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



Wednesday 6 April 2011

Ivinghoe Hills this morning

I started at the Beacon with Rob Andrews, spent the next 90 minutes in the sheep field/ slope, Rob had to go to work but even by the time Rob went there were 8 Wheatears. No sign of the long staying male Rouzel ( presumably left Monday night ) .By the time I left this area the minimum count of Wheatears was 16. A ( new ) male RING OUZEL then appeared from the East and alighted at the top of the slope ( just enough time to get another birder on it ) before jumping the fence into the scrub above the footpath. It didn't last long there due to two dog walkers, it then flew and was settled on the North side of the Beacon in an area they have favoured in many Springs, near to the footpath that runs down that slope.


I then bashed around Steps Hill where Willow Warblers were very much in evidence, and then located a male COMMON REDSTART in Income Hole. This bird was so skulky that in over an hour with it, I saw it five times, and not at all for the middle half hour. I managed a millisecond of it in the bins all four other views were naked eyes only as it shot out to grab food before retreating into bushes.

Whilst sitting for this a EURASIAN CURLEW flew along the West side of Steps, calling ocasionally.

A Good Morning in beautiful sunshine.

Mike Wallen