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27th September
Thorley Wash - very quiet - but 3 Sparrowhawks observed soaring together over South fields. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (indeterminate sex) seen in briefly flight near Twyford Lock end; also one Kingfisher. Whinchat(probable juv female) seen briefly at the back of St.James church by industrial buildings. Dave Sampson
25th September
Spellbrook (West) - Jay 3 two over South-East, Siskin 4, Grey Wagtail 1 South-West, Chiffchaff 1 singing, Swallow 4 South
Trims Green - Common Buzzard 2 one over South, Golden Plover c.100 landing on North airfield (1315), Lapwing 130-150 taking a while to settle on South-East Trimms Green field (1305hrs)- GraemeJSmith
24th September
Patmore Heath area - Common Buzzard, Jay 6, Mistle Thrush 22, Red-legged Partridge 3 - Mick East
23rd September
Sawbridgeworth - Hobby 1 S high over,Swallow - 3 over, Grey Wagtail - 2 over the Stort - John Slee
Farnham Road (Essex) - 7 Swallow on wires, Merlin F chasing Yellowhammer flock near pylons - Mick East
22nd September
Vantorts Estate, Sawbridgeworth - Hobby One Hobby flew low over my garden, calling and scattering all the small stuff this morning at 9am. - Steve Butler
Patmore Heath - Common Buzzard, Grey Heron, Green Woodpecker juv, Long-tailed tit x9 - Mick East
Rushy Mead and the R. Stort - Sparrowhawk 1 Female, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Both 1st year birds over East, Great Black-backed Gull 1 South, Green Woodpecker 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 4, House Martin few calling over South, Swallow 2 firstyears over North, Pied Wagtail 1 - South, REDWING 6 Calling high over South. Chiffchaff 2 - A big drop in numbers since last week along the same path, Long-tailed Tit 50++, Treecreeper 1, Jay 10 minimum... far more than I'd ever expect to see along here, SISKIN 7 South - Graeme J Smith
Hatfield Forest - Siskin c20 - a vocal, mobile flock, Goldfinch c30, Marsh Tit 2, Goldcrest 1, GSW 1, Jay - a number flying around - are they establishing winter territories?, Nuthatch 1 calling, Kestrel - John Slee
SAL - 1 Whinchat, 1m Stonechat - Colin Wills:
22nd September (08:25) - 5 Jay (NW at height)
Trims Green Area. (09:00-09:40) - 1 Cormorant (N), 1 Grey Heron, 48 Golden Plover (Allens Green airfield), c.20 LBB Gull, c. 250 BH Gull, 5 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit (S), 2 Jay (W), 3 Brown Hare
Start Hill (10:00) - 4 Swallows at nesting garage by roadworks, 2 Jay
SAL (10:05-11:25) - 15 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 18 Mallard, 2 Tufted duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 28 Coot, 15 LBB Gull, 32 BH Gull (1 in, 31 NE), 2 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher (sat in bush overhanging the lagoon, but did not dive in ten minutes), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 2 House Martin 34 Meadow Pipit (min count - feeding on newly mown lagoon banks), 2 Alba Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail (inclu singing male), 1-2 WHINCHAT, 1M STONECHAT, 1 Song Thrush (flushed from Reed bed!), 1 Willow Warbler , 9 Chiffchaff (inclu 1 singing male), 3 Phyllosc (spp.), 18 Jay (mainly W, largest party 5), 5 Chaffinch, 17 Goldfinch, 13 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting Also 1M Common Blue Butterfly,
Hatfield Forest - 1 Common Buzzard (South of main entrance)
SLRS (11:35-12:00) - 8 Mallard (N), 22 Moorhen, 3 BH Gull (W), 2 GS Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit (S), 1M Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Jay, 1 Goldfinch
Sawbridgeworth Marsh (17:20-19:10) - 3 Cormorant (1N, 2S), 1 Ad Grey Heron (S), 27 Mallard + 1 Aylesbury type (18N, 2S, 8 in to river), 1 Common Buzzard (W into Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 1 Sparrowhawk (into Spill Timbers Wood), 1 Hobby (SSW, but may have roosted in Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 2 Pheasant (MF in), 1 Water Rail (seen in flight calling and singing later at dusk), 7 BH Gull (SE), 9 LBB Gull (1Ad N, 1juv N, 7Ad S, 10juv S), 11 Stock Dove (5S, 1N, 5 in to Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 3 Green Woodpecker, 3 Meadow Pipit (NE), 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Jay, 3 Starling (NE), 3 Greenfinch (SW), 5 Bullfinch (4NE at height, 1 in), 25 Reed Bunting (in) - Mike Harris
21st September
Coploe Hill(09:00-12:00) - 2 Grey Herons (N), 45 Canada Geese (NE), 2 Barnacle Geese (NE), 11 Lapwing (S), 138 Swallows (S/SE), 12 House Martins (S), 156 Meadow Pipits (S), 2 Grey Wagtails (S), 16 alba Wagtails (S), 1 Dunnock (S), 6 Song Thrush (S), 46 Jays (NW-NE) - inc parties of 8,8,9 & 11 birds!, 7 Chaffinch (S), 8 Greenfinch (S), 5 Siskin (S), 116 Goldfinch (S), 22 Linnets (S), 1 Reed Bunting (S) Also: 1 RED KITE (untagged individual at 10:45am), 5 Sparrowhawks, 7 Common Buzzards, 2 Hobby, 5 Kestrels, 20 Black-headed Gulls, 183 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1ad Yellow-legged Gull, 25 Stock Doves, 29 Skylarks, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Bullfinch - Stephen Patmore
20th September
SAL (14:15-16:05) - 10 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 26 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby (juv SW @ 15:45), 27 Coot, 1 Ad LBB Gull (E), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 GS Woodpecker, 26 House Martin (SW), 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 WHINCHAT, 6 Phyllosc (spp.), 5 Jay, 11 Linnet, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer
3 Large White, 8 Small White, 1M Common Blue (tatty), 1 Small Copper, 1 Brown (sp.), 1 Small Heath
36 Common Blue Damselfly (inclu 2 joined pairs ovipositing), 3 Small Red-eyed Damselfly (all males), 14 Migrant Hawker, 1 Southern Hawker, 8 Common Darter - Mike Harris
18th September - Trims Green: Left house at 0515 to be at trims green before sunrise 3+ miles later (following public footpaths across fields in the dark): 0615-0705 - Grey Partridge 5 (3, 2) - I arrived at Trims a little before light (perfect) and just sat against a fence to try and take a count of passing meadow pipit. Five mins had passed and a Grey Part was calling nearby. Red-legged Partridge 4 , Grey Heron 3 , Lapwing 'some' South in darkness, Golden Plover, Meadow Pipit (0615-0645) 140+ overhead, well-spaced and passing south. Goldfinch 37 - In trees around new farm buildings, Linnet 2 - in trees, new farm building,
Hayter, Spellbrook (west):0705-0730 Hrs - Grey Partridge 1, Chiffchaff 1 - Single bird still singing in main car park , Yellow Wagtail 4 - Flew east from Hayter factory roof at 0715 hrs, Black Headed Gull 180 (exactly) North, Lesser Black-Backed Gull 6 - North, Common Gull 4 - North.
