Friday 13 March 2009

QUIET THIS AFTERNOON - MIGRANT-LESS

FRIDAY 13 MARCH

Continuing mild with light SW winds; occasional light rain but generally overcast

TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTS)

I then drove over to Tring, in the hope of connecting with some early migrants, especially Ben Miller's SAND MARTIN of this morning. Sadly, none were to be found, not even any singing Common Chiffchaffs; I also failed to locate the Marsworth Cetti's Warbler too.

Marsworth Reservoir

There was much Great Crested Grebe activity, with 14 birds still present, with a single drake Gadwall, 8 Pochards and the returning female RED-CRESTED POCHARD with the few Mallard on site.

Startop's End Reservoir

1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Pochard, 54 Tufted Ducks, an adult drake RUDDY DUCK and an adult Common Gull.

Wilstone Reservoir (1500 hours)

Most surprising was the number of Black-headed Gulls loafing - 457 in total - with 2 Common Gulls. Also with them in the SE corner were the two regular MEDITERRANEAN GULLS - the first-winter and an adult in virtually full breeding attire (the forehead was still pure white and the bill was still transitional, whilst the white 'eye-lids' were not fully formede).

Otherwise, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 4 pairs of Sinensis Cormorant nesting in the tallest tree, 9 Common Teal, 12 Gadwall, 23 remaining Eurasian Wigeon, 115 Shoveler, an adult drake RUDDY DUCK and 13 COMMON GOLDENEYES.

PITSTONE INDUSTRIAL CENTRE POOLS

There was no sign of the two Ringed Plovers just 6 migrant Pied Wagtails.

COLLEGE LAKE

Again very quiet, with all 3 Oystercatchers absent, 5 Lapwings, 4 COMMON REDSHANKS (my first in the area this year), 2 Common Teal, 9 Shoveler, Pochard and 2 adult Mute Swans.

PITSTONE QUARRY

An adult Great Crested Grebe was present (perhaps last year's breeder) and 6 Little Grebes.

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