TUESDAY 20 MARCH (LGRE DIARY NOTES)
Today was glorious through and through. After a very light frost overnight, the day dawned clear and bright and stayed very much like that for the rest of the day. There was a light westerly wind blowing and temperatures climbed to a very pleasant 12 degrees C.
I had reserved today for crest surveying and teamed up with Dave Cleal at Cliveden mid-morning. Despite much Cherry Laurel clearing being undertaken, we had a very successful first days outing, recording no less than 11 singing male FIRECRESTS and 13 Goldcrests........
THE CLIVEDEN ESTATE (SOUTH BUCKS)
Both Dave and I have been surveying the Cliveden Estate for some years now and with the Spring Solstice now upon us, I felt it time that we had a concerted effort to record numbers
Walking from south to north, we surveyed all suitable woodland, recording no less than 13 FIRECRESTS, of which 11 were singing males. Literally within minutes of us starting by the composting area, we had seen birds, with a pair affording outstanding views, the female observed extracting seeds from a small cone. This area held five birds, all in Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziessi, Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica and Holly.
A further 4 birds (3 males) were located in Norway Spruce Picea abies trees along the Woodland Workout Trim Trial Area adjacent to the Green Drive, then 3 singing males in the tall firs by Cliveden House itself and a further very confiding singing male in the Water Gardens
At the same time, exactly the same number of GOLDCRESTS were sighted (13), with 6 in the vicinity of Green Drive and 6 more within fairly close proximity of Cliveden House
The woodland/parkland habitat was particularly attractive to bird species with 16 Nuthatches recorded, 11 Common Treecreepers, 4 Jays, Song Thrush, 5 Coal Tits, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, a calling Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 3 SISKINS, a male Greenfinch, 6 pairs of Mistle Thrush and 8 Stock Doves. Three different singing male BLACKCAPS were also encountered but not a single Common Chiffchaff.
As we were just about to leave, a Red Kite flew overhead carrying a Grass Snake in its talons !
Next off we checked a couple of nearby woodland tracts - HEDSOR PARK and WOOLMAN'S WOOD in HEDSOR. The first was very unsuitable with extensive Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron growth - 4 migrant MEADOW PIPITS overhead being all that was noted.
At WOOLMAN'S WOOD (SU 915 865), where Dave and I had found Firecrest last autumn, none were located - just 2 singing male Goldcrests.
In trees almost opposite Hedsor Farmhouse, a male BRAMBLING was nasally 'sneezing', with at least two more in Larches within the wood. Other finches included 14 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, 10+ SISKINS and 3+ LESSER REDPOLLS, whilst 2 Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Wren and Coal Tit were all recorded. A single COMMON CROSSBILL was heard but not seen.
Just yards into South Bucks west of the river Colne at TQ 044 883 (Denham), the roadside ROOKERY there held 14 active nests.
WOODOAKS FARM, MAPLE CROSS (TQ 033 933) (HERTS)
My only incursion into Hertfordshire today was a brief visit to Woodoaks Farm, where superb views were obtained of a beautiful adult male BLACK REDSTART around the barns and farm machinery at the north end of the complex - my third in the county in two days.
SPRINGFIELD SAND QUARRY, BEACONSFIELD (SOUTH BUCKS)
Just 1 SAND MARTIN was back at what is the best site for this species in the county, along with 11 migrant FIELDFARES that flew Northeast
MARLOW LOW GROUNDS (SOUTH BUCKS)
Despite watching from 1800 to 1855 hours, there was no sign of the resident Barn Owl - just 1 hooting Tawny Owl and 4 Egyptian Geese
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.