Large WAXWING flock still present in Milton Keynes

Made a quick detour on my way to MK shopping centre with wife and daughter - there were 152+ waxwings roosting in the large tree at intersection of Illingworth Place and Century Avenue at 15:30-1545 this afternoon, making a fantastic noise!

I'm not sure what they have been feeding on, but as we drove through the estate towards the shopping centre, there still appeared to be many berry laden bushes (Bill Parker)

Flyover COMMON CRANE

A first-winter COMMON CRANE present recently in Oxfordshire flew over Bishopstone and Stoke Mandeville today (Clive Woodward) and was then seen circling Wilstone Reservoir a couple of circuits before heading off towards Mentmore.

Penn Wood produces the goods as WAXWINGS regroup in Chesham

THURSDAY 30 DECEMBER

The dense fog lingered throughout the morning but then cleared somewhat throughout the afternoon. Temperatures remained relatively mild (9 degrees C) and it was generally dry apart from a little drizzle.

I had an extremely enjoyable day, recording my largest local flock of BEWICK'S SWANS in many years, keeping tabs on the local WAXWINGS and having an exceptionally productive visit to Penn Wood........

HARMONDSWORTH (MIDDLESEX)

Not being able to respond immediately to Dave Morris's call late yesterday afternoon, I drove out today as the thick fog started to clear to Harmondsworth Lane, where fortunately the herd of 18 BEWICK'S SWANS were still present in the field to the south of the road at SU 063 774. The flock contained three juveniles and were almost certainly the flock recorded at Bough Beech Reservoir in Kent on Tuesday.

They had presumably become disoriented by the dense fog and had been attracted down by the 75 Atlantic Canada Geese already in the field. There were also 90 European Golden Plovers in the field, as well as 18 Fieldfares and at least 160 Eurasian Skylarks.

AMERSHAM AND CHESHAM TOWN CENTRES (BUCKS)

The local BOHEMIAN WAXWING feeding flock regrouped today with the greater chunk (115 birds) spending virtually all day commuting between the tall tree by Chesham Town Hall (in the main car park) and the four Rowan trees in the main town centre (along by the taxi rank). A much tinier breakaway group of 16 birds remained on the Pink Rowans in Stanley Hill Avenue (LGRE, Chris Pontin, Chris Hazell, et al). Further flocks in the general area included up to 84 in Morrison's Car Park in High Wycombe and 40 in Berkhamsted.

PENN WOOD SSSI RESERVE (BUCKS) (SU 915 960)

Following up on a report of a HAWFINCH on my pager, I was astounded to track down not 1 but 3 of these delightful birds in Penn Wood this afternoon - quite possibly at a site where they have been present for some time. They were feeding on the ground and perching in the tall trees surrounding Keepers Cottage at SU 908 957 and were typically vocal and fairly easy to locate. They were commuting between here and a number of scattered tall trees in the horse paddocks on the opposite side of the lane just east of Gravelly Way Stables.

Just as impressive were the large number of REDPOLLS in Penn Wood - difficult to accurately count but certainly in the region of over 240 birds. In amongst a flock of 75 LESSER REDPOLLS at the far east end by the church were at least 5 well-marked and frosty MEALY REDPOLLS, whilst several more were seen amongst a huge gathering of at least 170 birds along the main Rhododendron drive, 200 yards SW of The Penna.

Both species were new to the Amersham Recording District tally for 2010 and have clearly been present in Penn Wood for some period of time. I haven't personally checked the site since June.

Another species in numbers was WOODCOCK - I flushed five in all, including a roost of 3 in bracken not far from one of the main rides. Also, confirming the trend that FIRECRESTS are now resident in our woodlands, two were seen within yards of a summer breeding territory.

Also recorded during the two hours or so that I spent in the wood were the following -:

Red Kites (2 overhead)
Woodpigeon (22 feeding on Beechmast)
Meadow Pipit (1 flew over)
Eurasian Skylark (2 flew over)
Robin (2) (but no Wrens)
Common Blackbird (1) (but no Redwing roost)
GOLDCRESTS (excellent counts - at least 15 present in the Rhododendron thickets)
Blue, Coal (5), Great and Long-tailed Tits (17)
Common Treecreeper (5)
Nuthatch (2)
BULLFINCH (3)
Greenfinch (62 at roost)
Chaffinch (very small numbers)
BRAMBLING (just 2 noted)
Jay (3) and Carrion Crow

Footnote: Hawfinch were once a regular winter visitor to the woodlands in the Recording Area, particularly in Little Chalfont and in Seer Green. With so many isolated pockets of woodland in the area, it is heartening to think that a small but stable population of this nomadic species is still surviving. I shall make further efforts to try and locate them next spring.

