SUNDAY 3 JANUARY
Yet another heavy frost overnight, taking some time to clear from the roads, followed by another glorious clear, crisp, sunny day.
AYLESBURY (BUCKS)(1100 hours)
An adult male PEREGRINE was sat in the sun on the flat roof on the SW side of the County Hall buildings glancing around, my first of the new year (species 83). Both birds have been present for several weeks now and vary their roosting positions depending on the wind direction. The site is at SP 819 135 but parking is restrictive.
BLACKTHORN MEADOWS (OXFORDSHIRE)
(midday, with Tim Watts, Ewan Urquhart and others)
Situated just 200 yards across the county border into Oxfordshire, the remaining (frozen) floodmeadows of the River Ray south of the A41 between the railway and the minor road to Piddington (at SP 633 197) were still harbouring the two separate pairs of wild swan - 2 WHOOPER and 2 BEWICK'S - all four birds feeding on the grass and drinking the melting iced water. All four birds were adult and unringed - Tim Watts obtaining these excellent images of the Whoopers as they fed just 75 yards in from the minor road.
The same fields also held 2 adult RUFF and 65 Lapwing, whilst roosting gulls included 2 Herring, 95 Lesser Black-backed and 3 Great Black-backed. A small party of Redwing and Fieldfare were also apparent, as well as Pied Wagtail and Long-tailed Tit (Lee Evans)