1010 Hrs Lapwing 73 - Heading South-West
1335 Hrs Grey Wagtail - single bird flying up onto hayter roof from the brook
Spellbrook Lock, Wallbury and the Wash: 13;45Hrs - Grey Wagtail 1 - Adult , Chiffchaff 3, Phyllo' Sp 1, Jay 2, Kingfisher 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1 - In an oak between the two trees that were used by Nuthatch (2006-2007), Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Blackcap - Single male
Red Admiral 3 - all really fresh Whites... Mostly Large whites today with a few unidentified Green-veined/Smalls thrown in.
Big Field South-East from Thorley Church: - Black-headed Gull c.600, Rook c.150, Starling c.100, Jackdaw c.80 Common Gull 4 - 2 juv Meadow pipit 95 - Counts of 43 and 52 grounded birds. They all took flight when kestrels passed, taking a full five mins for them all to settle. there were probably lots more? Yellow Wagtail 38 (7 on roof of Hadham Engineering, 17 put up by kestrels and another 14 following on after kestrels were out of sight)Kestrel 2 - both birds flying into church grounds seemed almost in low-level formation causing much concern from the masses of birds present House Martin 18 - South
Michaels Mead Pond (Southern Country Park): 0- Chiffchaff 3 Canada Goose 17, House Martin 8 birds still in air above colony on Milliners Way - Greame J Smith
Little Canfield Tip - 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Hobby, Little Owl.
Elsenham Hall - 6 Common Buzzards.
Coploe Hil - 2 Red Kites,1 juv Marsh Harrier, 11 Common Buzzards, buzzard sp, 3 Hobby, 246 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2ad Yellow-legged Gulls, 297 Swallows (S) - Stephen Patmore
19th September
Newport - 114 Meadow Pipits, 18 Yellow & 2 Grey Wagtails, 12 Reed Buntings (all S).
Stansted Airport Lagoons - 4 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler.
Little Canfield Tip - 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 1 Spotted Flycatcher - Stephen Patmore
18th September
Newport - Hobby, 316 Meadow Pipits (SE), 5 Yellow & 11 Grey Wagtails, White Wag, 1f Redstart, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 20 Chiffchaffs, 2 Tree Sparrows (S), 15 Siskins (S) - Stephen Patmore
17th September
Peregrine Falcon observed over my house at approx 1810 hrs causing havoc amongst the local starling population. Only silhouette views were possible (I was arriving home from work so had no bins to hand) but impression is that from its size and build it was probably a female. Dave Sampson
Trims Green and Spellbrook (4hrs10mins)- Yellow Wagtail 4 (3, 1) south, Black-headed Gull 960 (214 north, 213 west. Largest feeding flock c.150 birds, Mathams pit at one point had 237 birds IN the water with a minimum of 120 above! etc), Lesser Black-bacled Gull 67 - almost all north, Collared Dove 164 on the big dead tree on morris farm, Red-legged Partridge 10 - east across road from Morris Farm, Linnet 70-80 - favouring north side of new barn... despite attempting to clicker-count this flock on numerous occasions i couldn't get an accurate count,Sparrowhawk 1, Lapwing 59 - I was distracted by Buzzard so i've no idea if these birds left the site or not, WHINCHAT 1 - in the topsoil 'ridge' running north-east from barn along dirt track, Great Black-backed Gull 1 - adult on Mathams Pit, Grey Heron 2, Common Buzzard 1 - above Mathams wood, CROSSBILL 3 - LANDING IN TREES ABOVE THE PAINTBALLING ENTRANCE ON THE EAST SIDE OF MATHAMS WOOD. I'm not sure if these birds flew in from North OR flew in from a more northerly tree IN Mathams Wood, Meadow Pipit 60+ south with a few grounded here and there, House Martin 3 - over south, Jay 2 - making return trips with acorns, Mallard 16 - on the small pond on the left between Spellbrook and Trimms Green turning is my highest count in nearly 6 years. Mistle Thrush 1 south, Kestrel 1 usual female. - Graeme J. Smith
Sawbridgeworth - Hobby 1 hunting over central Sawbo at 3:20
Trim's Green - Common Buzzard - 1 over Matham's Wood, Sparrowhawk -1f, Grey Partridge - 1 being chased by the above, Lapwing - 3 distant in total, Red-Legged Partridge - group of 9, with a couple of young, Meadow Pipit - 4, Stock Dove - 2, Linnet - 5 - John Slee
River Stort - Common sandpiper & common buzzard, 13.30bst,Common Sandpiper flying low over the river by Thorley wash heading towards Spellbrook. About 5mins later a Common Buzzard was soaring over the wash being mobbed by two crows, it then headed off towards the Tednambury area. - John Mclaughlin
16th September
Trims Green - OSPREY - L Drummond
Braughing to Furneux Pelham road - Sparrowhawk (F) Hunting - Mick East
Trims Green - Golden Plover 34 landed in north field at 0720. Birds still on same spot at 1620 hrs. i could only find 24 but viewing difficult, Kestrels 3 (female hunting Rhino land, M+F sounding very concerned on South-East edge [1650] of Mathams Wood). Black-Headed Gulls 150+ (2 large feeding flocks), Meadow pipits c.25 (small groups throughout the day between South and West)
Hayter, Spellbrook (west)- Chiffchaff 5, Cormorant 3 Immature over N-E - Graeme J Smith
SLRS - 1 Kestrel, 5 Lapwing, 1 GS Woodpecker, 18 Jackdaw (West to roost), 2 Meadow Pipit (N), 2 Goldfinch (juvs) - Mike Harris
15th September
Stortford park Farm West (0620 - 0700hrs) Meadow Pipit 4 (3 South, 1 North), Linnet 5, Yellowhammer 5, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 (2 AD South, 1 Juv North-East)
Coploe Hill,(06:30-07:50am) - 2 Cormorant (W), , 9 Teal (S), 136 Lapwing (E), 3 Common Gull (E), 196 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (SW), 1 Great Black-backed Gull (E), 86 Swallows (S), 298 Meadow Pipits (S-SE), 1 Yellow Wagtail (S), 2 Grey Wagtail (S), 7 alba Wagails (S), 2 Blackbird (S), 2 Song Thrush (S), 12 Mistle Thrush (S), 1 Jay (S), 5 Magpie (W at height in tight flock), 38 Chaffinch (S), 4 Greenfinch (S), 6 Goldfinch (S), 2 Siskin (S), 1 Redpoll sp (S), 29 Linnet (S), 1 Yellowhammer (S)
