Well another year without a Red Rumped Swallow re-appearing , maybe it is not coming back ;-)
Highlights of 3 visits today (!) 2 Barn Swallows and 12 Great Crested grebes.
Cant wait for May ............
Cheers
Si
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Wednesday 29th April 2009
At last another new addition to the year list !
a SWIFT was keeping loose company with 2 House Martins and 2 Barn Swallows this evening , a lone COMMON TERN was seen just after 9am , did three circuits of the lake and headed off north west ! Why are Common Terns avoiding this place ..... does the corpse have more to tell us ;-)
9 Great Crested Grebes
Cheers
FB
a SWIFT was keeping loose company with 2 House Martins and 2 Barn Swallows this evening , a lone COMMON TERN was seen just after 9am , did three circuits of the lake and headed off north west ! Why are Common Terns avoiding this place ..... does the corpse have more to tell us ;-)
9 Great Crested Grebes
Cheers
FB
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Tuesday 28th April 2009
Roy had similar numbers of hirundines over the lake this morning , with estimates of 20+ Barn Swallows , 15+ House Martins and a few Sand Martins.
When I visited early evening ( 18:00) There were 14 Barn Swallows and 2 House Martins left , when I visited @ 19:15 , all the Hirundines had departed !
BLACKCAP was singing in small wood and 9 Great Crested Grebes were counted
Cheers
FB
When I visited early evening ( 18:00) There were 14 Barn Swallows and 2 House Martins left , when I visited @ 19:15 , all the Hirundines had departed !
BLACKCAP was singing in small wood and 9 Great Crested Grebes were counted
Cheers
FB
Monday 27th April 2009
An extremely fleeting visit this morning showed there had been a dump of migrants overnight !
At least 60 Hirundines were feeding over the lake , mostly Barn Swallows and Sand Martins , with a few House martins thrown in for Good Measure , 2 COMMON TERNS made up the picture.
When Rob Hill visited later in the day , only one COMMON TERN remained
Cheers
FB
At least 60 Hirundines were feeding over the lake , mostly Barn Swallows and Sand Martins , with a few House martins thrown in for Good Measure , 2 COMMON TERNS made up the picture.
When Rob Hill visited later in the day , only one COMMON TERN remained
Cheers
FB
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Sunday 26th April 2009
Again , not much happening , 2 BARN SWALLOWS , 3 Herring Gulls and 11 Great Crested Grebes were the only birds of note !
A sad discovery this evening was the corpse of a freshly dead COMMON TERN , near the Inlet , it was in bushes (!) so was presumably moved there by person or animal unknown !
Cheers
FB
A sad discovery this evening was the corpse of a freshly dead COMMON TERN , near the Inlet , it was in bushes (!) so was presumably moved there by person or animal unknown !
Cheers
FB
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Saturday 25th April 2009
an early morning visit from Roy (06:30 ) produced Probable ARCTIC TERN and Great Black Backed Gull , also 3 LONG TAILED TITS ( first of the year - although will have undoubtably been present since Jan 1st if anyone had bothered to look ;-) ) 1 BARN SWALLOW present also.
my first visit of the day ( 4 visits ) @ 08:30 produced 8 BARN SWALLOWS and 1 SAND MARTIN , best of all was a rather subdued REED WARBLER singing in the inlet (1st record of the year )
Best of the rest of the visits were a single COMMON TERN fishing in the afternoon , the 2 HERRING GULLS still knocking about wooden island and the long staying 1st Summer Black Headed Gull , BARN SWALLOWS in varying numbers and 1 HOUSE MARTIN were ever present on each visit
1 Cormorant and 1 Pied Wagtail also of note
minimum of 11 Great Crested Grebes present
Cheers
FB
my first visit of the day ( 4 visits ) @ 08:30 produced 8 BARN SWALLOWS and 1 SAND MARTIN , best of all was a rather subdued REED WARBLER singing in the inlet (1st record of the year )
Best of the rest of the visits were a single COMMON TERN fishing in the afternoon , the 2 HERRING GULLS still knocking about wooden island and the long staying 1st Summer Black Headed Gull , BARN SWALLOWS in varying numbers and 1 HOUSE MARTIN were ever present on each visit
1 Cormorant and 1 Pied Wagtail also of note
minimum of 11 Great Crested Grebes present
Cheers
FB
Friday 24th April 2009
Very quiet today ! a COMMON BUZZARD entered Furzton airspace by virtue of flying over Oxley Park and SBE first ! the 3rd record this year (!) 9 Great Crested Grebes , 1 BARN SWALLOW and 1 1st Summer Black Headed Gull being the best of the rest.
