Brambling numbers are once again building up in Penn Wood (Mike Lawrence)
FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY
A strong wind set in and consequently temperatures struggled to get higher than 7 degrees C. It did remain dry all day, and skies often cleared, but overall it was rather chilly.
My target today was MARSH TIT and on my second attempt, finally located two birds........
DANEMEAD NATURE RESERVE, BROXBOURNE WOODS (HERTS)
(1145-1245 hours)
Following up Alan Reynold's information of last week, scoured Danemead Reserve again for Marsh Tit but failed again. Not one was seen or heard in any of the suitable woodland where I have seen them previously.
A couple of Common Treecreepers and 1 Nuthatch were seen whilst searching, and both Great and Blue Tit.
On the perimeter of the reserve, along the muddy bridleway down from the Martin's Green car park (at TL 347 080), two male HAWFINCHES were again present, calling (ticking) frequently but very difficult to see in the low vegetation. They were favouring the east side of the track today and were again keeping to the forest floor. One of the male Hawfinches was the ringed bird.
AMWELL NATURE RESERVE (HERTS)
(with Bill Last)
Again, taking AR's advice, I staked out Amwell as my next port of call, and in a very short period of time indeed, 'pished' out and located 2 MARSH TITS on the west side of the canal around the picnic tables. These birds have apparently been commuting between the feeders by the two-storey hide and this plantation. Five SISKIN were also in the trees.
Just two SMEW were on the main reserve lake (male and female), along with a few Common Goldeneyes.
AMERSHAM BYPASS (BUCKS)
A dead Badger was on the A404 at SU 967 969
PENN WOOD (BUCKS)
(with Kevin Holt)
In very blustery conditions, most BRAMBLINGS roosted in the Holly trees with the Greenfinches and by 1700 hours, I had counted 36 flight in (Kevin had seen at least 45). Greenfinch numbers were well down with just 60 or so, whilst 1 Goldcrest was calling. A single RED KITE drifted over.
CHESS RIVER VALLEY (BUCKS)
(with Chris Pontin)
A third GREAT CRESTED GREBE has returned to Chesham Fishing Lakes - a male on the smaller of the two lakes - with the pair still on the larger, along with 21 Tufted Ducks and 7 Northern Pochards. Chris had earlier seen the 24 LESSER REDPOLL and 20+ SISKIN.
Mallard had increased to 18 on Bois Mill Pond, whilst 2 LITTLE EGRETS were showing very well at Chenies Bottom bridge. A further LITTLE EGRET was feeding in the river by the scrap yard in Chesham.
A strong wind set in and consequently temperatures struggled to get higher than 7 degrees C. It did remain dry all day, and skies often cleared, but overall it was rather chilly.
My target today was MARSH TIT and on my second attempt, finally located two birds........
DANEMEAD NATURE RESERVE, BROXBOURNE WOODS (HERTS)
(1145-1245 hours)
Following up Alan Reynold's information of last week, scoured Danemead Reserve again for Marsh Tit but failed again. Not one was seen or heard in any of the suitable woodland where I have seen them previously.
A couple of Common Treecreepers and 1 Nuthatch were seen whilst searching, and both Great and Blue Tit.
On the perimeter of the reserve, along the muddy bridleway down from the Martin's Green car park (at TL 347 080), two male HAWFINCHES were again present, calling (ticking) frequently but very difficult to see in the low vegetation. They were favouring the east side of the track today and were again keeping to the forest floor. One of the male Hawfinches was the ringed bird.
AMWELL NATURE RESERVE (HERTS)
(with Bill Last)
Again, taking AR's advice, I staked out Amwell as my next port of call, and in a very short period of time indeed, 'pished' out and located 2 MARSH TITS on the west side of the canal around the picnic tables. These birds have apparently been commuting between the feeders by the two-storey hide and this plantation. Five SISKIN were also in the trees.
Just two SMEW were on the main reserve lake (male and female), along with a few Common Goldeneyes.
AMERSHAM BYPASS (BUCKS)
A dead Badger was on the A404 at SU 967 969
PENN WOOD (BUCKS)
(with Kevin Holt)
In very blustery conditions, most BRAMBLINGS roosted in the Holly trees with the Greenfinches and by 1700 hours, I had counted 36 flight in (Kevin had seen at least 45). Greenfinch numbers were well down with just 60 or so, whilst 1 Goldcrest was calling. A single RED KITE drifted over.
CHESS RIVER VALLEY (BUCKS)
(with Chris Pontin)
A third GREAT CRESTED GREBE has returned to Chesham Fishing Lakes - a male on the smaller of the two lakes - with the pair still on the larger, along with 21 Tufted Ducks and 7 Northern Pochards. Chris had earlier seen the 24 LESSER REDPOLL and 20+ SISKIN.
Mallard had increased to 18 on Bois Mill Pond, whilst 2 LITTLE EGRETS were showing very well at Chenies Bottom bridge. A further LITTLE EGRET was feeding in the river by the scrap yard in Chesham.
No comments:
Post a Comment