Monday 15 November 2010

BRENT GOOSE departs overnight

MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER

The coldest night of the autumn thus far with several degrees of frost, Consequently, a calm clear start to the day, but in many areas, dense fog formed.

Initially, Allan Stewart, JT and I had planned to drive overnight for the South Devon Long-billed Dowitcher but when Dave Bilcock discovered a Dark-bellied Brent Goose in the Wilstone roost Sunday night, the plan was quickly reshuffled...

As it was, the DBBG had departed, as well as the dowitcher..........

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
(0700-0800 hours)

Shortly after dawn, the three of us were joined by Roy Hargreaves and Mike Campbell, but despite the gull roost still being active, the Dark-bellied Brent Goose had taken advantage of the clear starry night and had moved on - the second I have missed this year.

Continuing highlights included the first-year BLACK-NECKED GREBE (showing very well close inshore of the jetty on the East Shore), the 7 DUNLIN and the WATER PIPIT (still frequenting the bay by the jetty).

Otherwise, the following were logged...........

Little Grebe (3 still present)
Little Egret (1 by the hide)
Cormorant (38)
Whooper Swan (the two adults)
Greylag Goose (73)
Eurasian Wigeon (207)
Common Teal (450+)
Gadwall (2 drakes)
Shoveler (56)
Pochard (94)
COMMON GOLDENEYE (5 females)
Lapwing (211)
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER (150)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 immature)
COMMON KINGFISHER
FIELDFARE (9)
Redwing (6)
Goldfinch (11)

Red Fox (2 by hide with one catching and killing a first-year Moorhen)

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