First bird of the year was a Robin heard singing in the garden. First bird actually seen was a Blackbird seen from the bedroom window in the churchyard. Started birding properly a bit after eleven at Fowlmere. Extremely quiet. Was thinking of spending the day but gave up and went to Therfield to look for the Great Grey Shrike. No joy, from the road (not the best place to look from but avoids a long walk), but did manage a ring-tail Hen Harrier, twelve Grey Partridges, a Buzzard, and a superb male Merlin. Finished the day at Amwell in heavy rain which held little of note apart from four Little Egrets.
Fowlmere
01 January 2012 11:13 - 13:22
Overcast 12C 10SW
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (heard), Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Moorhen (heard), Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird (heard), Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard), Reed Bunting (heard)
Therfield
01 January 2012
13:44 - 14:29
Overcast with light drizzle 12C 14S
Grey Partridge, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Golden Plover, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Carrion Crow, Long-tailed Tit (heard), Fieldfare, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer (heard)
Amwell
01 January 2012
14:58 - 16:30
Heavy rain 12C 14S
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (heard), Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Moorhen (heard), Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird (heard), Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard), Reed Bunting (heard)
