Another new species 09.09.09

A walk up Chapel Lane, round Westland Green and over Ash Valley Golf Course this morning gave views of my first spotted flycatcher in the parish. This was witnessed on wires in Westland Green. 2 photos attached here, taken in poor light. This makes the bird species total for the parish an impressive 95!
Also seen was a solitary nuthatch, calling from the top of an oak, along with a single willow warbler, an immaculately plumaged whitethroat, several yellowhammers, 1 lesser black backed gull and a few migratory swallows. All in all 27 species for the walk.

Migration watch from garden 08.09.09

An hour in the garden from 4.30pm gave views of 125+ swallows heading south along the River Ash valley. The gentle southerly breeze and clear, warm sky obviously encouraging them to begin the migration. Also witnessed was one common buzzard, high and gliding south. In the garden were several red admirals, commas and large white butterflies as well as 1 female common darter and a solitary migrant hawker. Photos attached show the red admiral and comma feeding on buddleia

Hadham Hall wander 08.09.09

An early start to see if there were any migrants around the fields north and east of Hadham Hall. Over 200 sand and house martins were seen over the Hall grounds, along with another party of 100+ over Chapel Lane. The latter also included several swallows. Also of note was a grey heron near the ponds, but the highlight was a fleeting glimpse of a kingfisher heading away from the large lake at 8.10am. A great, if brief sight and only the 2nd record for the parish. Other noteworthy sightings wer a flock of 100+ linnets, some shown here. A chiffchaff called from the hedgerow whilst a few gulls headed both north and south. A black headed was seen heading south whereas a small party of lesser black backed gulls winged their way north. Also, 1 immature herring gull was mixing with the martins, obviously fly catching. A kestrel watched from the power lines as yellowhammers darted into the hedges.

To Tescos and back 06.09.09

A fine 2 hour hike to the shops and returning via Green Street and Bury Green. Very little on show, with a soaring common buzzard being the highlight. Plenty of tit and finch flocks now increasing in number. However, at The Ford, both a ruddy darter, (shown here) and a mobile southern hawker were witnessed. Other photo attached show an immaculate, recently emerged comma butterfly.

Species number 94 for the parish 01.09.09

An early start found me en route to Stortford Tescos via Muggin's Wood, Bury Green and Cradle End. The return journey was to the north of the A120 to Hadham Hall lakes. On the recently turned over stubble fields a solitary wheatear, either first year bird or female, was observed. Good binocular views but too distant and mobile for a worthy photo. A good bird, albeit expected. A migrant, this specimen will be heading south for Africa and will, within 4 days, be on the Mediterranean coast, before hopping over the Straits of Gibraltar. Always amazing to think a bird of this size, maybe weighing 15 grammes, can manage such an arduous journey.

Chapel Lane, 10 Acre Wood and Foxearth Wood 30th August.

A longer walk this morning, beginning with a wander to 10 Acre Wood on the extreme North East corner of the parish. Not too many birds of note, but a party of 100+ starlings was a good early morning sight. House martins and swallows continue to head south, occasionally being chased by a solitary hobby. The latter has been seen on several occasions around The Ford. A breeding pair towards Stortford have 3 juveniles and it is likely that one of the adults makes its way over here to hunt. A wander along the side of Queer Wood gave good views of pheasants, one shown here highlighting the good camouflage. Also depicted several views of Queer Wood in good light.

August 27th Over the golf course.

A short walk around New Road and the golf course footpaths gave good sightings of regular birds. A yellowhammer: shown here, was most confiding and it was refreshing to observe a party of 50+ house sparrows around Home Farm. A much declining species. Also of note, a party of mixed finches along the River Ash valley, predominantly linnets and goldfinch. A male linnet is shown here in New Road. A lone herring gull and 3 lesser black backed gulls were all seen loafing around recently disturbed fields. Other photos here show a splendid show of ox eye daisies and poppies as well as a close up of a poppy.