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl , 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, - Stephen Patmore
Trims Green - (a few quick looks between 0710-1630hrs) - Lesser Black-backed Gull 10 (7 Ad, 3J), Stockdove 26(20 on borage field at 1630), OSPREY seen briefly hovering over pit shortly after 10 am (same one?), tried to get higher ground to see if anything had been caught, by which time bird has vanished. Common Buzzard 2 south-west over Mathams Wood at 1320, Kestrel 2 (male blounts, female at morris/rhino entrance still a permenant fixture)- Graeme J Smith
Trims Green - Yellow Wagtail 1, Lapwing 3, Skylark 4, Kestrel 3, Peregrine over at 4:45pm, and one male Sparrowhawk - John Slee
SLRS - 1 Cormorant, 3 Teal, 19 Moorhen, 1 Dead BHG on scrape, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallow (S), 75 Starling - Mike Harris
dark-phase HONEY BUZZARD flew SW over Long Border Road at 16:45. It was heading low SW and was dropping towards Hatfield Forest, so very possibly may have been looking for a roost site. - Stephen Patmore
14th September
Patmore Heath - 2 Common Buzzard 1 light phase with its Sparrowhawk friend, Large numbes of House Martin. - Mick East
Coploe Hill area (06:30-12:00 - with Mike Harris & 13:20-16:20) - Visible Movement - 17 Cormorant (E), 1 Grey Heron (W), 20 Canada Geese (E), 4 Sparrowhawk (3S, 1E), 1 Buzzard Sp (S), 19 Common Buzzards (S), 1 OSPREY (SW at 10:10), 1juv RED-FOOTED FALCON (NE at 10:15), 11 Hobby (S), 3 PEREGRINES (E @ 08:41 - MH only, S @ 13:35 & E @ 14:55), 8 Golden Plover (S), 1 wader sp (S), 1 Common Gull (E), 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (W), 4 Skylark (S), 523 Swallows (S), 77 House Martins (S), 350 Meadow Pipits (S), 17 Yellow Wagtails (S/SE), 6 Grey Wagtails (S/W), 8 alba Wagtails (S), 22 Mistle Thrush (E), 6 Jays (1S, 5W), 1 TREE SPARROW (S), 33 Chaffinch (S), 6 Greenfinch (S), 28 Goldfinch (S), 2 Siskin (S), 30 Linnet (S), 1 CROSSBILL (S)
7 (1m) WIGEON (flew into farm reservoir), c.4 Sparrowhawk (lingering), c.10 Common Buzzards (lingering), 6 Kestrel, 4 Grey Partridge, 185 Lapwings, c.1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (single flock of 800 in one field early pm!), 2ad YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS (with LBBG flock), 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff, 200+ Starlings, 100+ Jackdaws, 200+ Rooks
Catmere End - 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs
Newport - 7 Common Buzzards (2S at 12pm, 5 roosted in wood S of village this pm), 1imm Sparrowhawk 5 Lapwing (N), 40 House Martins, 45 Meadow Pipits, 2 WHINCHATS, 5 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests
Audley End - 1 Hobby - Stephen Patmore
Audley End - 1 Osprey fishing at lake approx 15.00 - also 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestral - Mark Pegrum
13th September
Trims Green - 1 OSPREY @ 15:03.
SAL (15:30-16:30)- 12 Little Grebe, 20 Mallard, 1 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 COMMON BUZZARD (1Dph, 1 Lph), 31 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 LBB Gull, 7 BH Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 1 AdM Yellow Watail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 24 Meadow Pipit (W), 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Phyllosc (sp.), 450+ Rooks/Jacks over fields distantly, 17 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting
1 Large White, 7 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoishell, 1F Common Blue
6+ Migrant Hawker, 2+ Common Darter
SLRS (16:50-17:10) - 1 Cormorant, 3 COMMON BUZZARD (1 flew N, and two sky-dancing in same scope view North of Sawbridgeworth), 1 Lapwing, 1 LBB Gull (juv), 2 BH Gull, 1M Pheasant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 TREE PIPIT (came in and landed on the large Oak, south of the layby. Great scope views, what a well behaved bird!), 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Jackdaw, 2 Jay, 3 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch - Mike & Anita Harris
12th September
Trims Green (0630-0700) - Meadow Pipit 20(3, 14, 3)all south
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Cormorant 1 Imm. over SW, Bullfinch 3, Swallow 3 south, Chiffchaff 4, Red-legged Partridge 3, MARSH HARRIER sub ad male - plumage as female except light primary window contrasting with dark wingtips, pale tail. Sat in field immediately north-west of hayter land. flew west at 1010hrs, House Martin 12 south
Trims Green (1340-1400) - MARSH HARRIER Relocated at 1340 over south-east trims green field TL 474 170. This bird was looking for a meal and headed north-west toward Rhino Fisheries land. We drove along to the next viewing point (morris farm/rhino fisheries entrance TL 469 174) and waited a few mins before we saw bird to the north-east. Last seen putting down in field at 1355 hrs somewhere around TL 475 175 also: Yellow Wagtail 2 (morris frm), Red-legged Partridge 5 (Blounts Frm), Meadow pipit 6 grounded with yellow wags, Kestrel 1, Sparrowhawk 1 female over north-east - GJS
11th September
Stort Park Farm (west)0630-0700: Dunnock 6, Wren 3, Linnet 4, Yellowhammer 2, Swallow 3 south, woodpigeon 321(151 south, 56 south-west, 63 Local, Etc.), Stockdove 7 (5 south, 2 west), Rook 17, Meadow Pipit 3 south, Jay 1, Greenfinch 5, Goldfinch 6, Pied Wagtail 1 south, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Magpie 4, Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 (1N, 1S), Blue Tit 4
Trims Green - stockdove 26 (20, 6), Collared Dove number up to 129 around cottages
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Swallow 3 south, Lapwing 28 south-east (1300hrs), Chiffchaff 3 (2 singing), Kestrel - female twice seen hunting in field to north, Stockdove 1 south - GraemeJSmith
Trim's Green past Tharbies - Wheatear 3 poss 4, Yellow Wagtail min 20 poss lots more, Meadow Pipit min 20, BHG c200, LBB Gull, Kestrel 1f.
