Cassiobury Park - 26.3.13

Most of the day was spent in a hotel finding out more about the future of the park and what things may or may not happen with the heritage lottery grant we have been awarded. But before the meeting the 60 or so Redwing were still present and after the meeting the first Meadow Pipit of the year in the park flew over the toilet block.

Cassiobury Park - 25.3.13

Firstly apologies for the lack of posts but since last Wednesday (20th) I was unfortunate to catch the lurgy that has been going around and with that it meant that 99% of the weekend was spent either in bed or on the sofa aching in places I never knew you could ache! But back to work it was today and even feeling rough I still managed to note at least 60 Redwing in with Starlings by the top football pitch and down on the river the Mandarin pair were again on the river just south of the rustic bridge, a Grey Wagtail was on the flotsam hanging into the river and just on the other side a male Pheasant was looking for food.

Cassiobury Park - 21.3.13

An excellent day in the park today with 2 possibly 3 singing Chiffchaff along the river and while emptying the bins I tried to see one of them but instead picked up 2 birds over the woods dropping down behind the trees possibly heading towards the canal. They were a pair of Goosander! They were only the 2nd ever record for the park and the first time i'd seen them. They also got onto my year list! The pair of Gadwall were still in the meadow and the pair of Mandarin were on the river just south of the rustic bridge with 3 birds (2 male) reported to me in the afternoon. Siskin and Redwing were still hanging about the cafe area.

Cassiobury Park - 20.3.13

The male Mandarin was on the canal in the morning and 6 Mute Swan (3 ad) were seen between the canal and the cress beds. In the meadow a Coot was seen.

Spring Has Sprung - 19.3.13

As I was a bit early for work this morning I headed down to the bottom of the park in the hope of at least hearing the singing Chiffchaff that was found last week. Luck was in as soon as I stepped out of the car I heard it singing from the area around the old cress beds but due to work and flooding I couldn't try to see it. 2 adult Mute Swan were still on the river. Mid morning I had to go to the cemetery in Vicarage Road and while there 5 Fieldfare and 4 Siskin were seen.

Cassiobury Park + Tring Reservoirs - 18.3.13

3 Lesser Redpoll flew over the croquet lawns around 1.30pm then after work I popped up to the reservoirs at Tring. First stop was Startop's End Reservoir. I climbed the steps from the car park and immediately connected with 5 Red-Crested Pochards (3 male). I wandered around the reservoir in the pouring rain in search of the Water Pipit but apparently I missed it by about 5 minutes after a dog walker had flushed it. 3 Grey Wagtails were along the waters edge. A Water Rail and Reed Bunting were heard on Marsworth Reservoir  On Tringford Reservoir 2 more male RC Pochards were in the middle of the water. A quick visit to Wilstone for the gull roost was aborted as the rain became heavier but not after i'd seen my first Goldeneye of the year.

Cassiobury Park - 15.3.13

The first sign of Spring was found today with a Chiffchaff singing in the meadow. Over at Oxhey grange bowls club a Siskin flew over.

Cassiobury Park - 14.3.13

The Mandarin pair were on the river showing well and by the waterfall a Grey Wagtail and a Treecreeper were seen.

Oxhey - 11.3.13

A Red Kite was seen distantly and 2 Lesser Redpoll flew over the council yard.

Cassiobury Park - 7.3.13

A Red Kite was seen from the car just down the road from home first thing. In the meadow the 2 Mandarin and Gadwall were seen and on the cress beds 2 Teal were seen.

Cassiobury Park - 6.3.13

Canada Geese were again the first bird of note for the day but this time it was 11 birds that flew over the yard as I got out of my car. The Gadwall pair were still in the meadow with Little Egret and Grey Wagtail in the surrounding area.

Cassiobury Park - 5.3.13

2 Canada Geese were seen near home on the way to work but at work 2 Coot were in the meadow along with the pair of Mandarin and Gadwall. 2 Lesser Redpoll were seen up at the Oxhey depot.

Cassiobury Park - 1.3.13

Even though its still cold the first signs of Spring were seen today with both Magpie and Carrion Crow carrying sticks for nest building and a Blackbird with a mouthful of worms. A Treecreeper was seen down Lime Walk with 2 Goldcrest. A Lesser Redpoll and Grey Wagtail flew over the yard. After lunch 2 Red Kite flew in over the yard before going their seperate ways and an hour before hometime a Rook headed over the tennis courts. On the way home a Red Kite flew over Hempstead Road and another over Kings Langley high street.

Cassiobury Park - 28.2.13

The first stop of the day was the Oxhey depot again and this time the Lesser Redpoll count had risen to 7 with a further 2 on feeders in the garden of the last house before the allotments. 8 Siskin were around the car park back in the park. A Grey Wagtail flew over the toilet block and a Goldcrest was by the rustic bridge. 2 adult Mute Swan flew in over the fishing lake and landed on the river by the meadow bridge and in the meadow itself 2 Coot were present.

Cassiobury Park - 27.2.13

25 Siskin were feeding in Alder trees by the car park first thing whilst out on the football pitches around 20 Redwing were feeding with a small flock of Starlings. A rough count of Blackbirds throughout the park and along Lime Walk (path between the park and Grove Mill car park in Whippendell Wood) approached almost 40 birds with the majority of them being males. A quick visit to our Oxhey depot saw 3 Lesser Redpoll still present.

Cassiobury Park - 25.2.13

On stepping out the door a Rook flew over closely followed by 5 Siskin then when at work a Red Kite drifted over the top (East) end of the park.