RED KITE calling low over Lawn Lane, Corner Hall.

2 (Pair?) HERRING GULLS circling & calling over Corner Hall offices - will they breed nearby this year?

Piebald JACKDAW at Shenley Road nr. Perry Green, Woodhall Farm.

GREY WAGTAIL on flat roof at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

Unfortunate Roadkill BADGER by Link Road at E end of Howe Grove, Highfield.

Unfortunate Roadkill BADGER by Link Road at E end of Howe Grove, Highfield (the closest I've seen one to town in a long time, the last being one running from Gade Valley School into Cavendish School, Gadebridge, C.11 years ago) - others recently on A41 near Phasels Wood & Boxted/Berkhamstead Road, Warners End - at least it shows we still have them locally post cull.

[Since then another has been run over in the same area - details > HERE <.]

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TREECREEPER at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

C.600 COMMON GULLS (mainly Adults) on fields N of Great Gaddesden this morning!

C.600 COMMON GULLS at Great Gaddesden - probably same 600 strong loose flock often seen flying S over Piccotts End & Gadebridge Park during the Autumn & Winter months.

Part of the flock of C.600 COMMON GULLS at Great Gaddesden.

Part of the flock of C.600 COMMON GULLS at Great Gaddesden.

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2 BUZZARDS calling & displaying over Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

3 BUZZARDS (2 Displaying) over Howe Grove, Highfield.

2 RED KITES at Great Gaddesden

LITTLE EGRET between road bridges at Water End - probably bird from Nettleden Road seen earlier.

GREEN WOODPECKER calling at Water End

C.3 REED BUNTINGS, C.8 FIELDFARE over S & SPARROWHAWK at Water End flood meadows.

1 (Male) of C.3 REED BUNTINGS at Water End flood meadows.

 

1 of C.8 FIELDFARE over Water End flood meadows.

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LITTLE EGRET at flooded field just beside Nettleden Road, Water End.

4 GADWALL, C.20 TEAL, RED KITE, 4 BUZZARDS & KESTREL at Great Gaddesden.

4 GADWALL at Great Gaddesden - a few of the recent group still holding on with the Teal - some years a couple of pairs stay in the Great Gaddesden & Water End area to breed but only if water levels are decent enough.

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2 (Pair) LAPWINGS holding territory at Eastbrook Hay - seen from fields behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

C.50 LINNETS singing together in tree-tops at Holtmere End Lane behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - sounding more like 100 birds!

C.50 LINNETS singing together in sun-bathed tree-tops at Holtmere End Lane behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - sounding more like 100 birds & weather possibly making them think about disbursal from the Winter flock for breeding.

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Quite a few SKYLARKS about including singing birds at fields N of Woodhall Farm & Grovehill.

YELLOWHAMMERS including 2 starting to sing at Holtsmere End Lane behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

RED KITE at Eastbrook Hay

2 (Pair) RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES & 2 (Pair) BUZZARDS at Lovett's End.

RAVEN at Eastbrook Hay just N of Grovehill - seen cruising the area & perched on pylon, from fields behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

RAVEN at Eastbrook Hay - this bird not just passing through but seemed to be patrolling the area.

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GREEN WOODPECKER calling at fields behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

BLUE TIT calling like Lesser Spotted Woodpecker interspersed with usual call at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - could be confusing when lots of birds calling together.

Flock of Est.80-150 GOLDEN PLOVERS very fast ENE past Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

GOLDEN PLOVER flock at Woodhall Farm - my First in this area.

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UNIDENTIFIED large Reptile at Gaywood's Fishery, Kings Langley - comments on ID would be most welcome.

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1+ SISKIN, & SKYLARK over, at Kings Langley Fishery.

C.30 TUFTED DUCKS at Kings Langley Fishery

REED BUNTING at canal, & KINGFISHER at Kings Langley Fishery.

REED BUNTING at edge of canal behind Kings Langley Fishery - my First one in this area & the bird was calling at the edge of the rough field behind so worth checking for breeding over the Spring.

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2 (Pair) GREAT CRESTED GREBES & LITTLE GREBE at Kings Langley Fishery.

