I heard a snippet of something on the radio this morning about the Buncefield site and nesting birds. I am on the edge of the range of the local station when I am on my way to work and I kept missing key words of the article. Did anyone else hear it? I thought they said something about ravens but I cannot be sure. I've googled it but cannot find anything.
Thanks
Toadflax.
According to this article, the presence of breeding Little Ringed Plovers affected work at Buncefield last spring: www.hemeltoday.co.uk/.../nesting_birds_take_priority_at_buncefield_depot_1_1209664
psst, want to see my blog? http://robandmazza.blogspot.com
Hi Toadflax, I know this is a late reply but just stumbled upon this & incase you are still on here I have seen ravens in the area around 2010 & 2011. One was around the field just North East of the Wickes depot in Buncefield & another a little further East flying towards the Gorhambury Estate.
Kind Regards,
VELORAPTOR
HEMEL BIRDING: http://HemelBirding.blogspot.com/
Hi Veloraptor, thanks for the post. Yes I think there are ravens in the area now, I am still hoping to have a positive sighting. Saw what I thought might have been one over College Lake in Tring, but I was not 100% sure. There are lots more sightings coming up on the Herts Bird Club website so my chances are increasing I think.
Perhaps that is what they were talking about on the radio then. Thanks
You are welcome. Have you seen the Peregrine that winters on the BT building next to the magic roundabout yet? Maybe you'd be interested in my blog at hemelbirding.blogspot.com its hard to keep up & I have lots of posts to write up but I do put all my sightings now live as I see them on the twitter bar on the right. You'd be suprised what turns up in Hemel. If you need any info ever just send me a message. If you know where to look you can find all sorts around the town, Osprey, Hobbys, Jack Snipes, Green Sandpipers, Spotted Flycatchers, Wheatears, Stonechats, Whinchats, Lesser Whitethroats, Yellow Wagtails, Redstarts etc... People seem to think there's not alot there but you'll find them all with perserverence.
Take care.
Great, that's the answer then, thanks.
Hi, yes I did see the peregrine once when I drove down from Jarman Park. I don't live in Hemel, but I do keep my eyes peeled for the peregrine when I go through.
I think the fact that you can find unusual or interesting birds in unexpected places is one of the joys of birdwatching. I have seen an Osprey over Croxley Green which was pretty exciting!
Last year I also saw what I think was a dead polecat on the A41 between Langleybury and Kings Langley, and I heard the other day that Glis glis are in Rickmansworth. Not birds I know, but I am interested in other wildlife too.
Great, glad you've seen it. Brilliant record for Croxley, was it 2008? I wonder if it was the one that stayed at Piccotts End Pools from Sept to Nov? Yes I'm also interested in mammals, I've seen a polecat run across the Link Road into Howe Grove Wood in Hemel in the past & possible the same at Warners End Road into the wood there, & I found 2 dead on the Leighton Buzzard road between Piccotts End Village & Hillier Garden Centre so they are definitely about. Added to that they bred at College Lake recently. I haven't seen Glis Glis any closer than Tring though but I've always got my eye out for them.
Wow, thanks aiki. I never knew that. Nice one, better keep an eye out up there this spring.
The osprey was sometime before 2004 because I remember it flew over my previous house. There was one a little while back in the Chess valley, but I didn't manage to see it. I tried to see the one at Piccotts end, but missed that too. Doesn't sound like I have much luck does it, but I have fun trying.
At College Lake (first visit) a couple of weeks ago, got all excited because I saw what I first thought was an otter. Turned out to be a mink, hauling a dead rabbit through the water and then out onto the bank. Shame it is a pest, fantastic view of a wild creature none the less.