Cassiobury Park - 15.8.11

11 RN Parakeets flew over this morning including 8 in a group over the yard. 7 Herring Gulls flew over mid morning (4 adults + 3 juvs) and then I met Samuel Perfect and his brother Ephraim. The yhave been putting their sightings on the Herts bird club website and so it was good to finally meet them. Just before lunch a Chiffchaff started singing for a few seconds near the meadow.

This evening I paid a visit to Tyttenhanger GP's as 2 Wood Sandpipers had been reported there. Unfortunately no sign of them nor the 2 juv Mediterranean Gulls but there were 2 Green Sandpipers present.

Hilfield Reservoir - 14.8.11

This morning I went to the res to do a WeBS count as the usual person is abroad. On arriving at the top of the steps I heard a couple of Common Terns that sounded a bit agitated and no wonder as I looked at them through my bins they were mobbing a large female Peregrine Falcon! It flew towards me but then headed North over the castle. Whilst doing my count a Little Egret flew South and a Swift was over the NE corner. Other notable birds were 2 Buzzards, 10 Swallow, 8 House Martin, a single Willow Warbler, 20+ Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Reed Warbler and a Common Sandpiper.

Cassiobury Park - 12.8.11

Another fairly eventful day saw at least another 10 RN Parakeets, 2 Little Owls were calling to each other near the car park but just before lunch we were coming back from nearby KGV playing fields towards the park I saw a group of geese feeding on the grass next to the river on Gade Avenue. There were 12 birds 11 of which were Canada Geese but in the middle of them was a Greylag Goose! This is only the 2nd ever record for the park following a flyover bird late last year.

Cassiobury Park - 11.8.11

An interesting morning of birds considering the rain started off with a flock of 10 RN Parakeets flying over the council yard as I stepped out of my car. A bit later I had 4 Herring Gulls fly over (2 ads and 2 fresh juvs calling for food, surely from the town centre). The rain then got heavier as did my socks when my boots leaked (though within a couple of hours of me saying I wouldn't be working anymore today unless I got a new pair, hey presto!!). A Little Owl was calling from trees by the car park but the highlight today was the 21 Mistle Thrushes on the cricket outfield with Starlings.

Cassiobury Park - 10.8.11

A Sparrowhawk was seen in Garston on the way to work. Around 1pm a juv Common Gull flew over the paddling pools briefly (probably the first juv i've seen in the park) and 11 RN Parakeets were flying around.

North Kent - 7.8.11

I'd almost forgotten about my trip down to Kent on Sunday. It wasn't bird related unfortunately but instead a family christening. I did however sneak my bins into the car and managed around 5 minutes birding at 2 sites! The first 5 minutes was at Otterham Quay where the future mother-in-law lives. The tide was out and the mud had attracted around 10 Black-Tailed Godwits with a couple still in their summer finery. The best though were the 2 Avocet in a small creek. The first time i've seen them here. On the way to the church in the village of Iwade I pulled over and had a quick look over Funton Creek. 9 years ago i'd seen a Spoonbill there in with around 60 Little Egret. Today though saw not 1 Little Egret and nothing else of note other than another 2 Avocet.

Cassiobury Park - 8.8.11

5 RN Parakeets flew over mid morning and at least 2 Chiffchaffs were calling by the river. But the best bird was a Willow Warbler that was near the rustic bridge singing it's usual song but very quietly and subdued (sub song I suppose you could call it?).

Cassiobury Park - 4.8.11

Just a Kingfisher of note today.

Cassiobury Park - 2.8.11

I received a phone call this morning from Joan Thompson telling me that she had found a juv Sparrowhawk down by the fishing lake but that she had only heard it calling. Unfortunately it's the summer holidays and the weather is nice so that means loads of people and loads of rubbish to clear up and no time to go looking for juv Sparrowhawks! But thanks anyway Joan! 9 RN Parakeets were flying around squawking and the last bird of the day as I was heading past the bowls club towards the council yard was a Sparrowhawk!

Cassiobury Park - 1.8.11

Well it's August already which means not long until my birthday and autumn migration will soon crank up a gear! The first good bird of the day was the first returning Common Gull briefly on the cricket outfield with a few BH Gulls. Later at least 1 Bullfinch was heard just South of the meadow bridge. Just as I was getting into my car to come home I heard the alarm call of House Martins above me and sure enough a Hobby flew North fairly high up. Thats the 5th or 6th record this year of Hobby which is 5-6 times the normal average count!!