A change today to Lea Valley Birding, with a trip to view the larger reservoirs of KG & Girling.
Blue sky's and a crisp nip in the early morning made for a perfect winters day.
Viewing Girling and one of four Black Necked Grebes was soon seen, showing off the classic large bum and thin neck with upturned bill; However numbers seem to be down on previous years, but the site still remains reliable for these lovely birds..












Small numbers of Golden-eye were also noted, but it was among the larger rafts of Tufted Duck that a pair of Scaup were distantly seen, with the drakes silver back gleaming in the sun.
Little else was noted, so a quick look at KG Res was in order.
It was here that an almost certain 2nd winter Caspian gull, with it's upstance structure, long legs and black beady eye, made an all too brief appearance before flying towards Girling.
Heading home and a large flock of Goldfinch delighted in feeding on the mass of thistle heads available in the horse fields, this was not shared with the horses which were matted in the stuff.
A nice brief trip, to increase the Lea Valley Year list.

WAXWING GALORE

The large Waxwing flocks around the valley of late December, seemed to have moved on, so it was a trip further North in Herts to Wellyen Garden City that finally produced amazing views of these punk rockers for 2011.

Immediately out of the train station and a flock of 30 birds flew low towards the council buildings, these were joined by around 100 birds & they were feeding in a low down bush, which gave fabulous photographic opportunities.

The birds showed blushing cheeks during the forays

to the laden berry bushes, along with prince charming eye patches.

Yellow tail band, rustic undertails, red wax droplets on the wings and of course those outrageous long sweeping crests, made the birds the true stars of any winters day.

A real invasion year for this species in which every opportunity to see them will be taken!

After one hour I returned, happy with the easier side of birding for once!

WILD GOOSE CHASE

An early evening visit to Cheshunt resulted in a Wild goose chase!
The target was the Pink Footed Goose, recently seen around the goose fields of holyfield, however 2 hours walking resulted in just 200+ Canada geese, 6 Greylag geese & 16 Eygptian geese, with no sign of the target!
Red legged partridge were in evidence again around the farm and a Sparrow-hawk flushed up 30+ Chaffinch (still no Bramblings).
Distantly a large bird flew over Galley wood, this buzzard sized bird turned out to be a Raven! increasingly sighted over the last couple of years, it was none the less a surprise sighting.

With an hour before dusk I walked around Seventy Acres Lake heading home, I was immediately greeted by a flock of 40 or so Greylags which nosily alighted on the water, and among them was a White Fronted Goose.
The size of the bird was immediately apparent, although it was unusual in not showing a much white around the bill, and little to no barring on the uderbelly. The bird appeared to be a first winter and was a much welcome year tick.
Joined on the water by 4 Smew, including 2 drakes, these birds finally showed close enough for a record shot. The cracked porcelain beauty's always are a highlight of any day.
I waited till dark in the hope of Woodcock, but had to be content with a Bittern flying to it's roost!
Not a bad way to end another good day in the Valley.

ONCE BITTERN

The snoring of a new years party hangover is coming from the sofa, grabbing my bag I make my escape, slowly walking down the road, listening to the far more beautiful song of a robin, which becomes the first bird of 2011.
Travel is straight forward enough & my arrival at Cheshunt station is in the dark, this however works in my favour with a Tawny Owl being vocal, which starts the day off with a bang.
The short walk to Bowyers water, sees lots of gulls passing over head in the now dim early morning light; these are joined by flocks of Redwing and Feildfare.
The lake itself is 90% frozen, with wildfowl being compacted and easy to view, the best of these being drake Goldeneyes, throwing their heads back in winter display.
Perhaps the surprise of the day comes in the shape and sound of a Marsh Tit, my first record for the patch, it constantly calls, whilst only offering glimpses amongst the thick vegetation.
After treecreeper and bullfinch make welcome additions, I head towards Hall marsh and am greeted by a Little Egret flying overhead, which is followed seconds later by a smart drake Goosander.
The waters here are also frozen, so I walk along the channel which leads to Seventy acres; where after sometime my quarry of Smew is finally found. Up to 3 Drakes and 2 Redheads are showing distantly among the islands, whilst a female Goosander just sits on the ice and watches.
A water-rail shows particularly well below by feet, whilst a Cetti's warbler gives a short burst of song from a distant reedbed.
Finally at the Bittern hide and I have to wait a whole 2.5 seconds before a Bittern walks out into the open and ice skates along the channels.
The cryptic colours standing out against the frosty background, along with those lime green legs and straw coloured bill!! It's a real sight to behold and the star of the day without doubt....

On to the weir hide, but there is little of note, whilst the nearby feilds hold large numbers of Canada and Greylag geese, with smaller numbers of Eygptian geese.
Some of the fields had been spread with manaure & this attracted large numbers of Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Sky larks; At Holyfeild hall farm itself, things picked up with a dark phase Buzzard, Sparrow-hawk, 3 yellowhammers & 8 Red legged partridge!

With very tired legs I made my way towards Cornmill meadows and after walking through the thickest mud reached the distination.
A kingfisher speed down the river and a huge flock of around 500+ Sisken were busy feeding in the tree tops. an incredable number and incredable sight.

The light however was now extremley dark and the rain was now starting to fall in the ever colder air!
With 75 Species seen it was time to end the marathon of the day & look forward to what else the Valley will have to offer during 2011.