15th October 2009

I went over to Staines today and caught up with the BROWN SHRIKE - a real mega.

Today round the patch from 1600 - 1700:

Egyptian Goose - 1 back on the trout lake
Cormorant - 1 on the side of the trout lake
Nuthatch - 1 down in the trees by the farm

Total Patch list: 84
Year Patch List: 73
Today: 22
Total year list: 172 (last bird was today's Shrike)

4th July 2009

A morning walk in the heat from 0950 - 1050:

Lesser Whitethroat - 2 singing. One along warbler headge, the other towards the horse paddocks.
Whitethroat - 2 singing along warbler hedge.
Blackcap - 4.
Chiffchaff - 1.
Greylag Goose - 10.
Canada Goose - 4.
No sign of the Mandarin with young.
Herring Gull - 1 high over.

Total species today - 29.
Total species for 2009 - 73.
Patch list 84.

Butterflies:
Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper
Marbled White
Small Copper
Large White

28th June 2009

A quick morning walk from 0800-0840:

Greylag Goose - 2 with 8 young.
Canada Goose - 3.
Mandarin Duck - 1 female with 3 young.
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 singing.
Blackcap - 4 singing.

Butterflies:

Large Skipper
Comma
Large White
Meadow Brown
Common Blue

1st June 2009

1700 - 1810@

No sign of the female Mandarin today, and no migratory raptors...

Egyptian Goose - 1 on trout lake.
Sand Martin - 1 over trout lake. New for the patch.
House Martin - 2.
Swallow - 3.
Swift - 20+
Blackcap - 2.
Little Owl - 1 on a postthen flew into Willow Tree by trout lake.

Total species today - 32.
Total species for 2009 - 73.
Patch list now 84.

31st May 2009

I was in Hampshire over the weekend and managed an hour at Acres Down watching for raptors:

Goshawk - 1 female.
Redstart - 1 female.
Siskin - 2 over.

Back on the local patch this evening from 1700 - 1800:

Red Kite - 1 circled over the farm then flew off West (a surprising 1st for the patch).
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 calling from the oaks near to the warbler hedge.
Mandarin - 1 female on the Trout Lake (a first for the patch).
Swallow - At least 3.
Swift - 15+
House Martin - 2.
Blackcap - 2 heard.
Great-spotted Woodpecker - 2.
Coot - 2 on the Trout Lake.
Tufted Duck - 4 (2 pairs) on the Trout Lake.

Total species today - 32.
Total species for 2009 - 72.
Patch list stands at 83.

Butterflies:

Comma
Common Blue
Painted Lady (showing Hayes hasn't escaped the mass migration of this butterfly!)
Large White
Speckled Wood

12th May 2009

This afternoon I went down to Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh - Black-winged Pratincole, Greenshank, drake Garganey, LRP, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, House Martin and Marsh Harrier.

This morning, I took a walk around the local patch as I haven't been out for a while due to work etc. 0910 - 0950:

Swift - 2.
Swallow - 2.
House Martin - 2 and the first of the year.
Canada Goose - 6 on the trout lake.
Coot - down to 1 on the trout lake.
Tufted Duck - 8 on the trout lake.
Egyptian Goose - 1 remains on the trout lake.
Whitethroat - 2.
Blackcap - 2.

Total species today - 36.
Total species for 2009 - 70.
Patch list stands at 81.

Yesterday I popped out to Bough Beech Reservoir. One Cuckoo calling from the woods, plenty of Swifts and a couple of House Martins, but also a Black Tern near the dam end.

5th May 2009

0910 - 1000. A slightly earlier walk than recently, but nothing too interesting:

Chiffchaff - 1.
Willow Warbler - 2.
Whitethroat - 2.
Great-spotted Woodpecker - 2.
Greylag Goose - 4 on the trout lake.
Canada Goose - 1 on the trout lake.
Swallow - 2 over.
The Wheatear from yesterday had left.

Later in the day, from the garden, I saw 2 Swifts fly over the school fields. This adds another one to the year list:

Total species today - 36.
Total species for 2009 - 69.
Patch list stands at 81.

4th May 2009

A very quick walk before a day trip, with no time to check the trout lake:

Wheatear - 1 on the ploughed fields around the farm. The first since 2005!
Whitethroat - 2 singing.
Blackcap - 3 or 4 singing.
Chiffchaff - 2 singing.
Willow Warbler - 2 singing.
Kestrel - 1 over.
Great-spotted Woodpecker - 1.

Total species today - 28.
Total species for 2009 - 68.
Patch list stands at 81.

1st May 2009

Very warm and sunny, 1000 - 1110:

Egyptian Goose - 1 on the trout lake.
Coot - Only 2 on the trout lake.
Swallow - 2 around the farm.
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 on the top corner of the school field.
Whitethroat - 2 along the warbler hedge.
Blackcap - At least about.
Willow Warbler - Only 1 heard.
Chiffchaff - 3 or 4 singing.

