Local Wildlife Sightings, January 2026

 The year started with unusually cold weather, daytime temperatures hovering around 0C and a couple of light overnight snowfalls. I had a rare opportunity to spend a whole day birdwatching on a Saturday (the 3rd). The first bird that I saw was at the bottom of the back garden. I couldn't quite make out what it was until it flew up on to the fence as I came out to investigate and found a large female Sparrowhawk, which had been consuming its prey, a white feral dove! Unfortunately, my camera wasn't to hand and the Sparrowhawk flew off leaving behind the half-eaten bird and a pile of white feathers. The remainder of the dove was later consumed by a Magpie. I've seen Sparrowhawks before in the garden and I've also seen the remains of their prey, but never the two together.

I spent the rest of the morning at Verulamium Park, St Albans. The park has got a deserved reputation for its Kingfishers, which give ridiculously close views as they fish from the River Ver, which runs down one side of the lake. Unfortunately for photographers the backgrounds are usually rather messy clusters of twigs and leaves, which also tend to catch the sun, making correct exposure virtually impossible. Nevertheless, I didn't look a gift horse in the mouth (images below). However, I missed out on the Yellow-browed Warbler and Mediterranean Gull that had also been seen in the park.

Kingfisher 1 (a male), St Albans, 3 January

Kingfisher 2 (possibly a different male), St Albans, 3 January

During the following week I spent quite a bit of time bird watching locally, trying to catch up with local rarities and building up modest year lists. On the 5th a visit to Amwell produced ten different duck species, including Goldeneye, Red-crested Pochard and a couple of female Smew. Bitterns have been seen here regularly, and I missed one flying in to the reedbed as I walked between the White Hide and the main viewpoint - such is life.

Ring-necked Parakeet, Amwell, 5 January

On the 6th I went on my 'round the villages' walk. Phillup's Lake (Reed End) was almost completely frozen over, giving me a rare opportunity to photograph a Little Grebe that was diving away in the small patch of available water. A pair of Coot (presumably the lake's resident pair) and a single Mallard were also there, whilst no fewer than 27 Canada Geese were attempting to graze on the neighbouring field.

Little Grebe and two Coot in a blizzard on Phillup's Lake, Reed End, 6 January

The highlight of the walk came a little further on as I approached Therfield. I saw large flocks of Linnets, Corn Buntings, Chaffinches and Yellowhammers feeding in game cover and set-aside, then flying up into trees and bushes as I walked along the track. I reckon that I saw some 400 to 500 birds. Most impressive were the numbers of Corn Buntings seen: I reckon that 40 was a conservative estimate. Although Linnets made up the bulk of the birds there must have been around 100 Yellowhammers as well: my highest local count of this attractive farmland bird for a couple of years. Although the weather was now dull (with the occasional snow shower: see image above), the flat light made it easier to capture the features of these farmland birds - see the images below.

Corn Bunting, Therfield, 6 January

Nine Corn Buntings, Therfield, 6 January

Linnet, Reed, 6 January

The following morning saw me visit Scales Park near Meesden, hoping to see the wintering (and later breeding?) Crossbills. I was fortunate to see eight (a single male plus parties of three and four birds), although many more were probably present. I also saw a Raven, but there was no sign of Marsh Tits on this visit.

Record shot of a male Common Crossbill, Scales Park, 7 January

Later in the day I went to Roe Green, near Sandon, where up to three Short-eared Owls had been seen on previous evenings. The birds were reported to appear after dusk. I (along with others) probably stood in the wrong place to see the birds, because I only got only the most fleeting glimpse of what must have been one of the birds when it was almost completely dark. However, I did have three sightings of Woodcock flying out of or into Roe Green Wood. I'll try to go for better views of the owls at a later date, particularly as wintering Short-eared Owls are in short supply in the UK this year.

On the 8th I was out again, walking east from Royston along the Icknield Way to Heydon Pig Farm. More Linnets and Yellowhammers were seen, along with a Meadow Pipit and four species of thrush. Gull numbers at the pig farm were much lower (around 80 individuals) than in previous winters - perhaps the frozen ground had persuaded some to head further south and/or west. Amongst the gulls present, which were viewed and photographed distantly, were a probable Yellow-legged Gull and an interesting black-backed bird that had black markings behind the eye (see image below). This was most likely a strangely marked Lesser Black-backed Gull, even though it appeared smaller than the gulls around it. I harboured hopes that it might be something much rarer, such as an American vagrant (Laughing Gull or Franklin's Gull), but the shape and structure is unfortunately wrong for these birds, as well.

