Hertford Heath and Rye Meads

Did my usual voluntary work for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust at Hertford Heath a very productive morning can really see how our work has cleared a lot of space for the heath and other heathland plants which should help lots of different wildlife.


In the afternoon decided to have a stroll round Rye Meads as i was in the area quite misty by then but still a nice walk alot of wildfowl around espically Gadwall, Shovellers and Teals and a Sparrowhawk beening mobbed by a crow but the hightlight was the sound of a Ceti Warbler in the reeds makes me feel that spring is on the way

Watercress LNR

Paided a afternoon visit to the Watercress beds as i was in town quite a few birds flying around and feeding in the sunny conditions with 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Male Siskin showing well just past the main lake and a bull finch hiding in the trees around the second feeder. Walked on to the River Ver section where in the corner where quite a few Siskins mainly female and Tits preening.

Walked round to the third feeder where plenty of activity was happening including Goldfinch and Greenfinch feeding and overhead a few Ring-necked Parakeet overhead. Just round the corner at the alder plenty of birds sound with at least 20 siskins feeding in the trees with goldfinch and Blue Tits.

Decided to spend a little time in the hide by the feeder though no bullfinchs here today nice view of  Goldfinch and Greenfinches and a superb Stock feeding on the feeder.

The Lodge & Bramfield

Heading to the lodge this morning to see if i could catch with the flock of redpolls that had been seen earlier in the week sadly no sign of today but while waiting in the hide plenty of other wildlife around the feeders A stunning stoat which actually did a lap of the hide but so fast

 

Birds that were around included Siskin, Goldfinch, GS Woodpecker, Nuthatch and the four commoner members of the tit family included Long-tailed Tits feeding on the feeder a first for the lodge for me.

 

Then walked around the rest of the reserve plenty of birds flying around and plenty of Woodpeckers calling, nice to hear the sound of the GS Woodpeckers banging on the trees and shows spring is just round the corner which is nice.

On my way home headed to the village of Bramfield as during the week a flock of Hawfinches had been reported there as luck would have it a lone female appeared within 20 minutes though only around for a few a stunning little bird and made my day

Danbury

My dad i recently moved into the village of Danbury in essex which is a lovely little village so went for a meal and and a walk with him and his dog (ben). Had a little walk around Danbury Common which is owned by the National Trust but looked after by Essex Wildlife Trust looked they done a very good job as there done some clearing to help the heathland grow as there a lot of heather waiting for spring to grow while still a balanced amount of gorse around so looking good for nature on the common. Also walked in Back Warden Nature Reserve which is mainly oak woodland with some marshland but a lovely walk and even in winter can see that its well looked after which is a credit to everyone involved.

Fishers Green

Today headed down to Fishers Green with Brian E. We first paided a visit to the Bittern Hide but not much around apart from a lovely pair of Little Grebes with the high force wind around not surprising. So decided to walk around the main site. Within 200 yards a lovely flock of Long-tailed Tits and Siskins flying around feeder in the Alders trees.

Walked down to the Grebe Hide with a few Great Crested Grebes around but not much on this side of the lake apart from beautiful sound of siskins in the trees enough to make anyone smile and a  lovely treecreeper climbing up a tree in the wooded area.

Headed along to the Grand Weir Hide where along the walk saw about 30 Fieldfares flying off calling as there went and from the hide we found 3 Pied Wagtail and a lone Meadow Pipit and then from the hide a stunning lot of wigeon about 50 - 60 birds along with some teal showing off their beatiful colours.

Headed back to Bittern hide and saw that the seed feeder had been topped up so alot more activity around the feeder just the usual suspects but lovely just to watch. Spotted on the main lake that one of the Cormorant looked very white so had a closer look and saw it was one of the continental race sinensis. While scanning the reeds for anything lurking saw a Water Rail dart across at least twice which was a pleasing sight.

After a while decided not btterns were going to show so walked around the back view of Seventy Acres Lake and glad we need because found the big flock of Greylag Geese which in with them was a stunning Pink-footed Geese a good end to a lovely day.