Selected records for July & August 2001
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Hilfield Res, max 105 (19 juvs) on the 30th Aug (SM).
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Wilstone Res, 1 on the 12th Aug.
LITTLE EGRET Stockers Farm, 1 on the 28th Jul (BT). Startops End Res, Tring, 1 flew over at dusk on the 6th Aug (PL), and 3 were present on the 19th Aug (DB). Rye Meads, 1 from the 6th Aug, and max 4 from the 26th Aug (RMP). Hilfield Res, a juvenile on the 13th Aug (SM). Amwell GP, 1 roosted on the 21st-22nd Aug (BR/TA). Redbourn Golf Club, 1 on the 22nd-23rd Aug (MT/AGr).
WHOOPER SWAN East Hyde, 2 feral birds were present throughout (MR).
BLACK SWAN River Lea, Ware, 1 present throughout the period (DL). Bury Lake, 1 on the 15th Jul (HB). Amwell GP, 1 present throughout Aug (BR).
BARNACLE GOOSE Wilstone Res, 1 on the 9th Jul (SD).
BAR-HEADED GOOSE Wilstone Res, 2 on the 9th (SD) and 26th Jul (PS).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Amwell GP, 2 on several dates from the 31st Jul (RP).
SHELDUCK Hilfield Res, an adult on the 17th, a juv on the 20th, and 2 on the 22nd Jul (SM/HRBR). Rye Meads, max 6 on the 22nd, with 1 remaining until the 28th Jul (RMP). Chadwell Meads, 3 juvs on the 8th Aug (DT). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 20th Jul, and 1 from 3rd-31st Aug (DB).
MANDARIN DUCK Coopers Green GP, 2 broods (5 and 4 yg) on the 8th Jul (SP). Alerford Park, Boreham Wood, 3 on the 25th Jul (SM). Lilley Bottom, a female with 7 yg (second brood) on the 25th Jul (DB).
GADWALL Kings Meads, 3 broods of 7, 5, and 3 yg on the 15th Jul (MO).
NORTHERN PINTAIL Wilstone Res, 4 on the 30th-31st Aug (DB).
GARGANEY Amwell GP, an eclipsed drake on the 20th-22nd Jul (TA). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 23rd Jul (HRBR). Wilstone Res, a pair seen intermittently from the 12th-24th Aug (DB).
RED-CRSTD POCHARD Amwell GP, a female on the 21st Aug (BR).
RUDDY DUCK Rye Meads, 3 present throughout (RMP). Beech Farm/Coopers Green GP, 5 on the 8th Jul (SP), 4 adults and a brood of 5 yg on the 21st Jul, and another brood (4 yg) on the 18th Aug (SM). Maple Lodge, 5 broods noted from the 10th Jul-17th Aug (PL). Kings Meads, max 14 (7 juvs) on the 15th Jul (MO). Hilfield Res, a brood of 8 yg on the 24th and max 63 (5 yg) on the 30th Aug (SM).
RED KITE Langley, 1 on the 8th Jul (AP).
KITE SP Rickmansworth, 1 flying towards Stockers Farm on the 8th Jul, and thought to be almost certainly a Red Kite (SY).
MARSH HARRIER Wilstone Res, 1 on the 26th Aug (JR).
COMMON BUZZARD East Hyde, up to 5 birds present in July (MR). Withstocks Wood, 1-2 daily throughout the period (MR). Amwell GP, 1 on the 1st Jul (TB), and 16th Aug (BR). Shafford Farm, Ver Valley, max 3 on the 29th Jul and 5th and 27th Aug (JP). Tring, 1 on the 1st Jul (IB). Brookmans Park, 1 on the 3rd Jul (DG). Essendon, 1 on the 9th Jul (AM). Prae Wood, 2 on the 11th Jul (BF). North Mymms Park, 1 on the 16th Jul (RP). Watton at Stone, max 4 on the 21st Jul (AR). Home Park, Hatfield, 1 on the 4th Aug (BR). Stanstead Abbots GP, 1 on the 12th Aug (BR). Hitch Wood, 2 on the 19th Aug (RS). Patmore Heath, 1 on the 22nd Aug (ME). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 27th Aug (RF/RFo). Gatesbury, 1 on the 29th Aug (MO).
OSPREY Amwell GP, 1 over on the 29th Aug (TA).
RED-FOOTED FALCON Wilstone Res, a male on the 12th Jul (SWi).
