27.11.09 Tescos back to The Ford via Green Street

A pleasant wander but with nothing particularly noteworthy. Fieldfares and redwings were evident thoughout the walk as were several parties of long tailed tits. A good sized party of goldfinches was also recorded. Photos attached show a view down Ford Hill, the old oak tree and a moon appearing over Brick Kiln Hill at 2.00pm.

25.11.09

A female sparrow hawk flew through the garden, causing a right fuss with blackbirds and jacdaws. This was at 8.30 am. First sighting in the garden.

Tawny Owls 19.11.09

Several tawny owls continue to call after 7.30pm from Brick Kiln Hill, opposite the Nags Head. Haver yet to manage a photo of this strictly nocturnal owl.

17th Nov. Tescos and return to Little Hadham North of A120

My 3rd walk in as many days and hoping for a sight of something different. Nothing unusual but at least 28 species including a party of 5 goldcrests in conifers along the River Ash. Heard more than seen. A check for firecrest was non productive! Otherwise the standard fare. The wintering skylarks were east of Hadham Hall (14+) and a solitary mistle thrush. Yellowhammers, greenfinches and goldfinches were in good numbers whilst jays again seemed to be everywhere.

However, a good day for fungi. I have less than limited knowledge of these and even with a good reference book find it hard to identify most species. Included here, a few photos of ones I have yet to identify accurately, and certainly not enough to pick and eat any!

Tesco's, Green Street and Brick Kiln Hill 16.11.09

Another morning walk with little to report. It is November after all! Good numbers of redwings overhead and in berry trees. Otherwise, a great spotted and green woodpeckers were highlights. Grey skies limited photography, too. In all a disappointing 21 species recorded for the 4 miles. Jays appeared to be ubiquitous. A view along the perimeter of East Wood shown here

15th November: Chapel Lane and golf course wander

A walk up Chapel Lane, through Westland Green and over the golf course to the club house was the order of the day. Usual autumnal residents were seen, with 22 species in all. 100+ fieldfares were recorded along with several yellowhammers and 2 pied wagtails near the club house. A kestrel hovered adjacent to the 18th fairway whilst a solitary female great spotted woodpecker was photographed along the footpath leading from Chapel Lane to Westland Green. However, the highlight were the colours found in the trees and hedgerow. Shown here are a couple of shots of a glorious beech hedge and a view along the back of the 2nd green.

Ridge and Ash Valley Golf course walk 06.11.09

A 7.30 start today, in grey light that was certainly not good for photography. A solitary single grey heron just merits inclusion here. A large covey (12+) of red legged partridges were flushed from a footpath across the golfcourse whilst overhead fieldfares numbered in excess of 100, heading south west. Several pied wagtails were observed on the greens and 12 redwings were seen along the Ridge footpath, heading west. Good views of green and great spotted woodpecker were had as well as plenty of sightings of skylark.

Another good find were several shaggy inkcap fungi. Unfortunately these were past their best for eating, but worth looking out for more examples in better, younger condition. Very tasty fried with a little butter. However, do not use this photo as a guide to identifying them as there are others that are similar that are poisonous!

Brick Kiln Hill to Hadham Hall 28.10.09

A good morning walk, with little that was particularly noteworthy. The colours of the leaves were by far the most memorable part of the walk, shown here.

A treecreeper along The Causeway was a good find, along with a calling nuthatch near one of Hadham Hall ponds. Good numbers of skylarks and linnets. Other atached photos show a damp blue tit and the level of the water at the largest irrigation lake that is east of Hadham Hall.

Long walk 15h October

A wander over Ash Valley golf course and along the River Ash (now totally dry) was the order of the day. Beginning at 7.15a.m. I was immediately impressed by the wonderful light on the autumnal trees. See photos. The bird of the walk was finding a large party of reed buntings along the hedgerow next to the 1st fairway. Redwings and fieldfares were arriving in good numbers and skylarks appeared to be everywhere. A nuthatch called from a tree near the club house where a male kestrel was photographed, perching on a flag on the putting green. 27 black headed gulls went north and several pied wagtails were heard overhead. 5 great spotted woodpeckers and 3 green woodpeckers were recorded along with numerous starlings, their numbers swelled by arrivals from Scandinavia. It seems that the last of the butterflies and dragonflies has now been seen; the frost earlier in the week bringing about their demise or sending them into hibernation.

Autumnal arrivals 8.10.09

Both fieldfare and redwings were heard over Chapel Lane on the morning of the 8th, moving westwards. Also of note, a chiffchaff was calling from the arden at 7.40am. A most unseasonal souind, more regulrly associated with April and May.