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7th May
An early start at Thorley Wash failed to produce anything more exciting than a pair of Common Terns .......... and once again no Groppers!! Same at Tednambury. I was out in the field so to speak for 6 hours but had very little to show for it. And I'm STILL without a Yellow Wag so far this year!! Dave Sampson
5th May
Thorley Wash - A garden Warbler; a Blackcap; several C.Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers;several Chiffs and a couple of Wiilow Warblers; a Cuckoo; a Kestrel; a Water Rail screamed; a pair of Linnets (surprisingly uncommon here); several Reed Buntings. Butterflies represented by several Orange Tips; a few Green-veined Whites and Small White; a Holly Blue (my first for the year); and a Peacock or two. - Dave Sampson
Sawbridgeworth church tower - 8 swifts screaming around tower last night about 8.30pm - Jono Forgham
SLRS - Sedge Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, Blackcap, and over in the fields by Pishiobury Park/Bonks Hill a Lesser Whitethroat singing from the top of a hawthorn bush, a Garden Warbler in the next hedgerow, and Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing loudly. Otherwise a Greylag with 4 Canada Goose, 3 Gadwall, Swifts, and a Skylark.- John Slee
Debden Park Lake - 1 Little Egret (flew off W at 05:15am)
Coploe Hill - 1m Marsh Harrier (lingering mid-morning), 11+ Common Buzzards, 3+ Hobby, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (N), 55 Swallows (N), 4 Yellow Wagtails
Chrishall Grange area - 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1m Reed Warbler
Howe Wood, Strethall - 2 Hobby
Newport - 1 Hobby (N) - Stephen Patmore
Thorley Wash, spellbrook (north): - • kestrel 2 (M+F both hunting seperately), Great black backed gull 3 - over north, cuckoo 1 - male on east side of river, swallow 4 - checking out the buildings west (across the road) from the wash, sedge warbler 9 (1 north edge of wallbury, 3 south wash, 3 north wash + 2 more just south of wallbury), whitethroat 12 - minimum. seemingly everwhere! garden warbler 2 (1 singing 50 yards south-east of the railway foot-crossing and another 30 yards south from wallbury footbridge on the herts side) blackcap 6 (5 males, 1 female), chiffchaff 4(5), willow warbler 4, treecreeper 2 - essex side of river, north of Wallbury, linnet 2 - flew out from the trees at the foot-crossing and put down on the grass c.60 yards south-west. - Graeme J Smith
4th May
Bishop's Stortford - Ring-necked Parakeet in my garden for about 30 seconds this evening (approx 6.30 pm; seemed fairly flighty. - Dave Sampson
Thorley - common buzzard 1 - soaring over - Graeme J Smith
Grass marsh opposite SLRS scrape - Whitethroats erupting all over - Kevin Hanrahan
3rd May
Bishop’s Stortford - Three Swifts seen over my house this morning - Tony Moverley
Patmore Heath - House Martins checking Nest sites, Swift 2, Cuckoo - Mick East
Hatfield Forest - Marsh Harrier 1 2nd year male flying north - Jan Hein van Steenis
Trimms green - Grey partridge 1, Yellow Wagtail 7 (6 at morris farm, 1 tharbies), meadow pipit 3, stockdove 7 - east, lesser whitethroat - singing at tharbies - Graeme J Smith
2nd May
north of Much Hadham - Sparrowhawk, Lesser Black-backs (5), 2 Mallard and 2 Canada Goose - all over Swallow, Whitethroat and Blackcaps galore, Cuckoo, GSW, Yellowhammer and a galore number of Dunnock and Skylark all round. 2 Muntjac, Rabbit, Hare - David Arch
Thorley Wash - Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Cuckoo, GSW, Green woodpecker, Kingfisher, Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Mallard, Long tailed Tit, Water Rail - Mick & Brenda East
1st May
Common Buzzard seen soaring over/near my house (Thorley) approx 10.30 a.m. Dave Sampson
Hadham walk (5.00 - 7.30pm) - 2 tawny owls conversing across a field little owl (on wires opposite entrance to Ash Valley G.C.), swallow 1, common whitethroat 3, chiffchaff 4, blackcap 2, RLP 2, grey heron 1 (south)- Jono Forgham
Trims Green area (tetrad TL41T) - Hobby flying south. Plus 5 Yellow Wagtails, good numbers of Yellowhammer, Linnet & Skylark noted & a pair of Little Grebe seen on Tharbies pond.- Tony Moverley
Chrishall/Coploe - 1ad f Marsh Harrier, 1imm m Hen Harrier (same 1CY bird as Tuesday), 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Meadow Pipits (late passage birds), 9 Yellow Wagtails, 1m Nightingale (singing), 2m & 4f Greenland Wheatears - Stephen Patmore
30th April
Sawbridgeworth Station - Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler singing from near the N end of the platform. With regular Blackcap and Chiffchaff - John Slee
Chrishall/Coploe - 8prs Grey Partridge, 1m Corn Buntings - Stephen Patmore
29th April
Stocking Pelham - Purring Turtle Dove; plus two Swallows prospecting around newly constructed stables. - Tony Moverley
Chrishall/Coploe - 1imm m Hen Harrier (1CY), 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1m Grasshopper Warbler (singing from a a tiny stunted hedge adjacent to a bean field!), 4m Lesser Whitethroats - Stephen Patmore
