Birds of a Feather Flock to Luton Hoo

A pair of young red kites, more than ten families of coots and two swans with a family of five cygnets were among the birds spotted during the latest bird walk at Luton Hoo.

Estate Manager Richard Biffen and Head Cellarman Andrew Garrett, both keen birdwatchers, go on monthly bird walks to log the number and variety of birds attracted to the 1,065-acre estate’s two lakes, woodland, parkland and open grassland. To date more than 70 species have been sighted. They also now have assistance from Pete Marshall form the Beds Bird Club, who can help identify the more unusual visitors to Luton Hoo.

Andy said: “In the summer the lakes are a hive of activity with many young birds still following closely behind their parents. We saw a large number of young coots, as many as 10 to 15 families, and there were also good numbers of great crested grebes and one family of mute swans, with five cygnets following closely behind. The grey herons are still in abundance and you can see as many as 18 on a good day. Sometimes a large group of them can be seen sunning themselves in one of the fields beside the lake, and if you are really lucky you may even see one of the little egrets, which can sometimes be seen by Warren Weir and more recently venturing up to the south lake.

“As we crossed the fields and headed to the woodland a fantastic pair of young red kites soared effortlessly above us, with the distinctive white stripe on their wings indicating their immaturity. This is something that has not been seen at Luton Hoo before and is a real plus.”

As the late summer approaches Richard and Andrew will be looking out for birds making a flying visit to the estate.

“August is a good time to look for the more unusual birds passing through,” said Andy. “Waders such as the common sandpiper may be seen around the edge of the lakes and weir. The numbers of gulls will also start to increase as they return from their coastal breeding sites and drop in to Luton Hoo.”

Richard and Andrew have created information boards listing some of the birds seen to date, to help guests identify different birds on the estate and see if they can spot others to add to the list. Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa lies within a designated Area of Great Landscape Value and several of the wooded areas are County Wildlife Sites.

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