Lots of Activity at Two Tree Island

4th February 2026

Here is Monty's Lookout which will be home for the morning. OK, no central heating, not even any doors..............

...........................but look at the view!!!!!!!!

Still three hours before high tide so not many birds around apart from a few duck including a dozen or so Teal and a pair of Shelduck.

The female was having a bath so I waited for the compulsory wing-flap to dry her wings.

There were more Wigeon on the lagoon today than usual, but still insignificant compared to the number on the estuary.

With the breeding season just around the corner, tempers can get a bit strained.

The only waders there initially were a couple of distant Avocets and about 20 Redshanks.

Over Hadleigh Ray were 30+ Black-tailed Godwits wheeling around, but didn't come near the lagoon and seem to be coming less and less common at this time of year.

Amongst the birds starting to arrive was a Grey Plover......................

....................and some Knot. 

At that point a Sparrowhawk flew through and spooked everything and caused absolute chaos.

Then the main influx got underway starting with the Ringed Plovers.....................

........................followed by the Redshanks......................

And finally the most numerous wader today by far, the Dunlins, with a few Knot and Redshank thrown in.

WOW, what a spectacle and Two Tree Island never disappoints. Now on to see what Gunners Park has to offer so.....................

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!

The Peregrine Falcons at St Albans Cathedral

31st January 2026

End of January now so time to check up on the St Albans Peregrine Falcons. Very little on the main lake but in the heronry was a Cormorant and three Herons. The Cormorant was probably roosting having been fishing on the lake.

As far as the Herons were concerned they too could be roosting, or alternatively establishing their territories with the breeding season just round the corner.

In fact one of the birds was trying its luck at breaking off some willow for its nest without any success, so perhaps its first attempt.

So now for the climb up the hill to see how the Peregrines are getting on. In the two hours I was there I only saw the female. I am aware the male is still around so had probably left the site to go hunting and was perched up somewhere. On my last visit one of the youngsters was still here but now has probably been "encouraged" to find its own territory.

The female was perched on top of the nave roof and remained there for most of the time, the only exceptions being two excursions over the surrounding area for less than a minute each time. The female can be separated from the male by the speckling on the upper breast which is pure white on the male.

Should only be a month or so now before their thoughts turn to the breeding season.