@fairlandsbirds
Bird sightings, news & photos from Fairlands Valley Lakes, Stevenage, Herts. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13U6jlLD6Hhcuuo1mNcOG0f1BT1CoUwWke0yvfc-QKjg/edit?usp=drivesdk Submit records to https://www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-club/recordsubmission
@robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #SideProfiles, any bird side on to the camera, the Alt theme is #Robins, any Robin.
A female Siskin at my local park
#birds #photography #EastCoastKin @fairlandsbirds.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social #nikon #sigma
After a series of dog incidents we’ve temporarily closed Hayley Wood (Cambs).
Despite clear signs, dogs off leads have disturbed birds, damaged rare wildflower habitat, staff were verbally abused when asking for leads.
Read more: shorturl.at/RbGI0
@alan678.bsky.social's theme for #BirdOfTheDay is #PowerPose, any bird showing strength through its stance, the Alt theme is #FeedingFrenzy, any bird in a rush to eat.
A Wren trying to separate two sleepers, (honest)
#birds #EastCoastKin #ukbirding #nikon #sigma @rspb.bsky.social
Out once again, checking if Swift bricks are installed as required by planning conditions in Hertfordshire.
Disappointing as usual, this time in Cheshunt:
Site 1: 1 out of 20 bricks installed
Site 2: none out of 15 bricks installed.
Have emailed both developers to try and resolve #hertsbirds
Alan @alan678.bsky.social' #BirdOfTheDay theme is #PeacefulSolitide a singular bird, in a peaceful setting.
The alt is #DramaQueens upset or angry birds.
A solitary Whimbrel at low tide. #birds #photography #EastCoastKin @waderquest.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #nikon #sigma
January updates made to stevenagebirdhistory.co.uk for - Mute Swan, Red-Crested Pochard, Pochard, Grey Partridge, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Yellow-Legged Gull, Peregrine, Raven, Marsh Tit, Firecrest, Stonechat, Brambling, Bullfinch, Linnet, Redpoll, Siskin, Corn Bunting
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Reflections, any bird reflection.
The Alt theme is #Paridae any of the Paridae Species (Tits).
I've chosen a Jack Snipe & female Red Crested Pochard.
#birds #EastCoastKin #ukbirding #Nikon @rspb.bsky.social
2025 Hertfordshire Swift Nest Survey
It is finally time to share the results of our nest survey from last year:
The survey recorded a total of 1080 Swift nests in the county, with 95 of these (8.8%) being in Swift boxes or bricks. 1/7
@robcrank68.bsky.social has picked #swans for his #BirdOfTheDay today. Here's a portrait of the local cob. He's one grumpy fellow.
#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #nikon #grumpy
@robcrank68.bsky.social has set the #BirdOfTheDay theme as #FeedingTime, any bird eating. TheAlt theme is #Gulls.
Here is a Redwing feasting. #birds #photography #EastCoastKin
My latest sightings blog includes brief summary of 2025 at Stanborough GPs but already 2026 is underway! So far it’s been all about the gulls… www.rupertevershed.com/stanborough-... #hertsbirds
Female Red-Crested Pochard Fairlands Lakes this morning
December updates made to stevenagebirdhistory.co.uk for Greylag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Water Rail, Lapwing, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine, Raven, Marsh Tit, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Brambling, Linnet, Redpoll, Siskin, Corn Bunting
Female Red-crested Pochard at main lake via @philb86.bsky.social . Only 2nd record at lakes. Last was 2013.
Common Pochard also present. #hertsbirds
@robcrank68.bsky.social
Time for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #LongLegsAndNeck any birds with both items listed.
If you're going to perch on a lamp post you should at least look good. White Stork from 2023 in the local park in Herts.
#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #ukbirding
A green and white poster with the Herts BNA events listed in small text
If you're based in #Hertfordshire and would like to come on local British Naturalist Association walks, here's the latest itinerary... hertfordshire.bna-naturalists.org
October updates made to stevenagebirdhistory.co.uk for Canada & Greylag Geese, Egyptian Goose, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Grey Partridge, Little Grebe, Snipe, Black-Headed, Caspian & Yellow-Legged Gulls, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Peregrine, Raven, Marsh Tit, Brambling, Redpoll, Crossbill
830 Canada Geese at the lakes early morning today before departing elsewhere to feed. A new record count surpassing previous best of 677, Oct-2023.
Woodpigeon migration in full flow with 850 counted heading south 7am - 8.45am in groups of up to 70.
#hertsbirds
...female Shoveler, 2w Yellow Legged Gull, Caspian hybrid X307
##UkBirding #hertsbird #vismig
First proper bird movements Fairlands Valley Stevenage this morning. Over 150 Redwing west in small flocks. Several Skylarks Pied Wagtails and Song Thrush. Big unidentified finch flock-chaffinch brambling and Crosshill reported nearby.
Also 5 Egyptian Geese, first three Wigeon of autumn...
The regular German ringed (hybrid)? Caspian gull X307 at Fairlands Valley Park today. @fairlandsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
August updates made to stevenagebirdhistory.co.uk for Egyptian Goose, Shoveler, Grey Partridge, Caspian Gull, Hobby, Peregrine, Raven, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail
A single Swift flying over the Millennium lake at Fairlands Valley this morning. Summer's hanging on. #ukswift @fairlandsbirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #hertsbirds
Record shot of Caspian hybrid X307 as it headed south over the Main lake at Fairlands Valley this morning @fairlandsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
Early morning ringing session at Rye Meads enlivened by a fly over Night Heron! That completes my self found heron patch list - Bittern, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Squacco, Little Bittern, Little, Cattle and Great Egrets! It has taken fifty-one years, but.... quite chuffed really. #UKbirding
Good numbers of butterflies around the wildflower bank at Environmental including the beautiful Marbled White
Great to see breeding success this morning with a Chiffchaff feeding fledged young at Farmhouse Channel.
Please submit records of confirmed breeding for all species to Herts Bird Club at....
www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c...
..and use Breeding Status dropdown
#hertsbirds
A welcome regular sight around Fairlands in recent years. As many, if not more, breeding pairs than Collared now.
A German ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull at Fairlands Valley, Stevenage yesterday. Ringer confirms it was ringed as a nestling 1/7/23 & has been sighted twice since. Both times in the UK. @fairlandsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
Good Swift action at main lake this evening with 20 or so feeding low over lake. Plus 2 Swallow, 6 House Martin & 8 Tufted Duck #hertsbirds