28th April
Spellbrook - 2 swift north over today (1555hrs) 10 mins before small thunderstorm. after the rain stopped (1610 hrs) c.15 swallows + c.40 house martins passed slowly over (also north)
1817 hrs at Honeysuckle close... one more swift circling directly over house. - Graeme J Smith
27th April
Coploe Hill - 1 ringtail MONTAGU'S HARRIER, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Hobby, 3 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 4m Lesser Whitethroats
Chrishall Grange - 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1f Wheatear, 4m Lesser Whitethroats, 1m Garden Warbler - Stephen Patmore
26th April
Newport - 1 RED KITE (untagged individual lingering over SW side of village c.13:40), 1f MARSH HARRIER (flew NW at 11:35am), 7 Common Buzzards, 4 Hobby (single S at 11:30am, group of 3 SW at c.12:30), 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Turtle Dove (flew N at 07:00am), 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2m Wheatears (both apparent Greenland birds), 2m Sedge Warblers, 18m Whitethroats, 21m Blackcaps, 7m Willow Warblers
Coploe Hill - 8 Greylag Geese (N), 7+ Common Buzzards, 1 Hobby (S), 15 Swallows (N), 5 House Martins, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 7 (2m+5f) Wheatears (sev. apparent Greenland birds), 2m Lesser Whitethroats, 3m Whitethroats, 4m Blackcaps
Catmere End - 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1m Lesser Whitethroat, 4m Whitethroats
Rook End SW - 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail
Debden area - 4 Common Buzzards, 3 House Martins, 2m Lesser Whitethroats, 1m Whitethroat, 7m Blackcaps, 3m Willow Warblers
Debden Park Lake - 2 Shelduck
Audley End - 1 Barnacle Goose - Stephen Patmore
Patmore Heath BBS - Mallard, Goshawk, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen 3, Cuckoo,Green Woodpecker 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 3, Skylark 4, Swallow 4 , Pied/White Wagtail 1, Song Thrush 3, Mistle Thrush 3, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 3, House Sparrow 11 - Mick East
Widford Ridge - 1 Kestrel, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallow,
F Brimstone, 3 Small White, 1 Peacock
SLRS - 1 Grey Heron, 8 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, 2 Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer
M Brimstone, M Orange Tip, 1 Peacock - Mike Harris
25th April
Spellbrook Marsh(the Wash) - GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 1 - SINGING, whitethroat 5, sedge warbler 4
Trimms Green - Corn bunting 1 - singing - Graeme J Smith
Moor Hall, B/S - 2 Grey Patridge just west of Thorley Church, together with Yellowhammer (2), Linnet (2), Reed Bunting (1) and Common Whitethroat (1). - Tony Moverley
24th April
Trimms Green - yellow wagtail 1 at 0715 hrs - Graeme J Smith
Little Hadham - Cuckoo, willow warbler called from the hawthorn - chiffchaff 2 , common whitethroat 1, green woodpecker 2, blackcap 3, peacock butterfly 1, - Jono Forgham
Mathams Wood - Common Buzzard One seen over Mathams Wood, near Moor Farm - Dave Sampson
Coploe Hill - 3 Greylag Geese (S), 1 BRENT GOOSE (flew SE at 06:25am), 1 Common Buzzard, 1m Peregrine (flew S at 06:40am), 1 Turtle Dove (S), 6 Swallows (N), 3 House Martins (N), 3 Yellow Wagtails (N), 4 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
Hatfield Forest Lake - 8ad+2juv Great Crested Grebes, 2 Greylag Geese, 1m Cuckoo, 10+ Sand Martins 30+ Swallows, 5 House Martins - Stephen Patmore
23rd April
Great Hadam golf club - Lesser whitethroat 1 singing at at 0715 - Graeme J Smith
SLRS - Male Shoveler, another brood of baby ducks, a Coot seemingly on a nest, Sedge Warbler. 2 male Blackcaps, Willow Warbler singing. - John Slee
River Stort at back of Beckingham Palace - 2 Common Terns quartering river at 10 feet and flew off toward SLRS on my approach, - Kevin Hanrahan
SAL - 2 Little Grebe, 13 Mallard, 13 Tufted Duck (only 4 females), 16 Coot, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin (N), 2 L T Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting (singing males)
1 Peacock Butterfly
SLRS - 17 Mallard (one female with brood of 5 day olds, 8 Gadwall, 1M Shoveler, 1 Canada Goose, 6 Coot, 3 Lapwing, 1 Swallow, 2 House Sparrow!, Mike Harris
22nd April
Little Hadham - Ring Ouzel, herring gull 1 north, yellowhammer 25+, linnet 7, chiffchaff 7, blackcap 9 singing males, plus 3 females, marsh tit 1, swallow 4, nuthatch 1, fieldfares 7!(late?), common whitethroat 1 (1st of the year)
Plus peacock 12+, orange tip 3, brimstone males 3, small white 2
SLRS - wigeon 2, gadwall 7, mallard ducklings now down to 3, a terrapin sitting on a tree stump just before the lock gates where the river flows to the right by the house. Red and yellow stripes on its neck. - Jono Forgham
Thorley Wash - Common Whitethroat 3;
Tednambury - Sedge Warbler 2; Common Whitethroat 1; Lesser Whitethroat 1; Little Owl (in an oak in field near Sawbridgeworth Reserve. Alas, no Cuckoos.
