Site-by-Site records for May/Jun 2007

TYTTENHANGER GRAVEL PITS

Highlights: Redshanks bred successfully and a Little Stint, Oystercatcher, Osprey and Peregrine were seen.

There were a large number of records of Shelduck in May with six present on the 13th (PCHR). Shovelers were seen all month with a pair seen regularly at the back end of the month (SMUR) and Ruddy Ducks were seen regularly on the flooded scrape. An Osprey was seen on the evening of the 14th (PMAI) and a Peregrine over flew the area on the 20th. Two Grey Partridges were seen on the footpath by Willows Farm on the 24th (AGAR). Oystercatchers were seen throughout May but there was no indication of any attempt to breed. Little Ringed Plovers were seen displaying on the 24th and the 27th (SPEA/SMUR) and Ringed Plovers were seen all month with 3 seen on the 7th (PCHR/RFLE). A Little Stint was seen between the 25th and the 30th (CCAR/SPEA/RPEA/Birdtrack/ADOR) and 7 Dunlins were present on the 11th. A brood of Redshank chicks was seen on the 20th the 24th and the 27th (SMUR/AGAR/ADOR) and a Greenshank was seen on the 5th (PCHR). A Wheatear was seen on the 11th (AGAR) and two were seen on the 13th (PMAI/SPEA) and Tree Sparrows were seen around Tyttenhanger farm on several days.

Shelducks continued to be seen and a duckling was first seen on the 9th but this chick was not seen after the 15th (SMUR). A drake Scaup was present from the 4th to the 9th and one or two Ruddy Ducks were seen at intervals throughout June. A Red Kite flew over on the 13th and a Grey Partridge was seen on the 5th (AGAR). Oystercatchers were seen all month and Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers were seen all month without any indication of successful breeding. A flying juvenile Redshank was seen on the 30th (GKNI) and Green Sandpipers were seen on a number of days. A pair of Common Terns was seen with three young on the island on the 22nd, 29th and 30th (SMUR/DBOO/GKNI). A Wheatear was seen on the 10th (GKNI) and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen by the bailiff’s caravan on the 3rd (ADOR).

TRING RESERVOIRS

Highlights: A Little Tern was the highlight with other species of note being Peregrine, Arctic Tern, Turtle Dove, Whinchat and Cetti’s Warbler

A Shelduck and three Mandarins were at Wilstone reservoir on the 20th of May (Birdtrack) and a Wigeon was seen on the 3rd and the 5th (CSMO/KEHO). A drake Scaup was seen on the 21st and the 25th (Birdtrack); presumably this is the same bird that was seen at a number of places in June. A Red Kite was seen over Marsworth reservoir on the 2nd, Hobbys were seen on the 3rd, 5th and 20th with a Peregrine seen on the 6th. An Arctic Tern and a Little Tern were seen on the 7th at Wilstone reservoir. A Turtle Dove was at Wilstone reservoir on the 20th with a Whinchat at Wilstone reservoir on the 13th. Cetti’s Warblers were seen or heard all through May at Marsworth reservoir and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen behind the hide on the 21st.

A pair of Garganey were at Wilstone reservoir on the 8th and five Red Kites were seen hunting over a haymaker in the meadow behind the hide at Wilstone reservoir on the 2nd.Two Hobbys were seen on the 9th and a Curlew was seen flying towards Aylesbury on the same day(IWIL). A Cetti’s Warbler was heard at Marsworth reservoir on the 1st and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Wilstone reservoir on the 2nd.

HILFIELD RESERVOIR

Highlights: A Sanderling was the highlight with Arctic Tern, Black Tern and Grasshopper Warbler also being recorded