Bletchley WAXWINGS

There are currently (at 1400 hours) 72 WAXWINGS in the tall trees along Bletcham Way, just west of Bond Avenue. They are best viewed from Holdom Avenue as you can walk between the industrial units to get a closer look. They do seem very mobile so I am presuming they must be the ones being seen in Oldbrook and they're commuting between sites (Dave James).

Thick fog hampers viewing

At the Jubilee River at Taplow (Amerden Lane/Marsh Lane) (South Bucks), the flock of EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE has risen to 20 birds........The two adult drake SMEW are also still present there

In Amersham, the 45 WAXWINGS remain

The thaw sets in - WHITE-FRONT flock present for third day

TUESDAY 28 DECEMBER

The big thaw arrived overnight. A band of heavy rain moved in from the west late yesterday evening, washing away much of the lying snow. As the front encroached ever eastwards, temperatures reached a balmy 8 degrees C - the warmest in over two weeks. As a consequence, dense fog replaced the rain and drizzle.

AMERSHAM AREA

The WAXWING flock diminished in numbers with the weather change, with just 45 being seen today - mainly in the tall trees by Amersham railway station. Elsewhere, up to 140 were in High Wycombe and Hazlemere - perhaps part of the Amersham flock.

THE JUBILEE RIVER NATURE RESERVE

I walked the section from Amerden Lane to Dorney Reach, where the highlight was the continuing flock of 15 EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and the two EURASIAN BITTERNS.....

Otherwise the Thames section held 7 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes, Grey Heron, 14 Mute Swans, 9 Egyptian Geese, 117 Greylag Geese, 128 Atlantic Canada Geese, 43 Mallard, 36 Eurasian Wigeon, 27 Gadwall, 228 Tufted Duck, 37 Northern Pochard, 1 drake Common Goldeneye and a WATER RAIL.

The hedgerows and surrounding farmland held 28+ Fieldfares, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 9 Common Magpies, Jay and 2 Reed Buntings.

Lee G R Evans

The thaw sets in - WHITE-FRONT flock present for third day

TUESDAY 28 DECEMBER

The big thaw arrived overnight. A band of heavy rain moved in from the west late yesterday evening, washing away much of the lying snow. As the front encroached ever eastwards, temperatures reached a balmy 8 degrees C - the warmest in over two weeks. As a consequence, dense fog replaced the rain and drizzle.

AMERSHAM AREA

The WAXWING flock diminished in numbers with the weather change, with just 45 being seen today - mainly in the tall trees by Amersham railway station. Elsewhere, up to 140 were in High Wycombe and Hazlemere - perhaps part of the Amersham flock.

THE JUBILEE RIVER NATURE RESERVE

I walked the section from Amerden Lane to Dorney Reach, where the highlight was the continuing flock of 15 EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and the two EURASIAN BITTERNS.....

Otherwise the Thames section held 7 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes, Grey Heron, 14 Mute Swans, 9 Egyptian Geese, 117 Greylag Geese, 128 Atlantic Canada Geese, 43 Mallard, 36 Eurasian Wigeon, 27 Gadwall, 228 Tufted Duck, 37 Northern Pochard, 1 drake Common Goldeneye and a WATER RAIL.

The hedgerows and surrounding farmland held 28+ Fieldfares, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 9 Common Magpies, Jay and 2 Reed Buntings.

Lee G R Evans

WAXWINGS galore

CHRISTMAS EVE 2010

The lying snow in the Chiltern district is now a week old and apart from the main roads, little has thawed in the interim seven days. The easterly wind dropped today though but it still remained cold and grey.

WAXWINGS continue to be the main theme ornithologically wise, with our region now almost on the northerly limit of the influx.

