Little Bunting at Amwell, Herts

[Robin Pearson]

Showed great this morning, just 20 yards below the viewpoint with reed buntings. 2nd record for Herts.

[dbradnum]

Showed great this morning, just 20 yards below the viewpoint with reed buntings. 2nd record for Herts.Cracking bird - here's a pic!

Also present this morning: 5 Buzzard, female Marsh Harrier (excellent record for within the London recording area, and indeed for Herts), showy Water Rail, 2 drake Smew, 5+ Goldeneye, 240 Lapwing.

I think it's actually the third for Herts: someone was saying there's an old record from the 60's, and one was trapped, ringed, released and never seen again at Rye Meads in April in the mid 80's.

[JoanT]

Showed great this morning, just 20 yards below the viewpoint with reed buntings. 2nd record for Herts.

Actually third record for Herts

1 in 1960 at Hilfield Park Res 20 April

1 in 1985 trapped at Rye Meads 3 May

Joan

[jforgham]

Showing well this morning
Jono

[whomes]

Cracking bird - here's a pic!

Also present this morning: 5 Buzzard, female Marsh Harrier (excellent record for within the London recording area, and indeed for Herts), showy Water Rail, 2 drake Smew, 5+ Goldeneye, 240 Lapwing.

I think it's actually the third for Herts: someone was saying there's an old record from the 60's, and one was trapped, ringed, released and never seen again at Rye Meads in April in the mid 80's.

Great pic, what equipment were you using to get it, and how much editing have you done on it?

LB still showing well this a.m.

[Forest Ranger]

Cracking bird - here's a pic!

Also present this morning: 5 Buzzard, female Marsh Harrier (excellent record for within the London recording area, and indeed for Herts), showy Water Rail, 2 drake Smew, 5+ Goldeneye, 240 Lapwing.

I think it's actually the third for Herts: someone was saying there's an old record from the 60's, and one was trapped, ringed, released and never seen again at Rye Meads in April in the mid 80's.

Hi, I'm new to Birdforum so please bear with me. I've attached a photo (at least I hope I have) that was taken from a hide at Great Amwell at around noon today (11th Feb). I can't see obvious recognition marks such as wingbars etc but the jizz of this bird made me think it wasn't a reed bunting. Can any experts out there confirm its ID?

[will bowell]

Hi, I'm new to Birdforum so please bear with me. I've attached a photo (at least I hope I have) that was taken from a hide at Great Amwell at around noon today (11th Feb). I can't see obvious recognition marks such as wingbars etc but the jizz of this bird made me think it wasn't a reed bunting. Can any experts out there confirm its ID?

Can only see head for some reason, but no it's a Reed Bunting from the head alone (look at other pix of the Little Bunting and you can see the differences).

cheers
Will

[dbradnum]

Hi there Forest Ranger,

Your bird is definitely a female or 1st winter Reed Bunting. Compare the head pattern with that shown on my Little Bunt photo above (which has a big solid chestnut panel on the ear coverts without a moustachial stripe below towards the bill, and a creamy eyering) and also the shape of the upper mandible - the outer edge (culmen) is convex on your bird, but straight on the Little Bunting.

(Not quite sure what's happening with the lower half of the images which appear corrupted on my PC at least.)

[dbradnum]

Great pic, what equipment were you using to get it, and how much editing have you done on it?Hi Phil

Pic taken with Coolpix 4500, Zeiss 85 Diascope c/w zoom lens, and an Eagle Eye adapter. Virtually no editing - just a quick tweak of the levels to brighten and enhance contrast slightly. The crisp sunshine that first Saturday morning was good light.

Glad you liked it!

[Forest Ranger]

My bunting photo did not load properly so I'll try again.

[Forest Ranger]

Thanks for the ID, David. This bird was a bit of a loner and didn't have the 'feel' of a reedy plus a big crowd of twitchers were drawing a blank at the watchpoint. I thought maybe I'd cracked it. Maybe next time.
The photo is not uploading properly for some reason - the size is 800x633 so I can't see what the problem could be. It's OK on my computer but only half shows when viewed on the forum.