Fieldfare, near Heydon, 8 January

Some of the gulls at Heydon Pig Farm, with the apparently small and oddly marked Lesser Black-backed Gull in the left hand group.

UK Wildlife Sightings, January 2026

 My first outing of any distance in 2026 was on the afternoon of the 3rd, when I visited Staines Reservoirs. My rationale for going on a Saturday afternoon was (a) that there were some interesting birds there and (b) the M25 would be relatively quiet on a Saturday afternoon. This was important, as in the past I have been caught up in the almost inevitable weekday traffic jams between junctions 13 and 16 on my return. The down side was that standing on the causeway between the north and south reservoirs, in sub zero temperatures and in a biting wind is not my idea of fun! Nevertheless, I persisted and was rewarded with views of a male Lesser Scaup (a vagrant from the USA and the rarest bird on the site), male and female Scaup and a single Black-necked Grebe (up to 13 had been reported here earlier). I missed out on Great Northern Diver (up to two reported here), but will have a chance to see that species at Grafham Water, where up to eight have been reported!

Male Lesser Scaup, Staines Reservoirs, 3 January. Note the little 'bump' at the back of its head, one feature that distinguishes it from the larger Scaup (image below).

Male Scaup, Staines Reservoirs, 3 January

Black-necked Grebe, Staines Reservoirs, 3 January

Local Sightings, December 2025

 After November, which was easily the wettest month of the year in Royston, December produced a mixed bag of weather, but with the wind direction mainly coming from the west the unsettled weather continued, with appreciable rain on five consecutive days from the 4th, but some pleasant, sunny days as well and temperatures generally above normal. I had a lot on in the first half of the month, including a hospital operation, so opportunities for bird watching were pretty limited. However, I did get out for a few local walks. A visit to the Church Hill area on the 3rd included a walk on the track that leads between Jubilee Wood and Thrift Farm. The head of a Barn Owl could be seen in the one remaining nest box there, whilst two Stonechats (possibly the same pair that had been previously seen near the Therfield Road) were feeding in the Thrift Farm Beet (?) field nearby.

The head of a Barn Owl in a nest box, Jubilee Wood, 3 December (it did move about in the box, honest!)

There has been a big influx of Crossbills from the Continent into the UK this autumn and winter, and I made another visit to Scales Park (Meesden) to see whether the Crossbills, first seen there on 16 October, were still present. They were, and after much effort and running around I managed to get a distant photo of a male, sitting on top of one of the many pine trees on which they were feeding. Will they stay to  nest in the early part of 2026? Also seen here were two Marsh Tits in different parts of the woodland, seven Redwings and a Raven (Ravens nest in these woods).

Male Crossbill, Scales Park, 5 December

A covey of six Grey Partridges was seen near Royston Hospital at dusk on the 11th and two more males were heard calling (singing?) nearby. A Tawny Owl was hooting, again from near the hospital, slightly later in the evening. I felt fit enough to walk round the villages of Reed and Therfield on the 17th, recording 43 species (37 seen). A flock of 32 Golden Plovers was seen in flight over Greys Farm. A Chiffchaff was seen near Phillup's Lake, where seven Tufted Ducks, nine Canada Geese and two Coot were swimming. A loose flock of 25 Fieldfares was seen around Therfield.

Golden Plovers over Greys Farm, 17 December

More Stonechats were seen on the 22nd as I walked along the track that runs from the bottom of Church Hill south through Thrift Farm towards the Therfield Road. At least two pairs, as well as a single male, were seen on fence posts and/or in the fields of Sugar Beet on either side of the track. A Raven was also seen. The woods themselves were quiet. Other local walks produced no notable sightings.

