13 JUNE 2026 – DOWNTOWN BISHOP’S STORTFORD; GRANGE PADDOCKS and BAT WILLOW HURST CP

I hadn’t really been out anywhere local for at least three weeks, mainly down to the recent hot spell, and the subsequent wet weather. But I wanted to make amends.

I’d not yet connected with House Martins thus far this year, so my first port of call was The Maltings where the species had bred in previous years - although in diminishing numbers; and sure enough, before I ‘d even crossed the road, a pair of House Martins flew overhead - but when I looked for new nests under the eaves of the Maltings buildings, I didn’t see any further sign of any House Martins; but I did see a pair of Grey Wagtails nearby beside moored barges along the river Stort.

My next location was Castle Gardens, where I knew Mistle Thrushes had been seen regularly (I hadn’t yet recorded the species locally this year), and as soon as I approached the area, I located an adult in the long grass at the foot of the castle remains; and it was remarkably confiding. Part of the area had been planted with wildflowers, and it was wonderful to see such a superb array of different species - such as Oxeyes; Poppies; Knapweed; Cornflower; Scabious, as well as a variety of grasses.

I followed the course of the Stort through the park towards Grange Paddocks looking for butterflies and other insects amid the nettles growing profusely beside the pathway, but apart from a couple of Small Whites, all I could find were various small bee species, and Ladybirds - the vast majority of which seemed to be Harlequins and their Nymphs. One or two Banded Demoiselle Damselflies were seen too, but no other Odonata. Indeed, no butterfly species at all were seen through Grange Paddock playing fields; Cannons Mill, and Grange Paddock Meadow, and that remained the case through to Bat Willow Hurst Country Park - extremely disappointing, given that it was mid-June.

I’d decided to walk up to Bat Willow Hurst CP to try and see a few dragonfly species at this location (which had been so accommodating in previous years - although usually not until the months of July - September). I made my way to the smallest pond, and carefully (very carefully, as the pond surrounds were extremely steep sided) made my way down to the edge, where almost immediately I found a beautiful Bee Orchid in full flower (although it was to be the only one I could find) and several Centuary plants. Then I saw my first Emperor Dragonfly of the year - a stunning female sweeping over the surface of the water and later witnessed it ovipositing; then a male Azure Damselfly; and my first Four-spot Chaser of the year…………… then a coupled pair in flight. A lone male Banded Demoiselle (flashing its wings I assumed in some sort of mating ritual); then a single male Blue-tailed Damselfly; regrettably none of them near enough to photograph. Then I went looking for butterflies, but not a single species could be found in the entire area. So, I made my way back.

I’d intended to get a bus back to town, but either I was too late, or it never arrived; so, as the next scheduled bus was an hour away, I had no choice but to walk back through Grange Paddocks Meadow; Cannons Mill etc where I saw a few Large and Small White butterflies, and my first Meadow Brown of the year. It took me just over an hour to get into town and pick up a bus to take me home.

I’d been out over four and a half hours, and was utterly shattered – down largely to the fact that I’d missed a bus, and was forced to walk back to town from Bat Willow Hurst CP.  It’s quite a walk!!

MISTLE THRUSH - CASTLE GARDENS

WILD FLOWERS - CASTLE GARDENS

HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD and APHIDS 

LADYBIRD NYMPHS

CARRION CROW - GRANGE PADDOCKS PLAYING FIELDS 

BEE ORCHID - BAT WILLOW HURST CP

CENTUARY - BAT WILLOW HURST CP

 

 

9 MAY 2026 – THORLEY QUARRY and SOUTHERN COUNTRY PARK (SCP)

A reasonably early start was necessary to try and catch the ‘early bird’ so to speak - so I was out of the house by 0720 hrs. To save time I took a bus and disembarked at the stop after the one for the Coach and Horses pub, then took the designated footpath across farm fields to Thorley Quarry.