Little Canfield - 4 Wheatear (incl 1 m) in fields near Little Canfield Church. Dave Sampson
21st April
Bury Lodge - RED KITE flying SE towards airport at 17:10
Newport SW - 1ad Hobby, 15+ Sand Martins, 30+ Swallows, 4 House Martins, 1m BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL (feeding on filter tanks), 3m Yellow Wagtail, 2m Blackcap - Stephen Patmore
SAL - 12 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 1M Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Canada's, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 L B B Gull (E), 2 Skylark (singing), 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler,. 1 Chiffchaff 3 Yellowhammer - Mike Harris
SLRS/River Stort/Pishiobury - Whitethroat (1st of season), Sedge Warbler (" " "), Blackcap (3 singing but none sighted), Chiffchaff (several singing), Grey Heron, Kestrel (F), Wigeon (Pair have returned to SLRS) - Steve Butler
20th April
SAL (07:50-08:40) - 1 Little Grebe, 12 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 18 Coot, 2 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1Skylark, 2 GreyWagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing), 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer
1 Little Owl on Telegraph pole just south of entrance to the Forest.
SLRS (09:00-09:30) - 9 Mallard (+ brood of three ducklings - loss of ten so far), 5 Gadwall, 10 Coot, 1M Cuckoo (pristine), 2 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Magpie (chaff dump), 3 Yellowhammer
Sawbridgeworth Marsh (09:35-10:00) - 1 Water Rail, 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Reed Bunting (5 pairs)
Nazeing GP from Meadgate Lane - Sandwich Tern with the flock of Common Tern's (12) this morning. And although this site is in Essex, the circuit the Sandwich is taking around the two pits, it enters Herts as it crosses the River Lea. It did this twice in half an hour. Also Cuckoo calling here.- Mike Harris
SLRS & surround 10.15 - 11.30 - Chiffchaff 6 singing 1 silent but good obs, Wren, Robins, Great Peckers 3, Reed Bunting, Blackcap (m) good obs, Treecreeper (called by Dave), Willow Warbler (h), Grn Pecker 2, several Coot, Moorhen & Mallard on scrape also Widgeon & Gadwall, Swallows (c 10), Blue tits & Great tits all over, One of each seen at nest holes, Blackbirds all over, Woodpigeon all over, Collard doves, Jay, LINNIT (f) with nest material, good obs, Bullfinch pair over (s), LBBG 7 over, Pied wagtail, Songthrush 2, House Sparrow, Lone Cormorant in cormorant tree, Chaffinch, Green finch 2 - Kevin Hanrahan - John Slee
Whinchat at Little Canfield Tip this afternoon - in the field by the church, also three Wheatears there
Coploe Hill - 2 Common Buzzards, 16 Swallows (N), 1m Wheatear, 2m Whitethroat, 1m Lesser Whitethroat, 1m Willow Warbler, 35 Linnets - Stephen Patmore
St Michaels Mead pond - sedge warbler 1, jack snipe 1 - only giving a brief view as it flew over the 'dividers' in the middle, water rail - only heard, tufted duck - usual resident male, willow warbler 2, blackcap 1, chiffchaff 1
Oriole way - sparrowhawk. male over - Greaeme J. Smith
Westland Green 2.00 - 3.15pm - bullfinch 4 (2 pairs), skylarks 8+, yellowhammer 5, long tailed tit 4, swallow 1, mistle thrush 2 - - Jono Forgham
19th April
Little Hadham - chiffchaff 4+, blackcap 1 male, linnets 20+, yellowhammers 15+, Little owl 1 reed buntings 3+ - Jono Forgham
18th April
Moor Hall/Mathams Wood - 1 Swallow (flying East), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Linnet & 2 Yellowhammer - Tony Moverley
17th April
Coploe Hill,(06:00-07:45am) - 1 Cormorant (E),1 Grey Heron (NE), 1 Greylag Goose (N), 1 Golden Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers (grounded, then flew E), 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (NE/E), 4 Herring Gulls (NE/E), 1 Swallow (N), 15 Meadow Pipits (N/NW), 1 alba Wagtail (N), 1m TREE PIPIT (singing on ridge early morning), 1f RING OUZEL (in hedge S of viewpoint), 94 Fieldfares, 7 Redwings (N), 1m Whitethroat, 3m Blackcaps, 1m Willow Warbler, 20 Linnets - Stephen Patmore
