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South East Herts Local Group, Broxbourne (2026)

27/03/2025

Our next local walk is at Stansted Airport Lagoons on Saturday 5th April 2025.

The lagoons were created to collect surface water off the runways and prevent flooding to infrastructure; however, they have also inadvertently attracted waterbirds and other wildlife, with the three lagoons becoming a little wildlife haven. The site has a wonderful bird, dragonfly and butterfly list and almost anything can turn up.

This walk will also involve a stroll along the Flitch Way - a former railway line that ran from Braintree to Bishops Stortford - looking for woodland and farmland birds.

Meet by 09:30 in the Holy Trinity Church car park, Takeley. Postcode: CM22 6QL - what3words: strays.shampoo.marsh. Your leaders for this walk are Jono Forgham and Toby Spencer. A cash donation is requested for this event.

Yellowhammer - Stuart Fox

27/03/2025

Some news about parking issues at Rye Meads and a brief update on the future of the reserve.

24/03/2025

Despite the weather it was great for the group to participate and meet like minded people. Amazingly, we recorded 31 species of birds while we were there!

20/03/2025

Gunpowder Park Wednesday Walk report.

Eleven members gathered in the LVRP Gunpowder Park car park on a lovely sunny Wednesday morning. This former Royal Ordnance site has a mixture of habitats: invertebrate rich wildflower meadows, grasslands, woodlands, hedgerows, ditches and pools. These support a variety of species of flora and fauna, and the park is attractive for nature throughout the seasons.

As we waited for people to arrive we watched the House Sparrows checking out the holes in the gabion wall of the field station, this provides an ideal nesting site for these colonial breeders and several could be seen going in and out the gaps in the rocks.

The warm bright sunshine seemed to be encouraging birds to burst into song and Wrens, Robins and Great T**s were accompanied by a number of newly arrived Chiffchaffs singing their repetitive but distinctive song, the onomatopoeic sound letting us know that astronomical spring is just around the corner.

We began by walking the gravel track and public footpath which follows the famous Greenwich Meridian as it runs along the escarpment overlooking the valley. It was then down the hill to the delightful Osier Marsh, a wet woodland accessed via a raised meandering wooden boardwalk. This damp habitat has long been known as a site for scarlet elf cup and we found a small colony of this widespread but scarce fungus next to the path.

Our route took us on a short walk along the main road before cutting back into the park and onto Sewardstone Marsh, where we spent a while looking from the bridge that crosses the flood relief channel. From here we followed the channel north stopping at the two bridges which connect Enfield Island Village to Gunpowder Park. This housing complex was built on land of the former Royal Small Arms Factory, the UK government munitions site best known for the manufacture of Lee-Enfield rifles, the standard infantry rifle of the British Armed Forces from 1895 until 1957.

It was then time to return to the car park after a very pleasant stroll around this lovely site. The all weather paths and ample parking make the park ideal for jogging, walking and cycling - as well as birdwatching - and it is a well used and popular amenity for local people.

Scarlet Elf Cup

17/03/2025

Our next indoor meeting is on Tuesday 25th March 2025.

Join us for a presentation by Penny Dixie - "Adventures in nature photography: from fulmar to fungi to phalarope". After a brain infection put an end to her career in education, Penny used her love of photography to get back on her feet and 'heal through the eye of a lens’. She will tell us about wildlife encounters, winning awards, developing portfolios, photographing a few celebrities and working for several nature and wildlife organisations. Penny will share many images from her unique photographic journey as an outdoor and nature photographer.

There’ll be opportunities to participate and ’name the species’. Penny still finds it a struggle to remember names!

The Group Meetings are held at the United Reformed Church Hall, Broxbourne, EN10 7BQ - what3words: woke.whites.weep. Doors open 19.30 for 20.00 start. Admission: £4.00 for RSPB members, £5.00 for non-members. I am afraid we are unable to accept
card payments. Parking is available in the car park at the back of the hall or in Mill Lane. Access and facilities are suitable for wheelchairs.

