Portland Bill Trip 29.03.11

A super day was had at Portland Bill on Tuesday 29th March. Travelling down on the Monday evening with Gary we arrived at the bird observatory around 8pm and after a chinese meal and a few pints in the 8 Kings we settled down in the lighthouse before an early start. Rising at 5a.m we wandered down to The Bill in darkenss before first light gave us skylark, cormorant and shag. A purple sandpiper entertained us before we headed off to West Cliffs. En route a few wheatears and black redstarts were observed but due to the weather conditions (warm, dry and still) the hoped for migrants didn't show. From the cliffs we watched 1000 guillemots in rafts along with razorbills. A few kittiwakes and fulmars mingled with the great black backed and herring gulls. After a while we headed back to see what was about in the observatory garden; not a lot so off to Radipole Lake and Lodmoor RSPB Reserves. Once we had negotiated the jam that was Weymouth we wandered around Radipole. Plenty of chiffchaff and willow warblers along with the regular water fowl. However, a hooded merganser near the centre was a highlight. This bird has been present for 3 years and still the status remains unknown. It may well be a vagrant from North America as when it first arrived it was cautious and remained in a storm drain. Now it comes to bread and fights with the mallards. A super bird to see.

Off to Lodmoor and several black tailed godwits in summer plumage was a highlight. A solitary bullfinch and grey plover increased our day list before we headed back to Portland for our second attempt to find the hoopoe in the quarry. No luck so back to the Obs to catch up wuth anything new. No good news so down to The Bill where the sea was quiet before we finished off with a wander to the cliffs and over The Common to the Admiralty Fence. 2 rock pipits were our last tick before the journey home. An excellent day with 70 species recorded during the whole day.

Photos from the top:

• oystercatcher (Lodmoor)
• peacock butterfly (Lodmoor and the only butterfly of the day)
• pochard (Radipole)
• Quarry (Portland and no hoopoe)
• dunnock (Lodmoor)
• greenfinch (Lodmoor)
• pale herring gull (Radipole)
• magpie (Radipole)
• moorhen (Radipole)
• rock pipit (The Bill)
• shag (West Cliffs))
• shelduck (Lodmoor)
• teal (Lodmoor)
• willow warbler (Lodmoor)
• 3 of the hooded merganser (Radipole)
• purple sandpiper (The Bill)
• robin (Radipole)
• guillemots and razorbiils (West Cliffs)
• female tufted duck (Radipole)
• lighthouse (The Bill)
• male tufted duck (Radipole)
• hooded merganser (Radipole) 

Dawn Chorus Walk. 27.03.11

6 of us met at the village hall at 5.45a.m. on the day the clocks went forward. We set off for a trip around Hadham Hall, Bury Green, Millennium Wood and Hoecroft Lane. The birds began singing as soon as we set off with our first highlight being a barn owl near the primary school. 2 canada geese settled noisily upon the lagoon east of the hall whilst goldcrests were heard in the conifers within the boundary of Hadham Hall. 2 flyover greylag geese were a real surprise, only the 2nd parish record before we stooped for coffee at Sue's. We were all most grateful. Other noteworthy birds were grey heron, buzzard and one of the first chiffchaffs for the parish. However, the real surprise was at the end. Upon walking down the path at home 8 lesser redpoll were observed in trees at Ford Field. Again a 2nd parish record. Photo above, thanks to Graeme for this excellent shot, along with 2 of the canada geese in very poor light.

new bird for 2011: 26th March

Another new bird for the year was recorded today whilst selling my book at the Farmers' Market. A chiffchaff was heard singing in the hedge that runs adjacent to the River Ash near the car park. Tomorrow morning is my first dawn chorus wander, meeting at the village hall at 5.45a.m. Maybe a few more migrants will be encountered. Photo today shows a spring pair of collared doves in the back garden.

25th March: a day of firsts

Aday working at Ash Valley Golf Club gave three firsts for 2011. To begin with a comma butterfly was seen around the club house and then, at 2.00pm a willow warbler was heard singing in the nearby coppice. As I was watching the warbler a large white butterfly went past. The 20C temperature obviously encouraging spring movement. Pleasing to see and hear.

Book published

Book Launch last Sunday at the Nag's Head, Little Hadham went well with over 70 people crammed into the small bar. Plenty of copies sold and am now happy to send copies to those who would like to order 1. email your address and I shall deliver it. Altenatively I can put it in the post if too far away.
Copies available for £8.00 with £1.50 p and p.
Otherwise, they are available at the Nag's Head, Little Hadham, Ash Valley Golf Club, Queen's Head, Allen's Green or Prince of Wales, Green Tye.
The book details all bird sightings from 2008 onwards along with all records of mammals, moths, butterflies, damsel and dragonflies as well as amphibians, other insects and reptile and plants. Also includes a guide to local walks, recipes for wild food and herbal remedies that can be made from wild plants growing in the parish.

