I was on holiday until the 4th and didn't get out until the 6th, when my walk around the villages produced 44 species recorded (39 seen). Highlights were arguably a pair of Green Woodpeckers (seeing any locally has been difficult in the last couple of years), a Raven and two Herring Gulls just up the road at the Newsells Stud Farm. The regular two pairs of Coot were at the two ends of Phillup's Lake. A new female Tufted Duck was present, together with 20 Mallard.
The weekend saw a storm pass over Royston, with what I reckon were severe gale force winds overnight on the 7/8th that necessitated emergency repairs in the dark to the (new!) fence to prevent panels being lost. Annual rainfall passed 30 inches for only the second time since I started keeping records in 1991 and the drizzle in the following, gloomy week was sufficient for a new rainfall record to be established - hardly a surprise after such a wet year. Coming back from town at dusk on the 9th I saw a Tawny Owl fly into the Green Walk Plantation close to the house: an unusual sighting at this time of year.
On the 13th a walk along the Icknield Way, east of Royston, produced at least 34 species, including a Stonechat near the Heydon Grange golf course and no fewer than three Sparrowhawks, one carrying prey (a Blackbird?). I say 'at least 34' because I'm never too sure how many gull species I have seen - in particular, were any Yellow-legged or Caspian Gulls in amongst the Herring Gulls? The normally huge gathering at Heydon Pig Farm had been disturbed, but there were plenty to see along the way including around 200 (mainly) Common Gulls following the plough. As usual, I photographed those gulls that were close enough to the track to (hopefully) identify later. One of my images (below) showed an adult gull with many of the characteristics of Caspian Gull ('gimlet' dark eye, long, thin bill with markings only on the lower mandible, very clean-looking). Is it too small, though, and is the back too dark? Gull identification can be tricky and frustrating, but also fun at times, even for this non-expert. Hopefully I'll keep learning.........
Possible Caspian Gull (on the Ground, 2nd from Right) with other Gulls, near Royston, 13 December
On my way back from Fishers Green on the 15th (see my UK blog) I popped in to Amwell to see the resident female Smew, which was (distantly) feeding when viewed from the Gladwin Hide. Also present were one male and at least two female Goldeneye and an uncommon visitor to Hertfordshire, a Great Black-backed Gull.
'Record Shot' of Female Smew, Amwell GP, 15 December
I made my first ever visit to Admirals Lake, east of Hoddesdon, on the 19th to see a Black-necked Grebe. The grebe was easy enough to see, but always stayed on the (inaccessible) far side of the lake, making photography very difficult. In the end, I just kept one 'record shot', which is shown below.
'Record Shot' of a Black-necked Grebe, Admirals Lake, Hoddesdon, 19 December
Local walks in the second half of the month were uninspiring. The main highlight of another walk around the villages on the 20th was a large flock of Golden Plover (est. 350 birds), wheeling around in flight to the north of Therfield village - the biggest flock that I've seen here for years. I watched them for at least 20 minutes and they showed no sign of landing in that time, perhaps discouraged by not one but two local 'shoots'. A pair of Ravens (becoming increasingly common locally) was also seen in flight, whilst five Tufted Ducks were on Phillup's Lake. Ravens were also seen on a visit to Scales Park on the 23rd, but there was no sign of Marsh Tits on this occasion. Also on the 23rd I walked up the Icknield Way at dusk, looking for owls and (for once) was rewarded with the sight of a Barn Owl, hunting at Greys Farm.
A few of about 350 Golden Plovers, in flight near Therfield Village, 20 December
Four of Five Tufted Ducks at Phillup's Lake, Reed End, 20 December
With Christmas festivities, etc. intervening, that was pretty much it for 2024, although there was a surprise on the 31st, when a female Brambling appeared in the garden, making this the 78th bird species seen on my Local Patch (two mile radius of the house) in 2024. Despite the late entry, this is the first time that I have seen fewer than 80 species annually since 2011, reflecting perhaps my failing abilities but also the loss of several previously common (breeding) species, Lapwing being the most obvious absentee this year. The poor weather in 2024 may also have been a factor: rainfall, at 30.6 inches (778mm) broke all previous garden records and there was a notable shortage of sunshine throughout, but particularly in the last three months of the year. Surely 2025 must be better!?
No comments:
Post a Comment