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 15 June 2012

Today's QUAIL and CORN BUNTING images (John Foster)




Smashing views of QUAIL

FRIDAY 15 JUNE


DOWN FARM CEREAL FIELDS, ALDBURY (BUCKS)

John Foster, Mike Campbell and I enjoyed great views of the calling male COMMON QUAIL at Down Farm this lunchtime, as we stood by the pigeon shooting butt at SP 955 143. John managed several good flight shots as it whizzed across the field, one of which I have published on my Tring and Bucks blogs.

It was also nice to see 6 singing male CORN BUNTINGS (see John's pix) as well as a family party of 5 COMMON RAVENS. Skylarks were abundant, with two pairs of Yellowhammer, 14 Common Swifts, 10 Linnets and a Red Admiral seen

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

My first visit in well over a month with very little going on. Highlight was a single HOBBY whilst 31 Mute Swans, 67 Greylag, 170 Coot, 29 Common Terns, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 150 Common Swifts and 45 House Martins made up the rollcall.

STOKENCHURCH AREA (BUCKS)
Spent over two hours in less than suitable weather conditions looking for the Honey Buzzard pair but saw nothing more than Common Buzzards. Seemingly the pair has moved a few miles this year. A male was displaying towards the end of May apparently according to one observer I met on site

Tuesday 12 June 2012

BLACK-NECKED GREBE relocates to Foxcote

BLACK-NECKED GREBE in summer plumage present at Foxcote Reservoir 09:30 -10:00 when I left. Out beyond the tern rafts. Presumably that from Calvert Sailing Lake
Also at Foxcote:

15 Common Terns, at least 5 nests of which 1 with 2 well grown chicks and 1 with a small chick peeking out from mum's wing. The other 3 having a parent bird sitting tight.

2 Cormorants, 4 Gt-crested Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, 5 Tufted Ducks, about 10 Coot and a fair number of Swifts and House Martins.

Ken Earnshaw

Thursday 7 June 2012

BLACK-NECKED GREBE and BLACK TERNS

Tim Watts discovered a full breeding-plumaged BLACK-NECKED GREBE on Calvert Sailing Lake this morning and it was still present this evening when I visited. Also present in near gale force winds were 3 BLACK TERNS and 45 House Martins

Sunday 3 June 2012

SANDERLINGS at College Lake

Dave Hutchinson photographed these two breeding-plumaged SANDERLING at College Lake BBOWT yesterday afternoon (02 June) but they disappeared to the east after less than an hour's stay. A party of 5 DUNLIN were also present.