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



Tuesday 26 February 2013

Back to Dipping

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY


After enjoying glorious weather in Northern Scotland for the best part of a week, it was disappointing to come home to such dreary, grey weather down south. It was very, very cold still too (just 2.5 degrees C) with light drizzle.

I resorted to some Target Birding today, concentrating on Common Stonechat and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but failed on both counts.......

At STOKE COMMON (BUCKS), yet another visit failed to locate the wintering male Common Stonechat that Peter Stevens has seen several times - just 8 Carrion Crows, 2 Red Kites and 2 Green Woodpeckers - this bird must be incredibly elusive.

Not far away, at CHURCH WOOD RSPB, HEDGERLEY (BUCKS), yet another blank return on Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - no sight nor sound. Mammals included Grey Squirrel and a single Roe Deer, whilst birds recorded included 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, 2 Wrens, Dunnock, 7 Song Thrushes (including 2 singing males), Coal Tit, 6 Common Blackbirds, 6 Common Treecreepers, 1 LESSER REDPOLL, Common Buzzard, Jay, 14 Great Tits, 11 Blue Tits and Chaffinch. Most noteworthy was a single MARSH TIT in the Glebe Field behind the pub - my first record at the site.

Disappointed with how my local birding was going, I abandoned it and headed for HAMPSHIRE...