HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR WILDLIFE REPORT 2010

Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR WILDLIFE REPORT FOR 2010

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

List of contributors 2

Review of 2010 Peter Delaloye 3

HMWT Hilfield Diary Rob Hopkins 4

Birds – systematic list Mark McManus and Peter Delaloye 5

Birds – year-by-year review Bob Cripps 28

Ringing report Peter Delaloye 34

Butterflies Steve Murray 39

Dragonflies Steve Murray 43

Mammals Bob Cripps 46

Reptiles and amphibians Bob Cripps 47

Bat Survey Richard Gowing 48

Moths Rachel Terry 51

Planting of Phragmites along the Peter Delaloye 61 north bank

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust 62

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INTRODUCTION

Hilfield Park Reservoir is a Local Nature Reserve in the ownership of Veolia Water (previously the Three Valleys Water Services PLC.) It was established as a nature reserve in 1969, after an agreement between the company and Hertfordshire County Council, with management undertaken by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT).

The water surface covers about 46 hectares (115 acres) at top level and is surrounded by 32 hectares (80 acres) of land consisting of woodland and rough grassland with oak and bramble scrub. The storage capacity of the reservoir is approximately 600 million gallons.

This is the twentieth report, continuing to encourage a wider interest in the site and the recording of its wildlife.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this report. Special thanks are due to Stephen Murray, Bob Cripps, Mark McManus, Richard Gowing, Rachel Terry, Rob Hopkins and Jack Fearnside without whom it would not have been possible to prepare this report. Also Tony Blake for the use of his excellent photographs.

We would like to thank PC Philip Tuck and the Hertfordshire Constabulary for their help in regularly checking the reserve during the breeding season.

All future records of any aspect of natural history relating to the reserve would be gratefully received.

I would also like to take this opportunity to request that both authors and the report itself are acknowledged fully, following part or complete use of this report as reference.

Peter Delaloye HMWT Volunteer Warden

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

We are grateful to the following for submitting records. All records have been submitted to the county recorder.

M. Beatley P. Delaloye P. McManus E. Stainthorpe I. Bennell E. Edwards M. McManus R. Terry T. Blake J. Fearnside M. Murphy J. Thompson D. Chandler R. Gowing S. Murray G. Wild K. Cramer E. Inzani P. Peretti R. Cripps H. Inzani C. Rossor J. Daker V. Inzani M. Rossor

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REVIEW OF 2010

Our thanks go to Richard Gowing for organising our first bat survey on May 4th. Our thanks also to Jackie Wedd and Hazel Makepeace of the Herts and Middlesex and London Bat Groups for bringing their equipment and expertise. Nine species and a further probable was the surprising result of their visit.

Our thanks also to Rob Hopkins for his efforts on the reserve and in particular with reference to the circular path and tern raft maintenance.

Birding highlights included the first Raven for the reserve. Also the first Spotted Redshank since 1997 and the first Tree Pipit since 2001.

The ringing group had a successful year with a total of 1377 birds ringed and one new species, a Canada Goose.

The Lesser Emperor Dragonfly was again recorded. Ruddy Darter and Azure Damselfly were recorded after being missed in 2009.

Finally but by no means least, Rachel Terry found 12 moths new to the Hilfield Reserve including the micro moth Mompha bradleyi a species only recorded at three other sites in Hertfordshire.

Peter Delaloye HMWT Volunteer Warden

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Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

ROB HOPKINS HILFIELD DIARY 2010

February 23 Coppicing willow along South Bank, adjacent to viewing hide

March 17 Tern raft maintenance

May.12 Cut path around reserve

June 9 Built reed guards

June 11 Mowed circular path

June 12 Planted reed rootballs

October 13 Felled trees to clear bank in north shore reed bank

October 20 Cut path and adjacent scrub and bramble with flail collector supplied by Practicality Brown

November 25 Clearance of bankside scrub and trees from in front of viewing platform with the Green Team.

Rob Hopkins HMWT Nature Reserves Officer (South)

The reservoir in a frozen state on 10 January 2010.

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BIRDS OF HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR 2010

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor One pair bred. They were seen nest building on March 28th and seven cygnets were seen on May 19th. A dead adult was found on September 8th, possibly killed by another adult.

Maximum monthly counts (adults + juveniles):

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6 4 8 7+2 4+2 4+7 4+5 4+5 5+5 4+8 2+5 2+5

GREY LAG GOOSE Answer answer In January 17 were present from the 9th until the 13th, 16 from the 14th until the 17th and then just one remained until the end of the month. Two were present on February 21st. In March one was present from the 1st until the 11th and seen again on the 16th, 27th and 30th. One was present on July 20th and one was present from September 19th until the 21st and one again on November 18th and one flew over on December 31st.

GREATER CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Three pairs bred. The first brood of two surviving goslings was noted on May 19th, the second brood on the 22nd and the third in June.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 91 24 12 8 27 109 108 24 126 91 52 42

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EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus An adult was present on November 25th.

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Five records this year. In January one on the 3rd and four on the 19th. In February one on the 16th and five late afternoon on the 17th and finally at the end of the year one on December 19th.

MANDARIN Aix galericulata A good count of four records this year with two on April 19th, a female-type bird on July 26th and again a female type was present on August 14th and lastly a male on October 9th.

WIGEON Anas penelope In March just two birds present by the 21st and a single bird was present on April 19th. In August three were seen on the 15th with 27 present by the end of the month.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 135 75 20 – – – – – 30 83 94 121

GADWALL Anas strepera A pair were seen mating on May 30th and a brood of ducklings fledged on June 26th. A second pair then fledged a brood of six on July 14th with five juveniles still present on August 1st.

NOTE: Last years report should have read a brood of 11 on June 13th and not a brood of 13 on July 13th.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 56 38 20 36 18 17 31 9 25 70 73 142

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TEAL Anas crecca In January two on the 2nd, five on 19th, four on 20th, two on 21st and five again on 28th, in February four on 23rd and two on 27th, in March a male on 5th, a pair on 7th and a male again on the 13th and 29th. Two pairs were present from April 5th until the 17th. In August a single bird was present on the 27th, with two on the 30th and one again on the 31st. In September two on the 8th, one on the 19th and eight on the 26th. Six were present on October 17th. In November up to nine birds on six dates, 22 on the 18th, 23 on the 28th and 18 on the 22nd and 10 on the 28th. In December three on the 30th and one on two other dates.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 4 2 4 – – – 1 8 6 23 3

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Nine broods this year. The first brood was noted on April 15th with two more on the 17th. Four more broods were noted in May and two more in June.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 24 7 15 17 26 17 14 21 10 4 8 17

PINTAIL Anas acuta A single record of a female or immature bird present on September 25th.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata Ten were present on April 10th. A pair was seen on May 5th and five were seen on June 30th and one on July 31st.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 12 2 4 10 2 5 1 18 36 22 26 14

RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina A male and two females were present on November 29th.

POCHARD Aythya farina A female was present on May 5th.

Monthly maximum counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 25 12 17 5 1 23 138 195 16 15 37 51

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TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula One brood of two ducklings fledged on July 18th with the two well grown juveniles still present on August 15th.

Monthly maximum counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 100 66 106 181 8 13 146 245 87 167 93 70

TUFTED DUCK x SCAUP HYBRID One on January 24th, February 7th and 27th and six dates in March between 17th and 30th.

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula The first record of the year was of a female on February 7th and 14th with three birds on the 18th and two females were present on 27th. In March a female on the 7th and 14th with three were seen on several dates between 17th and 26th with two females on the 27th. In April three females on 2nd and a single bird on the 5th, 18th, 22nd and 24th. In November three females on the 7th and a single bird on the 23rd. In December a female was present from the 11th until the 13th.

Monthly maximum counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec – 3 3 3 – – – – – – 3 1

SMEW Mergellus albellus A good run of records in December with a male present on the 7th, a male and two redheads on the 8th, two redheads from the 9th until the 11th, three redheads on the 12th two of which may have been 1st-winter males, a single redhead on the 13th and two redheads again on the 23rd.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator A juvenile male was present on October 9th, the second year running this species has been recorded.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Three records this year. A female was in the east bay on March 8th, three females flew low over the water and headed off high NW without stopping on November 7th and a single female was seen on the 28th.

RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis There were no records in January as the cull has taken its toll. In February a male was seen on the 14th and three on the 18th and three male and a female on the 21st, in March two were present on the 2nd and eight were present on the 7th. Two pair were present on April 9th and two males and a female on three other dates. In May two pair were noted on several dates with a male seen displaying on the 31st. Two males and a female were seen on June 5th and 10th with just two

8 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010 males on the 20th and a female on the 27th. A pair were present in July until the 23rd. In August three males and a female on the 10th and a single male on the 15th. In September three males from the 6th until the 30th. In October three males were present from the 1st until the 15th with one remaining until the end of the month. In November two male and a female on the 7th, a male on the 14th, three pair on the 21st and a male again on the 28th. Eleven birds were seen on December 11th after a cull with this, rather strangely, being the highest count of the year.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec – 4 8 4 4 3 2 4 3 3 6 11

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Seven broods this year with three broods hatched in June, the first on the 15th and the third on the 27th. Three more broods hatched in August with the third noted on the 30th and then the last brood was noted on September 19th.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 34 10 9 12 5 8 8 18 54 60 38 30

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Five broods this year. Three broods fledged in July one on the 3rd and two on the 20th and two more broods in August, one on the 6th and the last on the 15th.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 11 13 14 16 15 24 33 43 43 31 23 23

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CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Recorded in every month of the year. A good count of 45 birds on December 7th with a sudden influx of 37 to join the birds already present.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 7 8 5 3 3 8 20 7 21 9 12 45

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Two sightings this year with a good record of 11 flying over at 08.41 on October 17th and one was in the NE bay hawthorns on December 9th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea In January singles on 1st and 18th, one on February 7th, one on March 14th, one on April 5th and 18th. In May three on the 16th and an adult with three young was seen on the 23rd and two adults were present on the 30th. A single was present on June 6th while eight birds were present on the 12th which was the joint highest count of the year. In July two on the 4th, one on the 6th, four on the 8th and at least three on the 26th. Two were present on August 2nd and three on the 15th. Two on September 7th, one on the 8th and eight were present on the 22nd. Five birds were present on October 17th and two on the 24th and a single on the 31st. Two on November 13th, one on the 14th and two again on the 28th. Two birds were present on December 9th with singles on the 12th and 26th.

