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



Tuesday 5 May 2015

CURLEW SANDPIPER present for a second day

Despite near gale force SW winds, I managed to find enough shelter at MANOR FARM today (Tuesday 5 May) to relocate the summer-plumaged CURLEW SANDPIPER found late yesterday evening; it was showing very well at the west end of the complex (see pix below).....










In all, 9 species of wader were noted, with 3 migrant Dunlin, a GREENSHANK, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Ringed Plover, 6 Little Ringed Plover and breeding Common Redshank, Lapwing and Oystercatcher; 25
Common Swift were also noted




Monday 4 May 2015

WHINCHATS at Rowsham


Rowsham has seen perhaps an unprecedented arrival of WHINCHATS this spring, perhaps involving 10 birds or more. Mike Wallen, living in the hamlet, finds all of the birds and places them in the public domain. I thought by doing this he was actually keen for others to see them but on reading his comments on the BBC website, clearly he isn't and treats the site as his own massive nature reserve. As the only other birder interested in seeing them, I visited the site and after talking to two local landowners/farmworkers, they directed me to the area in which the birds were being reported (where fortunately I located them). I also met Mike's next door neighbour on site walking his dog, who additionally informed me of some nice unspoilt birding areas within the site. Mike makes claims of 'trespassing' but as policing is his game, he ought to know that there is no law of trespass in the UK unless you have wilful intent and have an interest in property or damaging in some way the location. As the area under scrutiny is criss-crossed by clearly marked tracks and doesn't impose on any crops or game-strips, this clearly isn't an issue in this instance. The majority of sites I birdwatch in Britain could be construed as being private. Had it of been any other birder, the issue wouldn't of been raised or mentioned - the county is just full of very bitter-minded individuals; such a shame.