Two Shelducks were seen on the 13th of May (SMUR) and 13 Ruddy Ducks were also there. Red Kites were seen on the 6th, 19th and 20th (BCRI/JFEA/TBLA) and a pair of Buzzards was seen at their nest site on the 20th (SMUR). An Osprey flew through in a north easterly direction on the 6th (BCRI) and Hobbys were seen on the 5th, 12th, 14th and 26th (SMUR/MMCM). Little Ringed Plovers were seen on a number of days from the 11th to the 26th with a maximum of three seen on the 21st (SMUR). A Sanderling was present on the 14th (SMUR), a Dunlin on the 7th (JOTH)and a Redshank on the 18th (SMUR). Common Sandpipers were seen frequently from the 2nd to the 17th with 5 seen on the 15th (HRBR). Two Arctic Terns were seen on the 7th (Birdtrack) and Black Terns were present on the 1st and 14th (NSIN/SMUR). Meadow Pipits were noted on six days with food being carried on two of those days and Yellow Wagtails were seen on 5th, 14th, 25th and the 27th; the records on the 25th was of the Grey-headed sub-species (JOTH). A female Wheatear was present on the 3rd (SMUR).

A Little Egret was seen flying over the reservoir on the 9th of June (JFEA) and the touring drake Scaup was seen between the 10th and the 20th (JOTH). Ten Ruddy Ducks were there on the 3rd (SMUR) and the Buzzard’s nest had one chick in it on the 10th (HRBR). Redshanks were seen on the 17th and the 23rd (SMUR/TBLA) and three Common Sandpipers were present on the 28th with two seen on the 30th (SMUR). A Black Tern was seen on the 9th (JOTH) with 220 Swifts seen over the reservoir on the 7th (SMUR). A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling near the fountain on the south bank on the 9th.(JFEA).

RYE MEADS

All records from the Rye Meads Partnership report, containing records from a number of observers, unless otherwise stated.

A Little Egret was seen on the 13th of May and quite large numbers of Shelducks were seen in the month with a maximum of 16 on the 16th. A Teal was also seen on the 16th and a drake Garganey was recorded from the 2nd to the 4th. A Red Kite flew over on the 12th and nine Hobbys were seen on the 1st. A Peregrine was seen on the 4th,24th and 25th (VBUC/RMPA) and a Water Rail was present on the 5th and the 7th. An Oystercatcher was seen on the 13th and a Woodcock was seen on five occasions. Redshanks were seen all month with six seen on the 9th and a Common Sandpiper was present on the 7th. Turtle Doves were seen on five days with two there on the 27th and three Grasshopper Warblers were recorded on the 5th.

Eight Shelducks on the 10th was the monthly maximum count for June; a Teal was seen on the 2nd. Two Hobbys were present on the 2nd ,10th and 29th and a Marsh Harrier was also seen on the 2nd (Birdtrack). A Peregrine was present on the 2nd and the 25th. Two Water Rails were recorded on the 2nd and five Redshanks were seen on the 2nd and the 10th with a Green Sandpiper also seen on the 10th. A Tree Sparrow was also reported present on the 2nd (Birdtrack).

AMWELL QUARRY

Highlights: Pochard were seen with ducklings, other interesting records were of Scaup, Greenshank, Black Tern, Black-tailed Godwit and Cetti’s Warbler

Seven Cormorant nests were counted on the 13th of May (CSMO) and a Little Egret was seen on the 8th and the 13th (AREY/KEHO). Four Shelducks were seen on the 19th.(Birdtrack) and a Pochard was seen on the 24th along with approximately nine ducklings. Little Ringed Plovers were recorded on eight separate days with three seen on the 24th (MORC) and Ringed Plovers were seen on the 8th,12th and 13th (AREY/AWT/KEHO/CSMO). Three Dunlins were seen on the 12th and a maximum of five Redshanks were present on the 7th (JFOR). A Greenshank was seen on the 1st and the 2nd (DBOO) and a Turnstone was present on the 7th (JFOR).A Black Tern was seen on the 22nd and the 24th (IEDW/MORC) and a Cetti’s Warbler was present on the 10th and the 12th (PLAW/AWAT).

Two Little Egrets were seen on the 2nd and one on the 28th and 30th (DWHE/DBOO/Birdtrack). The drake Scaup recorded in a number of other locations was seen on the 3rd (DBOO) and twelve Shelducks were seen on the 4th (Birdtrack). Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers continued to be seen and a Lapwing chick was present on the 18th. A Black-tailed Godwit was present on the 29th (THIL) and Redshank chicks were seen on a number of days (CUPT). The Cetti’s Warbler was recorded on the 3rd and the 30th (Birdtrack).

