Selected records for September and October 1998
LITTLE GREBE Rye Meads, 72 on 6th Sep.
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Hilfield Res, a juv on 3rd Sep, (SM/GE). London Road GP, Ware, 1 on 5th Sep (DrMB). Amwell GP, 1 on 14th Sep. Rye Meads, a juv on 19th-20th Sep. Hollingson Meads, 1 on 22nd Sep. Tring Res, 2 from 18th Oct to month’s end (RH).
MANX SHEARWATER Wilstone Res, 1 on 14th Oct (PW).
CORMORANT Maple Lodge, a French colour-ringed bird on 9th and 17th Oct (PL).
BEWICK'S SWAN Tring Res 2 reported on 29th Oct.
BLACK SWAN Tring Res, 1 throughout period.
LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE The escaped bird still at Hertford on 3rd Sep (CC).
CANADA X GREYLAG hybrid Stockers Lake, 1 on 6th Sep (PL).
BAR-HEADED GOOSE Wilstone Res, 1 on 14th (MC).
BARNACLE GOOSE 1 at Stockers Lake on 6th Sep (PL).
BRENT GOOSE Wilstone Res, 1 on 28th Sep.
RUDDY SHELDUCK Maple Lodge, a pair from 23rd-28th Sep, and presumably the same over Troy Mill on 28th Sep (PL).
SHELDUCK Rye Meads, 1 from 1st-18th Sep. Hilfield Res, 1 on 26th Sep. Tring Res, 1 on 27th Sep. Amwell GP, 1 on 2nd, 2 on 3rd, and 1 on 9th Oct (DL).
MANDARIN 1 at Hertford on 3rd Sep (CC).
PINTAIL Wilstone Res, 2 on 28th Oct (PW).
GARGANEY Rye Meads, 2 on 1st, 5th, and 27th Sep, and 1 on 3rd and 17th Oct (RMRG/GW). Tring SF, 1 on 3rd Sep. Amwell GP, 1-2 throughout Sep, with 1 remaining to 10th Oct (BR/DL/GW).
RED-CRESTED POCHARD Hilfield Res, a female on 9th Sep (SM). Tring Res, a female on 12th and 14th Sep (PW/LM/JTh), and 18th, 26th and 28th Oct (RH/PW).
COMMON SCOTER Hilfield Res, a female/imm on 27th Sep (JF/GE/MW).
GOOSANDER Wilstone Res, 1 on 30th Oct (PC).
RUDDY DUCK Hilfield Res, 2 broods of 3 and 9 yg in Sep. Max 123 on 26th Sep and 136 on 25th Oct. Stanborough Lakes, 8 on 2nd Oct (GW). Rye Meads, 1 on 5th and 12th Sep, and 25th-26th Oct. Tring Res, max 6 on 13th Sep, and 7 on 18th Oct. Verulamium Park, 1 on 27th Sep (SM), still present on 27th Oct (WH).
RED KITE Whemstead, a wing-tagged bird roosting from 8th Oct to month’s end (JD).
HEN HARRIER Wilstone Res, ringtails on 8th (GW) and 29th Oct (JW).
COMMON BUZZARD Tyttenhanger GP, 1 over on 1st Sep (MB). Rye Meads, 1 flew NW on 19th Sep. Wilstone Res, singles on 26th Sep (RH), and 4th Oct (FoTR). Whemstead, up to 3 birds seen throughout Oct (JD). Abbots Langley, an imm over on 10th Oct (CE). Prae Wood, max 4 on 18th Oct (SM).
OSPREY Amwell GP, singles through on 6th and 12th Sep (BR/GW). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 10th Sep (MB). Rye Meads, 1 on 19th Sep. Bedmond, 1 over on 25th Sept (DJ).
MERLIN Kingsmead, a juv on 6th Oct (GW). Amwell GP, a juv on 7th Oct (GW). Blackbridge Landfill, a male on 23rd Oct (LM), Great Hormead, 1 on 28th Oct (ME).
HOBBY Last dates were Stockers Lake, 1 on 6th Sep (PL). Hilfield Res, 2 on 13th Sep. Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 20th Sep (LM). East Hyde, 1 on 22nd Sep (MR). Amwell GP, 1 on 23rd Sep (DrMB). Garston, 1 on 24th Sept (CE). Maple Lodge, 1 on 28th Sep (PL). Tring Res, 2 0n 30th Sep.
PEREGRINE Rye Meads, a female on 17th Oct. Wilstone Res, 1 on 17th Oct (PW).
REEVE'S PHEASANT Colney Heath Lane, 1 on 6th Sep (BL).
