Oxhey Park - 24.7.25

We were doing some green flag work in Oxhey Park when I heard another Crossbill calling and a single bird flew NW. 

Cassiobury - 22.7.25

After lunch I headed back out into the park for more litter picking and about 1.30pm I suddenly heard the familiar glip glip calls of Crossbill. I looked up and counted 7 birds heading roughly NW.

Cornmill Meadows, Trimley Marshes + Braughing - 25.5.25

 

Glossy Ibis

I joined Brendon, Chris Sharp and for the first time James Reader on a day out to Essex and Suffolk. Our first stop was Cornmill Meadows in the Lea Valley. After spending an eternity trying to find somewhere to park and what direction it was to the hide we eventually arrived at the sadly burnt out hide and after an assault course to get onto the charred remains we finally had great views of the Glossy Ibis. It was the first one I’d seen in its summer finery and what a stunner it was.

Also noted were 2 Cuckoo, Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler.

Purple Heron

With views and photos secured we then headed into Suffolk and Trimley Marshes. I’d only previously been here once before for the Pacific Swift back in 2013. We parked up and had a quick cuppa kindly provided by Chris. As we were drinking it the mega alert went off telling me that an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was at Dungeness. Despite my request to head that way I was outvoted!! 

We then set upon the long walk to the hides dodging the showers noting a female Marsh Harrier and half a dozen Little Egret. Upon entering the hide we were informed the bird was seen about 10 minutes ago and roughly where. 20 minutes passed before it was re-found and great views were had of the adult Purple Heron. My second in about 6 5 weeks after the bird on Scilly.

With the bird in the book we trudged back to the car and headed for home via the Hertfordshire village of Braughing. With help from people on the Herts WhatsApp group we had directions for where to park and walk and within 10 minutes we were at the desired location and almost immediately heard the “wet me lips” call of a Quail. Despite it only being 10 feet in front of us in not very tall crops we never saw it but call was good enough for a year tick! 4 Yellowhammer and a Lesser Whitethroat also made the list.