Female SMOOTH NEWT (COMMON NEWT) (Lissotriton vulgaris) at Piccotts End Pools, 18/09/13 Dan at Hemel Nature 2013-09-18 | This large Female COMMON NEWT (SMOOTH NEWT) (Lissotriton vulgaris; formerly Triturus vulgaris) was on the footpath heading towards Piccotts End Pools from the S this morning. As it was directly in the 'tread zone' I decided to move it to a safer spot beside the footpath.
Male GOLDEN PHEASANT (Chrysolophus pictus) in front garden at Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead Dan at Hemel Nature 2014-03-11 | Male GOLDEN PHEASANT (Chrysolophus pictus) in front garden at Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead on 30/01/14. Filmed by resident Gwyneth Sharp.Details here: http://hemelbirding.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/male-golden-pheasant-photographed.htmlVideo © Gweneth Sharp
Juvenile Sinensis CORMORANT with large Pike lure attached to bill, at Piccotts End Pools, 29/10/13 Dan at Hemel Nature 2013-10-31 | On the HEMEL BIRDING Blog: http://hemelbirding.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/2-little-egrets-kingfisher-5-cormorants.htmlHere is some footage I digi-vid-scoped of the Juvenile 'Sinensis' (Continental) CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) with the large Pike lure attached to its bill at Piccotts End Pools, Hemel Hempstead, Herts - 29/10/13. Fellow fishermen should act more responsibly with their tackle. How long before this poor bird dies of starvation?
SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) Eating Collared Dove Alive aft Hunting & Catching it [Galaxy S3 Video] Dan at Hemel Nature 2013-03-21 | [WARNING!: Some people may find this distressing to watch.][Filmed on Samsung Galaxy S3 Mobile Phone with digital zoom so apologies for the low quality.]A Eurasian (Northern) Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) plucking & feeding on its Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) prey that's still alive, moments after hunting & catching it only a few metres from me on the Nickey Line near Queensway in Highfield, Hemel Hempstead. At times the Collared Dove tried to fly free even after being eaten for at least 5 minutes! These clips are just snippets of about 10 amazing minutes watching this stunning bird, at times within 2 metres from me, seemingly completely unfazed by my presence, until I decided to let the Sparrowhawk continue in peace.More details here... http://hemelbirding.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sparrowhawk-eating-collared-dove-alive.html
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Reeling - Potten End Hill, Hemel Hempstead - 14/04/2004 Dan at Hemel Nature 2012-09-12 | An old video I found on my PC of a GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Locustella naevia) reeling on Potten End Hill, Hemel Hempstead on 14/04/2004 at 6.35am. It is quite an early date for a returning Grasshopper Warbler & an even more unusual locality to find one. Would have ridden right past & missed it if it wasn't singing its reeling song.
Peggy the MOORHEN conducts cycle safety check Dan at Hemel Nature 2012-01-09 | 'Peggy' the Female MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) with her injured left leg & limp conducts a cycle safety check on my bike. Turns out I had 4 loose chainring bolts! - Water Gardens, Town Center.Read about Peggy's recovery here: http://hemelbirding.blogspot.com/2012/01/peggy-moorhen-recovers-becomes-cycle.html