WATER RAIL Maple Lodge, singles on 23rd Sep, and 17th Oct (PL). Scotsbridge Mill, 2 on 4th Oct (PD). Hilfield Res, 1 on 18th Oct. Stockers Lake, 4 on 26th Oct (PL).
OYSTERCATCHER Tring Res, 2 on 1st (MC), and singles on 24th and 28th Sep.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Hilfield Res, a juv on 1st Sep. Tyttenhanger GP, a juv from 4th-11th Sep (LM). Tring Res, 1 on 4th and 6th Sep (MR). Near St Albans, a juv on 6th Sep (SM).
RINGED PLOVER Tring Res, 2 on 12th, 4 on 13th, and 3 on 14th-16th Sep, and 1 on 3rd, 6th and 10th Oct.
GOLDEN PLOVER Hilfield Res, 50 over on 7th Sep (PM). Tring Res, 1 on 13th Sep, and 60 on 11th Oct. Coursers Road, 190 on 7th and max 300 on 27th Oct (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, c80 over on 9th and 24th Oct (LM).
KNOT Tring Res, a juv at Wilstone Res on 29th, and probably a different bird at Startops Res on 30th Sep.
LITTLE STINT Amwell GP, singles on 3rd-4th, and 13th-15th Sep, and 1 from 2nd-4th Oct (BR/MI). Maple Lodge, 1 on 8th-9th Sep (DrSH/PL). Tyttenhanger GP, a juv on 9th, and an adult 23rd-24th Sep (LM). Tring Res, 1 on 12th, 4 on 13th (FOTR), and 5 on 14th Sep (LM/JTh), and 1 on 5th-6th (PW/MC), and 11th Oct (JTh). Near St Albans, 1 on 14th, and 4 on 15th Sep (LM).
CURLEW SANDPIPER Amwell GP, 2 on 4th Sep. Beech Farm GP, 6 on 8th Sep (WH). Tring Res, 1 on 13th Sep.
DUNLIN Hilfield Res, 1 on 6th Sep. Tring Res, 3 on 13th Sep, 1 on 3rd (RH) and 10th (MC), 4 on 12th (PW), 2 on 14th (MC), 6 on 17th (PW), 2 on 20th, and 1 on 23rd (MC), 1 on 26th (MP), and 30th Oct (PC). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 19th Sep (LM).
RUFF Maple Lodge, 1 on 3rd-7th, and 1 flew over on 10th Sep (PL). Tyttenhanger GP, a juv from 13th-15th Sep (RF/LM). Tring Res, singles on 24th Sep, and 5th Oct (PW).
JACK SNIPE Rye Meads, 1 on 10th and 17th Oct. Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 22nd and 24th Oct (LM).
SNIPE Maple Lodge, max 4 on 3rd Sep (PL). Rye Meads, max 13 on 12th Sep, and 10 on 17th Oct. Amwell GP, Max 18 on 19th Oct (DL). Tyttenhanger GP, max 6 on 22nd Oct (LM). Ver Valley, Redbournbury, 32 on 26th Oct (LM).
WOODCOCK Foxdells, 1 feeding on bridleway on 22nd Oct (DW).
REDSHANK Tring Res, singles on 30th Sep, and 27th Oct.
GREENSHANK Tyttenhanger GP, max 14 on 1st (MB), with singles on 2nd and 3rd Sep (LM), and 2 on 13th Sep (RF). Beech Farm GP, 1 on 8th Sep (WH). Tring Res, 1 on 10th, and 2 on 18th Sep. Rye Meads, 1 on 13th Sep. Tring Res, 1 on 26th Oct (MP).
GREEN SANDPIPER Maple Lodge, max 7 on 3rd Sep, and 1 on 27th Oct (PL). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 in Sep (LM). Rye Meads, max 5 on 3rd and 17th Oct. Beech Farm GP, 1 on 8th Sep (WH). Tring Res, max 7 on 13th Oct. Scotsbridge Mill, 1 on 26th Oct (PD).
WOOD SANDPIPER Amwell GP, singles on 3rd and 5th Sep (BR). Rye Meads, 2 on 5th (RMRG), and 1 on 12th Sep (GW).
COMMON SANDPIPER Tyttenhanger GP, max 3 from 3rd-19th, with 1-2 present until 23rd Sep (LM). Haberdashers School, 1 on 7th Sep (SM). Tring Res, max 3 on 17th Sep (JTh). Maple Lodge, 1 on 7th Sep (PL). Hilfield Res, max 12 on 13th Sep was also the last record there. Bury Lake, 1 on 11th Oct (HB).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Hilfield Res, single adults on 3rd and 19th Sep (JF), a 1st W on 5th Sep (JF), and a juv on 8th, 9th and 19th Sep (JF/GE); a 1st W on 14th Oct (SM). Amwell GP, a 1st W on 18th Oct (MI).
