Talk:Recent
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home[[http://www.btinternet.com/~bsbirdgroup/ | home[[http://www.btinternet.com/~bsbirdgroup/ | ||
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| + | 30th January | ||
| + | Single male Siskin observed in full song along Tyfordbury Lane BS at approx 12.40 pm today. I've never heard the song previously and was completely taken aback by its sheer complexity and beauty as I watched the male at close quarters for about 5 minutes before it was disturbed and flew away. It will be intersting to see if the bird remains into Spring. | ||
| + | Dave Sampson | ||
27th January | 27th January | ||
Revision as of 22:00, 30 January 2009
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30th January Single male Siskin observed in full song along Tyfordbury Lane BS at approx 12.40 pm today. I've never heard the song previously and was completely taken aback by its sheer complexity and beauty as I watched the male at close quarters for about 5 minutes before it was disturbed and flew away. It will be intersting to see if the bird remains into Spring. Dave Sampson
27th January
SAL - only 48 water birds seen - 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 8 Moorhen, 12 Mallard, 24 Coot. 4 Crows, various Blue Tits. Takeley Street had Starlings and House Sparrows and Blue Tits. Long tailed Tits and Robin.
Hatfield Forest Lake - same result as yesterday evening with only a dozen Redwing but 20 Tufted Duck. No Water Rail voice. David Arch
26th January
Hatfield Forest Lake: up to dusk, Little Owl, 45 Redwing, Tawny Owl seen in flight - at least three calling, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great crested Grebe, 2 Coot (good news as missing after breeding season) 4 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 9 Canada Goose, 30+ Gadwall, more Mallard, Moorhen, Water Rail (v). David Arch
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Greenfinch 200+, Goldfinch c.150 in seperate roost gathering from 1500hrs onwards,200 Fieldfare were 400 yards North of Hayter at lunchtime with 13 Pied Wags, 4 Mistle Thrush and a single Kestrel. - Graeme J Smith
25th January
Honeysuckle Close, Bishop's Stortford - Mute Swan 9 - All Immatures, very low South over my house at 1230 Hrs - Graeme J Smith
24th January
Thorley Wash - 18 Mallard; 2 Teal; 2 Little Grebe; Grey Heron; 2 Cormorant; 1 Woodcock flew in from the NW(shooting somewhere in the distnce suggests that the bird may have been disturbed)but did not land (I managed to photograph it as it flew overhead). Dave Sampson
Honeysuckle Close - Blackcap Male still, tho only one visit per hour over five hours - Graeme J. Smith
23rd January
Hatfield Forest - 3 Woodcock, 1 Little Owl
Thremhall Avenue (Stansted Airport) - 1 Little Owl - Stephen Patmore
22nd January
Hatfield Broad Oak - Marsh Tit and female Goldcrest in garden - Janice Hobbs
Trims Green - Fieldfare 112 (63, 12, 27), Redwing 7, Linnet 32, Lapwing 40-45, Mute Swan 2 (on Mathams Pit), Skylark 60+, Meadow Pipit 13, STONECHAT 2 (m+f) on far north end of topsoil ridge beside new farm buildings on North airfield + usual finches - Graeme J Smith
18th January
SLRS (river Stort behind Beckham's house) - Barn Owl, Bird seen on three occations now quartering large field at rear of Beckham's place also in 'Cormorant tree' field. - K Hanrahan
17th January
Newport SW this morning - 2 Chiffchaffs - including a classic 'abientus' - Stephen Patmore
St Michael's Mead Lake, Southern Country Park - Water Rail at water inlet and usual drake Tufted Duck on the water - Graeme J. Smith
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost (1510-1645) With John Slee. - 4 Cormorant (min count - 3N, 4S), 1 Grey Heron (S), 6 Mallard (min count - 4N, 6S), 1 Common Buzzard (possibly two birds, the small dark M flew E into Fox Earth Wood and later, what appeared to be a lighter, larger bird flew W into Spill Timbers Wood. But views inconclusive), 2 Sparrowhawk (AdM, 1F), 2 Kestrel, 2 Pheasant (in), 1 Jack Snipe, 92 BH Gull (S), 33 Common Gull (S), 1 Ad LBB Gull (S), 21 Stock Dove (min count, 10E, 21 into Fox Earth Wood), 325 Wood Pigeon (into Fox Earth Wood), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 23 Redwing (11 in, 12 S), 72 Fieldfare (11S & a flock of 61 disturbed by the 'second' Buzzard, from the copse north of Spill Timbers Wood, which left SE), 1 Jay, 35 Jackdaw (S), 6 Rook (S), 3 Starling (2E, 1SW), 5 Chaffinch (S), 3 Greenfinch (H), 17 Reed Bunting (2S, 15 in - 4 in the carex, the remainder into the reedbed) - Mike Harris
16th January
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Fieldfare 45+, Redwing 6, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Green Wdpckr 1, BLACKCAP 1 singing beside my work feeders!
