Birds at Stocker's Lake near Rickmansworth in 2001

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Red-Crested Pochard
(Stockers10/11)
Snipe
(Flooded Field10/11)
Water Rail
(R. Colne 16/12)
Black Necked Grebe
(Broadwater La. 12/12)
Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

Sightings for 2001


DECEMBER
Thursday 20th. Clear cold
Heron (1 building a nest!), Goosander (1M), Goldeneye (4F),
Water Rail (2 heard), Siskin (20+)
- Stockers Lake (no Smew seen)

Monday 17th. Sunny Intervals
Smew (1F)- reported Stockers Lake (from Kingfisher Hide)

Sunday 16th. Cloudy
Goosander (3M), Goldeneye (5F), Water Rail (3-1 seen 2 heard)
Siskin (50+)
- Stockers Lake

Sunday 9th. Reported on Tern Hide list.
Dunlin (1)- Flooded Field

Saturday 8th. Clear but frosty start.
Red Crested Pochard (2 M&F)- Bury Lake
Water Rail (3), Goosander (2M), Goldeneye (2F)
Siskin (60+), Fieldfare (20+)
- Stockers Lake/Farm

Monday 3rd. Cloudy
Goosander (2M), Goldeneye (1F)- Stockers Lake
Stock Dove (16), Fieldfare (14)- Stockers FP

Sunday 2nd. Cold bright- why not visit nearby Broadwater Lake?
Golden Plover (174), Lapwing (150+), Stock Dove (10)- Mill End, fields by A412

Black Necked Grebe (3), Goosander (1F), Ruddy Duck (80+)- Broadwater Lake, Harefield
Smew reported at Broadwater -so not long before they arrive at Stockers!

Saturday 1st. Showers then bright.
Siskin (150+)- Causeway Path
Chiff Chaff (1), Goldeneye (1M, 1F)- Stockers (north side)

NOVEMBER
Birds I've seen around area in November.(Total=80)

Little & Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Black & Mute Swan,
Geese- Greylag, Canada.
Ducks- Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Pochard, RED CRESTED POCHARD, Shoveler, Ruddy, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye.
Raptors- Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, BUZZARD.
Game/Water- Pheasant. Moorhen, Coot, Kingfisher.
Waders- Lapwing, Golden Plover, Snipe, GREEN SANDPIPER.
Gulls- Black Headed, Lesser Black Backed, Herring, Common.
Pigeons -Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove.
Great Spotted, LESSER SPOTTED & Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch.
Pied & Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song & Missle Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare.
Warblers- Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, BLACKCAP.
Skylark (?), Meadow Pipit.
Tits -Blue, Coal, Great & Long Tailed, ,
Crows- Jay, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Sparrow,
Finches- Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Redpoll, Bullfinch.
Buntings- Reed.

Wednesday 14th. Cloudy. (RC Pochard-not found today)
Goldeneye (2+F), Siskin (1)- Stockers Lake

Tuesday 13th. Cloudy. (5th day for RC Pochard-still near Shoveler Hide)
Red Crested Pochard (2, M&F), Goldeneye (2+F),- Stockers Lake

Sunday 11th. Cloudy. (3rd day for RC Pochard-still near Shoveler Hide)
Golden Plover (300+), Lapwing (70+), Rook (30+)- Mill End, fields by A312
Red Crested Pochard (2, M&F), Goldeneye (5F), Siskin (40+)- Stockers Lake
Little Grebe (3)- Springwell Lake

Saturday 10th. Cold but sunny.
Red Crested Pochard (2, M&F), Goldeneye (2F), Siskin (2)- Stockers Lake
Snipe (2), Fieldfare (61 flying North)- Flooded Field

Friday 9th.V. Cold - early snow.
Red Crested Pochard (2, M&F), Goldeneye (2F), Siskin (10+)- Stockers Lake

RC Pochards seen from Shoveler Hide at 11.30.

