The first day of 1995 was going to be spent in the depths of darkest Hertfordshire, Jenny and I had opted for a quiet New Year's Eve, spent at home in Codicote. As usual, I had planned a New Year's Day birdwatch but had limited myself to the area within 10 km of home (stretching from Offley in the north to St Albans in the south and from Luton airport in the west to Watton-at Stone in the east).
New Year's Eve had been sunny and clear in the morning but this had given way to wintry showers and the occasional flurry of snow by mid-afternoon. The forecast for New Year's Day was similar so I resolved to be up and out early. Thanks to Jenny kicking me out of bed at 07:00, while it was still dark, that was one New Year's resolution I (we?) managed to keep. I ate my breakfast standing at the kitchen window, but no birds were seen from this limited view (quite a contrast to the breakfast birding last year!). At 07:30, as the sky began to lighten, I loaded the car and recorded my first birds of the day, a pair of Jackdaws(1) flying over the village. Only a pair of Carrion Crows(2) feeding on a squashed rabbit and a Blackbird(3) were noted on the short drive to Kimpton Mill, but it was still not properly light.
Arrival at Kimpton Mill, at 07:50, seemed to coincide with the birds becoming active; a pair of Magpies(4) flew over the road and several Wood Pigeons(5) were feeding on ivy fruits near my usual parking place. A Grey Heron(6) stood sentinel on the bank of the cress beds and a Mute Swan(7) could be seen on the mill pond. More than 20 Moorhens(8) were feeding on the cress beds and all raced for the far bank as I got out of the car. Six Mallards(9) (2 males and 4 females) were also disturbed and flew off. As I walked back towards the mill, for a better look at the mill pond, a Collared Dove(10) flew over and a Robin(11) perched on a gatepost. Numerous House Sparrows(12) were in the bushes by the mill house and a few Starlings(13) were gathered around the chimney pots while a solitary Blue Tit(14) made its way along the hedge opposite. The mill pond was full of water and as well as a pair of Mute Swans held a few Coot(15), a female Tufted Duck(16) and at least two Dabchick(17), both in winter plumage. Several Black-headed Gulls(18), all adults in winter plumage, flew west.
From the mill pond I headed back past the cress beds, and the parked car, to take the track towards Rye End. A Great Tit(19) had replaced the Blue Tit and a Pheasant(20) was heard in the distance. The track runs parallel to the course of the Mimram. To the west of the track, between it and the river, is an area of rough, overgrown land while on the other side is a large expanse of open field. A few Fieldfare(21) flew over calling and a flock of c.25 Lapwing(22) headed south-west, an indication of colder weather to come? The loud, raucous calls of a Jay(23) were heard from the trees around Rye End farmhouse and a Wren(24) was heard, and then seen, moving through the dried grasses on the rough ground. This section of the Mimram is lined with Alder trees and the expected Siskin(25) flock was found in an Alder beside the small bridge, but disappointingly there were no other finches with them. Beyond Rye End the track passes through an area of damp woodland, where a couple of Goldcrests(26) flitted ahead of me, and then through some pasture. At the woodland/pasture edge a Great-spotted Woodpecker(27) was heard and eventually located perched in a dead elm and a flock of 15 Common Gulls(28) headed north along the Mimram valley. A Grey Squirrel making its way from branch to branch of the oak trees that lined the Whitwell road was my first mammal of the year. North of the track to The Hoo is the remains of a duck decoy now completely overgrown with reeds and grasses where a charm of 14 Goldfinches(29) were feeding on teasel heads. The small poplar plantation nearby was alive with birds on a visit just before christmas but today I could only find a pair of Treecreepers(30). I made my way back towards Rye End across the fields, hearing a Skylark(31) fly over and then not seeing any new species until I was nearly back at Kimpton Mill. The Siskins were still alone in the alders but a Greenfinch(32) did fly over and a Reed Bunting(33) was heard and then seen in the grasses. A flock of five Redpoll(34) flew from the ground to perch in a sapling and a Herring Gull(35) drifted over. As I came up to the cress beds a Canada Goose(36) was heard and a Kingfisher(37) flew in to land on a stake in on of the beds before disappearing towards the mill pond - a good bird to get on a "big day". My last bird at this site was a male Chaffinch(38) feeding on a dung pile.