LITTLE GULL Tring Res, 1 on 1st Sep, and 2 on 7th Sep. Hilfield Res, single juvs on 14th and 18th Oct (SM).
BLACK-HEADED GULL Hilfield Res, a 'white' bird on 4th and 11th Sep, and 31st Oct (SM).
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Hilfield Res, a 1st W on 6th, and a 4th W on 19th Sep (JF). Amwell GP, single adults on 6th and 16th, with 2 adults from 18th Oct to month’s end. (MI/BR).
KITTIWAKE East Hyde, an imm briefly on 24th Oct (MR). Hilfield Res, an adult on 31st Oct (JF/GE/SM).
COMMON TERN Last records were: Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 11th Sep (LM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 13th Sep (GW).
BLACK TERN Tring Res, 2 on 3rd, 3 on 11th (JW), 1 on 12th, and 14th Sep (LM/JTh). Hilfield Res, 39 on 5th Sep (SM). Tyttenhanger GP, a juv on 27th Sep (LM).
TURTLE DOVE Rye Meads, 1 on 5th Sep. Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 19th Sep (InFoc). Biggin Manor, Hare Street, 1 on 20th Sep (DL).
RING-NECKED PARAKEET 1 at Garston (CE), and 1 at Scotsbridge Mill (PD), on 4th Oct.
CUCKOO Patmore Heath, 1 on 7th Sep (ME).
SHORT-EARED OWL Tyttenhanger GP, 1 over on 2nd Oct (GB/AG). London Colney, 1 over on 5th Oct (LM).
SWIFT Garston, 2 on 3rd Sep (CE). Rye Meads, 3 on 5th Sep. Hilfield Res, 1 on 12th Sep (SM). Tring Res, 1 on 13th Sep.
WRYNECK 1 found in a St Albans garden on 5th Sep (JD), and another at Rye Meads on 13th Sep.
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 12th Sep (LM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 13th Sep.
SAND MARTIN Tyttenhanger GP, 16 on 16th Sep (LM).
SWALLOW Last date; Hilfield Res, 1 on 25th Oct.
HOUSE MARTIN Hilfield Res, 450 on 12th Sep (SM), and Tring Res, 150 on 14th Sep (LM), were the only large counts. Last date; Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 25th Oct (RF).
MEADOW PIPIT Tyttenhanger GP, 40 through on 12th Sep (LM), Rye Meads, max 80 on 26th Sep. Batlers Green, Radlett, 55 on 26th Oct 26th (CE).
ROCK PIPIT Tring Res, 1 on 25th Sep, max 4 on 6th Oct (MC), 3 on 10th Oct (RH), with 2 remaining until 19th, and 1 on 25th Oct. Hilfield Res, 1 on 29th Sep (SM), and 3rd Oct (JF). Tyttenhanger GP, singles on 7th and 9th Oct (LM).
WATER PIPIT Rye Meads, 3 on 29th Oct (GW).
YELLOW WAGTAIL Wilstone Res, 1 on 12th Sep (RH). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 19th Sep (LM). Rye Meads, 1 on 3rd Oct. Sleapshyde, 3 on 7th Oct (LM).
WHITE WAGTAIL Tyttenhanger GP, 3 on 9th, 1 on 10th, and 2 on 14th Sep (LM). Wilstone Res, singles on 26th Sep (RH), and 10th Oct (MC).
WHINCHAT Tring Res, single on 1st Sep. Rye Meads, 1 on 3rd and 2 on 12th Sep. Colney Heath Lane, 1 on 4th and 3 on 10th Sep (BL). Croxley Moor, 2 on 16th Sep (JTh). Tyttenhanger GP, singles on 19th Sep (LM), and 3rd Oct (RF).
STONECHAT Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 19th (LM) and 1 20th-22nd (LM/RF). Cole Green Landfill, a male on 28th Sep (SA). Smug Oak Lane, Bricket Wood, 2 on 12th Oct (CE). Rye Meads, 1 on 25th Oct. Stockers Lake, a juv on 26th Oct (PL).
WHEATEAR Moor Mill, Radlett, 1 on 1st Sep (CE). Brickendonbury, 1 on 4th Sep (CH). Colney Heath Lane, 2 on 4th and 4 on 28th Sep (BL). Hilfield Res, 3 on 4th and 1 on 9th Sep, and 1 from 1st-9th Oct. Coursers Road, 1 on 11th and 17th Sep, and 27th Oct (LM). Cole Green Landfill, 1 on 28th Sep (SA). Wilstone Res, 1 on 14th Oct (MC).
BLACKBIRD Garston a group of c20, possibly indicating an influx (CE).