HOBBY Beech Farm, 1 on the 1st Jul (GK). Brookmans Park, 1 on the 1st Jul, and 16th Aug (RP). East Hyde, 2 on the 3rd Jul (MR). Harpenden Common, 1 on the 3rd Jul (MR). Tyttenhanger GP, a pair with 3 recently fledged juvs on the 23rd Aug (SM). Amwell GP, singles on the 13th Jul, and 14th Aug (DL). Alerford Park, Boreham Wood, 1 on the 15th Jul (SM). North Mymms Park, 1 on the 16th Jul (RP). Garston, 1 on the 22nd Jul (SW). Hadham Towers, 1 on the 26th Jul (SM). Coopers Green GP, 1 on the 5th Aug (SP). Shafford Farm, Ver Valley, max 2 on the 5th and 25th Aug (JP). North Mimms Park, 3 (1 juv) on the 15th and 24th Aug (RP). Therfield Heath, 1 on the 16th Aug (RS). Maple Lodge, 1 on the 17th Aug (PL). Rye Meads, singles on several dates (RMP).
LARGE FALCON SP Tring, 1 (probably a Peregrine) on the 22nd Jul (IB).
GREY PARTRIDGE Harpenden, a pr with 8 yg present throughout Jul (MR). Beech Farm, a family group on the 8th Jul (SP).
WATER RAIL Rye Meads, 2 adults on the 4th Aug, and 2 juveniles trapped (RMP).
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Tyttenhanger GP, max 12 adults and broods of 3 and 4 yg on the 11th, and a third brood (3 yg) on the 15th Jul (SM). Amwell GP, 2 on the 21st and 25th Jul (DL). Stockers Farm, 3 juvs on the 29th-31st Jul (SY/PD). Rye Meads, 3 on the 25th Aug (RMP).
RINGED PLOVER Tyttenhanger GP, max 8 on the 1st, 11th-12th Jul with 2 broods of single yg noted (RF/SM). Stockers Farm, 1 on the 20th Jul (BT). Amwell GP, max 4 (2 juvs) on the 25th Jul (DL). Hilfield Res, a juv on the 24th Aug (SM).
GOLDEN PLOVER Wilstone Res, 1 over on the 15th Aug (DB). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 20th Aug (SM/RPe).
LAPWING Maple Lodge, 150 on the 23rd Jul (PL). Lilley Bottom, 145 on the 25th Jul (DB). Tyttenhanger GP, max 210 on the 29th Jul (RF). Amwell GP, 135 on the 31st Jul (RP).
LITTLE STINT Tyttenhanger GP, singles on the 7th, 12th, 15th and 19th Aug (SM/RP/RPe). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 14th Aug (MW).
CURLEW SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, an adult on the 1st-3rd Aug (SM/RF/CH/RB).
DUNLIN Amwell GP, 1 on the 14th-16th Jul (BR). Tyttenhanger GP, singles on the 16th, 19th, and 28th-29th Jul, and 1st-2nd Aug (AM/SM/RF). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 20th Aug (FoTR). Startops End Res, 2 on the 26th Aug (DB).
RUFF Tyttenhanger GP, a male on the 16th Jul-15th Aug (AM/RP/SM), and 1 on the 24th and 27th-31st Aug (SM).
COMMON SNIPE Tyttenhanger GP, max 3 on the 30th Jul (SM). Rye Meads, max 18 on the 20th Aug (RMP). Amwell GP, max 3 on the 29th Aug (DL). Kings Meads, 2 on the 23rd Aug (RH). Redbourn Golf Club, 3 on the 29th Aug (AGr).
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on the 22nd Jul (SM). Wilstone Res, singles on the 16th, 18th (DB) and 23rd-24th Aug (MW/PSu).
WHIMBRELAmwell GP, 2 over on the 20th Jul. Hilfield Res, 7 flew over on the 20th Aug (SM). Redbourn Golf Club, 1 on the 20th Aug (EG).
CURLEW Rye Meads, 1 flew over on the 22nd Aug (RMP).
SPOTTED REDSHANK Tyttenhanger GP, 1 juv on the 16th Aug (AGr).
REDSHANK Rye Meads, 2 on the 5th, and 1 on the 11th Jul (RMP). Tyttenhanger GP, max 2 on the 8th, 20th and 22nd Jul (PS/SM/BF). Amwell GP, 1 on the 21st Jul (DL).
GREENSHANK Stockers Farm, 1 on the 8th and 17th Jul (SY). Hilfield Res, singles on the 17th Jul and 26th Aug (HRBR). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 19th-20th Jul (SM/RP/AG), and 1-3 present from the 11th with max 6 on the 21st Aug (RF/SM/PS). Rye Meads, 4 on the 28th Jul, with 1-3 present from the 17th-25th Aug (RMP). Coopers Green GP, 1 on the 5th Aug (SP). Amwell GP, singles on the 10th-12th, and 17th-19th Aug (BR). Stanstead Abbotts GP, 1 on the 12th Aug (BR). Redbourn Golf Club, 4 on the 22nd (MT), and 1 on the 29th Aug (AGr). Tring Res, up to 6 present from the 22nd Aug (DB).
