Another C.60 REDWINGS SW, & 6 SKYLARKS N, over Great Gaddesden.

57 REDWINGS SW over Great Gaddesden

1+ REDWING heard at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

REDWING over the Box Moor Trust's Dellfield, Westbrook Hay - First of the Winter

First REDWING of the Winter over Dellfield, Westbrook Hay.

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LITTLE EGRET on Station Moor, Boxmoor

2 RAVENS, 3 SNIPE, 14 TEAL, 3+ LITTLE EGRETS, KINGFISHER, GREY WAGTAIL, & 2 BULLFINCHES, at Great Gaddesden.

At Great Gaddesden this morning...

2 RAVENS over woods to the NW
3 SNIPE & 14 TEAL on the flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre
3+ LITTLE EGRETS, KINGFISHER & GREY WAGTAIL
2 BULLFINCHES - 1 in hedge at flood meadow N, & 1 Female in hedge at flood meadow S, of Hemel Garden Centre.
Still plenty of MEADOW PIPITS about, & the odd SKYLARK.
2 RED KITES, BUZZARD, SPARROWHAWK & KESTREL.

One of at least 3 LITTLE EGRETS at Great Gaddesden.

Young SPARROWHAWK hunting perch to perch in the rain, at Great Gaddesden.

The JUNIPER at Roughdown Common...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/week-38-juniper-hint-of-hogwarts-in.html

Herts Bird Club: 2 WHINCHATS at Water End

Peter D. White reported 2 WHINCHATS at Water End today.

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4 BUZZARDS together over Piccotts End village

2 RAVENS S over Great Gaddesden

2 RAVENS 'cronking' whilst heading S over Great Gaddesden.

Record shot of 1 of 2 RAVENS at Great Gaddesden

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MARSH TIT in trees at flood meadow behind Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

MARSH TIT in trees at flood meadow behind Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

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C.9 SNIPE, 6 TEAL, 2 LITTLE EGRETS, 2 BULLFINCHES, 3 BUZZARDS & RED KITE around flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

CHAFFINCH numbers increasing as more arrive & feed up in flocks ready for Winter...

Male CHAFFINCH with muddy bill from feeding in ploughed field, in a Hawthorne at Great Gaddesden.

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5 HOUSE MARTINS at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

5 late HOUSE MARTINS feeding for a while before moving on SWish, at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

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2 BROWN HARES at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

2 BROWN HARES at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End - the usual adult lying around in the horse paddock, & a youngster (Leveret) lying low trying not to be seen in the ploughed field across the road.

BROWN HARE Leveret (youngster in its first year) lying low to avoid being seen, at Nettleden Road, Water End.

Close up of BROWN HARE Leveret (youngster in its first year) lying low to avoid being seen, at Nettleden Road, Water End.

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PIED WAGTAIL feeding around horses...

PIED WAGTAIL at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

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Herts Bird Club: BARN OWL at Buncefield / Leverstock Green

G. Hinton reported a BARN OWL at M1 Junction 8, Buncefield / Leverstock Green at 04.14 this morning - the same area that I saw one on the 7th of July at 01.10.

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The STONECHAT at Westbrook Hay, plus COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLIES & another new KINGFISHER in the Bulbourne valley...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/week-37-migrant-stonechat-sibling-king.html

12+ COMMON SNIPE, 4 LITTLE EGRETS, 2 REED BUNTINGS & GREY WAGTAIL at flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

12+ COMMON SNIPE, 4 LITTLE EGRETS (one colour-ringed Orange top/left leg, Yellow top/right leg - not possible to read rings at 350m range & low light), 2 REED BUNTINGS & GREY WAGTAIL at flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

GREY WAGTAIL wagging its tail, at Great Gaddesden

Male STONECHAT at flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

HEMEL MEGA: JACK SNIPE & 2 COMMON SNIPE at flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden.