Chris Packham image - Penny Dixie

12/03/2025

Tollesbury Wick report - Tuesday 11th March 2025

On a partly cloudy day, 18 members enjoyed a fine day's birdwatching along the Blackwater Estuary. This has for many years been the site that the Group diligently covered from the mid 1970's until 2020 as part of the Europe wide Beached Bird Survey set up to monitor oiled birds once drilling for oil began in the early 1970's.

The tide was just about at full as we started our walk along the inlet that leads into the Blackwater Estuary where it meets the North Sea. Walking along the sea wall gave us views across the inlet on one side and the wet pastures on the other. The inlet held many waders sheltering on the few unsubmerged islands including Black Tailed Godwits, Grey Plovers, Oystercatchers and Redshanks along with a number of Brent Geese and Shelducks. A small flock of around 6-8 Red Breasted Mergansers were bobbing around against the far side along with 4 Great Crested Grebes.

On the marsh there were many ducks of which the majority were Wigeon but also Teal, Mallard, Shoveler and a couple of Pintails. Little Egrets were also spotted along with a Great White Egret and a rarer Cattle Egret and a few Curlews. Occasionally a Marsh harrier was seen hunting over the marsh. An obliging Reed Bunting and Stonechats were also on parade. When we reached the pillbox where the inlet met the Blackwater itself we stopped to have our lunch. Almost immediately a cry of 'Barn Owl' was heard and the bird gave good views as it hunted over the marsh. Soon after a close Great White Egret entertained us.

With the tide now receding and waders beginning to came back to the shore line we continued on our way. Turnstone, Redshanks more Great Crested Grebes and a growing number of Brent Geese were spotted. The former pirate radio ship 'Caroline' is now anchored in the Blackwater and was a first sighting for many of the group. On the last open mudflat we again found many waders but now with a flock of around 100 Golden Plovers. We continued our walk until we left the seawall and made our way back to the town and car park. Many of the common smaller birds such as t**s and finches were spotted along the farm paths and for once the paths through the farm were not mud baths.

Species seen and heard - 66

12/03/2025

Hertford Castle Bio-Blitz Event Sunday 23rd March 2025

We have been invited to take part in the above event which runs from 12:00 to 16:00. This is a great opportunity for us to be involved with the public and to advertise the Group's presence in South East Hertfordshire. We will have a stall where we can display our information board and talk to the general public.

There will be lots of activities, stalls, foraging etc in the grounds of the castle with lots to do for families of all ages. Children are the future so helping them to learn is something we are delighted to be involved with.

Do come down and have a look around our beautiful County Town and come and have a chat at our stall.

https://www.hertford.gov.uk/news/hertford-castle-bioblitz/

10/03/2025

Fowlmere local walk report - 7th March 2025

Seventeen overdressed birders gathered on a lovely spring-like morning for very leisurely walk around the RSPB Fowlmere reserve. The first birds we saw reminded us that it was not yet spring, with a flock of 30+ Fieldfare, along with the occasional Redwing on the entrance road. Once gathered we made our way along the public footpath side of the reserve notching up the various expected small birds – Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Chaffinch among others– until we reached the fields by the airfield. At least two Marsh Harriers were seen there, one male, one female, probably the nesting pair more often seen from the main hide. We scanned the distant Greylag Geese looking for the promised single White-fronted Goose but just as some of us were getting on the bird an aircraft spooked the lot, sending them in the direction of the mere...we could only hope that would turn out to be good news.

Back onto the reserve proper we had the first of perhaps 10 singing Chiffchaff and a single blast of singing Blackcap. With a brief look in the spring hide, we then made our way to the main hide where our luck was in, with the White-fronted Goose close in on the bank. The only duck there was Mallard, but we notched up a couple of waders for the day, Green Sandpiper and a close Common Snipe.

