With Brian under the weather on New Year's Day, we had to wait until January 2nd, when we set off for Abberton, which is only an hour away from home, just in case Brian was still feeling a bit under the weather and it's not too far to drive home.
On arrival, just after 8am, we spot the 3 Bean Geese in a field with the Greylags just before the causeway. At the causeway, 2 Little Stints are seen, Green Sandpiper, Goosander, Black-necked & Salvonian Grebe, and a Marsh Harrier flies overhead.
A look over the road reveals a Rock Pipit and a perched Kingfisher, always a nice sight to see.
White-fronted Geese are seen opposite Billet's farm.
A drive round to Lodge Lane, where Jimmy soon picks out the Lesser Scaup, and we see Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Mistle, Redwing, and Fieldfare. Some of the birds were in a large garden down the Lane, and as we were looking, a fellow who lives there invited us to look round the back of the house, where he had fantastic views over the area and the reservoirs.
Although we never added to the tick list, it was greatly appreciated.
Back to the causeway, we pick up a few more ticks and then pop into Ardleigh reservoir and tick the Red-necked Grebe so easily, as it was the only bird on there.
On the 3rd Jan, we head off to St Albans, a nice, easy trip as it is only 30-odd minutes to get there.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was the aim, and we found it within 10 minutes in Verulamium Park, just by the Cathedral. We spent over an hour watching the Warbler feeding on the leaves and not troubled by us at all. Nuthatch, Goldcrest, and Grey Wagtail are seen.
Not far away is the lovely little Watercress reserve. Here we get Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch & Siskin. So, a nice start to our birding year. So, without going too far from home, and with 13 ticks seen in my own garden, my year total is not too bad at 87.