2 GREAT CRESTED GREBES at Kings Langley Fishery (on edge of Nash Mills) - not that common at all locally!

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5 POCHARD (4 Drakes) & plenty of TUFTED DUCKS at Kings Langley Fishery.

5 POCHARD at Kings Langley Fishery (on edge of Nash Mills) - this is the most reliable spot for Pochard locally.

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8 GADWALL & 30-40 TEAL at Great Gaddesden

8 GADWALL - still good numbers around, probably due to higher water levels of recent.

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RED KITE & BUZZARD together mobbed by HERRING GULL, LBB GULL & CARRION CROW, over Corner Hall.

LITTLE EGRET S over Corner Hall offices to roost, 17.55

KINGFISHER at canal at B&Q, Corner Hall

LITTLE EGRET at Water End between road bridges.

4 LAPWINGS (2 Pairs), LITTLE EGRET, 2+ GADWALL & C.10 TEAL seen in quick look at Great Gaddesden.

CHIFFCHAFF & LAPWING at Water End.

Wintering CHIFFCHAFF at Water End - calling from back of Water End Fishery (old Kodak Lake).

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2 RED KITES, BUZZARD & COMMON GULL at Water End.

2+ GREY PARTIDGES calling at W Nettleden Road, Water End

2+ GREY PARTIDGES calling at W Nettleden Road, Water End - the population in this area seems to be increasing which is great! Going from a Hemel MEGA to quite reliable at this spot.

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2 SNIPE, LITTLE EGRET leaving at 17.15, 11 GADWALL & 30+ TEAL at Great Gaddesden.

2 SNIPE at Great Gaddesden.

11 GADWALL at Great Gaddesden - my highest count here as far as I can remember.

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PEREGRINE hunting, RED KITE & 2 BUZZARDS at Great Gaddesden this eve.

PEREGRINE hunting at Great Gaddesden.

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2 LITTLE EGRETS (Gade valley birds) N over Corner Hall offices to roost, 17.48

KESTREL & 2 Adult COMMON GULLS at N Gadebridge Park.

LITTLE EGRET (one of Gade valley birds) S over Corner Hall offices, 16.54

Male REEVES' PHEASANT in field margin near water tower at Gaddesden Row today, reported by Alan King.

Male REEVES' PHEASANT in field margin near water tower at Gaddesden Row today, reported by Alan King - only a couple of weeks since a Male GOLDEN PHEASANT was seen at Piccotts End - it seems a number of ornamental birds may have escaped from a private collection locally so look out for other exotics in fields, woods & gardens N of the town.

Details on GOLDEN PHEASANT > HERE <.

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GOLDCREST visiting Ron King's garden feeders

Ron King photographed this GOLDCREST that visits the fat feeder in his garden around twice a week.

GOLDCREST on garden fat feeder - © Ron King

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4+ GREY PARTRIDGES around W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

4+ GREY PARTRIDGES around W end of Nettleden Road, Water End - at dusk 2 flew over road to horse paddock side calling then 2 more singing around T-junction.

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GREY PARTRIDGE at Water End.

GREY PARTRIDGE singing opp. horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End, at dusk.

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2 BROWN HARES chasing around field at Nettleden Road.

RED KITE low over Town Centre

2nd Winter COMMON GULL at Water Gardens

3+ BULLFINCHES at Bovingdon Brickworks

3+ BULLFINCHES at S side of Bovingdon Brickworks, N of Baker's Wood.

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KESTREL on goal post at N Gadebridge Park

2 1st Winter COMMON GULLS, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 8 CANADA GEESE & 18 MALLARDS, with BLACK-HEADED GULLS on main flood at Gadebridge Park.

KINGFISHER at canal side stream, Chaulden

LITTLE GREBE in canal side stream at Chaulden

3rd Winter HERRING GULL at Station Moor, Boxmoor

2 LITTLE EGRETS at Station Moor, Boxmoor

GREYLAG GOOSE at Water Gardens, Town Centre

CHIFFCHAFF still wintering opp. Bath Store at Water Gardens, Town Centre.

Wintering CHIFFCHAFF still opp. Bath Store at Water Gardens, Town Centre.