Later c70 Collared Dove on wires to the N of the field, 5 Red-Legged Partridge near Morris Farm, 1 Wheatear on the metal fence by Blounts Farm, 1 Hobby over Mathams Wood - John Slee
SLRS - 1 Cormorant (Corm tree), 21 Moorhen, 14 BH Gull (S), 1 Stock Dove , 1 GS Woodpecker, 10 Swallow - Mike Harris
Newport AM - five Siskins south, Later, a group of c.15 Dunlin over Long Border Road at 11:30am - Stephen Patmore
10th September
Trims Green area - 2 juv/fem Wheatear (on fence south of road opposite entrance to Paintball/Mathams Wood); 2 Yellow Wag; 7 Red-legged Partridge; 10+ Grey Partridge; only a trickle of Swallow migration. Painted Lady Butterfly - Moor Hall Farm (only my second sighting this year - anywhere!!) Dave Sampson
Sawbridgeworth Station - Ring-Necked Parakeet 07:30 - John Slee
Sawbridgeworth Marsh 18:20-19:45 - 1 Cormorant (S), 1 Ad Grey Heron (S), 12 Mallard (1N, 6 into river, 2S, 3S), 1 Teal (S), 1 AdF Sparrowhawk (Finishing tail moult, flew into Spill Timbers Wood), 1 Kestrel, 2 Hobby (hunting insects at north end of Kecksy's Bridge Woods for about ten minutes, one appeared to roost there and the other, a fine adult, came low across the Marsh, and left to the SE), 1 Water Rail (Calling as dark fell, 1 BH Gull (SSW), 2 LBB Gulls (both Ads, WSW) 6 Stock Dove (around North end of Marsh), 50 Wood Pigeon, 3 Green Woodpecker, 7 Swallow (S), 5 Hirundine (spp.), 2 Phyllosc (spp.), 2 Long tailed Tit, 3 Magpie, 2 Jay (taking Acorns from the tree by the entrance), 62 Jackdaw (S), 7 Rook (S), 6 Carrion Crow (roosted in Kecksy's Bridge Wood), 2 Starling (NE), 2 Greenfinch, 27 Reed Bunting (4S, 23 in) - Mike Harris
9th September
Trims Green - Whinchat 1, Merlin 1 - following meadow pipits south, Meadow Pipits 45 south, Mistle Thrush 1 south, Yellowhammer 1, Linnet 7 - Graeme J Smith
SAL (1445 - 1545) Wheatear (ruddy pink) on posts on the grass triangle at the centre of the lagoons and also a juvenile Sedge Warbler into the sallow at same place from remaining long grass. Adult Little Grebe had caught a slim dirty brown thing dangling inertly and dived with it twice before consuming it. Juvenile LG and Coot intent on skittering flights across water. 25 Goldfinch feeding together. Some grass had been cut. Helicopter over. Fields being ploughed. Rain but warm 19. DA
8th September
Barley North - 40+ Lapwing over (SE) - Mick East
7th September
SAL (08:45-09:45) - 12 Little Grebe, 30 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 19 Tufted Duck, 36 Coot, 5 LBB Gull (3juvs + 2Ads), 1 Herring Gull (Ad), 10 Swallow (1Ad, 9 juvs), 21 House Martin, 20+ Sand Martin, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Phyllosc (sp.), 1 Jay, 70 Starling, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Reed Bunting
SLRS (10:00-11:25) - full of water and so much more attractive to birds!, 1 Cormorant (Corm tree), 2 Mallard, 1 Teal, 1M Pheasant, 14 Moorhen, 35 Lapwing, 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT (Came in at 10:42, left 11:00) One had a trailing leg., 1 Snipe, 200+ BH Gull, 4 Common Gull (2Ads, 2 juvs), 1 (juv) MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Came in at 10:52, left 11:00 when everything on Scrape flushed), 5 LBB Gull (1Ad, 5 juvs), 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 12 House Martin (S), 2 Meadow Pipit (S), 6 Pied Wagtail, 4 Starling, 1 Goldfinch - Mike Harris
HFL (0930 - 1300 for Woodfest) - Canada Goose, just the one non flier and then 76 arrived and 6 Grey Lags came in at some time. Plenty of juvenile and some adult swallows over rides and then water. Damaged black headed gull unable to walk, swim or feed awaiting the end. Gulls over. Two redshank over, one calling, to the west. Mallard with six middle size young. Probably about the 80 Mallards counted on 30th August. Some males almost out of eclipse into full new feathers. Moorhen with one young. No Coot adults or young seen. Five GC Grebes as usual: two young and spare adult. One Teal. One Grey Heron came in during morning and one Cormorant over. DA
Newport - 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 35 Swallow (S), 153 House Martins (S/W), 1 Yellow Wagtail (S) 2 Grey Wagtails (S), 15 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler
Debden Park - 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Herons, 5ad Mute Swans, 1 Greylag Goose, 209 Canada Geese, 9 Barnacle Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Turtle Dove (N), 1 Tawny Owl, 90 House Martins (S), 9 Meadow Pipits (S), 1 Grey Wagtail (S), 2 Yellow Wagtails (S), 10+ Song Thrushes, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs
Coploe Hill (11:00-13:00) - 7 Cormorants (S), 1juv MARSH HARRIER (lingering over Chrishall Grange early afternoon), 5 Common Buzzards, 70 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper (W), 45 Black-headed Gulls (S), 471 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (SW), 3 (ad+2juv) Yellow-legged Gulls (SW), 2(ad) Great Black-backed Gulls (S), 7 Swifts (S), 10 Sand Martins (S), 248 Swallows (S/SW), 585 House Martins (S/SW), 80 Meadow Pipits (S), 1 Grey Wagtail (S), 4 Yellow Wagtails (S), 2 Lesser Whitethroats - Stephen Patmore
Allens Green (15:30) - 1 Wheatear on railings south of Blounts Farm layby
SLRS (15:45-16:45) - With John Slee. - 4 Cormorant (3 in Corm tree and 1 S), 1 Hobby (S @ 16:02), 134 BH Gull (S), 1 Ad LBB Gull (W), 1 Green Woodpecker, 99 Swallow (S), 15 House Martin (S), 2 Sand Martin (S), c.20 Long tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff
Also a few Butterfly's enjoying the brief spell of sun. - 2 Green veined White 1 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown - Mike & Anita Harris