After 200 birds were reported from Western Road, Tring, earlier in the day, Ian Williams, Dave Bilcock and myself tried to relocate them this afternoon but failed to find the big flock - but 24 were eventually tracked down, with 3 by the Cemetery and a further 21 in Christchurch Road.

Meanwhile, over in neighbouring Wendover town, a flock of 38 were affording crippling views, commuting between the tall Birch in 62A Lionel Way and the remaining Pink Rowan berries in the front garden of number 62 (Lionel Way is a turning off the main Aylesbury road about 600 yards from the roundabout).

At very long last (and after dipping on the previous flock in the village), the berry-laden shrub in Old Amersham Tesco's supermarket car park has finally yielded the expected flock of WAXWINGS - an exceptional 168 commuting between the perimeter trees and the Fieldfare and Common Blackbird full shrub despite the presence of even larger numbers of last-minute Christmas shoppers. They remained present until at least 1520 hours, indicating that they will roost in the vicinity.

The supply of berry-laden bushes is now very quickly being depleted (LGR Evans)

More Waxwings on Oldbrook this lunchtime - about 25 seen perched in trees along Underwood Place as I was driving past, then half hour later, as I was driving back, 100+ flew over north. They are probably still on the estate somewhere.

Earlier, the adult Whooper Swan was still at Gayhurst Quarry, and at the Little Linford Wood maize strip, still 68 Tree Sparrow and about 50 Reed Buntings.

A Little Egret was on the ice at Tongwell, but ducks numbers at Willen are well down on last week, with 8 Goosanders being the pick of them.

Merry Christmas to all (Rob Hill)

North Bucks today

Great Linford - Marsh Road - at the junction with Lufford Park 1 MEALY REDPOLL with 10 Lesser Redpoll in a Silver Birch. Also 25ish WAXWINGS flew over mid morning.

Tongwell Lake - 2 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS stood on the frozen ice about 10 feet from the shoreline at 11:45 then flew off low towards Blakelands.

Giffard Park - Hinault Avenue - another 50 Lesser Redpoll.

WAXWINGS

11 Waxwing flew south over Oldbrook this lunchtime - about 12.55pm - heading towards MK College. There's a large collection of berry bushes on the estate opposite the Christian centre, which often attracts plenty of Redwing & Fieldfare, so it's possible the Waxwings will be equally attracted. (Rob Hill)

WAXWINGS in Milton Keynes

There was a flock of 17 WAXWINGS resting in a tree, and making their ringing call, next to the Shenley roundabout, junction of H6 and V3, at 14:10 today. I watched them for about 5 minutes before they flew off south. There were no berries on the tree - Tony Garner

Walton Balancing Lakes

A female BEARDED TIT this lunchtime, feeding on its own for 4 or 5 minutes next to the screen, then flew across the pond, calling...and not followed by any others. Do they split up during the day?........Also certainly 5 Water Railscalling simultaneously - Andy Harding

SHORT-EARED OWL at Linford

Paul Moon discovered a SHORT EARED OWL today, quartering the usual fields at Linford NR

WAXWING in Walter's Ash

A single WAXWING seen yesterday in trees behind Allen Drive, Walter's Ash at midday. Only there briefly then flew off W giving its wonderful trilling call. Same or another bird seen about an hour later flying over garden in same direction. Perhaps a fragment of the flock seen in Lacey Green yesterday? Bird was on top of a large oak, at first glance assumed it was a starling, but suspicion was raised by its erect stance so ran for bins and scored second waxwing tick from garden. Worth keeping an eye out! - Neil Fletcher

SCAUP on Willen lake

At Willen Lake late afternoon, a female GREATER SCAUP in front of the Wayfarer. Looked like the Caldecotte bird.

Also 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, 16 Goosander, and c150 Greenfinch in a roost by the industrial buildings on the east shore (Rob Hill)

Caldecotte Lake SCAUP still present

The female GREATER SCAUP remains on the north lake by the pub this morning, but couldn't be found later; 6 Goosander also on the north lake and a pair of Common Goldeneye, on the south lake - and a Kingfisher hunting under the road bridge. Much of the south lake is still frozen, to the dismay of the boating fraternity (per Keith at NBBR)

Three BITTERNS at Calvert and male MERLIN at Gallows Bridge

Calvert BBOWT LAKE; Tonight 5 of us located a definite 3 BITTERNS in roost spots - 1 in far end reedbed opposite 2nd hide, 2nd in right hand inside bed and a 3rd in left hand inside bed. The 3rd one climbed reeds at late time of 4:20 but gave by far the best views, sitting right on top of reeds. During the week regulars report daylight flight views to various reedbeds over whole lake and croaking calls heard, all big pointers to there being multiple birds on site.