JACK SNIPE & 2 COMMON SNIPE at flood meadow N of Hemel Garden Centre, Great Gaddesden. Jack Snipe flushed with MEADOW PIPIT flock, circled once, then landed out of sight again - earliest date recorded locally.

JACK SNIPE at Great Gaddesden - composite of record shots in flight.

Also seen...

2 LITTLE EGRETS
3 GREY HERONS
2 TEAL
GADWALL
2 GREY WAGTAILS
C.10 MEADOW PIPITS
REED BUNTING
RED KITE
Possible WATER RAIL called once

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Male STONECHAT through E following hedgerow at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

Male STONECHAT through E following hedgerow at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End - different bird to previous (particularly stunning black & orange Male with extensive white collar) & appeared to be just passing through, seen from field across road, flying in from W, bounding along length of hedgrow E until out of sight. Represents a probable 5 individuals seen in this area over the past couple of weeks!


Also seen...

MEADOW PIPIT at Water End

BEEFSTEAK FUNGUS & the Dellfield Hay Cut at Westbrook Hay, plus a new KINGFISHER at the Bulbourne Moors...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/week-36-new-kingfisher-menu-of-oak.html

2 STONECHATS (1M, 1F) & 7 GREY PARTRIDGES around Nettleden Road, Water End.

2 STONECHATS, 1 Male & 1 Female, at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

7 GREY PARTRIDGES, including 2 small young juveniles, feeding on ploughed field below Highpark Wood in rain.

Male STONECHAT in drizzle at Water End / Nettleden 

ROBIN sheltering from drizzle...

ROBIN sheltering from drizzle at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

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C.50 HOUSE MARTINS over Corner Hall, 17.00

RAVEN over Highpark Wood, Water End

Young Male STONECHAT around layby at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

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HEMEL MEGA: 1+ TREE SPARROW at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

At least 1 TREE SPARROW in the hedgerow around the layby at the horse paddock at the W end of Nettleden Road. Given away by call then glimpsed flying E along hedge, later 1 seen feeding on ground in paddock out in the open briefly & heard from hedge on & off over next half hour or so. I can't recall even seeing a House Sparrow here so this was a very pleasant surprise - the first record for the Hemel area in a very very long time!

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HEMEL MEGA: 3+ STONECHATS (2+ M, 1 F) at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

3+ STONECHATS (2+ Male & 1 Female) at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End. Mainly seen around fence-lines at S (top) end of paddock.

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BUFF-TIP MOTH Caterpillars at Roughdown Common, plus HORNET, TAWNY & LITTLE OWLS, & EDIBLE DORMICE, at Westbrook Hay...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/week-35-gentle-giant-furry-cats-edible.html

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) & TAWNY OWL calling at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) & TAWNY OWL calling at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - rather late in the year to be hearing Edible Dormice calling but the mild weather may have kept them out longer & this one seemed upset by the presence of the Tawny Owl.

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CRANEFLIES, MIGRANT HAWKER DRAGONFLY at Gadespring Cress Beds, DYER'S MAZEGILL FUNGUS, CHICKEN OF THE WOODS & COMMON PUFFBALL FUNGI at Westbrook Hay, & COMMA BUTTERFLY at Roughdown Common...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/week-34-early-autumn-moon-shrooms.html

HORSE CHESTNUT MINING MOTHS, CHICKEN OF THE WOODS FUNGUS at Westbrook Hay, plus TAR SPOT FUNGUS & refinding the BROWN ARGUS BUTTERFLIES, at Bovingdon Brickworks...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/week-33-mining-growths-another-argus.html

HEMEL MEGA: Lucy Flower has confirmed an amazing new total of 14 BROWN ARGUS BUTTERFLIES at Bovingdon Brickworks...

