A long walk today, combining all my routes began by heading up Chapel Lane and then over the golf course. Picnic and cider packed I was off by 9.00am. Weather was superb, leading me to believe I was in with a chance of adding to my bird list, hopefully seeing some spring migrants. I was not disappointed.
A herring gull headed north as I wandered west. Tits and usual finches were recorded in the hedgerow along the Lane. Skylarks and yellowhammers were heard before I turned south along the footpath at the top of Chapel Lane. Here, I heard a strange call, similar to a thrush but not the same. I hoped for a ring ouzel and after 5 minutes of scanning the trees all around I discovered the bird. Indeed, a superb male ring ouzel,
calling and flapping its wings. Basically similar to a male blackbird, with a different call and a tell tale white horseshoe on its chest. Also, in good light, as this was, they show a silvery sheen to their dark wings. A super bird to observe and one that I had thought was a slight possibility. I think the 3rd or 4th recorded in Hertfordshire this year, so indeed a good bird. Buoyed by this I headed off in search of more migrants. I took a break adjacent to the 2nd green on the golf course, where there is a splendidly placed bench. Here much song emanated from Caley Wood with 2 pairs of blackcaps being observed. By now the species total for the walk had reached an impressive 30 and I soon added swallow, nuthatch, starling and goldfinch. I stopped to photograph the carpet of bluebells in the wood before heading off for my customary coffee at the club house.
A herring gull headed north as I wandered west. Tits and usual finches were recorded in the hedgerow along the Lane. Skylarks and yellowhammers were heard before I turned south along the footpath at the top of Chapel Lane. Here, I heard a strange call, similar to a thrush but not the same. I hoped for a ring ouzel and after 5 minutes of scanning the trees all around I discovered the bird. Indeed, a superb male ring ouzel,
calling and flapping its wings. Basically similar to a male blackbird, with a different call and a tell tale white horseshoe on its chest. Also, in good light, as this was, they show a silvery sheen to their dark wings. A super bird to observe and one that I had thought was a slight possibility. I think the 3rd or 4th recorded in Hertfordshire this year, so indeed a good bird. Buoyed by this I headed off in search of more migrants. I took a break adjacent to the 2nd green on the golf course, where there is a splendidly placed bench. Here much song emanated from Caley Wood with 2 pairs of blackcaps being observed. By now the species total for the walk had reached an impressive 30 and I soon added swallow, nuthatch, starling and goldfinch. I stopped to photograph the carpet of bluebells in the wood before heading off for my customary coffee at the club house. Following this I took the path along the Ash and then up to Bush Wood where I had my picnic. A kestrel hovered overhead, and later, so did a police helicopter. Obviously, they were not looking for me as they moved off after surveying me for a minute or two. I waved merrily and proffered my bottle of Timothy Taylor's pale ale.
A common whitethroat sang as I lunched, my first of the year, before I headed off along the Ridge back to Acremore Street. Here, surprisingly, I flushed 7 fieldfares which I would have anticipated being further north, heading for their Scandinavian breeding grounds. Very late stayers, I think.
Butterflies kept me company all day, with over 12 peacocks being recorded, 3 brimstones and 2 small whites. However, the highlight was first orange tips of the year. Still too flighty for photos, but I include a reasonable one of a peacock.
I hope to improve on this as the summer progresses. New plants in the shape of Field forget me not (myosoti arvensis) charlock (sinapis arensis) and red campion ((silene dioica) were all photographed and recorded. The latter in its first bloom in Bush Wood. Finally, colt's-foot (tussilagofarfara) was found in Acremore Street.
3 hares, grey squirrels and barking muntjac were also witnessed making this 38 bird species walk a most rounding success. The first ladybird of the year was also seen near Caley Woood
I doubt whether I shall record a rarer Hertfordshire bird than the ring ouzel all year and I include a photo here; not my own, one from the web. The first photo shows a pond skater, whilst the plants are red campion and the yellow colt's-foot
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