FIELDFARE Jersey Farm, 3 on 11th Oct (WH).
SONG THRUSH A small influx noted at several sites from mid Sep.
REDWING First reported were 2 over Dane Park on 30th Sep (HC). Rye Meads, 142 on 10th Oct. Smallford Lake, 58 on 15th Oct (BL).
CETTI'S WARBLER Tring SF, a female trapped and ringed on 11th Oct (JT).
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Rye Meads, 1 on 3rd Sep.
SEDGE WARBLER Last date: Hilfield Res, 1 on 11th Oct (GE).
REED WARBLER Last date: Rye Meads, 1 on 18th Oct.
LESSER WHITETHROAT Maple Lodge, 1 on 7th Oct (PL). Rye Meads, 1 on 10th Oct.
BLACKCAP Oct records: Hilfield Res, singles on 10th and 25th. Tring Res, 2 males on 18th (IE/MR). Colney Heath Lane, 1 on 26th (BL). Berkhamstead, a male on 31st (SD).
CHIFFCHAFF Oct records: Wilstone Res, 1 on 3rd (RH). Berkhamsted, 1 on 5th, (SD). Blackbridge Landfill, 2 on 6th (LM). Beech Farm, 3 on 9th (WH). Tyttenhanger GP, 5 on 9th (LM). Croxley Moor, 3 on 9th (PD). Sopwell, 1 on 12th (CE). Colney Heath Lane, 1 on 23rd (BL).
WILLOW WARBLER Last date; Patmore Heath, 1 on 9th Oct (ME).
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 6th Sep (LM). Lynsters Farm, 2 on 10th Sep (PL). Colney Heath Lane, 1 on 10th Sep (BL). Berkhamstead, 1 on 26th Sep (SD). East Hyde, 1 on 21st Oct (MR).
PIED FLYCATCHER Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 4th Sep (LM). Great Hormead, 1 on 4th Sep (RG).
WILLOW TIT Waterend, Wheathampstead, 1 on 18th Oct (LM).
CARRION CROW East Hyde, 1 with white wing-bars on 10th Oct (MR).
STARLING Coursers Road, max 1200 on 27th Oct (LM).
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY STARLING Harpenden, an escaped male (African sp) feeding in gardens 4th-10th Oct (J.Davis)
TREE SPARROW Coursers Road, max c40 on 4th Oct (SM).
CHAFFINCH Batlers Green, Radlett, c100 on 26th Oct (CE).
BRAMBLING Lynsters Farm, 100 on 16th Oct (PL). Wilstone Res, a female on 18th Oct (IE). Blackbridge Landfill, 1 on 18th Oct (LM). Maple Lodge, 3 on 18th Oct. Smug Oak Lane, Bricket Wood, 1 over on 19th Oct (CE). Amwell GP, 1 on 19th Oct (BR). Whitwell Hoo, 1 on 25th Oct (LM).
SISKIN Hilfield Res, 1 on 27th Sep (JF/GE). Stockers Lake, 5 on 6th Oct (PL). Scotsbridge Mill, 30 on 7th Oct (PD). Maple Lodge, 8 on 9th Oct (PL). Rye Meads, 13 on 10th Oct.
LINNET East Hyde, 200 on 27th Sep (MR). Coursers Road, max 300 on 7th Oct (LM).
REDPOLL Hilfield Res, 2 on 3rd Oct. Scotsbridge Mill, 2 on 4th Oct, (PD). Tyttenhanger GP, singles on 7th, 9th and 24th Oct (LM). Rye Meads, 8 on 18th Oct.
CORN BUNTING Coursers Road, 1 on 27th (LM), and 2 on 31st Oct (GE).
List of observers
Steve Austin, Helen Baker, Glen Barnes, Dr Michael Baverstock, Marc Brew, Clive Chapman, Hugh Coe, Peter Colston, Jeff Davies, John Davis, Chris Dee, Peter Delaloye, Derrick Dorken, Stuart Downhill, Mick East, Gary Elton (Hilfield Park Reservoir), Colin Everett, Ian Eyre, Jack Fearnside, Ricky Flesher, Friends of Tring Reservoirs (Tring), Alan Gardiner, Roger Gilbert, Roy Hargreaves, Wendy Hatton, Dr S A Hikmet, Colin Hull, Mike Ilett, In Focus, Dave Johnson, Basil Lewis, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Lee Marshall, P Mcmanus, Steve Murray, Mike Perkins, Barry Reed, Mike Russell, Rye Meads Ringing Group (Rye Meads), Johne Taylor, Joan Thompson, Mic Wells, Graham White, Dennis Whiffen, Paul Wright, Rob Young.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for Sept/Oct 1998
Bulletin Archive
Systematic list for July/August 1998