[pduxon]

Hi Phil

Pic taken with Coolpix 4500, Zeiss 85 Diascope c/w zoom lens, and an Eagle Eye adapter. Virtually no editing - just a quick tweak of the levels to brighten and enhance contrast slightly. The crisp sunshine that first Saturday morning was good light.

Glad you liked it!

unlike the flipping rain I saw it in Saturday!! Still was only 4 of us there which was nice!

[aythya_hybrid]

My bunting photo did not load properly so I'll try again.

That is definitely a Reed Bunting, for the reasons outlined above.

[whomes]

unlike the flipping rain I saw it in Saturday!! Still was only 4 of us there which was nice!

Rain, poor light, and a 500mm lens that needed another 250mm! Only decent shot was of a treecreeper on the way back to the car.

[Arbu]

Could anyone give directions for finding this bird? Best of all, post a Google Earth Placemark.

[dbradnum]

Could anyone give directions for finding this bird? Best of all, post a Google Earth Placemark.See the attached JPEG... tried to save you the appropriate .kmz files, but couldn't figure it out. Something to do with it being 1.30 am, probably! How should I have got this to work?

Anyway, hope this helps.

[Arbu]

See the attached JPEG... tried to save you the appropriate .kmz files, but couldn't figure it out. Something to do with it being 1.30 am, probably! How should I have got this to work?

Anyway, hope this helps.

Thanks very much. For the record, you should be able to save a .kmz file by simply right clicking on the relevant folder or placemark and selecting "Save As...". But in fact I notice that a kmz file is not currently a valid file extension to attach, so it wouldn't have worked anyway. Maybe the site administrators could add this extension?

[Robin Pearson]

Here's another view from above, looks like a bit of cloud about that day. It's not a difficult place to find, just come off the A414 roundabout to Stanstead Abbotts then take 1st left about 1/2 mile down Amwell Lane. The footpath crosses the railway line then the canal and hey presto you're there. Ignore the green 'space invader' it's harmless ;)

[seymourbirdies]

Here's another view from above, looks like a bit of cloud about that day. It's not a difficult place to find, just come off the A414 roundabout to Stanstead Abbotts then take 1st left about 1/2 mile down Amwell Lane. The footpath crosses the railway line then the canal and hey presto you're there. Ignore the green 'space invader' it's harmless ;)

Or here is one I made earlier.

Seymour

[seymourbirdies]

Or here is one I made earlier.

Seymour

I should add that the bunting is seen on the feeding station between the reeds below the Main Watchpoint.

Seymour

;)

[hollis_f]

There's been several reports of Smew there recently. Have they been on Hardmead Lake or one of t'others. (I'm taking a friend there on Saturday - LB or no LB - and Smew would be nice).

[pduxon]

There's been several reports of Smew there recently. Have they been on Hardmead Lake or one of t'others. (I'm taking a friend there on Saturday - LB or no LB - and Smew would be nice).

Frank - I've seen them from the watchpoint but mostly on Hardmead Lake. Been very quiet for Smew this year there.

[will bowell]

There's been several reports of Smew there recently. Have they been on Hardmead Lake or one of t'others. (I'm taking a friend there on Saturday - LB or no LB - and Smew would be nice).

Two drakes were present on Tumbling Bay on Sunday.

cheers
Will

[bitterntwisted]

Two drakes were present on Tumbling Bay on Sunday.

cheers
Will

Three drakes present together at dusk. These were elusive throughout the day though, and seemed to spend most of their time behind the island straight out from the watchpoint, hence only the hardcore waiting for bitterns in the gloaming got to see all three. ;)

And 3+ Water Rails showing remarkably well in the area where the bunting feeds.

Do I have a BF200 tick, Will? Big blond bloke watching bunting 1400-1500 then went to stare at bushes that made Cetti's noises but appeared not to contain warblers.

Graham

[Brian Stone]

Last mention of this bunting on Birdguides was 25th Feb. Does anyone have anything more recent?

[will bowell]

Do I have a BF200 tick, Will? Big blond bloke watching bunting 1400-1500 then went to stare at bushes that made Cetti's noises but appeared not to contain warblers.

Graham

No, I was there in the morning, I'm not big and I'm not blond (well am kinda) and never went to stare at any bushes with Cetti's in.

