A day in Dorset - 27.2.10

3 photos of the Spoonbill

I was dropping my partner off at a spa on Portland but stopped off at Ferrybridge on the way and with there I saw 17 Mediterranean Gulls (5 1st winter 2nd winter and 11 adults) and a few Red-Breasted Mergansers.

Next stop was Portland Bill. 4 year ticks were seen with those being Fulmar, Guillemot, Shag and Kittiwake.

An adult Spoonbill was seen at Lodmoor RSPB just before dusk and 40+ Pied Wagtails flew over Weymouth Bay to roost near the harbour.

Watford and Dorset - 26.2.10

The day started off in Cassiobury Park where the highlights were a Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll.

It finished off in Dorset with only 3 Buzzards seen on the journey.

Around Watford - 25.2.10

Only 10 months until Christmas! A Ring-Necked Parakeet flew over KGV playing fields and 9 Greylag Geese were in a field adjacent with others calling from nearby.

Redwings were still present with 40+ in Cassiobury Park and 30ish near Oxhey.

Watford - 24.2.10

A Ring-Necked Parakeet flew over West Watford and 4 Pied Wagtails were busy feeding on the grassy bit of the central reservation on Cassio Road.

Oxhey - 23.2.10

As i've seen nothing of note for the last 4 days i'll save you all from the boredom of reading about it!

Today saw a Ring-Necked Parakeet flying over Cassiobury Park first thing then this afternoon in the snow 7 Lesser Redpolls were flying around the council yard in Oxhey.

Cassiobury Park - 18.2.10

The Little Egret was again on the river and the flock of Redwings were still present. Around 5 Mistle Thrushes were dotted around the park and 2 Ring-Necked Parakeets flew over the meadow.

In Vicarage Road cemetary another similar sized flock of Redwings were mixed in with Starlings.

Cassiobury Park - 17.2.10

The Little Egret was again on the river and there is still around 20-30 Redwings in the park. The best bird of the day though was a Skylark that flew over the council yard calling just after lunch.

Watford/Oxhey - 16.2.10

Today saw more ring road pruning near the town hall. A samall flock of Long-Tailed Tits passed through quickly and a Song Thrush and Dunnock were singing.

The birding got a lot better late afternoon when we were at the Oxhey depot dumping the chippings. 5 Ring-Necked Parakeets were busy mobbing a Sparrowhawk and while watching them a Buzzard flew high over.

Cassiobury Park - 15.2.10

A Song Thrush, Great-Spotted Woodpecker and a Nutatch were as good as it got today! Oh and still about 20 Redwings scrabbling around the leaf litter.

Back Garden - 14.2.10

Valentine's day was spent at home so only occasional views out the kitchen window were had. These views saw 2 Robins and a Blue Tit on the feeders aswell as the first Collared Dove for a while.

Back Garden - 13.2.10

The highlight today was the 2 Coal Tits that paid a brief visit to the feeders along with a single Blue Tit.

Cassiobury Park - 12.2.10

A very brief look round before going home with Delhi Belly saw the Little Egret on the river and 4 Mistle Thrushes by the rustic bridge. Unfortunately no sign of the Kingfisher when I was there.

Cassiobury Park - 11.2.10

2 probably 3 Sparrowhawks were seen over the park today including 1 being harrassed by 2 Carrion Crows. A single Ring-Necked Parakeet flew over the rustic bridge where the Kingfisher was seen very briefly. A summer plumaged Cormorant flew North. 2 Stock Doves were in the meadow along with a Green Woodpecker and 1 of 3 drumming Great-Spotted Woodpeckers.

A brief visit to Oxhey saw a Lesser Redpoll fly over.

Cassiobury Park - 10.2.10

Another day in the park and again with snow showers including a horizontal blizzard mid morning! The first 2 of 5 Jays were seen in trees by the council yard first thing followed by the Kingfisher on its regular perch watched briefly by Martin Parr just before the said blizzard arrived. The Little Egret was again on the river. Only 3 Siskins were at the far end of the meadow. A Sparrowhawk and a Cormorant flew along the canal and a male Blackbird flew away from me showing 1 white outer tail feather. Around 30 Redwings are still present aswell as a Grey Wagtail. The final notable bird of the day was a Goldcrest singing by the fishing lake.

Lynster's Farm - 28.2.10

On the way back from Dorset I popped in to see if the Green Sandpiper was still present. Thankfully it was busily feeding around the pool. 2 Egyptian Geese were asleep in the field.

Cassiobury Park/Watford - 9.2.10

A Cormorant flew over the yard at first light. The Kingfisher was showing to 10 feet this morning in the tree next to the Rustic Bridge before flying to the willow to fish. c.30 Siskin were still at the far end of the meadow, the Little Egret was still on the river by the meadow bridge. A Great-Spotted Woodpecker flew over the council yard quickly followed by 7 Canada Geese heading SE.

A Sparrowhawk flew over the Harlequin shopping centre towards Tesco's.

Cassiobury Park - 8.2.10

A sleety morning in the park failed to produce the Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker but the Kingfisher was showing well from the Rustic Bridge. A Little Egret was on the river and 3 Green Woodpeckers were around. A single Lesser Redpoll was again in trees near the toilet block.

Nowt and About - 7.2.10

Just Blue Tit, Dunnock and a Robin of note.

Garston - 6.2.10

A Great-Spotted Woodpecker infront of the house along with a Redwing and a Goldcrest singing from the back garden are the best of todays birds.

Watford - 5.2.10

Not much improvement on yesterdays sightings. A Goldcrest and a fly over Grey Heron were the highlights! At this rate I may have to change this blog to adding something only when i've seen something interesting otherwise it's going to be a boring read!!

Watford - 4.2.10

Nothing more than a few Nuthatches and a flock of Tits seen today.

Watford/Garston - 3.2.10

Working around the ring road again today saw 9 Herring Gulls perched up on the building I suspect them of using to breed. They were also calling loudly making it sound like I was at the seaside!! The weather was crap so even more so!!

Just now 7 Goldfinches flew over the shops round the corner and a Long-Tailed Tit was calling in a nearby shrub bed. And as I type a Goldcrest has started singing in the back garden.

Cassiobury Park - 2.2.10

There was no sign or sound of yesterdays LSW but the Kingfisher was still showing from the Rustic Bridge, 60+ Siskins were at the far end of the meadow, 2 Little Egrets were showing down to 15 feet on the river with 1 either side of the meadow bridge. A Cormorant flew South along the canal and a Treecreeper was in an Oak near the car park.

Cassiobury Park - 1.2.10

The higlight of the day was hearing the Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the wooded area just North of the meadow. Unfortunately with no time I couldn't go searching for it. 2 Lesser Redpolls by the toilet block and a Kingfisher sat in a Willow was vieweable from the Rustic Bridge.