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



Monday, 5 August 2013

COMMON SCOTER at Startops

A first-summer COMMON SCOTER was present on Startop's End Reservoir all day Sunday (4th August), often traversing into the Bucks section........


Nice shot taken by Ian Williams

Thursday, 1 August 2013

Another returning REDSTART

Rob Norris had a male COMMON REDSTART this evening at Ravenstone Sewage Works

Monday, 29 July 2013

Willen this evening

I popped into Willen Lake North Basin on the way home tonight to see if anything had been brought down by the heavy rain. At first I thought nothing as all I could find were a Green Sandpiper and an Oystercatcher amongst the Lapwings and Common Terns. I then noticed a group of 8 small waders on the right hand side of the spit that turned out to be a group of 7 Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper.

There were only 9 Little Egret on the island but there were probably more on the other side of the lake as they tend to gather near the reedbeds on the north side.The drake Red-crested Pochard, which is is now in full eclipse, was right in front of the hide (Robert Norris)

Negative on Redstarts and Wood Sand

MONDAY 29 JULY
 
Continuing warm at around 22 degrees C but much fresher with SW winds. Some violent storms in the area, leading to localised flash flooding.
 
Had a good look around the farmland at ROWSHAM (BUCKS) but failed to locate any Common Redstarts (1-2 have been reported here lately including an adult male) - just Green Woodpecker, 3 Common Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and 28 Barn Swallows noted.
 
Similarly at GALLOWS BRIDGE BBOWT (BUCKS), could not locate the Wood Sandpiper present there over the past two days but 3 Sedge Warblers and 4 Yellow Wagtails.
 
Meanwhile, my first visit to TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTS) in over a month resulted in a family party of SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS being seen in MARSWORTH WOOD. Goldcrests have bred successfully too with a family thereabouts, whilst the reservoir itself held 11 Great Crested Grebes, 74 Mallard and a family party of 4 Coot. A lot of Western Reed Warbler activity in the reeds by the sluice.
 

On neighbouring STARTOP'S, 7 Little Egrets on the mud, with 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swans, 66 Mallard and 79 Coot on the reservoir; TRINGFORD held just 18 Lapwing and the 7 Mute Swans (adults with 5 surviving cygnets)

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

COMMON REDSTART at Rowsham

An adult male COMMON REDSTART is back in the hedgerows east of Rowsham, presumably the first of many..........

Elsewhere, Adam Bassett has been seeing two juvenile MEDITERRANEAN GULLS regularly at Spade Oak Gravel Pit (Little Marlow) and the first returning waders are appearing (eg, PIED AVOCET and Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit at College Lake BBOWT on Sunday)

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Little Marlow in the tropical weather

After work this afternoon, the shade of the trees along the west bank of the
lake was most welcome!

Lots of birds present but nothing of real note. A single Little Egret
appeared and an Oystercatcher was again present along with two Teal in
eclipse and a single Little Ringed Plover.

Most interesting sightings was of two Black-headed Gulls wearing colour
rings, both adults. A white ring with "EEM3" on left leg. The second bird
had a black ring with "R34A" on left leg and with a silver ring above the
knee on the right leg. I have submitted details to the likely ringing
projects (Netherlands and France) and await replies. I will post on the
sightings website when I find out more. With most of the gulls laying down
I wonder just how many more were there!

Jim Rose

HONEY BUZZARD over Hardmead

I know it's seems early for a migrant but I've just had an adult male EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD over the fields at Hardmead. Absolutely certain on I.D as it came across low enough to see it's yellow eye.
The spots across its belly and wings were obvious on the pale grey background. At one point one of the local Common Buzzards arrived to escort it off the premises allowing a good comparison of the 2 birds with the shorter neck and longer tail of the Honey standing out. Last seen heading East towards Stagsden. Still can't believe it.

Robert Norris