The Spoonbills Are Back

11th March 2026

Just heard the Spoonbills are back in the Abberton heronry so time for a visit to see how they are getting on. Upon my arrival at the Layer Breton causeway I had a quick scan of the reservoir both sides of the road. Scarcely a duck to be seen and the only one close enough for a photo was this lone female Goldeneye. What cute little birds!!

On the flooded field at the south-east end of the causeway a pair of Egyptian Geese were bathing.

Or at least I thought they were.

Don't blame me, I've had a very sheltered upbringing.

So now down to the heronry where all the action is. But before I got started a female Marsh Harrier wafted over the heronry causing an explosion of Spoonbills. The good news is that she put on quite a show.

Herons are early nesters so were already in the heronry..........................

.............................with some already on nests.

The Spoonbills on the other hand had only been back in the heronry a few days and were staking out their preferred nest site, but very little else. Here are a couple of shots of them returning to the heronry after being disturbed by the harrier.

They may be very graceful in the air but are ungainly in trees especially in a strong wind.

Most of the time was spent sleeping and preening.

Well, nice to see them back and looking forward to photographing some young in the nest.

The Hertford Goosander

5th March 2026

I had popped down to Hartham Common to see if the Kingfisher was about. No luck there but the long-staying female Goosander was once again on the weir. Unfortunately, one must question the origin of this bird as Goosanders are fairly uncommon winter visitors to Hertfordshire and normally confined to places like Amwell and the Ashley Pit in Cheshunt, This individal was first reported from Hartham Common on the 14th August 2025, which is a ridiculously early date for a winter visitor. Also, ranging as far as Ware, she is very tame and can be photographed down to five yards as can be seen from some of the photos.

Even provided a wing-flap which only just fitted in the frame.

But even more worrying about her origin is the fact that she climbed out of the water on to the bank to steal some bread that had been put out for the ducks. Here she is soaking the bread in the water to soften it, which suggests she may have done that before. I wonder where she learnt that?

Still a lovely bird though.

Also good to have a catch-up with Trevor Charnley.

Update on the St Albans Peregrine Falcons

5th March 2026

My last visit to St Albans Cathedral was on the 31st January when only the female Peregrine Falcon was present. This is not unusual during the winter months when the male spends most of the day away from the Cathedral, but comes back to roost at night. Today both birds were present and over the last couple of days have been mating. Unfortunately today they just sat around doing nothing although at one point the male did fly from the Nave roof to the tower.

When I arrived the birds were sitting at opposite ends of the Nave roof. This is the female where the upper breast has fine striations running down the upper breast.

Not sure from this shot whether she was having a scratch or had recognised me.

The male has a pure white upper breast.

Let's hope that by my next visit the female is sitting on eggs.

The Kingfishers are Back

9th March 2026

Great to see the Kingfishers back at Rye Meads. They have had a bad couple of years especially at the Kingfisher Hub where birds had gone missing. A Sparrowhawk was suspected as a pile of Kingfisher feathers was found on a track nearby. However a new pair have arrived on site and are currently sampling both Kingfisher banks at the Draper Hide and the Kingfisher Hub. Let's hope they choose the Kingfisher Hub as viewing is so much easier there.

They were quite active at the Kingfisher Hub when I was there in the afternoon, but unfortunately only the male ventured onto the nearest perch.

The problem is that when he landed on the perch he immediately turned round to face the nest bank so most of my shots were back view only, although that turquoise blue is quite amazing.

This is the female on the far post with her characteristic lipstick on the lower mandible.................

......................and by the nest bank.

And here are a couple of shots of the male with sand on his bill where he had been investagting the various nest burrows.

Well that's a good start so...................WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!!

In Search of Redpolls and Siskins

2nd March 2026

After a great morning with the Crossbills and Wood Larks at Mayday Farm, time to move on from the Crossbill puddle to the Redpoll and Siskin pond. Unfortunately this pond is in deep shade and is therefore quite challenging from a photography point of view and a very high ISO is required. First up were some Redpolls.

Including this superb male.

And then some Siskins starting with some females.

And then some males.

What an absolutely amazing place!!!