RECORDS BY SPECIES

• Little Grebe –Three separate broods were seen at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 13th (Birdtrack).
• Great Crested Grebe – a total of 10 birds was at Stockers And Bury Lakes, Rickmansworth on the 11th.
• Cormorant – at least 7 nests were present at Amwell GP on the 13th (CSMO).
• Little Egret – four birds were seen at Rye Meads on the 13th (RMPA).
• Grey Heron – there were 20 occupied nests at the Verulamium Park heronry on the 11th which is a considerable increase on the 12 there last year.
• Mute Swan – 50 birds were present at Tumbling Lake, Ware on the 1st (Birdtrack).
• Greylag Goose – 20 birds were present at Lynsters Farm on the 16th (Birdtrack).
• Canada Goose - three broods were seen at Hertingfordbury on the 24th (DBOO).
• Egyptian Goose - two birds were seen at Lynsters GP on the 9th,16th and 30th (Birdtrack).
• Shelduck – 16 birds were present at Rye Meads on the 16th (RMPA) and up to 6 birds were present at Tyttenhanger all month.
• Mandarin – broods of ducklings were seen at Tykeswater Lake on the 16th (SMUR), Wilstone reservoir on the 20th and Beech Farm on the 26th (WHAT).
• Wigeon – a single bird was seen at Lynsters GP on 4 days during the month (Birdtrack) and a single bird was at Wilstone reservoir on the 3rd and the 5th (CSMO/KEHO).
• Gadwall – a brood of ducklings were seen at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 28th (Birdtrack).
• Teal – a drake was at Maple Lodge NR on the 9th (Birdtrack) and one was at Rye Meads on the 16th (RMPA).
• Garganey – a male was at Rye Meads from the 2nd to the 4th (RMPA) and a drake was seen at Maple Lodge NR on 4 days during the month (Birdtrack).
• Shoveler – small numbers were present at Rye Meads and Tyttenhanger GP all month .
• Pochard – a maximum of 4 birds were seen at Bury Lake, Rickmansworth on the 16th (Birdtrack).
• Pochard – 23 were counted at Rye Meads on the 25th (RMPA), breeding was confirmed by the sighting of ducklings at both Maple Lodge NR and Lynsters GP..
• Tufted Duck – the maximum count anywhere was of 27 at Stockers and Bury Lakes (Birdtrack).
• Scaup – a drake was at Wilstone reservoir on the 21st (Birdtrack) and again on the 25th (IWIL).
• Ruddy Duck – 11 birds were present at Hilfield reservoir on the 13th (SMUR).
• Honey Buzzard – there was a probable record at Peters green on the 14th at 17:45 hours, any supporting sightings would be of help (NBRI).
• Red Kite – there were a good number of records with three seen at Buntingford on the 18th (MRIC).
• Marsh Harrier – a female was seen near Ashwell on the 1st (RWEB) and again on the 23rd (AGAR). A female was also seen on the 6th at North Mymms Park (SMUR) and at Wilstone reservoir on the 20th (Birdtrack).
• Sparrowhawk – two birds were seen at Tyttenhanger GP on the 7th (Birdtrack).
• Buzzard – seven were seen circling over Welham Green on the 15th (FHUR).
• Osprey – one was seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 6th (BCRI) and at Tyttenhanger GP on the 14th (PMAI).
• Kestrel – three were present at Abbotts Langley on the 5th (Birdtrack), at Rye Meads on the 5th (RMPA) and also at Lilley on the 18th (ADAY).
• Hobby – a group of 8 was seen feeding high over Maple Lodge NR on the 2nd, there was a total of around 60 separate records for this species from all over the county.
• Peregrine – there were three records from Rye meads on the 4th,24th and 25th (VBUC/RMPA) and one was seen at Wilstone reservoir on the 6th and Tyttenhanger on the 20th.
• Grey Partridge – the maximum number seen anywhere was two birds which were recorded in a number of locations.
• Water Rail – one was seen at Rye Meads on the 5th and the 7th (RMPA).
• Coot – six broods had been identified at Hilfield reservoir by the end of the month (SMUR).
• Oystercatcher – up to two birds were seen at Tyttenhanger through the month, single birds were seen at Rye Meads on the 13th (RMPA) and Kings Mead on the 17th (AREY).
