Select year or month to view from the table below :-

Reports compiled by Rob Andrews.

Buckinghamshire Sightings – December 2002 

Highlights     -    The Black-throated Diver remained at Taplow Lake all month, as did the Whinchats nearby at the Jubilee River.  An adult Iceland Gull was found at Hedgerley Tip (25th).  A Bittern was at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (27th) and up to six Little Egrets were back on the River Chess (23rd). Two adult Whoopers Swans visited Foxcote Reservoir (1st) while three were at Calvert the following day.

Broughton Pools    -    The flooded areas attracted good numbers of wildfowl including 185 Wigeon (17th), 111 Teal (18th), 17 Gadwall (23rd), 6 Shoveler, 2 Mandarin (13th), 2 Goosander (20th) and 5 Pochard (24th).   Snipe numbers peaked at a very impressive 90 (23rd) and Jack Snipe were found on 4 dates including three (4th). A flock of 20 Golden Plover were seen (17th) along with a peak of 408 Lapwing. Water Rails showed on 3 dates, 2 Kingfishers were watched (18th) and 18 Cormorants were present (6th).  Wintering passerines included 285 Fieldfare (2nd), 260 Redwing (18th), 122 Greenfinches (13th), 60 Siskins (17th) and 60 Goldinches (20th). Up to 17 Bullfinches were regular and there were 10 Yellowhammers (14th).

Calvert Lakes     -    An adult Caspian Gull and 6 Yellow legged Gulls were discovered amongst 1000 Lesser Black backed Gulls (1st).

Foxcote Reservoir     -   A male Pintail was seen (7th) as well as 8 Goosander, 8+ Goldeneye and 3 Ruddy Ducks.

Hedgerley Tip   -    Two adult Caspian Gulls were here (25th) along with 7 Yellow-legged Gulls and an adult Mediterranean Gull.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -   A male Goshawk was watched as it plucked a Wood Pigeon on the sand spit for half an hour (21st). Wildfowl numbers included 240+ Teal, 185 Pochard, 158 Tufted Ducks and 3+ Shoveler (21st) with 74 Wigeon the following day. A female Goosander arrived (19th), up to 4 Goldeneyes were present and 30 Egyptian Geese were counted (21st).  A flock of 28 Snipe were flushed (19th) and a Golden Plover was with the Lapwing flock (27th), the latter species reaching around 1000 birds on a few dates. A couple of Lesser spotted Woodpeckers were seen regularly. A couple of Ring-necked Parakeets showed (19th) and at least 50 Siskins were in the area.

Other Sites    -    At Black Park a Lesser spotted Woodpecker was a nice find (28th) with 7 Crossbills and a mixed flock of Siskins and Redpolls totalling 150 birds. The pair of Stonechats remained on the Jubilee River and a Common Sandpiper was still at Bletchley landfill site (22nd). A flock of 500+ Greenfinches was at Shardeloes Lake (7th) with a Buzzard also seen. Willow Tits were seen at Pitstone.

Buckinghamshire Sightings – November 2002 

Highlights    -    A Black-throated Diver was discovered at Taplow Lake (27th) and stayed for the remainder of the month. There have only been 11 previous records of this gorgeous Diver in the county.  A Short-eared Owl was a good find at Calvert (2nd), as was a Scaup (10th) and a Caspian Gull was in the roost there (18th).  A Little Egret was on the River Chess (2nd) while a female Goshawk and a Water Pipit were at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (30th).  A couple of Firecrests were in a great Missenden garden for most of the month and another bird was at Willen lake (24th).  A Merlin was near Marsh Gibbon (25th) and an extremely late Whinchat was at the Jubilee River (30th).

Broughton Pools    -  A Shelduck remained all month while peak counts of wildfowl included 31 Teal (19th), 11 Gadwall (21st), 28 Wigeon (26th), 5 Shoveler, a Mandarin (21st) and 3 Tufted Ducks (15th).  A Water Rail appeared (11th), 6 Golden Plover flew over (21st) and 2 male Blackcaps arrived (25th). Thrushes built up to 900 Fieldfare and 1200 Redwing (1st) with 17 Song Thrushes (21st). A little Owl put in an appearance (19th), as well as 168 Greenfinches and 76 Golfinches (21st).

