Andrew Verrall, a stalwart of the Welsh Harp Conservation Group and an experienced and enthusiastic birder, has died after a long illness. Andrew began birding at Brent Reservoir in the 1960s and had been a member of the WHCG committee since the group was founded in 1972. Andrew was always wonderful company in the Brent … More Death of much-loved WHCG stalwart
The water level in Brent Reservoir is to be lowered by one metre early in 2021 to allow a thorough flood risk assessment. Among other things, the project will involve divers operating from a pontoon on the reservoir. The Canal & River Trust, which owns the reservoir, says that the scheme will begin on … More Reservoir to be partially drained for safety check
The star bird on our 2020 Autumn Bird Count Day was a Pied Flycatcher, but unfortunately it was seen only briefly by just one birder. Other birders hoping to catch up with it did at least have good views of up to three Spotted Flycatcher. A Hobby, five Common Buzzard, three Lapwing, two Common Snipe, … More Pied Flycatcher stars on our Autumn Bird Count day
A blog posting on April 3rd discouraged people from visiting the Welsh Harp during the emergency lockdown imposed by the government in its fight against Covid-19. The controls included a ban on unnecessary travel, so that only those who lived within walking distance could lawfully visit the Welsh Harp — and then only as part … More Come back to the Welsh Harp (but be sensible)
The Welsh Harp Conservation Group’s latest annual report, compiled by Andrew Self, was published on 2nd April 2020. It gives details of the group’s activities and the wildlife recorded at the Welsh Harp during the calendar year 2019. The report can be downloaded in PDF format from the Publications page of this website, as can … More Welsh Harp Report for 2019 now available
Spring is normally a great time for birders because of the opportunity to clock the arrival of summer visitors and spot rare passage migrants as they stop off to refuel. But this spring the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected opportunities for birding, at first through voluntary measures to reduce the risk of spreading infection and … More Welsh Harp birding during the Covid-19 lockdown
Each year, on a chosen Saturday late in April or early in May, Brent Birders see how many species of birds they can find at the Welsh Harp. Usually the day’s total lies somewhere between 68 and 75, although 2011 produced an exceptional record of 81 species. This year, the Spring Bird Count took place … More Spring Bird Count produces record low total
The Welsh Harp Conservation Group’s latest annual report was published at the end of March. It gives details of the group’s activities and the wildlife recorded at Brent Reservoir during the calendar year 2018. The report can be downloaded in PDF format from the Publications page of this website, as can past annual reports from … More Welsh Harp Report for 2018 now available
A recent posting on this blog drew attention to the first ever Cattle Egret seen at Brent Reservoir. But remarkably, just three months later, there was another sighting of this rare species. On the morning of Sunday 23 December 2018 two birders were in the Main Hide and at first saw little of interest other … More A second Cattle Egret at the Welsh Harp
NOTE: This report from early in 2018 appears here out of chronological order because it was moved to this blog in December 2018 from a different page. Some of the 53 Black-tailed Godwit seen early on the spring bird count 28 APRIL 2018 — Perhaps because of the cold, wet weather, the Spring Bird … More 2018 Spring Bird Count produces record godwit flock