• Little Ringed Plover – the highest number recorded was of five birds at Stockers Farm on the 15th (JOTH), the species was also seen at Hilfield reservoir, Tyttenhanger, Amwell and Kings Mead on a number of separate occasions.
• Ringed Plover – the species was present at Tyttenhanger GP all month with 3 seen on the 7th (PCHR), two birds were seen at Amwell from the 10th to the 13th and at Stockers Farm, Rickmansworth where three were present on the 14th (JOTH).
• Golden Plover – the largest flock was of around 600 present in the London Colney area (SMUR).
• Lapwing – two broods were seen at Tyttenhanger on several dates during the month (PCHR/RFLE/SMUR) and at least nine pairs were present in Panshanger Park (THIL).
• Sanderling – a single bird was seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 14th (SMUR).
• Little Stint – a single bird was seen at Tyttenhanger from the 25th to the 30th of the month (CCAR/SMUR/SMUR/SPEA/RPEA/Birdtrack)
• Dunlin – the species was seen at Tyttenhanger GP, Stockers Farm, Amwell and Hilfield reservoir with a flock of 7 at Tyttenhanger on the 11th (Birdtrack).
• Woodcock – roding birds were seen at Broxbourne Woods on the 6th (DBOO) and Northaw Great Wood on the 20th (SMUR); there were 5 records of the species at Rye Meads during the month (RMPA).
• Whimbrel – one was seen at Norton Green Tip for 7 minutes on the 6th before being disturbed by a quad bike (AFOR).
• Redshank – the first brood of 4 chicks was seen at Tyttenhanger on the 20th and again on the 24th (SMUR/AGAR); only three were seen on the 27th (ADOR). Records also came from Amwell, Rye Meads, Beech Farm, St Albans, Kings Mead and Hilfield reservoir.
• Greenshank – one was seen at Amwell NR on the 1st and the 2nd (DBOO/Birdtrack) and at Tyttenhanger on the 5th (PCHR).
• Green Sandpiper – one was seen at the flooded field at Stockers Farm on the 8th (Birdtrack)
• Common Sandpiper – the monthly maximum count was of 5 birds at Hilfield reservoir on the 15th (SMUR)
• Turnstone – one was seen at Amwell on the 7th (JFOR).
• Arctic Skua – a dark phase bird was seen flying through the Beech Farm, St Albans site at 17:45 on the 28th (Birdtrack)
• Black-headed Gull – 24 were at Hilfield reservoir on the 23rd (HRBR).
• Lesser Black-backed Gull – 29 birds were at Rye Meads on the 26th (RMPA).
• Herring Gull – 4 birds were present at Rye Meads on the 13th (RMPA).
• Great Black-backed Gull – one was at Hilfield reservoir on the 16th and Aldenham reservoir on the 26th (SMUR/Birdtrack).
• Common Tern – 30 birds were present at Amwell NR on the 2nd (DBOO) and also at Rye Meads on the 5th (RMPA).
• Arctic Tern – one was seen at Wilstone reservoir on the 7th and at Startop’s reservoir on the 13th (Birdtrack), the species was also seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 7th (SMUR/Birdtrack).
• Little Tern – one was present at Wilstone reservoir on the 7th.
• Black Tern – one was seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 1st (NSIN/SMUR/JOTH) and again on the 14th (SMUR/JOTH), one was present at Amwell from the 22nd to the 24th (IEDW/Birdtrack/MORC).
• Stock Dove – a flock of 10 was present at Tyttenhanger on the 7th (Birdtrack).
• Turtle Dove – there were 13 records mostly of single birds, four of these were from Rye Meads (RMPA); three were seen at Benington on the 24th (RWEB).
• Ring-necked Parakeet – three were seen at Bushey on the 2nd and one at Croxley Green on the 31st.
• Cuckoo – around 80 records in total with a maximum of 4 birds at Rye Meads on the 19th (RMPA).
• Barn Owl – at least one breeding pair was resident in the Benington area (RWEB).
• Little Owl – two were seen at Stockers Farm on the 20th (Birdtrack).
• Tawny Owl – young birds were seen at Redbournbury (DSTA), The Wick NR (SYOU) and Lemsford village (ADOR) during the month
• Swift – 400 were seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 14th (SMUR)
