YEARLISTING IN 2016

Compared to most recent years, when for example I recorded 165 species in the county in 2011, 187 in 2012 and 173 in 2013, this has been a particularly poor one with just 157 species recorded by mid December - one of my worst years on record

YEARLISTING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

It's all over - 2012 has come to an end. I managed a total of 187 out of the 198 species recorded all told in Buckinghamshire - 94% of the total - probably my highest-ever annual tally.

The current record is 191 species achieved in 2006 and held jointly by both Rob Hill and Simon Nichols



Monday 5 January 2009

5 DECEMBER 2009

I had a fine day today, visiting a few west and mid-Bucks sites.

Starting at Foxcote, where there was - as most of you now know -1redhead SMEW, plus the drake RING-NECKED DUCK, plus 1m Goosander, 16 Common Goldeneye, 523 Wigeon, and 109 Teal amongst plenty of duck, plus 1Water Rail.

Then at Calvert, there was again no sign of the female Scaup. Highlights here were single Snipe and Kingfisher, and amongst a hefty flock of loafing gulls on the sailing lake, 7 YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (5ad,1 3rd-w & 1 1st-w).

At Gallows Bridge Farm, a 110+ Chaffinch flock also held a handful of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers, and there were 28 Snipe feeding in one of the roadside fields, an encouraging winter sight. Also 1 Golden Plover and 2 Red Kite.

Finemere Wood was, as one might expect, fairly bereft of birds, the best being 1 MARSH TIT. There were also 120+ Fieldfare & c25 MeadowPipit in the approach fields (Rob Hill)