Trims Green - Fieldfare c.100 in a single tree 200 yards North-West of Spellbrook-trims junction at 1610 hrs - Graeme J. Smith
Birchanger Services - 1 RED KITE (flew E at 14:40)
Beldams Lane - 200+ Fieldfares
Tednambury Marsh roost (15:00-16:50) - 6 Little Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 2ad Mute Swans, 4 Mallard, 1f Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 1 Pheasant (in), 1 Coot, 12 Moorhens, 4 Water Rails, 269 Black-headed Gulls (S/SW), 24 Common Gulls (S/SW), 1ad Lesser Black-backed Gull (S), 4 Stock Doves, 100+ Woodpigeons, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Meadow Pipits (in), 177 Fieldfares (170in, 7S), 1 Redwing (in), 2 CETTI'S WARBLERS (1 calling near marina, 1 in vegetation by river), 178 Magpies (in), 37 Jackdaws (in), 1 Chaffinch (N), 20 Greenfinch (S), 4 Goldfinch (S), 2 Siskins (S), 2 Bullfinch, 35 Yellowhammers (22 in, 13S), 8 Reed Buntings (in) - Stephen Patmore
15th January
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Siskin 2 minimum, Bullfinch 2
Trims Green - Golden Plover 37, Lapwing c.100, WOODCOCK 2 flushed from middle of north airfield, almost at highest/most open area, my first from such an open habitat Kingfisher at tiny pond at spellbrook-trims junction, Fieldfare c.300 Morris Farm cow lawn, Linnet c.45 gathered at around new farm buildings, Goldfinch c.10, Greenfinch 17, Yellowhammer 1, Skylark 7, Meadow Pipit 12+, Chaffinch c.15 (no brambling present)
Mathams Pit - Pochard 7, Tufted Duck 3
St Michael's Mead Lake, Southern Country Park - Bullfinch 2, Tufted Duck long staying drake still, Grey Wagtail 1 - Graeme J. Smith
Elsenham Playing Fields - Fieldfare (80+), Starling (60+) - Chris Swan
14th January
Hafield Forest Lake - Great Crested Grebe One of two wintering birds found dead, frozen in ice - PH via GJS
Hayter, Spellbrook (west)Siskin 1 First record on my work feeders despite birds present most winters in alders along driveway - Graeme J. Smith.
