Tuesday 4 January 2011

No sign of the Water Pipit; LITTLE EGRETS wintering on The Gade


TUESDAY 4 JANUARY

Despite a fresh SW wind, it remained very cold; in fact, I was surprised how cold the wind was. It was dry throughout and fairly bright.

RIVER GADE, PIPERS HILL, GREAT GADDESDEN (HERTS) (TL 032 111)

Standing by the Great Gaddesden Pumping Station, a total of 3 LITTLE EGRETS were seen feeding on the River Gade, along with 6 Moorhens and a female Common Teal. Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Long-tailed Tits were also noted. Nearby, the 5 Gadwall were still at Water End.

VALLEY FARM, A4146 HUDNALL CORNER (HERTS) (TL 012 136)

I discovered a huge flock of finches in fields west of the A4146 consisting of 330 LINNETS and 60 Chaffinches. A little further on and NW of Mileburn Farm, 1,300 Woodpigeons were feeding.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Again, no sign of the Water Pipit by the jetty, despite it being seen briefly on two occasions yesterday - just 2 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and a confiding COMMON KINGFISHER. No change on the duck front with the 8 PINTAIL and 3 Common Goldeneye remaining.

There was a freshly dead drake Tufted Duck and a Sinensis Cormorant by the jetty.

BROUGHTON TROUT POOLS (BUCKS)

Totally Birdless, with the snipe marsh dry and unsuitable. The two pits were totally frozen.

AYLESBURY AREA (BUCKS)

Very poor with no sign of the Peregrines, no sign of the Waxwings and just 150 Redwings east of Rowsham.

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