Male Stonechat, Thrift Farm, 22 December

The weather became much colder - more like winter - in the last week of the year. Family commitments over the Christmas period prevented any local bird watching until the final afternoon of the year, when I decided to visit Bramfield and Bramfield Woods (near Hertford) to look for Woodcock, a bird that I hadn't seen this year, as well as Hawfinches in the churchyard. I failed on both counts, but on my way back from the woods I came across a flock of nine Crossbills in trees near the village hall car park. These birds were close enough to get some more detailed photos. Typically, the males were posing on or near the tops of trees whilst the females were lower and hard to see. One of the males was singing. I took photos of three males (males 1, 2 and 3 in the images below). Their bills appeared to be chunkier than those of other males that I have seen in the UK. Examination of text books indicates that continental (Scandinavian) Crossbills do have chunky bills (but not as chunky as those of Parrot Crossbills), suggesting that these birds were part of the autumn influx from the Continent. The bills look uncommonly like those of the purported 'Scottish' Crossbills! However, I wouldn't dare to suggest that 'Scottish' Crossbills could be found in England. Take a look, particularly at male 2.

Crossbill Male 1, Bramfield, 31 December

Crossbill Male 2, Bramfield, 31 December

Crossbill Male 3 (the Singing Bird), Bramfield, 31 December

The slightly above average rainfall for November and December took the annual rainfall total in the back garden to 17.9 inches (450mm), making this the driest year since 2011, following on from the wettest year since I began recording in 1992. Such are the vagaries of the weather!

My 'Local Patch' year list, at just 75 species, was the lowest since 2009. Perhaps Treecreeper was the biggest 'miss'. My declining health and declining powers of observation, no doubt being accompanied by being in the wrong places at the wrong time, were contributory factors, but I do feel that numbers of birds are steadily declining locally. Here is hoping for a better 2026! 

UK Wildlife Sightings, December 2025

 December is a quiet time for bird watching. The days are very short, the weather is frequently dull, cold, wet and windy and bird movement is very limited. Birds to add to my various lists are few and far between. To be fair, there were a few sunny and relatively mild days this December and I was able to take advantage of one of these (the 2nd) to visit Lackford Lakes in Suffolk, where a Green-winged Teal had been reported on most days in the previous week. Unfortunately, the bird had 'done a runner' (it wasn't reported from here thereafter), but I enjoyed a relaxing, sunny walk nonetheless and took a few images of the birds.

Lapwings at Lackford Lakes, 2 December

Events other than bird watching took over later in the month, but I did manage one more trip to the coast, on the 19th when I visited RSPB Titchwell on a sunny day. I had hoped to add Long-tailed Duck to my year list there, but there was no sign of it on the sea. I did again see a Firecrest, as well as several Chiffchaffs including a purported tristis sub-species ('Siberian Chiffchaff'). However, as is my way, I spent most of my time there walking along the beach, photographing some of the many wader species that I saw. A few of the images are below.

Bar-tailed Godwit in Flight, Titchwell Beach, 19 December

Marsh Harrier (a youngish Male), RSPB Titchwell, 19 December

 

Sanderling with Cockle (Part of the Shell is nearby), Titchwell Beach, 19 December

Having failed to see any Cranes this year, I took the afternoon off on the 22nd to drive up to Willow Tree Fen (near Bourne in Lincolnshire), to see them coming in to roost. Up to thirty roost here almost every evening during the winter months. On this occasion six came in at about 3.50pm, slightly earlier than usual, and I was able to get some 'record shot' photos in the half light of what had been a bright day. No more Cranes arrived before I left at about 4.20pm. However, I did see several Goosanders coming in to roost at a nearby lake, as well as around 20 Marsh Harriers (I counted 14 in the air at the same time). I was a little surprised to see the Goosanders, but apparently this is a regular winter roosting site for them.

'Record Shot' of four Cranes at Willow Tree Fen, 22 December

Between Christmas and the New Year we spent a few days in the north west of England and visited New Brighton (for the first time) on the 29th, with my brother and his family. Amongst the Turnstones on the beach groynes was a single Purple Sandpiper (an uncommon winter visitor), whilst a leucistic Sanderling (image below, with other Sanderlings) was the first that I have seen. No new species were added to my UK year list which, at 223 species, was my lowest since 2008. Nevertheless, I did add five UK 'firsts' during the year, I was out of the country for around five weeks, spent time in hospital and didn't visit Scotland. Yes, the excuses are there, but I'm hoping to do better in 2026 - given good health.

