Documenting surprising sightings, fascinating findings, & exciting encounters, with birds, wildlife, & other nature,
around Hemel Hempstead...

Explore & find out more about wildlife in this West Hertfordshire town. To return to the full homepage just click the banner above...

NEW SOCIAL MEDIA, & BLOG COMING SOON


Regular visitors will have noticed a decrease in posts to the HEMEL NATURE
blog - this is because I have been living & working out of the area, & due to the job my time out
& about with nature in Hemel is limited. I am working on a new blog to come soon & hope that the work that has gone into HEMEL NATURE will prove useful & interesting to those still visiting it.


In the mean time you can follow me at my new accounts on the following social media platforms...

Instagram @DanFWildlife > https://www.Instagram.com/DanFWildlife

Twitter @DanFWildlife > https://Twitter.com/DanFWildlife

Facebook I am still building on but you can still follow me none-the-less
by 'Likeing' the @DanFWildlife Page > https://www.Facebook.com/DanFWildlife

Many thanks for your support,

Dan.

Saturday 31 August 2013

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.




Thursday 29 August 2013

'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




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 <.




Wednesday 28 August 2013

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.



Thursday 22 August 2013

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.




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.



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