LESSER REDPOLLS were the highlight of the day, whilst Continental Cormorants were only the second record this year. Coot numbers had dropped, whilst just one female Northern Pochard was on the Fishing Lake (all images Mike Lawrence)
WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY
Another very cold day with a band of prolonged snow falling, accumulating in a few inches on the Chiltern Hills (eg, Ivinghoe Beacon). The temperature failed to rise above 2 degrees C and the NE wind was quite severe and biting.
LITTLE EGRETS today included one in a small pool just NW of Higher Dehnam Sewage Works (TQ 016 879) and at least four in the Chess Valley (one in the stream by Watercress Cottage and 3 west of Chenies Bottom).
CHESHAM FISHING LAKES (BUCKS)
A pair of adult GREAT CRESTED GREBES returned to their breeding haunt at Chesham Fishing Lakes on Tuesday 22 February (per Chris Pontin) and were still present today and showing well. Both were in almost full breeding attire.
Wildfowl included 1 adult Mute Swan, 19 Tufted Duck and 9 Northern Pochard (1 female), along with 1 Grey Heron and 12 Coot. A Continental Cormorant flew east.
Most significant was a flock of 24 LESSER REDPOLLS, the party containing some beautiful rosy-pink adult males.
CHESHAM POW-WOW LAKE (BUCKS)
A pair of GADWALL was present, along with a single adult Mute Swan, 6 Tufted Ducks and 6 Coot.
BOIS MILL LAKE (BUCKS)
In addition to the resident pair of Mute Swans, 2 sub-adult Continental Cormorants were fishing.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
(1630-1800 hours)
Once again, in constant sleet/snow ands a bitter wind, concentrated on the gull roost. Despite click-counting 2,480 Black-headed Gulls and 93 Common Gulls, there was no sign of either of the two recent adult Mediterranean Gulls. Four adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all that represented the large gulls.
Four COMMON GOLDENETE (2 drakes) were together
Another very cold day with a band of prolonged snow falling, accumulating in a few inches on the Chiltern Hills (eg, Ivinghoe Beacon). The temperature failed to rise above 2 degrees C and the NE wind was quite severe and biting.
LITTLE EGRETS today included one in a small pool just NW of Higher Dehnam Sewage Works (TQ 016 879) and at least four in the Chess Valley (one in the stream by Watercress Cottage and 3 west of Chenies Bottom).
CHESHAM FISHING LAKES (BUCKS)
A pair of adult GREAT CRESTED GREBES returned to their breeding haunt at Chesham Fishing Lakes on Tuesday 22 February (per Chris Pontin) and were still present today and showing well. Both were in almost full breeding attire.
Wildfowl included 1 adult Mute Swan, 19 Tufted Duck and 9 Northern Pochard (1 female), along with 1 Grey Heron and 12 Coot. A Continental Cormorant flew east.
Most significant was a flock of 24 LESSER REDPOLLS, the party containing some beautiful rosy-pink adult males.
CHESHAM POW-WOW LAKE (BUCKS)
A pair of GADWALL was present, along with a single adult Mute Swan, 6 Tufted Ducks and 6 Coot.
BOIS MILL LAKE (BUCKS)
In addition to the resident pair of Mute Swans, 2 sub-adult Continental Cormorants were fishing.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
(1630-1800 hours)
Once again, in constant sleet/snow ands a bitter wind, concentrated on the gull roost. Despite click-counting 2,480 Black-headed Gulls and 93 Common Gulls, there was no sign of either of the two recent adult Mediterranean Gulls. Four adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all that represented the large gulls.
Four COMMON GOLDENETE (2 drakes) were together
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