As soon as I reached the farm fields, I saw a Painted Lady butterfly (my first of the year) though it gave me the run-around for a bit before it settled and I was able to take just the one photograph before it flew away and was never seen again. It was rather faded specimen, suggestive of its long journey from Africa. A couple of Green-veined Whites and Small Whites were also seen but no other species of butterfly, although to be fair it was still relatively early in the day, despite bright sunshine.

It was interesting crossing the field because there was a huge variety of wild flowers amongst the dregs of crops from when the field was last in production a couple of years back; plants like Red Campion; Poppies; Ox-Eye Daisies, and many others, and on my way to the quarry I took time to photograph them for identification later.

Over the brow of the hill as I approached the lake, I had hoped to see species of wading birds, but in fact the lake appeared deserted of birds, but a rudimentary scan in my binoculars revealed one Little Ringed Plover (LRP) and a Great Crested Grebe (which had been reported earlier in the week and is the first one I’ve seen at this location). Then grebe was over by the far bank and was almost invisible; a couple of Black-headed Gulls were seen there too, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull came down as I watched. But there were no Martins (Sand or House) and no Swallows or Swifts, nor was there any sign of any other waders like the Greenshank, Common Sandpiper or Green Sandpiper of recent weeks.

As I walked around the far bank the grebe moved accordingly and always remained a long way off, but as I continued I heard a wader calling, in time to see it fly across the surface of the lake to the opposite side, but I knew from it’s flight pattern and call that it was a Little Ringed Plover, and another was seen about fifty metres or so away below me, and that too joined the other on the opposite bank. So at least there was still a pair of LRP’s present, so a possibility that they might be breeding.

At that point, there seemed no point in staying around in the vain hope that something else might drop in, so I made may way up the track on the way to St. James’ Church and Southern Country Park, and in the process heard the call of a Yellowhammer somewhere along a hedge, without actually seeing the bird. It was the first Yellowhammer I’d recorded in the vicinity of the Quarry, and the first I’d seen since a wintering flock in January, by the commercial buildings behind the Church.

Since the morning was warming up nicely, I had hoped that I might see more butterfly activity once I arrived at SCP at around 0945 hrs, but I was to be disappointed on that score. I passed by the flower meadow (ex the Maze) without seeing a single butterfly, then down through Middle Wood; the Wedge and round to the chalk bank and saw a couple of Green-veined Whites; a few Small Whites; a lovely male Brimstone on the ground!); a few Holly Blues, and possibly a Common Blue too but that was about it. So, I made my way to the lake to look for dragonflies and immediately saw an adult Common Tern taking fish to another Common Tern resting on the fence along the walkway at the northern end of the lake and made a hasty beeline there. I could see both birds on the fence at that point and knew that I was likely to get some decent photos (as I’d done in previous years); but as the birds had only very recently arrived, I thought I’d test out my 2x Converter and telephoto combination, which meant that I didn’t have to approach the birds so near. And this approach paid off with excellent results, although both birds were very confiding - well, amazingly so, in fact. There was no dragonfly activity along the walkway, and no sign of any Reed Warblers - just the scratching song of a lone Sedge Warbler.

There was a small family unit of Mallards next to the feeding station, so I tested the camera and converter combination on them too, with very pleasing results. I started to leave the park at that point, but immediately before I did so, I had a better view of a Common Blue butterfly, and a beautiful female Broad-bodied Chaser (my first of the year) that alighted very conveniently on a twig by the exit, and was able to get a few really good photos, in excellent bright, warm sunlight.

So, overall, a reasonably successful morning, with the highlight being the Common Terns and the Broad-bodied Chaser.

PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY - THORLEY QUARRY FIELDS

(FIRST) POPPY

(Not yet identified)

HEDGEROW CRANESBILL (?)

