Selected records for January and February 1999
Selected January/February records
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Hilfield Res, the 1st W from Dec remained until 26th Jan.
CORMORANT Stockers Lake, a colour-ringed bird (Abberton Res, Essex) on 21st Feb (PL).
SHAG Rye Meads, 1 on 23rd Jan (RMRG).
BITTERN Amwell GP, 3 on 6th (GW), 2 on 10th (MI), and 21st Jan (WH), and 1 remaining until 19th Feb (BR/GW). Rye Meads, max 3 on 3rd Jan (GW), and 2 on 13th Feb (RMRG). North Met Pit, up to 3 present until 18th Feb (BN). Hilfield Res, 1 over on 17th Jan (LM). Frogmore Lakes, 1 from 18th Jan-26th Feb (LM). Marsworth Res, 1 on 10th (MC), and 2 from 11th (PC) remaining into March. Maple Lodge, 1 on 23rd Feb (PL).
LITTLE EGRET Wilstone Res, 1 seen regularly until 24th Jan (FoTR).
PUNA IBIS The Whitwell bird still alive and well on 4th Feb (LM).
BLACK SWAN Bury Lake, 1 on 9th-21st Feb (PL/HB).
WHOOPER SWAN Wilstone Res, 2 on 1st-2nd Jan (PC/GW/JTh).
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Near St Albans, the presumed escape remained until 2nd Feb (LM/SM/CE).
WHITE-FRNTD GOOSE Near St Albans, 10 remained until 10th Jan, and 6 until 2nd Feb (LM/SM). Stort Valley, Sawbridgeworth, 7 over on 14th Feb (LM).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Amwell GP, a pair present throughout (BR/WH/DL).
SHELDUCK Wilstone Res, 3 on 31st Jan (FoTR). Amwell GP, 3 on 19th-21st, and 2 on 26th Feb (GW/MI/DL).
MANDARIN DUCK Ware Priory, 1 on 2nd Jan (per DL). Aldenham Res, a pair on 1st Feb (SM). Whitwell, 4 on 4th Feb (LM). Amwell GP, a male on 5th-18th Feb (BR).
FALCATED DUCK Wilstone Res, a 1st W male from 13th-20th Jan (GW).
CAPE TEAL Aldenham Res, 1 in Feb (CE).
PINTAIL Wilstone Res, max 8 on 17th Jan, and 9 on 10th Feb (GW), with 4 still present on 15th Feb (FoTR). Hilfield Res, 3 on 22nd (SM), and 2 on 23rd Jan (GE).
GARGANEY Amwell GP, a male on 27th-28th Feb (BR/MI).
RED-CRSTD POCHARD Wilstone Res, a male throughout period (FoTR). Stanstead Abbots, a tame ringed female on 24th Jan (BR).
RED-CRESTED X POCHARD HYBRID Aldenham Res, a male throughout period (CE).
AYTHYA HYBRID Frogmore Lakes, a male Ferruginous x Tufted Duck 18th Jan-12th Feb (LM).
SCAUP Amwell GP, a male on 1st Jan (BR).
LONG-TAILED DUCK Tilehouse GP, the regular female was present on 10th Jan (MR).
GOLDENEYE Hilfield Res, max 5 on 23rd Jan. Amwell GP, max 8 on 25th Jan (DL). Stockers Lake, max 8 on 11th Feb (PL). Rye Meads, max 11 on 26th Feb (RMRG).
SMEW Stockers Lake, max 11 on 12th Jan (PL), and 18 (6 males) on 11th Feb (PL). Amwell GP, max 14 on 10th Jan, and 20 (9 males) on 14th Feb (MI). Tilehouse GP, max 8 (3 males) on 16th Jan (TS), and 5 on 3rd and 6th Feb (GW/TS). Cheshunt GP, 3 (2 males) on 14th Feb (DL).
GOOSANDER Stockers Lake, max 15 on 3rd Jan, and 12 on 21st Feb (PL). Tring Res, max 7 on 3rd Jan (JTh), and 3 on 10th Feb (MC). Cheshunt GP, 2 on 14th Feb (DL). Hilfield Res, max 2 on 31st Jan (TB), and 7 on 20th Feb (SM). Amwell GP, 2 throughout Feb (BR), Rye Meads, 1 on 20th Feb (RMRG).
RUDDY DUCK Hilfield Res, max 136 on 24th Jan, and 234 on 23rd Feb (SM).
RED KITE North Herts, 2 throughout period (DL). Langley, 1 on 16th Jan (GW). Haberdashers Girls School, 1 on 22nd Feb (SM).