Total species today - 37.
Total species for 2009 - 67.
Patch list stands at 81.

Butterflies:

Orange Tip
Large White
Speckled Wood
Peacock
Brimstone
Red Admiral

Yesterday, I made the trip to Dungeness for the Crested Lark (the first UK record for 13 yrs!). I only got flight views and 'twitching' isn't really my thing, but this was a mega and only just over an hour away, so it was worth the trip. I had a quick seawatch afterwards and saw lots of Common Terns, a Red-throated Diver and two Arctic Skuas past.

28th April 2009

1200 - 1310:

A bit wet and colder, but a few migrants about nonetheless:

Egyptian Goose - 1 on the trout lake.
Greylag Goose - 2 with four fledglings on the trout lake.
Coot - Now only 4 on the trout lake.
Linnet - Only 2 around the farmland.
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 again singing at the top of the school fields.
Blackcap - 4 heard.
Chiffchaff - Only 1 singing.
Willow Warbler - 2 singing.

Total Species Today - 36
Year list remains.
Patch List remains at 81.

22nd April 2009

1020 - 1130:

Some new arrivals and signs of migration:

Canada Goose - 14 on the trout lake.
Grelyag Goose - 1 on the trout lake.
Egyptian Goose - 1 still on the trout lake.
Coot - Only 4 on the trout lake.
Chiffchaff - 5.
Willow Warbler - 4.
Whitethroat - 1. 1st of 2009 along the warbler hedge.
Lesser Whitethroat - 1. 1st of 2009 in the top corner of the school field.
Blackcap - 8+.
Kestrel - 2 over the far field.
Sparrowhawk - 1 female near the end of George Lane by the woods.

Total species today - 38.
Total species for 2009 - 67.
Patch list stands at 81.

Some butterflies about now as well:

Orange Tip
Large White
Peacock
Speckled Wood
Comma

16th April 2009

0850 - 0950:

Linnet - 3 only.
Cormorant - 1 flew over.
Canada Goose - 2 on trout lake.
Greylag Goose - 1 on trout lake.
Egyptian Goose - 1 on trout lake.
Coot - 6 on trout lake.
Jay - 4 (possibly migrants given the number together)...
Willow Warbler - 2.
Chiffchaff - 5.
Blackcap - 7.

Total species today - 36.
Total species for 2009 - 63.
Patch list stands at 81.

15th April 2009

An evening walk started off rather disappointing but yielded some nice birds in the end:

Linnet - 25+ around the farm fields.
Coot - 6 on the trout lake.
Canada Goose - 4 in total.
Great-spotted Woodpecker - 3.
Green Woodpecker - 3.
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 flew over.
Chiffchaff - 4 singing.
Blackcap - 3 singing.
Willow Warbler - 2 singing.
Little Owl - 2 in the oaks near to the warbler hedge.

Total species today - 36.
Total species for 2009 - 63.
Patch list stands at 81.

12th April 2009

An early morning walk to look for migrants:

Greylag Goose - 3 on fields North of the Trout Lake.
Coot - 6 on the trout lake.
Willow Warbler - 3 singing around the area.
Chiffchaff - Only 4 singing.
Blackcap - 4 heard singing and a pair seen.
Bullfinch - 4 seen, two pairs.
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker - One in the warbler hedge trees. Another first for the patch!!!

Total species today - 29
Total species for 2009 - 61
Patch List now - 81.

11th April 2009

More low cloud and rain, perhaps keeping a few migrants lingering, but not really bringing much through:

Stock Dove - 1 feeding in horses paddocks.
Linnet - 20 around the ploughed fields close to the farm.
Grey Heron - 1 flew over.
Swallow - 4 feeding around the horse paddocks and trout lake.
Coot - 5 on the trout lake.
Egyptian Goose - 1 returned to the trout lake with 1 Greylag
Chiffchaff - At least 6 singing.
Willow Warbler - At lest 3 singing from different areas of woodland.
Bullfinch - 1 male seen.
Great-spotted Woodpecker - at least 5 about.

Total species today - 37.
Total species for 2009 - 60.
Patch List stands at - 80.

10th April 2009

Although a bit wet, I hoped the bad weather may have grounded a few migrants and there were a few about:

Cormorant - 1 flew over the farm, possibly disturbed from the lake by fishermen.
Swallow - 2 separate individuals moving through.
Chiffchaff - At least 2 singing in the woods.
Blackcap - A pair present at the end of George Lane behind the new houses.
Redpoll - Two present along the warbler hedge - the first since 2005!

Total species today - 32.
Total species for 2009 - 58.
Patch List stands at - 80.

8th April 2009

Well spring has now arrived in Hayes:

Swallow - 1 over the farm area. First of the year.
Chiffchaff - At least three heard singing across the patch.
Blackcap - 1 male seen and heard singing along the warbler hedgerow. 1st of the year.
Willow Warbler - 1 seen and heard singing. A first for the patch!!!
Coot - 5.
Canada Goose - 5.
Green Woodpecker - 2 pairs seen feeding.
Jackdaw - A pair seen near the farm with nest building material in beaks...