Calvert Lakes    -  An immature male goldeneye was with the Tufted Ducks (10th) rising to four birds (16th) along with a Ruddy Duck, 27 Wigeon and 4 Gadwall. Six Yellow-legged Gulls were amongst 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (18th). The Starling roost held at least 3000 birds (16th) and 30th Reed Buntings (25th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on a couple of dates, Kingfishers were seen almost daily and Water Rails occasionally appeared in the open. Peak wildfowl counts included 76 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 130 Teal, and 21 Shoveler (30th). A couple of Snipe were seen regularly along with up to 60 Cormorants. Flocks of 500 Redwing and 250 Fieldfare were settled by the end of the month.

Willen Lake   -   Up to 3 Water Rails were present (24th) along with 8 Goldeneye, a Goosander, a female Ruddy Duck, 7 Snipe and 12 Siskins.

Other Sites    -  A passage of 3000+ Wood Pigeons occurred over High Wycombe (28th).  At Newton Longville there were 1500 Golden Plovers, Greenshank, Common sandpiper and Green Sandpiper (24th). A flock of
10 Crossbills were in a Little Chalfont garden (13th) and 15 Bramblings were at Steps Hill (9th).  Three juvenile Swallows had still refused to leave a factory near Bledlow by the middle of the month.

Buckinghamshire Sightings – October 2002 

Highlights   -    A female Bearded Tit was at Wotton Lakes (18th) with an Osprey also present on four dates. A Raven flew over Dancersend (13th), a Firecrest was a surprise garden visitor in High Wycombe (12th) and two Ring Ouzels were at Steps Hill (19th).

Broughton Pools   -  A Hobby passed through (22nd), a Redshank was seen (17th) and 16 Song Thrushes arrived (21st). Wildfowl numbers peaked at 20 Teal (23rd), 2 Gadwall (21st), 9 Shoveler (23rd) and a couple of Mandarins (16th). Winter visitors included 4 Snipe (8th), 68 Redwing (21st), Fieldfare (23rd), 14 Meadow Pipits (16th) and two Redpolls (24th).

Calvert Lakes   -  A first winter Little Gull was a good find in the gull roost (28th), along with 11 Yellow legged Gulls. Other notable birds included 11 Redwings (6th), a female Goldeneye and 4 Grey Partridge (28th).

College Lake    -   A male Stonechat was found (13th) along with a Green Sandpiper and a Pintail. Wildfowl numbers peaked at 344 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 98 Teal, 85 Mallard, 10 Shoveler and a Ruddy Duck (28th). A couple of Redpoll were seen (20th) and a late Swallow passed through (21st).

Foxcote Reservoir   -  Four Red-crested Pochards were found (2nd), with 2 Goosanders, a female Goldeneye and 2 Swallows (20th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -     Two White-fronted Geese flew in with some Greylags (13th) but soon departed. A Merlin was a surprise visitor (27th), 8 Ring necked Parakeets flew over (1st) and a Golden Plover dropped in (18th). At least 500 Redwings flew over (13th).

Shardeloes Lake - Wildfowl counts included 24 Little Grebes (11th), 5 Teal (4th), 22 Mallard (6th), 5 Shoveler (4th) and a Ruddy Duck (27th).

Other Sites   -   At Woodham there was a Stonechat and Green Sandpiper (6th). A passage of 1000 Wood Pigeons occurred in a brief watch over Bourne End (29th). At Steps Hill there were 2 Willow Tits (14th) and 20+ Brambling (19th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – September 2002 
Highlights   -   A juvenile Gannet spent about an hour on the south basin of Willen Lake (9th). This species is a rare vagrant to the county with 12 previous records of mostly short staying birds. Hot on the heels of last month's Bee Eater were another 4 seen drifting over Beaconsfield (11th).  A number of Ravens were seen including one at Steps Hill (7th), two at Coombe Hill (11th), one at Weston Turville (15th) and two at Steps Hill (30th) although all records could relate to a couple of wandering birds.  Single Black necked Grebes were present at Calvert Lakes (8th) and Little Marlow Gravel Pit (15th). Other highlights included a female Ring Ouzel at Steps Hill (23rd), a juvenile Little Gull at Willen (7th), Sandwich Tern and Pied Flycatcher at Furzton Lake (13th) and an Osprey at Wotton Lakes on at least three dates.