12th January
Trims Green - Canada Goose c.50 between Trims and Thorley Church, Fieldfare 50+, Linnet c.35
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - WOODCOCK 1 flew into small wood on west edge of town from a northerly direction at 1020 hrs, Kestrel 1 female, Goldfinch 35-40 birds roosting beside bikeshed, Greenfinch 40+ roosting beside canteen, LITTLE OWL - found a roost containing c.30 pellets in a secluded spot on the South edge of Hayter land, should be worth me keeping an eye out as it appears as if it's perch will be lit up at night by the factory lights - Graeme J. Smith
Sawbridgeworth Marsh roost (15:30-15:50) - 1 Cormorant , 1 Jack Snipe (at last !! - in regular spot at bottom of mown slope), 1 Common Snipe, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (cruising S), 171 Wood Pigeon (in to Fox Earth Wood), 1 Mistle Thrush, 32 Jackdaw (S), 5 Rook (S), 2 Greenfinch (S), 5 Reed Bunting (in, but incomplete count, due to lack of stamina. 3 in the Carex, 2 in the reedbed) - Chris Dee
11th January
SLRS 8:30 - 10:30 am - Cormorant 10 in a couple of trees in Pishiobury Park, Mute swan 2ad 1 juv by Sheering Lock, Mallard 5N, 2 on river, Kestrel 1, Moorhen 4, Lapwing 3SE over, BHG c30, Common Gull 1 juv, LBBG 1 ad, Stock Dove 1, Wood Pigeon c100 in total, Collared Dove 3, Green Wood 1h, GSW1h, Wren 2, Dunock 6, Robin 1, Blackbird 6, Fieldfare 7, Song thrush 4, Miste thrush 1, Goldcrest 3, LT Tit 7, Blue tit 8, Great tit 5, Magpie 8, Jackdaw 7, Crow 5, Starling 1, Chaffinch 6, Greenfinch 3, Goldfinch 4, Bullfinch 6, Yellowhammer 5 - John Slee
Sawbridgeworth Marsh roost (14:45-16:20) - 9 Cormorant (min count - 5N & 9S), 6 Mallard (4N, 2 in), 1 Common Buzzard (W at dusk - the small dark M), 1F Sparrowhawk (in to Spill Timbers Wood), 1F Kestrel, 40 BH Gull (S), 62 Common Gull (S), 28 Stock Dove (in to Fox Earth Wood - record count of Winter), 330 Wood Pigeon (in to Fox Earth Wood), 1 Collared Dove (NE), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 5 Meadow Pipit (4S, 1 in), 2 Redwing (1S, 1W), 19 Fieldfare (18S, 1N), 2 Magpie (N), 14 Jackdaw (S), 6 Rook (S), 2 Starling (S), 27 Goldfinch (N, loosely associating with Greenfinches), 58 Greenfinch (minimum count, 23 NE to pre-roost tree early doors, then 49 SW late on leaving a flock of 9 that went into Brambles on the Eastern boundary of the Reserve), 28 Reed Bunting (Fragmented roost. 8S without stopping, 20 in, of which 2 in the Carex, 2 in the Peat bank reedbed, and the rest spread between the remaining Northern and Southern reedbeds!)
Field Opposite The Fishing Club Car-park at 14:40 - 2 Redwing, 16 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush - Mike Harris
9th January
All Saints Close - pair of Blackcaps moved through the garden at lunchtime - David Arch
8th January
Rushy Mead - Woodcock (1), Flushed from Willow woodland and later from Alder woodland. - Chris Swan
7th January
Stortford Hall Park - WAXWINGS 9 Hanging around in the trees opposite number 210, between and behind flats. occasionally coming down to feed on berries in the front garden of number 156 - Graeme J Smith [I think it was Jono F that put the news out]
6th January
Rushy Mead - 20+ Siskins in the Alders viewed from watchpoint. Plus fly-over Kingfisher & a passing Kestrel. Snipe sp. flushed near Roly Croke bridge. Tony Moverley
5th January