HEMEL MEGA: Updated total of 13+ BROWN ARGUS BUTTERFLIES at Bovingdon Brickworks...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/week-32-brown-argus-extra-whos-who.html

HEMEL MEGA: 6+ BROWN ARGUS BUTTERFLIES at Bovingdon Brickworks, plus 30+ SPECKLED WOOD & 5 RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLIES, & an EMPEROR DRAGONFLY...

http://boxmoornature.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/week-32-brickworks-brown-argus-colony.html

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) calling from trees behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

3 WHEATEARS, 11+ LINNETS, 19 PIED/'ALBA' WAGTAILS, & GREY PARTRIDGE calling, at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

SWIFT over Corner Hall, 17.45

2 COMMON TERNS at canal at Corner Hall

HOBBY E over Two Waters from Boxmoor

RAVEN E over Two Waters from Boxmoor

3 (2 Ad, 1 Juv) COMMON TERNS back & forth around canal at Two Waters / Corner Hall.

C.2 Juvenile GREAT CRESTED GREBES with adults & TUFTED DUCKS at KLAS Kings Langley Fishery.

BROWN HAWKER Dragonfly at canal behing KLAS Kings Langley Fishery

WHEATEAR, 2 SKYLARKS, 5+ LINNETS, 2 BUZZARDS & KESTREL at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

WHEATEAR at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Rd., Water End - originally in field opp. below Highpark Wood.

7 SWIFTS over Boxmoor / Two Waters - late records.

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) in trees behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) at the Box Moor Trust Centre, Westbrook Hay.

C.4 EDIBLE DORMICE (Glis glis) at Box Moor Trust's Dellfield, Westbrook Hay - next to Trust car park.

WHEATEAR at horse paddock W end of Nettleden Road, Water End - no sign of Whinchat today.

HOBBY over horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

RAVEN over horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End - heading over Highpark Wood.

SWIFT over W at Nettleden Road

HEMEL MEGA: WHINCHAT with 2 WHEATEARS at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

1st Winter WHINCHAT with 2 WHEATEARS at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End.

This is only the 3rd Whinchat I have seen in the Hemel area & as far I know only the 3rd record too.

Here are the two best shots I managed of the Whinchat when, with the Wheatears, it was flushed by something & it flew in my direction into cover along the footpath on the S side (top of slope) of the paddock. The light was very dim due to the huge black clouds going over so I'm afraid they aren't the sharpest of shots. I'll post the rest with more details soon...

1st Winter WHINCHAT at Water End

1st Winter WHINCHAT at Water End

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2+ WILLOW WARBLERS with LONG-TAILED TITS in crop field behind Grovehill Playing Fields.

1+ YELLOW WAGTAIL over horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Rd., Water End.

YELLOW WAGTAIL over Nettleden Road, Water End.

2 SPARROWHAWKS & RED KITE up at Nettleden Road, Water End.

3 WHEATEARS, despite work taking place, at horse paddock at W end of Nettleden Road, Water End - highest count locally.

6 SWIFTS W over Two Waters / Boxmoor

C.2 BULLFINCHES calling from hedge bordering garden at N Gadebridge Park football pitches.

HEMEL MEGA: TREE PIPIT S over Bennetts End, 9.10

Ian Bennell had a TREE PIPIT flying S over his garden in Bennetts End at 9.10 this morning - this is the First definite sighting in the Hemel area.

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2 SWALLOWS passing me as close as 2 metres, GREEN WOODPECKER, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER & JAY at N Gadebridge Park.

2 (pair) STOCK DOVES aerial displaying at N Gadebridge Park football pitches.

Juvenile LITTLE EGRET N through Gadebridge Park - same bird as at Chaulden / Boxmoor yesterday or another new local individual?

New LITTLE EGRET in town - Juvenile at Box Moor Trust's Gadespring Cress Beds, Chaulden / Boxmoor.

This is the first Juvenile LITTLE EGRET recorded in the Hemel area, which confirms that this is also a new individual to the area as only Adult birds have been recorded so far. It was standing in a small tree with a GREY HERON beside the canal at the Box Moor Trust's Gadespring Cress Beds at Old Fishery Lane, Chaulden / Boxmoor. It later stood on the footpath at the cress beds, before moving into the thick of the vegetation out of sight. The whole time it seemed relaxed & unperturbed by my presence, not at all wary like many of the local adult birds, even the tamer ones.