QUIET REFUGE - ST.JAMES' CHURCH

YELLOW FLAG - with HOVERFLY Sp - ST. JAMES'

BRIMSTONE - SCP

COMMON TERN - SCP

COMMON TERN - SCP

THE OTHER COMMON TERN (A MATE?) - SCP

3 MALLARD DUCKLINGS - SCP

MALLARD DUCKLING - SCP

MALLARD DUCKLING - SCP

MUM MALLARD TAKING A 'NAP' NEARBY - SCP

BROAD-BODIED CHASER - SCP

 

 

4 MAY 2026 - OLD HALL MARSHES, ESSEX

I’d agreed to go birding with John and Mike, but the choices of venue were restricted to Old Hall Marshes (for an American Golden Plover); Abberton Reservoir for possible Black Terns and a glossy Ibis); or Rainham Marsh if all else failed (for Black-winged Stilts and Ring Ouzel - which Mike missed out on John and my visit to Rainham two days before). A pick-up time of around 0800 hrs was agreed.

However, news was restricted to the plover being seen that morning on the Bale Field at Old Hall Marshes, so that was where we headed, although it wasn’t a venue I was initially keen to visit due to the very long walk involved in walking around the reserve. But I was assured that we wouldn’t need to walk that far, so I felt a tad more comfortable given the amount of walking I’d done in recent days.

It was rather cloudy skies that greeted us when we arrived shortly after 0900 hrs, although brighter conditions were promised around midday, and around 40 minutes later we approached the Bale Field, immediately south of the Salcott Channel (which itself was a tributary of the River Blackwater) where John set-up his telescope, and almost immediately claimed our target bird - a stunning, summer plumaged American Golden Plover a very long way off on the banks of one of the many managed pools constructed by the RSPB on the field for the purpose of attracting mainly water birds.

The bird wasn’t immediately obvious as it was resting directly in front of a gull, next to a European Golden Plover, which was useful for size comparison; and anyway, for most of the time seemed content to keep is head nestled into its mantle. But occasionally it lifted its head, and even chose to move right or left, when somewhat better views were obtained, though only through John’s scope (as binocular views were not so good due to the distance involved). Nearby, John found a Whimbrel, and other waders such as Little Ringed Plovers; a lone Dunlin; a Ruff, many Northern Lapwings (with their chicks) and Redshanks were also seen amongst the gulls and various duck species, including a lone Brent Goose. A couple of Hares were seen out on the open fields too.

We moved round a few hundred yards or so, where we gained slightly closer views of the American Golden Plover, and through John’s scope, were able to appreciate just what a beautiful plover it was with its partially black face, black breast and belly, white shawl on the side of the neck and upper breast, and extensive white supercilium. It is known to be a slightly smaller bird, and longer legged than the Golden Plover, although these details were hardly noticeable, given the distance of viewing. Other birds seen included Ringed Plover; three Ruff in summer plumage - one bore a striking black neck-ruff; Dunlin, and a single Common Snipe. The marsh also resounded to the scratching calls of both Reed and Sedge Warblers.

The tide was coming in along the Solcotte Channel, where between us we saw the lovely mating ritual of a pair of Great Crested Grebes (including the male offering up a wad of seaweed); around eighteen or so Grey Plovers (including several in summer plumage); four Turnstone, and a Curlew.

Being Essex, it wasn’t surprising that Essex birders formed the bulk of people out to see the American Golden Plover, and some familiar faces were seen, including some from our own neck of the woods in Hertfordshire. But the voice of one individual who I certainly hadn’t expected to run into, seemed very familiar, and when I turned around was surprised and delighted to see Jeremy Hurley who - in his day - was a well-respected Essex birdwatcher and twitcher, and a friend I hadn’t seen for almost 25 years!! Of course, it was an occasion for reminisces, but in the end, he took my e-mail address and promised to be in touch soon. It would be great if we could meet up again and go over our various birding (and other) ventures over the thirty years or so, before we eventually lost touch.

On the way back to the car, we saw several butterfly species, including Wall Brown and Small Heath, as well as a Lattice Heath Moth, which was the first I’ve ever seen anywhere.

A quick trip to Abberton Reservoir for the Glossy Ibis proved fruitless so, after a welcome Cappuccino in the visitors’ centre we made our way home. Apologies for the lack of pictures.

