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



Friday 13 May 2011

02 MAY (a great day's birding - Simon Nichols Diary Notes)

After missing out on yesterday's wader festival , I decided to camp out in Linford from 5.45 ! I was joined by Rob and Lucy from 06.45 and Mal McGar from 7.10.

After a brief trip to Willen Road GP , where a Common Sandpiper and Little Egret were the only birds of note , I found myself looking at quite a birdless bund ! Indeed for the next 2 hours , the only wader that dropped in was an Oystercatcher at 06.32, the best of the rest were 2 Cettis Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 3 GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 8 Little Egrets (arriving from the west in 1's and 2's), drake RED CRESTED POCHARD that flew in about 07.30, 10+ Common Terns , 4 Garden Warblers, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat (Rob only ) and a Sedge Warbler. Hirundines were also on the move.

After a disappointing morning , we decided to head to Manor Farm , a Male Bullfinch greeted us at the car park and a Little Owl was calling from the pollarded willows. After scanning the first areas of open water and turning up a few LRP's , we moved through to the 2nd field along and scanned the spit - WOOD SANDPIPER ! all the previous 2 hours agony was washed away ! Cracking bird in full summer plumage. Also on the pits were a further 4 LRP's ( must be up to 6 on the site ) 1 Common Sandpiper , 5+ Lapwings and 2 Common Terns Whilst walking back we came across a fantastic singing TREE SPARROW , which is probably rarer in North Bucks then Wood Sand !

I then headed home , whilst Rob went to Willen , to find 2 smashing WHIMBRELS and the GREENSHANK from yesterday I wasted no time in heading back down !

Again a great mornings passage !

Simon Nichols