Mar-30th Apr (PL).
BARNACLE GOOSE Wilstone Res, 1 on the 18th Apr (PS).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Lynsters Farm, 1 on the 18th-26th Apr (PL).
SHELDUCK Rye Meads, up to 7 present throughout the period (RMP). Amwell GP, max 5 on the 18th Mar (BR). Wilstone Res, max 5 on the 13th Apr (CBu). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on the 14th Apr, and max 4 on the 22nd Apr (RF/SP/PS).
MANDARIN DUCK Tykeswater Lake, 3 (2 males) on the 13th Mar (SM). Verulamium Park, St Albans, a tame female on the 15th and 21st Mar (AG/GW). Haberdashers School, 3 on the 20th Mar (SM). Tewin, a female on the 28th Mar (BR). Tewin Fish Farm, a wild male joined the captive birds on the 4th Apr (PS). Bury Lake, a male over on the 6th Apr (SY). Hitch Wood, a male on the 13th Apr (RS).
GARGANEY Wilstone Res, a pair on the 19th Apr (LA).
GOLDENEYE Rye Meads, up to 10 present to the 9th Apr (RMP). Amwell GP, max 25 on the 15th Mar (BR).
SMEW Amwell GP, 4 (2 males) on the 2nd (1 male) on the 3rd Mar (AD/AR).
GOOSANDER Rye Meads, a male flew over on the 24th Mar (RMP).
RUDDY DUCK Maple Lodge, max 9 on the 26th Mar (PL). Hilfield Res, max 23 on the 7th Apr (HRBR). Rye Meads, up to 5 present in Apr (RMP).
RED KITE Tring, 1 flew over the A41 on the 12th Mar (DF). Hilfield Res, 1 flew west on the 1st Apr (SM/JTh). Hitchin, 1 over on the 2nd Apr (PH). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 8th Apr (PCo). Watton at Stone, 1 on the 14th Apr (AR).
MARSH HARRIER Stockers Lake, 1 on the 25th Mar (TS). Amwell GP, 1 on the 29th Mar. Tring Res, 1 on the 30th Apr (CBu).
HARRIER SP Tring, 1 ringtail (possibly Hen Harrier) over on the 31st Mar (NB).
COMMON BUZZARD Prae Wood, max 4 on the 3rd Mar (GW). M25, 1 over Jct 18 on the 5th Mar (SY). Kimpton, 1 on the 7th Mar (RS). Chiswell Green, 1 on the 9th Mar (AG). Gade Valley (Herts/Beds border), 6 on the 12th Mar (CBu). Watton at Stone, max 2 on the 14th, and 20th Apr (AR). East Hyde, 1 on the 19th Mar, and 3 on the 27th Apr (MR). Redbournbury, 1 on the 22nd March (EL). Wilstone Res, 3 on the 8th (PCo), and 1 on the 13th Apr (CBu). Barwick, 1 on the 16th Apr (CC). North Watford, 1 on the 21st Apr (PU). Amwell GP, 1 on the 21st Apr (CH). Withstocks Wood, max 3 on the 27th Apr (MR).
RED-TAILED HAWK Hunsdon, 1 on the 5th Mar, and again (displaying) on the 7th Apr (DL).
OSPREY Amwell GP, 1 on the 1st Apr (MI). Tewin Fish Farm, 1 on the 3rd Apr (LB), reportedly had been present for a week. Wilstone Res, 1 on the 12th Apr (SR/EL/SJ).
MERLIN Wilstone Res, 1 on the 7th (SR), and a female on the 22nd Apr (FOTR).
HOBBY Hilfield Res, 1 on the 19th, and 2 on the 26th Apr (SM/HRBR). Amwell GP, 1 on the 22nd, and 29th Apr (SM/GL). Maple Cross, 1 on the 26th Apr (SY). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 26th, and 3 on the 27th Apr (MC).
CHUKAR Chiltern Green, 3 on the 5th Mar (MR).
WATER RAIL Rye Meads, max 5 on the 14th Mar (RMP). Hilfield Res, last recorded on the 13th Apr (HRBR). Amwell GP, 2 on the 22nd Apr (SM).
