Catch Up

Apologies for the lack of news for the last 13 days or so! If you carry on down you can catch up on my sightings. But this may well be my last post for another 2 weeks as i'm off on my hols to USA and Canada but if I can update from there I will try.

KGVPF - 15.8.13

2 Swift flew around over the playing fields whilst preparing the cricket.

Cassiobury Park - 14.8.13

A single Swift flew north over at 8am and a Willow Warbler sung near the mini railway before heading into the woods to join a singing Chiffchaff. A family party of Treecreeper were by the picnic tables/mini railway and 4 Herring Gull (2 juv) flew over towards the town centre. A Pied Wagtail flew over the paddling pools and a Buzzard was distant over the meadow.

Cassiobury Park - 13.8.13

A lone Swift was the only bird of note today as it flew over the yard.

Cassiobury Park - 12.8.13

No birds were noted today but instead the highlight of the day happened just after lunch when the Prime Minister David Cameron, Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton turned up to have a look at the Sky Ride event that was happening!

Garden - 10.8.13

From the living room window a few Swallow were busily eating what I presume were flying ants and 2 juv Greenfinch were nice to see.

Cassiobury Park - 9.8.13

2 Swift were over the yard briefly and a lovely Brimstone flew over the cricket square. Back home and another Brimstone was outside the front door but this time it was of the moth variety!

Cassiobury Park - 8.8.13

6 Magpie were by the log benches early on and a Goldcrest was around the yard. RN Parakeets have become more noticeable with half a dozen seen flying over and a juv LBB Gull was on the paddling pools.

Cassiobury Park - 7.8.13

A Red Kite that flew over the tennis courts was the only thing of note.

Cassiobury Park - 6.8.13

While measuring out the football pitch adjacent to the car park first thing a Willow Warbler started singing from behind the houses by the car park entrance showing that autumn migration was underway. This was followed by a single Crossbill that flew NW over the meadow. A Coal Tit was heard later in the day near the mini railway. After work myself and Carey walked round to the pub in Chipperfield and once again I heard the Firecrest singing from the usual gardens on King's Lane.

Cassiobury Park - 5.8.13

A Sparrowhawk flew over the toilet block mid morning but just after lunch while cutting the tennis courts a Hobby flew west and was the first in the park this year. After work 5 LBB Gulls flew over North Watford 3 of which were fresh juveniles uttering their begging calls.

Maple Lodge - 4.8.13

As the reserve was having an open day I headed over with Tom and my mum. I bumped into Steve Carter in the clubhouse and he said that the Marsh Harrier was still present but it wasn't seen by me. A Kingfisher was a nice surprise and from the Lynster's hide an Egyptian Goose and a Bar-Headed Goose were seen. I also had a probable Garganey from Teal hide that flew past showing two very broad white wing bars with a plain speculum so hopefully someone can pin it down.

Verulamium Park - 3.8.13

An afternoon wander around the lake in St.Alban's with Carey, Tom and my mum was very pleasant and only interrupted by a visit to the Waffle House for a spot of lunch where 2 tables away was The BBC's One Show's historian Ruth Goodman! On the water were 155 Canada Goose and 3 broods of Tufted Duck and a single brood of Pochard (6 juvs). A Red Kite also flew over.

Cassiobury Park - 2.8.13

2 days into August and the Mistle Thrushes have started their post breeding flock again with 9 together near the car park. A Bullfinch was again heard by the mini railway and a Sparrowhawk flew over just as I was leaving for home. Another Sparrowhawk was seen by the Hunton Bridge roundabout on the way home and finally a Bullfinch was heard calling from the garden.

Cassiobury Park - 2.8.13

A Red Kite flew over the Gade Avenue entrance to the park near the fishing lake and soon after I bumped into some of the Watford RSPB group who reported nothing of interest birdwise but a Pipistrelle Bat that was flying around over the lake in broad daylight!

Cassiobury Park - 30.7.13

The only noteworthy birds seen in the miserable weather was 4 fully grown juvenile Mandarins by the rustic bridge then above the waterfall. This is the first time in the 4-5 years they have bred in the park that I've managed to see any of the young.