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



Friday 29 January 2010

Walton Balancing Lakes BITTERN

Since the discovery of a BITTERN at Walton Balancing Lake, I've been meaning to head down after work as it's only about 2 minutes away. However, since then I've had to work overtime for every daylight hour - it's a busy time!

Finally today I got off work at 4 and was in two minds whether to go or not. I decided I still had 45 minutes of daylight or so (Spring is finally on the way) so I headed down. I stood for about 10 minutes watching the Magpies come in to roost - about 45 or more - and small brown birds drop into the reedbed. Just then a noise made me look out over the reeds and there was the a large brown bird rather clumsily rising from the reeds. My bins on quickdraw around my neck I got a view for about 2 or 3 seconds - unmistakably a BITTERN!

So my first [brief] encounter with a bittern and what a fantastic feeling! (Mac)