Cheers
FB
Cheers
FB
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Thursday 23rd April 2009
2 ARCTIC TERNS spent a whole 1 minute on the lake today , before flying off west ! , 1st record of the year , also 2 BARN SWALLOWS south , 10 Great Crested Grebes , 1 1st Summer Black Headed Gull , 2 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawks and the Cettis still
Evening Update - 1ST FOR FURZTON (!)
Innocently I was listening to the TREECREEPER that was singing in small wood ( just south of the lake by the football pitch ) without realising that this was in fact a FIRST for the site (!) this is the first time I have been around the Woods and Stream section this year , hence another 1st for the year was also encountered , a smart singing GOLDCREST , 2 CHIFFCHAFFS and 2 BLACKCAPS were also singing in Small Wood. I also had only my 2nd ever COMMON BUZZARD over , this was flying South East , quite high.
3 Herring Gulls were present over the Lake , Ad, 1st Summer and 3rd Summer
The Furzton List now stands at 121 , with the 2009 List @ a healthy 64.
My own personal Furzton list stands at 108.
Cheers
FB
Evening Update - 1ST FOR FURZTON (!)
Innocently I was listening to the TREECREEPER that was singing in small wood ( just south of the lake by the football pitch ) without realising that this was in fact a FIRST for the site (!) this is the first time I have been around the Woods and Stream section this year , hence another 1st for the year was also encountered , a smart singing GOLDCREST , 2 CHIFFCHAFFS and 2 BLACKCAPS were also singing in Small Wood. I also had only my 2nd ever COMMON BUZZARD over , this was flying South East , quite high.
3 Herring Gulls were present over the Lake , Ad, 1st Summer and 3rd Summer
The Furzton List now stands at 121 , with the 2009 List @ a healthy 64.
My own personal Furzton list stands at 108.
Cheers
FB
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Dawn mist , that was pretty much all that was on offer this morning ;-)
The Cettis has moved even further away and was barely audible this morning ! , one of yesterdays fully populated Herons nests was empty this morning ! So I expect to see lots of Scraggy youngsters around soon !
2 1st Summer Black Headed Gulls were the pick of the rest !
Only 6 Great Crested Grebes noted , but there are def two sitters at the moment , so assume 8 !
Cheers
FB
The Cettis has moved even further away and was barely audible this morning ! , one of yesterdays fully populated Herons nests was empty this morning ! So I expect to see lots of Scraggy youngsters around soon !
2 1st Summer Black Headed Gulls were the pick of the rest !
Only 6 Great Crested Grebes noted , but there are def two sitters at the moment , so assume 8 !
Cheers
FB
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Butterflies !