• Kingfisher – a nesting pair were seen at Rye Meads on the 24th (VBUC).
• Hoopoe – a bird was present in the Grange paddocks area of Bishops Stortford from the 9th to the 17th where it was well seen by numerous people.
• Green Woodpecker –four birds were at Leasey Bridge, Harpenden on the 22nd (Birdtrack).
• Great Spotted Woodpecker –six birds were seen in Pond Wood, Potters Bar on the 25th (Birdtrack).
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – two birds were seen at the Withy Beds reserve, Rickmansworth on the 5th (AMAR).
• Skylark – six birds were seen at both Weston and Clothall on the 16th (GGOO).
• Sand Martin – 50 birds were present at Tyttenhanger on the 5th (FHUR) and 75 on the 12th (Birdtrack).
• Swallow – a group of 140 was at Hilfield reservoir on the 13th (SMUR).
• House Martin – a group of 400 was at Hilfield reservoir on the 14th (SMUR/JOTH).
• Meadow Pipit – single birds were seen carrying food at Hilfield reservoir on the 19th and the 25th (BCRI/SMUR).
• Yellow Wagtail – three were seen near Ashwell on the 7th and a Grey-headed variant was present at Hilfield reservoir on the 25th (JOTH).
• Grey Wagtail – three were present at Rye Meads on the 5th (RMPA).
• Pied Wagtail – the first brood of 2 juveniles was seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 5th (SMUR).
• Nightingale – one was seen north of Welwyn north station on the 28th (DPEN) and two were present at Cheshunt on the 3rd in the Lea Valley Park adjacent to the county boundary (Birdtrack).
• Whinchat – three were seen at Norton Green on the 11th (DBRY), at Piccotts End on the 11th (JMID) and at Wilstone reservoir on the 13th.
• Stonechat – a pair were seen with a recently fledged juvenile on the 11th (SMUR).
• Wheatear – nine were seen at Norton Green on the 11th (DBRY), there were around 30 records from various locations.
• Cetti’s Warbler – single birds were present at Marsworth reservoir and Amwell NR during the month
• Grasshopper Warbler – a maximum of three birds were at Rye Meads on the 5th (RMPA), a single bird was near Redbournbury on the 3rd (DSTA).
• Sedge Warbler – around 30 records in total with 6 at Stockers lake on the 8th (Birdtrack).
• Reed Warbler – 10 were at Rye Meads on the 5th (RMPA).
• Lesser Whitethroat – five were located in the Essendon area on the 5th (Birdtrack).
• Whitethroat – there were numerous records with 16 at Tyttenhanger on the 26th (Birdtrack)
• Garden Warbler – five were in the North Mymms Park area on the 13th (Birdtrack).
• Blackcap – at least 8 were at Amwell NR on the 10th (PLAW).
• Chiffchaff – there were numerous records with 14 in Hatfield Park on the 12th (Birdtrack)
• Willow Warbler – there were around 40 records with 5 in North Mymms Park on the 29th (Birdtrack).
• Goldcrest – 6 were seen at Bottom Wood on the 1st (Birdtrack).
• Firecrest – one was singing at the entrance to the HMWT reserve at Therfield Heath on the 8th and another was in North Mymms Park on the 9th and also on the 13th (Birdtrack).
• Spotted Flycatcher – there were 15 records in total with at least two present at Therfield Heath on the 22nd.
• Long-tailed Tit – 10 were present at Hatfield Park on the 12th (Birdtrack).
• Nuthatch – three were seen in Pond Wood, Potters Bar on the 26th (Birdtrack).
• Treecreeper two were seen at Chorleywood Common on the 20th (Birdtrack).
• Magpie – 43 birds were seen at Essendon on the 3rd (Birdtrack).
• Raven – an adult was seen at Whitwell on the 5th (WHAT) and over Tewin on the 14th (JMOS).
• Starling – around 450 birds were seen at Rye Meads on the 26th (RMPA)
• Tree Sparrow – small numbers were seen around the nest boxes at Tyttenhanger all month (Birdtrack).
• Linnet - 10 were seen at Weston on the 16th (GGOO).
• Bullfinch – 4 were seen at Abbotts Langley on the 5th (Birdtrack).
• Yellowhammer – 10 were seen at Weston on the 16th (GGOO).
• Reed Bunting – 4 were present at Tyttenhanger on the 24th.
• Corn Bunting – four were seen at Ashwell on the 7th (GGOO).