Thursday 8th. Cold and showery.
Redwing (5), Fieldfare (2+)-Stockers Farm
Goldeneye (2F), Siskin (1)- Stockers Lake

Tuesday 6th. Sunny.
Stonechat (2,M&F), Linnet (5+), Meadow Pipit (3)-200m S of Stockers Farm
Lesser Black Backed Gull-s.sp. graesllii (1), Lapwing (8), Wigeon (13), Teal (16)- Flooded Field

Gull has pale grey mantle, yellow legs, white collar before tail, streaky marks on head,
(could be "atlantis" YL Gull, or more likely "graellsii" LBB.)-see picture above.

Sunday 4th. Showers then fine.
Pintail (2M), Ruddy Duck (2F), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (2? by entrance)- Stockers Lake.
Green Sandpiper (1)- Springwell, looking towards Maple Lodge (flew up from Flooded Field)

Friday 2nd. Mill End and West Hyde.
Golden Plover (90+), Lapwing (100+),- Mill End fields by A412.
Redwing (6+), Goldcrest (6),- West Hyde, by Church.

Thursday 1st. Walk around Stockers Lake, cold but sunny.
Goldeneye (2F), Redpoll (2), Siskin (10), Fieldfare (1)
Shoveler (20+), Kingfisher (1F)
- Stockers Farm and Lake.

The Goldeneye have arrived!

OCTOBER
Birds I've seen around area in October.(Total=68)

Little & Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Black & Mute Swan,
Geese- Greylag, Canada.
Ducks- Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Ruddy, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye.
Raptors- Sparrowhawk, Kestrel.
Game/Water- Pheasant. Moorhen, Coot, Kingfisher.
Waders- Lapwing, Golden Plover, Snipe.
Gulls- Black Headed, Lesser Black Backed, Herring, Common.
Pigeons -Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove.
Hirundines- House Martin, Swallow.
Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch.
Pied & Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song & Missle Thrush, Fieldfare.
Warblers- Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Blackcap.
Skylark, Meadow Pipit.
Tits -Blue, Coal, Great & Long Tailed, ,
Crows- Jay, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Sparrow,
Finches- Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin(?)

Wednesday 31st. Goldeneye at nearby Broadwater.
Goldeneye (1F), Ruddy Duck (4F),- Broadwater Lake, Harefield.

Tuesday 30th. Golden Plovers.
Golden Plover (c170), Lapwing (c140), Wood Pigeon (100+), Collared Dove (c100)
Stock Dove (1), Rook (4+)
- Mill End , fields by A312 Roundabout.
(Click for map).

Monday 29th. Fieldfares are here.
Fieldfare (2), Common Gull (5), Wigeon (c10), Lapwing (4)- Flooded Field and Farm.

Tuesday 30th. Golden Plovers.
Golden Plover (c170), Lapwing (c140), Stock Dove (1),
Collared Dove(c100), Wood Pigeon (100+)
- Mill End, (fields by Maple Cross roundabout.)

Wednesday 3rd. Large flocks of House Martins.
Snipe (1), Little Grebe(2), also Goldcrest (3+)- Springwell Lake.(Snipe on flooded field to W)
House Martin (80+), Siskin?(3)- N Stockers.
Blackcap (1F)- by Bridge to Inns Lake.
Swallow (4+), Grey Wagtail (2-3)- Flooded Field and N Stockers.

Tuesday 2nd. Good numbers of Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall and a few Shoveler
House Martin (6+),Kingfisher (1)- Springwell Lake.

SEPTEMBER
Birds I've seen around area in September.(Total=73)

Little & Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Black & Mute Swan,
Geese- Greylag, Canada.
Ducks -Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck,
Raptors -Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby.
Game/Water -Pheasant. Moorhen, Coot
Waders- Lapwing, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper.
Gulls/Terns - Black Headed, Lesser Black Backed, Herring.
Pigeons -Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove.
Hirundines- Sand & House Martin, Swallow.
Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch.
Pied, Yellow & Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song & Missle Thrush.
Warblers- Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap.
Spotted Flycatcher, Meadow Pipit.
Tits -Blue, Great & Long Tailed, ,
Crows- Jay, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, Sparrow,
Finches- Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.
Reed Bunting.