Perhaps this youngster has made its way along the canal from Tring Reservoirs to the NW, or Stockers Lake to the SE, where Little Egrets now breed.

I will post the photos shortly.

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C.15 SWALLOWS, Male KESTREL, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, GREEN WOODPECKER, 2 BROWN RATS, baby RABBIT, & RED ADMIRAL Butterfly with SMALL TORTOISESHELLS, at Box Moor Trust Old Barn, Westbrook Hay.

3+ SWIFTS over E Boxmoor / Two Waters

YELLOW WAGTAIL S over Prince Park, Chaulden

BUZZARD mobbed by COMMON TERN & CARRION CROW over Two Waters.

Unfortunate roadkill HEDGEHOG on Gadebridge Lane (W), Gadebridge.

Others seen recently inc. 1 at entrance to Grovehill Playing Fields & 1 on Shenley Rd. near Valley Green, Woodhall Farm.

6 BUZZARDS, 2 RED KITES, Female KESTREL, LINNET & GREEN WOODPECKER around horse paddock at W end of Nettlden Rd., Water End.

BULLFINCH, COMMON TERN & KINGFISHER at Piccotts End Pools this Morning

Male LINNET at Piccotts End Pools.

Male LINNET's beautiful rosey breeding plumage.

During a fairly quick visit to Piccotts End Pools before work this morning I saw the following birds of note...

White-headed moulting MISTLE THRUSH at Gadebridge Park

This MISTLE THRUSH must have been a particularly white-looking juvenile but with regular colouring to its new adult feathers. It appeared both obviously white-headed & small-headed even at distance due to its moult. It showed regular adult plumage below the shoulders, very white juvenile feathers across the chest & speckled through the mantle, & moulted out juvenile head feathers with adult feathers yet to grow through. (Thanks to Samuel Perfect for noting that particularly white juvenile feathers do not necessarily mean the bird shows any leucism.)

White-headed Juvenile to Adult moulting MISTLE THRUSH at Gadebridge Park

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TREECREEPER calling from trees bordering (E) Gadebridge Lane, Gadebridge Park.

COMMON TERN at Piccotts End Pools

GREY HERON caught & flew off with a GOLDFISH from pond at Corner Hall offices.

BANDED DEMOISELLE Damselfly flying in middle of the Two Waters Rd. / London Rd. crossroads, Two Waters / Apsley / Boxmoor.

GARDEN WARBLER feeding on Elderberries between River Gade & football pitches at N Gadebridge Park.

Female NOBLE FALSE WIDOW SPIDER at Corner Hall offices

As far as I know this is the first definite sighting locally of the 'dreaded' NOBLE FALSE WIDOW Spider (Steatoda nobilis). It was on the inside of a wheelie-bin lid at my office in Corner hall. Usually sightings transpire to actually be either the Lace Web Spider (Amaurobius species) or Missing Sector Orb Weaver Spider (Zygiella x-notata) which do both show a resemblance. Despite the Noble False Widow being venomous, it's bite causing pain, swelling, redness, nausea & allergic reactions to some, it is extremely unlikely to bite in the first place, only doing so when it feels threatened such as when handled roughly, squashed, or caught between clothing & skin.

Female NOBLE FALSE WIDOW Spider (Steatoda nobilis)
in wheelie-bin lid at Corner Hall offices

(Click to enlarge)

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BULLFINCH flew across Link Road from Howe Grove, Highfield towards Piccotts End.

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

3 COMMON TERNS flying around Corner Hall & Two Waters - inc. recently fledged Juvenile.

Very surprised to see such a recently fledged Juvenile COMMON TERN. Did this bird fledge locally & the usual lingering pair(?) of Terns have finally bred in Hemel, perhaps at Durrant's Hill Fishery, Two Waters?

