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 22 March 2010

Manor Farm shaping up well for the spring season

A good, if not wet, wander around the perimeters today.

The highlight the first EUROPEAN BARN SWALLOW of the 'summer' out over the water alongside two further SAND MARTINS.

Good buildup of FIELDFARE with the odd Redwing thrown in on the slopes, numbering around 100 birds. Around this time last year the flock built up to several hundred in the bottom fields before they all but disappeared north overnight. Pied Wagtails numbers increase around the site.

Pair of Common Shelduck back briefly before heading west, whilst GOOSANDER numbers building, seven present late afternoon - a group of one drake with a harem of four feamles around the mouth of the inlet while a more monogamous pair were out on the main body of water. Also on the water two pair of Teal and single pair of Tufted Duck alongside a single Great Crested Grebe.

Wader wise just a pair of Green Sandpiper (one in the Inlet a second on Godwit Corner) and a single Lapwing were joined by a Little Egret in the shallows.

The now common Common Buzzard was as per usual sitting along the canal banking. Over on the Cosgrove side there were a couple of dozen Tufted Duck, six (three pair) of Pochard further Great Crested Grebe and a not too common here pair of Greylag Geese. On the River itself a squabbling flock of around fifty Canada Geese. (Chris Gleadell)