Cassiobury Park - 12.7.11

An adult Little Owl was still in it's tree and the Whitethroat was again singing but it seems to only do it early morning. A Sparrowhawk flew over upsetting the House Martins!

Cassiobury Park - 11.7.11

1 of the Little Owls was still around as was the Whitethroat singing somewhere from the old cress beds. But it was when going to shut the toilets that all of a sudden around 100 Black-Headed Gulls appeared from all over the place and started thermalling over the Langley Way entrance. They were joined by 6 Lesser Blacked-Backed Gulls but no sooner had they arrived they all dispersed!

Cassiobury Park - 8.7.11

The Whitethroat from the other day was still singing near the river and by the croquet lawns 3 Green Woodpeckers were feeding on the ground.

Watford - 7.7.11

Another wet day hampered any good birds but the juv Little Owl was still around and Mistle Thrush numbers had risen to 9. In the afternoon I was down at nearby KGV playing fields were 9 Swallows were flying low over the fields after insects.

Cassiobury Park - 6.7.11

A Whitethroat that sang briefly was a surprise this morning. A Sparrowhawk flew through and put up 8 BH Gulls from the paddling pools. 25+ Swifts were over the council yard screeching and a Swallow and Cormorant were reported to me.

Cassiobury Park - 5.7.11

Firstly an apology to my American readers as I spelt Independence wrong! Oooops!

Birdwise today was much quieter than yesterday. The juv Little Owl was still in its tree and a Bullfinch was heard in the meadow. I also forgot to mention the Sparrowhawk that was seen just before lunch yesterday!

Cassiobury Park - 4.7.11

Happy Independents Day to my American visitors!

From 7.30-11.45am I had an excellent morning of birds. The first bird of the day was a Hobby over the tennis courts. This was followed by 2 Siskins that flew East. A bit later while in the car park I heard a gull that sounded like it was mobbing something and sure enough directly overhead there was a Herring Gull mobbing not 1 but 2 Buzzards! While watching them another bird caught my eye but lower down, amazingly a Red Kite flew South. Finally the juv Little Owl was in its favourite tree.

Summer Siskin - 2.7.11

Whilst hanging out the washing this morning a Siskin flew over calling. Unseasonal but not unheard of.

8 Already?! - 1.7.11

8 years ago today my son Tom was born and boy has it flown by! So happy birthday Tom!

In the park I saw 3 Little Owls in the Oak trees with 2 adults and a fluffy juv that was hissing away like a snake! Nice to see considering how many people sit under those trees blissfully unaware the owls are there and probably stopping them from hunting.

Cassiobury Park - 30.6.11

Well thats half the year gone already and its not been too bad a first 6 months in birding terms with 7 UK ticks and 4 county ticks so far! I hope the next 6 months are as good?! As for the park a Buzzard was being mobbed by a Herring Gull over the top end (Rickmansworth Road) and Black-Headed Gulls numbers had risen to 3 birds over the river. A Chiffchaff was also singing still and occasionally calling which to me reminds me of Autumn so it can't be too far away!