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 24 December 2010

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)