Selected records for March and April 1999
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Troy Mill, 1 on 4th-5th Apr (AMo/JTh). Amwell GP, 3 on 21st-25th, and 1 on 26th Apr (BN/Web).
BITTERN North Met Pit, 1 on 5th Mar (Web). Rye House Marsh, 1 on 6th Mar (RHM).
WHOOPER SWAN Wilstone Reservoir, 5 from 4th Apr, were present on and off into May (MC).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Amwell GP, the resident pair had a brood of young in Mar (GW).
SHELDUCK Rye House Marsh, up to 5 in Mar (RHM). Amwell GP, up to 3 in Mar (GW). Hilfield Res, 1 on 13th Mar, and 2 on 18th Apr. Near St Albans, 2 from 15th, and max 3 on 22nd Apr (SM).
MANDARIN Kimpton Mill, 2 males on 22nd Mar (LM). Tewinbury, 1 on 26th Mar (GW). Whitwell, a pair on 27th Mar (MK). Stockers Lake, a male on 1st Apr (PL). Wilstone Res, a drake on 24th Apr (MC).
GARGANEY Amwell GP, a drake from 13th Mar-19th Apr (GW/DL/WH); 2 males and a female present on 21st Mar (MCo). Fairlands Valley Lake, 1 on 28th Apr (BN).
RED-CRESTD POCHARD Wilstone Res, a male on 13th Mar (GW).
FERRUGINOUS DUCK A female on a private site in the Lea Valley on 1st Mar (GW).
SCAUP Amwell GP, a male on 1st Mar (BR).
LONG-TAILED DUCK Tilehouse GP/Troy Mill, the regular female was present on several dates, was joined at Troy Mill by a second bird for a day on 5th Apr, and was last reported on 17th Apr (TS/JTh).
GOLDENEYE Rye Meads, max 21 on 13th Mar (RMRG). Amwell GP, max 13 on 26th Mar (GW).
SMEW Amwell GP, a redhead on 13th Mar (DL).
GOOSANDER Amwell GP, 2 on 1st-13th Mar (GW). Kings Meads, 1 on 7th Mar (DL). Troy Mill, 8 on 12th Mar (PL). Stockers Lake, max 13 on 13th Mar (GW). Lower Colne Valley, a female seen at several sites was still present at the end of Apr (JTh).
RUDDY DUCK Hilfield Res, max 244 on 6th Mar (SM), and 94 on 2nd Apr. Wilstone Res, 3 on 13th Mar (GW). Maple Lodge, 1 on 16th Mar (PL), and 2 on 2nd-23rd Apr (PL/JTh). Stockers Lake, 1 on 21st Apr (PL).
RED KITE St Albans, 1 on 13th Mar (SM). Amwell GP, 1 on 20th Mar (Web). East Hyde, a wing-tagged bird drifted NE on 21st Mar (MR). Chiswell Green, 1 over on 25th Mar (AG). Hamels Park, 1 soaring near Decca site on 27th Mar (BE). Maple Cross, 1 on 30th Apr (PL). Mid-Herts, 1 on 21st Mar (RH).
MARSH HARRIER Stockers Lake, a male over on 29th Mar (PL). Rye Meads, a male on 29th Mar (RMRG).
GOSHAWK Mid Herts, up to 2 males and a female 14th Mar-8th Apr (AG/LM/SM/JTh).
COMMON BUZZARD Whitwell, max 3 on 13th Mar (MK). Rye Meads, singles on 13th Mar, and 24th Apr (RMRG). Prae Wood, max 6 on 13th-20th Mar, and 5 on 2nd Apr (SM/LM). Hunsdon, 2 on 15th Mar (Web). Offley area, 3 pairs on 21st Mar (MK). Lilley Bottom, 1 on 21st Mar (MR). Breachwood Green, a pair on 27th Mar (MK). Chilwickbury, 2 on 27th Mar (LM). East Hyde, 2 on 4th Apr (MR). Patmore Heath, 3 on 4th Apr (Web). Hitchin, 4 on 5th Apr (MK). Amwell GP, singles on 27th Mar (GW), and 26th Apr (Web). Hilfield Res, 1 on 7th Apr (GW). Langleybury, a pair on 11th Apr (SM). Tring Res, 1 on 23rd Apr (FoTR). Howes Cross, 1 on 24th Apr (Web).
KESTREL Hilfield Res, a male scavenging on a dead Grey Heron on 5th Apr (SM).