• Little Grebe – small juveniles were seen at Hilfield reservoir and Sutton Farm GP, St Albans on the 6th and the 7th (SMUR), there were 28 counted at Rye Meads on the 9th (RMPA).
• Great Crested Grebe – juveniles were seen at Aldenham reservoir, Tyttenhanger GP and several of the Colne Valley GPs at Rickmansworth (IBEN/DBOO/Birdtrack).
• Cormorant – there were around 50 records with 12 at Amwell on the 3rd and also at Troy Mill on the 18th (Birdtrack).
• Little Egret – one was at Redbournbury on the 1st (IWIL), two at Amwell NR on the 2nd (DWHE) and one on the 28th and 30th (DBOO/Birdtrack),at Hilfield reservoir on the 9th (JFEA). An bird colour ringed at Lemsford Springs in November 2006 was seen at Rogerstown, Dublin on the 16th (BTRI).
• Grey Heron – there were around 50 records mainly from the usual wetland locations.
• Stork sp. – a Stork sp. Was seen high over Letchworth on the 18th
• Mute Swan – Sixty eight were seen at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome on the 17th (Birdtrack).
• Greylag Goose – 52 were at Lynsters GP on the 18th (Birdtrack)
• Bar-headed Goose – a pair was seen with a juvenile at Hatfield Park on the 17th (Birdtrack).
• Greater Canada Goose – 162 adults and 42 goslings were present at The Rickmansworth Aquadrome on the 17th (Birdtrack).
• Barnacle Goose – a skein of 15 birds was seen flying north past Colliers End and Puckeridge on the 3rd (MORC) there were several reports of single birds from various locations.
• Egyptian Goose – a single bird was seen at Aldenham reservoir on the 9th,17th and 23rd (IBEN/Birdtrack) and a pair at
• Kimpton Mill raised six goslings which is the first successful breeding recorded there for three years (TKIT).
• Shelduck – the species was seen at Tyttenhanger GP, Amwell NR and Rye Meads with one duckling first seen at Tyttenhanger on the 9th which was last seen on the 15th (SMUR). Tern birds were present at Rye Meads on the 2nd (RMPA) and 12 at Amwell NR on the 4th (Birdtrack).
• Mandarin – females were seen with young at Sutton Farm GP on the 7th (SPEA) and Hatfield Park on the 17th (Birdtrack)
• Gadwall – broods of ducklings were seen at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 10th and Maple Lodge NR on the 12th (Birdtrack).
• Teal – five were seen at Tyttenhanger on the 13th (SMUR).
• Garganey – a pair were reported via the RBA pager alert system at Wilstone reservoir on the 8th.
• Shoveler – birds were present in small numbers at Rye Meads, Kings Mead, Tyttenhanger and Maple Lodge NR
• Red-crested Pochard – a pair was present at Lynsters GP on the 7th (Birdtrack)
• Pochard – 53 birds were seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 30th.
• Tufted Duck – in excess of 35 birds were present at Wilstone reservoir on the 23rd.
• Scaup – the drake seen at Wilstone in May seems to have engaged in a tour around Hertfordshire as it was seen at Amwell NR on the 3rd (DBOO), Tyttenhanger GP from the 4th to the 9th, Hilfield reservoir on the 10th (JOTH), Aldenham reservoir on the 11th (Birdtrack) and Hilfield reservoir again from the 14th to the 20th (JOTH).
• Goldeneye – four were seen at Wilstone on the 9th (JOTH), the last date was the 11th when a single bird was seen at Amwell NR (AREY).
• Ruddy Duck – 10 were seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 3rd (SMUR).
• Red Kite – as usual the species was regularly seen with four over Cassiobury Park, Watford on the 10th.
• Marsh Harrier – a female was seen in the Sandon and Therfield area on the 3rd 15th and 20th (Birdtrack) and also at Rye Meads on the 2nd (Birdtrack)
• Sparrowhawk – a pair were seen at Borehamwood on the 5th (SMUR).
