A 4.15 am start from Chapel Lane with grey skies and poor light. A session sitting on the bench at The Ford gave up the usual species for here, with
2 flyover mallards being an attraction.
Song thrushes and
blackbirds competed for the volume whilst
wrens, tits and finches added their own songs. Firstly, a walk to Millennium Wood where a
reed bunting sang from the bull rushes, but not enough light for a worthwhile photo. I had with me my new zoom lens for my Nikon and was expecting good results, although much practice will be needed to get the best from this smart piece of kit.
Yellowhammers and
chiffchaffs also called at the wood, before I headed off down Hoecroft Lane and along the ridge to Bush Wood. A
green woodpecker showed well along with plenty of
hares and rabbits.
Two
muntjac were photographed on the bean field adjacent to Bush Wood. Here the 1st new species of May was recorded; a
garden warbler singing from the corner near the bench. Also, the main surprise of the walk was heard, a solitary
lapwing calling from the field before heading off south west, maybe to Amwell gravel pits where there is a small summer population.
Common whitethroats and
blackcaps also added to the cacophony as
5 pheasants and
2 red legged partridges were recorded in fields. A walk over the Ash towards the golf club gave the first
swallows of the walk and a
newly dug fox earth was discovered on the side of the road just before the entrance to the golf club. A
pied wagtail flew over as I enjoyed a coffee and a
jay had a disagreement with a
great spotted woodpecker in trees next to the club house.
Goldfinches flew over as I walked up New Lane before a splendid
male orange tip
posed for a few photos just south of the ford. Back by 9.00am. Good walk with 37 species being recorded in all. Still plenty of migrants to find, with the first house martins and swifts still to arrive. Both have been recorded locally so just a matter of time. Also expected will be hobby and lesser whitethroat.
Finally, a family ofblackbirds, including two recently fledged birds were found in the Ford Field allotments. One young bird remained patient whilst I attempted to work out how the lens functioned. The result can be seen here.
Upon returning to the garden a collared dove gave me the opportunity to pracitce some more with the lens.
Two muntjac were photographed on the bean field adjacent to Bush Wood. Here the 1st new species of May was recorded; a garden warbler singing from the corner near the bench. Also, the main surprise of the walk was heard, a solitary lapwing calling from the field before heading off south west, maybe to Amwell gravel pits where there is a small summer population. Common whitethroats and blackcaps also added to the cacophony as 5 pheasants and 2 red legged partridges were recorded in fields. A walk over the Ash towards the golf club gave the first swallows of the walk and a newly dug fox earth was discovered on the side of the road just before the entrance to the golf club. A pied wagtail flew over as I enjoyed a coffee and a jay had a disagreement with a great spotted woodpecker in trees next to the club house. Goldfinches flew over as I walked up New Lane before a splendid male orange tip
posed for a few photos just south of the ford. Back by 9.00am. Good walk with 37 species being recorded in all. Still plenty of migrants to find, with the first house martins and swifts still to arrive. Both have been recorded locally so just a matter of time. Also expected will be hobby and lesser whitethroat.
Finally, a family ofblackbirds, including two recently fledged birds were found in the Ford Field allotments. One young bird remained patient whilst I attempted to work out how the lens functioned. The result can be seen here.
Upon returning to the garden a collared dove gave me the opportunity to pracitce some more with the lens.
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