LATTICE HEATH

SMALL HEATH

 

 

30 APRIL/1 MAY 2026 - THORLEY QUARRY and THORLEY WASH, HERTS

30 APRIL 2026

I was persuaded by reports of a huge movement of waders on 29 April in East Anglia, to make a return visit to Thorley Quarry; and it certainly paid off.

I arrived at the site around 10.00 hrs and straight away was greeted by the sight of a Red Kite and Eurasian Buzzard circling over the lake. But as I approached over the brow of a stony hillock (created during the recent gravel excavations, now completed) the alarm calls of a Greenshank echoed out, and as I scanned the lake two Greenshank took to flight, landing on the opposite bank.

Then, as I began walking (slowly) around the perimeter of the lake, I disturbed a Common Sandpiper (a bird I’d not seen locally since 2005) which also flew to the opposite bank, where it was joined by a second. And then the call of a Green Sandpiper rang out (a bird I hadn’t seen locally since 2017) and I was just in time to see the bird fly to a slightly different area of the lake, but still on the opposite bank. Wow I thought, this was amazing.

Meanwhile a Little Ringed Plover was seen on the near bank, quite content to stay put, despite my presence, although I was conscious of the need to be cautious, given that there could well be a nest in the vicinity.

I tried to get closer views of the Greenshanks, but it was difficult to follow the birds as most of the time I was looking into the sun, and anyway I didn’t want to disturb them unduly; so, I left the site content at what I’d observed here. I also saw a party of six Common Swifts, and three Barn Swallows that were new to me for the year locally.

I went on to Southern Country Park nearby, where I heard the rattling song of a male Lesser Whitethroat (although I didn’t see the bird) and a Sedge Warbler singing in the reedbed at the northern end of the lake, although once again the bird remained unseen.

1 MAY 2026

I returned to the quarry around 0830 hrs the following day, being persuaded by Stephen Patmore (who’d alerted us to the large movement of waders in East Anglia) to get there earlier in the event new waders had called in. The two Greenshanks were still present (although still quite flighty), but no other waders were present except for a lone Little Ringed Plover.

From there I made my way on to Thorley Wash along the River Stort Navigation. On the towpath which runs along the Walbury Estate, I heard two separate male Reed Warblers singing strongly from the phragmites on either side of the path within fifty metres of each other, but neither revealed themselves, I assumed because there was relatively frequent human activity along the towpath here. But I did have particularly good views (albeit rather brief) of a male Cetti’s Warbler in the scrubby reedbed, a bird that is usually stubbornly secretive, despite its forcefully loud call. Indeed, along the entire towpath and on the reserve itself at least five different male Cetti’s were heard, which was encouraging.

I had hoped to catch up with the Cuckoo I’d heard from Thorley Quarry, but although the bird was certainly present in the area, it was calling from quite a distance away; and it wasn’t until later in the morning, that I came close to seeing the bird in the trees above my head; but it just wasn’t to be, and I had to be content with hearing its familiar springtime call.

I was surprised too that there was absolutely no evidence of the presence of Sedge Warblers, since none was heard or even seen that morning, which I confess was slightly worrying; although Common Whitethroats certainly were making their presence felt, despite arguably in less numbers than previous years.

At the northern end of the reserve, I found a juvenile Eurasian Jay, which was not a bird I see often here.

As I was about to exit the reserve to make my way north up to Twyford Lock, I recorded at least three male Banded Demoiselle Damselflies (my first of the year) and a male Large Red Damselfly, as well as several Orange-tip and Small White butterflies.

At Twyford Lock I stopped awhile on a lock-side bench talking to a couple of cyclists when I noticed a male Grey Wagtail carrying food, which mean that the birds had a nest somewhere nearby - traditionally in recent years, in the lock gates - and indeed, the bird made its way to the said gates where it dropped down to where the nest was situated actually within the gates itself, although it was completely hidden from view. The female soon followed carrying the body of a large species of dragonfly (more likely a Hairy dragonfly, minus its wings - being the only large species on the wing at this time of the year). I hung around watching the birds bring in more food and was able to take a few photographs of this attractive Wagtail.

