Good day in Herts

The Yellow Wagtail, Ruddy Shelduck, a Shoveler at Wilstone, Oystercatcher, Red-Crested Pochard and the LRP.

I'd booked the day off in preperation of visiting Suffolk for the Lesser Kestrel, Pallid Swift and Alpine Swifts but when news late afternoon on the Monday was negative of the first 2 I decided not to go and go to work instead. Tuesday morning and my alarm went off at 6.15am and I thought sod it im not going to work today! 8.30am the LK was still there but had gone by 9am so I went to Hilfield Reservoir instead and added 3 year ticks in doing so. A Little-Ringed Plover was on the dam and Sand Martins and Swallows were evident in small numbers. 8 singing Chiffchaffs were dotted around the reservoir.

I then went to Tring Reservoirs where a Buzzard flew over the A41 near Chesham and a Red Kite was over the leisure centre on Cow Lane. Startops End was the first port of call. The male Red-Crested Pochard was still there with a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs singing. On Marsworth 2 Cetti's Warblers were singing from the reed bed.

Wilstone held a few hirundines and another Cetti's Warbler was heard from the hide. A Red Kite and a Buzzard flew over and an Oystercatcher was forced down by the heavy rain showers. Another Red Kite was over the sewage wworks on the way home .

Another Buzzard was circling over junction 21a of the M25.

The final stop was to the puddle at Willow's Farm near Tyttenhanger. For such a small body of water there was an amazing selection of birds around it with a cracking male Yellow Wagtail being the highlight. Also present was the Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 2 Lapwing and a probable White Wagtail!