GREEN SANDPIPER Coopers Green GP, 3 on the 8th and 13th Jul (SP/BT). Burymead Springs, 1 on the 9th Jul (CBu). Tyttenhanger GP, max 9 on the 23rd, 27th and 29th Jul, and 14 on the 20th Aug (SM/RPe). Maple Lodge, 2 on the 30th Jul, and 1 on the 13th Aug (PL). Amwell GP, singles on the 4th and 17th Aug (DL/BR). Wilstone Res, up to 4 present in Aug (FoTR). Stanstead Abbotts GP, 2 on the 12th Aug (BR). Rye Meads, max 8 on the 20th Aug (RMP). Redbourn Golf Club, 2 on the 22nd Aug (MT). Cheshunt Park, 1 on the 27th Aug (RFa).
WOOD SANDPIPER Wilstone Res, 2 on the 19th (A&MdW), and 1 on the 20th Aug (DB). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 22nd-31st Aug (SM et al).
COMMON SANDPIPER Hilfield Res, max 2 on the 9th, 13th and 18th Jul (SM), and 3 on the 1st and 23rd Aug (SM). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 1st, 11th-12th, 2 on the 14th, and max 5 on the 19th Jul, and 6 on the 20th and 31st Aug (RF/SM). Wilstone Res, 2 on the 25th Jul, and up to 3 present in Aug (FoTR). Amwell GP, a flock of 9 on the 12th Jul, and 1-2 on most dates in Aug (BR/DL). East Hyde, 1 on the 17th Aug (MR/AGr). Rye Meads, max 2 on the 18th Aug (RMP). Stockers Farm, 1 on the 18th Aug (BT). Stanstead Abbotts GP, 1 on the 19th Aug (BR). Alerford Lake, Boreham Wood, 1 on the 19th Aug (SM).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Tyttenhanger GP, an adult on the 9th and 11th Jul (SM). Rye Meads, an adult on the 3rd Aug (RMP).
GREY-HEADED GULL Tyttenhanger GP, the bird from the spring period was present into September (SM/RF et al). Hilfield Res, 1 roosted on the 5th Aug (SM).
COMMON GULL Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on the 9th and 1 on the 19th Jul (PS/SM). Rye Meads, 18 roosted on the 11th Aug (RMP). Sandridge, 5 on the 17th Aug (AGr).
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Pitstone No2 Quarry, an adult on the 14th Aug (DB). Wilstone Res, an adult on the 16th, and a 3rd yr on the 18th Aug (DB). Coursers Road Fields, 2 adults and a possible juv on the 27th Aug (RP).
COMMON TERN East Hyde, 2 on the 3rd Jul (MR). Fairlands Valley Lakes, Stevenage, max 3 on the 23rd and 26th Jul (AF). Maple Lodge, 3 on the 30th Jul (PL). Tyttenhanger GP, max 17 on the 4th Aug (SP).
BLACK TERN Amwell GP, an adult on the 10th-12th Jul (TA). Wilstone Res, 1 on the 5th Jul (FoTR), 4 on the 15th, 1 on the 19th-20th (DB), 4 on the 23rd (MW), and 1 on the 24th Aug (PSu).
TURTLE DOVE Essendon, 1 on the 9th Jul (AM). Rye Meads, max 8 on the 14th and 22nd Jul (RMP). Welbury Farm nr Baldock, 2 on the 25th Jul (RB). Marsworth Res, 1 singing on the 28th Jul (SM). Hemel Hempstead, 2 seen by Jct 8 of the M1 on the 30th Jul (AGr). Sawbridgeworth Marsh, 1 on the 4th-5th Aug (AH).
CUCKOO Rye Meads, 2 on the 7th Jul (RMP).
BARN OWL Wilstone Res, 1 on the 5th (LA/CL), and 27th Aug (FoTR).
COMMON SWIFT Rye Meads, max 300 on the 19th Jul (RMP). North Mimms Park, 9 on the 24th Aug (RP). Shafford Farm, Ver Valley, 1 on the 25th Aug (JP).
LSR SPT WOODPECKER North Mymms Park, 1 on the 16th Jul (RP).
SAND MARTIN Rye Meads, max 250 on the 19th Jul (RMP).
HOUSE MARTIN Rye Meads, max 100 on the 12th Aug (RMP). Shafford Farm, Ver Valley, 100 on the 25th Aug (JP).
TREE PIPIT Berkhamsted Common, 1 pair bred, 1 yg ringed on the 3rd Jul, and a juv ringed on the 14th Aug (SDo).