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost (15:00-16:30), with Jono from about 15:30 - 1 Cormorant (S), 6 Mallard (all flushed from River), 1F Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 2 Common Snipe, 2 BH Gull (S), 1 Stock Dove, 490 Wood Pigeon (into Fox Earth Wood), 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Meadow Pipit (in), 2 Fieldfare (1N, 1W), 5 Long-tailed Tit, 54 Greenfinch (pre-roosting in trees to north of site), 8 Siskin (E), 7 Reed Bunting (in) - Chris Dee
4th January
Upwick - Farnham road - Common Buzzard, also Lapwing, Fieldfare, Golden Plover 30, Common Gull - Mick East
Hatfield Forest - BEWICK SWAN 2 One was a ringed bird and all numbers were noted, they flew NORTH at 1045 towards SAL(?), Shoveler 9 still, Shelduck 1, Mallard 218, Teal 2, Great Crested Grebe 1(only?), Canada Goose 4 still, Tawny Owl still showing well at roost, Treecreeper 7, Nuthatch 4, Marsh Tit 3 (one along flitch way and two at Starthill), Bullfinch 13+, Water Rail 1 - Graeme J Smith
River Stort in town centre - a dozen or so Siskin in one of the remaining Alders on the Essex bank. With Blue Tits. David Arch
Around Whittington Way - Chaffinch, Goldfinch, 8 or 9 Greenfinch, 2 Bullfinch, Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow, Wren. No sign of larger finch reported late morning. No further report to 9th January. David Arch
3rd January
SAL (10:00-10:40)- 1 Little Grebe (inlet stream), 2 Mute Swan, 11 Teal, 1F Tufted Duck, 24 Coot, 1 Water Rail, 11 Lapwing (N), 2 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 1M Pied Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Goldcrest, 7 Goldfinch
Hatfield Forest - 20 Redwing, 1 Marsh Tit SINGING! (I cannot remember my last singing Marsh Tit and it certainly wasn't in January), 15-20 Bullfinch (this IS allowing for duplication!) - Mike Harris
Hatfield Forest Lake - 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 LITTLE EGRET (flew off NW), 1m Shelduck, 25 Teal, 240 Mallard, 6 (3m) Shoveler, 1 Marsh Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Siskin, 6 Bullfinch - Stephen Patmore
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost (15:15-16:40) - With Andrew and Mark Sapsford. - 8 Cormorant (1juv + ads N, 2x2 + 1Ad S), 10 Mallard (5N, 2S and 3 onto River), 4 Sparrowhawk (2F east into Spill Timbers Wood, 1AdM harrasing Long tailed Tits at the roost, 1 ImmM S), 1 Water Rail (calling at dusk), 1 Common Snipe, 3 BH Gull (S), 2 Common Gull (S), 1 Ad LBB Gull (S), 5 Stock Dove (in to Fox Earth Wood), 680 Wood Pigeon (in to Fox Earth Wood), 1M Tawny Owl (calling from Fox Earth Wood), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 G S Woodpecker, 21 Meadow Pipit (in), 1 Song Thrush (in), 3 Mistle Thrush (field opp Valet homes), 10 Fieldfare (1N, 7W, 2 in), 22 Jackdaw (2N, 16S, 4 in to Fox Earth Wood), 1 Starling (N), 1 Chaffinch (N), 6 Goldfinch (N), 16 Greenfinch (NE), 1M Bullfinch (W), 33 Reed Bunting (in)
"Fox Earth Wood" is what I have been mistakenly calling "Kecksy's Bridge Wood" in my past reports. Mike Harris
Upwick - Farnham road - Common Buzzard in normal field, also Lapwing, Filedfare - Mick East
2nd January
Trims Green - Golden Plover 162 near Tharbies, Wood Pigeon c1000, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch - mixed flock of 50 of these two, Stock Dove 2, Common Gull c20 throughout - John Slee