OYSTERCATCHER Hilfield Res, 1 on the 9th Apr (HRBR). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 16th Apr (PSu/DB).
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Rye Meads, 1 on the 14th Mar, and 4 present by the end Apr (RMP). Amwell GP, 3 on the 29th Mar (BR), and 2 pairs on the 13th, 21st, and 28th, Apr (RP/DL). Tyttenhanger GP, 3 on the 12th-15th, and 4 on the 16th Apr (BF/RF). Startops End Res, 2 on the 20th Apr (AL). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 22nd Apr (HRBR). Redbourn, 4 on the 23rd Apr (EL).
RINGED PLOVER Amwell GP, 2 pairs throughout the period (BR/DL). Rye Meads, 1-2 from the 25th Mar (RMP). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 13th Apr (RF).
GOLDEN PLOVER Rye Meads, 160 on the 10th Mar (RMP). Bishops Stortford, 20 on the 18th Mar (MO). Coursers Road Fields, London Colney, 1 on the 23rd Mar (JF). East Hyde, 24 over on the 5th Apr (MR). Near St Albans, 1000 on the 8th Apr (SM).
DUNLIN Rye Meads, 4 over on the 24th Mar (RMP). Hilfield Res, singles on the 17th, and 26th Apr (HRBR/SM). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 19th-20th, 3 on the 21st, and 2 on the 22nd (PS/RF/AM).
JACK SNIPE Rye Meads, max 5 on the 24th Mar, last recorded on the 21st Apr (RMP). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 15th Apr (PHu).
COMMON SNIPE Amwell GP, max 8 on the 2nd Mar (DL). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 13th Mar (PL). Rye Meads, max 46 on the 17th Mar (RMP). Tyttenhanger GP, max 5 on the 13th Apr (PS).
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Hilfield Res, 3 on the 23rd Apr (SM).
WHIMBREL Wilstone Res, singles on the 22nd, and 29th Apr (DB/PCo).
CURLEW Wilstone Res, 1 on the 7th Apr (SR). Hilfield Res, 1 over on the 22nd Apr (HRBR). Rye Meads, 2 on the 22nd Apr (RMP).
REDSHANK Rye Meads, up to 4 present from the 14th Mar (RMP). Amwell GP, max 5 on the 31st Mar (BR), and 4 on the 21st-22nd Apr (DL/AR). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 13th Apr (CBu). Tyttenhanger GP, 3 on the 13th, 16th, and 22nd Apr (RF/SP/PS). Redbournbury, 1 on the 23rd Apr (EL).
GREENSHANK Amwell GP, 1 on the 12th Apr (TH). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 13th-17th and 20th-22nd Apr (RP/PS/RF).
GREEN SANDPIPER Rye Meads, 1-2 present throughout the period (RMP). Amwell GP, 1 on the 14th Apr (AR). Tyttenhanger GP, max 5 on the 16th Apr (RF).
WOOD SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 12th Apr (BF).
COMMON SANDPIPER Bendish Lodge, 1 on the 20th Apr (RH). Fairlands Valley Lake, Stevenage, 1 on the 26th Apr (AF). Wilstone Res, 2 on the 26th Apr (FOTR). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 28th Apr (HRBR). Amwell GP, 3 on the 28th Apr (DL).
TURNSTONE Amwell GP, 1 on the 28th Apr (DL/MI).
BLACK-HEADED GULL Alerford Park Lake, Boreham Wood, a colour-ringed bird on the 4th Mar (SM).
LITTLE GULL Hilfield Res, an adult on the 24th Mar (SM), and 3 adults on the 23rd Apr (SM/JTh). Wilstone Res, 3 adults on the 24th Apr (PCo).
COMMON TERN Hilfield Res, 1 on the 27th Mar (SM), and max 34 on the 28th Apr (HRBR). Tringford Res, 1 on the 31st Mar (MC). Rye Meads, 1 on the 6th, and max 40 on the 27th Apr (RMP). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on the 22nd Apr (RF). Fairlands Valley Lake, Stevenage, 2 on the 24th, and 3 on the 30th Apr (AF). Amwell GP, 2 on the 24th (MB), and 5 on the 28th Apr (DL).