Further along the river, almost opposite the entrance to Rushy Mead Reserve, I rested again on a riverside bench and heard the call of a Common Tern (which are seen occasionally this far up the Stort Navigation) and saw the bird flying over one of the lakes privately owned and operated as an angling club. This was very encouraging as I had no records of the species anywhere along the Stort in 2025.

RED KITE

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER

MUTE  SWAN

BANDED DEMOISELLE DAMSELFLY (M)

CARRION CROW

MARSH MARIGOLD

GREY WAGTAIL

COMMON TERN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 MAY 2026 – RAINHAM MARSH, RSPB NATURE RESERVE

It was just John and me today as Mike was on family duties. When John arrived to pick me up at 0730 hrs, we hadn’t sorted out a venue, but there were a few possibilities: Languard Point, Suffolk (for a Tawny Pipit); Abberton Reservoir, Essex (general birdwatching); and Rainham Marshes for Black-winged Stilts; Wood Sandpipers and Ring Ouzel. We chose the latter, arriving at the reserve around 8.15 a.m.

The reserve wasn’t due to open until 0930 hrs, so John suggested we take the river path along the Thames to where the Ring Ouzel had been seen the day before. When we arrived at the said location, the County Recorder for Essex (his name escapes me) had just seen the bird at the base of a hawthorn, although it wasn’t on show; but within minutes a Blackbird sized bird - dark brown; silvery mantle, and a somewhat indistinct georgette on its breast - flew out and away, crossing the pathway and disappeared into bushes below us. Yet within minutes it had returned to the original bush, where we got much better views of the bird, despite being quite deep within it. Yet very soon it was disturbed, and flew out once again, when we got much better views of its distinctive features as this time it flew much further away. But at least we’d ‘bagged’ it for the day and were very pleased considering that Ring Ouzels (spring and autumn migrants here) were almost always extremely elusive.

Scoping the reserve pools John eventually found the Black-winged Stilts on the far side of the reserve, so he suggested making our way to the visitor centre, then try and see if could get closer views. It proved a long drag around the reserve pathways to where we found we could view the stilts from the track, yet even so they remained distant, with heat haze beginning to interfere to some extent. There were a single Wood Sandpiper and a Ruff at the same location. Above this point, at least two Hobbys were hunting  high up in the skies, with at least three Common Terns flying over the reedbeds. Two Western Marsh Harriers were seen here too, with the song of a male Cuckoo echoing over the marsh.

Rather than walk round the entire reserve, as we’d seen our target birds, John suggested we turn back and try and find out own Green Hairstreak butterflies, which were apparently common on the reserve at this time of year. It seems that a favoured location for the species was known as the Cordite store - which was sheltered from any wind and was also an ideal sunspot.  We didn’t have long to wait, when the said Hairstreak (all males - well several in fact) made a welcome appearance, with some very good views as the insects occasionally alighted on leaves of bushes (mainly Elderberry). We also saw at least two male Small Coppers and several Peacock butterflies. And the Cuckoo we’d heard earlier, gave good views as it flew between the trees. There were also several teneral Large Red Damselflies and an adult Azure Damselfly, as well as two species of Shield Bug (although I didn't find that out until I'd examined the photos later that day) in this relatively small open area. Earlier in the day we’d also seen a few Wall Brown butterflies and at least two Hairy Dragonflies.

On the way back to the car park, we attempted to gain more views of the Black-winged Stilts, but the birds remained stubbornly distant - though from all viewpoints, the scratchy songs of Reed and Sedge Warblers pervaded, along with the deafening rattling croaking of Marsh Frogs.