6th September
Norfolk Way, Bishops Stortford - Hobby seen over at approx 4.30 this afternoon.- Dave Sampson
SLRS - Lapwing 17, BHG lots, LBBG 2 - John Slee
Audley End - 50+ Sand Martins, 400++ House Martins
Coploe Hill(06:50-08:10am) - 6 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan (W), 1 GREY PLOVER (E at 07:00am), 2 Golden Plovers (S), 70 Lapwing (S), 1 REDSHANK (S at 07:50am), 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (W), 7 Swallows (S), 45 House Martins (S), 12 Meadow Pipits (SW), 3 Yellow Wagtails (SW), 11 Mistle Thrush (W), 16 Greenfinch (S), 4 Goldfinch (S), 7 Linnet (S)
3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Common Buzzards, 11 Stock Doves, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs
Catmere End - 1f Sparrowhawk, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs
Newport - 50+ House Martins, 20+ Swallows, 1 White Wagtail (1W at the Sewage Works Lagoon), 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs, 50 Linnets - Stephen Patmore
Trim's Green - 15 Golden Plover - John Slee
5th September
SLRS - 3 Lapwings, including one with a disabled right foot.- 4 Pied Wagtails juveniles - John Slee
Debden Park - 2 Grey Herons, 1m Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 130 Canada Geese, 9 (3+juv) Barnacle Geese, 1m Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 1 Kingfisher, 65 House Martins , 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Spotted Flycatcher - Stephen Patmore
3rd September
Trims Green - Grey Partridge 10 (9 juvs)
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 west, Sparrowhawk 2 (female and juv) hunting north lawn at 0700hrs, Chiffchaff 3, Bullfinch 5, Blackbird 3 albanistic male looking a bit tatty with moult, Grey Wagtail 1 on roof again, Swallow 8 (1 SW, 4 SW, 3 S), Canada Goose 22 West at 0725hrs, House Martin 6 south, kestrel 1 male hunting north lawn at lunch - Graeme J. Smith
Little Hormead - Merlin, 2 juv hunting over ploghed field - Mick East
SAL - 5 (m, 2f &2juv) Gadwall, 3 Teal, 43 Mallard, 13 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kestrel, 35 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 25 Black-headed Gulls, 35 Sand Martins, 25 House Martins, 1m Grey Wagtail, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 6 Reed Buntings, - Stephen Patmore
2nd September
Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - Grey Wagtail 2 on roof, Chiffchaff 2, House martin 1 west, Grey Heron 2 looking to land in fields just north
Trims Green - Black Headed Gull 110-120, Rook c.100, Jackdaw 15+, Greenfinch c.30 still hanging around Borage field - Graeme J. Smith
Little Hadham - Merlin, female or 1st year bird, heavy brown with light barring and little evidence of moustache - Jono Forgham
31st August
Newport - 25 Swallows (S), 7 Yellow Wagtails (S), 6 Whinchats, 8 Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 20 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers
Catmere End - 1 Snipe (E), 40 Swallows, 60 House Martins, 1 Meadow Pipit (S), 4 Yellow Wagtails (S), 5 Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Spotted Flycatcher
Audley End - 1 Greylag Goose, 5 Barnacle Geese - Stephen Patmore
Trim's Green - Lapwing c40
Hatfield Forest Lake - Shoveler 5, Coal tit 1 - John Slee
30th August
Catmere End - 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats - Stephen Patmore
Coploe Hill - 1m Sparrowhawk, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1juv Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Swallows (E), 2 Yellow Wagtails (S), 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 100+ Linnets
Newport SW - 2 Canada Geese (SE), 3 Barnacle Geese (SE), 1juv Common Sandpiper, 2 Kingfishers, 12 Grey Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests - Stephen Patmore
SLRS - 2 Mallard (N), 1 Kestrel, 27 Moorhen, 1 Lapwing, 1 Ad. LBB Gull (S), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (JS), 1 Chiffchaff - Mike Harris & John Slee
29th August
Newport - OYSTERCATCHER - 1 flew S calling @ 23:35
Stort River Spellbrook - 2 Grey wagtail, 6 Mute Swan 2A, 4juv, 4 Kingfisher by River Stort weir - Mick & Brenda East
28th August
Moor Hall Barn, Thorley - 1 Wheatear in recently harrowed field. Tony Moverley
Stortford Park Farm (east side pond)- Goldfinch 19 (mostly juvs), Spotted Flycatcher 3, Chiffchaff 2 (not incuding recent odd one), Jay 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Juv, Green Woodpecker 1 Juv - (west side) Grey Heron 1 over, Yellowhammer 1, Whitethroat 1 - GJS
27th August
River Stort (just south of Pig Lane but before metal footbridge as last year) - Spotted Flycatcher 5 (3 Juveniles)- GJS
26th August
Stortford Park Farm - Sparrowhawk 1 seen hunting on both sides of bypass, cormorant 4 S-E - GJSmith
25th August
Storford Park Farm - no Spotted Flycatchers, Phyllo's 2 calling but not seen, House Martin 4(5), Swallow c.15, Moorhen 3 juvs doing well
Trims Green - Greenfinch c.90 coming down to the north west edge of the borage field TL 450 188 - GJSmith
SAL (07:30-08:30) - 14 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant (S), 51 Mallard, 1 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 28 Tufted Duck, 20 Coot, 4 LBB Gull (W, all juvs), 28 BH Gull (W, all juvs), 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 GS Woodpecker, 3 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6+ Reed Warbler (inclu one juv not fully fledged, being fed by adult), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff singing), 4 Phyllosc's (spp.), 4 Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting,
