Ridge and Ash Valley Golf course walk 06.11.09

A 7.30 start today, in grey light that was certainly not good for photography. A solitary single grey heron just merits inclusion here. A large covey (12+) of red legged partridges were flushed from a footpath across the golfcourse whilst overhead fieldfares numbered in excess of 100, heading south west. Several pied wagtails were observed on the greens and 12 redwings were seen along the Ridge footpath, heading west. Good views of green and great spotted woodpecker were had as well as plenty of sightings of skylark.

Another good find were several shaggy inkcap fungi. Unfortunately these were past their best for eating, but worth looking out for more examples in better, younger condition. Very tasty fried with a little butter. However, do not use this photo as a guide to identifying them as there are others that are similar that are poisonous!

Brick Kiln Hill to Hadham Hall 28.10.09

A good morning walk, with little that was particularly noteworthy. The colours of the leaves were by far the most memorable part of the walk, shown here.

A treecreeper along The Causeway was a good find, along with a calling nuthatch near one of Hadham Hall ponds. Good numbers of skylarks and linnets. Other atached photos show a damp blue tit and the level of the water at the largest irrigation lake that is east of Hadham Hall.

Long walk 15h October

A wander over Ash Valley golf course and along the River Ash (now totally dry) was the order of the day. Beginning at 7.15a.m. I was immediately impressed by the wonderful light on the autumnal trees. See photos. The bird of the walk was finding a large party of reed buntings along the hedgerow next to the 1st fairway. Redwings and fieldfares were arriving in good numbers and skylarks appeared to be everywhere. A nuthatch called from a tree near the club house where a male kestrel was photographed, perching on a flag on the putting green. 27 black headed gulls went north and several pied wagtails were heard overhead. 5 great spotted woodpeckers and 3 green woodpeckers were recorded along with numerous starlings, their numbers swelled by arrivals from Scandinavia. It seems that the last of the butterflies and dragonflies has now been seen; the frost earlier in the week bringing about their demise or sending them into hibernation.

Autumnal arrivals 8.10.09

Both fieldfare and redwings were heard over Chapel Lane on the morning of the 8th, moving westwards. Also of note, a chiffchaff was calling from the arden at 7.40am. A most unseasonal souind, more regulrly associated with April and May.

New species at Hadham Hall lakes 07.10.09

A wander back from Tescos, north of the A120 offered views of the 96 species of bird for the parish. This came in the shape of a teal: UK's smallest duck. A photo shows the colourful wing pattern. It was found in company of several mallards on the partially drained lake. Along with this exciting discovery was a large skylark movement, with over 28 recorded heading south over fields east of The Hall. A solitary black headed gull remained from the group on Monday and singles of lesser black backed and herring were also recorded. A grey wagtail ( a fine male) was also seen at a pond near The Stables whilst a party of long tailed tits frequented hedgerows towards the school.
In an open field a large party of finches and buntings were observed, with a minimum of 26 yellowhammers and 23 chaffinches. One yellowhammer shown here.

Monday 5th Oct.

A brief walk to Hadham Hall lakes to inspect the drained pond for waders etc still proved fruitless. Skylarks appeared to be moving south, with 12 counted in 20 minutes. A field of loafing gulls was checked giving the following numbers: black headed gull 123, lesser black backed gull 4 and herring gull 2. The usual suspects were seen around the dragonfly pond before I moved to Millennium Wood. Little was recorded here apart from 4 mistle thrushes overhead and several noisy jays and the attached autumnal colours.

New butterfly species 04.10.09

A wander around the ponds and lake behind Hadham Hall offered superb views of a new butterfly species for the parish. This was in the form of a clouded yellow, a migratory butterfly that will have travelled north from France and the continent. A super find as it is an uncommon visitor to Hertfordshire. The record has been forwarded to the Herts Natural History Society.

The large irrigation lake is being drained at present, offering muddy banks that may attract waders on migration. Yesterday apart from the resident mallards and solitary tufted duck, a pied wagtail was all that was on show. A kestrel watched me from atop a telegraph pole and several black headed gulls lazed their way south. A party of linnets were around the small pond that held coot and moorhens.

Small white and red admiral were other butterflies seen, along with many ruddy darter dragonflies and a single migrant hawker.

Photos show the clouded yellow, the pied wagtail, the draining of the lake and a view down The Causeway footpath, leading from Hadham Hall to St Celia's church, always a pleasant walk through here.