Hollingson's Mead - 4 G C Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan (on nest), 2 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 1M Kestrel, 2 Lapwing (1 on nest), 1 L R Plover (heard), 9 L B B Gull (all adults bathing, retired to Harlow's northern Industrial estates), 1 B H Gull (1st Sum), 10 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1M Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Blackcap (all males), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 3 Chiffchaff (all singing) - Mike Harris
Spellbrook - Wallbury - Thorley church - Michaels Mead pond - Swallow 1 - just south of thorley church. feeding over fields, Yellow wagtail 3 - 100 yards north of Thorley church, treecreeper 3 - Wllbury, chiffchaff - everywhere, Willow warblers - still not as many as chiff's, Blackcap - there were 4 singing males on the wallbury edge of the river (only got 2 last week), Michaels mead pond: over an hour in wait for JS with no sightings - Greaeme J. Smith
Stort Valley - Buzzard, Buzzard flying between Kecksy's & Tednambury. GS Woodpecker, N of Spellbrook Lock. Kingfisher, S of Pig Lane. - Keith Watts
St Michaels Mead Lake - Little Grebe, Little Grebe in the reeds (0830) - no signs of snipe nor rail. Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Swallows, GS Woodpeckers - Keith Watts
16th April
Patmore Heath - Goldcrest
Patmore Heath north - Common Buzzard
Little Hormead 06:45 - Tawny Owl - Mick East
Mathams Pit - 1 Little Grebe, 4 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck (5M, 2F), 2 Coot, 4 Ad LB B Gulls, 1 Swallow
Mathams Wood - 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 G S Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff
Trims Green - 20 Stock Dove, 5 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Yellowhammer
Tharbies Farm - 1M Kestrel, 2 Swallow, - Mike Harris
Coploe Hill - 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Common Buzzards, 17 Golden Plovers, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (NE), 2ad Great Black-backed Gulls (NE), 5 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail (N), 1 Grey Wagtail, 75 Fieldfares, 1m Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 25 Linnets - Stephen Patmore
SLRS - Garganey 1m asleep at the top (N) end best viewed from the S end.Wigeon pair on the far bank. Shoveler 1m, Gadwall, Mallard, , Swallow c5, Lapwing 1
Muntjac 2 on the far side of ths scrape, then later screaming from near the allotments. - John Slee
15th April
Trimms Green 07:20 - Yellow Wagtail 1 male - Greaeme J. Smith
SLRS - 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant (S), 12 Mallard (+ brood, now down to 6) Also drake Aylesbury type and drake Cayuga type, both paired with female Mallards. Who left the farmyard gate open? 9 Gadwall, 1 GARGANEY (M), 1 Kestrel, 10 Coot, 2 Lapwing, 1 WHIMBREL (N calling at 18:00),1 Ad Herring Gull (SSW), 1 Ad L B B Gull (NE), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 G S Woodpecker, 3 Sand Martin 15 Swallow (minimum count, birds continually passing through, could probably double this figure), 1 House Martin, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chiffchaff - Mike Harris & Stephen Patmore
SAL - 1ad Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shelduck, 3 (2m) Tufted Ducks, 1ad Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits (flew NE @ 17:25pm), 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Bullfinch - Stephen Patmore
Little Hormead 19:20 - Tawny Owl
Pheasant Hall - Barn Owl 22:50 - Mick East
14th April
Little Hormead 06:40 - Tawny Owl
Furneux Pelham W 06:30 - Barn Owl
Flint Cross South 22:20 - Barn Owl
Barley North 22:33 - Barn Owl
Barkway North 22:38 - Barn Owl
Barkway South 22:42 - Barn Owl
Hare Street North 22:52 - Barn Owl - Mick East
GT.Plantings Wood and Little Plantings Wood - Common Buzzard A Buzzard was seen soaring over Gt.Planting Wood (along the A120 towards Little Hadham); a few hours later another sighting (presumably the same individual)at adjoining Little Planting Wood. - Dave Sampson
13th April
