Tree planting scheme

Thought I should add a photo of the tree planting work that has gone on. This photo is looking south, just after the bend in the Stort navigation beyond the powerlines. There does seem to be a large tree planting programme going on, with other sites along the Stort being noted. Two such places are south of Sawbridgeworth and south of Harlow. The work on the latter site can be observed from the A414 opposite Eastwick Farm shop. Although applaud the planting of new trees was a little concerned to note that so many of the older trees have been removed. This may well account for the low count of green and great spotted woodpeckers in this area on my last visit. Another disappointment was observing large quantities of litter around where the work has been completed. Burger boxes, plastic drinks bottles were all evident adjacent to where the workers have been, although obviously I cannot apportion blame, here.

It will be interesting to chart the growth of vegetation along this area over the ensuing months as in previous years this has been a most productive area for butterflies and moths. Maybe, following the clearances, new plants etc will be able to get a hold on the habitat.

New Year wander

my first walk along the Stort for several months. A cold morning beginning at 9.30a.m. Plenty of bird life between Pig Lane and Roly Croke footbridge. Highlight was a superbly plumaged male bullfinch in the hedge adjacent to the horse field. Good blackbird numbers noted along with a huge flock of fieldfare, numbering in excess of 150. A lone herring gull lazed sothwards along with a solitary redwing. Other highlights were 4 siskin over the bridge near Spellbrook and a kingfisher winged its way northwards. A nuthatch called from Wallbury swamp where also Great spotted and green woodpeckers were observed. 6 little grebes were fishing along the stretch north of the bridge. Nearby 2 moorhens and 4 mallards were recorded.Plenty of corvid movement from Wallbury, made up mainly of jackdaws. 42 counted along with 25+ rooks and smaller numbers of carrion crow. Several black headed gulls were seen in the field. Wrens totalled 12 with great tits 12 and blue tits 13. Small parties of long tailed tits called constantly as over 43 wood pigeons were witnessed. 4 sparrow hawks were seen, 2 over Spellbrook, 1 female by Roly Croke and another over Thorley Wash. Suspect there to be three birds as the two latter ones could well have been the same bird. however, a good count for this part of the river.
Plenty of work has taken place along the eastern towpath with over 50 saplings being planted whilst older trees have been felled. This was perhaps the reason for the low count of woodpeckers as there must have been considerable disturbance from the machinery and workers.
All of the relevant records will be forwarded for the bird atlas count being run by the BTO

Winter arrives (according to the birds)

A walk along the usual patch early this morning (7.00 - 9.45a.m. ) gave up some more unusual species for the area. First to be observed were 4 little grebe, watched from the footbridge. They have wintered in this area for several years and good to see them back. Also, a wheezing water rail moaned from the sedges, another over wintering species, I think as no records from the spring and summer would perhaps indicate lack of breeding here. On the return walk a lesser spotted woodpecker flew overhead and into trees to the west of the river. Again, a seldom seen bird, although probably resident.

Also, to add to the success of the morning, a treecreeper was seen on the trunk of a large willow. Again, a local resident, but not regularly seen. the 35 species walk also included high numbers of blackbirds, with redwing, song thrush (1) and fieldfare about. 2 goldcrest called from dense low vegetation as 2 canada geese headed south. Also over head a small trickle of B.H. Gulls and L.B.B. Gull weaved their way north/north east. 3 kingfisher sightings were made, but all may have been the same bird. Their pace was too quick to identify to sex. Wood pigeons were predominant, totalling in excess of 100.

2 siskins and 1 pied wagtail were also recorded, all heading west over The Wash whilst 12 goldfinches could be witnessed in their regular tree at the beginning of the walk. Green and great spotted woodpeckers were ubiquitous, both with calling and flyovers.

Photographs today show a recently caught pike from near the footbridge at Spellbrook along with a shot, looking north east at daybreak on 22.10.07

Superb weekend

The weekend birding began on Sat. 20.10.07 along my usual patch. A session between 5pm annd 6pm on Spellbrook bridge gave up good numbers of regular species. 24 BHG's headed south while 57 lesser black backed gulls headed of between south and south west. The redwing roost had an entrance of 47 members, the highest yet. Also of note; 200+ golden plovers went over in a westerly direction, perhaps heading to nearby fields where I have observed them in numbers of over 2000. Fieldfares circled and a grey heron lazed its way north. Darkness overtook proceedings. As I left, 2 carp anglers were setting up for a night vigil. I wished them luck and took my leave.

Sunday 21.10.07
A memorable night between 5.15 - 6.30pm. I, at last, recorded my 100th species for the river since I began recording in Sept 2005. A group of very angry blackbirds (9) attracted my attention to some trees some 20 metres away. A scan through the binoculars brought nothing, but immediately I scoped the area I saw, reasonably well hidden, a superb Little Owl. A great surprise and pleasure. I watched the bird for awhile before the blackbirds became too infuriating and it headed further along the tree line and out of sight. Too dark for a photo, but a pleasing discovery. Also on offer along the patch was a flyover of 140+ redwing followed shortly after by a snipe, heading high and fast in a north easterly direction. Other notables were a sparrow hawk that scattered residents, including a kingfisher. Visible increases in numbers to wrens (23+), mallards (23) and blackbirds (20+) were noted along with the daily routine of roosting gulls. 2 goldcrests were "pished" successfully and the resident grey heron gave its usual fly past at dusk.

