Amwell NR + Rye Meads RSPB - 10.4.10

Rubbish photos of the Ringed Plover, Willow Warbler, White Wagtail, Lapwing and Shelduck at Amwell NR!!

Making the most of the good weather I went to Amwell NR in the hope of some year ticks. Thankfully at least 2 were forth coming with 3+ Willow Warblers singing away and 2 House Martins that flew over the viewpoint. Other goodies were a Little Egret, 5 Goldeneyes, 4+ Chiffchaffs, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, at least 3 Buzzards and a couple of singing Cetti's Warblers.

After a quick bite to eat I went to Rye Meads RSPB reserve for the first time in ages. A Little Egret was on view from the Lapwing hide and my first Sedge Warbler was scratchily singing.

Just a Chiffy - 9.4.10

A singing Chiffchaff at Oxhey bowls club was the only bird of note all day.

Watford + HPR - 8.4.10

Another day in vicarage Road cemetary but with the better weather it was a morning of raptors. Firstly a Sparrowhawk flew over mobbed by a Carrion Crow then later a Buzzard flew over also being mobbed but by Lesser Black-Backed and Herring Gulls. Yesterdays Redwing was still present.

After work I popped into Hilfield Reservoir but was rewarded with only a Little-Ringed Plover (same bird as last week?), a Grey Wagtail, another Buzzard and 8 Swallows.

Viacarage Road Cemetary - 7.4.10

The highlight today was a late Redwing just before lunch. A drake Mallard flew East over just after lunch and a Goldcrest was singing near the chapel.

Cassiobury park - 6.4.10

A day cutting the sports areas was interspersed with 3 Pied Wagtails on the tennis courts, a possible but distant Swallow over the cricket square and my first Peacock butterfly of the year in the afternoon.

Super Suffolk - 5.4.10

1 of the Purple Sandpipers.

After staying the night in Gorleston-on-Sea and then popping in for a cuppa at my dads house we left and headed for home with a planned hour or so in Southwold. But as we were passing Lowestoft I thought it'd be rude not to pop to Ness Point where after a quick wait I managed to pick out 6 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks along with 12+ Turnstone. 2 other birders joined me and told me they had just had a Slavonian Grebe in Lowestoft Harbour so I had a quick look and was surprised to see it was nearly in summer plumage. Unfortunately i'd left my camera in the car for the sandpipers and so got a pic on my camera phone and the grebe wouldn't stop diving for long enough to get a pic!

A Little Egret was seen on Town Marshes in Southwold.

PALLID SWIFT - 4.4.10

The site of the Pallid Swift and the record shot of the White Wagtail.

I finally managed a trip up to Suffolk today. I dropped my boy off with his mum and went home packed up a few things and was on my way just after 11am. nearly 3 hours later and i'd arrived at Kessingland just South of Lowestoft. I parked up and walked down Marsh Lane past the sewage works and down to the private fishing lakes. Thankfully within a few minutes the PALLID SWIFT flew into view and I managed to watch it in my scope for nearly 15 minutes. Unfortunately being a swift there was no way I could manage to get a photo of it! Before getting back to the car I had a quick look over the sewage works and managed to pick out 2 White Wagtails amongst the Pied's. I tried to get a picture of them but they were constantly moving to avoid the arms that were spraying water so I just got a crappy record shot!! 2 Chiffchaffs were singing along the road and 2 Meadow Pipit's and a male Reed Bunting were also on the sewage beds.

Saturday - 3.4.10

A few Starlings and a Goldfinch were in my mums garden in Watford.

Back Garden - 2.4.10

A Blue Tit was inspecting the bird box in the back garden and a female Chaffinch made a brief visit (possibly the 1st record for our garden).

Watford - 1.4.10

The Little Egret was in the Oak tree near the paddling pools in CassioburyPark again and an adult Cormorant flew over. Chiffchaffs were heard singing at 4 sites.