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WILLOW WARBLER at green N side of Piccotts End Pools

BARN OWL on the Box Moor Trust estate.

Lucy Flower saw a BARN OWL on Box Moor Trust estate land this evening which is a first for the trust & a great record anyway. Read her account & watch the footage she took on her fantastic blog > HERE <.

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EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) calling from trees behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - backing on to Holtsmere End Lane, at 21.25 - earliest time I've heard them.

1+ EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) calling from trees behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm, along Holtmere End Lane.

EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) calling at Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - probable last night also.

BULLFINCHES, BEES & BUTTERFLIES at Box Moor Trust's Bovingdon Brickworks

Popped in at Bovingdon Brickworks before work this morning & the following is a list of creatures of note that I saw...


Notable BIRDS

BULLFINCHES - good to see & hear plenty all over the site, this must now be best place locally for them.
LINNETS - quite a few about
GOLDFINCHES - could be heard a lot of the time
GREENFINCH - heard 1
LONG-TAILED TITS - roving family(ies) flock at edge of Baker's Wood
GOLDCREST - 1+ at edge of Baker's Wood
Juvenile CHIFFCHAFFS - 5+
BLACKCAPS - C.4
WHITETHROATS - C.4
RED KITES - 2 over
BUZZARD - 1 low over
SWALLOWS - few hunting
HOUSE MARTIN - 1+ hunting
SWIFTS - C.2 hunting over
SONG THRUSH - 1 singing now & then near Green Lane


BEES

EARLY BUMBLEBEE - 1+
RED-TAILED BUMBLEBEES - C.3
HONEY BEES - plenty, in fact not seen so many in years, this site must be particularly good for them.
WILLUGHBY'S LEAFCUTTER BEE - 1


Notable HOVERFLIES

VOLUCELLA PELUCENS - 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood at 51.714544, -0.542616


DRAGONFLIES

SOUTHERN HAWKER - hunting Baker's Wood footpath


BUTTERFLIES

SMALL TORTOISESHELLS - 2 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood at 51.714544, -0.542616
RED ADMIRALS - 2 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
PEACOCKS - all over but notable high numbers (20+) on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood, more than I've ever seen before in one place at the same time.
SMALL SKIPPERS - quite a few
SMALL WHITES - quite a few, 1 of which on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
BRIMSTONES - C3, 2 of which on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
SPECKLED WOOD - 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
GATEKEEPERS - a few about, 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
MEADOW BROWNS - quite a few about, 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
MARBLED WHITES - a few about
COMMON BLUES - good numbers


Notable MOTHS

SIX-SPOT BURNET MOTHS - quite a few about, 1 mating pair
CINNABAR MOTH - caterpillar, & 1 possible imago seen at distance
Unidentified almond shaped plain-whiteish moth momentarily feeding on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood


Will try to post some pictures when I get time.

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Unfortunate Roadkill TAWNY OWL at the roadside near Hemel Garden Centre at Piper's Hill, Great Gaddesden

COMMA BUTTERFLY at Boxmoor Wharf (B&Q), Corner Hall

Female TUFTED DUCK, KINGFISHER & KESTREL at Piccotts End Pools.

GREY PARTRIDGE at Nettleden Road

2 LITTLE EGRETS at Great Gaddesdden

16+ RED KITES & 2 BUZZARDS at Great Gaddesden

15+ MISTLE THRUSHES & 1 SONG THRUSH at N Gadebridge Park.

BARN OWL hunting at M1 J8, at 'island' of grass & scrub bordered by M1 & A414, Buncefield / Leverstock Green, 01.10.

BARN OWL hunting at M1 J8 at 01.10. Quartering the 'island' of grass & scrub bordered by M1 & A414 between Buncefield & Leverstock Green - my first actual sighting other than hearing one in the Hemel area, though they were known to frequent the Buncefield area before the explosion. Great to know they are returning there.

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