2 Small White, 1 Brown Argus, 11 Meadow Brown, 1M Black tailed Skimmer, 10 Common Blue Damselfly
SLRS (08:50-09:15)- 5 Mallard (S), 1 Kestrel, 18 Moorhen, 2 Lapwing, 33 BH Gull (32 Ads, 1 juv. In complete contrast to the SAL birds), 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet - Mike Harris
24th August
Trims Green (1000 - 1115 hrs) - Black-Headed Gull 37 (20 1st winters), Lesser Black-backed Gull 6 (1 1st win, 1 ad, 4 sub-ad), Canada Goose 16, Greylag 1, goldfinch c.15, House Sparrow 7, GREENFINCH 150-200 coming down to the north west edge of the borage field TL 450 188, Jackdaw c.20, Rook c.100
Stortford Park Farm - Spotted Flycatcher 3, Grey Partridge 3 calling on west side, LBBG 13 south - GJS
SLRS (18:00-18:20)- 1 Cormorant (In Corm tree), 1 Sparrowhawk, 24 Moorhen, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Swallow (7,2,1,2,2,2), 85 House Martin (5,14,13,3,9,9,11,5,16), 5 Jackdaw, 2 Chiffchaff - Mike Harris
Patmore Heath - Swift 1, 4 later at Cheshunt. - Mick East
23rd August
Hatfield Forest - Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap 1 still singing, Chiffchaff 2, Painted Lady, Canada Goose 44
Stortford Park Farm - Spotted Flycatcher 3, Chiffchaff 5, 2 Tawny Owl feathers at pond, Little Owl pellets at usual roundabout, Yellowhammer 5 on west side, Linnet 0 on west side! - GJS
SAL (07:50-08:50) - 2 Cormorant, 11 Little Grebe, 40 Mallard, 1 Teal, 31 Tufted Duck, 28 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper (juv), 1 DUNLIN (Ad still with black breast patch, came in calling, circled but not seen to land), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 14 House Martin, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Phyllosc (spp.), 10 Long tailed Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting
1 Muntjac, 11 Meadow Brown
SLRS (09:05-09:40) - 1 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, 20 Moorhen, 15 BH Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 9 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Lesser 'throat, 4 Chiffchaff (inclu 2 singing males), 1 Phyllosc (sp.), 7 Jackdaw (S), 2 Bullfinch, 2 Yellowhammer (juvs)
1 Meadow Brown
Several Robins in song at both sites, indicating establishing Winter territories? - Mike Harris
22nd August
Hatfield Forest - Goshawk 2 south, adult + Juv (prob both female)
Stortford Park Farm (east edge pond at dusk)- Spotted Flycatcher 7 prefering the only tree that overhangs both pond and fence GJS
Patmore Heath - Spotted flycatcher in garden - Mick East
Stortford Park Farm - Spotted Flycatcher (3) Showing well between 3.00 and 3.30 p.m. before being spooked by dog walkers and flying off towards B/S College pavilion.- Chris Swan
21st August
Stortford Park Farm - Spotted Flycatcher 3 - still favouring trees overhanging pond GJS
20th August
Stortford Park Farm - Spotted Flycatcher 3 around pond on east edge of grounds. i'm sure these birds are just passing through as last year... no sightings previously, Willow Warbler c.5, Moorhen has been hiding a 3rd chick! Tawny Owl feather from below big dead tree next to pond GJS
SAL - 6 Little Grebes, 1juv Shelduck, 3f/juv Teal, 36 Mallard, 34 Tufted Ducks, 1f Ruddy Duck, 32 Coot (inc 3 juvs), 1 Ringed Plover (through), 1juv Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Black-headed Gulls (N), 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (S), 1ad Common Tern, 10 Sand Martins, 15 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtails, 19 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Jays, 15 Goldfinches , 3 Reed Buntings - Stephen Patmore
SAL - Ruddy Duck, Shelduck and Greenshank - David Arch
19th August
SAL today (Per Colin Wills): - 1juv Shelduck, 1juv Greenshank, 3 Common Sands
Coploe Hill - 2juv, 2nd summer & adult) Yellow-legged Gulls. - Stephen Patmore
18th August
Hobby, very low over Town centre this morning at 8.25am. 10+ Swifts over Thorley Park area approx 11.00am. - Dave Sampson
trims green blounts farm - Linnet c.25, Greenfinch 18 (mostly juvs), swallow 15+ locals, lesser whitethroat 1 (carrying food) morris farm/rhino fisheries entrance - stockdove 5, black-headed gull 52, lesser black-backed gull 32 (28 on fields and 4 over south-west), YELLOW-LEGGED GULL 1 ADULT, kestrel 1, whitethroat 1, goldfinch 12+, linnet c.20, corn bunting 1 (hanging around Morris Farm entrance gate but no song today), yellow wagtail 2, WHEATEAR 1 (on the black pile for a few seconds), house sparrow c20 beside new farm buildings is a site record for me - cows went out at 1335 hrs so it might be better for yellow wags tomorrow - Graeme J. Smith
SAL - 1juv Shelduck, 1juv Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers - Colin Wills
17th August
Coploe Hill (08:00-10:40am & 16:45-18:45pm) - 4 Cormorants (W), 2 Grey Herons (W), 7 Mallard, 1 SHOVELER (with Mallards over distant farm reservoir), 2 anas sp (W), 1juv RED KITE (yesterday's bird present all morning), 3 (f +2juv) Sparrowhawks, 7+ Common Buzzards, 3 Hobby, 2 Golden Plover (W), 19 Lapwings, 173 (82,91) Black-headed Gulls (W), 286 (184, 102) Lesser Black-backed Gulls (S/SW), 4 (juv & 3x 3rd-summer) Yellow-legged Gulls (S), 5 Herring Gulls (S), 1 Turtle Dove (S), 9 (71, 28) Swifts (S/W), 9 (6,3) Sand Martins (W), 231 (164, 67) Swallows (S/W), 342 (295, 47)House Martins (S/W), 2 pipit sp (S) - both probably Tree Pipits, 3 Grey Wagtails (W), 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 100+ Starlings, 2 Bullfinches
Strethall Road - 1juv Turtle Dove, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 40+ Linnets, 20+ Corn Buntings