Sanderlings (Leucistic Bird second from left), New Brighton, 29 December

 

 

Some Birds of Western Australia, 1 - 16 November

 My partner and I visited Australia in November, to stay with her brother in Perth, Western Australia. It wasn't a wildlife holiday, although we did go on a whale watching trip to see Sperm Whales that pass the west coast of Australia between August and November, on migration. We also visited the Margaret River area, a wine growing region, for four nights. The woodland here contained many species of small birds. When in Perth I would visit Herdsman Lake, a 20 minute walk away from where we were staying, most mornings before breakfast. This is probably Perth's premier bird watching reserve. It contains a large array of water birds, although I came across very few small birds other than the ubiquitous 'Willie Wagtails', a couple of honeyeaters and a few Clamorous Reed Warblers, the only species that we would recognise as a true warbler in Western Australia. In all, I identified 82 bird species during our stay and probably missed a few in the dense woodland of Margaret River. Insect life in the Australian spring was a little disappointing: we did see some dragonflies and butterflies (including what looked remarkably like a Painted Lady), but it soon became clear that I should concentrate on the birds. Here is a selection of images of birds, photographed on the holiday.

Singing Honeyeater, a fairly common bird in Perth

Little Pied Cormorant, a cute little bird which was very common, both at Herdsman Lake and elsewhere

Darter, the 'Serpent Bird' with its long neck. I never saw it fishing or flying!

Clamorous Reed Warbler. I was pleased to get a photo of this bird which, like other members of its family, loves to skulk in the reeds. Very noisy!

Spotted Turtle-Dove, the larger of two turtle-doves that are commonly seen in Perth, alongside the Feral Pigeons!

Sacred Ibis, one of two very common Ibises in Perth (the other is Straw-necked). These birds are present in their hundreds at Herdsman Lake, where there is a breeding colony.

Crested Tern. The commonest breeding tern around Western Australia's coastline, this bird can be identified by its large size and yellow bill.

A female Red-winged Fairy Wren, photographed in the Margaret River area.

This Osprey was one of a pair that took quite an interest in us as we walked along a coastal path. They left the nest site together, perhaps indicating that they were not (yet) nesting. Quite a few Osprey pairs were seen along the coastline. There is debate about whether these Ospreys and 'our' Ospreys are separate species.

Port Lincoln Ringneck (or '28 bird', so named because of its call). These birds appear to have been pushed out of Perth by the noisy and invasive introduced Rainbow Lorikeet, which is the dominant parrot in the city. However, they are still common in the Margaret River area. This bird appears to be nesting in a tree hole.

Little Corella. This parrot is still seen in decent numbers in Perth, where it is a ground feeder.

Australasian Pelican. These birds were seen at Herdsman Lake. Their breeding colony is 20-25 miles away on Penguin Island, which we had hoped to visit whilst we were in Perth Unfortunately, the landing area on the island had become too sanded over for boats to visit, so we had to settle for a boat trip around this and other islands, with compensation in the form of a very active school of Dolphins.

Local Sightings, November 2025

 I was on holiday in Western Australia from 31 October to 16 November, returning to the UK to find my rain gauge overflowing - I had obviously missed some poor weather as I was sweltering in 30+C heat and more or less continuous sunshine! I'll put in a brief report about the trip in due course (500 images to edit). The weather in Royston continued unsettled until the 20th when, having had very little exercise, I decided to go on my 'round the villages' walk. A few hundred yards from my home I found a small flock of Goldcrests (5+) and shortly afterwards another three, but for the rest of the walk I didn't record any more. A Mute Swan was an unusual sighting at Hatchpen Farm pond, whilst a couple of Reed Buntings at Park Farm were, like the swan, 'year ticks' for my local patch. Small flocks of Yellowhammers, totalling 30-35 birds, were seen in various places along the route, four Corn Buntings were at Greys Farm and a flock of around 90 Linnets were seen nearby. Chiffchaffs appeared to have finally departed (but see below). Common and Black-headed Gulls were searching for food in the fields but, surprisingly, no Lesser Black-backed Gulls (the commonest local gull species for most of the year) were seen. A total of 43 species were recorded (39 seen).