OSPREY Tyttenhanger GP, 1 over on 11th Apr (BG). Wilstone Res, 1 on 26th Apr (BP). Lea Valley, 1 flying towards Amwell on 30th Apr (BN).
WATER RAIL Frogmore Lakes, 1 on 1st Mar (LM). Amwell GP, up to 4 in Mar (GW). Maple Lodge, 1 on 4th Mar, and 26th Apr (PL). Rye Meads, max 4 on 12th Mar, and 6 on 24th Apr (RMRG). Otterspool, 1 on 14th Mar (CE). Stockers Lake, max 3 on 16th Mar (PL). Purwell Ninesprings, 2 on 21st Mar (MK). Kimpton Mill, max 2 on 22nd Mar (JTh/LM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 4th Apr.
OYSTERCATCHER Wilstone Res, 1 on 8th Apr (SR).
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Near St Albans, a pair from 16th Mar (LM/JTh), 3 on 18th Mar (LM), and max 5 on 29th Apr (SM). Rye Meads, 1 on 24th Mar, and max 4 on 2nd Apr (RMRG). Stockers Farm, 1 from 21st, 2 from 26th (PL), and 4 on 28th Mar (AM). Amwell GP, 1 on 26th Mar (GW), and 2 from 31st Mar (Web). Tyttenhanger, 2 on 1st Apr (WH). Hilfield Res, 2 from 2nd, and max 4 on 4th Apr.
RINGED PLOVER Near St Albans, max 6 including a colour ringed bird from 6th Mar-15th Apr (LM/SM), with 2 broods of 2 and 3 yg by months end (SM). Amwell GP, 2 from 7th-31st Mar (DL/GW/MCo). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 3rd Apr (LM). Rye House Marsh, 2 on 11th Apr (Web). Hilfield Res, 1 on 17th Apr.
GOLDEN PLOVER Near St Albans, max 1800 on 1st Mar, 800 on 2nd-4th Apr (LM), and finally 10 on 25th Apr (SM). Shenleybury, 300 on 6th Mar (SM). Woodoaks Farm, 35 on 14th Mar (PL). Amwell GP, 9 on 26th Mar (GW). Gorhambury, 200 on 27th-28th Mar (LM). East Hyde, 150 on 11th-14th Apr, and 49 over on 18th Apr (MR).
DUNLIN Amwell GP, 1 on 20th (DL), 23rd (Web), and 26th Mar (GW), and 2 on 24th Apr. Near St Albans, 2 on 6th-7th, 1 on 12th,14th and 27th Mar, and 2 on 25th Apr (SM). Stockers Farm, 1 on 26th Apr.
JACK SNIPE Rye Meads, 1 on 6th, 25th, and 27th Mar (GW/RMRG).
COMMON SNIPE Rye Meads, max 59 on 27th Mar, and 30 on 2nd Apr (RMRG).
WOODCOCK Haberdashers Girls School, 1 on 10th Mar (SM). Danemead, 3 on 26th Mar (GW).
CURLEW Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 11th Apr. Berrygrove Wood, Aldenham, 1 called overhead on 18th Apr (CE). Rye Meads, 1 over on 18th Apr (RMRG).
REDSHANK Amwell GP, 2 from 14th, 3 on 24th, and max 4 on 27th Mar (GW), and 1st Apr (WH). Stockers Farm, 1 on 15th Mar (PL). Near St Albans, max 7 from 17th Mar-2nd Apr (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 from 16th (WH), and max 4 on 28th Mar (RF). Rye Meads, max 7 on 28th Mar (RMRG). Pitstone No 2 Quarry, 1 on 28th Mar, and 2 on 6th Apr (LM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 17th Apr.
GREEN SANDPIPER Rye Meads, max 5 on 2nd Mar (GW), and 2 on 10th-24th Apr (RMRG). Near St Albans, 1-2 from 17th Mar-19th Apr, with 1 remaining until 18th Apr (LM/SM). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 from 14th Mar-end of April (RF/LM). Cassiobury Park, 1 on 12th and 16th-17th Apr (per JTh).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Hilfield Res, an adult on 4th and 6th Mar.
LITTLE GULL Wilstone Res, 6 (4 adults) on 26th Apr (MP). Hilfield Res, 6 (5 adults) on 26th, an adult on 27th, a 1st-summer on 28th, and an adult on 30th Apr (SM/JTh).
