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

 

 

9 APRIL 2026 – FINGRINGHOE WICK NATURE RESERVE and ABBERTON RESERVOIR, ESSEX

It was an 8.15 a.m. start from my house, and we were heading for Fingringhoe Reserve, then on the Abberton Reservoir - mainly for Spring migrants.

However, because we’d heard that a pair of Peregrine Falcons had been seen around the steeple at St. Michael’s Church, Bishop’s Stortford of late (with photographs being put online) we thought we’d have a go at seeing them - but the birds didn’t seem to be present at the time; although Mike had  a Swallow flyover here (his first for the year), so it wasn’t so much of a dip out for him. So, on to Fingringhoe, with hopefully better luck with Nightingales.

When we arrived at the car park at Fingringhoe, Nightingales were already in full song, with at least 3-4 males singing heartily from the dense vegetation of Hawthorn; Blackthorn; Brambles, and others, but none were keen to show themselves. There was also a very brief snatch of song from a Willow Warbler, and there were a few Chiffchaffs getting in on the act too.

We traipsed around the maze of bushes - never really straying far from the car park - with no more than a glimpse of one of the singing males (though at one point Mike claimed views of one male chasing another across the stony pathway behind us). But by the end of the morning we would have heard at least 12 different males singing, and possibly more.

We found ourselves splitting up briefly, when I encountered a gentleman who told me he was the recorder for reptiles on the reserve, and told me that despite there being very little activity of Adders in recent days, he’d seen a male that morning atop a bank nearby, and I went back to tell John and Mike, with the consequence that we went off to find it. We’d already looked at ‘Adder Alley’ - which was known as a good place to see these magnificent snakes - but we’d not been successful. 

We might have found the said bank, but the Adder couldn’t be found at that location, and it was a good half an hour later, whilst we three were searching in an interesting grass and sandy open area, when Mike found an adult male, basking in dappled sunlight along the track we’d walked down earlier! It was a beautifully marked individual - black zig-zagging mark the entire length of it's spine - and was approaching two feet in length. It possessed a somewhat menacing almost bejewelled ruby-red eye, and was continually tasting the air with its forked tongue. Of course, once found it didn’t stay static for very long, and soon it was working its way through the leaf litter, coursing this way and that before finally, making its way up the bank before disappearing out of view.

But a little way along, I found another male (a different individual, that was broader in the body than the first), and as we all watched, we could just about make out the form of a brown adder (a likely female) immediately behind it, although ‘she’ soon slithered out of sight. And although we tried, we didn’t find any others.  I saw the ‘recorder’ I’d met earlier again and he soon went off to find the adders for himself.

Given that it was a rather warm, sunny day, we struggled getting butterflies, with only a few Small Whites (and maybe a Green-veined too, though it was difficult to tell with flight views); a few Peacocks and a Brimstone.

On the way to Abberton, we called in at Fingringhoe Gravel Pit where we saw a huge flock of around 80 or so Sand Martins; a lone Swallow; a couple of Redshanks; two Oystercatchers, and three Buzzards overhead.

At Layer Breton Causeway there was very little activity on view, and we didn’t see any of the Cattle Egrets, that we understood were breeding here, although we did get prolonged views of European Spoonbills - including three males in full breeding plumage - as they flew in and out of the nesting area, amongst the nests of Grey Herons. Opposite, the colony of Great Cormorants was in full swing. We also saw a Little Egret in flight, but it seems none were breeding here.

Before reaching Layer De La Haye Causeway and the Essex Wildlife Trust Centre, we called in at Billett’s Farm, where we joined a small group of birding photographers looking out for the usual annual spring arrival of migrant Yellow Wagtails; and we weren’t disappointed. There were at least 12 males, almost every single one in pristine bright yellow garb - one almost needed sunglasses to view them; and a probable second year male Northern Wheatear, on the fence posts behind them.

There was little activity elsewhere too, and although migrants were coming in, it seemed that it had slowed in recent days, with the consequence that a visit to Gwen’s hide revealed little but a male Common Whitethroat; a male Reed Bunting, and the sound  of a singing male Sedge Warbler, somewhere in the scrub around the hide. We also saw two lovely Mediterranean Gulls in in flight that were in full summer plumage, and which John originally picked up on call. Disappointingly, there were no Willow Warblers singing, although one was seen by others earlier in the day. But I did see my first Speckled Wood butterfly of the year.

