With the grandkids due at lunchtime I had a couple of hours spare and decided to visit Lemsford springs again and try for Jack Snipe with the colder weather hopefully keeping them there for my visit. I left early, too early actually so decided to carry on around the M25 and quickly tick the Lesser Scaup on Staines reservoir. We found the bird sleeping with the Pochards but didn't hang around as time was of a premium. Three Black-necked Grebes the only other birds of note in the short visit to the reservoir.
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| The Lesser Scaup amongst the Pochard raft |
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| Staines |
Following the success at Staines we moved quickly back around the 25 to Lemsford and found the hide a little busy but we squeezed in and were rewarded with great views of 14 Green Sandipers, 3 Jack Snipe, 2 Common Snipe, and a Grey Wagtail. There was also a couple of Little Egrets and a Grey Heron. Henry WJ told us of a Firecrest he'd found by the entrance gate but we failed to find it. There's not been a Firecrest seen at Lemsford since 1984 so a good find today for Henry. The warden also told us a couple of interesting facts whilst we watched the Snipe, one of the Green Sandpipers present is the oldest known in the world at 12 years. It was also recorded flying to Norway in 24 hours and found to be nesting there in an old Redwings nest. Also one of the Little Egrets on site is the most recorded with something like 600 reports if I remember things correctly. The warden certainly has a passion for the reserve and the birds that visit it.
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| Jack Snipe and Green Sandpiper |
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| Jack Snipe |
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| Jack Snipe |
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| Jack Snipe |
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| Jack Snipe |
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| Jack Snipe |
Just the two year ticks and a London tick too.
Year list now 144 London list now 230
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