GALLOWS BRIDGE FARM, earlier; male MERLIN on cut hedge then overflew car park, then after finches on adjacent fields, used undulating flight briefly just before tailgating a finch/ 5 Golden Plover in main meadow, 100 mts from hides (Tim Watts)

WAXWINGS in Wendover

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER - LGRE DIARY NOTES

The warmest day in over three weeks with temperatures reaching 7 degrees C. Ice on many of the gravel pits and reservoirs was beginning to melt with many wildfowl on the move between sites. There was a little bit of brightness but generally it remained grey and overcast. The winds were light.

As has been the case for several weeks now, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were the talking point and today they were just everywhere. My tally for the day was 252 birds - but there were many more, especially in Hertfordshire.

WENDOVER (BUCKS)

My first port of call was Wendover, where a highly mobile flock of 14 WAXWINGS was commuting between Lionel Avenue (just off of the main road) and the Haglis Drive cul-de-sac.

HATFIELD (HERTS)

Next off, at around midday, I relocated Anthony Dorman's flock in Hatfield, where a total of 124 WAXWINGS was flying in to five heavily laden Pink Rowans within the flat complex at the entrance to Hillfield. They were commuting between here and the tall Poplar trees on the adjacent Langmead. Not one appeared to be ringed.

LINSLADE (BEDFORDSHIRE)
(1300-1345)

I then moved north in to Bedfordshire, where I joined a large gathering enjoying the views in the supermarket car parks in the town. A total of 86 WAXWINGS was commuting between the Rowan trees by the Homebase store and the trees opposite the Waitrose store just 400 yards away. Again, no ringed individuals could be located. At times, the flock flew to within yards of observers and photographers and were constantly calling.

WOBURN TOWN CENTRE (BEDFORDSHIRE)

A quick stop in Leighton Street yielded a further 28 WAXWINGS, one of which was ringed - but only with a single metal ring.

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

I spent the last hour of daylight at Marsworth - overlooking the reedbed. A total of 88 CORN BUNTINGS eventually came in to roost (best count this winter so far) and at least 1 CETTI'S WARBLER has survived the freeze.

The wintering EURASIAN BITTERN flew from 75 yards from the causeway at 1614 hours and quickly out of view and the resident BARN OWL at 1630. At least 3 WATER RAILS were squealing (with two walking across the ice) and at dusk, a TAWNY OWL started hooting from trees at Tringford.

BEARDED TITS still there

The 4 BEARDED TITS were still at Walton BL late afternoon, showing very well in the cut reeds in front of the viewing screen (Rob Hill)

Caldecotte Lake today

A walk round the lake this morning produced a lot of ducks crammed into the unfrozen water, by the Cormorant island. Amongst them, 11 GOOSANDERS, and by the wooden footbridge at the car park in Monellan Grove, a FIRECREST in the brambles (per NBBR)

Huge TREE SPARROW flock still at Daisy Farm

The large TREE SPARROW flock was still present this morning in the game strip and hedge alongside the track near the entrance to Little Linford Wood (photographs by kind courtesy of Mike Lawrence), and making plenty of noise. There was also a large number of Reed Bunting, with several Yellowhammer and Chaffinch, and a single female Brambling. They all dived for cover at one stage when a female Sparrowhawk flew over.There was a small flock of about 20 fieldfare around the entrance to the wood (Tony Garner)

Tongwell WAXWINGS

When I first saw them, they were feeding on the white berries on a row of sorbus trees in the part of Bessemer Court nearest to John Lewis depot. Later they were resting and preening in a nearby tree. This is close to where I saw some last week, so they must be staying around here for a while. There were at least 19 birds today.