I held back awhile to get some quite close shots of Rooks feeding in the grass for what I assumed were grubs of some kind; but their crops were huge consequently, giving the birds the unenviable ‘tag’ of being the ugliest of all the crows species we have in the UK - though they are undeniably interesting, nonetheless.

On the way back to John’s car - following a coffee at the café - we picked up a flock of around 20 Sand Martins, and a single Swallow, before leaving for home.

ADDER (M)

ADDER (M)

ADDER (M - head, top right)

CORMORANT COLONY

EURASIAN SPOONBILL (M)

YELLOW WAGTAIL (M)

ROOK

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY

6 APRIL 2026 - THORLEY QUARRY and SOUTHERN COUNTRY PARK

I’d recently received information that a trio of Little Ringed Plovers (LRP’s) had been seen at Thorley Quarry. So, I thought I should at least try and see them.

I set out at 8.50 a.m. in bright sunshine, but it was deceptively nippy - although I knew the forecast was for a much warmer day than of late, so I was sure to discard the fleece at some stage in the morning. Passing through Thorley Wedge - where I failed to see a singing male Blackcap - I made my way directly to St. James’s Church and headed straight for Thorley Quarry (which was where gravel and sand had been extracted commercially in recent years and where a small colony of Sand Martins had occurred there in the past three years - although the works had in fact ceased early in 2025, with a devasting affect on the colony which is no longer there).

Although work at the quarry has ceased, it is now completely ‘open’ with a medium sized lake (possibly one hundred metres across) and drainage systems having been installed which suggests that the area may well be a public facility in future.

The area was quite rugged, with dried-out mud tracks made by the excavating machinery making progress a tad difficult with my Nordic pole, but I found myself at the waters edge eventually, and gave an initial scan with the binoculars, though all I could see were a few distant gulls and a couple of mallards at first. But then a familiar piping call echoed over the lake as a Green Sandpiper took to flight only to land again the stony fringe of the lake, some fifty metres or so away. It was a bird I hadn’t expected to see and was my first local one since 2017. It was a good start.

I hadn’t really wanted to walk the entire circumference of the lake, given the steep, stony banks, but because I hadn’t seen any Little Ringed Plovers (though of course, they might not even be here), I was compelled to do so, and it wasn’t until I reached the furthest bank, when one flew out from a small gully at the edge. Brilliant; my first local LRP for fourteen years!!

I didn’t see where it landed (if indeed it had, since I hadn’t had sufficient time to train my binoculars on the bird), so I continued along the top of the bank, and sure enough I soon relocated the bird, and as I approached a little closer (with camera poised for action) two LRP’s flew out, landing on the opposite side of the lake. I couldn’t get a photo, but I had reasonable binocular views, so I was content enough. I followed the bank around without seeing them or the Green Sandpiper again, then left the site, on the grounds that I didn’t want to disturb the birds unduly. But as I began to climb the bank, I found a singleton LRP on the open track out, which since it was alone, I assumed was very probably the third bird reported. On the way out, I saw a couple of Eurasian Skylarks, which were new to me for the year. Other birds seen included six Canada Geese; Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls; several Magpies; Eurasian Buzzard; a very distant Red Kite; several Woodpigeons; a Stock Dove, taking a drink in a puddle; some Goldfinches; a single Pied Wagtail, a Jackdaw; two Carrion Crows, and a single Great Cormorant.

When I reached the open track near St. James’s Church, a female Kestrel flew over and landed on a nearby cell tower (or mast) allowing me to take a photo or two before taking to the air once more.

Instead of making my way to Southern Country Park via the church, I took the track downhill in the direction of Mole Hill Farm, then took a side track towards the park to check on the Long-tailed Tits nest I’d found recently - which was intact, but the tits were not seen - before taking an uphill track to a bridge over the main highway and into the park itself, making my way round to the lake. I was impressed with the large areas of Cowslips and especially Greater Celandine (that were everywhere) both inside and in the vicinity of the flower meadow - more than I remember seeing previously - and here I also saw several more Jackdaws and a couple of Rooks, which hitherto had been absent from the park. I made my way to the lake where I saw a lovely male Reed Bunting (my first for the year) and which I managed to photograph. I also saw quite a few male Brimstones; a couple of Peacocks; two Small Whites and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies (the latter two being my first for the year).

I made my way back from there, via Thorley Wedge, where I watched and photographed a female Blackbird gorging on pyracantha berries - before arriving home just before 13.10 p.m. I’d been out just shy of four and a half hours, and my right hip was complaining. But I was very content with my morning’s efforts.

 

COMMON KESTREL (F)

GREATER CELANDINE

BRIMSTONE (M)

REED BUNTING (M)

CARRION CROW

CARRION CROWS

BLACKBIRD (F) GORGING ON PYRACANTHA BERRIES

BLACKBIRD (as above)

 

 

 

26 MARCH 2026 – IN THE BRECKS

It was a sunny cloudless morning that saw us (John, Mike, and me) setting off at 0815 hrs to the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk, although it was deceptively chilly, with a moderate North Westerly, which could well have an influence on what we might see. John had his Landrover Discovery back from the garage, following necessary repairs.

Our first port of call was Lynford Arboretum, but right from the start it seemed somehow rather depleted of birds, with only a pair of Crossbills being the highlight here. Also, the usual array of snowdrops and daffodils had gone over earlier than one might normally expect, so it wasn’t in such pristine condition, although this was compensated for in no small way by the elegant, tall beeches (just coming into leaf), interspersed by aged oaks and conifers; it is such an impressive environment. After a welcome coffee at the Shepherd’s Baa, we moved off to Mayday Farm, near Thetford.

Over the years Mayday Farm (owned and operated by the Forestry Commission) has been an excellent site for birdwatching, with its extensive areas of both deciduous and coniferous woodlands interspersed with wide, open areas of scrub, suitable for many species of birds, and is renowned for less common birds such as Woodlark; Nightjar; Goshawk; Long-eared Owl, and Crossbill, despite or even because of the way the land has been managed. But, like so many of our inheritance of beautiful landscapes, the charge of modernity has shown itself here too with the introduction of parking meters, which were being installed as we arrived. One might hope of course that the proceeds go towards the upkeep of the forest, so maybe it’s not such a negative measure.

After a longish walk along an often-stony track, we came across a small trackside pool, where a couple of birdwatching photographers had set-up their cameras, waiting for birds to come down and take a drink. We were advised that Siskins; Redpolls and Crossbills had been seen throughout the morning, so we stopped awhile in the hope of getting some good close views ourselves. We didn’t have long to wait.

There was a tall conifer overlooking the pool, with a mixture of bramble and broom (or maybe gorse) and other shrubs, so there was plenty of cover. The pool was quite small in area - approximately 2 metres square - and was illuminated with bright sunlight throughout the time we were there.

The first birds to appear were Siskins (both sexes) followed by Redpolls (again, both sexes); a Goldfinch or two; a Chiffchaff; a Robin; a Blue Tit; a Chaffinch; a Great Tit; a Coal Tit, followed by a single female Crossbill, then another; then a male Crossbill; then a male and female Crossbill together; and then a lovely male Brambling. And finally, John spotted a juvenile Crossbill right at the very top of the conifer - the first juvenile either Mike or I had ever seen. What a treat!!

As the time was getting on (it was about 13.00 hrs by then) we moved off along the track hoping to get a glimpse of a Goshawk (which Mike had observed here earlier in the year) but we were to be disappointed in that that regard. But there were quite large numbers of Redpoll and Linnets along the trail, with the odd Chiffchaff and Chaffinch, although John did see a Yellowhammer too. With nothing else of note other than a female Minotaur Beetle and a lone Peacock Butterfly, we headed back to the car, with a brief stop back at the drinking pool - which was in shade by then, with few birds drinking, and headed off to Weeting (a few miles away), hoping to see Stone Curlews.

The reserve at Weeting is no longer operative as such, but the hides are still open to the public. Regrettably, there were no Stone Curlews on view either from any of the hides or indeed on the fields opposite, so it was assumed that either they hadn’t yet arrived, or the species no longer occurs there; though with little if any breeding success in recent years, it isn’t looking hopeful. The only birds present and likely to breed were several pairs of Lapwing. But scoping the fields John picked up a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a lone Fieldfare (both of which, unbelievably, were new to me for the year); then scoping more distantly, picked up a pair of Stonechats, and an early migrant female Wheatear.

To end the day, we called in at RSPB Lakenheath hoping to see a drake Garganey which had been recorded lately; but although we failed to find it, we did see a lone adult Whooper Swan; a Great Egret; a female Western Marsh Harrier and a pair of Marsh Tits. John also picked up a Little Egret and a probable Merlin, both of which Mike and I missed.

Overall, a reasonable day’s birding, with the undoubted highlight being the stunning mix of finches, and other species at the drinking pool at Mayday Farm.

REDPOLL

REDPOLL

SISKIN (M)

SISKIN (M)

SISKIN (M)

RED CROSSBILL (F)

RED CROSSBILLS (F)

RED CROSSBILL (M)

RED CROSSBILL (M)

MALE AND FEMALE RED CROSSBILLS with SISKIN

JUVENILE CROSSBILL 

BRAMBLING (M)

BRAMBLING with SISKINS and REDPOLL

COAL TIT

GOLDFINCH

MINOTAUR BEETLE (F)

21 MARCH 2026 – SOUTHERN COUNTRY PARK and SURROUNDS

This was to be a walk to Southern Country Park, and the fields around Matham’s Pit to try for Skylarks and Blackcaps, following my walk on 18 March along the River Stort, when I was thwarted in my efforts to take my intended route - from Spellbrook to St. James’ Church and its  surrounding farmland - due to an extremely muddy (and therefore possibly dangerous) towpath from Thorley Wash to Spellbrook.

I started out from home at 0940 hrs heading straight for Southern Country Park (SCP), arriving there around 10.15 hrs. There is a small woodland along Thorley Lane near to the northern entrance to SCP, where I had reasonable views of a Nuthatch, and where I was able to get a few  photos using the 100-400mm telephoto lens on my camera (though, even then they required enlarging in processing for the final result), as well as photos of early Bluebells; Wood Violets; White Deadnettle, and a couple of Bee Flys (which are fascinating insects).

Into the park, the first birdsong came from a Cetti’s Warbler and a distant Chiffchaff, though I saw neither. Near to the boardwalk along the northern perimeter of the lake, I heard the screaming call of a Water Rail, but with no chance of an actual sighting, I did at least know that the species was still present here, which was encouraging. There was little activity on the lake other than the usual suspects (Mallards; Moorhens and a Coot), but a lovely display of Daffodils on the east bank. I walked around woodland areas west of the lake, then made my way down to the Old Pond, and the Ancient Wood near the Spring Meadow without encountering anything out of the ordinary except another singing Chiffchaff. I did catch a snatch of a Blackcap song, but the Saturday traffic along St. James Way drowned it out, and although I crossed over the footbridge to the other side of the road, I was unable to locate the songster.

On the way to open farmland (which I call Matham’s fields that surrounds Matham’s Pit fishing lake, I saw a pair of Long-tailed Tits with nesting material, eventually locating the nest, which was almost complete. I stayed for half an hour or so, watching the birds bringing more material to the nest, located in brambles across a small ditch, taking a series of photographs at quite close range. These delightful birds were quite confiding, so I was able to remain in situ without causing undue stress.

A short way along the track I gained a view of a Eurasian Treecreeper, which stayed in view for a few minutes, allowing me to take several photos via the telephoto. It was my first treecreeper of the year, a bird that I don’t see any way on any kind of regular basis hereabouts.

Nearing Matham’s Pit I was struck by the almost complete lack of bird calls, other than a mewing Buzzard, and the twittering of Blue Tits and Robins’ song; but what was deafening was the silence from a complete absence of Skylarks. In previous years Skylarks were already on territory and singing readily by the end of February on these fields, but today not a single Skylark song could be heard, and this continued all the way up to St. James Church. The entirety of fields had been planted with (I think) Brussel Sprouts that were well established, but that hasn’t seemingly prevented Skylarks from seeking territories before. I can only hope that maybe the birds were already here, but were not yet vociferous, but it was worrying nonetheless and was a disappointing end to what had been an interesting morning’s walk. I was home by 13.30 hrs. 

BEE FLY 

EURASIAN NUTHATCH

GREATER PERIWINKLE

EURASIAN JACKDAW

DAFFODILS

DRAKE MALLARD

LONG-TAILED TIT

LONG-TAILED TIT

LONG-TAILED TIT WITH NEST MATERIAL

NEST OF LONG-TAILED TIT

STARLING

EURASIAN TREECREEPER