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



Saturday 21 March 2009

MERLIN and MED GULL

A walk with the dog near my home at Flackwell Heath produced a local patchtick in the form of a MERLIN! It flew across some horse paddocks and was soon out of sight heading west, being pursued by several finches. Other than that very much as expected with Skylarks singing, several pairs of Lapwings displaying, as were two Buzzards, one of which is a very white individual which has been here all winter.

At Little Marlow GP this evening the star bird was an adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL in the midst of the huge flock of Common Gulls (c 4000). Less Black-headed Gulls this week (c 1000) and only small numbers of Lesser BBGulls and Herring Gulls. Only 2 Shelduck seen plus 7 Snipe, 1 Chiffchaff (singing). The Jackdaw roost is still pretty big but maybe down on previous weeks. About 40 Fieldfare flew over heading south at dusk. A count of the nests on the main island is now getting difficult due to the leaves appearing on the trees but my best estimate is c10 Herons nest and c20 Cormorant nests. (Jim Rose)