TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY
After enjoying glorious weather in Northern Scotland for the best part of a week, it was disappointing to come home to such dreary, grey weather down south. It was very, very cold still too (just 2.5 degrees C) with light drizzle.
I resorted to some Target Birding today, concentrating on Common Stonechat and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but failed on both counts.......
At STOKE COMMON (BUCKS), yet another visit failed to locate the wintering male Common Stonechat that Peter Stevens has seen several times - just 8 Carrion Crows, 2 Red Kites and 2 Green Woodpeckers - this bird must be incredibly elusive.
Not far away, at CHURCH WOOD RSPB, HEDGERLEY (BUCKS), yet another blank return on Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - no sight nor sound. Mammals included Grey Squirrel and a single Roe Deer, whilst birds recorded included 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, 2 Wrens, Dunnock, 7 Song Thrushes (including 2 singing males), Coal Tit, 6 Common Blackbirds, 6 Common Treecreepers, 1 LESSER REDPOLL, Common Buzzard, Jay, 14 Great Tits, 11 Blue Tits and Chaffinch. Most noteworthy was a single MARSH TIT in the Glebe Field behind the pub - my first record at the site.
Disappointed with how my local birding was going, I abandoned it and headed for HAMPSHIRE...
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.