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
This is an account of the personal observations of Lee G R Evans (LGRE) in his home county of Buckinghamshire. It also hosts all sightings of interest within the county but only those considered authentic by the author. I am extremely grateful for any images of local birds as well as of any information relating to birds within the boundaries - contact me anytime on 07881 906629 or email LGREUK400@aol.com.