Hope that clears it up ;)
cheers
Will

[Andrew]

....never went to stare at any bushes with Cetti's in.So heartening to see some of our young birders do steer well clear of filthy habits!

[Ruby]

It was there again today - showing well at 06:30 and again at about 08:00....

[r2didi2]

I don't like LBs - twice I have been to try and get a glimpse of said LB at Amwell (bearing in mind I live near Brighton, not Essex) and each time I have dipped. Nasty bird ;-))

[Ruby]

I don't like LBs - twice I have been to try and get a glimpse of said LB at Amwell (bearing in mind I live near Brighton, not Essex) and each time I have dipped. Nasty bird ;-))

Yes. Know what you mean - this was actually a case of third time lucky for me too....

I'd actually given up on this bird..... I'd got up at 04:30 on Friday with the intention of going hunting LSWs, but obviously got my weather-wires crossed, as I surprised to find it pee-ing down with rain (not exactly promising LSW weather!) so decided to give the LB one more go instead.

Unlike previous attempts, I was actually there for first-light and had the viewpoint to myself - for whatever reason, spotted the LB pretty much straight away, and it returned again at about 08:00

Went LSW hunting this morning instead..... and saw.... zero LSW!!

Did a bit of tour of some Kent/Sussex hotspots and saw some nice birds though....

[r2didi2]

Yes. Know what you mean - this was actually a case of third time lucky for me too....

Glad you got to see it third time - hopefully I can get up there in a couple of weeks time so maybe it will be third time lucky for me too!

[yoyo]

twice i have dipped this bird so far at amwell problem is it isnt on the way to anything at the moment ..... if it sticks for longer maybe 3rd time lucky..

cheers
jason

[jforgham]

Eventually caught up with this bird Saturday lunchtime. Thought it had moved on so unexpected bonus. Also cetti's calling, buzzard and great views of water rail

[r2didi2]

Eventually caught up with this bird Saturday lunchtime. Thought it had moved on so unexpected bonus. Also cetti's calling, buzzard and great views of water rail

...and photos as well - you lucky thing! I did at least manage to see the water rail - oh, and fantastic views of a Bittern (lifer for me) the day I went with my friend Frank - so I shouldn't really moan at not having seen the LB!

[aythya_hybrid]

Back of the net!!!!

Finally got this bird at the third attempt today: was showing when I arrived, disappeared for a bit, then came out again and started sunning itself in the cut reeds.

Seems to be showing a lot at the moment: worth going I reckon if you haven't already done so.

[Reader]

I need your help folks. I was there for three and a half hours on Thursday last week. I got caught up in some torrential rain and just at that moment one bird came out that had potential. The trouble was that the rain was driving straight into my bins and also my scope. I tried putting a book over my scope lens to try and sheild it from the rain. I managed to take some photos and as shocking as they are I have three photos I want you guys to look at.

Bear in mind that light was extremely bad, the mist was almost ground level and the rain certainly wasn't helping it is no wonder the images are this bad.

Could you look at the images and see what you think please.

John

[hummerman]

That looks very like the bird john,told you they were smart lil things

[pduxon]

looks like it to me

[Reader]

I hope your right. If it is it is only the 2nd one I have ever seen.

Is there anyone out there that disagrees?

John

[dbradnum]

That is definitely the LB, John - good on you for sticking it out in the bad weather!

[Reader]

Thanks Dave

After I met you at Buckenham Marshes I did manage to see a dozen Sand Martins, six Swallow and the two LRP's but no AM Wigeon or the Water Pipit. In fact the Wigeon hasn't been reported since.

Did you go anywhere else after you left me?

John

[Reader]

Well it seems that this is the LB. Is there any dissent to this? I don't want to tick a bird that has doubt around it I was relatively comfortable with it on the day until a woman that puts the feed down said she wasn't sure.

I even have taken a 35 second movie of the bird (slightly better quality than the stills).

John

[josh jones]

Well it seems that this is the LB. Is there any dissent to this? I don't want to tick a bird that has doubt around it I was relatively comfortable with it on the day until a woman that puts the feed down said she wasn't sure.

I even have taken a 35 second movie of the bird (slightly better quality than the stills).

