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



Sunday 1 February 2009

CURLEWS AGAIN

I arrived at Spade Oak GP at about 4pm in the hope that the three Curlews might still be around. A scan around the spit showed plenty of birds but no Curlew. Ducks included four COMMON SHELDUCKS, about 15 Shoveler, lots of Wigeon, Tufted Duck, and smaller numbers of Gadwall and Pochard. Surprisingly NO Teal. The only goose was one Greylag!. Several thousand gulls gradually built up and included one YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, and about 10 Greater Black-backed Gulls.

Just as I was about to leave a last scan of the sand spit turned up the three EURASIAN CURLEWS! I am fairly sure they had not been there many minutes and they certainly did not call when they came in. They appear to have been roosting here since 21st January. A remarkably long stay for a species that does not normally hang around at this site. They must presumably be feeding in the Thames Valley or maybe on the local fields (Emmett's Farm) during the day and moving onto the large sand spit to roost. It will be interesting to see just how they continue this for, although the snow forecast tonight may push many birds out (Jim Rose)