Hatfield Forest (0930-1130)- 2 GC Grebe, 4 Canada Goose, 194 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Coot (only?), c. 20 Moorhen, 17 BH Gull (many more overhead), 2 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 3 GS Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush, 15 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Coal Tit, c.20 L T Tit (3 parties), 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper
10 Fallow Deer - Mike Harris
1st January 09
Birchanger wood - Long Tailed Tits,single Fieldfare, one Greater Spotted Woodpecker,two Nuthatches calling, Goldcrests, single Treecreeper,Chaffinch and Jay and a suprisingly large number of Blue Tits, all viewed except for the Fieldfare from the entrance next to the water tower. - Mike Franklin
31st December
Hatfield Forest - Tawny Owl in hawthorn woods on North-West edge of lake, today joined by second bird, giving close views/photos - Peter Herring
Gilston Park - 2 Common Buzzard
Baker's End/ Nimmey Wood - 3 Common Buzzard - Mike Harris
30th December
The Orchards, Sawbridgeworth. - 170 Fieldfare, 30 Blackbird, 15 Starling, 20 Magpie, 20 Chaffinch - Mike Harris
Upwick - Farnham road - Common Buzzard in normal field - Mick East
St Michael's Mead Lake - Water Rail 9am in mud with blackbird, robin & greenfinch. Common gull with BH gulls on frozen lake - Keith Watts
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost - Woodpigeon c250 - rough count,Redwing 3N, Greenfinch 5SW, 9 NE, Cormorant 2 (1 ad with a missing primary on right wing, 1 juv N), Kestrel 1, Magpie 2N, Bullfinch 2 calling, Corvids 173S - mainly Jackdaws I think, Starling 5W, Snipe 3E high, Green Woodpecker 2, Yellowhammer 5E, Mallard 4N, Reed Bunting 14 (first at 3:56), Meadow Pipit 12, Lapwing 35 NW, Water Rail 2 heard (first at 4pm), Blackbird - some in the roost calling, Fieldfare 6 in, Carrion Crow 5 in - John Slee
29th December
Albury north - Barn Owl on sign just before zig-zag - Mick East
28th December
Hatfield Forest highlights - Tufted Duck 15+, Gadwall 19, Teal 36, Canada Goose 29, GCGrebe 1, Bullfinch 9, Fieldfare 3, Marsh Tit 4 (2 at starthill and 2 at Takely end of forest), Redwing 35+, TAWNY OWL allowing close views on north-west side of lake plus photos, Jay 8, Green Woodpecker 4, Nuthatch 3, Coal Tit 9+, Song and Mistle Thrush both singing
Honeysuckle Close, Bishop's Stortford - Blackcap on tenth day in my garden tho no sign of female today - Graeme J Smith
27th December
Rushy Mead: Common Buzzard over; 7 Lapwing over; Woodcock (flushed from north bank of Stort into Rushy Mead); at least 52 Siskin; 1 male Kestrel; 1 Kingfisher (Scrape looking excellent - frozen, but could be good for attracting Snipe etc). Thorley Wash: 9 Little Grebe; Cormorant; Grey Heron; I Common Snipe; 1 Kingfisher; second male Kestrel. Sparrowhawk over Thorley Hill. Dave Sampson
Storford Park Farm (east) - Bullfinch 14 minimum, a remarkable increase on the usual 2-4 birds I usually see here - Graeme J Smith
26th December
SAL (10:50-11-25) - 1 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 1F Tufted Duck, 25 Coot, 1AdM Sparrowhawk (Beautiful specimen with slate grey mantle and orange chest), 14 BH Gull, 3 Imm Herring Gull (S), 31 Lapwing overhead, landed in nearby fields. 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Bullfinch (very vocal atm)
Birchanger Wood (11:35)
1 Common Buzzard soaring over the A120 at TL504225. - Mike Harris
Rushy Mead: Siskin 30+ in Alders, L.T.Tit 10.