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STOCK DOVE over Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

Adult COMMON GULL at N Gadebridge Park

Male GOLDEN PHEASANT videoed in Piccotts End front garden by Gwyneth Sharp today.

Male GOLDEN PHEASANT photographed & videoed in front garden in Piccotts End by Gwyneth Sharp today - probably strayed from collection at Bridens Camp or possibly from garden with Guinea Fowl backing onto L.Buzzard Rd. at Piccotts End.

Below are some screen-grabs taken from the video Gwyneth took at the time...

Male GOLDEN PHEASANT in front garden at Piccotts End - © Gwyneth Sharp

2 (pair) STOCK DOVES W over Corner Hall from Boxmoor.

KINGFISHER at Two Waters

2 BROWN HARES & KESTREL at N side of Nettleden Road, Water End.

CHIFFCHAFF opp. Bathstore at Water Gardens, Town Centre

Wintering CHIFFCHAFF opp. Bathstore at Water Gardens, Town Centre - responded with call & came within 2 metres when recording of call played.

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GREY WAGTAIL at B&Q, Corner Hall

YELLOWHAMMER over Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

3 HERRING GULLS (2 Ad, 1 3W) interacting & calling at Corner Hall offices.

STOCK DOVE at N Gadebridge Park

2 LITTLE EGRETS at Boxmoor - 1 at Station Moor & 1 at Hardings Moor.

KESTREL, & SONG THRUSH in full song, at N Gadebridge Park.

4 BUZZARDS, RED KITE, KESTREL & SPARROWHAWK at Great Gaddesden.

KINGFISHER at Piccotts End

KINGFISHER at Water End S of 'S-bend' bridge.

LITTLE GREBE at Water End / Great Gaddesden.

2 (Pair) GADWALL at Great Gaddesden

2 (pair) GADWALL at Great Gaddesden

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LITTLE EGRET at Great Gaddesddn

LESSER REDPOLL at Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

LESSER REDPOLL at Great Gaddesden.

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MARSH TIT, 12 TEAL, GREY WAGTAIL & KESTREL behind Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

MARSH TIT at Great Gaddesden.

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BULLFINCH at Piccotts End Pools

BULLFINCH at Piccotts End Pools.

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2 LITTLE EGRETS, SISKIN, C.4 LINNETS, KESTREL, NUTHATCH & GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER at Piccotts End Pools.

BULLFINCH at Lovett's End Farm, just N of Grovehill.

BULLFINCH at Lovett's End - the First I've seen here,

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LITTLE EGRET going to roost S over Corner Hall offices, 16.37

FIELDFARE at Corner Hall

Phill Luckhurst reported 2 WAXWINGS in bushes along Westwick Row near Breakspear Park, Leverstock Green this morning!

2 WAXWINGS at Leverstock Green - only ones reported in the Hemel area this Winter.

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KESTREL perched on goal post at N Gadebridge Park

LITTLE EGRET on Station Moor, Boxmoor - 2 seen earlier today by Jim Middleton & 3 seen here during December.

LESSER REDPOLL flew from Gadespring Cressbeds across canal at Chaulden / Boxmoor.

LESSER REDPOLL at Gadespring Cressbeds, Chaulden.

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LITTLE GREBE in side stream at canal opp. Gadespring Cressbeds, Boxmoor / Chaulden.

C.170 BLACK-HEADED GULLS & 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Gadebridge Park.

MISTLE THRUSH with C.35 REDWINGS at Gadebridge Park.

3 LITTLE EGRETS S over Corner Hall offices - heading to roost, 16.09

Wintering CHIFFCHAFF at Two Waters opp. B&Q near outflow of River Gade from canal.

Wintering CHIFFCHAFF at Two Waters opp. B&Q near outflow of River Gade from canal - appeared larger, greyish & pale as SCANDINAVIAN CHIFFCHAFF (abientinus) but could not confirm.

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4 JAYS at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

RED KITE low over Sainsburys, Woodhall Farm

KESTREL & STOCK DOVE at Piccotts End village.

NUTHATCH, JAY & 2+ GREENFINCHES at Margaret Lloyd Park, Grovehill.