3 YELLOW WAGTAILS in horse paddock W of Heizdin's Wood at Nettleden Road, Water End.

1 of 3 YELLOW WAGTAILS with many PIED WAGTAILS feeding around horses
in the West paddock on Nettleden Road, Water End.

Tweet

LARGE YELLOW-UNDERWING MOTH in kitchen at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm tonight.

2 BUZZARDS, 1 displaying, over Boxmoor.

2+ YELLOW WAGTAILS with C.15 PIED WAGTAILS in horse paddock W of Heizdin's Wood, at Nettleden Road, Water End.

'ICTERINE-looking' WARBLER at Lower Roughdown Common!

Possible ICTERINE WARBLER!

Extract from quick email to local birding groups with details:

I also saw what I could only describe as an Icterine Warbler but not 100% sure. From this field [small rough field SSW of gas tower frames at Boxmoor & E of wood at Lower Roughdown] you can get out at the top of the slope, nearest the wood, to the footpath that runs along the top of the bank of the A41. About half way along here at the edge of the wood a very yellow warbler popped up, more substantial than a Willow Warbler, very yellow, with a relatively long, thick orange bill, thick pale yellow eye stripe & a thick pale yellow eye ring that gave the bird an open-faced look with a big eye, with no dark markings on its face. In just a moment it darted along into a tree then I could not find it again, if flew much like a Reed Warbler or Blackcap, darting & in rush, diving into cover, unlike a Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff.

Grid reference for Google Maps etc. 51.739547,-0.486554

Tweet

C.5 BULLFINCHES at Roughdown Common

YELLOW WAGTAIL at Roughdown Common

HEMEL MEGA: Female REDSTART at Lower Roughdown Common - in hedgerow at top of small rough field SSW of gas tower frames at Boxmoor.

Female REDSTART

Extract of quick email to local birding groups including details:

I got up early & specifically made a point of visiting this small area to look for chats / flycatchers as the habitat looks good, if only a tiny area. It was a fairly fleeting view unfortunately, I was watching 2 Dunnocks & another brown bird on the fence when the Female REDSTART popped up from the ground for a second or so then flew up into the hawthorn. I couldn't find it again but with more time I'm sure it could be dug out. If visiting by car I think you would be ok parking on Roughdown Avenue, it is residential but a wide rough road where I don't think people would mind, if not Roughdown Road or the surrounding streets would be fine I'm sure. If you park here take the footpath leftish at the top of Roughdown Road, go through the gate to the old quarry area then follow the footpath all the way up through the wood until you come out at the small, rough, sloped field. It was along the fence & hedge at the top of this field (on your right as you come through the gate) about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way along the hedge. I hope this helps.

Grid reference for Google Maps etc. 51.738593,-0.483142

I also saw what I could only describe as an Icterine Warbler but not 100% sure... Details > HERE <.

Tweet

HOBBY at Stags End near Gaddesden Row.

HOBBY upsetting Hirundines around houses & farm buildings at Stags End near Gaddesden Row. For those that may not know, this area is C.1 mile N of Grovehill & Woodhall Farm.

Tweet

2 NUTHATCHES feeding on Elder berries at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

TREECREEPER at Marchmont Arms, Piccotts End

REEVES'S MUNTJAC & RABBIT with Myxomatosis disease in field NE behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

REEVES'S MUNTJAC on farmland behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

A RABBIT showing early signs of the Myxomatosis disease - note the closed eye surrounded by swelling,
on farmland behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

Tweet

4+ RED KITES (C.3 Juvs.) & 2 BUZZARDS at field NE of Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

RED KITE at farmland behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

A very well camouflaged Juvenile DUNNOCK.

Tweet

7 BUZZARDS & 2 RED KITES up together N of Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

KINGFISHER, C.3 BUZZARDS & C.5 STOCK DOVES at Piccotts End Pools.

LITTLE OWL at Piccotts End Pools - sitting on roof of small barn near orange digger.

2 BROWN HARES at Nettleden Road, Water End

BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER Dragonfly at Piccotts End Pools.

KESTREL hunting at Boxmoor / Two Waters today.

4 RED KITES & 3 BUZZARDS at Piccotts End Pools this morning.

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (GLIS GLIS) calling at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm last night.

RED KITE low over Water Gardens, Town Centre.

BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY at Piccotts End Pools

3 ROMAN SNAILS out at Warnersend Wood field, Gadebridge.

5 STOCK DOVES at Piccotts End Pools