Monday 22.10.07
An early start meant I was on the towpath before first light. All was quiet but this changed as soon as the sun rose through the eastern treeline. Immediately the sky filled with birds. Black headed gulls went over in the opposite direction to their evening travels as did several Lesser black backed gulls. A new bird for the year and patch in the shape of 11 lapwings flew in an easterly direction. Again, an exciting find. Mallard numbers increased again, now reaching 29 and wrens were in excess of 27. The rapidly lightning sky was full of wood pigeons; 119 being counted between 6.45am and 8.45a.m. 3 siskins, 1 kingfisher were observed along with 2 flyover mistle thrushes. The latter not being a common sight for this part of the river. Their numbers do increase in winter, so well worth keeping an eye and ear open for them over the next few months. By the time I reached Spellbrook locks I had observed and/or heard 30 species. Warmed by homemade soup I wandered further afield. Of note, I recorded my first yellow legged gull for county and UK for 2007 in fields some 3 miles west of the towpath. Also outstanding in this area were 2 tawny owls, still communicating at around 9.20am. A good sight. All in all, the whole walk realised 47 species. A most successful 3 sessions of local patch watching.

A corvid session

Between 4.30 and just after 6.30pm I took my usual route along the towpath. I felt rather lucky and was expecting to see something unusual or even new for the patch. This transpired not to be, but a good evening all the same. 29 species were again accounted for with good numbers of several species.
Highlight was a small movement of jackdaws, all heading west. A group of 23 flew over followed by 10, all in pairs. Constant communication between them all alerted me to their presence even before they appeared over the tree line. From memory, this is the highest number of these birds that I have encountered. Numbers were also supplied by 57+ wood pigeons, 11 carrion crows, 57 black headed gulls and 21 redwing. The latter appear to be roosting close to Spellbrook bridge, so will be interesting to see the numbers increase here. A lone siskin flew west just after a count of 16 long tailed tits had been recorded. They were easy to count as they flew from one tree to another in groups of 1 or 2. 4 kingfisher sightings were had, with a definite two along the stretch as they flew past together. Woodpeckers, especially the green variety were again ubiquitous. I had 5 definite different birds, with a possibility of the tally being 8 such was their mobility. 2 Great spotted woodpeckers also announced their presence. Numbers of blackbirds and wrens continues to rise, with, I suspect, in excess of 25 wrens present. A definite count of 16 was made. A single chiffchaff called, a late bird or over wintering? Will be interesting to see as it was close to the bird I first recorded in early March, which I presumed to be an over wintering type. 1 Great black backed gull headed west whilst three lesser black backs flew over. 1 heading east, 1 south and 1 west.
Reports of a sighting of a barn owl not 500 metres from the patch kept me along the river until almost no light but still no sighting. 1 late pipestrelle bat headed north up the river as I left for a pint in the nearby Three Horseshoes. Last night was the first local frost of the autumn, so feel there will not be many more bat sightings for a fair few months. Interesting to see if this colder snap moves the chiffchaff on as well

Afternoon wander in glorious autumn conditions

A wander along the local patch to the Three Horseshoes at Spellbrook was most pleasant and relaxing, if rather short on exciting bird life. Highlight wasa fly over, high, by 2 siskins. They headed off towards the south east. This is the first autumn record for these. A 20 minute search through the black headed gulls on the plough proved indeed that they wer all BHG's. Still no common gull for 2007. Blackbirds, robins and wrens appear to be continuing their increase as October moves on. 5 GSW's and 6 green woodpeckers were either heard or observed.
2 kingfishers, brilliantly resplendent in shining electric blue, gave a dazzling fly past, heading upstream. Too fast however to sex or age them. Thrushes were conspicuous by their absence but numbers were supplied by 20+ goldfinch and good numbers of great and blue tit. Corvids were continually moving with good numbers of carrion crow.
Apart from the bird movement, 2 common darter and 2 migrant hawkers were watched, as was an unexpected small tortoiseshell butterfly. The latter observed from Spellbrook bridge. A tramp through the sedge in a vane attempt to flush woodcock and/or a newly arrived wintering water rail proved fruitless, as was a good watch for previously recorded stonechat pair. A pair have been recorded 0.5km west from The Wash and so suspect that they have moved along a little. Hopefully they will return and add a little colour around the patch.
The rapidly darkening evenings mean that only weekend visits and half terms will permit visits along this patch, apart from quick visits at dusk to check on potential owl haunts. Last winter's barn owl is now overdue and would be good to connect with it. First recorded 01.03.06 but no knowledge of breeding locally.

Evening wander 10.10.07

In dismal and fading light, I took a wander along the Stort to Spellbrook. Birding on the whole was quiet with 22 fieldfares being the highlight. This was the first autumn record of this species. They circled over The Wash before heading off north easterly. Numbers of several species are on the increase as colder weather is beginning to be evident. In particular; blackbirds and robins are making themselves known with alarm calls and singing respectively.
A party of 52 black headed gulls headed south westerly whilst 8 lesser black backed were on a more southerly route. A single grey heron breezed in from the south and landed on the gatepost to the north of the Wash. 1 kestrel was noted more northerly on the patch then normal and parties 0f great, blue and long tailed tits were observed along the whole of the towpath walk. 4 green woodpeckers were seen or heard along with 2 Great spotted woodies.
11 redwings headed over in a westerly direction. In all, a reasonably respectable 29 species were observed.
Also of interest, a regular angler landed a small pike which he had accidentally foul hooked. Superb camouflage in its markings. It was quickly reunited with the river. An estimated weight put it at 2.5lbs and measured 15 inches in length. A good set of teeth in its powerful jaws.