• Buzzard – there were many records with one chick in a nest at Hilfield reservoir on the 10th (HRBR).
• Osprey – one was seen flying over the Wadesmill bypass on the 10th (SIKN).
• Kestrel – a pair with young were in the Barn Owl nestbox at Maple Lodge NR (Birdtrack).
• Hobby – three were at Amwell NR on the 3rd (DBOO) and Stockers Lake on the 24th (Birdtrack).
• Peregrine – one was at Rye Meads on the 2nd and the 25th (RMPA/Birdtrack), and at Redbournbury on the 13th (IWIL)
• Grey Partridge – birds were seen at Sandon on the 3rd and 29th (Birdtrack), at Temple End, Hitchin on the 8th and Lilley Bottom on the 13th (GGOO).
• Quail – one was heard near Breachwood Green on the 13th (GGOO).
• Water Rail – two were located at Rye Meads on the 2nd and one on the 10th (RMPA).
• Coot – in excess of 50 birds were at Kings mead on the 13th (Birdtrack).
• Oystercatcher – the species seen at Tyttenhanger through the month with 2 present on the 7th, 8th and 28th (SPEA/Birdtrack); no evidence of breeding was noted.
• Little Ringed Plover – a juvenile was seen at Amwell GP on the 28th (DBOO).
• Ringed Plover – an incubating pair at Tyttenhanger failed to produce any chicks (SMUR), four birds were present at Amwell NR on the 1st.
• Lapwing – broods of young were seen at Redbournbury and Tyttenhanger during the month (IWL/Birdtrack/SMUR).
• Woodcock – three roding birds were seen in Broxbourne Woods on the 3rd (Birdtrack).
• Black-tailed Godwit – one was seen at Amwell NR on the 29th (THIL).
• Curlew – one flew over Wilstone reservoir on the 9th (IWIL).
• Redshank – birds bred successfully at Tyttenhanger and Rye Meads where they were seen by a number of people, the species was also seen at Rye Meads (RMPA)
• Green Sandpiper – two were seen at Sutton Farm GP on the 8th and Tyttenhanger on the 30th (SPEA/GKNI).
• Common Sandpiper – three were present at Hilfield reservoir on the 28th (SMUR).
• Black-headed Gull – 10 were seen at Tyttenhanger GP on the 29th (SMUR)
• Lesser Black-backed Gull – 37 were present at Hilfield reservoir on the 13th (SMUR).
• Herring Gull – 17 were counted at Hilfield reservoir on the 13th (SMUR).
• Yellow-legged Gull – one was seen at Amwell NR on the 4th (PLAW).
• Common Tern – there were a good number of records with several reports of chicks being seen at Tyttenhanger on the small island.
• Black Tern – one was seen at Hilfield reservoir on the 9th (JOTH.
• Stock Dove – 23 were seen at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 10th (Birdtrack).
• Turtle Dove – one was seen at Aston End on the 9th (PBIS), at Rye Meads on the 9th (RMPA), at Gustard Wood on the 10th (DWHE) and at Therfield on the 29th (Birdtrack).
• Ring-necked Parakeet – two were seen in Cassiobury Park, Watford on the 13th (IBEN) and at Croxley Moor on the 1st (Birdtrack).
• Cuckoo – six were at Rye Meads on the 2nd (RMPA).
• Barn Owl – the two pairs in the Benington area had 3 and 4 chicks in the nest on the 17th when checked by authorised ringers (RWEB).
• Little Owl – three birds were heard calling in the Temple End area on the 23rd (CBRA).
• Swift – 220 birds were seen over Hilfield reservoir on the 7th (SMUR).
• Kingfisher – a pair were seen bring food to the nest at Rye Meads on the 25th.
• Green Woodpecker – five birds were seen in the Essendon area on the 11th and in North Mymms Park on the 16th (Birdtrack).
• Great Spotted Woodpecker – there were around 50 records, quite a few of these referred to juvenile birds or adults feeding young in the nest.
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – one was at Haberdashers Askes girls school on the 5th, at Brookmans Park on the 19th (Birdtrack) and Rickmansworth on the 20th (SYOU).
• Skylark – at least 15 birds were seen at beech Farm, St Albans on the 10th (Birdtrack)