Strethall - 1juv MARSH HARRIER (v. distantly viewed from Coploe @ 18:10)
Ugley Green - 1 Hobby
Newport - 4(2ad+2juv) Common Buzzards, 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 81 Black-headed Gulls (W), 1 Common Gull (W), 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (W), 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Marsh Tits, 160 Jackdaws, 12+ Bullfinches
Audley End - 1 Greylag Goose, 140 Canada Geese, 5 Barnacle Geese, 1f+8juv Tufted Ducks (-new brood), 10+ Sand Martins, 30+ Swallows - Stephen Patmore
Stortford Park Farm (west)- for an hour this evening. Hobby 2 over staking wood, Kestrel 1, lesser black backed gull 7 south east, Grey Heron 1 south, Stockdove 2 - west, little owl feather left below one favoured perch, linnet 1(only), yellowhammer 0 (first no-show in ages!) - Graeme J. Smith
In a spell of just over an hour this afternoon (3.30pm to 4.40 pm)watching the skies over the house from my garden in Bishops Stortford, I saw at least 14 Swifts, and numerous waves of Swallows (alternate waves of adults followed by juveniles) and House Martins (mostly juveniles). Also no raptors. - Dave Sampson
Trims Green (08:00-09:00) - 1 Grey Heron (S), 7 Mallard (2S, 5W), 1 Kestrel, 3 Lapwing (S), 1 Ad GBB Gull (W), 5 LBB Gull (4Ads, 1 juv), 1 Ad Common Gull, 157 BH Gull, 30 Jackdaw, 20 Carrion Crow, 3 Rook, 40 Starling, 14 Swallow (S), 1 Pied Wagtail (S), 2 Goldfinch, 20 House Sparrow
Sawbridgeworth - 2 Swift (W) over with 5 House Martins at 10:16 this morning. - Mike Harris
16th August
Trimm's Green area. - juvenile Marsh Harrier quartering the big field where the Allen's Green road meets the Hadham Road. When I left (7:45) it was sat in the field LBB Gull 50 (exactly) near Tharbies. Yellow Wagtail 25 at Blount's Farm, Hobby 2 over Allen's Green, Greylag Goose c20 flew in to near the fishing pond, Linnet - a few around the farm, Corvids - hundreds in the ploughed field near Tharbies - mixed. - John Slee
SAL (07:00-08:00)- 9 Little Grebe (min), 18 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 22 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 LBB Gull (Ad NW), 1 BH Gull, 29 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin, 2 Skylark, 4 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 9 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Phylloscs (spp), 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer,
SLRS (08:20-09:00) - 12 Canada Geese (S @ 0850), 16 Moorhen, 13 BH Gull, 8 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Swallow, 41 House Martin (S in 30 mins), 15 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail (Ad M), 3 Starling, 1 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer - Mike Harris
Newport (06:00-07:20am)- 1 Golden Plover (SW), 1 Little Owl, 5 Swifts (S), 6 Sand Martins (S), 16 Swallows (S), 50 House Martins, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warblers, 40 Linnets.
Strethall Road - 1 Wheatear
Chrishall Grange - 400+ Jackdaws, 600+ Rooks, 100+ Starlings.
Coploe Hill (07:45-11:00am) - 5 Cormorants (W), 4 Grey Herons (1S, 3W), 1juv RED KITE (untagged - present all morning to SW of Viewpoint), 4 (ad f & 3juv) MARSH HARRIERS , 1f Sparrowhawk, 7+ Common Buzzards, 9+ Kestrels, 2 Hobby, 1 Lapwing, 6 Black-headed Gulls (S), 559 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (S/SW), 5ad Herring Gulls (S), 3 (2juv+near ad) Yellow-legged Gulls (S/SW), 1 Turtle Dove, 98 Swifts (S), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (W), 2 Sand Martins (S), 67 Swallows (S), 80 House Martins, 1 TREE PIPIT (low S over pit at 09:50am), 1 REDSTART (in hedge S of pit early morning only), 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 50+ Greenfinches, 150+ Linnets, 2 Bullfinches, 2 CROSSBILLS (flew SW at 08:10am) - Stephen Patmore
Harlow Town - Hobby chasing lone Swift over Harlow Town centre this afternoon. - Mike Franklin
15th August
Little Hadham - Much Hadham - wood warbler viewed briefly in large ash tree half way between the Hadhams - Jono Forgham
SAL - 4ad+9juv Little Grebes, 2 (1m) Gadwall, 25 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 House Martins, 3 Grey Wagtails, 17 Reed Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 11 Willow Warblers, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (at S End), 1 Coal Tit, 3 Reed Buntings
Also, a male Red-veined Darter holding territory on the road east of the 'Big Pit'. - Stephen Patmore
Woodpigeon remains in garden this morning - all the signs of Sparrowhawk at work
Blackcap in gardens this morning - quite a few calling at the Forest yesterday but not mentioned
Lagoons this morning were (broadly) as yesterday plus Kestrel over. D & M A
14th August
Rushy Meads - tit flock crossing the stort included 22 blue tits and 57 long-tailed tits
Bullfinch 11 (12) today - noted in all locations i visited today! 1pr spellbrook, 2 times along the stort (totaling 5 birds), 1pr honeysuckle close, and 2 [or 3] birds on stort park farm
Stortford Park Farm - IMM male sparrowhawk present for last few days - GJSmith
Almost as soon as we said that (!) a female (Blackbird) turned up this morning sunning itself. And there was a male at the (SAL) lagoons this morning as well.
SAL 1130 to 1230 30 Tufted Duck. Older little Grebes had dispersed into the reeds now flooded by extra water into their left hand home only. Three small Little Grebe doing well. Kingfisher. Reed Bunting. At least a dozen Reed Warbler. Willow Warbler. Bullfinch, Goldfinch a plenty including juveniles. House Martins through in three groups or one going round? Sand Martin. Some Swallows. Two Common Sandpiper. Two Grey Wagtail. Two Pied Wagtail.