Maximum monthly counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 1 1 1 4 8 4 3 8 5 2 2

RED KITE Milvus milvus Two records in March of singles on the 24th and 28th. One on April 4th and on May 3rd, 12th and 22nd. In June singles on the 6th, 24th, 25th and 27th. In July one on the 11th and two over the aerodrome on the 28th and finally one flew over on October 10th.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Seen throughout the year. Highest count of the year was of three birds noted on May 16th. A pair were seen in the SE wood in February.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo A pair bred in the castle lake grounds. Recorded on nine dates in January with three on the 3rd and two on the 30th while one was seen on a pylon feeding on a Black-headed Gull on the 17th. Recorded on seven dates in February with three on the 27th the highest count. In March four were seen on the 21st and 27th and from the 16th a pair were seen on an old crows nest several times and mating in the north pines on the 28th. The highest count in April was of five on the 9th while four were present on the 4th and a pair were seen mating again on 4th and towards the end of

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the month the pair were suspected to be nesting in the castle grounds. A calling bird was heard from the castle trees throughout May. Three birds were noted on June 6th. In July a juvenile was heard calling from the castle lake area all month and was seen towards the end of the month. The resident juvenile was seen regularly in August up to the 22nd with six adults on the 8th and four on the 15th and 19th. Birds were seen throughout September with seven noted on the 25th. The highest count in October was of four on the 17th with one or two birds recorded on several dates in November and December.

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Recorded throughout the year.

Note: Last years report should of read two chicks were noted on May 31st and not March 31st.

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HOBBY Falco subbuteo Single birds were seen on April 21st and then from the 24th until 27th. In May singles were seen on five dates. In June singles on the 10th and 26th. Singles were recorded on seven dates in July with a 1st summer on the 2nd while one was seen mobbing a Buzzard on the 4th and again on the 5th and then one was drinking from the dam on the 18th and one was bathing in the water on the 19th. In August two on the 8th and 15th and singles on the 22nd, 27th and 29th. In September one on the 6th and a juvenile on the 11th.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus One seen briefly twice, in the morning and afternoon on March 14th. In the morning it flew in from the SE at 9.55am and flew low over the water scattering the gulls before flying off NW.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Two in the castle grounds on March 27th. Inside the reserve a good run of spring records probably relating to the same pair with two seen on April 11th, 24th and 26th, in May two on the 1st, 11th, one on the 14th, two on the 17th and 26th with a single bird on the 31st and later in the year one was seen climbing the steps of the dam on October 30th.

PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Resident. Breeding was proved with a female and two small juveniles noted on August 15th. Five to six birds were seen on three dates in April. Seven birds, four male and three female were present on May 5th. Six were seen on October 13th, eight on November 12th and 30th and finally eight also on December 19th.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus In January one was heard on the 1st and two were on the north bank on the 7th and one was seen on the 9th and 17th. There were no records for February and then one was heard along the south bank on March 21st. A single on October 20th was the first returning bird. In November two heard on the 14th, and singles on 23rd, 27th, 28th and 30th. In December one was by the hide on the 3rd and one was along the north bank on the 13th.

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Two broods this year, the first fledged on June 26th and the second brood fledged on July 5th. July’s count includes one juvenile and the August count three juveniles.

Monthly maximum counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 3 1 7 6 3 – 5 6 9 13 11 5

COOT Fulica atra Eight broods this year. Three broods in May with the first noted on the 28th and another five broods hatched in June with the last noted on the 12th.

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Monthly maximum counts:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 229 135 141 108 88 183 254 191 138 171 195 197

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Two records in April of single birds on the 10th and 25th and in July one was seen on the 18th and 20th.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula The only record of the year was of one on August 27th.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius First bird of the year was one on March 25th until the months end. In April single birds present on eight dates and two on the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and the 24th. In May two were present on the 3rd and singles on six other dates up to the 23rd. In June two on the 6th and a single on seven other dates up to the 24th. A juvenile was present on July the 8th.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Seven birds flew over on October 2nd and again on the 3rd.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus In January 14 flew up from the dam on the 1st and two were resting on the frozen reservoir on the 2nd, 14 flew over on the 3rd, 25 were seen on the 8th, three on the 9th, six on the 17th, one on the 21st and eight on the 24th. Two flew over on February 27th. The next record was of two on the dam on May 16th. In June one on the dam on the 13th, 26 on the 23rd and 17 on the 26th. In July 16 on the dam on the 7th, 18 over on the 8th, 10 over on the 10th, 17 over on the 23rd and 14 over on the 27th with between one and four birds seen on seven other dates. In August 14 flew over on the 1st. Eight birds flew over on November 28th. In December 32 birds were present on the frozen reservoir on the 21st with 20 present on four other dates.

SANDERLING Calidris alba Recorded at the reservoir again this year after a two year absence with a single bird present on December 4th.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina One summer-plumaged bird on the dam on May 2nd then two records in July of a single bird on the dam on the 13th and 23rd. An adult was present on August 11th and 12th. A juvenile was on the dam on September 10th and the last record of the year was of a single bird on December 8th.

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COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Two flew low over the dam on August 15th and one was flushed along the south bank on November 8th. In December one flew over on the 22nd. Outside the reserve one was flushed from Hilfield Lane on December 26th.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Three records in January, one on the east bank on the 9th, one near the paddocks on the 19th and one in the north pines on the 30th. One was flushed by a Muntjac in the southeast woods on February 14th and one flew out of the north scrub on March 7th. Later in the year in December one was in the north pines on the 22nd and one was on the ice under the north bank willows on the 24th.

CURLEW Numenius arquata On December the 12th a single bird landed on the dam at 16.03, had a drink and was still present at 16.15.

REDSHANK Tringa tetanus In April two were present from the 11th until the 13th with one on the 14th and two again on the 15th and 16th and one was present on June 15th.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus A juvenile bird flew in calling and dropped onto the dam late in the evening on August 31st. This species was last seen at Hilfield in 1997 so a great find for the lucky observers but sadly it departed overnight.

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GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia A single record this year of one that circled the reservoir on August 31st.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos First of the year was one on April 18th followed by singles on 24th, 25th, 27th and 28th. In May two on the 3rd and three on the 16th and singles on six other dates. In June one was present on the 29th. Recorded throughout July with singles on nine dates, two on four dates, three on five dates, four on the 11th and nine on the 17th. Regular throughout August with six on the 13th and eight on the 27th. In September four were present on the 1st and three on the 4th and 8th and one or two were then recorded up to the 29th.

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MEDITERRANEAN GULL Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Recorded on 21 dates this year. In January a 1st winter was present on the 2nd and 3rd, an adult on the 16th and a 2nd winter on the 30th. On April 15th an adult and 2nd summer were present for a short time. One juvenile was seen on July 26th. A juv/1st winter bird was present on August 22nd. A 1st winter was present on September 25th. In October an adult on the 8th, an adult and three juv/1st winters on the 9th, a single adult on the 12th, two adults on the 20th and a single adult on the 22nd, 25th and 27th. In November an adult on the 6th, 7th and 13th, a 1st winter on the 14th and an adult again on the 21st and 28th.

LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus Three records this year consisting of ten birds. On April 20th one 1st winter, six adults followed by a 2nd summer on the 25th and an adult and 1st winter were seen on November 7th.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus One of the surprises of the year was this species breeding at the reserve for the first time with two pairs nesting on the rafts. One pair hatched two chicks on June 20th and the other pair three chicks on the 21st. One of the juveniles was present until August 1st. A white adult was noted on seven dates in January, four dates in February with a different white adult present on February 20th. In March two white headed birds on the 5th and a cream bird on the 9th and 12th. On July 28th a white adult was present again and was then seen on four dates in September and five dates in October and three dates in November and December. Counts received were 1000 on January 31st, 1200 on February 14th, 584 on July 30th and 2600 on August 27th.

COMMON GULL Larus canus The following counts were received. 300 on January 31st, 500 on February 14th, 1000 on March 13th, one on April 5th, three including one in summer plumage on August 1st, 2 on August 15th, 29 on September 28th and 400 on December 12th.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Counts received were of 226 in the roost on March 16th, 36 on April 23rd and a bird of the race intermedius was seen on April 11th. A count of 75 was made on May 20th. On June 27th 87 were present. In August six adults and 16 juveniles on the 5th and seven adults and 26 juveniles on the 14th. On September 28th 273 were counted.

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus A single argentatus was seen on January 10th. On February 5th 340 were in the roost with 200 noted on the 14th and 295 on March 16th. On April 24th 15 were present and 43 were noted on May 20th. On June 28th 17 were present. Twelve birds were present on July 3rd, 253 adults were counted on September 18th and 198 were counted on December 11th.

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YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis One on December 19th was the only record for the year.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Recorded on five dates totalling seven birds. Two on January 16th, an adult and an immature with a 1st winter present on the 30th, an adult was present on November 21st and in December two adults on the 19th and one on the 31st.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Three birds consisting of an adult, juvenile and 1st winter were present on November 6th with the 1st winter bird still present the next day.