Kimpton cress beds, which lie less than half-a-mile west of Kimpton Mill, was my next site. Over the past couple of years these have been dredged clear and maintained as a local nature reserve by Tom Kittle and the Kimpton Nature Society. As I got out of the car a Grey Wagatil(39), which had been feeding on the large manure heap, flew over the road and was later watched in much more salubrious surroundings, as it foraged amongst the water cress. A single Green Sandpiper(40) fed on a muddy stretch of the shoreline but I could not make out if it was wearing any colour rings. Four Teal(41) and a couple of Mallard were disturbed from the water close to the near bank while a Water Rail(42) run along the far side to disappear into the vegetation. This was one species I had not expected to record on my New Year's Day bird watch. A male Kestrel(43) flew over the fields to the north of the cress beds where a pair regularly nest in an oak tree. A Snipe(44) was flushed from a muddy area at the top, western, end of the cress beds as a tribe of Long-tailed Tits(45) made its way along the hedgerow. The bushes and trees we had planted all seemed to be doing well, it will be nice to see how it develops. As I returned to the car a Song Thrush(46) flew across the road to disappear in a bush on the other side.
I was pleased to have recorded a total of 46 species by 09:40, after only 2 hours in the field. It was good to have already seen Kingfisher and Great-spotted Woodpecker, both of which could take some finding and the Water Rail was a real bonus. So far I had not missed any species that I did not expect to see later in the day. However, it was now going to be difficult to find additional birds. My plan was to drive from Kimpton to the Offley area to try and find the Buzzards that are wintering in the area meanwhile stopping off at likely looking sites en route. A Pied Wagtail(47) flew across the road just outside Whitwell and along Lilley Bottom a couple of Brown Hare were seen in the centre of a field where there was also a covey of 11 Grey Partridge(48). The temporary pond in Lilley Bottom is currently completely dried out, but according to Tom Kittle this is the driest part of the year - before the winter rains have had chance to replenish the ground water. While unsuccessfully searching for the Buzzards a herd of c. 30 Fallow Deer were seen in the lee of Stubbocks Woods; a flock of Rook(49) were seen in fields near Offley Hoo Farm where there were also some Rabbits.
After an hour I gave up on the Buzzard Hunt and headed for Hitch Wood and hopefully some woodland birds. After checking out the old barn for owl pellets, without any luck, I walked into the woods. A large tit flock roving through the woods included c. 20 Long-tailed Tits plus Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest and Coal Tit(50). The fiftieth species being recorded shortly after 11:00. Three Nuthatches(51) foraged up and down the trunks of the larger trees while the tits flitted through the branches. As I followed the tit flock through the woods I disturbed a Muntjac (my fifth and last mammal of the day) which bounded down the hill.
Now it was back on the road, heading to Brocket Park and hoping for some more waterfowl on the park lake. En route a large flock of all five species of thrushes including Mistle Thrush(52) and Redwing(53) was feeding in the fields of The Bury, Whitwell, where the winter sun had melted the frost. With them was a pair of Stock Dove(54). Just south of Kimpton a covey of 7 Red-legged Partridge(55) was found in a roadside field. The open spaces of Brocket Park were cold and windy and the lake disappointing with Cormorant(56) and Great Crested Grebe(57) being the only new birds. As I headed back to the car a Dunnock(58) fed on a lawn in Lemsford. My last stop was Stanborough Lakes, where a male Mandarin(59) was a splash of bright colour amongst the motley crew of Mallards and farmyard ducks and a Greylag Goose(60) had attached itself to the flock of Canada Geese. A walk to the Stanborough reed bed, the second largest in Hertfordshire, produced no new birds. As I returned to the car park it began to snow and by the time I reached home it seemed to have settled in for the afternoon and I did likewise.
