Strike It Lucky - 30.11.11

As I was off work today due to the national strike I made the most of the day by doing 95% of my Christmas shopping in the morning then in the afternoon I paid a visit to Tyttenhanger GP's. On arrival 3 kids were busy riding their motorbike up and down the footpath from the entrance by the mound so my hopes weren't exactly high of connecting but I had a scan and picked up the 2 Eurasian White-Fronted Geese swimming left so I wandered up that way and eventually found all the geese tucked into the vegetation either asleep or feeding. I then found the Tundra Bean Goose but after 5 minutes of viewing all the birds on the pit became jittery and suddenly all the geese flew off towards Willow's Farm. Both species being year ticks.

Cassiobury Park - 29.11.11

At least 20 Redwings were dotted around the park and the Grey Wagtail was heard again by the paddling pools. Also heard was the male Pheasant still in the old cress beds.

Cassiobury Park - 28.11.11

The first good bird of the day was the Little Egret on the ever decreasing river before flying off towards the waterfall. A Grey Wagtail was heard briefly and 3 Lesser Redpolls were in with a small flock of Goldfinch. And just before I went home a Sparrowhawk flew through the council yard.

Kent - 26.11.11

Today we went to North Kent to visit Barbara's mum for her birthday but even before we'd left the neighbourhood a Raven flew over St.Michael's school in Garston. A Little Egret was at Otterham Quay next to the static caravan park where Barbara's mum lives and a visit to Riverside CP saw lots of waders of varying species and another Little Egret.

Cassiobury Park - 25.11.11

1 month to Christmas! Where has this year gone?! Another quiet day in the park with a Lesser Redpoll over the yard first thing then 4 Fieldfare over a bit later.

Cassiobury Park - 24.11.11

Well the day started off with a bang. I was stood by the door of our messroom chatting to my boss when I suddenly heard the call of Greylag Geese. I opened the door and from behind the trees 3 flew North closely followed by another 12! This is the 3rd record for the park and amazingly they have all been this year totalling 17 birds now! About 30 minutes later a Fieldfare flew East and then this afternoon whilst marking out the football pitches 3 Lesser Redpolls and a Cormorant also flew over.

And before I forget I must say a big hello to the Central London RSPB group who paid a visit today. The managed to add the Little Egret and a few Siskins to the days list. Hope to see you again soon?!

Irony!

Not bird related but the photo above is of a tree planted today in the park then fitted with a CAGE for it's own protection. The tree was planted on behalf of the Watford branch of Amnesty International!!!!

Cassiobury Park - 23.11.11

It was a quiet start and a quiet finish but a 20 minute spell mid morning was pretty good. The highlight was a male Pheasant that I originally heard call then saw in the old cress beds. This is only the 5th modern day record and comes hot on the heals of a female seen by one of my workmates a couple of weeks ago by the toilet block. Behind the Pheasant were 4+ Bullfinches feeding in the long hedge and small weeds. There were probably more but it was still a tad too foggy to see properly! On the river the Little Egret was perched in a tree and a Kingfisher was sat in a willow looking for fish.

Cassiobury Park - 22.11.11

Early morning saw 15 Redwing fly over. Then just before lunch 3 Cormorants flew West followed by my biggest ever single flock in Herts of 25 RN Parakeets.

Cassiobury Park - 21.11.11

The Little Egret was on the river viewed from the green bridge just up from the fishing lake. A handfull of Siskins were heard but not seen in the fog and a Goldcrest was in the cafe gardens first thing.