• Sand Martin – 90 were seen at Startop’s End reservoir on the 24th (MWAL).
• Swallow – there were around 40 records of small numbers from around the county.
• House Martin – 20 were in the Essendon area on the 24th (Birdtrack).
• Tree Pipit – one was singing at Coopers Green GP on the 10th (Birdtrack) and Berkhamsted Common on the 11th (MRUS).
• Meadow Pipit – six were seen at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 10th (Birdtrack).
• Yellow Wagtail – one was seen at Wilstone reservoir on the 2nd, Baldock on the 3rd and the 29th (Birdtrack) and near Sandon on the 17th (PLAW).
• Grey Wagtail – there were a small number of records with confirmed breeding at Amwell NR, Pond Wood Potters Bar and Stockers Lake (Birdtrack).
• Stonechat – a pair was present at Beech Farm all month and was seen with juveniles on the 4th (SMUR).
• Wheatear – one was present briefly at Tyttenhanger GP on the 10th (GKNI) and Berkhamsted Common on the 17th (Birdtrack)
• Cetti’s Warbler – birds were present at Amwell NR and Marsworth reservoir.
• Grasshopper Warbler – one was present at Hilfield reservoir on the 9th (JFEA), along the River Stort on the 11th and 18th (JFOR) at Croxley Common Moor on the 19th (Birdtrack) and at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 20th and 24th (ALEW/Birdtrack).
• Sedge Warbler – a total of 7 birds were located at Kings Mead on the 15th (Birdtrack).
• Reed Warbler – four were present at Sawbridgeworth Marsh on the 15th (HCOE).
• Lesser Whitethroat – there were around twenty records mainly of single birds from a variety of sites.
• Whitethroat – a total of twenty birds was found at Tyttenhanger on the 9th (Birdtrack).
• Garden Warbler – four were present at Hilfield reservoir on the 2nd (BCRI/JFEA).
• Blackcap – fifteen birds were found around Essendon on the 24th (Birdtrack).
• Chiffchaff – eleven were in Hatfield Park on the 17th (Birdtrack)
• Willow Warbler – thirteen birds including a family party of five were at Beech Farm on the 10th (Birdtrack).
• Goldcrest sixteen were located in Broxbourne Woods on the 2nd (Birdtrack)
• Firecrest – one was heard at Essendon on the 11th over a 20 minute period (Birdtrack).
• Spotted Flycatcher – there was a total of 16 records with probable or confirmed breeding at Shafford Farm, St Albans (JPRI), Tringford reservoir (GYOU), Gustard Wood (Birdtrack) and Royston (
• Marsh Tit – a family party of four birds was seen at Broxbourne Woods on the 3rd (Birdtrack).
• Nuthatch – two adults were seen feeding a young bird with peanuts at Welwyn on the 10th (MBRI).
• Treecreeper – three were seen at North Mymms Park on the 16th (Birdtrack).
• Carrion Crow – in excess of 60 birds were seen in the area of Brookmans Park on the 6th (Birdtrack).
• Starling – a flock of at least 130 birds was at Shafford Farm on the 23rd (JPRI).
• House Sparrow – a flock of at least 30 birds was at Redbournbury on the 12th (Birdtrack).
• Tree Sparrow – all of the records came from Tyttenhanger Farm with 8 seen on the 4th (Birdtrack).
• Linnet –a flock of 10 was at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 10th (Birdtrack).
• Hawfinch – a juvenile was seen in a Hertford garden on the 5th (DCOO).
• Bullfinch – four were present at Aldenham reservoir on the 23rd (Birdtrack).
• Yellowhammer – 8 were seen near Essendon on the 11th (Birdtrack).
• Reed Bunting – 8 were present at Beech Farm, St Albans on the 10th (Birdtrack).
• Corn Bunting – one was seen singing from overhead wires near Potters Crouch on the 6th (AGAR) and 12 were near Sandon on the 17th.
• Monk Parakeet – two birds were seen at Haberdashers Askes Girls School on the 22nd and one on the 27th (SMUR).