Broughton Pools   -   Migrants included 11 Yellow Wagtails & Hobby (9th), a Spotted Flycatcher (10th), 2 Whinchats (12th&15th) and Common Sandpiper (24th). Wildfowl numbers continued to build with peaks of 43 Teal & 15 Wigeon (12th), 2 Gadwall (10th), 4 Shoveler (16th) and a Shelduck (18th). Others included a Buzzard & 5 Snipe (16th), Great Black backed Gull (14th), Lesser Whitethroat (26th), 119 Goldfinches (6th) and Redpoll (26th).

Calvert Lakes   -  Wildfowl included 4 Pintail, 101 Greylag Geese and 2 Shoveler (13th) along with 17 Wigeon (28th). A Green Sandpiper, Snipe and 3 Yellow Wagtails were present (28th) and the gull roost held 6 Yellow legged with c900 Lesser Black backed Gulls (8th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  A few waders passed through with Greenshank (8th), Common Sandpiper (13th) and a Ruff (15th). A Tree Pipit flew over (8th) along with a Hobby. A Great Black backed Gull was seen (13th) with 12 Wigeon, 26 Teal and a couple of Snipe also here.

Steps Hill   -     Passage migrants included 4 lesser Whitethroats (7th), Golden plover (23rd), a Redstart (30th) along with Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Tree Pipit.

Willen Lake   -    A couple of Garganey were found (22nd), with 3 Ruddy Ducks, a Green Sandpiper, Common Tern and a Black tailed Godwit the same day.

Other Sites   -  A Garganey was present at Fulmer lake (7th), 60+ Crossbills remained in Black park (2nd) and 15 Ring necked Parakeets flew over Iver Heath (28th). Three Stonechat were at Ivinghoe Beacon, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was at Wotton Lake and a flock of 12 Fieldfare flew over Beaconsfield (28th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – August 2002 

Highlights   -    A Marsh Warbler sang on one day at the beginning
of the month at Aylesbury Sewage Works. There are only four previous records for the county of this species, the last one in 1974.  An Osprey flew east over Marsworth (9th) and a Pied Flycatcher was at Broughton (15th). Peregrines were seen over Aylesbury and Cadmore End (19th) and Dorney (20th). Parties of Crossbills were present at Wendover Woods and Black Park on various dates.

Broughton Pools   -  A few waders passed through with 2 Greenshank (14th), Little ringed Plover (2nd) and a peak of nine Common Sandpipers (22nd). Wildfowl numbers began to build up with peaks of 28 Teal (27th), 5 Gadwall (12th), 10 Shoveler (17th), a Mandarin (16th) and Wigeon (21st).  A juvenile Cuckoo was still present (1st), a Spotted Flycatcher (16th) and 2 Swifts (24th). Up to 14 Lesser Whitethroats were seen (9th), 10 Yellow Wagtails stopped off (16th), with 2 Hobbies (17th) and 12 Chiffchaffs (8th).  A Lesser spotted Woodpecker appeared on two dates and Kingfisher was seen regularly.

College Lake  -    A Garganey was on the flooded meadow (20th).  A Common Sandpiper, Redshank and two broods of Tufted Duck were seen (2nd) and 2 pairs of Little ringed Plovers raised broods of two and three young. 

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -   A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was with the Black headed Gulls (3rd). A Yellow legged Gull was found with 500 Lesser Black backed Gulls (26th). Passage waders included Green Sandpiper (2nd) and 4 Common Sanpipers (17th).

Other Sites   -    In Aylesbury churchyard there were 5+ Spotted Flycatchers (27th) with a Willow Warbler (29th). On the Jubilee River at Taplow there were 2 Greenshank (19th), with 3 Common Sandpipers and a Wheatear (20th). Shardeloes Lake produced 10 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Ruddy Ducks and two brrods of Tufted Duck (7th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – July 2002 

Highlights   -     A Hoopoe was reported belatedly from Woodham having spent three weeks in the area from the end of June. A Little Egret spent a few all too brief moments of one morning at College Lake (21st). A group of 15-20 Crossbills passed north over Rowsham (4th), and a Garganey was at College Lake (15th). A Curlew Sandpiper was near Taplow lake (31st) with a Black-tailed Godwit arriving soon after and an adult Black Tern was at Little Marlow Gravel pit on the same date.

