Brian and I made another early visit to KGV Reservoir this morning, arriving at 6am. I was hoping to add Arctic Tern to my year list, and after a couple of scans of the south basin, we did just that. Three flew past us at close range, but carried on heading north. Another Scan of the south basin revealed seven Common Terns resting on the buoys. Scanning the eastern bank as we walked towards the causeway added a new site tick for me when we found two Whimbrel. A single Oystercatcher flew across the basin heading south, and a single Common Sandpiper was also seen.
As we approached the north-east corner of the north basin, we could see some waders resting on the bank. Looking through the scope, we could see several Common Sandpipers and two Greenshanks. We counted sixteen Common Sandpipers before a Thames Water vehicle came along the top path and flushed them all. Other birds seen during the four-mile walk were Peregrine, Cuckoo, Yellow, and Grey Wagtails, Redshank, and Wheatear.
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| Greenshank & Common Sandpiper |
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| Whimbrel |
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| Grey Wagtail |
The same afternoon, while sitting at home, a Hoopoe was reported at Hunsdon in Hertfordshire. Only 14 miles from home, I phoned Brian to ask if he fancied going. As soon as he agreed, we met up and headed towards Hunsdon. We found the parking area without any trouble, but finding the footpath proved more challenging. Luckily, a birder returning to his car gave us directions, and we were soon looking across a large lawn running alongside a stream. The Hoopoe was seen immediately, but remained distant throughout our visit. It spent the entire time we were there feeding along the bottom of the tall hedge in the middle of the photo. The homeowner was happy for us to stand at the bottom of the garden, but didn't want people walking across his lawn, so we stayed an hour or so before heading home.
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| The garden |
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