SAL (08:15-09:15) - 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Mallard, 4 Tufted (1F,3M), 18 Coot, 1 Common Snipe, 4 B H Gull, 2 Skylark, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Willow Warbler (all singing males), 4 Chiffchaff (ditto), 3 Jay ,6 Reed Bunting (3 pairs), 1 Yellowhammer
SLRS (09:25-10:00) - 6 Mallard (+ brood of ducklings), 9 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon (pair), 1 GARGANEY (M), 8 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 4 Ad L B B Gulls (N), 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 G S Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler (singing), - Mike Harris
Coploe Hill,(09:20-11:30am) - 1 Red Kite (circling N of Hill at c.10:30am before gaining height and moving NE), c.17 Common Buzzards, 5 Black-headed Gulls (W), 1ad Herring Gull (S), 3ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls (NE), 2 Sand Martins (N), 74 Meadow Pipits (N/NE), 1 Yellow Wagtail (N), 3 alba Wagtails (N), 42 Fieldfares (flock on fields), 1 Redwing (E), 1m Blackcap, 16 Goldfinches (N), 1 Reed Bunting, - Stephen Patmore
12th April
Hudshill Wood - Common Buzzard
Patmore Heath North - Common Buzzard X2 - Mick East
Hatfield Forest Lake - Great Crested Grebe 8 on lake, one had stripey headed baby hitching a ride. Naff picture on thequacksoflife.blogspot.com. Swallows over lake. Willow Warblers singing - Pete Duxon
St Michaels Mead pond - Jack Snipe - Greaeme J. Smith
SLRS - Sparrowhawk 1f, 2m Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Lapwing, 2 Jay, 1 Meadow Pipit N, 2 Swallow through, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammers, 8 Gadwall on the pond. - John Slee
11th April
Little Hormead 06:45 - Tawny Owl - Mick East
10th April
St Michaels Mead Pond 16:10-16:30 - Jack Snipe 3 (2 left south)- Greaeme J. Smith
St Michaels Mead Pond - Water Rail at 09:10am but no sign of Jack Snipe. Tony Moverley
Church Lane (off Obrey Way) B/S - 5 Bullfinch feeding on blossom (3 females & 2 males). Tony Moverley
St Michaels Mead Pond 06:10 - Jack Snipe - Graeme J. Smith
Little Hormead 06:40 - Tawny Owl - Mick East
Sawbridgeworth - 2 Blackcaps in bushes in front of my house. - Kevin Hanrahan
SAL - 2 Little Grebe, 9 Mallard, 9 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 14 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, 1 L B B Gull (Distant!), 1 Stock Dove, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 1 Alba wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Long tailed Tit, 2 Linnet, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting , 2 Yellowhammer - Stephen Patmore & Mike Harris
Mathams Wood and Thorley Wash - Willow Warblers with a Corn Bunting on farm buildings at Trims Green - Dave Sampson
9th April
Amwell (AM) - 1M Shelduck (S), Pr Teal, 4 Common Buzzard, 3 L R Plover, 6 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 3 B H Gull, 1 Swallow (N), 35 Sand Martin (N) (4, 3, 2, 2, 15, 9), 2 Blackcap (MM), 1 Cetti's (M), 1 Willow Warbler (M), 3+ Chiffchaff - Mike Harris
8th April
SLRS 17:10 - 2 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 12+ Mallard (+ a brood of 13 ducklings), 14 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1M GARGANEY, 6 Coot, 3 Lapwing, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 G S Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1M Willow Warbler, 2+ Chiffchaff (2 singers and a silent bird after the singing had ceased) - Mike Harris
Patmore Heath 16:20 - Red Kite in from north and then out to the east, Goshawk in & out E, Common Buzzard, Cormarant X2.
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Wheatear, Meadow Pipit on pile.
Upwick Common - Marsh Tit X2 - Mick East
7th April
Patmore Heath - Reed Bunting M, Mistle Thrush X2 - Mick East
6th April
Coploe Hill - juvenile/1w Iceland Gull flew North amongst a light passage of Lesser Black-backed Gulls at 12:55pm - Stephen Patmore
Hatfield Forest Lake - 1 House Martin with 1 Swallow and 1 Sand Martin. Also 50 Fieldfares.
Sawbridgeworth - 1 House Martin over my house l . Whilst watching this, a male Sparrowhawk went over and plunged claws first towards the Queen's Head. - John Slee
Moorfield Spring (Herts) - Common Buzzard X2 mating.
