markpie
Well-known member
Hi all,
Thought I'd revive my updates on the River Stort this year, as I intend to visit this place regularly. My reports will mostly be for the stretch between Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth; however, there will probably be occasions where I travel down to the other end where it joins the River Lee, or even times where I decide to walk the whole way.
I'll start this off with my first visit, and in fact first birding session, of the year.
9/1/11
The sun had finally come out! The sky was a smooth bright blue as opposed to the glum overcast conditions we've had since the New Year. The glorious sun was even blinding me a little as I made my way through the town to the river. The first bird I saw was a little Wren flittering amongst the shrubbery on the other side of the water, followed soon afterwards by some House Sparrows, Collared Doves, Feral Pigeons and a Woodpigeon (where was the Stock Dove I wonder?)
As I passed Southmill Lock and the pretty cottage there, I realised that quite a lot of other people had decided to take advantage of the gap in the bad weather, taking their screaming kids and barking dogs out for a not-very-peaceful Sunday afternoon stroll. Unsurprisingly, the first part of my walk turned out fewer birds than normal, with just the usual Mallards and Moorhens sighted on the water adjacent to the nature reserve Rushy Mead, and Great Tits and Blue Tits hopping about in the trees overhead.
Having gone beyond Twyford Lock, however, things started to pick up; a flock of around 15 Redwings made themselves known in the tall trees, as well as a small flock of Goldfinches, one of my favourite birds to view with their funny red faces and gorgeous soft golden bodies. A pair of Collared Doves were perched romantically near the top of a tree, and some Black-headed Gulls flew overhead.
A little further on I heard the horrid screeching sound of a Jay some way off, and managed to see the silhouette fly down a few branches of a large bare tree as the sun was descending, turning the light from a pale yellow to a rich gold. I decided to swiftly walk to the next lock at Spellbrook and then to start heading back. A few other birds added to the list were a group of 4 Coots, a couple of Blackbirds and Magpies.
The return journey in the fading light produced some more interesting species, including 2 Little Grebes (I often see these in the Winter here but was starting to think they were absent as they weren't in their usual place near Spellbrook), a few Fieldfares overhead, a single Grey Wagtail at Twyford Lock showing off its handsome lemon-yellow belly, and some Pied Wagtails.
All in all an average turn-out. Sadly no Kingfishers were seen, maybe next time when it's a little quieter. Some pictures are to follow.
List total: 21
Little Grebe
Mallard
Moorhen
Coot
Black-headed Gull
Woodpigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Jay
Redwing
Fieldfare
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Wren
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Goldfinch
Thought I'd revive my updates on the River Stort this year, as I intend to visit this place regularly. My reports will mostly be for the stretch between Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth; however, there will probably be occasions where I travel down to the other end where it joins the River Lee, or even times where I decide to walk the whole way.
I'll start this off with my first visit, and in fact first birding session, of the year.
9/1/11
The sun had finally come out! The sky was a smooth bright blue as opposed to the glum overcast conditions we've had since the New Year. The glorious sun was even blinding me a little as I made my way through the town to the river. The first bird I saw was a little Wren flittering amongst the shrubbery on the other side of the water, followed soon afterwards by some House Sparrows, Collared Doves, Feral Pigeons and a Woodpigeon (where was the Stock Dove I wonder?)
As I passed Southmill Lock and the pretty cottage there, I realised that quite a lot of other people had decided to take advantage of the gap in the bad weather, taking their screaming kids and barking dogs out for a not-very-peaceful Sunday afternoon stroll. Unsurprisingly, the first part of my walk turned out fewer birds than normal, with just the usual Mallards and Moorhens sighted on the water adjacent to the nature reserve Rushy Mead, and Great Tits and Blue Tits hopping about in the trees overhead.
Having gone beyond Twyford Lock, however, things started to pick up; a flock of around 15 Redwings made themselves known in the tall trees, as well as a small flock of Goldfinches, one of my favourite birds to view with their funny red faces and gorgeous soft golden bodies. A pair of Collared Doves were perched romantically near the top of a tree, and some Black-headed Gulls flew overhead.
A little further on I heard the horrid screeching sound of a Jay some way off, and managed to see the silhouette fly down a few branches of a large bare tree as the sun was descending, turning the light from a pale yellow to a rich gold. I decided to swiftly walk to the next lock at Spellbrook and then to start heading back. A few other birds added to the list were a group of 4 Coots, a couple of Blackbirds and Magpies.
The return journey in the fading light produced some more interesting species, including 2 Little Grebes (I often see these in the Winter here but was starting to think they were absent as they weren't in their usual place near Spellbrook), a few Fieldfares overhead, a single Grey Wagtail at Twyford Lock showing off its handsome lemon-yellow belly, and some Pied Wagtails.
All in all an average turn-out. Sadly no Kingfishers were seen, maybe next time when it's a little quieter. Some pictures are to follow.
List total: 21
Little Grebe
Mallard
Moorhen
Coot
Black-headed Gull
Woodpigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Jay
Redwing
Fieldfare
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Wren
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Goldfinch