Hatfield Forest 1235 to 1330 Three young Green Woodpeckers, 3 young Whitethroats, 2 young Grebes, 3 youngish Moorhens, Mallard with 5 young. Plenty of Swallows and House Martins, Nuthatch. Grey Lags and Canadas separate. 4 adult Grebes. Kingfisher. No Tufted Duck. No Turtle Dove. DA
13th August
We have yet to have a Blackbird in the garden this month. D & M A
SLRS (18:15-18:30)- 1 Cormorant (S), 6 Mallard, 7 Lapwing, 40 BH Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail - Mike Harris
12th August
Albury - Swift 10+ passing through - Mick East
11th August
Manuden and Rickling Green - Red Kite at 13.15 this afternoon - Andy Goodey
Trims Green - Linnet 100+ , Yellow Wagtail 5, corn Bunting 2 (0655-0705)
Rushy Mead - Blue tits and Great Tits using feeding station, moorhen, long-tailed tit, Coal Tit 4+, Wren singing, jay 2, Treecreeper 1 (0627-0645)
Stortford Park Farm (West)- Yellowhammer 3, Linnet 4 (0605-0645)
Hayter, spellbrook (west) - Grey Wagtail 1 on factory roof for the last week, Coal Tit c.6, Bullfinch 3, Great-Spotted Woodpecker 1 juvenile, Goldfinch 20+, Chiffchaff 1 singing, Green Woodpecker 1 juvenile, NO local Swallows! - Graeme J Smith.
SAL - 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Teal, new brood of 3 Little Grebe - Chris Dee
10th August
Rushy Mead - Swift over - Mick East, Greame J Smith et al
Tednambury - 4 Swifts at 2030 hrs Male Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, 1 Magpie and 2 Crows. Moorhen and Wood Pigeons. D & M A
9th August
SAL (08:00-08:50) - 8 Little Grebe (4ads + 4 juvs), 41 Mallard, 3 Teal, 38 Tufted Duck, 19 Coot, 7 B H Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 G S Woodpecker, 5 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin (Ad), 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Phylloscs (sppp), 4 Bullfinch, 6 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer
A few of the hardier insects along the path, braving the cool sou'westerly.
1 Large White, 1M Common Blue, 31 Meadow Brown, 3 Gatekeeper, 4 Six spot Burnet, 3 Black tailed Skimmer (2MM, 1TM), 3 Common Blue Damsel
SLRS (09:10-09:40) - 2 Mallard, 22 Moorhen, 2 Kestrel, 7 B H Gull, 9 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallow, 13 House Martin, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail (In crops), 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldfinch
3 Meadow Brown, 2 Gatekeeper, Mike Harris
7th August
Carrion Crow and Blue Tit at Stansted Road. Racing Pigeons over. No swifts to 1030 - DA
Trims Green - no cattle (from the lay-by) but a couple of yellow wags in flight and calling. 6 Swallows passing through ahead of rain at about 1800 - DA
Trims Green - Yellow Wagtail 28. the cows were all moved. now all in field south-east of entrances.. wagtails following suit - GJSmith
6th August
Hayter, Spellbrook (west)- Swallow 85 (48 on wires and another 37 feeding over adjacent field)- GJSmith
Sunningdale Cl, BS - Hobby 1 hunting over north at 1745 hrs. this is only my second in BS this year - GJSmith
SLRS (17:45-18:15) - 8 Mallard, 34 Moorhen, 11 Lapwing, 1 Ad LBB Gull (S, wing moult commenced), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 2 House Martin - Mike Harris
5th August
Trims Green - Buzzard 3 locals - GJSmith
Trims Green - 15 Yellow Wagtail at feet of cattle at 0930 - DA
SAL - adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL present this afternoon (per Colin Wills), 1ad Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin (flew through), 1juv Greenshank, 1juv Redshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 110 Black-headed Gulls (95% juvs), 1 Kingfisher, 30+ Sand Martins, 50+ Swallows, 4 Grey Wagtails, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat - Stephen Patmore
4th August
Trims Green - Yellow wagtail 9 (8 juveniles) around the cows feet - GJSmith
SAL - 1f Teal, 1f Kestrel, 1juv Redshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 8 Common Sandpipers, 4 Black-headed Gulls (W), 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Grey Wagtails, 20 House Martins, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coal Tit, 4juv Bullfinches, 5 Yellowhammers - Stephen Patmore
SLRS (18:15-18:50)- 5 Mallard, 2 Teal (juvs), 31 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 12 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull (Ad and Juv), 2 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swift (S), 11 Swallow (S), 23 House Martin (S), 8 Magpie , 2 Goldfinch - Mike Harris
3rd August
SLRS (11:30-12:00) - 1 Mallard (!), 23 Moorhen, 10 Lapwing, 9 BH Gull, 1 Ad LBB Gull (NW), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1M Pied Wagtail, 3 Whitethroat - Mike Harris
Stansted Airport Lagoons (15:45-17:00)- 2ad+6juv Little Grebes, 18 Canada Geese, 1m Gadwall, 91 Mallard, 8f+32juv Tufted Ducks, 1 Hobby, 25 Coot, 2ad Dunlin (both still in summer-plumage), 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpipers, 23 Black-headed Gulls (W), 5ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls (W), 1 Stock Dove, 40 Swifts (W), 2 Kingfishers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 105 Swallows (W), 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtails, 17 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Buntings
Coploe Hill (17:30-18:45)- 1 Hobby, 370 Lapwings, 233 Black-headed Gulls (W), 13 Common Gulls (W), 521 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (W/ some loafing), 3 (ad+2 1s) Yellow-legged Gulls, 23 Herring Gulls, 4ad Great Black-backed Gulls, 160 Swifts (S), 30 Swallows (S), 130 House Martins, 550 Starlings (feeding on ploughed fields) - Stephen Patmore
1st August
SAL - 2ad+6juv Little Grebe, 2 Shoveler, 7ad+32juv Tufted Ducks, 1 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpipers, 5 Common Sandpipers, 34 Black-headed Gulls (W), 10 Common Gulls (W), 5 Herring Gulls (W), 2 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warblers - Stephen Patmore, David Arch also present. Colin Wills visited early afternoon.