Patmore Heath - Common Buzzard X2, Siskin 1F - Mick East
5th April
Amwell NR - common buzzard 1 (over east), water rail 1, redshank 4, sand martin c.200 - in 3 huge 'swarms' (c.90, c.60, c.50), swallow 4(+), house martin 10(+), sedge warbler 1, cetti's warbler 3, blackcap 1, chiffchaff 6, willow warbler 3 - Graeme J. Smith
Cut Throat Lane south - Common Buzzard
Patient End - Barn Swallow
Hole Spring Wood - Common Buzzard
Patmore Heath - Common Buzzard, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Siskin 1M 1F - Mick East
SLRS - Gadwall c6, Lapwing 3 - 2 on the scrape and one on the field E of Feakes Lock, LBB 3 N over allotments. Green Woodpecker 1, GSW 1, Stock Dove 3, Chiffchaff 4 singing birds at least Blackcap 1 singing male by the allotments, Sand Martin 7 over scrape on return journey, Swallow. total of 8 through, Wheatear 1m in same field as Lapwing, Reed Bunting 1m, Bullfinch pair near Feakes Lock, Wren total of 6 seen - John Slee and Kevin Hanrahan
At the Feeders were a very obliging female Siskin and a pair of Nuthatch along with the more usual fayre. 2 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff singing, Great/Blue/Coal & Long tailed Tits, 3 Treecreeper (including 2 singing birds.A pair of Blue Tits were taking nesting material in to one of the 'Bat boxes' near the Centre - that's going to be one interesting maiden flight for the Offspring! - Mike Harris
4th April
Moorfield Spring (Herts) - Common Buzzard
Stacey's Gorse (Albury South) - Common Buzzard
Patmore Heath - Common Buzzard - Mick East
Trimms green - 1 corn bunting
Spellbrook (west) - lapwing 1 north, chiffchaff 2, blackcap 1, goldcrest with nesting material
Wallbury - chiffchaff 5 (3 east side, 2 west), blackcap 2, kestrel 1, willow warbler 1, also butterflies: 1 peacock, 1 female brimstone - Graeme J. Smith
3rd April
Upwick Road (Essex end) - 5 Meadow Pipits
Foxearth Wood (A10 vets) - Common Buzzard
Patmore Heath - Common Buzzard X2 - Mick East
12 Male Chiffchaffs between Southmill Lock and Spellbrook (incl 3 at Walbury); 1 male Blackcap (Walbury); 1 Singing Skylark over the Wash; 2 Sparrowhawks (Rushy Mead and Thorley Wash). Also 3 species of butterfly - Brimstone; Small Tort; Comma. - Dave Sampson
Bishop's Stortford. Hockerill area garden. - Blackcap (M) (present since 20th March) now joined by female. Siskin (M). Peacock butterfly (1). - Ian Gray
Harlow Mill Station - Swallow, a male flying East - Mike Harris
Sawbridgeworth Marsh (17:30-19:30) - 1 Cormorant (up & down River), 1 Grey Heron, 3-5 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, c.50 Golden Plover (Over Trims Green area), 1 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 G S Woodpecker, 1 L S Woodpecker (poor view, flew into Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chiffchaff (singing, - Mike Harris, Chris Dee and Stephen Patmore.
2nd April
Upwick Road (Essex end) - 4 Meadow Pipits, 5 Jay, Bullfinch 1m also Common Buzzard over Moorfield Spring (Herts)- Mick East
SLRS - 6 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 12 Coot, 3 Lapwing (with a fourth bird displaying south of the Chaff dump field), 8 Stock Dove, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Brambling (under bushes near Chaff dump)
Pishiobury Park - Grey Heron, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Chiffchaff (5 singing and 1 silent), 2 Jay, 2 Goldfinch , 20+ Greenfinch, 1 Brambling (north end of Osiers)
Rivers/Orchards - 1 Ad Common Gull (N), 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff (2 singing and 1 silent), 14 Linnet - Mike Harris
1st April
River Stort Spellbrook north - Kingfisher, Chiffchaffs 7+ singing, Willow Warbler, Great-spotted woodpecker, Wren, Mallard, Moorhen. Large number of the old Poplars cut down and re-planted on Essex bank, may be interesting later in the year. - Mick East
31st March
Thorley Park garden - 2 Siskin - Chris Dee
Sawbo Marsh - 2 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Water Rail, a mere 4 Meadow Pipits roosted - Chris Dee
Patmore Heath - Siskin 1m 1f, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff singing - Mick East
30th March
Obrey Way, B/S - Chiffchaff heard singing - Tony Moverley
Patmore Heath - Common Buzzard X 4 2m 2f one pair displaying - Mick East
SAL(11:15-12:15) - 6 Little Grebe, 11 Mallard (5 pair + 1M), 5 Teal (2 pair + 1M), 2 Gadwall pair), 3 Tufted Duck (pair + 1M) The female was the resident injured bird. Buzzard (sp.) Probably Common, 1 Pheasant, 16 Coot (8 pairs), 2 Common Snipe, 5 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark (singing), 8 Meadow Pipit (N), 2-3 Redwing, 28 Fieldfare, 2 Long tailed Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 1-2 Greenfinch, 2-3 Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting (singing), 2 Yellowhammer
