Earlier in the week Barry Reed found three Parrot Crossbills in Broxbourne Woods-part of this autumn's influx. The first records ever for Hertfordshire, and the first in the London recording area since the mid 19th C, so they have been rather popular. Being stuck at work and with other commitments, today was my first available opportunity to get down there.
By the time I got there at 9am, with one other car load in front of me, there had already been one report so it was a case of getting to the right area and waiting. Gradually numbers built up, including Simon West, Darren Bast, David Darrel Lambert, Colin Wills and Richard Pople, so there was plenty of chatting to while away the hours. David had been down yesterday with his recording gear and was using it again today, but unfortunately the Gibbons at the nearby Paradise Wildlife Park were pretty much the only things making a noise this morning.
We had lots of corvids and gulls going over, the occasional Redpoll and Siskin, and the usual species one can find in conifer plantations. Just about the only thing not showing were Crossbills. Richard and I stuck it out until just before noon, before giving up.
One distraction on the way back was a very close flyby Raven which was rather problematic as I was following Richard up the lane and we were both trying to avoid an oncoming car in the very narrow lane.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
Sunday, 3 December 2017
A few hours at Amwell
I didn't go on any major birding trips this weekend. The White Crowned Black Wheatear in Scunthorpe was a non starter from the moment the news came out (returned to the aviary yesterday). The recent influx of Parrot Crossbills with a couple of flocks in Berkshire and the Brecks were better but I thought we'd try for those later in the month since Colin wasn't available.
This morning wasn't all that inspiring, overcast, light misty rain at times, but since it has been a while, I spent some time at Amwell this morning.
The recent work by the gas board seems to have gone fairly well so far, with a lot less damage and disruption than expected. Rather more worryingly though is British Rail's determination to close the level crossing on 'safety' grounds even though there have not been any problems in the 30 odd years since I have been visiting. This would make accessing the reserve very difficult, cause major problems for those living on the canal, and prevent any sort of vehicular access to the marina. Fingers crossed on this one.
Water levels are reasonably high considering the lack of rainfall. Lots of Wigeon in today, with some Gadwall, Teal and Shoveller. Only one pair of Goldeneye though. Recently Pintail have been present, and there have been sightings of Goosander as well (presumably wintering in the Cheshunt complex). Lots of large gulls around, with maybe a dozen Greater Black Backs, similar numbers of Lesser Black Backs, some Herrings and a few Common Gulls. A couple of white headed Herrings caught my eye and I spent some time on one particular individual before deciding that it wasn't anything unusual. Pity really as I then picked up a Yellow Legged Gull which quickly moved off, but I managed to get everyone on it and obtained one image. Its the one on the left in the close up.
A walk down to Tumbling Bay didn't produce much in the one tit flock that I found. The alders had the usual Siskin and Goldfinch flock, but no Redpolls. Nothing much on the feeders at Hollycross.
I found a Treecreeper on the way back that performed reasonably well for me (would have got better images if didn't have to change the battery in the camera).
This morning wasn't all that inspiring, overcast, light misty rain at times, but since it has been a while, I spent some time at Amwell this morning.
The recent work by the gas board seems to have gone fairly well so far, with a lot less damage and disruption than expected. Rather more worryingly though is British Rail's determination to close the level crossing on 'safety' grounds even though there have not been any problems in the 30 odd years since I have been visiting. This would make accessing the reserve very difficult, cause major problems for those living on the canal, and prevent any sort of vehicular access to the marina. Fingers crossed on this one.
Water levels are reasonably high considering the lack of rainfall. Lots of Wigeon in today, with some Gadwall, Teal and Shoveller. Only one pair of Goldeneye though. Recently Pintail have been present, and there have been sightings of Goosander as well (presumably wintering in the Cheshunt complex). Lots of large gulls around, with maybe a dozen Greater Black Backs, similar numbers of Lesser Black Backs, some Herrings and a few Common Gulls. A couple of white headed Herrings caught my eye and I spent some time on one particular individual before deciding that it wasn't anything unusual. Pity really as I then picked up a Yellow Legged Gull which quickly moved off, but I managed to get everyone on it and obtained one image. Its the one on the left in the close up.
A walk down to Tumbling Bay didn't produce much in the one tit flock that I found. The alders had the usual Siskin and Goldfinch flock, but no Redpolls. Nothing much on the feeders at Hollycross.
I found a Treecreeper on the way back that performed reasonably well for me (would have got better images if didn't have to change the battery in the camera).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)