In recent days the following have been on the wing
Peacock
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood
Cheers
FB
Peacock
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood
Cheers
FB
Tuesday 21st April 2009
My suspicions were wrong ! The CETTI'S WARBLER is still present this am , but has moved quite a distance from its original spot. Male Reed Bunting was the only movement by the bridge
Finished the Heron Census and the full totals below, really please with at least 7 Nests, at least 8 Adults round the site as well
Wooden Island ( so called by the strange wooden structures placed on it ! )
3 Nests
Wooden Island Nest 1) - 2 Well Grown youngsters
Wooden Island Nest 2) - 2 Well Grown youngsters
Wooden Island Nest 1) - 1 Well Grown youngster
Total young = 5
Island 2 ( so called as it has no distinguishing features amd there are 2 islands ! )
4 Nests
Island 2 Nest 1 ) - 4 Well Grown youngsters
Island 2 Nest 2) - 3 Nearly Fledged Youngsters
Island 2 Nest 3) - 2 Nearly Fledged Youngsters
Island 2 Nest 4) - 1 Well Grown youngster
Total young = 10
12 Great Crested Grebes (2 sitting on nests)
2 Chiffchaffs just outside recording area on the Bowl side , also 1 Blackcap. 1 1st Summer Black Headed Gull and 1 Herring Gull
I will be putting up some blasts from the past soon , as well as some old pictures and a full Furzton list , I am also working on a full database of sightings as well as an article for the Bird report
Cheers
FB
Finished the Heron Census and the full totals below, really please with at least 7 Nests, at least 8 Adults round the site as well
Wooden Island ( so called by the strange wooden structures placed on it ! )
3 Nests
Wooden Island Nest 1) - 2 Well Grown youngsters
Wooden Island Nest 2) - 2 Well Grown youngsters
Wooden Island Nest 1) - 1 Well Grown youngster
Total young = 5
Island 2 ( so called as it has no distinguishing features amd there are 2 islands ! )
4 Nests
Island 2 Nest 1 ) - 4 Well Grown youngsters
Island 2 Nest 2) - 3 Nearly Fledged Youngsters
Island 2 Nest 3) - 2 Nearly Fledged Youngsters
Island 2 Nest 4) - 1 Well Grown youngster
Total young = 10
12 Great Crested Grebes (2 sitting on nests)
2 Chiffchaffs just outside recording area on the Bowl side , also 1 Blackcap. 1 1st Summer Black Headed Gull and 1 Herring Gull
I will be putting up some blasts from the past soon , as well as some old pictures and a full Furzton list , I am also working on a full database of sightings as well as an article for the Bird report
Cheers
FB
Monday, 20 April 2009
Monday 20th April 2009
I arrived after the mist had lifted ( RAC had 2 BARN SWALLOWS and a HOUSE MARTIN earlier) and had a very enjoyable 10 minutes doing a vis mig watch from the Star Monument
Pride of place goes to the 1st COMMON TERN of the year, that blasted thru high South , it had obviously been to Furzton before as it didnt fancy stopping ;-) , however the Warblers tried a come back , the car park held at least 2 Singing BLACKCAPS, 1 CHIFFCHAFF ( first of the year ) and best of all a rattling LESSER WHITETHROAT ( again 1st of the year ). A large female SPARROWHAWK also passed overhead and 1 BARN SWALLOW headed east.
A census of the visible Grey Herons Nests were as follows
Wooden Island Nest 1) - 2 Well Grown youngsters
Island 2 Nest 1 ) - 4 Well Grown youngsters
Island 2 Nest 2) - 2 Nearly Fledged Youngsters
I didnt check the other 2-3 nests , I will do that this afternoon.
After Saying how hard ROOK was to connect with yesterday , one flew over the lake today within 10 seconds of my arrival , did i mention how hard Purple Sandpipers and red Throated Divers are to find there ;-)
8 Great Crested Grebes, including 2 pairs displaying
Cheers
FB
Pride of place goes to the 1st COMMON TERN of the year, that blasted thru high South , it had obviously been to Furzton before as it didnt fancy stopping ;-) , however the Warblers tried a come back , the car park held at least 2 Singing BLACKCAPS, 1 CHIFFCHAFF ( first of the year ) and best of all a rattling LESSER WHITETHROAT ( again 1st of the year ). A large female SPARROWHAWK also passed overhead and 1 BARN SWALLOW headed east.
A census of the visible Grey Herons Nests were as follows
Wooden Island Nest 1) - 2 Well Grown youngsters
Island 2 Nest 1 ) - 4 Well Grown youngsters
Island 2 Nest 2) - 2 Nearly Fledged Youngsters
I didnt check the other 2-3 nests , I will do that this afternoon.