River Stort south of Pig Lane: Little Grebe 5 at Thorley Wash. - Chris Swan
25th December
Honeysuckle Close, Bishops Stortford - Our resident male Blackcap seems to have attracted a female in the night - Graeme J Smith
24th December
Stortford Park Farm (main entrance and house grounds) - Little Owl giving decent daylight views 1515-1540 just inside main entrance to grounds from bypass
Honeysuckle Close (in my garden) - Song Thrush and male Blackcap still, tho no sign of Mistle Thrush for a few days - Graeme J Smith
Wall Wood, Hatfield forest - Long-tailed tit c10, Marsh tit 2, Goldcrest c3, Treecreeper 1, also 1 Great-Spotted Woodpecker, and Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blackbird calling the wood. - John Slee
SAL - 1 LITTLE EGRET - on the wader pool, then subsequently in the field by Pinkney's on the old A120, 1 Water Rail
Tednambury Marsh roost,(13:45-16:20) - 7 Little Grebes, 3 Cormorants (2N, 1S), 3 Grey Herons (2N, 1 in), 52 Canada Geese (NW), 4 Mallard, 1f Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 5+ Water Rails, 115 Black-headed Gulls (SW), 3 Common Gulls (SW), 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (SW), 10 Stock Doves, c.600 Woodpigeons (in), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 23 Meadow Pipits (16 in, 7S), 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtails (N), 98 Fieldfares (in), 1 Mistle Thrush (NE), 1 CETTI'S WARBLER (calling frequently), 3 Goldcrests, 1 Treecreeper, 133 Magpies (in), 4+ Jays, 61 Jackdaws (S/SW), 9 Rooks (S/SW), 1 Chaffinch (S), 4 Greenfinches (3S, 1W), 5 Goldfinches (S), 3 Siskins, 3 redpoll sp (E), 4 Bullfinches, 34 Yellowhammers (25in, 9S), 5 Reed Buntings (in) - Stephen Patmore
Sawbridgeworth Marsh (14:45-16:30) - 2 Cormorant (1 juv N, 1 S), 1 Grey Heron (N), 52 Canada Goose (N - same as Stephen's birds!), 5 Mallard (S), 1 Imm Sparrowhawk, 2 Pheasant (in), 3 Water Rail, 1 Common Snipe, 19 BH Gull (S), 1Ad LBB Gull (S), 22 Feral Dove (continually circling, from Kecksy's?), 3 Stock Dove, 1045 Wood Pigeon (in), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit (N), 3 Thrush (spp. prob Redwings, but came in late, singly and did not call), 1 Fieldfare (W), 2 Magpie (in - absconders from Tednambury!), 2 Jay, 16 Jackdaw (S), 1 Rook (S), 2 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch (N), 13 Greenfinch (NE), 2 Siskin (N), 2 Bullfinch, 33 Reed Bunting (in) - Mike Harris
22nd December
Bishops Stortford -
Stortford Park/Grange Paddocks - 1 Kingfisher, 5+ Siskin in alders amongst goldfinch, Sparrowhawk 1 male, Jay 2, Goldcrest 6 thru trees beside paddling pool
River Stort (in the middle of new town development) - Canada Goose 4 on the water
Railway Station Carpark - Berries 0, Waxwing 0
Cemetery in Cemetery Rd: Coal Tit 4 (+), Goldcrest 10+, Chaffinch 22
The Green Belt - Chaffinch most numerous of finches today with over 40 along this stretch, Greenfinch 15, goldfinch 13, 2 Mistle and 3 Songthrush all singing with starlings and Tits unavoidable
Northern Country Park (stockman field) - Great Spotted Woodpecker (in the long line of trees running North-South on the east side of Stockman Field is a first for me here), grounded male Green Woodpecker, One singing Redwing!
Honeysuckle Close (my garden) - Blackcap male still present (3rd day), Dunnock, Robin, Songthrush, Wren, Blackbird 4(5) constantly bickering birds but no Sparrows yet, single Redwing down to grass on Oriole Way - Graeme J Smith
21st December
Honeysuckle Close - male Blackcap still - Graeme J Smith
SAL (0840-0910) - 1 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 9 Mallard, 1F Tufted Duck, 25 Coot, 20 BH Gull (S), 3 Green Woodpecker, 1M Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwing, 1 Jay, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Chaffinch.