By next week also to be found in Stortford library and hopefully, Waterstones. With these 2 venues I cannot guarantee the price.

Sunday walk 13.03.11 + 1st brimstone butterfly of the year

A wonderful wander over to the school, along the A120 and then taking footpaths to Albury End. The undoubted highlight was seeing 3 fallow deer heading west from woods near Albury. several photos here. These were the first proper sightings I have had of this uncommon local species. Previously, a fallow stag had been observed in a field at Cradle End, but this had unfortunately been hit by a car and had to be destroyed.
The first lesser periwinkles were flowering adjacent to the footpath leading to the A120 from Chapel Lane.
Birds were everywhere, with over 150+ chaffinches in fields near Albury End. Over 14 singing skylarks recorded over the whole walk. The A120 rookery opposite the school holds more than 30 nests with constant calling and coming and going with nest building material. Photo above. 20 linnets were also feeding in fields near the traffic lights and finally a calling tawny owl in Muggin's Wood and a female sparrow hawk chasing pied wagtails in the farmyard of Home Farm, Chapel Lane.

Diary Dates

2 dates for any local readers: Firstly: my book launch. This will be at the Nag's Head, Little Hadham on Sunday 20th March as from 8.30pm. The book (Natural History of Little Hadham 2008 - 2010) will be available for purchase at the hugely discounted rate of £5.00 for this evening only.
All welcome.
Secondly, my first dawn chorus walk. Sunday 27th March, meeting at the village hall car park at 5.45a.m. The same day as the clocks go forward!! All welcome, but please email or phone me to let me know that you intend to come along so as we don't set off without you. Should be back at the car park by 9.30a.m.

Common buzzards 11.03.11

Whilst at work at Ash alley Golf Club 3 common buzzards were first heard and then observed high over the club house. They wheeled around, with signs of courtship display before heading off to the woods south of the club.
Wonderful sight as all three were seen gliding and turning together. Other birds around the club house were 200+ early morning fieldfares, the usual green woodpecker and a selection of local dunnocks, robins, great, long tailed and blue tits.

8.3.11 Acreman Street, Harvey's Wood, Millennium Wood and Hoecroft Lane

Another early, 6.00a.m. start in misty and frosty conditions. 27 bird species were encountered including 4 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers along with at least 6 green woodpeckers.  I spent time around Harvey's Wood where there is a barn owl present, but I suspect the misty conditions were not conducive to early morning hunting. skylarks were in fine voice (3+) along with yellowhammers, song thrushes (2), chaffinches (6+) and goldfinches (4)

Photos attached show the light conditions, which were no good for bird shots, but a very colourful sunrise, nevertheless. The sunrise over the bench is at Bury Green whilst the ghostly mist over the woods is Muggin's Wood

Tawny Owl

Whilst driving home, between Bury Green and Cradle End, I encountered a tawny owl sitting on a road sign. The headlights from the car caused it to remain put as they will have messed up its night vision. Unfortunately, no camera, bit only the 4th I have actually seen in the parish. However, around Brick Kiln Hill they are calling throughout the night, with at least 4 being vociferous last night.
Photos depict snowdrops and local spring bulbs whilst the last attacment is of the early flowering germander speedwell. These were all taken locally, around Chapel Lane the previous afternoon.

2.3.11 To Much Hadham and back

A 6.00am start along the ridge footpath to Winding Hill and then returning via the golf club and New Road. In all, 29 species of bird recorded with 3 black headed gulls, 500+ fieldfares, 1 early common buzzard and 200 starlings being notable. Also on view, the dunnock shown above, several redwing and 2 red legged partridge.
However, the highlight of the walk was encountering this huge paw print in the mud near Bush Wood. The coin is a standard £1.00, so this gives an indication of the size of the claws! I expect it is just a very large dog, but have forwarded this photo to experts. Be interesting to see their prognosis.

27.02.11 Ash Valley G.C.

An early morning wander over the golf course and through the bridlepath adjacent to Chapel Lane. Highlight were 2 grey partridges in New Road whilst everything else was as you were. Green woodpeckers appear to be all over the course, at least 5 birds seen and/or heard. A kestrel was hovering in fields north of Chapel Lane along with a small party of yellowhammers.2 photos from the walk. The first dog mercury is now pushing through the undergrowth and next to the 17th green, a hare shot past me. Their numbers are increasing upon the course, with 3 seen regularly. Last year, I estimated 5 breeding pairs, so time for a survey of this marvellous mammal is now in order.