After Saying how hard ROOK was to connect with yesterday , one flew over the lake today within 10 seconds of my arrival , did i mention how hard Purple Sandpipers and red Throated Divers are to find there ;-)
8 Great Crested Grebes, including 2 pairs displaying
Cheers
FB
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Sunday 19th April 2009
Again "Warbler Bridge" took the honours of birds of the day ! Yesterdays COMMON WHITETHROAT was still present mid morning per Roy C. However i could only manage a pair of BLACKCAPS ! Still 5 Warbler species in 2 days ain't bad !
No sound of the Cetti's Warbler , may have moved on ?
Other Highlights include the first recorded ROOK of the year, again by Roy, as well as a 55+ Flock of Hirundines early morning , comprising of at least 25 BARN SWALLOWS , 20 SAND MARTINS and 10 HOUSE MARTINS , This had shrunk to 6 BARN SWALLOWS by late morning (RC)
8 Herring Gulls of assorted ages were high over the lake late afternoon , whilst the 2 Regulars were still on Wooden Island
At least 4 of the 5 Grey Heron nests have young in them !
A quick cycle round this evening produced 10 Coots and 13 Great Crested Grebes , including two nests of the former and 1 of the latter !
Again the question is where are the Commons !! I have normally had individuals of both the Sandpiper and the Tern variety by now .........
At least 8 Blackbirds defending territories around the lake
Just outside the catchment area , a BLACKCAP is singing on Shenley Brook End
Cheers
FB
No sound of the Cetti's Warbler , may have moved on ?
Other Highlights include the first recorded ROOK of the year, again by Roy, as well as a 55+ Flock of Hirundines early morning , comprising of at least 25 BARN SWALLOWS , 20 SAND MARTINS and 10 HOUSE MARTINS , This had shrunk to 6 BARN SWALLOWS by late morning (RC)
8 Herring Gulls of assorted ages were high over the lake late afternoon , whilst the 2 Regulars were still on Wooden Island
At least 4 of the 5 Grey Heron nests have young in them !
A quick cycle round this evening produced 10 Coots and 13 Great Crested Grebes , including two nests of the former and 1 of the latter !
Again the question is where are the Commons !! I have normally had individuals of both the Sandpiper and the Tern variety by now .........
At least 8 Blackbirds defending territories around the lake
Just outside the catchment area , a BLACKCAP is singing on Shenley Brook End
Cheers
FB
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Saturday 18th April 2009 - Late evening
Not birds this time !
Whilst running round the lake this evening between 21:00 and 21:45 , i counted a minimum of 15 Pipistrelle type BATS, feeding along the lake edges and 2 Bigger ones feeding out over the lake ( Daubenton's or Noctule ? )
No sound of the Cetti's as i dashed ( well limped ) past !
Cheers
FB
Whilst running round the lake this evening between 21:00 and 21:45 , i counted a minimum of 15 Pipistrelle type BATS, feeding along the lake edges and 2 Bigger ones feeding out over the lake ( Daubenton's or Noctule ? )
No sound of the Cetti's as i dashed ( well limped ) past !
Cheers
FB
***** MEGA MEGA MEGA *****
WOW ! if yesterday was the day of Hirundines , then today belongs to the mighty Warbler family !
CETTIS WARBLER !!!!! Yeah Baby !
Whilst taking the kids on a Duck feeding sortie , we decided to spend some time near the bridge on the north side , by the the car park. As i approached it , a burst of song erupted from the vegetation - a CETTIS ! , whilst i bundled kids back into car to search properly for it, 2 WILLOW WARBLERS (2nd and 3rd of the year) started singing , one in the Car Park Trees and one along the gardens on the north shore.
10 minutes went by , where all i had for company were 3 REED BUNTINGS ( 1 Ad Male , 1 1st Winter Male and a female ) and a newly arrived showy SEDGE WARBLER !!!! (1st of the year)
Just as I had all but given up and was walking back to the car park , the CETTIS showed itself about 15 yds away in full view for about a minute ! Fantastic, a new addition to the Furzton list and a mega for the patch !