EAGLE SP Barley, 1 (possibly White-tailed) flew NW towards Royston on 9th Feb (ME).
GOSHAWK Wilstone Res, 1 on 4th Feb (IE).
COMMON BUZZARD Royston, 1 on 1st Jan (per LM). Whempstead, 1-2 throughout period. Stagenhoe, 1 on 4th Feb (LM). Amwell GP, 1 over on 7th Feb (BR). Rye Meads, 1 on 13th Feb (RMRG). Prae Wood, max 10 on 20th Feb (LM). Hunsdon, a pair resident through Jan/Feb (JM). Hunsdonbury, 2 on 20th Feb (LM). Watton at Stone, 1 on 20th Feb (LM). Plashes Wood, 1 on 27th Feb (BR).
MERLIN Near St Albans, a female on 29th Jan (LM). Hatfield Aerodrome, a female on 9th Feb (LM).
PEREGRINE Wilstone Res, 1 on 1st Jan (MC/PC). East Hyde, 1 on 4th Jan (MR).
GREY PARTRIDGE Bowmans Farm, 20 on 16th Feb (LM).
WATER RAIL Lemsford Springs, 1 on 10th Jan, and 21st Feb (MR). Scotsbridge Mill, max 4 on 12th Jan (PL). Frogmore Lakes, max 2, 20th-23rd Jan (LM). Maple Lodge, max 2 on 21st Jan (PL). Otterspool, 1 on 24th Jan (CE). Kimpton Mill, 1 on 4th Feb (LM). Stockers Lake, max 2 on 7th Feb (TS). River Lea, East Hyde, 1 on 7th Feb (MR). Rye Meads, 2 on 13th, 20th and 26th Feb (RMRG). Marsworth Res, 1 on 14th/28th Feb (JW/LM). Amwell GP, max 6 on 19th Feb (GW).
RINGED PLOVER Near St Albans, 1 on 22nd, and 3 on 31st Jan, and max 6 on 21st/28th Feb (LM). Amwell GP, 2 from 19th Feb (BR/GW), and max 3 on 28th Feb (MI).
GOLDEN PLOVER Royston, 200 on 4th Jan (MR). Coursers Road Fields, 1000 on 24th Jan (SM). Woodoaks Farm, 538 on 24th Jan (JF), and 1200 on 7th Feb (TS). Near St Albans, max 3300 on 29th Jan, with the leucistic bird seen on several dates (LM). Stockers Lake, 500+ on 2nd Feb (AM). Beech Farm 30 on 8th Feb (TS). Smallford, 40 on 9th Feb (LM). Ellenbrook, 250 on 10th Feb (SM). Hogg End, 250 on 17th Feb (LM). Tring Res, 30 on 25th Feb (MC).
LAPWING Coursers Road Fields, 1000 on 24th Jan (SM). Near St Albans, 2100 on 2nd Feb (LM).
DUNLIN Near St Albans, 1 on 23rd/26th Feb (LM).
JACK SNIPE Rye Meads, max 2 on 2nd Jan, and 3rd and 13th Feb (RMRG/GW). Amwell GP, 1 present from 10th (BR/MI), 2 on 31st Jan, and 1 on 12th Feb (GW). Ver Valley, Redbournbury, 1 on 2nd Feb (LM). River Lea, East Hyde, 1 on 14th Feb (MR).
COMMON SNIPE Amwell GP, max 24 on 11th Jan (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, max 16 on 14th Jan (LM). River Lea , East Hyde, max 4 on 22nd Jan (MR). Wilstone Res, 11 on 24th Jan (JTh). Beech Farm GP, max 14 on 27th Jan (LM). Ver Valley, Redbournbury, 43.5 (half a dead bird) on 2nd Feb (LM). Rye Meads, max 30 on 2nd and 13th Feb (RMRG). Hatfield Aerodrome, 7 on 11th Feb (LM). Old Parkbury, max 5 on 12th Feb (LM). Great Gaddesden, 11 on 17th Feb (LM). Otterspool, 2 on 21st Feb (CE). Maple Lodge, max 6 on 23rd Feb (PL). Tring SF, 12 on 28th Feb (LM/JTh).
WOODCOCK Rye Meads, 3 on 23rd (RMRG), and 1 on 31st Jan (GW), and 13th Feb (RMRG). Dowdells Wood, 1 on 4th Feb (LM). Beech Farm, 1 on 7th Feb (SM). Tewinbury, 4 on 17th Feb (GW).
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Near St Albans, 1 on 23rd Jan (LM).
REDSHANK Near St Albans, 1 on 28th Feb (LM/SM).
GREEN SANDPIPER Scotsbridge Mill, 1 on 10th Jan (PDa), and 9th and 28th Feb (PL/HB). Tolpits Lane, Rickmansworth, 1 on 14th Jan (AM). Beech Farm GP, 1 on 24th Jan (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 27th and 31st Jan (LM/SM). Rye Meads, max 5 on 31st Jan, and 2nd Feb (RMRG). Hollingson Meads, 1 on 14th Feb (LM).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Hilfield Res, an adult on 3rd and 23rd Jan (SM/GE), and 6th, 20th and 21st Feb (GE/SM/JF/TB). North Met Pit, a 1st winter on 10th Jan (per TH). Wilstone Res, 3 on 6th (RA/MC/PC), and 1 on 21st Feb (DB).
BLACK-HEADED GULL 'White' birds were at Wilstone Res on 1st, and 14th Jan, and 21st Feb (DB/SM), and Hilfield Res on 31st Jan, and 20th Feb (SM/GE).
COMMON GULL Hilfield Res, a white-winged adult on the 3rd and 20th Feb (JF/SM).
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Hilfield Res, 1 on 31st Jan (SM).
'CASPIAN' GULL Amwell GP, 1 on 1st Jan (BR).
KITTIWAKE Hilfield Res, 1 on 6th (TB), 4 on 7th (JTh/SM), and 2 on 20th Feb (TB/SM/JF).
WOODPIGEON Kimpton Mill, a leucistic bird on 4th Feb (LM).
RING-NECKED PARAKEET Chorleywood, 27 over towards Croxley Green on 30th Jan (PDa).
BARN OWL Amwell area, 1 seen on several dates in Jan and Feb (MI/BR/WH/GW/CC).
SHORT-EARED OWL Beech Farm/Hatfield Aerodrome, up to 3 from 24th Jan into March (LM).
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Smug Oak Lane, 2 on 1st Jan (CE). Rye Meads, 1 on 3rd Jan (GE). Haberdashers Girls School, 1 on 14th Jan (SM). Maple Lodge, 1 on 18th Jan (PL). Aldenham Golf Course, 2 on 24th Jan (CE). Cuffley, 2 on 25th Jan (RP). Broad Colney Lakes, 1 on 12th Feb (LM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 14th Feb (SM). Wilstone Res, 1 on 27th Feb (FoTR).
SKYLARK Shenleybury, 200 on 3rd Jan (GE). Coursers Road Fields, 150 on 24th Jan (SM).
MEADOW PIPIT Near St Albans, 40 on 16th Jan (LM). Beech Farm, 80 on 9th Feb (LM).
ROCK PIPIT Beech Farm, 1 (race littoralis) on 20th Feb (LM).
WATER PIPIT Rye Meads, max 10 on 3rd Jan (GW), and 7 on 2nd and 6th Feb (RMRG/GW).
PIED WAGTAIL Central Berkhamsted, 100 roosted throughout period (J&AW). Chiswell Green, 60 on 9th Jan (CE). Rye Meads, 100 on 9th Jan (RMRG). Hertford, 300 roosted on 10th and 12th Jan (JC).
WAXWING Alban Way, Ellenbrook, up to 16 reported by two independent observers in early Jan (per BS). Beech Farm, 3 on 9th Feb (BF).
STONECHAT Rye Meads, 1 (from Dec) present until 21st Feb (RMRG/MR). Tringford Farm, a pair on 16th-26th Jan (MR/SW), the female remaining throughout Feb (FoTR).
BLACKBIRD Hemel Hempstead, a male with a white collar on 1st Jan (CE).
FIELDFARE Hinxworth, 600 on 8th Jan (GW). Jersey Farm, 200 on 20th Jan (WH). Batlers Green, Radlett, 500 on 23rd Jan (CE). Chiswell Green, 130 on 31st Jan (CE). Coursers Road Fields, 250 on 31st Jan (SM). Shenleybury, 500 on 4th Feb (SM). Smallford, 100 on 8th/10th Feb (WH). Beech Farm, 110 on 13th Feb (LM). Bowmans Farm, 330 on 16th Feb (LM). Nettleden, 100 on 17th Feb (LM). Aldenham, 1000 on 21st Feb (CE).
REDWING Haberdashers Girls School, 100 on 7th Jan (SM). Batlers Green, Radlett, 200 on 23rd Jan (CE). Bushey, 150 on 24th Jan (CE). Hilfield Res, 100 on 6th-7th Feb. Grove Stables, 100 on 7th Feb (LM). Balls Wood, 250 on 25th Feb (GW).