There was a Black Rabbit on the verge outside The Oaks, between Sawbridgeworth Station and the M11 bridge at 08:30. - Mike Harris
20th December
Honeysuckle Close - Blackcap male in my garden at 1235 - Graeme J Smith
19th December
River Stort - 3 Siskin feeding on alders with several Goldfinch at Roly Croke bridge. 1 Bullfinch by Southmill lock. Tony Moverley
Spellbrook - Common Buzzard sitting in a bush at the back of the field opposite the Suzuki dealers at 10:30 - Mike Harris
Upwick - Farnham road - Common Buzzard in normal field pulling up worms - Mick East
18th December
Stortford Park Farm (east) - Black-headed Gull 7 South, Common Gull 33 South, Goldfinch 8, Starling 100+ (5, 53, 25+, 17), Greenfinch 7, Blackbird 16+, Blue Tit 5, Magpie 4, Carrion Crow 3, Rook 16, Green Woodpecker 3, Woodpigeon 115, Fieldfare 14, Bullfinch 2, Redwing 22, Song Thrush 2, Mistle Thrush 2, Jackdaw 2, Wren 2, Moorhen 2, Dunnock 3, Jay 2, Great Tit 2, Pied Wagtail 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Pheasant 1, Chaffinch 5, Robin 5(+) Five species of thrush on the lawns but very few finches
Stortford Park Farm (west) - Common Gull 8 south, Yellowhammer 3, Kestrel 1 hunting male, Common Buzzard 1 Vs. Crow over Stocking Wd later perching in tallest tree in East Wd, Jackdaw 3, plenty Rook and Woodpigeon but no Skylark, Meadow Pipit or Linnet - Graeme J Smith
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Southern End 13:45-14:45 and the Roost 14:45- 16:20 - 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 29 Canada Goose (S), 2 Mallard (S), 1 Common Buzzard (W - not the small dark morph), 2 Sparrowhawk (AdF, Imm M), 2 Kestrel (AdM,F), 5 Pheasant (in, 1M,4F), 652 BH Gull (SSW), 80 Common Gull (SSW), 4 Herring Gull (SSW), 62 LBB Gull (SSW), 2 GBB Gull (SSW, both full adults flying together, appeared to be a pair based on sexual dimorphism), 4 Stock Dove (single tight flock), 450 Wood Pigeon (in), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 15 Redwing (14 in, 1SW), 13 Fieldfare (in), 2 Goldcrest, Blue Tit entering nest box!, Long T Tit (H), 1 Jay, 58 Jackdaw (S), c.30 Rook feeding in field north of marsh, 1 Starling (SW), 5 Greenfinch (1W, 4H), 2 Siskin, 4 Bullfinch, 19 Reed Bunting (in) - Mike Harris
17th December
St Michael's Mead Lake, Southern CP - selected - Water Rail, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Black-headed Gull, Grey Wagtail
Furneux Pelham - selected - Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Fieldfare, Green Woodpecker, no sign of Great Grey Shrike TL42I
Albury - selected - Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail, House Sparrow, no sign of Tree Sparrow TL42H
Little Hadham - Barn Owl at Bridgefoot again - see 12.12 David Arch and Tony Moverley
16th December
Upwick - Farnham road - 2 x Common Buzzard in normal field - Mick East
15th December
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost - 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard , 2 Pheasant, 1 Water Rail, 1 WOODCOCK (initially flushed from wet patch under trees at south end , of main marsh area, then twice in light at dusk), 614 Wood Pigeon (in), Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit (over), 2 Fieldfare (in), 39 Jackdaw (S), 5 Reed Bunting (in), 1 Yellowhammer (over) - Chris Dee
14th December
SAL (08:50-09:45) - 2 Mute Swan, 18 Mallard, 21 Teal, 1F Pochard, 1F Tufted Duck, 25 Coot, 1 WOODCOCK (came out of plantation at top of hill as I arrived), 3 Common Snipe, c.20 Lapwing (flew W), c.50 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull (SW), 3 Stock Dove, 1 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare - Mike Harris
Upwick - Farnham road - Common Buzzard in normal field - Mick East
