Winters birds around West Hyde

Last weekend had our local RSPB walk around the lakes of West Hyde near Rickmansworth. A productive start with 23 species seen from the cars with the highlight a nice flock of Redwings and Fieldfares. We walked to the lakes where there were a nice section of winter waterfowl with a good number of Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebes and a few Shovelers showing well in the winter sunshine before a pair of Egyptian Geese landed.

Lake reflecting

One of many pochards in the water

We then walked up to the canal where we had views of a Jay in the woodland. We then walked along the canal where Grey and Pied Wagtails were showing well while a Cetti's Warbler was briefly seen and a nice Sparrowhawk flew over.

We then walked backalong the River Colne where a Chiff-chaff was found and a few Great Spotted Woodpecker called while overhead a few Red Kites and Buzzard where seen hunting while a Song Thrush was found singing away as a few Meadow Pipits flew through.

Chiff-chaff

Egret heaven at Tyttenhanger

A icy start was had at Willow Farm lakes at the weekend but a good start as starting down the football had a mixed flock of  100+ Goldfinch and Linnets which were feeding on the thistles as the sun was raising.

Linnets in the trees

Then walked around the first lake where there were quite a number of Great Crested Grebes and Tufted Ducks and a few odd Teals. Along the shore there were quite a number of Little Egrets and one of the great White Egrets flew through.

Little Egret in flight

Then walked around the second late where I had a singing Goldcrest and a flyby Kingfisher and a calling Bullfinch and a few Redwing over and a Green Sandpiper showed well on the shore.

Green Sandpiper (taken earlier in the week but most likely same bird)

Then walked around to end where had a nice views of the egrets with 9 together plus the Two Great White Egrets. After watching them for a while there decided to head off down the lake towards the main gravel pit.

Egrets Together

Great White Egret in flight

Then walked back where a Red Kite, Buzzard and Peregrine where seen up in the air together which was quite unusually and then to end the walk a few Goldfinch where seen feeding on the thistles.

Hunting Peregrine

Feeding Goldfinch