Thursday 20th.
REPORTED- Dunlin(1)-Flooded Field

Sunday 16th.
Wigeon (4),Swallow (6+)- Stockers Lake.
REPORTED- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker(1)-in Nearby Garden

Saturday 15th.-The Stockers Scrape has been cleared for better viewing.
Hobby (1), Sparrowhawk (1), House Martin (50+), Swallow (2+)- Stockers Farm.
Hobby (1-2), Green Sandpiper (2)-Springwell Boardwalk-(Flooded field towards Maple Lodge)

Wednesday 12th.-Dragonflies:- Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Emporer, C. Darter.
Hobby (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Lesser Whitethroat (1)- Stockers Lake.
Greenshank (1), Lapwing (9), Stock Dove (1), Linnet (7), Teal (6)-Flooded Field

Monday 10th.-Migrants gathering S of Stockers Farm!
Yellow Wagtail (4), Spotted Flycatcher (3), Linnet (50+)-FP S of Stockers Farm
Greenshank (1), Lapwing (24), Stock Dove (2).-Flooded Field

Saturday 8th.-Hobby chasing House Martins(50+) and Swallows(10+)@19.10pm
Hobby (1)-S. of Canal over woods
Greenshank (1), Lapwing (13), Teal (4).-Flooded Field

Friday 7th.-Hobby chasing House Martins and Swallows round Farm @11.10am
Hobby (1)-Stockers Farm
Greenshank (1), Lapwing (14), Teal (3), Black Headed Gull (80+)-Flooded Field

Wednesday 5th.-Looks like the Common Terns have all gone.
Greenshank (1), Lapwing (9), Teal (10)-Flooded Field
Goldcrest (1), Pochard (30+)-Stockers , Causeway FP
Shoveler (8), Great Crested Grebes (including 4 Juv.)-Inns Lake

RECENT REPORTS;- Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted FC -Boardwalk.
Snipe, Wheatear and Greenshank.-Flooded Field.
and Wigeon-Stockers Lake

AUGUST
Birds I've seen around area in August.(Total=79)

Little & Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Swan,
Geese- Greylag, Canada & Barnacle.
Ducks -Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck,
Raptors -Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby.
Game/Water -Pheasant. Moorhen, Coot
Waders- Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Black Tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Common & Green Sandpiper.
Gulls/Terns - Black Headed, Herring, Lesser Black Backed, Common Tern,
Pigeons -Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove.
Swift, Kingfisher, Little Owl,
Hirundines- Sand & House Martin, Swallow.
Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch.
Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song & Missle Thrush.
Warblers- Sedge, Reed, Willow, Garden, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap.
Spotted Flycatcher.
Tits -Blue, Great & Long Tailed, ,
Crows- Jay, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, Sparrow,
Finches- Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch.
Reed Bunting.

Monday 20th.
Green Sandpiper (1), Common Sandpiper (1)-Flooded Field-@8am(CSP still there @9am)
Spotted Flycatcher (1), Garden Warbler (2J)-Stockers "Boardwalk"
Hobby (2)-Springwell Lake, Car Park

Tuesday 14th.-Lesser Whitethroat still about!
Lesser Whitethroat (1), Whitethroat (3J)-Causeway FP
Little Owl (2)-Stockers FP-(Last Night 13th.@8.15pm)

Saturday 11th.-Shovelers missing but more Pochard today.
Lesser Whitethroat (1), Willow Warbler (2)-Causeway FP
Little Grebe (1)-Kingfisher Hide

Monday 6th.
Hobby (2)-N. Stockers -(feeding on Dragonflies@3pm)
Treecreeper (1+)-Alderwood

Wednesday 1st.-Although heard before, this is my first Nuthatch seen at Stockers.
Nuthatch(2),Lesser Whitethroat(2J)-"Boardwalk" S. Stockers-(Near Shoveler Hide)
Little Ringed Plover(2), Canada/Greylag Cross?(1)-Flooded Field

Black Tailed Godwit(1) @ 20.30-Flooded Field

JULY
Birds seen near Rickmansworth;-
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Herons, Swan, Black Swan, Greylag, Canada & Barnacle Goose
Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard.
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Little Owl
Greenshank, Snipe, L.R.Plover, Lapwing, Little Egret, Pheasant.
Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Moorhen, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove,
Cuckoo, Swift, Sand & House Martin, Swallow, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Pied and Grey Wagtails, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Missle Thrush
Warblers-Sedge, Reed, Willow, Garden, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap,
Tree Creeper, Spotted Flycatcher
Tits-Blue,Great & Long Tailed , Jay, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, Sparrow,
Finches-Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet,
Skylark, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer.