A quick look at Willen later found amongst the usual ducks, 3 male goosander and 2 goldeneye (Tony Garner)

BEWICK'S SWAN herd has been present since Thursday

These 5 BEWICK'S SWANS were in the field between LMGP and the River Thames late on Thursday afternoon(2nd December). per John Bowman

Marlow Area today

The day started well when a single WAXWING alighted at the top of a neighbour’s line of cherry trees – a favoured spot for resting birds – at 9am. Unfortunately it only stayed for a couple of minutes before flying off low north. I watched the general area for a further 30 minutes, but no further sign. Slightly unexpected due to the absence of many berry bearing trees, but very welcome. A flock of 34 Redwings landed in the same trees before flying off into nearby woodland.

A text from Alan Stevens informed me that the party of 5 wild swans was still at Cockmarsh, Berks. I was keen to see these birds again, as the previous evening, I had only seen them at distance in almost darkness at 16:15 on LMGP when the 2 adult birds gave the impression of having restricted yellow at the base of their bills. Arriving at Cockmarsh at 11am, the herd of 5 swans (2 adults and 3 juveniles) was immediately obvious two fields west of the Bourne End foot bridge. I walked across the first field for a closer look and it was apparent that they were all BEWICK'S SWANS.

A further text from Alan informed me of a flock of 10 GOOSANDERS on LMGP. I made my way there and was walking from the car park not much after midday, but unfortunately the birds had flown. I now see that I must have missed them by a whisker (Adam Bassett)

WAXWINGS today

The Tongwell (Milton Keynes) flock of WAXWINGS has increased to 14 today (per Nik Maynard) - feeding on berries at the back of Unit 26. Maryland Avenue (which is off Delaware Drive). Meanwhile, 24 were in Prestwood and a single was again at Holtspur, by the Beacon Sports Centre.

BEWICK'S SWAN herd at Little Marlow

This afternoon on Spade Oak Pit, a family party of 5 BEWICK'S SWANS visited - an adult pair and their three juveniles.

Elsewhere in the county, and apart from Waxwings, BITTERNS remained at Weston Turville (2) and Calvert Lake BBOWT and TREE SPARROWS included 130 at Dairy Farm, Little Linford and 23 at the River Ray Meadows.

Beaconsfield WAXWING flock increasing

SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER

A temporary weekend thaw in proceedings is taking place with temperatures rising to a heady 4 degrees C and melting much of the lying snow. The warmer weather did bring very misty conditions though and later light rain.

WAXWINGS continue to be the main theme, even though the first-winter SANDERLING remains at Dorney Return Lakes, with the flock at Holtspur seemingly increasing.........

This morning, Beaconsfield birders Peter Stevens and Wally Smith have counted up to 30 birds, intermingling with the Common Starlings and commuting between the five Rowan trees in Beacon Close and the Hawthorn hedgerow berries adjacent to the field of the Beacon Sports Centre in Holtspur Way. The same berries are also attracting up to 20 Redwings, a Fieldfare, a Mistle Thrush and numerous Common Blackbirds. The Waxwings though are highly mobile and very erratic in their appearances here.

For example, Chris Hazell and I and at least 20 others searched from early afternoon through to 1500 hours and there was NO SIGN of them whatsoever - not here or in neighbouring parts of Beaconsfield. The berry crop is ample though and is sufficient to keep them there for several days.

North Bucks WAXWINGS

I have just found 2 WAXWINGS at Tongwell , initially in the Tall trees by the car park , they then flew and I relocated them at the end of Yeomens Drive , at the back of the John Lewis Depot , they then flew into Blakelands. Also 3 RED CRESTED POCHARDS (1 Male) 1 Male Goosander , 46 Shoveler and 87 Tufted Duck on the 80% Frozen Lake ! - Simon Nichols

GREATER SCAUP and another SANDERLING

An adult female GREATER SCAUP was discovered at Caldecott North Lake and was showing very well there this afternoon (many observers), whilst at the opposite end of the county, a first-winter SANDERLING was on the west shore of the Return lake at Dorney Lakes, along with 3 Dunlin, a Common Redshank and 33 Dunlin (Kevin Duncan, LGRE).

Meanwhile, 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS are in Beaconsfield for their second day, and 3 more at Wycombe Marsh.

SANDERLING in North Bucks

This first-winter SANDERLING was photographed standing on the ice at Walton Balancing Lakes yesterday - a remarkable early December record