Allens Green (12:30-13:00) - 1M Kestrel, 5+ Fieldfare, 2+ Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, Several Skylark singing 1M Brimstone - Mike Harris
Coploe Hill,(09:00-12:00) - female Goshawk with a couple of Buzzards at 11:25am and slowly headed W towards Chrishall Grange and out of view. 3 Cormorants (NW), 2 Greylag Geese (E), 5 Sparrowhawks 15+ Common Buzzards (min count of birds in air at once), 6 Kestrels (inc the resident tail-less female), 2prs Grey Partridge, 600+ Golden Plovers, 6prs Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper (W calling), 6 Black-headed Gulls (W), 2 Common Gulls (NW), 68 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (NW), 6 Herring Gulls (NW), 4 Great Black-backed Gulls (NW), 125 Meadow Pipits (NW), 1 Sand Martin (S), 1m White Wagtail (W), 3 alba Wagtails (NW), 1m Wheatear, 495 Fieldfares (parties of 45, 220 & 230 - all leisurely NW), 2 Redwing (N), 1 Goldcrest, 33 Goldfinches (N), 24 Greenfinches (N), 6 Linnets (N) 13 Corn Buntings, Buzzards all over the place today - including those from Coploe, my daily total is of well over 30 birds! - Stephen Patmore
29th March
Thorley Park Road, B/S - One Siskin visiting niger seed feeder in rear garden - Tony Moverley
Allen's Green - Starlings 350+ 'doing the swarm' also 20c Fieldfare - Mick East
28th March
Mathams Wood - chiffchaff 3, buzzard 1, reed bunt 1
Micheals Mead Pond - jack snipe 2, water rail 1 (all out in the open) - Graeme J Smith
Patmore Heath - Reed Bunting male - Mick East
27th March
Patmore Heath - Siskin 1 M 1 F, Common Buzzard X 2, Sparrowhawk
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat 1 M 1 F.- Mick East
Extended walk Hadham east and north - magpie 3, jackdaw 200+, chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, blackbirds, starlings, greenfinch,long tailed tit, robin, wren (all many), LBBG 1, common buzzard 1 (over East Wood), redwing 75+ (Hoecroft Lane), Fieldfare 50+ scattered near Green Street, cormorant 1, chiffchaff 1, herring gull 1, pheasant 5+, sparrow hawk 1, grey partridge 2, house sparrow 25+ (Hadham Ford), linnet 56 on wires (between East Wod and Tescos), yellowhammer 15+, corvids (plenty), wood pigeon (numerous), dunnock 4, marsh tit 1 (calling near Green Street), skylark 11+, green wodpecker 4, GSW 1 (drumming in East Wood), LTT 12, pied wagtail 2 (Hadham Ford horse field) - Jono Forgham
25th March
Patmore Heath - Siskin 1 M
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat 3 M 1 F, Reed Bunting 2 M
Clapgate just north of Nino Wood - Common Buzzard X 2 - Mick East
Plashes Wood (A10)- Common Buzzard on post by road - Brenda East
Spellbrook (west)- treecreeper 1, coal tit 2, marsh tit 1 - Graeme J Smith
24th March
Sawbridgeworth Marsh - 1 Imm MERLIN Flew East at 17:10, 1 Cormorant (S), 2 Grey Heron (N), 1 Mute Swan (N), 12 Mallard (max 6 in air together), 1F Sparrowhawk (W), 1M Kestrel (E), 5 Pheasant (in) 2 Water Rail, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 7 B H Gull (4E, 3S), 6 Common Gull (4S, 2E), 3 Herring Gull (E), 3 L B B Gull (W), 1Ad G B B Gull (E), 2 Stock Dove, 660 Wood Pigeon (Roosted in Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 2 Green Woodpecker, 96 Meadow Pipit (in - a sharp increase - Spring passage), 24 Redwing (1N, 23S), 43 Fieldfare (13E, 30 in), 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Long tailed Tit (2 pairs), 1 Jay, 237 Jackdaw (S), 1 Starling (NE), 3 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch (W), 79 Greenfinch (NNE to roost - a sharp increase - Spring passage), 42 Reed Bunting (in), 1M Yellowhammer (singing at North end of Marsh). - Mike Harris
Folly Gorse - Common Buzzard mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat 1 Male 2 Female
Patmore Heath - Siskin 2 Male 1 Female
23rd March
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat 3 Male 2 Female
Albury (South) - Fieldfare 300+ in field south of village hall - Mick East
SLRS - BHG (c 10) coots (c 8) Mallard pairs, GSW drumming, Starlings sitting it out (c 75) 5 Yellowhammer on chaffdump, Chaffinchs, Dunnocks, Robins, Magpies, Pheasant (h) many Wood pigeon in trees all over, LTT (h) Great Tit 3, Moorhen 2, Redwing 2, Corvids about but no calls.- Kevin Hanrahan
22nd March
Hatfield Forest Lake - great crested grebe 12, tufted duck 11, gadwall 13, teal 7, canada goose c.15, bullfinch 2, great spotted woodpecker 1, green woodpecker 2, mistle thrush 2, coal tit 1, nuthatch 1, redwing c.15 - Graeme J Smith
21st March
Ash Valley to Much Hadham and then back along the river to Hadham Ford.- 300+ golden plover in bean field. LBBG 2 north,Herring gull 2 north, Black headed gull 1 north, kestrel 2 (1 female with very pale head), skylarks 4, yellowhammers 3, Green woodpecker 2, stock dove 1, pied wagtail 1. - Jono Forgham