St. Michael's Mead Lake - Tufted Duck (1 male) : on lake. Water Rail (1) : squealing from somewhere in the Typha bed. Grey Wagtail (1) : flew out from sluice. - Chris Swan
12th December
Dane Park, B/S - Goldcrest (2) Feeding in ornamental cherry tree, right next to pavement. - Chris Swan
Much Hadham - selected. Great spotted Woodpecker 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1, Jay, Barn Owl, Common Buzzard, David Arch
10th December
Stansted Airport Lagoons - selected. 2 Bullfinch, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Common Snipe, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Teal,1 Tufted Duck (fem), David Arch
Hatfield Forest - selected. Marsh Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, 24 Gadwall, 38 Black-headed Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, Little Owl, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, David Arch
9th December -
Hatfield Forest - selected. Marsh Tit, Song Thrush in Tree Reserve, Nuthatch, Squeaking ice, 4 Fallow Deer, 1 Great Crested Grebe, David Arch
7th December
Farnham West - Juv Merlin from Essex into Herts - Mick East
Trims Green (10:00-11:00) - 270 Golden Plover, 1000+ Wood Pigeon, 40 Fieldfare, 10 Yellowhammer
1 Brown Hare - Mike Harris
Sawbridgeworth - Goldcrest - Kevin Hanrahan
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost (15:10-16:40) - 4 Cormorant (S), 1 Grey Heron, 40 Canada Geese (in field East of road near the Station, one bird with Red Darvic), 4 Mallard (S), 2 Kestrel, 2FF Pheasant (in), 2 Water Rail, , 1 WOODCOCK (in to feed), 129 BH Gull (S), 44 Common Gull (S), 1 Stock Dove, 145 Wood Pigeon (in, 105, 20, 20), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 1 LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (flew into central Alders from Wood across river), 3 Meadow Pipit (in), 10 Redwing (3E, 2S, 5 in), 1 Mistle Thrush, 23 Fieldfare (7N, 4NE, 3S, 7W, 2 in), 114 Jackdaw (S), 61 Rook (S), 8 Chaffinch (3N, 4S,1E), 6 Bullfinch (4S, 1E, 1W), 43 Reed Bunting (in), 2 Yellowhammer (NE) - Mike Harris & John Slee.
6th December
St Michaels Mead pond aka the lake at Southern Country Park - From the North side railings: - Water Rail 2, Siskin at least 1 amongst Goldfinches, JACK SNIPE 3, Tufted Duck - Resident drake joined by second, Sparrowhawk - Fem hunting over - Graeme J Smith
5th December
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost (15:20-16:10)- 1 juv Cormorant (S), 1 Common Buzzard (W at dusk, the small D/ph bird), 4 Pheasant (in), 1 WOODCOCK (flushed from the area of recently cut juncus in the old horse paddock, between the Reedbed and the road), 177 BH Gull (S), 12 Common Gull (S), 1Ad LBB Gull (S), 90 Wood Pigeon (roost in Kecksy's Bridge Wood - very poor count), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit (heard only), 8 Redwing (1W, 7 in), 1 Fieldfare (W), 70 Jackdaw (S), 2 Starling (W), 1 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch (SW), 22 Reed Bunting (in). - Mike Harris
Tednambury Marsh roost,(14:45-16:10) - 5 Cormorant (SW), 2 Grey Herons (singles N), 2m Sparrowhawks, 1m Kestrel, 1 Pheasant (in), 3+ Water Rails, 322 Black-headed Gulls (SW), 71 Common Gulls (SW), 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (SW), 1 Herring Gull, 11 Stock Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Meadow Pipits (in), 7 Fieldfare (W), 1 Redwing (W), 44 Magpies (in), 2 Jays, 18 Jackdaws (SW), 12 Greenfinch (10S, 2 in), 1 Goldfinch (N), 1 Siskin, 17 Yellowhammers (in), 3 Reed Buntings (in) - Stephen Patmore
a couple of mornings this week (7:20 ish)about 20 Pied Wagtails roosting in the reeds at the bridge where the Stort goes under the Hatfield Heath road. - John Slee
1st December
Albury Lodge - Barn Owl, sitting on road sign to 'Upwick' - Mick East
