Cassiobury Park - 27.4.12

The highlight of the day was 5 yes 5 Wheatears around the log benches from just before 10am till at least 3pm. 2 Buzzards were over the car park and 2 Swallows flew South.

Cassiobury Park - 26.4.12

The highlight today was my first Whitethroat of the year with a male singing in the northern end of the nature reserve adjacent to Fullerians rugby club. The 2 Bullfinches were still around the meadow and a Treecreeper was around the mini railway. A Swallow flew North over the council yard in the afternoon.

Cassiobury Park - 25.4.12

The male Mandarin was stillaround but on the canal this time. 2 Bullfinches were still in the meadow.

Cassiobury Park - 24.4.12

2 Coot were on the canal and the male Mandarin was on the river. A Kingfisher flew through the woods towards the fishing pit and 3 Bullfinches were by the meadow.

Cassiobury Park - 19.4.12

3 Meadow Pipits flew over and the male Mandarin was still on the canal. 1 of the Little Owls was feeding in the goal mouth nearest the old Oak trees before flying up into them.

Cassiobury Park - 18.4.12

The first good bird of the day was a Common Tern that flew over the meadow (although 2 were reported over the fishing lake on Saturday). A Meadow Pipit flew over as did a Swallow albeit South! The male Mandarin was on the canal still so perhaps the female is on the nest?

Cassiobury Park - 16.4.12

2 Cormorants flew over the park first thing and another Raven flew South over the tennis courts mid morning.

Cassiobury Park - 14.4.12

A 2 hour walk around the park with the Herts and Middlesex reserve warden produced a Buzzard over the mini railway and a Sparrowhawk and Swallow over the meadow.,

Cassiobury Park - 13.4.12

Firstly apologies for the total lack of posts recently but hopefully normal service will be resumed quickly!

A Greylag Goose flew South along the canal and a Lesser Redpoll flew over the cricket square mid morning but it was the 21 Meadow Pipits that flew over in small groups that provided the highlight for today. The pair of Mandarin were on the grass by the paddling pools before heading back to the canal and a Willow Warbler was singing near the East end of the park.

Cassiobury Park - 12.4.12

2 Swallows that flew North early morning were the first of the year and the only birds of note.

Cassiobury Park - 11.4.12

The highlight today was the 2 Wheatears (1 male) by the log benches for a couple of hours first thing. A Meadow Pipit flew over and a surprising sight of a Nuthatch picking up a lump of fox poo and flying off with it presumably to use on narrowing its nest hole?!

Cassiobury Park - 10.4.12

The first Willow Warbler in the park this year down by the mini railway whilst near the river a Kingfisher was heard but not seen and the pair of Mandarin were still present. 2 Little Owls called to each other and a Sparrowhawk flew over.

Cassiobury Park + Wilstone Reservoir - 5.4.12

It was a day of gulls today with 3 LBB Gulls and a Herring Gull that dropped in early morning along with 2 unseasonal BH Gulls.

It was during the afternoon whilst marking out the football pitches that I recieved 2 phone calls telling me of a Herts Mega at Tring. So I left work and headed up to Wilstone reservoir and thankfully bumped into Joan Thompson who let me use her scope to view my first Fulmar in the county and also the first for almost everyone else! But the following morning it was picked up moribund and later died. A sad end to a cracking bird. A quick scan before I left also saw Swallow and Common Tern added to the year list and at least 70 Sand Martin and 2 Little Egrets (which were my 100th and 101st in Herts.

Cassiobury Park - 3.4.12

2 Greylag Geese that flew North were the only birds of note.

Cassiobury Park - 2.4.12

The highlight was the 2 Ravens that flew over early morning. 2 Meadow Pipits and a Linnet also passed over.

Hilfield Reservoir - 1.4.12

A wander round saw 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, a male Reed Bunting and a single group of 7 Buzzards that flew over.

Milton,Cambs - 31.3.12

A day out in Cambridgeshire added 2 new birds for the year with a White Wagtail at Milton tip and a House Martin over Milton CP.

Cassiobury Park - 30.3.12

The 3 Mandarin were seen today on the canal and a Meadow Pipit and 2 Skylark flew over.