Also ! as if that wasn't enough ! a new high count of Greylags (21) , 10 Great Crested Grebes , 1 BARN SWALLOW thru NE and 3 Herring Gulls over NE
Simply a fantastic 15 minutes of birding ! Still buzzing now !!!
Roy is on route !
Cheers
FB
Additional ****
I returned 30 minutes later , and sat in the car , the CETTI'S WARBLER was still singing , as was the SEDGE , as i scanned the bushes , a movement caught my eye , it was a male COMMON WHITETHROAT !!! Only my 4th at Furzton since 2000. I am sure its commoner, but this was still a welcome sight ! and 1st of the year obviously.
Met Roy , and we heard the CETTI'S , it was more distant then before , Dick and Val Bodily also connected during the afternoon.
The 2 semi resident Herring Gulls were loafing around Wooden island.
CETTIS WARBLER !!!!! Yeah Baby !
Whilst taking the kids on a Duck feeding sortie , we decided to spend some time near the bridge on the north side , by the the car park. As i approached it , a burst of song erupted from the vegetation - a CETTIS ! , whilst i bundled kids back into car to search properly for it, 2 WILLOW WARBLERS (2nd and 3rd of the year) started singing , one in the Car Park Trees and one along the gardens on the north shore.
10 minutes went by , where all i had for company were 3 REED BUNTINGS ( 1 Ad Male , 1 1st Winter Male and a female ) and a newly arrived showy SEDGE WARBLER !!!! (1st of the year)
Just as I had all but given up and was walking back to the car park , the CETTIS showed itself about 15 yds away in full view for about a minute ! Fantastic, a new addition to the Furzton list and a mega for the patch !
Also ! as if that wasn't enough ! a new high count of Greylags (21) , 10 Great Crested Grebes , 1 BARN SWALLOW thru NE and 3 Herring Gulls over NE
Simply a fantastic 15 minutes of birding ! Still buzzing now !!!
Roy is on route !
Cheers
FB
Additional ****
I returned 30 minutes later , and sat in the car , the CETTI'S WARBLER was still singing , as was the SEDGE , as i scanned the bushes , a movement caught my eye , it was a male COMMON WHITETHROAT !!! Only my 4th at Furzton since 2000. I am sure its commoner, but this was still a welcome sight ! and 1st of the year obviously.
Met Roy , and we heard the CETTI'S , it was more distant then before , Dick and Val Bodily also connected during the afternoon.
The 2 semi resident Herring Gulls were loafing around Wooden island.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Friday 17th April 2009
All about the hirundines today !
31 BARN SWALLOWS and 3 HOUSE MARTINS were feeding and resting at Lunchtime , this had dwindled to 2 of each by 18:20 , we have to remember the 29th April 2002 at this time , when Bucks's first and only record of Red Rumped Swallow was found .... By me ;-) it was present from 19:00 til 20:15 before departing north , about 20 local birders connected , oh for there to be a mass twitch again at Furzton !!!
9 Great Crested Grebes and 10 Greylags were the best of the rest !
Cheers
FB
31 BARN SWALLOWS and 3 HOUSE MARTINS were feeding and resting at Lunchtime , this had dwindled to 2 of each by 18:20 , we have to remember the 29th April 2002 at this time , when Bucks's first and only record of Red Rumped Swallow was found .... By me ;-) it was present from 19:00 til 20:15 before departing north , about 20 local birders connected , oh for there to be a mass twitch again at Furzton !!!
9 Great Crested Grebes and 10 Greylags were the best of the rest !
Cheers
FB
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Thursday 16th April 2009
A new record of Greylag for the lakes ! 17 this morning , also 2 SAND MARTINS and 2 BARN SWALLOWS , 7 Great Crested Grebes and the 2 Herring Gulls are Back
Cheers
FB
Cheers
FB
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Wednesday 15th April 2009
Roy Cheetham took up the mammoth task of Furzton birding today ;-)
The Highlights of which were
6+ Grey Herons and the first Willow/Chiff of the year - I would err towards Chiffchaff as Willow Warblers are notoriously late in the Furzton Area.