YELLOW WAGTAIL Rye Meads, max 2 on the 20th Aug, with singles on 5 dates (RMP). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 25th Aug (SM). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on the 14th, and 1 on the 31st Aug (SM). Elstree Golf Club, 2 over on the 23rd Aug (RP). Rothamsted Exp Stn, 1 over on the 23rd Aug (MR). Beech Farm, 6 over on the 27th Aug (AG).
GREY WAGTAIL Tring SF, 8 (inc juvs) on the 2nd Jul (IB). Rye Meads, max 25 on the 12th Aug (RMP).
WHINCHAT Near Whitwell, 1 on the 14th Aug (PW). North Mimms, 2 on the 25th Aug (PU). Hilfield Res, 1 on the 26th Aug (SM). Broxbourne GP, 4 on the 27th Aug (SM). Shafford Farm, Ver Valley, 3 on the 27th Aug (JP). Rye Meads, 1 on the 27th-31st Aug (RMP).
WHEATEAR North Mymms Park, 1 on the 1st Aug (RP). Hilfield Res, singles on the 9th-10th , 24th and 26th-27th Aug (HRBR/SM). Haberdashers School, 1 on the 10th Aug (SM). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on the 11th (SM), and 1 on the 25th Aug (RF).
FIELDFARE Harpenden, 10 reported flying SE on the 27th Aug (per JD).
GRASSHOPPER WBLR Marsworth Res, a juv was ringed on the 8th Jul (SDo).
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Wilstone Res, 2 on the 5th Jul (FoTR). Rye Meads, 1 on the 8th Jul (RMP). Albury Hall, Little Hadham, a pair carrying food on the 8th Jul (DL). Brocket Park, a pair feeding yg on the 8th Jul (AD). Standon, a pair feeding 2 yg on the 15th Jul (MO). Shafford Farm, Ver Valley, two family groups on the 22nd Jul (JP). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on the 25th Jul (RF), and a family group of 5 on the 11th Aug (SM). Sollershott West, Letchworth, 1 on the 6th Aug (RB). North Mimms, a family group on the 10th Aug (RP). Wickham Hall, a pair bred (per HC). Bishops Stortford, 1 on the 25th Aug (AH). Cheshunt Park, 2 on the 27th Aug (RFa).
TREE SPARROW Coursers Road Fields, 5 broods (18 yg) were ringed in Aug (GE/JF).
SERIN Garston, 1 on the 26th Aug (SW). Watford High Street, a male on the 29th Aug (IB).
LINNET Essendon, 60 on the 9th Jul (AM).
REDPOLL SP Hilfield Res, 1 on the 22nd Jul (HRBR).
CORN BUNTING Rothamsted Exp Stn, 1 singing on the 26th Jul (MR).
INSECT NEWS
WHITE-LEGGED DAMSELFLY Marsworth Res, 2 males on the 28th Jul (SM).
RED-VEINED DARTER Pitstone No2 Quarry, 2 males on the 1st Jul (SM).
List of observers: Lynn Atkinson, Toby Austin, Helen Baker, Ian Bennell, Dave Bilcock, David Booth, Neil Bristow, Roger Broadie, Trevor Brownsell, Ian Burrus, Cliff Butterworth (CBu), Mike Campbell, Jason Chapman, Colin Clark, Hugh Coe, Paul Collins (Rye Meads Partnership), Paul Davies, John Davis, Anthony Dorman, Stuart Downhill (SDo), Stephen Dunstan, Mick East, Gary Elton (HilfieldReservoir Bird Report), Ross Facer (RFa), Brendan Fagan, Jack Fearnside, Ricky Flesher, Alan Ford, Richard Foster (RFo). Friends of Tring Reservoirs, Alan Gardiner, Paul Gascoigne, David Gompertz, Ed Griffiths, Andy Grimsey (AGr), Andrew Hardacre, Graham Higgins, Ray Hooper, Colin Hull, Graham Knight, Colin Lambert, Earnest Leahy, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Andy Massey, John Motch, Steve Murray, Aftab Nasir, Murray Orchard, N Parish, Steve Pearce, Robin Pearson (RPe), Adrian Pomfret, John Pritchard, Rupert Pyrah, Barry Reed, Alan Reynolds, Steve Rodwell, John Rotheroe, Michael Rowland-Morris, Mike Russell, Clifford Smout, Ian Stewart, Phil Stead, Robin Smith, Paul Sutton (PSu), Dick Tanner, Mike Thompson, Barry Turner, Paul Unwin, Stephen Welch, Mick Wells, Peter Wilkinson, Stuart Wilson (SWi), Ann & Mervyn de Winter, Steve Younger.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for Jul/Aug 2001