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



Thursday 5 February 2009

WEDNESDAY CURLEWS

Arrived at about 4.30pm and saw Malcolm Parish in car park, just leaving. "no curlews", he said. Got to 'bench' - set up 'scope and ... no curlews. At 5.10pm, there she was - pretty sure it was the larger female EURASIAN CURLEW. About 10 minutes later and there was the second, then third. None made any sound on arrival, and also behaviour again somewhat different to previous evenings. The first bird landed in the centre of the spit, but much further to the left than hitherto (in fact not too far out from the big left-hand side reedbed). The other two were much to the left as well, but all quite well separated. Again (as yesterday), all of the birds were moving freely and actively feeding. Then odd thing happened -one of the two smaller, darker birds flew up and aggressively dashed at other small one, which in turn took off and flew 20-30 yards away to right! Feeding then continued, with eventually all three birds being relatively close to one another. Not sure where that leaves my theory that they are a breeding female and two of her last years offspring - just a female with two attendant males, and 'the sap is rising', or perhaps just a bad tempered sibling?

Also, 7 Common Snipe and 4 COMMON SHELDUCK (John Bowman)