Strolling the rest of the circuit we had great views of Treecreeper, difficult into-the –sun views of Greenfinch, calling Raven over our heads and Green Woodpecker heard but not seen. The woodland
bit was still quite muddy and didn’t yield any new species, but the River Shep chalk stream was, as usual, crystal clear and we spotted lots of Brown Trout of various sizes. Brimstone butterflies attested to the increasing temperature which reached 18 degrees by the time we got back to the cars. In addition to the group list of 37 bird species seen and 4 heard, a number of early and/or late birders notched up others such as Corn Bunting, Skylark and Yellowhammer heard along the entrance road, and Common and Lesser Black-backed Gulls over the car park as we left.

08/03/2025

Our next monthly Wednesday walk is at LVRP Gunpowder Park on the 19th March.

This former munitions testing site was transformed into a country park by the LVRPA in 2004; the concept was to create an open natural space for "people, wildlife and the arts" and wood sculptures carved at the site's outdoor workshop can be found throughout the site.

Meet at the car park by 09:45 (charges apply). Nearest postcode: EN9 3GP - what3words: fairly.zebra.prefer. Your leader for this walk is Geoff Brown. There are toilets at this site.

01/03/2025

Our next car outing is a full day event at Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve on Tuesday 11th March.

This Essex Wildlife Trust reserve on the Blackwater Estuary is well-known to many of the Group's long term members, being until recently the site we covered for the annual Beached Bird Survey - a Citizen Science project to monitor seabird mortality along sections of Britain's coasts. A public footpath (King Charles III England Coast Path) follows the seawall, which protects the floodplain grazing marshes and farmland. This rough pasture suits small mammals
such as field voles, which in turn attract harriers and Short-eared Owls. Beyond the seawall are extensive saltmarshes home to waders and Brent Geese.

Meet by 09:30 in the car park at Woodrolfe Road. Postcode: CM9 8SE - what3words: landscape.gums.user. Your leader for this walk is Stan Kitchiner. There are toilets at this site.

Short-Eared Owl - Stuart Fox

26/02/2025

Please join us for our next local walk, a morning event at RSPB Fowlmere on Friday 7th March.

Fowlmere is one of the Group's favourite RSPB reserves. Its former watercress beds are now reedbed, fen and scrub, home to a variety of wetland species. The crystal-clear waters of the spring fed River Shep hold Brown Trout and Water Voles and this wildlife oasis, set
within acres of arable farmland, is a delight to visit at any time of year. It is a great place to get fantastic views of the Marsh Harriers!

Meet by 09:30 in the reserve car park: postcode: SG8 6EZ - what3words: tuck.hawks.appraised. Your leader for this walk is Ruth Shinebaum.

Male Marsh Harrier at Fowlmere - Stuart Fox

26/02/2025

Here are the judges favourite six images for the Photo Gallery, where the theme was "Signs of Spring". Thank you to everyone for sending in your shots.

The next theme is "Patterns in Nature" with a closing date of the 21st April. Please send in a maximum of 2 images to [email protected]

Don't be shy, we love to see your photo's and are looking forwards to lots of images as we move into Spring!

24/02/2025

Our local star bird at the moment! Red-Necked Grebe at Amwell. A real local rarity.

Images - Stuart Fox

24/02/2025

Coach Outing report to RSPB Titchwell Marsh Saturday 22nd February 2025.

On a grey morning a record number of members and guests boarded our coach in high spirits looking for ornithological bounty on the Norfolk coast. The skies brightened as we moved north to a quick stop above the cliffs of Hunstanton where most people saw the Fulmars returning to check out their nesting grounds. Eider was
also present, distantly, on the sea.

Returning to the coach, two Grey Partridges were spotted on the Hunstanton Golf Course en-route to the main destination of Titchwell Marsh. The last time the group visited Titchwell only 14 members braved the remnants of Storm Eunice and got
thoroughly soaked for their pains. Conditions were thankfully much better this time for the 49 attendees so we split into three groups and headed briskly into the reserve.

Titchwell boasts reedbeds, freshwater and brackish scrapes and beach, and the birds appreciate the range of habitats. The freshwater scrape is overlooked by the enormous Parrinder Hide where most people enjoyed their lunch looking out onto
bunds overflowing with plovers. There was ample opportunity for gull ID practice, with a Little Gull and a small number of Mediterranean Gulls in different stages of transition into full summer finery the most notable. Both Buzzards and Marsh
Harriers occasionally put the scrape up but in between times there was much coming and going of smaller birds to enjoy.