John

John

No need to worry - your bird is absolutely totally undoubtedly a Little Bunting.

Cheers
Josh

[Reader]

Thanks Josh, and everyone else. I will add it to my list.

John

[bitterntwisted]

Tick away, mate. That's very definitely the bird I ticked, anyway.

[Reader]

The frustrating part about this is that I saw the bird within 15 minutes of getting there. If I had been more confident about my sighting I wouldn't have wasted another three and a quarter hours there.

John

[dbradnum]

Thanks Dave

After I met you at Buckenham Marshes I did manage to see a dozen Sand Martins, six Swallow and the two LRP's but no AM Wigeon or the Water Pipit. In fact the Wigeon hasn't been reported since.

Did you go anywhere else after you left me?

JohnNice one with all those hirundines... still haven't seen an 'ordinary' Swallow (though the Beds Red-rumped was rather smart)

After we left, we just headed back down to London.

Hope to see you again soon

David

[Robin Pearson]

I hope your right. If it is it is only the 2nd one I have ever seen.

Is there anyone out there that disagrees?

John

Pics 1 & 2 are most definitely LB. Is pic 3 of the same bird?

[Ruby]

The frustrating part about this is that I saw the bird within 15 minutes of getting there. If I had been more confident about my sighting I wouldn't have wasted another three and a quarter hours there.

John

Hi John,

That's definitely it, all right.... The chestnut cheeks and black border to the rear of them are good distinguishing features, but I found the best field mark in this case was the very distinct head stripes, which are far more marked that all of the accompanying Reed Buntings, and could easily be seen when the bird had its head down (ie most of the time!).


Ruby.

[Arbu]

See the attached JPEG... tried to save you the appropriate .kmz files, but couldn't figure it out. Something to do with it being 1.30 am, probably! How should I have got this to work?

Anyway, hope this helps.

Thanks, finally got around to going today, and there it was! Cycled all the way up the Lea Valley from London - surprisingly pleasant and didn't take much longer than driving would have done.

[Reader]

Pics 1 & 2 are most definitely LB. Is pic 3 of the same bird?

Hi Robin

To be honest I'm not sure. The weather was so bad that I could have picked up on another bird without realising it.

John

[MikeCross]

Hi Robin

To be honest I'm not sure. The weather was so bad that I could have picked up on another bird without realising it.

John

Well if it is , there are 2 Little Buntings there then! All 3 photos are Little Bunting.
I suppose that would explain why it became easier to see in recent weeks.

A beautiful bird. In my humble opinion I enjoyed watching it more than the Gyr or White Throated Diver and nice to see such great habitat in London.

[Connor Rand]

White throated Diver? Sounds like a great bird, wish id seen one... ;)

[Ian Hamiltan]

Well if it is , there are 2 Little Buntings there then! All 3 photos are Little Bunting.
I suppose that would explain why it became easier to see in recent weeks.

A beautiful bird. In my humble opinion I enjoyed watching it more than the Gyr or White Throated Diver and nice to see such great habitat in London.
hi mike
ive never heard of a white throated diver before,do you not mean
white billed diver.

[r2didi2]

Could you look at the images and see what you think please.
John

Well, looks like LB to me. After dipping out twice on this bird, I managed to see it on Sunday and hopefully these rather dodgy photos are proof (please don't tell me it isn't an LB!!!!).

Best wishes
Didi

[jforgham]

LB still showing well from watchpoint. Spends half an hour or so here, before flying left into willows. Worth waiting for. Also here at present, plenty of sedge warblers, 4 LRP's, redshank and still goldeneye. This newly acquired reserve has plenty of potential and seems to be run by people with good and thoughtful plans. Worth regular visits for locals. Also yesterday 1 cuckoo flew through before I arrived, 3 buzzards on show. Always good for hobby here with up to 7 being observed last year.

[Robin Pearson]

Well if it is , there are 2 Little Buntings there then! All 3 photos are Little Bunting.
I suppose that would explain why it became easier to see in recent weeks.



Ho Ho, just checking. When I last saw it in February, the markings were a lot more indistinct, much nearer to female Reed Bunt than they are now. It seems to have really blossomed in recent weeks, shame there's not a nice girl LB around for it to get acquainted with. :loveme: