8 MARCH 2025 – THORLEY WASH

On 17 February I’d attempted to walk along the towpath north to Bishop’s Stortford but was prevented from doing so by the extremely muddy (and dangerous) conditions. Almost three weeks later I gave it another go – taking the bus down to Spellbrook with the intention of walking north along the towpath.

Thankfully, this time the conditions were more favourable, although parts of the towpath were still extremely difficult to negotiate, even though we’d had very little rainfall since my last attempt, and the towpath had dried out considerably. I made my way carefully along the towpath, and was making good progress, when I came upon a part that was exceptionally wet and muddy, but was fortunate enough to be given a helping hand by a kindly gent - out with his wife and two dogs - who took me by the arm until we were clear of the worst (well I’m certain that I just wouldn’t have made it to the bridge without his help, as it would have been too dangerous for me to try it by myself).

One thing I’d noticed straight away was the distinct lack of birdlife along the river. Given that the weather was warm and sunny (very warm for early March in fact at around 17 degrees Centigrade) I just couldn’t fathom out why there was so little evidence of birds. The drumming sound of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and the gentle mew of a Buzzard, together with the ‘screech’ of a Jay, and the welcome call of a male Chiffchaff, gave me hope, but after that the quietude returned.

I managed a decent view of one of two male Chiffchaffs calling, before noting three immature Cormorants at rest atop an old oak; and then at least six Mallards and a single Moorhen on the river. At the bridge (and by then it had taken the best part of 40 minutes to negotiate the towpath successfully due to the mud) the sight of a Buzzard soaring over the reserve was pleasing. And then there was a Red Kite soaring with it, and another nearby that appeared to be carrying prey. A few photographs were taken, but the birds were quite distant throughout (so the photos here are enlarged). But I believe this was the first time I’d seen two Kites at the same time at this location, and it was encouraging to know that they might be nesting nearby.

Around the reserve, virtually nothing stirred – at least two male Robins were singing, and a Cetti’s Warbler joined in without revealing itself; a male Reed Bunting (my first of the year) alighted briefly atop a Willow was gone before I could focus my lens, with a Great Tit the only other passerine seen. Further along the towpath there were several freshly made Mole hills, and the mud on one was ‘moving’; hoping to see a Mole appear (it would have been the first time) the action suddenly stopped when two people walked by (although they could see I was watching the molehill intently with my camera poised but chose to ignore me) - and of course, all chances of seeing any mole rapidly eroded as a consequence!

There were several anglers along the towpath, but they too were having little luck - with fish  seemingly refusing the bait. Sadly too, and despite the warm conditions, Brimstone and Peacock butterflies (which had been seen recently in other locations) failed to materialise.

So, with no Kingfishes to see; no finches; no thrushes (other than Robins); no Bullfinches; no Green Woodpeckers (or sightings of Great Spotted despite their drumming); no Kestrels; no Egrets or Herons etc. etc I called it a day. Surely, the birds would return once the spring proper was underway??

CORMORANT

MALLARDS (I liked the reflections).

RED KITE

RED KITE (CARRYING PREY?)

THE ANGLER

DAFFODILS AMONGST THE BEECHES