Monday 31st.
Snipe(1)-Flooded Field -(chased off by Lapwings 8am.)
Lesser Whitethroat(1J), Garden Warbler(3J)-"Boardwalk" S. Stockers -(Near Shoveler Hide)

Saturday 28th.-Walk up River Chess at Scotsbridge (Rickmansworth)
Spotted Flycatcher(2), Yellowhammer(1Heard), Sparrowhawk(1)-N of Scotsbridge, R Chess
Hobby(1), Little Owl(3,1A+2Juv?)-S of Stockers Farm, at dusk

Friday 27th.-Ducks returning in good numbers.
Pochard(3), Barnacle Goose(1 Feral)-Stockers Lake, Canal

E Mail report from Mike Ledger-anyone else see it?

possible Great Reed Warbler?-Stockers Lake @6:50pm

Saturday 21st.-Evening Hobby Watch 7.30 - 10.00pm
Little Ringed Plover(1), Teal(1), Shoveler(1F), Greylag(15)
Little Egret(1), Lapwing(15)
-Stockers, Flooded Field
Hobby(1-2), Little Owl(1), Jay(2)-Stockers FP to South

Friday 20th.
Garden Warbler(4 Juv), Lesser Whitethroat(1 Juv), Blackcap(3 Juv), Reed Warbler(3+6Juv)
Sedge Warbler(1+Juv), Reed Bunting(1M,2F,2 Juv)Tufted(8+Scaup Faced F), Shoveler(1F)
-Stockers, Boardwalk and Lake
Little Ringed Plover(1), Lapwing(15), Common Tern(7), Grey Wagtail(1 Juv)-Stockers, Flooded Field

No sign of Greenshank today

Tuesday 17th.Reported/Tern Hide Sightings List
Greenshank(1), Teal(1)-Stockers, Flooded Field

Greenshank dissapeared but has returned.

Thursday 5th.
Greenshank(1), Lapwing(8)-Stockers, Flooded Field

Sunday 1st.
Common Sandpiper(1), Common Tern(c20+5Juv)-Stockers Lake

JUNE
Sunday 24th.
Lesser Whitethroat(1-2M), Green Woodpecker(2)-near Scotsbridge Mill, (at Map Ref;-TL064957)
20th.
Hobby(1 -caught House Martin 11 am), Common Tern(c15 and 2 juv.), Bullfinch(2 older juveniles)-Stockers Lake

5th.
Ruddy Duck(2), Common Tern(c20), Hobby(2)-Stockers Lake

2nd.
Barnacle Goose(1)-Flooded Field

MAY
23rd.
Hobby(4)-Hunting insects over Stockers
Birds seen in May;-
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Herons, Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose,
Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby
Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove,
Cuckoo, Swift, Sand & House Martin, Swallow,
Pied and Yellow Wagtails, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Missle Thrush
Warblers-Sedge, Reed, Willow, Garden, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Blackcap,
Tree Creeper, Tits-Blue,Great & Long Tailed , Jay, Magpie, Crow, Starling, Sparrow,
Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

22th.
REPORT Peregrine(1)-at Tern Hide

6th.
Yellow Wagtail(4)-at Flooded Fields

4th.-Sightings from the "Tern Hide" list.
Osprey, Cetti's Warbler

2nd.
Gadwall(2), Swallow(20), House Martin (10)-Flooded Field
Swift(50), Sand Martin(1)-Stockers Lake
Sedge Warbler(10), Common Tern(4), Garden Warbler(3), Blackcap(2M), Whitethroat(1M)-Inns Lake FP
Reed Warbler(4), Wigeon(1M), Cuckoo(2)-Springwell Lake.

