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.

Cassiobury Park- 31.3.10

A couple of surprises today with a late Lesser Redpoll and 4 Swallows that were heading South! The Little Egret was on the river and a Blackcap and Chiffchaff were singing.

Good day in Herts

The Yellow Wagtail, Ruddy Shelduck, a Shoveler at Wilstone, Oystercatcher, Red-Crested Pochard and the LRP.

I'd booked the day off in preperation of visiting Suffolk for the Lesser Kestrel, Pallid Swift and Alpine Swifts but when news late afternoon on the Monday was negative of the first 2 I decided not to go and go to work instead. Tuesday morning and my alarm went off at 6.15am and I thought sod it im not going to work today! 8.30am the LK was still there but had gone by 9am so I went to Hilfield Reservoir instead and added 3 year ticks in doing so. A Little-Ringed Plover was on the dam and Sand Martins and Swallows were evident in small numbers. 8 singing Chiffchaffs were dotted around the reservoir.

I then went to Tring Reservoirs where a Buzzard flew over the A41 near Chesham and a Red Kite was over the leisure centre on Cow Lane. Startops End was the first port of call. The male Red-Crested Pochard was still there with a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs singing. On Marsworth 2 Cetti's Warblers were singing from the reed bed.

Wilstone held a few hirundines and another Cetti's Warbler was heard from the hide. A Red Kite and a Buzzard flew over and an Oystercatcher was forced down by the heavy rain showers. Another Red Kite was over the sewage wworks on the way home .

Another Buzzard was circling over junction 21a of the M25.

The final stop was to the puddle at Willow's Farm near Tyttenhanger. For such a small body of water there was an amazing selection of birds around it with a cracking male Yellow Wagtail being the highlight. Also present was the Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 2 Lapwing and a probable White Wagtail!

Cassiobury Park - 29.3.10

A Meadow Pipit was a surprise find in the bowling green this morning before flying off West. Also present were 3 Chaffinches and 2 Pied Wagtails.

A slow Sunday aswell! - 28.3.10

A few Long-Tailed Tits and Carrion Crows were seen while playing footy with my boy on the Meridan.

Another slow Saturday - 27.3.10

10 Canada Geese flew over near Leavsden Studio's at 8.45am.

Callowland Rec - 26.3.10

A Meadow Pipit was heard flying over mid morning.