ARCTIC TERN Hilfield Res, singles on the 16th, 18th, and 29th, and 2 on the 30th Apr (HRBR/SM). Tring Res, 16 on the 18th (PCo), 11 on the 19th (BN), and 13 on the 21st, and 1 on the 24th Apr (GN/DB/AL).
LITTLE TERN Tring Res, 4 on the 24th Apr.
BLACK TERN Hilfield Res, 1 on the 24th Apr (SM).
TURTLE DOVE Rye Meads, 1 on the 26th, and 3 on the 30th Apr (RMP).
SMALL PARROT SP Harpenden, 1 on the 2nd Apr (JC).
MONK PARAKEET Boreham Wood, max 30 on the 17th , with a pair seen mating on the 24th Mar (SM).
CUCKOO Kimpton, 1 calling on the 8th Apr (RS). Redbournbury, 1 on the 16th Apr (EL). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 17th Apr (PL). Rye Meads, 1 on the 22nd, and 3 from the 28th Apr (RMP). Amwell GP, 1 on the 21st Apr (TH/CH).
BARN OWL NE Herts, 1 present throughout Mar (MR). Hilfield Res, 1 found dead (bearing a BTO ring) on the 7th Apr (SM).
LONG-EARED OWL Chesfield Downs Golf Club, 2 heard calling on the 19th Mar (JM).
SWIFT Bayfordbury, 11 on the 11th Apr (RR). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 13th (SM), and 400 on the 28th-29th Apr (HRBR). Rye Meads, 3 on the 21st, and 1000 on the 29th Apr (RMP). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 22nd Apr (EG). Welwyn Garden City, 1 on the 24th Apr (DJ). Stockers Lake, 25 on the 26th Apr (SY). Tyttenhanger GP, 15 on the 27th Apr (RF). Amwell GP, 6 on the 28th Apr (DL). St Albans, 2 on the 28th Apr (GB). Colney Heath Lane, 30th Apr (BL). Maple Lodge, 2 on the 30th Apr (PL).
LSR SPOT WOODPECKER Bushey Arches, 1 drumming on the 4th Mar (AJ). Gobions Pond, a female on the 5th Mar (RP). Oxhey, 1 on the 8th Mar (AGr).
SAND MARTIN Amwell GP, 1 on the 11th Apr (DB), and 500 on the 31st Mar (NS). Maple Lodge, 6 on the 13th Mar (PL). Rye Meads, 5 on the 17th Mar, and 290 on the 21st Apr (RMP). Tring Res, 7 on the 18th Mar (MC), and 500 on the 8th and 10th Apr (SM/NA). Hampermill, Watford, 8 on the 23rd Mar (JF). Troy Mill, 100 on the 24th Mar. East Hyde, 2 on the 25th Mar (MR).
SWALLOW Hilfield Res, 2 on the 24th Mar (SM). Tringford Res, 1 on the 27th Mar (MC). Amwell GP, 1 on the 29th Mar (BR). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 29th Mar (PL). Harpenden SF, 1, and East Hyde, 2 on the 29th Mar (MR). Stockers Farm/Bury Lake, 1 on the 6th Apr (SY). Rye Meads, 1 on the 10th Apr (DA).
HOUSE MARTIN Amwell GP, 1 on the 11th Mar (DB). Troy Mill, 2 on the 24th Mar. Wilstone Res, several on the 27th Mar (MC). Harpenden SF, 7 on the 2nd Apr (per DA). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 7th Apr (SM). Cheshunt GP, 50 north in 1.5 hrs on the 10th Apr (DA).
TREE PIPIT Potters Crouch Plantation, a male on the 28th Apr (SM).
MEADOW PIPIT Rye Meads, 136 on passage on the 24th Apr (RMP).
YELLOW WAGTAIL Amwell GP, 3 on the 31st Mar (NS). Rye Meads, 1 on the 7th Apr, and 2 on three subsequent dates (RMP). Tyttenhanger GP, 8 on the 12th Apr (BF). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 13th Apr (HRBR). Hitchin SF, 2 on the 14th Apr (CB). Bendish Lodge, 1 on the 20th Apr (RH). Startops End Res, 11 on the 20th Apr (EG). Redbourn, 3 on the 23rd Apr (EL).
BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Redbourn, a male on the 23rd Apr (EL).
WHITE WAGTAIL Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 12th (BF), 15th, and 16th (RF/GN), 3 on the 15th, and 1 on the 28th Apr (PS). Hilfield Res, singles on the 15th and 18th Apr (SM/HRBR). Bendish Lodge, 1 on the 20th Apr (RH).
PIED WAGTAIL Rothamsted Exp Stn, max 75 on the 20th Mar (MR).
WAXWING Mill Green, Hatfield, 11 from the 4th-27th Mar (CBe/BT). Garston, 10 on the 9th Mar (IB). NE of Welwyn Garden City, 1 on the 15th Mar (BN). Welwyn Garden City, 8 from the 17th-25th Mar (AD), 12 on the 28th-29th Mar (BT/CBe), 14 on the 2nd Apr (MI), 11 on the 3rd Apr (CBe), and 8 on the 14th and 16th Apr (CS/RS). Bishops Stortford, 5 on the 16th Mar (). Bushey, 2 on the 12th Apr (BJ).
BLACK REDSTART Old Hale Way allotments, Hitchin, a male on the 5th Mar (NA). Hertford, a singing male on the 19th Mar (NS).
REDSTART Rye Meads, 1 trapped and ringed on the 29th Apr (RMP).
STONECHAT Dane Street Farm, the female reported in last bulletin was still present on the 3rd Mar (MR). Brookmans Park, a female on the 5th Mar (RP). Hatfield Garden Village, a pair on the 5th Mar (JMo). Kimpton garden, 1 on the 7th Mar (RS).
WHEATEAR Colney Heath Lane, singles on the 16th, 23rd, 26th Mar, and 20th and 30th Apr, with 2 present on the 19th Mar (BL). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 15th Apr (SP). Hilfield Res, singles on the 25th, and 29th Apr (SM/HRBR). Norton Green, 1 on the 30th Apr (DB).
FIELDFARE Brookmans Park, 35 on the 4th Apr (RP).
REDWING Tykeswater Lake, 100 on the 13th Mar (SM). Colney Heath Lane, 80+ on the 24th-25th Mar (BL). Rye Meads, last record of 3 on the 4th Apr (RMP).
FIELDFARE/REDWING East Hyde, a mixed flock of 250 on the 19th Mar (MR).
SEDGE WARBLER Amwell GP, 1 on the 1st Apr (CH). Rye Meads, 1 on the 2nd, and 20 on the 26th Apr (RMP). Stockers Lake, 1 on the 11th Apr (PL). Hilfield Res, first recorded on the 13th Apr (HRBR). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 13th Apr (PL). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 22nd Apr (SP).
REED WARBLER Rye Meads, 1 on the 22nd, and 2 on the 29th Apr (RMP). Startops End Res, 1 on the 27th Apr (MC). Hilfield Res, first recorded on the 29th Apr (HRBR). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 30th Apr (PL).
LESSER WHITETHROAT Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 13th and 16th Apr (SP). Amwell GP, 1 on the 17th Apr (MB). Batford, 1 on the 22nd Apr (MR). Brookmans Park, 1 on the 23rd Apr (RP). Rye Meads, 1 on the 29th, and 4 on the 30th Apr (RMP).
WHITETHROAT Croxley Common Moor, 1 on the 18th Apr (BTu). Colney Heath Lane, 2 on the 27th Apr (BL). Hilfield Res, first recorded on the 28th Apr (HRBR). East Hyde, 1 on the 30th Apr (MR). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 30th Apr (PL).
GARDEN WARBLER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 22nd, and 3 on the 27th Apr (RF). Startops End Res, 1 on the 27th Apr (MC).
BLACKCAP Broomhills, a male on the 3rd Mar (TB). St Albans garden, a male on the 4th, 5th, and 22nd Mar (GB). Brookmans Park, a male on the 4th-and 25th Mar (RP). Rothamsted Exp Stn, a male on the 20th Mar (MR). Rye Meads, 1 on the 24th Mar, and max 40 on the 30th Apr (RMP).
