.
I booked today off work quite some time ago.... my mission; to break my yearlist record whatever it takes!
With help from SE, we set about our mission... it turns out this wouldn't be too difficult as i had only two species to see! Recent unexpected additions of Peregrine, Woodcock and Goosander this suddenly seemed a little easy... lets make it a bit more difficult. Instead of choosing a couple of gimme's from the coast, we decided instead to go for a couple of 'lifers'. The thing about twitching is that you can go to see a specific bird and see nowt...
...but that's not always how it goes.
Bush End (just South from Royston):
Rough-legged Buzzard (RBA) Showing within a short time of arriving on site. Giving us a brief flight before landing in trees. An Adult male Common Buzzard perching close by (one of at least two hanging about) was an added bonus to aid in ID, but Rook intervention meant bird pulled up in a more distant tree making any chance at photo almost impossible. [YL#161]
Luton
Red-breasted Flycatcher (also per RBA) Directions took us right into the middle of Luton.... During our short wait until the bird showed, we were entertained by 35+ Siskin and c.20 Goldfinch feeding in the Alders mentioned in the directions to the recent sightings. It wasn't long before this bird gave a few good view before dissapearing on it's long-winded route. A tiny bird but super fast and not too keen on having it's photo taken. This bird would seem to appear ever 20-40 mins, following the same vague route around the small wood. [YL#162]
A Woodpigeon resting in the sun, just outside Hayter reception
Hayter, Spellbrook (west):
Back to normal after yesterday's fun :-( very quiet
Another, stereotypical work-day at Hayter, until..... *BLEEP* *BLEEP*
A text message from PH who manages the, locally-based, wildlife discussion group Stort Valley Wild
'Male Goosander at Hatfield Forest Lake '
I've been trying to see a local Goosander for quite some time (especially over the last 2/3 years) and so the chance was just too much to resist.
After managing to book the rest of the day off work, SteveE dropped me off at Bush End church at lunchtime to try and end my run of appauling luck with this species. Over a dozen trips in two years to see this blinkin duck, here, meant my heart was racing. I hardly batted an eye at the Fieldfare, Redwing and Mistle Thrush that seemed to be everywhere during the muddy walk to the lake... could it still be there at lunchtime, with so many more people than would be about on it's first sighting by Peter.... even a noisy Nuthatch and few Siskin in usual alders on dam-side couldn't distract me from scanning the lake on arrival.
On the opposite (North) end was an unmistakable drake Goosander... Large and seemingly bright White, quite unlike anything else on the water. I grabbed a coffee from the cafe and made my way up the west side of the lake to get a closer view... great scope views, but distance/light made getting any good shots difficult. After a while of fishing the North end, bird swam to the South end, where he came out of the water for a rest and a preen (again in terrible light). Unfortunately the shy Goosander was disturbed from his spot before i even worked out how i was going to get a little closer..... he circled the site once, and then left West.
I've now been in Stortford for just over 6 years and 9 months and have finally now added GOOSANDER to my local list... tho I only got to view this bird for 45 mins (how lucky was I?) It will def be one of my local highlights of the year! [YL#160]
Thanks Peter, much appreciated :-)
here's the duck in question:
One of the grounded Fieldfare on SPF during my visit on Sunday
Hayter, Spellbrook, (west):
A Common Gull, yesterday, during last light at SPF.
Trims Green:
just before starting work at 0730
Hayter, Spellbrook (west):
An obliging Green Woodpecker, today, at SPF
Stortford Park Farm (east):
1600 Hrs
Stortford Park Farm (east):
Stortford Park Farm (west):
Unbearably quiet if not for Goldie flock.
Hayter, Spellbrook (west):
0725-0730
lunch
1500 Hrs
.