APRIL
30th.-Stockers Farm Rd to Causeway FP as far as River.
Gadwall(2), Swallow(10), House Martin (4)-Flooded Field
Swift(15)-high over Farm
Sedge Warbler(3), Common Tern(4), Reed Bunting(2M,1F), Blackcap(2M),
(possible Garden Warbler), Whitethroat(2M)
-Causeway

17th.-Canal tow-path walk Aquadrome to Springwell Reed Bed.
Red Kite(1)-Over canal at 3pm.
REPORT Egyptian Goose -at Flooded Fields

12th.Canal tow-path open (Stockers NR still closed) .
Yellow Hammer(1M), Rook(10), Stock Dove(4)-Mill End fields, (near roundabout for M25)
Sedge Warbler(3),Willow Warbler(Heard),Chiff Chaff(2), Grey Wagtail(2)-Springwell Lane, GUC to S. past Springwell Reed Bed
Also, Swallow, Reed Bunting(5), Linnet(4), Blackcap(1)

9th.AQUADROME OPEN (Stockers Closed but can be viewed partially from causeway)
Willow Warbler(3), Sedge Warbler(Heard)-Stockers entrance, causeway FP

6th.
Lapwing(65), Golden Plover(2), Skylark(5), Rook(10), Stock Dove(3)-Mill End, fields by M25 slip road
MARCH
5th.
Golden Plover(50)-Mill End, fields by M25 slip road
Stockers NR closed to prevent spread of Foot and Mouth Disease
Please watch only from roads, e.g. Springwell Lane.
FEBUARY
25,27th.-I missed this one!
TERN HIDE LISTS has- Kittewake-Stockers Lake tern raft

15th.
Stonechat(M,F)-Stockers Farm Rd.
Also; Goldeneye(2M,11F), Goosander(5M,2F) no sign of RC Pochards.
7th.
Little Egret(2)-Scotsbridge, Rickmansworth (half mile N of Mill on R. Chess)
Also; Water Rail, Green Sandpiper, Teal, Kestrel(2).
Skylark(3), Rook(9), Stock Dove(17)-Millend, fields by M25 slip Road
Also; Golden Plover (50+), Lapwing (100+)
Goosander(5M,2F)-Stockers Lake(E end)
Also; Goldeneye(1M, 5F), Siskin, Redpoll,( no sign of RC Pochards today.)
NB. Path is flooded to 1ft in places, take your wellies!
5th.
Red Crested Pochard (2M,1F)-Stockers, seen north side by Life-belt
1st.
E-Mail Report : Red Crested Pochard (2M,1F)-Stockers
JANUARY
25th
Siskin(c50), L. Redpoll(c3), Goosander(4M,2F), Goldeneye(3F), Water Rail(2)-Stockers
Golden Plover(c200), Snipe(1)-flying over Springwell Lake

Other birds seen today include;-
Missle Thrush, Song Thrush, Redwing, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Tree Creeper,
Blue,Great & Long Tailed Tits,Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe,
Jay, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Herons (on nests!), Cormorant,
Common, Herring, Black Headed Gulls, Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers, Swan,(but no Smew.)
FERALS: Black Swan, Domestic Greylag, Muscovy & Aylesbury Ducks.
(50 Species seen 8-11am)

14th
Smew(3M&1F)-and possibly another F, Goosander(3M), Goldeneye(2F)-Stockers
8th
Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, Kestrel-N of Scotsbridge by R. Chess.
Golden Plover(c300),Fieldfare (c60), Redwing(4)-Mill End Fields (next to M25 slip Road.)
Goldeneye(F), Water Rail, Reed Bunting(2F), (No sign of Smew)-Stockers.
7th
Sparrowhawk(M)-Stockers Farm in bush, only 10 feet away!
Goosander (7M,1F)-Stockers.
Goldeneye(3F)-Springwell.
Dec 31st - Jan 5th E-Mail Report.
Smew(M), Pintail(M),Goosander (6M+1F), Redpoll(6+)-Stockers.

Highlights from 2000


Sept to Dec. 1999 Sightings



More to come- keep watching! Back to Front Page