WOOD WARBLER Hilfield Res, 1 on the 29th Apr (SM).
CHIFFCHAFF Gobions Wood, 1 on the 15th Mar (RP). Two Waters, Hemel Hempstead, 2 on the 20th Mar (CBu). East Hyde, 2 on the 19th Mar (MR). Verulamium Park Lake, St Albans, 4 on the 21st Mar (GW). Sherrardswood, 1 on the 23rd Mar (DJ). Garston, 1 on the 24th Mar (SW). Rye Meads, 17 on the 24th Mar (RMP). Maple Lodge, 3 on the 25th Mar (PL). Tring Res, 3 on the 27th Mar (MC). Charlton, 1 on the 27th Mar (RB). Batford, 6 on the 29th Mar (MR).
WILLOW WARBLER Amwell GP, 1 on the 1st Apr (CH). Colney Heath Lane, 1 on the 1st Apr (BL). Tanners Wood, Abbots Langley, 1 on the 2nd Apr (CE). Rye Meads, 1 on the 2nd Apr, with up to 8 subsequently (RMP). Stockers Lake, 1 on the 6th Apr (SY). Hilfield Res, 2 on the 7th Apr (SM). Kings Meads, 1 on the 7th Apr (CBe). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 12th Apr (PL).
RAVEN Tring, 1 on the 21st Apr seen from Startops End Res (DB/AL).
BRAMBLING Bishops Stortford garden, 1 from the 3rd-8th, and 2 from the 11th-18th Mar (AP). St Albans garden, 1 on the 26th, and 27th April (GB).
SISKIN Brookmans Park, max 17 on the 21st Mar (RP). Welwyn GC garden, 16 on the 25th Mar (TH). Small numbers were reported coming to garden feeders into early April.
REDPOLL Redbourn Common, up to 7 most days throughout Mar (EL). Brookmans Park, 1 on the 2nd Mar, and 2 on the 23rd Apr (RP). Amwell GP, 5 on the 2nd Mar (DL). Rye Meads, singles on the 7th and 24th Mar (RMP). Alerford Park, Boreham Wood, 4 on the 9th Mar (SM). Garston, up to 5 from 21st Mar-7th Apr (CE). Tewin Fish Farm, 10 on the 4th Apr (AR).
YELLOWHAMMER Patmore Heath, 100 on the 20th Mar (ME).
List of observers: Nigel Agar, David Anderson, Peter Ashby, Lynne Atkinson, Glen Barnes, Mike Baverstock, Chris Beach (CBe), Ian Bennell, Dave Bilcock, Birdnet, Les Borg, David Booth, Nick Bowles, Roger Broadie, Colin Bushell (CBu), Cliff Butterworth, Trevor Brownsell, Mike Campbell, Roger Cave, Clive Chapman, Jason Chapman, Hugh Coe, Peter Colston, Derrick Dorken, Anthony Dorman, Mick East, Gary Elton (Hilfield Reservoir Bird Report), Colin Everett, Ian Eyre, Ross Facer, Brendan Fagan, Jack Fearnside, Ricky Flesher, Daniel Fletcher, Alan Ford, Alan Gardiner, Andrew Graham, Ed Griffiths, Roger Hicks, Tim Hill, Paul Howard, Christopher Hughs, Pete Humber (PHu), Mike Ilett, David James, Bob Johnson, Steve Jones, Andy Jardine, Earnest Leahy, Basil Lewis, G Lewis, Huw Lewis, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Arthur Livett, Jim Margerison, Andy Massey, John Moss (JMo), Steve Murray, Gordon Nash, Murray Orchard, Andrew Palmer, N.Parish, Steve Pearce, John Pritchard, Rupert Pyrah, Alan Reynolds, Rachel Roberts, Steve Rodwell, Mike Russell, Rye Meads Partnership (RMP), Nick Sampford, Robin Smith, Clifford Smout, Phil Stead, Paul Sutton (PSu), Joan Thompson (JTh), Barry Trevis, Barry Turner (BTu), Paul Unwin, Gareth Watkins (HBC Website), Stephen Welch, Graham White (GJW), Steve Younger.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for Mar/Apr 2001