SLRS - Gadwall 22 today plus a White-Cheeked Pintail. Treecreeper, 4 Lapwing, c30 Stock Dove over the chaff-dump field, singing Chiffchaff and still a few Fieldfares and Redwings - John Slee
18th March
Spellbrook West - Marsh Tit 1 - Graeme J Smith
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat 3 male 1 Female - Mick East
17th March
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat male - Mick East
16th March
Farnham - Upwick Road (Essex end) - Stonechat male - Mick East
15th March
SLRS - Cormorant 3 in the Cormorant tree, Mute Swan 6 juveniles/immature I various stages of greyness NE, Greylag Goose 1 over, Gadwall 9!, Teal 5, Mallard 4, Kestrel 1, Moorhen 6, Coot 4, Lapwing 4 – 2 pairs calling over the scrape, BHG 3, Common Gull 1, Stock Dove 5, Wood Pigeon c50+, Collared Dove 3, GSW 2, Pied Wagtail 1, Wren 2, Dunnock 5, Robin 4, Blackbird 7, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 5, Stonechat 1 in the scrape field, Chiffchaff 1 singing – just a few snatches of song, Blue tit 1, Great tit 2, Jay 1, Magpie 7, Jackdaw 4, Crow c5, Starling 15, House Sparrow 1, Chaffinch 4, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 7, Bullfinch 3, Reed Bunting 2m. - John Slee
Rush Green (nr. Baker's End) - 7 Common Buzzards at 13:40 today. Three obvious pairs at height and a single bird lower down. - Mike Harris
Birchanger Wood - Brambling 1 in birches with Goldfinches
South of Farnham Green - Buzzard (2), Stonechat (f) Along the road from Stortford to Upwick
Lower Sheering - Sparrowhawk 1 over the village - Jan Hein van Steenis
Patmore Heath - Siskin Male on Niger - Mick East
14th March
Thorley Park Road, B/S - 2 Siskin on niger seed feeder. - Tony Moverley
10th March
Trimms Green - golden plover c.70, fieldfare 80+ - Graeme j Smith
9th March
Little Hadham south east walk (9.30 - 11.00) - common buzzard 2, linnet 2 (new sp for 2008), green woodpecker 3, GSW drumming, skylarks several yellowhammer lots, mallards 3 pairs on River Ash, moorhens 2
south west walk (2.00 - 3.30pm) - bullfinches 3, jays 2, magpies 7, wood pigeons 500+, yellowhammers 6, green woodpeckers 4, goldfinch party of 9 - Jono Forgham
Hatfielf Forest Lake - great crested grebe 7, bullfinch 7, jay 6(7), gadwall 15+, tufted duck 10, green woodpecker 3, tawny owl 1 - in exactly the same place i've seen him before. roosting on the north-west marshy side (photo on blog later), redwing c.200 into trees from east side of forest - Graeme j Smith
Sawbridgeworth 15:30. - c50 Golden Plover circling south of West Road - Mike Harris
SLRS 9:30-10:30 - : 5 Snipe, 3 Lapwing, 4 Coot (the first for me here this year), 15 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, a GSW drumming loudly next to the river at the boat yard. - John Slee
8th March
Thorley Park Road, B/S - 1 male Reed Bunting in rear garden. Mary Moverley
Little Hadham Round of golf at Ash Valley Club:(8.30 - 1.00) - kestrel 1, skylarks 15+, green woodpecker 2, fieldfare 7, yellowhammers 5, rooks and jackdaws frequently joined me in the rough and out of bounds areas! - Jono Forgham
7th March
Little Hormead - Grey Partridge X3
Wyddial - Grey Partridge X2 - Mick East
6th March
Thorley Wash - 4 Little Grebe and 1 Stonechat - still good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing around. Tony Moverley
Sawbridgeworth Marsh Roost(16:08-17:50) - 3 Cormorant (2S, 1N), 1 Grey Heron (S), 3 Mallard (MMF), 3 Pheasant (in), 48 Golden Plover (20W, 28 circling in East), 1 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 20 B H Gull (SSW), 12 Common Gull (SSW),1 2ndW G B B Gull (SSW),15 Stock Dove (2 prs displaying, 9 and two singletons to roost), 1860 Wood Pigeon (Roosted in Kecksy's Bridge Wood),2 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 1 L S Woodpecker (Flew from Spill Timbers to Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 4 Meadow Pipit, 63 Redwing (61S, 2 in), 25 Fieldfare (in), 1 Magpie, 162 Jackdaw (S), 1 Starling (S), 1M Chaffinch, 1M Goldfinch (singing), 43 Greenfinch (22NE, 21SW!!! The NE birds were double the height of the birds moving in the opposite direction.. Confusing or what?), 34 Reed Bunting, Absolute minmum figure. Two recalcitrant male birds, one singing and the other answering with "siu" all evening, did not help in counting the in-coming birds!) - Mike Harris
5th March
Thorley Park Road, B/S - 2 Siskin (male & female) on niger seed feeder - Tony Moverley
4th March
Patmore Heath - Siskin M+F - Mick East
3rd March
Great Hyde Hall - Two Common Buzzards soaring and 70 Rooks in a ploughed field up West road - John Slee
1st March
Little Hadham - Grove Wood - grey wagtail 1 at the Ford by the Nags Head, kestrel 1, corvids 100's, sparrow hawk 1, meadow pipits 15, redwing 7, coal tit 1, yellwhammer 9, skylark 2 - Jono Forgham