The beach was less productive than is often the case with a large raft of Common Scoter being quite distant even for the scopes, and no evidence of any of the rarer sea ducks that had been recently reported. Most people saw a few Sanderlings on the shoreline but there were not the usual numbers of shorebirds feeding.

Titchwell has a resident Tawny Owl that is so faithful to its roost that there is a helpful sign telling visitors where to stand to see it! Those who wanted to did so, either on their way out to the reserve or on their return towards the café.

Excitement was stirred by the discovery of a Woodcock loitering by the side of the path to the car park and again most people eventually saw it. Many of us experienced the frustration of having to search for several minutes to find it despite knowing it was only 20 odd feet away and despite the benefit of very detailed instructions, a testament to the effectiveness of its cryptic camouflage. Eventually a scope was set up on it (thanks Phil!) and everyone got a decent look.

Then it was back to the coach and the journey home. It was good to see 10 first time attendees on the trip and we look forward to welcoming them back for future expeditions. Bookings are now being taken for our trip to Minsmere on Saturday 26th April.

An impressive list of 89 species in total were recorded between the groups.

20/02/2025

Local walk report - Fishers Green - 19th February.

16 members turned up at Fishers Green on a pleasant but cold Wednesday morning. We moved to the Wildlife Discovery Centre and Bittern Hide, which overlooks Seventy Acres Lake, meeting some of our members there. As the group assembled a Water Rail was kind enough to grace us with its presence, with everyone
eventually getting a good view as it crossed the channels.

The route we chose for this walk was north along the flood relief channel to Holyfield Lake and weir. Last week the pond on the east side of the channel held a scarce American visitor: a Green-winged Teal - the New World equivalent of our Eurasian Teal. Sadly it had not been seen for several days but the pond still held a number of
Wigeon, Teal and Shovelers.

As we neared the weir we came across a group of Goldeneye (3 males, 2 females) showing well in the flood relief channel. Holyfield Lake is the largest water body in the River Lee Country Park and can attract a variety of winter wildfowl and as we followed the meandering Old River Lee towards the Grebe Hide we picked out both male and female Goosanders.

Despite being mid February many Great Crested Grebes were already in their breeding finery and we watched a pair performing their pre-mating ritual. As we made our way back along the river towards Seventy Acres a Peregrine watched us from the top of one of the pylons - one of five birds of prey for the day.

The National Grid are upgrading the nearby Waltham Cross substation over the next few years due to the increase in green energy from wind turbines and solar power. An area has been cleared to accommodate the extension to the substation and it
could be seen that trees and vegetation below the electricity cables have been removed enabling better access to the power lines when they are replaced.

We eventually returned to our starting point at the WDC after our pleasant stroll, where we said our ‘goodbyes’ and headed back to the car park and home.

Blue Tit - Paul Townsend.

18/02/2025

Our Photo Gallery this month has a theme of "Signs of Spring". We would love to see your pictures (maximum of 2) sent in to [email protected]

Please state when and where your pictures were taken and the closing date is Sunday 23rd February.

15/02/2025

Our next indoor meeting is on Tuesday 25th February.

“The British Trust for Ornithology in Hertfordshire”, a presentation by Martin Ketcher.

Martin is the Regional Representative for the BTO in Hertfordshire. It is a charity that empowers birdwatchers to gather vital data,
conduct impartial research and share bird knowledge. He will show us how and why the BTO evolved, with a particular focus on the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and what the results tell us about the status of birds within Hertfordshire today.

The Group Meetings are held at the United Reformed Church Hall, Broxbourne, EN10 7BQ - what3words: woke.whites.weep. Doors open 19.30 for 20.00 start. Admission: £4.00 for RSPB members, £5.00 for non-members. I am afraid we are unable to accept card payments. Parking is available in the car park at the back of the hall or in Mill Lane. Access and facilities are suitable for wheelchairs.

South East Herts Local Group

27/03/2025

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