SANDWICH TERN Thalasseus sandvicensis On July 3rd five flew in from the south and passed straight through.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo A total of 15 broods this year, five more than 2010 all hatched between May 31st and July 30th. First record of the year was of one on April 4th followed by two on the 5th, 31 on the 25th and 13 on the 29th. Highest count for May was of 27 on the 27th.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Two records in April of two birds on the 19th and 24th. In May at least two on the 2nd, four on the 4th, eight on the 6th, 17 on the 7th and two on the 8th.

LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Two records this year, both in May with three on the 2nd for just over two hours and a single on the 9th again present for just over two hours.

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BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Just a single record this year of one juvenile from September 8th until the 12th.

FERAL PIGEON Columba livia Regularly seen throughout the year.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Probably under recorded but the following records were received. Two on January 24th, one on April 18th, May 16th and 23rd, three on July 4th and one on the 6th, two on the 8th and one on the 26th. In August two were present on the 1st and 3rd.

WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus Resident and seen on every visit to the reserve.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto This species was not recorded at the reserve last year for the first time in many years and it just about made it onto the list this year with a bird seen flying over on December 30th.

RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri In January one on the 1st and two on the 17th and four on the 21st, in February two on the 6th and the 14th, in March one on the 13th, two on the 19th, 21st and 25th, one on the 27th and six on the 30th. Recorded on 13 dates in April with three being the highest count, two adults and a juvenile on the 26th. In May two on the 13th and one on the 15th. In August one on the 1st and one on the 14th. In September six on the 12th and one on the 18th and 25th, three on the 26th and four on the 29th. In October one on the 5th, two the 9th, three on the 10th, two on the 17th, four on the 27th and two on the 31st. In November four on the 6th and up to three on several other dates. Recorded on six dates in December with four on the 24th and five on the 26th.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus One on April 20th and 24th and one on the north bank May 22nd.

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TAWNY OWL Strix aluco One was hooting in the SE woods on January 9th and one was in the same area on May 4th.

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus First record of the year was of two birds on April 19th with 300 present on the 30th. In May there were over 500 on the 2nd, including a partial albino which briefly raised hopes of an Alpine Swift, a 1000 on the 9th and 600 on the 29th. In June 200 were seen on the 1st. In July 20 were present on the 11th. One was seen on August 28th and the last of the year was on the rather late date of September 19th.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Resident, recorded throughout the year. A family group was present on July 12th. A first year female was caught on November 14th.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus major Resident, recorded throughout the year. Birds were regularly heard drumming in the castle grounds. A family group was present on June 8th Five juveniles were caught between May and August.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Picoides minor One record. Good views of a female by the east fountain on December29th

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Apart from single birds during April there were the following records: ten on October 7th and 15 on the 10th and finally there were 56 flying over, on December 31st.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia The first birds of the year were two on March 22nd and then circa 30 on the 31st. In May 20 were counted on the 8th In the autumn there were circa 130 on August 19th and 20th. Last record of the autumn was two on October 3rd.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica One bird on March 22nd and 30 on the 31th were the first records of the year. There were circa 100 on April 30th and circa 200 on May 2nd,3rd and 8th. In August there were circa 50 roosting in the main reed bed on the 6th and 17th. Then circa 300 on September 26th followed by about 100 on October 3rd. A single bird on October 17th was the last record.

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HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica Two birds on March 31st were the first of the year. Then there were 50-100 birds on six dates between April 30th and June 1st. There was a strong autumn passage between September 11th and October 3rd with 400 on September 26th. One on October 24th was the last recorded bird.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis There were no records of wintering birds. There were three records in March ,the highest being nine on the 31st.

No records then until 14 on September 12th. In October there were records on five dates with a maximum of 60 on the 7th. The only November birds recorded were 11 on the18th. In December there was one on the 3rd.

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis One in the north scrub at 8am on April 23rd.

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus Two on October 3rd,10th and 14th on the dam.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava Eight records this year all single birds on April 7th,14th,16th, and 30th and then May 2nd,8th and 9th. Finally a juvenile on the dam on September 9th.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Twenty-seven records in March, April, July, September and October. A male was recorded on 17 dates in April with two males on the 25th. In addition two birds were present on October 7th and 14th.

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PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Resident. Regularly seen along the dam and breeds on the bridge. One was seen feeding young on April 16th-May 3rd, first brood fledged, June 15th, second brood fledged, July 22nd third brood fledged.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba Three records of single birds were on April 2nd, 7th and 10th.

WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Resident. Sixteen juveniles were caught between May and August.

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Resident. Nine juveniles were caught between May and August.

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Resident. Twenty-seven juveniles were caught between May and August.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros One immature/female from October 21st to 25th.

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WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe There were 19 records this year with the first one on April 5th then one on April 7th and four on the 18th with one definite Greenland subspecies O. o. leucorhoa. Then two males were present on April 20th followed by singles on April 22nd and 30th and May 3rd and 10th. In the autumn single birds were recorded on 11 dates between August 11th and October 14th.

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Resident. No significant counts. Nine juveniles caught between May and August.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Recorded from January 16th to March 8th and in autumn from October 13th to December 30th. Maximum recorded was 43 on January 23rd.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Resident, probably under-recorded. Four were present on May 23rd. Three juveniles caught between May and August. During this same period four females and eight males were trapped and ringed. Nineteen birds were caught and ringed throughout the whole year.

REDWING Turdus iliacus Recorded in January, February, March and October. On October 10th birds were passing over all morning.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Recorded in all months except August and December and usually in ones and twos. However, there were two pairs on April 24, 14 birds on September 28th and 23 on October 5th.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus The first record was of two on April 23rd. A male was present from May 9th to June 20th and a female from May 16th to June 20th but there were no juveniles until July 25th when there were another adult with a juvenile presumably on dispersal. It is likely that the resident pair attempted to breed but failed to produce young. There were six present on Aug 22nd and two on Aug 29th the last recorded.

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REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scipaceus One on April 18th in the main reed bed was the first bird to arrive. 103 juveniles were ringed between June 28th and August 3rd. There were no records after August 29th. There were at least six pairs along the north bank adjacent to the boathouse.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca The first record for the year, a male and a female, was on May 23rd. There was a singing male on July 10th and three birds on Aug 1st. Six juveniles were caught between July 25th and August 22nd but these were more likely to be birds on dispersal than proof of breeding.

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis One on April 25th was the first for the year. 20 juveniles were ringed between May and August.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Recorded from May 3rd to August 18th. A pair was present in the CES trapping area from May 3rd to June 13th. Three juveniles were ringed in July/August.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla First bird of the year was on March 30th. The last record of the year was on September 19th. 65 juveniles were caught between May and August.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Recorded from March 21st to October 31st. Eight were present on March 30th. 39 juveniles were ringed between May and August. Late birds were 10 on October 7th, 4 on 10th and one on 31st.

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WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus In April one was present on the 14th and singles were recorded on the 14th, 18th and 25th while two were present on the 23rd. Then there were no more records until August when there were singles on the 1st,4th,15th,29th, 30th and four juveniles on the 11th and three on the 22nd.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Recorded throughout the year. Four juveniles birds were caught in the period May to August and four juveniles were seen on August 1st. An influx in October resulted in at least six on October 10th, 13th and 17th. At least three were present in November.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus One male was trapped on April 14th. A single bird was recorded in a tit flock on September 25th.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata One by the south fountain and two at Pages Farm on August 30th.

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Resident, a much better year than 2009 with 42 new birds caught throughout the year. Two pairs were nest building on March 21st. 21 juveniles caught during May to August. There were at least four 2007 ringed birds still around through much of 2010.

COAL TIT Periparus ater Resident ,breeding in small numbers. Possibly slightly commoner this year. 13 sight records of one or two birds in January to April and September to December. 14 were ringed this year, mainly juveniles, in July, August and November. Three birds were caught on August 15th and November 11th.

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BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Resident, breeds in good numbers around the reserve. 121 nestlings were ringed from the nestboxes. This drop in number of nestlings ringed is due to lack of manpower not a reduction of active nest boxes.

GREAT TIT Parus major Resident. Breeds in good numbers around the reserve. 70 nestlings were ringed from the nestboxes.

NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Occasionally seen or heard in the region of the feeding site or main gate. Two females were present in August.

TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Resident, 12 records this year with juveniles caught on July 18th and August 1st.

JAY Garrulus glandarius Resident. Under recorded. Eight on March 30th. Seven different birds trapped throughout the year.

MAGPIE Pica pica Resident. Eight birds were noted on February 12th.

JACKDAW Corvus monedula Eight records with 24 on September 26th, and 50 on October 10th.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Resident. Breeds locally. Two to four regularly seen around the dam. One was seen killing a gull on the ice on January 10th.

RAVEN Corvus corax One, possibly two, flying over at 0915 on November 14th.

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Only two records. circa 300 on November 9th, a pre roosting flock and circa 500 on November 13th seen going to roost in the main reed bed.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Resident. Under recorded. Circa 20 on March 12th. Then some passage between 9th and 14th March with up to 25 recorded. Twelve were ringed on the 14th.

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GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Resident. Not a common bird at Hilfield. Four records from around main entrance and feeding site on March 14th, May 5th ,November 27th and December 30th.

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Resident. Eleven records but often flying overhead and not recorded. Eight on March 12th and nine on March 14th. Six on 11th and 18th August and 11 on November 21st.

SISKIN Carduelis spinus Recorded on 16 days this year between January and April, and October and December. There were 20 on 6th and 13th February and the last spring bird was one on April 5th. Winter maxima were circa 100 on December 22nd and 29th.

LINNET Carduelis cannabina Eight records in April, October and November, all single figures except for 18 on October 7th.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis caberet Eleven records of one to 15 in January through March then single birds on October 10th and November 21st.

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Resident, recorded regularly throughout the year. Probably at least three pairs but no juveniles caught or recorded.

REED BUNTING Emberiza shoeniclus Resident. One to six in January, March, April, May, October and November. The maximum was 10 on November 14th. Two juveniles were ringed on July 3rd.

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ESCAPES

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis One on June 18th until the 20th and one on September 14th and 15th. One over with Canada Geese on October 8th and seen again on the 10th.

RUDDY SHELDUCK Anas bahamensis A female on May 22nd (photo Bob Cripps).

Mark McManus and Peter Delaloye

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BIRDS – YEAR BY YEAR REVIEW

Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 Last seen Mute Swan Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Bewick’s Swan Y Y Y Whooper Swan Y Y White-fronted Goose Y Y Greylag Goose Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Canada Goose Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Brent Goose Y Y Y Y Y Egyptian Goose Y Y Y Y Y Shelduck Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Mandarin Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Wigeon Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Gadwall Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Teal Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Mallard Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Pintail Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Garganey Y Y Y Y Y Y Blue-winged Teal 1998 Shoveler Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Red-crested Pochard Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Pochard Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ring-necked Duck Y Ferruginous Duck 1961 Tufted Duck Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Scaup Y Y Y Eider 1963 Long-tailed Duck 1985 Common Scoter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Velvet Scoter 1976 Goldeneye Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Smew Y Y Y Y Y Y Red-breasted Merganser Y Y Goosander Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ruddy Duck Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y White-headed Duck Y Y Y Red-legged Partridge Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Grey Partridge 1960 Pheasant Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Red-throated Diver 1965 Black-throated Diver 1967

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Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 Last seen Great Northern Diver Y Y Little Grebe Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Great Crested Grebe Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Red-necked Grebe Y Y Slavonian Grebe Y Y Black-necked Grebe Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Leach’s Petrel 1983 Cormorant Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Shag Y Y Bittern Y Y Y Little Egret Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Grey Heron Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Honey Buzzard Y Y Red Kite Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Marsh Harrier Y Y Sparrowhawk Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Buzzard Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Osprey Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Kestrel Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Merlin 1979 Hobby Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Peregrine Y Y Y Y Y Water Rail Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Spotted Crake 1967 Moorhen Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Coot Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Oystercatcher Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Avocet Y Y Little Ringed Plover Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ringed Plover Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Golden Plover Y Y Y Y Y Y Grey Plover Y Lapwing Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Knot Y Sanderling Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Little Stint Y Curlew Sandpiper Y Dunlin Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ruff Y Jack Snipe 1996 Snipe Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Woodcock Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

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Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 Last seen Black-tailed Godwit 1987 Bar-tailed Godwit Y Whimbrel Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Curlew Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Spotted Redshank Y Redshank Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Greenshank Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Green Sandpiper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Wood Sandpiper 1997 Spotted Sandpiper 1956 Common Sandpiper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Turnstone Y Y Y Grey Phalarope Y Long-tailed Skua 1988 Mediterranean Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Laughing Gull Y Little Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Sabine’s Gull 1988 Black-headed Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Common Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Lesser Black-backed Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Herring Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Yellow-legged Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Glaucous Gull 1980 Great Black-backed Gull Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Kittiwake Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Sandwich Tern Y Y Y Y Y Y Common Tern Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Arctic Tern Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Little Tern Y Y Y Black Tern Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y White-winged Black Tern 1970 Little Auk 1995 Feral Pigeon Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Stock Dove Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Wood Pigeon Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Collared Dove Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Turtle Dove Y Y Ring-necked Parakeet Y Y Y Y Y Cuckoo Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Barn Owl Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Little Owl Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

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Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 Last seen Tawny Owl Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Short-eared Owl Y Y Swift Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Alpine Swift 1990 Kingfisher Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Hoopoe 1973 Green Woodpecker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Great Spotted Woodpecker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Woodlark 1955 Skylark Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Sand Martin Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Swallow Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Red-rumped Swallow Y House Martin Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Tree Pipit Y Y Y Meadow Pipit Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Rock Pipit Y Y Y Y Y Y Water Pipit 1992 Yellow/Blue-headed Wagtail Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Grey Wagtail Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Pied/White Wagtail Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Waxwing Y Wren Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Dunnock Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Robin Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Black Redstart Y Y Y Y Y Y Redstart Y Y Whinchat Y Y Y Y Y Stonechat Y Y Y Y Y Y Wheatear Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ring Ouzel 1993 Blackbird Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Fieldfare Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Song Thrush Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Redwing Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Mistle Thrush Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Cetti’s Warbler Y Grasshopper Warbler Y Y Y Aquatic Warbler 1960 Sedge Warbler Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Reed Warbler Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Lesser Whitethroat Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

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Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 Last seen Whitethroat Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Garden Warbler Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Blackcap Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Wood Warbler Y Chiffchaff Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Willow Warbler Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Goldcrest Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Firecrest Y Y Y Y Y Spotted Flycatcher Y Y Y Y Y Y Pied Flycatcher Y Bearded Tit 1974 Long-tailed Tit Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Marsh Tit Y Willow Tit 1994 Coal Tit Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Blue Tit Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Great Tit Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Nuthatch Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Treecreeper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Golden Oriole 1984 Red-backed Shrike 1965 Great Grey Shrike 1970 Jay Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Magpie Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Jackdaw Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Rook Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Carrion Crow Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Raven Y Starling Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y House Sparrow Y Y Y Y Y Tree Sparrow 1987 Chaffinch Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Brambling Y Y Y Y Y Serin 1973 Greenfinch Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Goldfinch Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Siskin Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Linnet Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Lesser Redpoll Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Crossbill Y Y

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Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 Last seen Bullfinch Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Hawfinch 1982 Snow Bunting 1978 Yellowhammer Y Y Y Y Y Cirl Bunting 1959 Little Bunting 1960 Reed Bunting Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Corn Bunting 1984

Escapes Black Swan 1998 Snow Goose 1997 Pink-footed Goose 1993 Barnacle Goose Y Bar-headed Goose Y 1998 Argentine Bluebill Y Y Ruddy Shelduck Y 1995 Bahama Pintail Y Marbled Teal 1998 Grey-headed Gull Y Y Monk Parakeet Y Y Grey Cockatiel Y Cockatiel 1998 Parakeet Sp. Y Double-barred Finch Y

Bob Cripps

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RINGING REPORT FOR 2010

Annual summary 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 New birds ringed 837 951 794 1066 1377 No. of species 30 36 32 35 45 No. of pulli 272 276 254 330 193 No. of retraps 260 457 331 417 1022

The Constant Effort Site programme was completed successfully.

There was one new species ringed in 2010 – Canada Goose. The number of species caught was well above average for Hilfield.

Pulli ringed in 2010 were again restricted to Blue and Great Tits and Stock Dove with 121, 70 and 2 respectively. However this was one of the lowest totals of ringed pulli at Hilfield in recent years, due to lack of manpower at the critical time rather than lack of occupied boxes.

Ringing totals as an indication of population changes between 1998 and 2010

Species 1998 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Song Thrush 4 5 4 11 12 19 8 25 19 Sedge Warbler 34 19 34 16 7 5 1 9 15 Reed Warbler 91 9 85 107 85 50 59 85 149 Lesser Whitethroat 11 4 6 5 10 6 2 0 8 Whitethroat 26 8 34 25 33 12 9 38 27 Garden Warbler 14 6 10 6 6 12 6 4 6 Blackcap 88 40 62 78 51 60 54 79 87 Chiffchaff 52 87 43 62 21 43 28 34 75 Willow Warbler 19 12 8 19 12 7 4 8 12 Goldcrest 11 12 19 5 7 25 17 7 29 Long Tailed Tit 28 13 54 6 32 47 60 10 42 Reed Bunting 18 5 9 11 8 10 4 5 6 Totals 396 220 368 351 284 296 252 304 475

Song Thrush Probably a stable population, 12 of the 19 in 2010 were caught in April and May.

Sedge Warbler Believed to have attempted breeding, but the eight in August means that autumn dispersal and migration is responsible for much of the increase.

Reed Warbler They would still appear to be increasing in line with the increase in Phragmites. Eighty-four were caught in July.

Lesser Whitethroat An improvement this year but August birds account for five.

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Whitethroat Appears to be holding its own.

Garden Warbler Back to its normal six.

Blackcap Back to the 1998 level.

Chiffchaff Highest number since 2003. Autumn passage continued into October.

Willow Warbler August accounts for ten of the 12 caught.

Goldcrest Numbers are better this year but mainly due to the October influx.

Long-tailed Tit A better year this year.

Reed Bunting Little change.

Returning migrants Birds that were ringed in previous years and have returned in 2010 were as follows:

Species 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Reed Warbler 2 1 – 2 1 Whitethroat 2 Blackcap 2 2 Chiffchaff 1

Long lived Long-tailed Tits Some of our Long-tailed Tits are regular visitors to our nets:

AVJ 502 First caught 18.09.2005 and last caught 08.03.2009 (5th visit).

AAH 730 First caught 17.06.2007 and last caught 12.04.2009 (11th visit).

AAH 794 First caught 16.09.2007 and last caught 14.04.2010 (10th visit).

AAH 796 First caught 16.09.2007 and last caught 31.01.2010 (9th visit).

BEV 930 First caught 27.01.2008 and last caught 31.01.2010 (12th visit).

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Ringing totals

2010 1994-2010 Species Adults Pulli Adults Pulli Mute Swan 1 24 Canada Goose 4 4 Wigeon 16 Teal 3 Mallard 48 Ruddy Duck 3 Sparrowhawk 1 7 Kestrel 3 40 Water Rail 3 33 Moorhen 5 74 Coot 104 Dunlin 1 Common Sandpiper 1 14 Common Tern 39 Stock Dove 2 12 Woodpigeon 2 12 Cuckoo 1 Little Owl 1 14 Tawny Owl 1 2 Swift 1 159 Kingfisher 47 Green Woodpecker 3 16 Great Spotted 13 31 Woodpecker Sand Martin 6 Swallow 3 9 House Martin 4 25 Meadow Pipit 16 108 Grey Wagtail 6 Pied Wagtail 1 3 4 Wren 35 473 16 Dunnock 31 361 Robin 49 460 Wheatear 1 4 Black Redstart 1 Redstart 1 Stonechat 1 Blackbird 24 266 Song Thrush 19 144 Redwing 9 Grasshopper Warfbler 1

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2010 1994-2010 Species Adults Pulli Adults Pulli Cettis Warbler 1 Sedge Warbler 15 326 Reed Warbler 149 1295 Lesser Whitethroat 8 90 Whitethroat 27 214 Garden Warbler 6 118 Blackcap 87 841 Chiffchaff 75 699 Willow Warbler 12 203 Goldcrest 29 217 Firecrest 1 3 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Pied Flycatcher 1 Long Tailed Tit 42 552 Coal Tit 14 51 Blue Tit 205 121 1451 1882 Great Tit 170 70 1099 780 Treecreeper 4 38 Nuthatch 1 4 Jay 5 58 Magpie 14 Carrion Crow 1 Starling 54 Chaffinch 33 97 Brambling 1 Greenfinch 1 13 Goldfinch 60 119 Siskin 1 36 Lesser Redpoll 9 18 Bullfinch 7 80 Reed Bunting 6 223 5

Totals 1184 193 10398 2794

Species 44 3 71 10

Controls and recoveries The recoveries and controls are arranged by species, with ringing details on the first line and recovery data on the second.

‘Controlled’ indicates that a bird has been deliberately re-caught and a ‘sight record’ is where the ring number has been read in the field.

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The following codes have been used: Age when ringed: 1. pullus (nestling or chick) 3. Hatched during calendar year of ringing, 3J. In juvenile plumage 5. Hatched during previous calendar year 4. Hatched before calendar year of ringing, but exact year unknown 6. Hatched before previous calendar year, but exact year unknown Sex M = Male, F = Female

Sedge Warbler X891384 3 08.08.2009 Hollesley,Suffolk Controlled 4 25.07.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 379 days 131 km Dir 251 deg

Reed Warbler X706192 3J 28.06.2009 Thatcham,West Berks Controlled 4. 22.08.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 392 days 71 km Dir 67 deg

Reed Warbler V054844 3J 25.07.2009 Tewinbury Farm,Herts Controlled 4 18.07.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 358days 22 km Dir 212 deg

Reed Warbler X891384 3 26.09.2009 Rye Meads, Herts Controlled 4M 03.07.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 280 days 27 km Dir 241 deg

Reed Warbler T891227 4 24.06.2007 Willington, Beds Controlled 4f. 20.06.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 1092 days 54 km Dir 176 deg

Blackcap X545410 3M 27.09.2009 Hilfield Res, Herts Dead, hit window 05.05.2010 Kings Langley,Herts 220 days 10 km Dir 305 deg

Chiffchaff BLL317 3J 28.06.2009 Chalton, Beds Controlled 5M 09.04.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 285 days 34 km Dir 161 deg

Blue Tit X545118 1 16.05.2009 Hilfield Res, Herts Dead, hit window 06.03.2010 Aldenham Country Park,Herts 294 days 3 km Dir 149 deg

Goldfinch X919666 4M 09.10.2009 Kilnsea Clays,Humberside Controlled 4M 14.03.2010 Hilfield Res, Herts 156 days 219 km Dir 189 deg

Peter Delaloye

38 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

THE BUTTERFLIES OF HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR 2010

SMALL SKIPPER Thymelicus sylvestris The first five were seen on June 26th, a date remarkably consistent with the previous two years. On July 3rd the population was considered to be in good numbers, and the last individual was seen on August 1st, matching last year’s final sighting.

LARGE SKIPPER Ochlodes venata Recorded between June 4th and July 11th with a best count of 32 on June 12th. This number marked a further increase and was just over double that of the previous year.

BRIMSTONE Gonepteryx rhamni During the spring period there were sightings on eight dates between April 10th and May 30th, with a best count of three males on April 17th. An ovipositing female was seen on one date. The new late summer generation comprised a male on July 20th, a male and female on the 28th and a female on August 30th.

LARGE WHITE Pieris brassicae One-three were noted on eight dates between April 18th and August 29th, though the species was described as ‘quite common lately’ on August 16th.

SMALL WHITE Pieris rapae There were sightings on 16 dates between June 5th and October 17th, with a best count of seven on July 28th.

GREEN-VEINED WHITE Pieris napi Seen on eight dates from April 24th to September 4th but sketchily recorded. The best actual count was of six on May 1st, though it was considered quite common during the first half of August.

ORANGE TIP Anthocharis cardamines Following the first two on April 17th numbers rose to 15 on May 1st, a drop on the previous two years. The final record concerned two on May 30th.

PURPLE HAIRSTREAK Quercusia quercus This Oak canopy specialist was noted between July 4th and August 16th. On July 19th the north monad of the reserve was surveyed from 19:15 to 20:17 and 33 were counted, less than half the number counted on a similar exercise the previous year. However, the reduced activity observed was probably due to less favourable weather conditions.

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WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK Satyrium w-album With the east bay mature elms now in terminal decline records slumped to just one on June 26th and two on July 4th.

SMALL COPPER Lycaena phlaeas Another good year with records on 27 dates between May 15th and October 23rd. Monthly maxima were mainly encouraging as shown. May 22nd, 35. June 5th, 22. July 25th, five. August 8th, two. September 25th, nine. October 2nd, 11.

BROWN ARGUS Aricia agestis Spring brood records were limited to singles on May 26th and 30th. Second brood was noted on five dates between August 7th and 22nd, and multiple counts comprised two on the 8th and five on the 15th.

COMMON BLUE Polyommatus icarus Sightings on 24 dates was identical to the previous year and the flight season was a fortnight longer, from May 22nd to September 18th. Monthly maxima generally showed a further increase. May 30th, 18. June 5th, 47. July 31st, 17. August 14th, 29. September 4th, three.

HOLLY BLUE Celastrina argiolus A very disappointing year with just two records of singles on August 8th and 29th.

RED ADMIRAL Vanessa atalanta An ovipositing female on May 22nd started the season off and was followed by records on 16 dates until October 17th. The only multiple count was of two on July 18th.

PAINTED LADY Cynthia cardui In absolute contrast to the phenomenal numbers seen in the previous year the only records were of one individual seen on June 12th and 13th.

SMALL TORTOISESHELL Aglais urticae This formerly abundant species was yet again recorded in very low numbers. All records comprised one on April 17th, 24th and June 19th, two on July 3rd and one on September 11th.

PEACOCK Inachis io Emergence from hibernation began with three on March 18th and rose to a maximum of 42 on April 10th, the same number as in the previous year. Pristine summer brood specimens were observed from July 10th but numbers were massively down with a maximum of just two on the 28th. After two months of no sightings the last individual was seen on October 10th.

40 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

COMMA Polygonia c-album A good but not outstanding year for this species with records on 17 dates between March 2nd and October 10th. Monthly maxima were March 18th, five. April 10th, five. May 1st, one. June 26th, two. July 20th, six. September 4th, three. October 10th, four.

SPECKLED WOOD Pararge aegeria Monthly maxima with first and last dates included were April 24th, two. May 1st, three. June 26th, four. July 20th, three. August 28th, nine. September 18th, nine. October 10th, one.

MARBLED WHITE Melanargia galathea Records began with one near the boathouse on June 22nd and numbers in this area rose to 36 on July 3rd. At least 60 were along the east-north-east bank on July 10th, by which time the species was common in all grassland areas. The final record was of two on August 1st.

GATEKEEPER Pyronia tithonus Recorded between July 4th and September 4th and described as abundant during mid-July.

MEADOW BROWN Maniola jurtina Noted from June 11th to August 30th, this species also received minimal attention. It was considered to be in good numbers on July 3rd.

RINGLET Aphantopus hyperantus With sightings at most areas of grassland with shrub or bramble shelter this species is now very well established. The flight season began and ended almost a week later than the previous year, between June 26th and August 7th. Most areas showed considerable further increases in numbers and notable counts comprised 17 and 19 around the south-east and east bay areas respectively on July 4th, 16 along the castle fence, 14 along the north bank and north-east bay and 17 on the east-north-east bank grassland on the 10th, and seven along the upper south bank path on the 11th.

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BUTTERFLIES – YEAR BY YEAR REVIEW

Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 Last seen Small Skipper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Essex Skipper Y Y Large Skipper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Clouded Yellow Y Y Y Y Y Brimstone Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Large White Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Small White Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Green-veined White Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Orange Tip Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Purple Hairstreak Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y White-letter Hairstreak Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Small Copper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Brown Argus Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Common Blue Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Holly Blue Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Red Admiral Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Painted Lady Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Small Tortoiseshell Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Peacock Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Comma Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Dark Green Fritillary Y Speckled Wood Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Wall Brown 1993 Marbled White Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Gatekeeper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Meadow Brown Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Small Heath Y Y Ringlet Y Y Y Y Y

Key: Y = recorded in that year

Stephen Murray

42 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

THE DRAGONFLIES OF HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR 2010

BANDED DEMOISELLE Calopteryx splendens A very slight increase in records over the previous two years, with perhaps one individual male seen at the south-west corner of the reservoir on July 19th and at the hide on the 21st.

LARGE RED DAMSELFLY Pyrrhosoma nymphula The first sightings at the mini-ponds was of a mating pair and two males on May 19th, but the peak count of ovipositing pairs was just two on the 23rd; under one-fifth that of the previous year. The last two males were seen on June 12th.

RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma najas The first specimen, a mature male, was seen on May 23rd. Numbers then rose to much higher levels than the previous year, with a best count of 35 on June 13th in the south-west corner and part of the south bank. Still described as common in early and late July, and the final individual was seen on September 21st.

SMALL RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma viridulum Numerous sightings from July 18th to September 18th represented a major recovery from the dismal showing in the previous year. The best count was of five ovipositing pairs and four males on July 24th. Once again the most productive locations were at each end of the dam and in front of the hide.

AZURE DAMSELFLY Coenagrion puella All records comprised ovipositing pairs at the north-west corner of the reservoir on June 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th, with maxima of three pairs on the first and last dates.

COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma cyathigerum The first two immatures were noted on May 15th and the population rose to many thousands during June and July. The final record was of two on October 17th.

BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY Ischnura elegans Though observed on 11 dates between May 22nd and July 31st the only multiple sightings were of two on two dates.

MIGRANT HAWKER Aeshna mixta First seen on August 1st, this species was common throughout most of September and early October, and the final record concerned one on October 31st.

SOUTHERN HAWKER Aeshna cyanea Singles were noted on seven dates between July 2nd and September 12th, and two males and one female were seen on August 30th.

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BROWN HAWKER Aeshna grandis A good year with sightings on 17 dates between June 27th and September 11th. The highest count was of 12 on July 10th and ovipositing females were observed on two dates.

EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator Records on 23 dates between June 6th and August 18th, a best count of 11 on July 10th, and ovipositing females seen on 15 dates all constitute an exceptional year for this species.

LESSER EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax parthenope With sightings again this year the species remains an enigma at Hilfield. Is it really a strangely frequent rare migrant? As the first published record in 2006 involved an ovipositing pair it seems feasible that it could actually be a breeding species, albeit at too low a density to confirm satisfactorily. Records comprised a male seen near the bridge on July 17th and at the south-west corner of the reservoir on the 18th, 19th and 20th. On the latter date a male was flushed from the path behind the hide and flew about 100 yards to the upper south bank path, from where it was also flushed, again allowing only a good close range flight view.

BROAD-BODIED CHASER Libellula depressa Singles were seen on four dates from May 23rd to June 26th, but with no evidence of breeding activity.

BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER Orthetrum cancellatum The first two immatures were seen on June 5th and the species was described as abundant during late June and early July. The last record was of one on August 28th.

COMMON DARTER Sympetrum striolatum Recorded between July 9th and November 7th with best counts of 11 on September 18th and ten on October 10th.

RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum One male was found on August 8th and two on the 30th, a slight improvement on the previous year.

RED-VEINED DARTER Sympetrum fonscolombii One male gave good flight views as it hunted over the water along the south bank on July 19th.

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DRAGONFLIES – YEAR BY YEAR REVIEW

Year 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 Last seen Banded Demoiselle Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Emerald Damselfly 2000 Large Red Damselfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Red-eyed Damselfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Small Red-eyed Damselfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Azure Damselfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Common Blue Damselfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Blue-Tailed Damselfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Migrant Hawker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Southern Hawker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Brown Hawker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Emperor Dragonfly Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Lesser Emperor Dragonfly Y Y Y Y Hairy Dragonfly 1999? Four-spotted Chaser Y Y Y Broad-bodied Chaser Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Black-tailed Skimmer Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Common Darter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ruddy Darter Y Y Y Yellow-winged Darter 1995 Red-veined Darter Y Y Y Y

Key Y = recorded in that year.

Stephen Murray

45 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

MAMMAL, REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN RECORDS 2010

MAMMALS

Bat species See following bat report.

Northern Mole Talpa europaea One found dead on the south bank on 11th July.

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Local resident.

BROWN HARE Lepus capensis Although not within the reserve a Brown Hare was observed from the dam in the field adjacent to Hilfield Lane on 18th April.

Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Local resident.

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Thirty plus records throughout the year, with several maximum counts of two, including sightings out on the ice in December.

WEASEL Mustela nivalis One record on the 29th September on the rocks by the garages.

Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi A good year for Muntjac sightings, with over 40 records received. Rutting and attempted mating was witnessed on the 30th January. A young fawn was seen suckling on the 12th April and a larger fawn with one male and two females was seen on the 22 April. An unusual sighting occurred on the 20th March which was of an adult deer with the lower third of its leg missing.

Bob Cripps

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REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

Newt species A maximum count of four was recorded from the mini-ponds on the south bank on the 23rd May.

Grass Snake Natrix natrix One dead snake found on the south bank on 24th April.

Bob Cripps

47 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

BAT SURVEY

It had been suspected for some time that the mix of habitats at Hilfield Park Reservoir (HPR) are likely to offer highly suitable foraging habitats for bats. Key potential bat foraging habitats at HPR include, woodland, semi-improved grassland, reedbed, marshy grassland and open water.

A preliminary survey to gain an understanding of which species may be present was carried out on the evening of 4th May 2010 between approximately 7pm – 10pm. The survey was attended by around 10 people drawn from the Hertfordshire & Middlesex Bat Group (HMBG), Hilfield Park Bird Ringing Group (HBRG) and London Bat Group (LBG).

The survey consisted of a structured walk around the reservoir perimeter being mindful to avoid nesting areas for sensitive bird species. Bat detectors were used to enable the ultrasonic calls bats make to be recorded for later analysis using specialist computer software. Each time a bat passed overhead and a stream of echolocation calls was heard on a detector this was referred to as a ‘bat pass’. However, the number of bat passes does not equate to the number of bats present, generally when bat passes are heard on a detector bats are not seen i.e. a single bat may pass back and forwards several times giving numerous bat passes.

By determining the frequency which carries most sound energy (peak frequency) in each echolocation call, in addition to a range of other variables, it is often possible to identify different bats to genus and often to species level. The following species were recorded:

Confirmed species

SOPRANO PIPISTRELLE Pipistrellus pygmaeus The most frequently encountered species during the survey – very common throughout the UK and thought to display a greater affinity for wetland habitats than the common pipistrelle. Echolocates with a peak frequency around 55 Khz.

COMMON PIPISTRELLE Pipistrellus pipistrellus The most common and widespread UK bat species – frequently encountered throughout the survey but not as common as soprano pipistrelle at HPR. Echolocates with a peak frequency around 45 Khz.

NATHUSIUS’ PIPISTRELLE Pipistrellus nathusii A rare UK breeding species and a species where regional distribution and abundance are relatively poorly understood (possibly due to historical under-recording). Low numbers of this species were recorded at Hilfield, however, their presence warrants further study. Echolocates with a peak frequency around 39 Khz.

48 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

NOCTULE Nyctalus noctula One of the UK’s largest bat species and usually one of the first species to emerge in the evening after sunset. Noctule bats habitually feed high over the canopy of trees and are typically bats of more open habitats and wetlands. Echolocates with a peak frequency around 20 Khz.

LEISLER’S Nyctalus leisleri Closely related to the Noctule and exhibiting a similar feeding behaviour. However, this is a relatively rarer species in the UK. A single pass by a Leisler’s bat was recorded at HPR. Echolocates with a peak frequency around 26 Khz.

SEROTINE Eptesicus serotinus One of the larger species of UK bat but exhibiting a different flight/feeding behaviour than either of the Nyctalus sp. Serotine bats display a slower, less directed and agile flight pattern often feeding on beetles and larger moths. A relatively low total of three passes by this species were recorded during the survey. Echolocates with a peak frequency around 27 Khz.

MOUSE-EARED FAMILY Myotis sp. The Myotis genus contains a number of UK species all of which employ broadly similar echolocation calls and hence are difficult to identify to species level. A number of Myotis passes were recorded and further study to attempt to gain better sound recordings and maybe elucidate which species are present is certainly warranted.

DAUBENTON’S BAT Myotis daubentonii This species habitually feeds low over water bodies. Although it is difficult to separate from other Myotis sp. from echolocation calls alone, this species displays very distinctive foraging behaviour. Daubenton’s bats fly low over the surface of water bodies occasionally gaffing insects from the surface of the water using their tail membrane as a scoop. Several bats were observed feeding over the reservoir surface, one particular individual was observed for several minutes from the top of the dam at the end of the survey.

LONG-EARED BAT Plecotus sp. A single recording with characteristics matching a species of long-eared bat Plecotus sp. was recorded. Long-eared bats are slow flying woodland specialists. As is for Myotis sp., Plecotus sp. are difficult to identify to species level based on echolocation calls alone. It is highly probable that bat recorded at HPR was a Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auritus as the other UK species in this genus, Grey Long-eared Bat Plecotus austriacus, is very rare and not known to be in the area.

Probable species

NATTERER’S BAT Myotis nattereri A small number of bat passes with echolocation calls approximating those of Natterer’s bat were recorded. However, definitive identification to species level was not possible from these recordings alone.

49 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Conclusions Although no firm conclusions can be drawn from a single, spring-time bat survey on a cold evening (temperature dropped to 2ºC), the findings indicate that Hilfield is an important foraging site for bats based on the number of species present. Particularly, the fact that rarer species such as Nathusius’ pipistrelle and one or more species of Myotis bat were recorded. Certainly a count of nine or more bat species would not be expected in urban fringe habitats or intensive farmland.

Further surveys will be planned for 2011 to gather more information. For example, the survey was not designed to sample the relative abundance of bats, however, this could be a future objective to allow comparison between seasons and between years. Watch this space!

Many thanks to Jackie Wedd (LBG/HMBG) and Hazel Makepeace (HMBG) for making bat recordings and carrying out sound analysis.

Richard Gowing

50 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA) RECORDING AT HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR: 2010

As work commitments and poor weather conspired to minimise the evenings I could spend trapping at Hilfield this year, I recorded a total of a mere 47 species. Although 12 of which were new to the site, bringing the species list to 367.

The most interesting new moth was the micro moth Mompha bradleyi, a species only recorded at three other sites in Hertfordshire, all well away from Hilfield Reservoir. The single specimen was netted from its larval food-plant, Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum on the 24th May 2010. This record represents a new colony for this species.

The other new micros were: Skin Moth Monopis laevigella, Scrobipalpa costella, Epiblema trimaculana and Scoparia subfusca.

The new macro moths include two of the ‘small brown jobs’ of the moth fauna: White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria and Ochreous Pug Eupithecia indigata. The other new species were: Broken- barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata, Orange Footman Eilema sororcula, Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica and Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica, all recorded as adults. The final new species was Scarce Umber Agriopis aurantiaria, which was recorded in its larval stage.

Rachel Terry

The Lime Hawk Moth Mimas tilia was recorded for the second time in 2010. An attractive olive green and pink moth, it may be breeding on the Lime trees (Tilia sp.) near the entrance to the reserve.

51 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Moth species list for Hilfield Reservoir in 2010

Code Taxon Vernacular Records Individuals Status 17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2 21 Common 227 Monopis laevigella Skin Moth 1 1 0409a Argyresthia trifasciata 1 1 Naturalised 606 Elachista humilis 1 2 819 Scrobipalpa costella 1 1 0889a Mompha bradleyi 1 1 893 Mompha epilobiella 1 1 1076 Celypha lacunana 2 5 1176 Epiblema trimaculana 1 1 1184a Epiblema cirsiana 1 2 1251 Grapholita jungiella 1 1 1301 Crambus lathoniellus 2 7 Common 1332 Scoparia subfusca 1 1 Common 1334 Scoparia ambigualis 1 7 Common 1768 Thera obeliscata Grey Pine Carpet 1 8 Common 1773 Electrophaes corylata Broken-barred Carpet 1 3 Common 1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 2 4 Common 1834 Eupithecia vulgata vulgata Common Pug 1 5 Common 1835 Eupithecia tripunctaria White-spotted Pug 1 1 Local 1837 Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 1 1 Common 1844 Eupithecia indigata Ochreous Pug 1 1 Common 1852 Eupithecia abbreviata Brindled Pug 2 5 Common 1853 Eupithecia dodoneata Oak-tree Pug 2 6 Common 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1 1 Common 1933 Agriopis aurantiaria Scarce Umber 1 6 Common 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1 12 Common 1979 Mimas tiliae Lime Hawk-moth 1 1 Common 2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1 1 Common 2015 Drymonia ruficornis Lunar Marbled Brown 1 1 Common 2026 Orgyia antiqua Vapourer 1 1 Common 2043 Eilema sororcula Orange Footman 1 3 Local 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1 1 Common 2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 1 1 Common 2069 Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar 1 1 Common 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2 2 Common 2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay 1 1 Common 2179 Panolis flammea Pine Beauty 1 1 Common 2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker 1 1 Common 2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1 1 Common 2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1 2 Common 2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 1 1 Common 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 1 1 Common 2397 Panemeria tenebrata Small Yellow Underwing 1 8 Local 2410 Protodeltote pygarga Marbled White Spot 1 9 Common 2425 Colocasia coryli Nut-tree Tussock 1 3 Common 2462 Callistege mi Mother Shipton 1 3 Common 2463 Euclidia glyphica Burnet Companion 1 3 Common

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SPECIES LIST (LEPIDOPTERA) FOR HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR

Code Taxon Vernacular Status 6 Eriocrania subpurpurella 15 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift Common 17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift Common 50 Stigmella aurella 63 Stigmella lemniscella 67 Stigmella plagicolella 68 Stigmella salicis 73 Stigmella trimaculella 75 Stigmella floslactella 84 Stigmella ruficapitella 89 Stigmella basiguttella 102 Stigmella aceris pRDB2 125 Emmetia marginea 129 Incurvaria pectinea 130 Incurvaria masculella 140 Nematopogon swammerdamella 150 Adela reaumurella 152 Adela rufimitrella 169 Zygaena filipendulae Six-spot Burnet Common 171 Zygaena lonicerae Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Common 227 Monopis laevigella Skin Moth 228 Monopis weaverella 263 Lyonetia clerkella Apple Leaf Miner 274 Bucculatrix ulmella 287 Caloptilia robustella 289 caloptilia falconipennella 294 Aspilapteryx tringipennella 303 Parornix anglicella 308 Parornix finitimella 321a Phyllonorycter platani 330 Phyllonorycter cerasicolella 332 Phyllonorycter corylifoliella 333 Phyllonorycter salictella viminiella 353 Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella 356 Phyllonorycter tristrigella 357 Phyllonorycter stettinensis 360 Phyllonorycter kleemannella 366a Cameraria ohridella Unknown 368 Phyllocnistis unipunctella

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Code Taxon Vernacular Status 371 Sesia bembeciformis Lunar Hornet Moth Common 385 Anthophila fabriciana Nettle-tap Moth 391 Glyphipterix simpliciella Cocksfoot Moth 409a Argyresthia trifasciata Naturalised 411 Argyresthia goedartella 424 Yponomeuta evonymella 436 Pseudoswammerdamia combinella 440 Paraswammerdamia albicapitella 449 Prays fraxinella Ash Bud Moth Common 450 Scythropia crataegella Hawthorn Moth 464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth Migrant 490 Coleophora lutipennella 492 Coleophora flavipennella 493 Coleophora serratella 494 Coleophora coracipennella 499 Coleophora limosipennella 523 Coleophora hemerobiella Nb 535 Coleophora ibipennella 559 Coleophora peribenanderi 565 Coleophora saxicolella 597 Elachista atricomella 601 Elachista albifrontella 606 Elachista humilis 607 Elachista canapennella 608 Elachista rufocinerea 610 Elachista argentella 642 Batia unitella 652 Alabonia geoffrella 658 Carcina quercana 772 Carpatolechia fugitivella 774 Teleides luculella 819 Scrobipalpa costella 822 Scrobipalpa acuminatella 830 Caryocolum fraternella 853 Anacampsis populella 868 Helcystogramma rufescens 873 Blastobasis adustella 874 Blastobasis lacticolella 883 Mompha raschkiella 893 Mompha epilobiella 886 Mompha ochraceella 889a Mompha bradleyi

54 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Code Taxon Vernacular Status 898 Limnaecia phragmitella 904 Spuleria flavicaput 905 Blastodacna hellerella 936 Cochylimorpha straminea 937 Agapeta hamana 965 Cochylis hybridella 970 Pandemis cerasana Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix 972 Pandemis heparana Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix 977 Archips podana Large Fruit-tree Tortrix 980 Archips xylosteana Variegated Golden Tortrix 985 Cacoecimorpha pronubana Carnation Tortrix 986 Syndemis musculana 989 Aphelia paleana Timothy Tortrix 993 Clepsis spectrana Cyclamen Tortrix 994 Clepsis consimilana 998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1000 Ptycholoma lecheana 1001 Lozotaeniodes formosanus 1002 Lozotaenia forsterana 1006 Epagoge grotiana 1010 Ditula angustiorana Red-barred Tortrix 1014 Isotrias rectifasciana 1018 Cnephasia communana 1020 Cnephasia stephensiana Grey Tortrix 1024 Cnephasia incertana Light Grey Tortrix 1025 Tortricodes alternella 1032 Aleimma loeflingiana 1033 Tortrix viridana Green Oak Tortrix 1036 Acleris forsskaleana 1042 Acleris rhombana Rhomboid Tortrix 1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1061 Acleris literana 1076 Celypha lacunana 1082 Hedya pruniana Plum Tortrix 1083 Hedya nubiferana Marbled Orchard Tortrix 1086 Hedya salicella 1093 Apotomis betuletana 1108 Lobesia abscisana 1111 Bactra lancealana 1113 Eudemis profundana 1115 Ancylis achatana 1130 Epinotia pygmaeana

55 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Code Taxon Vernacular Status 1134 Epinotia ramella 1136 Epinotia immundana 1138 Epinotia nisella 1139 Epinotia tenerana 1159 Rhopobota naevana Holly Tortrix 1165 Zeiraphera isertana 1169 Gypsonoma dealbana 1175 Epiblema uddmanniana Bramble Shoot Moth 1176 Epiblema trimaculana 1184a Epiblema cirsiana 1197 Eucosma campoliliana 1200 Eucosma hohenwartiana 1201 Eucosma cana 1205 Spilonota ocellana Bud Moth 1211 Rhyacionia pinicolana 1228 Pammene argyrana 1239 Pammene rhediella Fruitlet Mining Tortrix 1251 Grapholita jungiella 1260 Cydia splendana 1261 Cydia pomonella Codling Moth 1276 Dichrorampha plumbagana 1288 Alucita hexadactyla Twenty-plume Moth Common 1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella Garden Grass-veneer Common 1301 Crambus lathoniellus Common 1304 Agriphila straminella Common 1305 Agriphila tristella Common 1309 Agriphila geniculea Common 1316 Catoptria falsella Local 1331 Acentria ephemerella Water Veneer Common 1332 Scoparia subfusca Common 1333 Scoparia pyralella Common 1334 Scoparia ambigualis Common 1338 Dipleurina lacustrata Common 1342 Eudonia angustea Common 1344 Eudonia mercurella Common 1348 Parapoynx stratiotata Ringed China-mark Common 1361 Pyrausta aurata Local 1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie Common 1390 Udea prunalis Common 1392 Udea olivalis Common 1398 Nomophila noctuella Rush Veneer Migrant 1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl Common

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Code Taxon Vernacular Status 1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle Common 1424 Endotricha flammealis Common 1428 Aphomia sociella Bee Moth Common 1436 Conobathra repandana Common 1437 Acrobasis consociella Common 1438 Trachycera suavella Local 1439 Trachycera advenella Common 1452 Phycita roborella Common 1470 Euzophera pinguis Local 1474 Ephestia parasitella unicolorella Local 1504 Platyptilia pallidactyla 1524 Emmelina monodactyla Common 1646 Watsonalla binaria Oak Hook-tip Common 1648 Drepana falcataria Pebble Hook-tip Common 1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character Common 1652 Thyatira batis Peach Blossom Common 1653 Habrosyne pyritoides Buff Arches Common 1660 Polyploca ridens Frosted Green Local 1667 Comibaena bajularia Blotched Emerald Local 1669 Hemithea aestivaria Common Emerald Common 1680 Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush Local 1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein Common 1699 Idaea rusticata atrosignaria Least Carpet Local 1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave Common 1708 Idaea dimidiata Single-dotted Wave Common 1712 Idaea emarginata Small Scallop Local 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave Common 1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet Common 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata fluctuata Garden Carpet Common 1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar Common 1738 Epirrhoe alternata alternata Common Carpet Common 1742 Camptogramma bilineata bilineata Yellow Shell Common 1747 Anticlea derivata Streamer Common 1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw Common 1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix Common 1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet Common 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet Common 1765 Cidaria fulvata Barred Yellow Common 1768 Thera obeliscata Grey Pine Carpet Common 1769 Thera britannica Spruce Carpet Common 1773 Electrophaes corylata Broken-barred Carpet Common 1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet Common

57 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Code Taxon Vernacular Status 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer Common 1799 Operophtera brumata Winter Moth Common 1803 Perizoma alchemillata Small Rivulet Common 1808 Perizoma flavofasciata Sandy Carpet Common 1811 Eupithecia tenuiata Slender Pug Common 1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug Common 1828 Eupithecia satyrata Satyr Pug Local 1830 Eupithecia absinthiata Wormwood Pug Common 1834 Eupithecia vulgata vulgata Common Pug Common 1835 Eupithecia tripunctaria White-spotted Pug Local 1837 Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug Common 1844 Eupithecia indigata Ochreous Pug Common 1852 Eupithecia abbreviata Brindled Pug Common 1853 Eupithecia dodoneata Oak-tree Pug Common 1860 Pasiphila rectangulata Green Pug Common 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug Common 1870 Odezia atrata Chimney Sweeper Common 1879 Lobophora halterata Seraphim Local 1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle Local 1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border Local 1893 Macaria liturata Tawny-barred Angle Common 1902 Petrophora chlorosata Brown Silver-line Common 1904 Plagodis dolabraria Scorched Wing Local 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth Common 1913 Ennomos alniaria Canary-shouldered Thorn Common 1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn Common 1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn Common 1921 Crocallis elinguaria Scalloped Oak Common 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth Common 1933 Agriopis aurantiaria Scarce Umber Common 1935 Erannis defoliaria Mottled Umber Common 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty Common 1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty Common 1947 Ectropis bistortata Engrailed Common 1955 Cabera pusaria Common White Wave Common 1956 Cabera exanthemata Common Wave Common 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver Common 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald Common 1962 Hylaea fasciaria Barred Red Common 1978 Hyloicus pinastri Pine Hawk-moth Local 1979 Mimas tiliae Lime Hawk-moth Common 1980 Smerinthus ocellata Eyed Hawk-moth Common

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Code Taxon Vernacular Status 1981 Laothoe populi Poplar Hawk-moth Common 1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth Common 1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip Common 1997 Furcula furcula Sallow Kitten Common 2000 Notodonta dromedarius Iron Prominent Common 2003 Notodonta ziczac Pebble Prominent Common 2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent Common 2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent Common 2008 Ptilodon capucina Coxcomb Prominent Common 2011 Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent Common 2015 Drymonia ruficornis Lunar Marbled Brown Common 2026 Orgyia antiqua Vapourer Common 2028 Calliteara pudibunda Pale Tussock Common 2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail Common 2043 Eilema sororcula Orange Footman Local 2044 Eilema griseola Dingy Footman Common 2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman Local 2050 Eilema lurideola Common Footman Common 2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine Common 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine Common 2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth Common 2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa Ruby Tiger Common 2069 Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Common 2077 Nola cucullatella Short-cloaked Moth Common 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth Common 2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club Common 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart Common 2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Swordgrass Migrant 2092 Agrotis puta puta Shuttle-shaped Dart Common 2098 Axylia putris The Flame Common 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder Common 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing Common 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing Common 2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Common 2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Common Underwing 2112 Noctua interjecta Least Yellow Underwing Common 2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay Common 2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot Common 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character Common 2128 Xestia triangulum Double Square-spot Common 2133 Xestia sexstrigata Six-striped Rustic Common

59 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Code Taxon Vernacular Status 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic Common 2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg Common 2147 Hada plebeja Shears Common 2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye Common 2179 Panolis flammea Pine Beauty Common 2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker Common 2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker Common 2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker Common 2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab Common 2189 Orthosia munda Twin-spotted Quaker Common 2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character Common 2193 Mythimna ferrago Clay Common 2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point Migrant 2197 Mythimna straminea Southern Wainscot Local 2198 Mythimna impura impura Smoky Wainscot Common 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot Common 2205 Mythimna comma Shoulder-striped Wainscot Common 2214 Cucullia chamomillae Chamomile Shark Local 2231 Aporophyla lutulenta Deep-brown Dart Common 2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic Common 2237 Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis Grey Shoulder-knot Common 2248 Dryobotodes eremita Brindled Green Common 2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow Common 2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing Common 2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow Common 2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow Common 2278 Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey Common 2289 Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass Common 2292 Cryphia algae Tree-lichen Beauty Rare migrant 2293 Cryphia domestica Marbled Beauty Common 2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing Common 2298 Amphipyra berbera svenssoni Svensson's Copper Underwing Common 2301 Dypterygia scabriuscula Bird's Wing Local 2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing Common 2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades Common 2312 Ipimorpha subtusa Olive Local 2314 Parastichtis ypsillon Dingy Shears Local 2318 Cosmia trapezina Dun-bar Common 2319 Cosmia pyralina Lunar-spotted Pinion Local 2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches Common 2322 Apamea lithoxylaea Light Arches Common 2330 Apamea remissa Dusky Brocade Common

60 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Code Taxon Vernacular Status 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg Local 2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot Common 2337 Oligia strigilis Marbled Minor Common 2338 Oligia versicolor Rufous Minor Local 2339 Oligia latruncula Tawny Marbled Minor Common 2340 Oligia fasciuncula Middle-barred Minor Common 2341 Mesoligia furuncula Cloaked Minor Common 2343 Mesapamea secalis Common Rustic Common 2343a Mesapamea didyma Lesser Common Rustic Common 2345 Photedes minima Small Dotted Buff Common 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic Common 2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic Common 2364 Gortyna flavago Frosted Orange Common 2368 Celaena leucostigma Crescent Local 2369 Nonagria typhae Bulrush Wainscot Common 2379 Coenobia rufa Small Rufous Local 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines Common 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain Common 2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic Common 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic Local 2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic Common 2397 Panemeria tenebrata Small Yellow Underwing Local 2410 Protodeltote pygarga Marbled White-spot Common 2423 Nycteola revayana Oak Nycteoline Local 2425 Colocasia coryli Nut-tree Tussock Common 2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass Common 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y Migrant 2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle Common 2452 Catocala nupta Red Underwing Common 2462 Callistege mi Mother Shipton Common 2463 Euclidia glyphica Burnet Companion Common 2469 Scoliopteryx libatrix Herald Common 2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot Common 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout Common 2489 Zanclognatha tarsipennalis Fan-foot Common 2492 Herminia grisealis Small Fan-foot Common

Rachel Terry

61 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

PLANTING OF PHRAGMITES ALONG NORTH BANK

The planting of phragmites along the northern edge of the reservoir has resulted in good growth in 2008 and 2009 so that Reed Warblers have moved in and nested in 50 metres of narrow reed bed in 2010. This is in addition to the reeds in the corner where the dam meets the reservoir edge which have been established for several years. Singing males were occasionally heard in this corner in some years but no breeding was proven.

There were five visits between 16th July and 7th August in 2010 to ring either in the long run through the hawthorn/mixed scrub on the north bank or along the path between the reeds and the scrub.

We trapped 23 Reed Warblers in mist nets, five females, two males, three unsexed adults and thirteen juveniles.

I believe that these figures suggest that there were circa six pairs raising in the region of 20 young.

Peter Delaloye

62 Hilfield Park Reservoir Wildlife Report 2010

Elstree Aerodrome

Flying club

North Bank Hilfield Castle Viewing platform

Pond Feeding site Sewage works

Main Hilfield Park Reservoir entrance

Hilfield Lane East fountain N Vegetation cleared Tern rafts in 2011 Laboratory

South SE Bay fountain Hide

A41

M1

Dagger Lane

The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a charity dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places for everyone for the future. We have 21,000 members and are one of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK.

We safeguard and manage 43 nature reserves. Our vision is for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. Our mission is to rebuild biodiversity and engage people with their environment.

Our aim is to be the most active and influential wildlife champion in the counties.

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