KITTIWAKE Hilfield Res, an adult on 24th Apr (SM).
SANDWICH TERN Hilfield Res, 2 on 3rd Apr (SM).
COMMON TERN Hilfield Res, 2 on 1st, and max 22 on 24th Apr. Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 3rd (LM), and max 5 on 27th Apr (RF). Wilstone Res, 1 on 6th Apr (MC/LM). Merchant Taylors School, 3 on 9th Apr (JTh). Amwell GP, 1 on 16th, and 3 on 23rd Apr (DL). Rye Meads, 3 on 17th Apr (RMRG). Aldenham Res, 2 on 18th Apr (CE). Stockers Lake, 3 on 21st (PL), and 5 on 23rd Apr (JTh). Marsworth Res, 35 on 25th Apr (JTh). Fairlands Valley Lake, 4 on 26th Apr (AF). Stanborough Lakes, 3 on 27th Apr (Web). Smallford Lake, 1 on 30th Apr (BL).
ARCTIC TERN Hilfield Res, 5 on 6th (SM), and 1 on 19th Apr (JTh). Merchant Taylors School, 1 on 9th Apr (JTh). Wilstone Res, 1 on 22nd, and 4 on 24th Apr (MC).
LITTLE TERN Amwell GP, 1 on 29th Apr.
STOCK DOVE Chiswell Green, 130 on 17th Apr (CE).
TURTLE DOVE Rye Meads, 1 on 24th Apr (RMRG). Amwell GP, 2 on 25th (Web), and 1 on 27th Apr (AF).
DIAMOND DOVE Stevenage, 1 was captured by finder, but escaped again on 9th Apr (AF).
BARN OWL Amwell GP, 1 on 14th Mar (DL). Rye Meads, 1 on 27th Mar (RMRG).
SHORT-EARED OWL Beech Farm, 3 remained until at least 23rd, with at least 1 still present on 25th Mar (LM/SM/WH/MR). Amwell GP, 1 on 26th Mar (GW).
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER River Lea, Wheathampstead, a pair throughout Mar (MR). Haberdashers Girls School, 1 drumming, + another at nearby Home Farm on 12th Mar (SM). Amwell GP, 1 on 13th Mar (DL). Harpenden, 1 on 16th Mar (MK). Rye Meads, 1 on 20th Mar (RMRG). Tewinbury, a male on 26th Mar (GW). Wilstone Res, 1 on 3rd Apr (DH). Chorleywood Common, 1 on 5th Apr (HB). Ridlins Wood, Stevenage, 1 on 17th Apr (AF). Bricket Wood, 3 territories in April (CE).
TREE PIPIT Northchurch Common, a singing male on 8th (LM/JTh), and 17th Apr (SD). Butterfield Meadows, Sleapshyde, 1 on 16th, 24th, and 26th Apr, was observed with nest material on the latter date (BL). Hilfield Res, 1 on 18th Apr.
WATER PIPIT Rye Meads, 2 on 22nd Mar (last date RMRG).
YELLOW WAGTAIL Broxbourne, 1 on 20th Mar (RW). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 males on 3rd Apr (LM). Hilfield Res, 1 on 19th Apr.
BLUE-HEAD WAGTAIL Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 18th Apr (RF). Amwell GP, 1 on 24th Apr (Web).
WHITE WAGTAIL Near St Albans, 1 on 23rd-24th, 2 on 26th, and 1 on 31st Mar (LM), and 2 on 16th, 1 on 19th, 2 on 22nd-23rd, 3 on 28th, and 4 on 30th Apr (SM).
NIGHTINGALE Amwell GP, 1 on 26th Apr (Web). Smallford Lake, 1 on 29th Apr (SP). Stockers Lake, 1 sang briefly on 30th Apr.
BLACK REDSTART Stockers Farm, 1 on 17th Mar (JTh). Foxholes, near Hertford, 1 briefly in a garden on 26th Mar (JB). Hilfield Res, a female briefly on 16th Apr (SM).
STONECHAT Rye Meads, a female on 2nd Mar (GW).
