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



Saturday 14 April 2012

RING OUZELS galore

Friday the 13th: There are 13 RING OUZELS on the South-East slope of Ivinghoe Beacon moving regularly to Gallows Hill ( the hill towards Dunstable ). Whilst Ted and I were out there enjoying the spectacle I heard a TREE PIPIT calling ( it may have just flown in ) but then what was almost certainly the bird was on the ground on top of an anthill. It flew into bushes on the South-East slope and presumably remained there but we were then back with the Rouzels, 10+ Wheatear too including a stunning male Greenlander.

Dave Bilcock had earlier glimpsed a Redstart on the bank below the main car park on Steps Hill. Steve Rodwell subsequently located it, a male COMMON REDSTART. Whilst a few of us were enjoying this stunner a second bird popped up in the same place, another male Common Redstart. There may even have been a third !These are within 100metres of the car park, just down the bank if heading for the Beacon ( not the main path to the Beacon ).

To add to the spectacle a flock of c120 Golden Plover ( some in SP ) were flying around the valley (Mike + Ted Wallen)