GREEN HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY

WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY

DOCK BUG

GREEN SHIELD BUG

  

18 APRIL 2026 - SAWBRIDGEWORTH to BISHOP’S STORTFORD

I’d read reports of a decent fall of migrant birds along the Stort Navigation between Sawbridgeworth and Bishop’s Stortford, which included Willow Warbler; Garden Warbler; Lesser Whitethroat; Cuckoo, as well as good numbers of Common Whitethroat; Sedge Warbler; Blackcap; Swallow and House Martin. So, I took a bus to Sawbridgeworth and walked down to the towpath along the Stort Navigation, beginning there at around 8.45 a.m. The weather was clear, sunny, and reasonably warm at around 14 Degrees C with a light easterly.

Virtually the moment I set out, I began to think that it wasn’t such a good idea to choose a weekend to undertake this walk, because very soon, small groups of children (possibly scouts and girl guides - with their respective leaders) followed me in; with the usual runners; bikers and dog walkers too. But they would soon pass, I thought, so I ventured on.

Cetti’s Warblers sang vociferously - seemingly from every other bush - a stark difference from several years back when the species just didn’t occur (only rarely); and I was even lucky to see a couple (possibly paired) in the bushes across the river, although it was almost impossible to train the camera on them before they skulked back into cover. Virtually in the same location I photographed a Sedge Warbler (together with its reflection) that ‘posed’ for me near the surface of the water - and that doesn’t happen too often.

Common Whitethroats were everywhere but were always difficult to see well; as were Blackcaps, although these were not so many. A few Song Thrushes could be heard but I only managed to see just the one. Chiffchaffs too were obvious by their song but again chose not to reveal themselves. Blue Tits; Great Tits; Long-tailed Tits and a couple of pairs of Reed Buntings, along with Robins, were seen, along with a single male Greenfinch. On the river, several Moorhens and Mallards were either collecting nest material or in mating mode; whilst overhead Jackdaws; Carrion Crows; some Rook; Magpies and a lone Jay were seen.

The ‘crowds’ continued to come and go; and what with the boisterous nature of some of the kids, together with passing trains, and the planes flying to and from Stanstead Airport, it was  quite difficult at times to hear the birdsong. And really, what are radios doing being played in such idyllic surroundings…………it seems that some people just do not respect their countryside!! It wasn’t at all the quietude I expected to find; and I was becoming more frustrated by the minute. But I had no choice but to continue in the hope that soon, the situation would change for the better. But the birdlife along the river was surprisingly sparse given that spring was well underway. Maybe the cool easterly flow of winds was having a negative effect on the migrant birds - because I saw or heard no Lesser Whitethroats; Willow Warblers; Garden Warblers; Swallows or Martins; and sadly, no Cuckoos either. And that continued all the way through Spellbrook and Thorley Wash. But was good to see were Mute Swans on nests - one just south of Spellbrook Lock and the other next to Spellbrook Weir.

Butterflies too were quite sparse, although there were good numbers of Small Whites and Orange Tips, with the occasional Speckled Wood; Peacock; Red Admiral, and a Large White or two. I even saw my earliest ever Large Red Damselfly (a teneral male) at Thorley Wash, where I also saw my second ever Treecreeper for the site. In fact, the only common species seen the entire morning were swarms of St. Marks flies!

Spring wildflowers were beginning to bloom beautifully - Red Deadnettle; White Deadnettle; Dandelion; Speedwells; Lady’s Smock, and Marsh Marigold were prolific, especially on Thorley Wash Reserve.

I guess I’ll give it another go in a few days’ time, and hopefully then, the bird migration would be in full swing……………if the weather holds!

MOORHEN ON NEST

RABBIT IN GARDEN ADJOINING RIVER

SEDGE WARBLER

SONG THRUSH

WINTER WREN

MUTE SWAN ON NEST (1)

MUTE SWAN ON NEST (2)

LADY'S SMOCK WITH ATTENDANT ORANGE TIP

FEMALE ORANGE TIP

TREECREEPER THROUGH THE BRANCHES

LARGE RED DAMSELFLY - TENERAL MALE

DANDELIONS

RED DEADNETTLE

WHITE DEADNETTLE