Thanks Roy
FB
The Highlights of which were
6+ Grey Herons and the first Willow/Chiff of the year - I would err towards Chiffchaff as Willow Warblers are notoriously late in the Furzton Area.
Thanks Roy
FB
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Tuesday 14th April 2009
Slim Pickings this morning (!)
9 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Herring Gulls were the best/worst on offer
I am unable to visit the mighty Furze for 3 days now , if someone fancies their chances ! please do so , all I ask is that you dont find a Site first ( Little Gull , Brambling etc ! ) or something that I still need ! ( Oystercatcher , Red Kite etc ! )
Cheers
FB
Additional News
Roy Cheetham had a RED KITE over Furzton Shops heading west @ 13:00.
This is the third sighting since the first site record was recorded on 27th Feb 2009, also by Roy , he also saw it on the 3rd March .
Hopefully this is sticking in the area.
9 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Herring Gulls were the best/worst on offer
I am unable to visit the mighty Furze for 3 days now , if someone fancies their chances ! please do so , all I ask is that you dont find a Site first ( Little Gull , Brambling etc ! ) or something that I still need ! ( Oystercatcher , Red Kite etc ! )
Cheers
FB
Additional News
Roy Cheetham had a RED KITE over Furzton Shops heading west @ 13:00.
This is the third sighting since the first site record was recorded on 27th Feb 2009, also by Roy , he also saw it on the 3rd March .
Hopefully this is sticking in the area.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Monday 13th April 2009
It was all about the Gulls today.
A Loafing flock of 20 birds was made up of the following
Lesser Black Backed Gulls - 9, 3 1st Summers, 2 2nd Summers and 4 Adults
Herring Gull - 10, 4 1st Summers, 2 3rd Summers and 4 Adults,
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 , Advanced 1st Summer - only the 2nd Record for Furzton , following an adult last year.
a 1st Summer Black Headed Gull also joined the mix
Also present were a minimum of 9 Grey Herons (plus at least 4 young in nest still ) , 8 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Coots.
Still 3 Cormorants
Cheers
FB
A Loafing flock of 20 birds was made up of the following
Lesser Black Backed Gulls - 9, 3 1st Summers, 2 2nd Summers and 4 Adults
Herring Gull - 10, 4 1st Summers, 2 3rd Summers and 4 Adults,
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 , Advanced 1st Summer - only the 2nd Record for Furzton , following an adult last year.
a 1st Summer Black Headed Gull also joined the mix
Also present were a minimum of 9 Grey Herons (plus at least 4 young in nest still ) , 8 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Coots.
Still 3 Cormorants
Cheers
FB
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Sunday 12th April 2009
Only 2 visits so far today ;-)
Highlights were 6 HOUSE MARTINS (first for the year) and 3 Swallows , 3 Herring Gulls, 8 Greaylag Geese ( largest count this year ) , 7 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Coots
Cheers
FB
Highlights were 6 HOUSE MARTINS (first for the year) and 3 Swallows , 3 Herring Gulls, 8 Greaylag Geese ( largest count this year ) , 7 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Coots
Cheers
FB
Saturday 11th April 2009
Even by my standards , 4 visits today was a tad excessive !
Highlight of the visits were the pair of TUFTED DUCKS , that graced the middle of the lake , looking bewildered ! they had gone by visit 2
4 Herring Gulls inc 1st Winter were evident on visit 2 , and the single BARN SWALLOW had increased to 3 by Visit 4 and only 2 Herring Gulls remained
6 Greylags were noteworthy , At least 2 newly hatched Grey Herons were evident in one of the nests on wooden island
8 Great Crested Grebes was the largest number i was able to record , maybe some are on nests already
Cheers
FB
Highlight of the visits were the pair of TUFTED DUCKS , that graced the middle of the lake , looking bewildered ! they had gone by visit 2
4 Herring Gulls inc 1st Winter were evident on visit 2 , and the single BARN SWALLOW had increased to 3 by Visit 4 and only 2 Herring Gulls remained
6 Greylags were noteworthy , At least 2 newly hatched Grey Herons were evident in one of the nests on wooden island
8 Great Crested Grebes was the largest number i was able to record , maybe some are on nests already
Cheers
FB
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Friday 10th April 2009
two very quick visits today , the highlight of the first @ 14:30 was the 2 Herring gulls , while 8 Great crested Grebes and 7 BARN SWALLOWS were the highlight of the 2nd rain swept visit @ 16:30
Cheers
FB
Cheers
FB
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Thursday 9th April 2009
A Quick visit this afternon revealed the prescence of a 5th Grey Heron Nest on Island 2 and a pair of GREY WAGTAILS on the Sluice. Otherwise , 1 1st Summer BH Gull and only 7 Great Crested Grebes in evidence today.
