White Stork at Essendon, Hertfordshire 5th March 2024

The day started with a local walk with the RSPB SE Herts Group around Lemsford Springs and the grounds of Brocket Hall. The usual suspects were there including Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, Green Sandpipers and Siskin. The highlight however was this pair of Mandarin Ducks.

A White Stork had been reported on floodwater near Essendon since Saturday so after the walk we made a short detour to track it down. It is a male bird born in 2022 as part of the Knepp rewilding project. Ringed as GB9U. It had flown from its favoured spot but we tracked it down slightly further west.

And a few flight shots.

A nice end to the day.