I had missed a few species I had expected to see (Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Yellow Hammer) but had still seen a total of 60 species on a cold wintry New Year's Day and all within 10 km of home.
New Year's Eve had been sunny and clear in the morning but this had given way to wintry showers and the occasional flurry of snow by mid-afternoon. The forecast for New Year's Day was similar so I resolved to be up and out early. Thanks to Jenny kicking me out of bed at 07:00, while it was still dark, that was one New Year's resolution I (we?) managed to keep. I ate my breakfast standing at the kitchen window, but no birds were seen from this limited view (quite a contrast to the breakfast birding last year!). At 07:30, as the sky began to lighten, I loaded the car and recorded my first birds of the day, a pair of Jackdaws(1) flying over the village. Only a pair of Carrion Crows(2) feeding on a squashed rabbit and a Blackbird(3) were noted on the short drive to Kimpton Mill, but it was still not properly light.
Arrival at Kimpton Mill, at 07:50, seemed to coincide with the birds becoming active; a pair of Magpies(4) flew over the road and several Wood Pigeons(5) were feeding on ivy fruits near my usual parking place. A Grey Heron(6) stood sentinel on the bank of the cress beds and a Mute Swan(7) could be seen on the mill pond. More than 20 Moorhens(8) were feeding on the cress beds and all raced for the far bank as I got out of the car. Six Mallards(9) (2 males and 4 females) were also disturbed and flew off. As I walked back towards the mill, for a better look at the mill pond, a Collared Dove(10) flew over and a Robin(11) perched on a gatepost. Numerous House Sparrows(12) were in the bushes by the mill house and a few Starlings(13) were gathered around the chimney pots while a solitary Blue Tit(14) made its way along the hedge opposite. The mill pond was full of water and as well as a pair of Mute Swans held a few Coot(15), a female Tufted Duck(16) and at least two Dabchick(17), both in winter plumage. Several Black-headed Gulls(18), all adults in winter plumage, flew west.
From the mill pond I headed back past the cress beds, and the parked car, to take the track towards Rye End. A Great Tit(19) had replaced the Blue Tit and a Pheasant(20) was heard in the distance. The track runs parallel to the course of the Mimram. To the west of the track, between it and the river, is an area of rough, overgrown land while on the other side is a large expanse of open field. A few Fieldfare(21) flew over calling and a flock of c.25 Lapwing(22) headed south-west, an indication of colder weather to come? The loud, raucous calls of a Jay(23) were heard from the trees around Rye End farmhouse and a Wren(24) was heard, and then seen, moving through the dried grasses on the rough ground. This section of the Mimram is lined with Alder trees and the expected Siskin(25) flock was found in an Alder beside the small bridge, but disappointingly there were no other finches with them. Beyond Rye End the track passes through an area of damp woodland, where a couple of Goldcrests(26) flitted ahead of me, and then through some pasture. At the woodland/pasture edge a Great-spotted Woodpecker(27) was heard and eventually located perched in a dead elm and a flock of 15 Common Gulls(28) headed north along the Mimram valley. A Grey Squirrel making its way from branch to branch of the oak trees that lined the Whitwell road was my first mammal of the year. North of the track to The Hoo is the remains of a duck decoy now completely overgrown with reeds and grasses where a charm of 14 Goldfinches(29) were feeding on teasel heads. The small poplar plantation nearby was alive with birds on a visit just before christmas but today I could only find a pair of Treecreepers(30). I made my way back towards Rye End across the fields, hearing a Skylark(31) fly over and then not seeing any new species until I was nearly back at Kimpton Mill. The Siskins were still alone in the alders but a Greenfinch(32) did fly over and a Reed Bunting(33) was heard and then seen in the grasses. A flock of five Redpoll(34) flew from the ground to perch in a sapling and a Herring Gull(35) drifted over. As I came up to the cress beds a Canada Goose(36) was heard and a Kingfisher(37) flew in to land on a stake in on of the beds before disappearing towards the mill pond - a good bird to get on a "big day". My last bird at this site was a male Chaffinch(38) feeding on a dung pile.
