Little Hadham Birding: Tring Reservoirs and Stockers Lake 06.01.23

Early start to Tring. First stop was Tescos for a coffee on the outskirts of Tring where a flock of Siskins were feeding in half light at 7.45am on Alder cones in the car park.

Off to Wilstone, the largest of the reservoirs and and a wander around the the hide. Light slowly got better but we knew birds would be distant so had left the cameras in the car. Usual fare: Shovelers, Teal, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Pochards, Greylags, Canada geese, Cormorants and Lapwings. Upon leaving the hide, great views of a Goldcrest. Rick had a Med gull which wasn't seen again as we checked all the Black headed gulls

Further around we stopped to scan the far bank, a Green sandpiper was our only wader of the day (apart from the 100's of Lapwings.) A check on the trees here but just a Blue tit. Back to the car and a drive around to Startops, Marsworth and Tringford Reservoirs.

Nothing noteworthy on Startops, 2 pairs of very distant Goldeneye on Marsworth and 4 Little egrets, several Grey herons and a Great white egret at Tringford.

From here, back to Tescos for another coffee and then a walk around the entire perimeter of Stocker's Lake near Rickmansworth. Rose ringed parakeets were ubiquitous, shovelers a plenty, Long tailed tits everywhere, more Grey herons and a Water rail heard from the footpath.

Good numbers of Great crested grebe, before a trip back to the car and home for 4.30pm with a good trip along the M25.

Species List: