Off to a flying start!

January 2026 is nearly over and, just like last year, I've already got to 99 species within 5 miles of home!  Once again, this begs the question might I get to 100 again in January?  I did last year but things have stalled this week so it may be touch and go!

January 1st kicked off well with two, presumed, returning birds staying into the New Year at Verulamium Park.  Firstly, the second-winter Mediterranean Gull gave itself up relatively easily in the morning while the Yellow-browed Warbler made me work a bit harder.  However, a second visit in the afternoon gave me exceptional views.

The Yellow-browed Warbler at Verulamium Park, St Albans on 1st Jan

Also kindly hanging around in the New Year was the male Garganey at Coursers GPs, now resplendent in summer plumage.  I needn't have worried with this one though as the bird has been seen since on the main pit at Tyttenhanger, cavorting with the male Teals.

The male Garganey squaring up to male Teal at Tyttenhanger GPs on 24th Jan

Other New Year's Day highlights included the over-wintering Jack Snipe at Stanborough GPs along with the Barn Owl pair cosied up in their box.  Tyttenhanger GPs also produced a single Brambling with the large Chaffinch flock and the regular female Stonechat.  I finished the day on 72 species and then headed down to Cornwall for a week.

Notable by their absence were the White-fronted Geese, the Cattle Egret and the Great Black-backed Gull present locally over the Christmas period.  Would I be able to find them in 2026?  I returned from Cornwall to news on 10th Jan of 9 Common Cranes over the Bedmond area.  Just within my 5 mile area these would have been a good addition for the year had they not headed off SW immediately.  Just 10 days into the New Year and I'd already missed something!

Over the next few days however, I managed to add 2 or 3 new birds for the year each day.  The 10th saw a nice adult Yellow-legged Gull (#74) at Stanborough GPs and later the regular Little Owl (#75) in its hole at Willows Farm.  I found the Firecrests (#81) in Garden Wood the next day and Crossbills (#85) in Symondshyde Woods the day after that.

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Firecrest & Crossbill

The New Year always has its surprises and this one came on 14th Jan with a female Goosander on Tyttenhanger main pit.  A bird I don't always connect with locally so great to get it on the list!

A distant 'record shot' of the female Goosander

Jan 16th brought more good news with the re-finding of the French-ringed Great Black-backed Gull in the sheep field at Stanborough GPs.  A bird I thought I might have to wait until December to see again!  Indeed gulls seemed to be a theme with a nice first-winter Yellow-legged Gull present at the same sight that day and then a very smart adult Caspian Gull (#95) the following day at Tyttenhanger GPs.  Not an easy bird to come by and it got me wondering if this could be the 3rd year bird that lingered last year, now in its 4th year.  My only hesitation is whether any sub-adult traits would still be present as this bird was a stunning full adult.

The Great Black-backed Gull, 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull & adult Caspian Gull

In amongst these larid ticks a few others were welcome additions, such as the Blackcaps in my garden - hard to come by sometimes in January - and the Woodcock in its habitual place at Highfield Farm.  A visit to the Watercress LNR in St Albans got me a smart male Bullfinch while Coopers Green GPs delivered me at least 16 Mandarins (#97).

A walk around Redbournbury with John on 22nd Jan brought a surprise encounter with a female Marsh Harrier.  I say surprise partly because I had listed it as a wish for the walk but also as it is the first I've seen locally for a little while.  Having had many sightings earlier last year they seemed to peter out as the year went on.  Almost as soon as I had ticked the harrier off news came in of a single Golden Plover at Stanborough GPs.  A scarce bird so far this winter I had to make the dash across St Albans where it was waiting patiently in amongst 220 Lapwings.  Number 99 was in the bag but will I get one more this month...?

Marsh Harrier & Golden Plover on 22nd Jan