Year list for the patch - 56.
Total Patch list - 80

2nd April 2009

Have been out and about over the past few days.

31st March - Pett Levels, East Sussex. Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Little Gull, Common Scoter and more common species.

1st April - Bradwell/Dengie Coast in Essex. Marsh Harrier, Corn Bunting, Dunlin, Redshank and my 1st Swallows of the year. Also two Grey Partridge just outside the area in field on the way home.

2nd April - New Hythe GP's. Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Greylags and other common species.

Anyway, I went for a jog this evening around the patch and din't really note any birds, but did see Comma and Peacock butterflies.

29th March 2009

During a quick morning walk I saw/heard:

Chiffchaff - 3 singing in the woods.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 drumming in the woods.
Skylark - 3 singing over fields.
Egyptian Goose - 1 back on the trout lake.
Tufted Duck - 4 on the trout lake (2 pairs).
Coot - 10 on the trout lake.

Total Species today - 31.
Year list remains the same.
Patch list remains at 79.

Later in the afternoon, I went over to Rainham Marshes RSPB to try and catch up with the Penduline Tits, but dipped out. I did, however, see a juvenile Iceland Gull there. Other species present were Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, various dabbling ducks, Snipe, Little Egrets and various finches at the feeding stations.

26th March 2009

With a break in the weather, I got round for a walk:

Tufted Duck - 8. Now 4 pairs on the trout lake.
Canada Goose - 5.
Greylag Goose - 3.
Coot - 10.
NO sign of the Egyptian Goose today.
Linnet - 21.
Rook, Magpie, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw almost completed the 'corvid' list in the area, although I did see a pair of Jays a couple of days back.
Chiffchaff - 1 singing in the woods.
Great spotted and Green woodpeckers.
Yellowhamer - 2. I haven't seen one of these lovely little birds on their usual hedgerow for nearly 5 years! The last time was 9th May 2005...

Total species today - 32.
Total species for 2009 - 51.
Patch List stands at - 79.

24th March 2009

I heard back from the BBRC. Not suprisingly, they presumed the RB Goose/Geese yesterday to be escapes. Nevermind. Patch list stands at 79.

Today, no sign of the winter thrushes from yesterday, perhaps they were resting before moving North. I haven't heard Chiffchaffs for a few days either. I should think this is down to the weather rather than them having moved on.

Today:

Egyptian Goose - Still on the trout lake. At least there's just one of them, or they'd end up breeding and taking over the place like the wretched parakeets!
Greylag Goose - 3.
Canada Goose - 4.
Coot - 9.
Linnet - 26 (a good figure round here).
Greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, Green woodpecker and a pair of Jays.

Total species count today - 25.
Patch list - Still 79.

23rd March 2009

After the rain had cleared i got out for a walk around the patch:

Fieldfare 18
Redwing 3
Egyptian Goose still on the trout lake.

Two Red-breasted Geese heard in the field to the SE of the trout lake, but they took off when scared by the dog and i only saw them in flight. Probably escapes, but seeing as i only saw one of them, you never know. I've submitted the report to the BBRC anyway.

This would bring the patch list to 80..

22nd March 2009

Still no migrants trickling through yet. The Egyptian Goose was on the trout lake again, this time with 8 Canada's.

New for the patch list was a flyover of two Shovelers.
Chiffchaffs still singing in the woods and skylarks in the fields.
Only one linnet today.
Parakeets are aplenty and can be noisily heard flying between the trees.

Total species today - 29.

Patch list now at 79.

Sightings 18/03/2009

A lovely day and a new bird for the patch list:

Egyptian Goose on the trout lake.
Chiffchafs singing in the woods.
24 Linnets around the ploughed fields by the farm.

At least 5 Comma Butterflys about.

Total now at 78.

I forgot to mention that I have also seen 6 species of warbler (Garden, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Goldcrest). Also Marsh Tit, Little Owl, Bullfinch and the more common farmland birds such as Yellowhammer, Linnet (and on one occassion two Red-legged Partridges).

Spring seems to be better for migrants than autumn.

Birding in Hayes

Well, this blog was inspired by the various blogs which show what birds can be seen in other parts of London. This blog is for birds in the Hayes (Kent) area and specifically around Hayes farm. This is my local patch and it covers Farmland, woods, playing fields and the trout lake.

My patch list is at 77 which includes some nice migrants such as (Norhern) wheatear, whinchat and yellow wagtail. It also includes a flyover gannet!

Anyway, this list has been building over 4 years and is really covered when dog-walking with my binoculars. I hope to add various sightings as and when they occur. I usually enter sightings onto Birdtrack anyway.

So, if you've just started to look at the site, it is new and 'under development'...