WHEATEAR Blackbridge Landfill, a male on 22nd Mar (LM). Stockers Farm, 1 on 24th Mar, and 12th Apr (AM/JTh). Noke Farm, Chiswell Green, a male on 25th Mar (CE). Sandridgebury, 1 on 27th Mar (LM). Norton Tip, 5 on 27th, 1 on 29th Mar (DE), and 1 on 5th Apr (AF). Tring Res, 1 on 31st Mar (GW). Butterfield Meadows, Sleapshyde, 1 on 31st Mar and 3 on 8th Apr (BL). Hilfield Res, 1 on 1st, and 25th Apr. Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 5th, and 11th, 3 on 25th, 1 on 27th-28th, and 2 on 29th-30th Apr (RF). Barkway Golf Course, 1 on 7th Apr (Web). Smallford Lake, 1 on 8th Apr (BL). Stortford Park, 3 on 12th Apr (HC). Coursers Road, 1 on 24th Apr (GE). Near St Albans, 1 on 27th Apr (SM).
BLACKBIRD Boxmoor, a male with a white semi-collar on 9th-10th Mar (AW).
FIELDFARE Bricket Wood, 100 on 6th Mar (CE). Tyttenhanger GP, 150 on 12th Mar (LM). Stockers Farm, 1 on 2nd Apr (AM). Stortford Park, 2 on 5th Apr (HC).
REDWING Harpenden, 4 on 2nd Apr (MCo).
CETTI’S WARBLER A male singing at Springwell Lake since Nov 1998, was still present at the end of Apr. Although just in Mddx it was certainly audible from Herts.
GRSSHPPR WARBLER SE of Royston, 3 singing along Barley Road on 25th Apr (DC). Wilstone Res, 1 on 24th (Web), and 28th Apr (PC). Amwell GP, 1 on 28th Apr (Web).
BLACKCAP Kingsmeads, 1 on 9th Mar (GW). Stockers Lake, a singing male on 31st Mar (AM). Hitchin, 1 on 31st Mar (MK). Rye Meads, 1 on 31st Mar (RMRG).
FIRECREST Hilfield Res, a singing male on 18th Apr (GE).
WILLOW TIT Whomerly Wood, Stevenage, 1 on 7th Apr (AF).
NUTHATCH Wilstone Res, 1 on 22nd Apr was a site rarity (MP).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lower Sheering, 1 (from Feb) was last reported on 6th Mar (Web).
TREE SPARROW Bowmans Farm, 2 on 12th Mar (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, 2 on 31st Mar, and max 7 on 3rd Apr (LM). Coursers Road, max 40 on 6th Mar (SM), and 20 on 5th Apr (GE).
CHAFFINCH Coursers Road, 100 on 6th Mar (SM).
BRAMBLING Bedmond Lane, 1 on 16th Mar (LM). Tyttenhanger GP, 1 on 16th-17th Mar (WH/LM). Berkhamsted, 1 on 18th Mar (SD). St Albans Garden, up to 20 in Mar, and 13 in Apr, with 3 still present on 22nd Apr (GB). Beech Farm 1 on 25th Mar (LM). Telegraph Hill, 20 on 7th Apr (LM).
SISKIN Rye Meads, max 20 on 13th Mar (RMRG).
REED BUNTING Rickmansworth, 2 visited a garden bird table on 10th Mar (AM).
CORN BUNTING Chiswell Green area, 2 singing on 1st Apr (LM). Sandridgebury, 1 on 1st Apr (LM). Coursers Road, max 3 singing on 24th Apr (GE).
List of observers
Helen Baker, Glen Barnes, Birdnet, Jonathan Braggs, Mike Campbell, Paul Clarke, Hugh Coe, Michael Collins (MCo), Dave Cording, Chris Dee, Derrick Dorken, Stewart Downhill, Brenda East, Mick East, Gary Elton (Hilfield Res), Dave Emery, Colin Everett, Jack Fearnside, Ricky Flesher, Alan Ford, Alan Gardener, Roger Gilbert, Brendan Glynn, Ed Griffiths, Paul Halford, Wendy Hatton, Doug Helsby, Ray Hooper, Martin Ketcher, Basil Lewis, Paul Lewis, Derrick Ling, Anna Marret, Lee Marshall, Andrew Moon, Steve Murray, Steve Pearce, Susie Pearson, Bill Pegram, Mike Perkins, Barry Reed, Steve Rodwell, Mike Russell, Rye House Marsh RSPB (RHM), Rye Meads Ringing Group, Ian Smart, Peter Stanford, Tony Stride, Joan Thompson, Mike Thompson, Barry Turner, Ann Wallington, Gareth Watkins (HBC Web site), Graham White, Roy Woodward, John Yates.
Lee Marshall
Bird sightings summary for Mar/Apr 1999