MONDAY 29 JULY
Continuing warm at around 22 degrees C but
much fresher with SW winds. Some violent storms in the area, leading to
localised flash flooding.
Had a good look around the farmland at
ROWSHAM (BUCKS) but failed to locate any Common Redstarts (1-2 have been
reported here lately including an adult male) - just Green Woodpecker, 3 Common
Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and 28 Barn Swallows noted.
Similarly at GALLOWS BRIDGE BBOWT (BUCKS),
could not locate the Wood Sandpiper present there over the past two days but 3
Sedge Warblers and 4 Yellow Wagtails.
Meanwhile, my first visit to TRING
RESERVOIRS (HERTS) in over a month resulted in a family party of SPOTTED
FLYCATCHERS being seen in MARSWORTH WOOD. Goldcrests have bred successfully too
with a family thereabouts, whilst the reservoir itself held 11 Great Crested
Grebes, 74 Mallard and a family party of 4 Coot. A lot of Western Reed Warbler
activity in the reeds by the sluice.
On neighbouring STARTOP'S, 7 Little Egrets
on the mud, with 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swans, 66 Mallard and 79 Coot on
the reservoir; TRINGFORD held just 18 Lapwing and the 7 Mute Swans (adults with
5 surviving cygnets)