Cheers
FB
*** Evening Update ***
My euphoria at seeing 4 SWALLOWS and 3 SAND MARTINS this evening, were somewhat overshadowed by the fact that I rang Rob Hill at the exact moment he had found an Osprey flying over Manor Farm !!! despite that grip off , I was able to salvage 9 Great Crested Grebes to cheer me up ......... ;-)
Cheers
FB
*** Evening Update ***
My euphoria at seeing 4 SWALLOWS and 3 SAND MARTINS this evening, were somewhat overshadowed by the fact that I rang Rob Hill at the exact moment he had found an Osprey flying over Manor Farm !!! despite that grip off , I was able to salvage 9 Great Crested Grebes to cheer me up ......... ;-)
Wednesday 8th April 2009
An unusual visit ..... I left the car , i walked the northern edge in the hopes of wagtails and pipits , in the normal style ..... there were none , but there was .... 15 Great Crested Grebes , mostly paired up , but still a loafing loose flock of 5
Minimum of 7 Grey Herons onsite , the 4 attending the nest and 3 Adults having a scrap near the sluice , one drew blood !
Otherwise , 5 Black Headed Gulls , 10+ Moorhen , 3 Coot. 2 Ad Herring Gulls on Wooden Island
Cheers
FB
Minimum of 7 Grey Herons onsite , the 4 attending the nest and 3 Adults having a scrap near the sluice , one drew blood !
Otherwise , 5 Black Headed Gulls , 10+ Moorhen , 3 Coot. 2 Ad Herring Gulls on Wooden Island
Cheers
FB
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Tuesday 7th April 2009
Hello , And welcome to the Furzton Blog , this is really just a holding place for all my thoughts and enthusiasm about birding @ Furzton lake , I hope to populate it with quite a few pictures and accounts of former glories (!) Yes they have been a few ..... Well 7 at least ! I have been watching furzton since the early 1990's but with a passion since 1999 when i moved there , i now live just round the corner in Shenley brook End , and its about 1 minute 45 seconds if i hit the roundabouts right, door to lake
I try and visit at least once a day , that normally involves parking in front of the Hotel and looking from the car ! I will also try and publish a full site list in due course
But first the reports from yesterday ..... Now brace yourselves ....
14 Great Crested Grebes , all the 4 Heron nests in the smallest heronry in the world are all accounted for with a few of the sitting birds standing up now , so hopefully the eggs have hatched , this is the first year that I have been aware of them nesting on the two islands , but they have probably been doing it for years ;-)
That's pretty much it ! Oh an increase to 6 Greylags was noteworthy (!)
3 Sand Martins thru earlier in the week were first of the year.
Simon
I try and visit at least once a day , that normally involves parking in front of the Hotel and looking from the car ! I will also try and publish a full site list in due course
But first the reports from yesterday ..... Now brace yourselves ....
14 Great Crested Grebes , all the 4 Heron nests in the smallest heronry in the world are all accounted for with a few of the sitting birds standing up now , so hopefully the eggs have hatched , this is the first year that I have been aware of them nesting on the two islands , but they have probably been doing it for years ;-)
That's pretty much it ! Oh an increase to 6 Greylags was noteworthy (!)
3 Sand Martins thru earlier in the week were first of the year.
Simon
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