10 February - Decided to finish my working week at Walton Lake today - not a bad decision as it turns out. A BITTERN was seen from observation platform. Flew in from back of reedbed and dropped into reeds behind me at about 16:20. Very clear view but it did not reappear. In previous years a bittern has tended to roost in the tallest reeds to the right of the platform. (Care - the platform was very icey today).
As if that wasn't good enough I also saw WATER RAIL and PINK FOOTED GOOSE. Two water rails showing very well on the ice. There is a 'mink raft' placed halfway up one of the channels in the reed bed and the two rails were very active around this. They appeared to be pecking at something on the raft but what they can have been eating I've no idea.Arriving back at the car park, I scanned the adjacent grazing area which held a very large flock of Canada and grey-lag geese. The Pink Foot was in amongst a sub group of Greylags which eventually joined the main flock.I've had worse days at Walton Lake! (Martin Kincaid)
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.