Mute Swan (a local rarity) with Farmyard Geese at Hatchpen Farm Pond, 20 November

On the 26th I walked right across Therfield Heath to Fox Covert. Two Stonechats (reported the previous day on the Herts. Bird Club web site) were seen near the 'McDonalds' car park off the Therfield Road. The woodland of Fox Covert and Jubilee Wood can be very quiet in the winter, unless one coincides with a flock of tits and other small birds. Fortunately, on this occasion I was lucky to find a tit flock that also included a few Goldcrests, as well as Nuthatches and a Treecreeper (the last two heard but not seen). A single Chiffchaff was also present. A wintering bird was recorded nearby in 2024-25: will this bird attempt to over-winter too? No Redwings or Fieldfares were recorded: very few seem to be about locally at present.

Stonechat on Therfield Heath, 26 November

On the 28th I did a walk along the Icknield Way to the east of Royston. There were no surprises, but I did see a very loose flock of around 60 Fieldfares along the way. Towards Flint Cross a Common Buzzard with rather unusual markings was seen distantly (image below). It was very black and white, with a dark patch on the side of the head. I wonder whether it is wintering here, having come from a colder part of Europe. It appeared to have a pale rump, but I'm confident that it wasn't a wintering Rough-legged Buzzard, a bird that I have seen on three occasions in Hertfordshire in the last 20 years, but which is now an extreme rarity anywhere in the UK.

'Record Shot' of a Common Buzzard, seen between Royston and Flint Cross, 28 November

UK Wildlife Sightings, November 2025

 The first trip after my return from Australia was to visit RSPB Titchwell on the 21st. I wanted to see and photograph some waders (there was a dearth of them where I was in Australia), the weather was sunny and there had been reports of a Pallas's Warbler there. I didn't see the warbler, but I was lucky to get close up views of three (possibly four) lovely, little Firecrests. Photographing Firecrests is tricky, as they are (a) very small, (b) constantly on the move and (c) prefer the shelter of dense woodland. However, I did manage about a 10% success rate. Perhaps the 'best' image is shown below.

Firecrest, RSPB Titchwell Marsh, 21 November

Migrating waders had all passed through, so I concentrated on photographing wintering birds (including my favourite Sanderlings) on the beach. A Herring Gull had found a flatfish (Flounder??) on the tide line, but didn't quite know what to do with it.

Dunlin Feeding on Titchwell Beach, 21 November

Sanderling Feeding on Titchwell Beach, 21 November

Herring Gull with Flatfish 'Catch', Titchwell Beach, 21 November

On the 23rd I was part of an RSPB Local Group coach trip to RSPB Frampton Marsh. In recent months, the 'marsh' had become more like a desert as a combination of the extremely dry weather in spring and summer and (I believe) the failure of a pump had dried out all the scrapes and pools and the water birds and waders had gone elsewhere. Fortunately, the recent heavy rains and colder weather had resulted in the return of some of the pools, albeit that the landscape still looked pretty bleak. Plenty of ducks (particularly Teal and Wigeon) were seen, whilst vast flocks of Lapwings and (particularly) Golden Plovers regularly took to the air. A Whooper Swan with a damaged wing (present for two years) hadn't had the option to fly away. Returning waders included small numbers of Redshank, Dunlin, Ruff and Grey Plover. A Hen Harrier was seen by one person and a Peregrine was seen by many.

A few of the many hundreds of Golden Plover at RSPB Frampton Marsh, seen in flight on 23 November

Whooper Swan with Damaged Wing, RSPB Frampton Marsh, 23 November

On the 25th I made a return visit to Eyebrook Reservoir, where I saw the American Golden Plover last month. This time my target was a male American Wigeon, a vagrant species that I have only seen twice before in the UK (excluding in collections, where it is clearly one of the most attractive water birds in winter plumage: its name makes clear where it should be living). I have had real difficulty connecting with this species in the past, but the bird gave itself up relatively easily on this occasion, although it was always a long distance away.

Male American Wigeon (front bird, slightly right of centre) with other water birds, including a female Goldeneye, Eyebrook Reservoir, 25 November.

Several Goldeneye were also present, as was at least one juvenile male Scaup. A Great Egret, fishing much closer to the shore, made a nice photographic subject and four Whooper Swans flew in just before I left.

Great Egret, Eyebrook Reservoir, 25 November

Whooper Swans Landing, Eyebrook Reservoir, 25 November