2 unusual birds on a snowy morning 30th Nov.

An early morning walk in a dusting of snow was rewarded with good views of, firstly, a snipe. This was flushed from a field opposite South Cottages. Only the 3rd village record. Later at Westland Green, 2 lapwings were observed heading high in a westerly direction. Again, the 3rd record.
A morning garden watch gave views of: great tit, blue tit, coal tit, robin, starling, greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, jackdaw, carrion crow, collared dove, house sparrow and wren. Following this was a walk over the golf course and around Alder Wood. A common buzzard was being mobbed by 3 jackdaws whilst 3 green woodpeckers were witnessed. Black headed gulls headed north along the Ash Valley and 3 bullfinches were found feeding on fruit along New Road.
Photos attached show the snowy scenes south and south west of The Ford.
From the top:

New Road

South Cottages

Ford Hill

Looking south east from 2nd fairway.

The rest are of trees found around the golf course.

Siskins arrive

Whilst playing golf last Saturday, I noticed a flock of 40+ siskins near the 6th tee. They were in the same alder trees that held a similar number last year. I returned on the Sunday morning with scope, bins and camera, but no sightings. Quite possible for redpolls and a brambling to be mixed in with them. Consequently, I shall try again for this flock as it will probably remain faithful to this wood, especially as it is named after their favourite food: Alder Wood.

On the golf course today

Foul weather has limited the club to 4 brave souls going out to play a round. All 4 didn't finish the 18 due to a drop in temperature combined with a rise in wind speed and horizontal drizzle.
Consequently, spending time viewing the course from the club house. Good numbers of birds;
On the feeders:
5 Great tits
4 blue tits
2 coal tits
1 greenfinch
2 chaffinches
8+ starlings
Viewed from the club house
1 great spotted woodpecker
3 green woodpecker
2 jays
50+ fieldfares
20+ redwings
100+ starlings
1 pheasant
12 goldfinch
2 dunnock
1 robin
2 carrion crows
250+ wood pigeons
1 skylark over.

New Species (sort of!)

A harvest mouse was found this morning at Ash Valley Golf Course, near the 4th tee. Unfortunately the creature was dead, but upon inspection there appeared to be no puncture marks from a predator. This may give some credence to the fact that there is a population of them here. A humane trap is being sought. The smallest British rodent and the only Old World mammal with a prehensile tail. Need to check on the numbers of these creatures within Hertfordshire. Few photos to follow.

Illustrated Talk. All welcome

I shall be giving an illustrated talk on: a,) Little Hadham natural history update 2010 b.) The Camargue and c.) the bio diversity action plan that I have written for the parish.

All welcome: Little Hadham VillageHall 7.45pm Tuesday 9th November and afterwards (9.30ish) at the Nag's Head.

Admission £1.50 including refreshments. We would be most grateful for any raffle prizes handed in at the door. All proceeds to the village Social Club. Hope a few can make it to boost numbers. Photo of a white plume moth in flight, a most fortuitous shot!

Autumnal Colours 1st Nov.

A morning walk on the 1st November gave 32 species of birds, with, yet again, quantity prevailing over quality.
Many fieldfares (100+) and redwings (300+) were observed in the sky over Ash Valley Golf Course, along with several blackbirds and a solitary song thrush.
Birds of prey came in the shape of 1 common buzzard, 1 female sparrow hawk, 1 male kestrel and, most pleasingly, fleeting sights of the male merlin that appears to have taken up winter residence in the parish. This particular bird was observed on two occasions in fields between the River Ash and New Road. Flying low over the ploughed field before rising into an oak tree and then 10 minutes later being chased by 2 jackdaws towards South Cottages.
3 bullfinches were heard and then witnessed near Chapel Lane whilst a single meadow pipit fed in the grass of the 4th fairway.
However, the highlight of the whole 2 hour wander was the colours in the leaves, as shown in the attached photos.