Kimpton cress beds, which lie less than half-a-mile west of Kimpton Mill, was my next site. Over the past couple of years these have been dredged clear and maintained as a local nature reserve by Tom Kittle and the Kimpton Nature Society. As I got out of the car a Grey Wagatil(39), which had been feeding on the large manure heap, flew over the road and was later watched in much more salubrious surroundings, as it foraged amongst the water cress. A single Green Sandpiper(40) fed on a muddy stretch of the shoreline but I could not make out if it was wearing any colour rings. Four Teal(41) and a couple of Mallard were disturbed from the water close to the near bank while a Water Rail(42) run along the far side to disappear into the vegetation. This was one species I had not expected to record on my New Year's Day bird watch. A male Kestrel(43) flew over the fields to the north of the cress beds where a pair regularly nest in an oak tree. A Snipe(44) was flushed from a muddy area at the top, western, end of the cress beds as a tribe of Long-tailed Tits(45) made its way along the hedgerow. The bushes and trees we had planted all seemed to be doing well, it will be nice to see how it develops. As I returned to the car a Song Thrush(46) flew across the road to disappear in a bush on the other side.
I was pleased to have recorded a total of 46 species by 09:40, after only 2 hours in the field. It was good to have already seen Kingfisher and Great-spotted Woodpecker, both of which could take some finding and the Water Rail was a real bonus. So far I had not missed any species that I did not expect to see later in the day. However, it was now going to be difficult to find additional birds. My plan was to drive from Kimpton to the Offley area to try and find the Buzzards that are wintering in the area meanwhile stopping off at likely looking sites en route. A Pied Wagtail(47) flew across the road just outside Whitwell and along Lilley Bottom a couple of Brown Hare were seen in the centre of a field where there was also a covey of 11 Grey Partridge(48). The temporary pond in Lilley Bottom is currently completely dried out, but according to Tom Kittle this is the driest part of the year - before the winter rains have had chance to replenish the ground water. While unsuccessfully searching for the Buzzards a herd of c. 30 Fallow Deer were seen in the lee of Stubbocks Woods; a flock of Rook(49) were seen in fields near Offley Hoo Farm where there were also some Rabbits.
After an hour I gave up on the Buzzard Hunt and headed for Hitch Wood and hopefully some woodland birds. After checking out the old barn for owl pellets, without any luck, I walked into the woods. A large tit flock roving through the woods included c. 20 Long-tailed Tits plus Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest and Coal Tit(50). The fiftieth species being recorded shortly after 11:00. Three Nuthatches(51) foraged up and down the trunks of the larger trees while the tits flitted through the branches. As I followed the tit flock through the woods I disturbed a Muntjac (my fifth and last mammal of the day) which bounded down the hill.
Now it was back on the road, heading to Brocket Park and hoping for some more waterfowl on the park lake. En route a large flock of all five species of thrushes including Mistle Thrush(52) and Redwing(53) was feeding in the fields of The Bury, Whitwell, where the winter sun had melted the frost. With them was a pair of Stock Dove(54). Just south of Kimpton a covey of 7 Red-legged Partridge(55) was found in a roadside field. The open spaces of Brocket Park were cold and windy and the lake disappointing with Cormorant(56) and Great Crested Grebe(57) being the only new birds. As I headed back to the car a Dunnock(58) fed on a lawn in Lemsford. My last stop was Stanborough Lakes, where a male Mandarin(59) was a splash of bright colour amongst the motley crew of Mallards and farmyard ducks and a Greylag Goose(60) had attached itself to the flock of Canada Geese. A walk to the Stanborough reed bed, the second largest in Hertfordshire, produced no new birds. As I returned to the car park it began to snow and by the time I reached home it seemed to have settled in for the afternoon and I did likewise.
I had missed a few species I had expected to see (Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Yellow Hammer) but had still seen a total of 60 species on a cold wintry New Year's Day and all within 10 km of home.