BLACKCAP Harpenden garden, 1 on 13th Feb (JD). Garston garden, a male on 8th Feb (CE). Croxley Green garden, 2 on 9th and 16th Feb (PD). Jersey Farm garden, a male singing and dining on wholemeal bread on 21st-28th Feb (WH). Ware, a male on 21st Feb (BR). Rickmansworth gardens, a male on 27th Feb (HB), and 1 singing on 28th Feb (AM).
CHIFFCHAFF Stockers Lake, max 3 on 2nd Jan (GW). Amwell GP, 1 on 10th Jan (MI). Wilstone Res, max 2 on 17th Jan (GW). Rye Meads, max 10 on 6th Feb (RMRG). Great Gaddesden, 1 on 17th Feb (LM).
GOLDCREST Bricket Wood, 50 in Jan (CE). Berrygrove Wood, Aldenham, 30 on 24th Jan (CE).
FIRECREST The wintering bird in the Lea Valley was reported at the North Met Pit mid Jan (per TH).
WILLOW TIT Stocking Wood, 2 on 26th Jan (HC). Whomerly Wood, Stevenage, 1 on 10th Feb (AF).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE Stort Valley, Sawbridgeworth, 1 found on 8th Feb, remained into March (RS et al).
JACKDAW Beech Farm, 1600 roosted on 13th Feb (LM).
TREE SPARROW Tyttenhanger GP, 3 on 6th Jan (LM). Coursers Road Fields, max 50 on 23rd Feb (GE). Beech Farm, 2 on 26th Feb (CS).
CHAFFINCH Rye Meads, 100 on 2nd and 9th Jan (RMRG). Chiswell Green, a partial albino on 9th Jan (CE). Coursers Road Fields, 150 on 31st Jan (SM).
BRAMBLING St Albans garden, up to 11 throughout period (GB). Berkhamstead, 2 on 1st, and 10 on 13th Jan (SD). Chiswell Green, 1 on 9th Jan (CE). Aldenham, 1 on 23rd Jan (CE). Ver Valley, Redbournbury, 1 on 2nd Feb (LM). Berkhamsted, 1-2 on 2nd-12th Feb (SD).
SISKIN Leasey Bridge, 30 on 11th Jan (CS). Amwell GP 50 on 31st Jan (BR). Maple Lodge, 30 on 4th Feb (PL). Smallford Lake, 10 on 11th Feb (LM). Frogmore Lakes, 15 on 16th Feb (LM).
REDPOLL Gobions Pond, 3 on 3rd Jan (SM). Amwell GP, max 10 on 10th Jan (GW). Jersey Farm, 3 on 10th Jan (WH). Tring Res, 6 on 20th Jan (FoTR). Rye Meads, 4 on 31st Jan, and 3 on 13th Feb (RMRG). Stockers Lake, 7 (inc 1 Mealy) on 2nd Feb (JTh/AM). Frogmore Lakes 1 on 8th Feb (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, 8 on 11th Feb (LM).
YELLOWHAMMER Whempstead, 132 on 30th Jan (DL). Wickam Hall, 50 on 9th Feb (HC). Rye Meads, 40 roosted on 13th Feb (RMRG).
REED BUNTING Rickmansworth, 4 visiting garden feeder on 26th Jan (AM). Amwell GP, 60 roosted on 1st Feb (GW). Rye Meads, 20 roosted on 13th Feb (RMRG).
CORN BUNTING Chiswell Green, 26 on 9th Jan (CE). Whempstead, 22 on 20th Jan (GW). Marsworth Res, max 210 roosted on 11th Feb (PC).
Observers
Rob Andrews, Helen Baker, Glen Barnes, Dave Bilcock, Birdnet (BN), Tony Blake, Mike Campbell, Clive Chapman, Hugh Coe, Peter Colston, June Crew, Paul Davies (PDa), John Davis, Peter Delaloye, Derrick Dorken, Stuart Downhill, Mick East, Gary Elton (Hilfield Park Reservoir), Colin Everett, Ian Eyre, Brendan Fagin, Jack Fearnside, Ricky Flesher, Alan Ford, Friends of Tring Reservoirs, Wendy Hatton, Tim Hill, Ray Hooper, Mike Ilett, David James, Basil Lewis, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Anna Marett, Lee Marshall, Duncan Mckenzie, John Motch, Steve Murray, Roland Power, Barry Reed, Mike Russell, Rye Meads Ringing Group (Rye Meads), Clifford Smout, Rob Souter, Ron Spearman, Barry Staines, Tony Stride, Joan Thompson, Jenny and Anne Wallington, Steve Webb, Graham White.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for Jan/Feb 1999