Herts trip

An early start (6am) saw the 3 of us (myself, Graeme and his colleague Steve) heading across county for a day's birding. First stop, after the essential coffee break near Hemel Hempstead, was Wilstone Reservoir, one of 4 stands of water that make up Tring Reservoir complex. A bitter wind, mist and freezing temperatures greeted our arrival. We headed to the hide, spotting coot and pochard in the gloom. From the hide mute swans, shoveler, gadwall, teal etc were seen but the light was too poor for photos. We returned to the car and headed to Startops, Marsworth and then Tringford Reservoirs. Little was added here apart from pied and grey wagtail. We then checked out the yews in the local cemetery where we heard goldcrest and saw skylark and mistle thrush. Over the road we checked the rest of Wilstone, getting great spotted woodpecker and heard treecreeper. (Photo 1 shows an elusive treecreeper, snapped in Much Hadham last Sunday) After this we headed off to Rickmansworth and Stockers Lake. Both the temp and light had improved, if only slightly. Here finches such as siskins were seen as well as calling ring necked parakeets (photo 2 courtesy of Graeme.) Around the back of the lake 12 red crested pochards were found (photo 3) and over 7 goldeneye (photo 4.) We returned to the car, checking Inns Lake for reported goosander, but none were seen. Along the M25, via another coffee break to Tyttenhanger. En route we had several red kites and 2 golden plover over the motorway. The sky was darkening as we watched goldcrest, greenfinch, great black backed gull and buzzard around the main lake. No tree sparrows were noted before another day tick, a green woodpecker. Then, in persistent rain we headed off to Hertford, firstly checking for waxwing in the town and then nearby Bramfield village for hawfinch. Missed on both!! However, we had great close ups of a female sparrowhawk, as a young girl wandered through the churchyard with it on her gauntleted hand. Excellent to see.
We were back in Stortford by 4.30, 165 Hertfordshire miles and 60 bird species. A super day even if we missed out on some good birds. Last 2 photos, wigeon at Tring and black headed gulls on ice at Stockers.
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