Broughton Pools  -  A female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker showed (19th), a juvenile Cuckoo was observed being fed by Reed Warblers (24th) and a Hobby flew through (18th). Three Teal were seen (18th) along with a Mandarin, 4 Little ringed Plovers were present (2nd) with 3 including a juvenile (14th)
and a Redshank arrived (30th).  Up to 4 Common Terns were seen regularly, with Little Owl on a couple of
dates and 3 Grey Wagtails (26th). Lesser Whitethroat numbers reached 10 (27th) while both Reed and Sedge Warblers raised several broods.

College Lake    -     Breeding waders included 3 pairs of Little ringed Plovers, 1 pair of Ringed Plover and 2 pairs of Redshank. A female Tufted Duck was seen with 8 young (1st), the Common Tern colony numbered over 30 pairs and a few Sand Martins nested. Wader passage during the middle of the
month included Oystercatcher and Greenshank, followed by Dunlin, Green and Common Sandpipers (21st).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit  -   A juvenile Water Rail (5th) was the first ever sign of breeding at this site. The Black-tailed Godwit remained until the 4th, 2 Redshank were seen (7th) and single Dunlin were present on 4 dates. Three juvenile Greenshanks arrived (14th) with an adult the following two days, 3 Oystercatchers were seen (16th) and 2 Common Sandpipers (23rd).  Up to 3 Ringed and 7 Little-ringed Plovers were seen throughout the month and 3 juvenile Spotted Flycatchers (7th). Three more Common Tern chicks
were ringed, bringing the total for this year to 16, with an extra two remaining unringed. A Turtle Dove was present on 4 dates and Cormorants peaked at 93 (22nd) when 1,000 Black-headed Gulls were also counted.

Shardeloes Lake     -  A Turtle Dove was seen (6th) along with a couple of Buzzards. Breeding waterfowl included Ruddy Duck, Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted Duck. A Kingfisher was seen (30th) as were 17 Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Spotted Flycatchers with 3 fledged juveniles.

Other Sites    -   A juvenile Water Rail was ringed at Wotton Lakes (4th) while the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in Wendover Woods (4th).  Along the Jubilee River near Taplow an Oystercatcher, 2 Green Sandpipers and a couple of Grey Partridge were present (16th). At Latimer a male and 2 female Ruddy Duck were seen (16th). 

Buckinghamshire Sightings – June 2002 

Highlights    -      An Osprey hovered briefly over the marsh at College Lake (9th) before heading off towards Tring Reservoirs. A couple of Sandwich Terns were a surprise over a birder's garden in Dinton (29th).  Black-tailed Godwits put in appearances with two at College Lake (2nd) and one at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (26th). A Peregrine was seen near Aston Clinton (30th).

Broughton Pools     -  Waders included a Little-ringed Plover (15th) and 2 Green Sandpipers (20th). Not surprisingly duck numbers were low with maximum counts of 4 Gadwall (19th), 7 Tufted Ducks and a Mandarin (9th). A Hobby was seen on 4 dates, with two Grey Partridge (5th), Kingfisher (18th) and up to 5 Common Terns regularly. Warblers were present in good numbers with 10 Lesser Whitethroats (19th), 11 singing Sedge Warblers (13th) and 12 Reed Warblers singing (17th). A Yellow wagtail appeared (17th), Cuckoo and Little Owl showed a few times along with a Grey Wagtail and up to 7 Bullfinches were here.

College Lake     -      A Red Kite drifted over (2nd), at least 3 Ruddy Ducks showed (9th) along with 3 Little-ringed Plovers and 5 Redshank.Ringed Plovers and Lapwings produced young by mid month and Lesser Whitethroats and Corn Bunting were still singing.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -    A fairly quiet month here although there were 15 Egyptian Geese (11th) along with a couple of Teal and a Shelduck. Two Ringed Plovers were seen (27th) and 13 Common Tern chicks were colour ringed (22nd).

Shardeloes Lake      -     Breeding wildfowl included a pair of Great-crested Grebes, 6+ pairs of Little Grebes, 4 pairs of Pochard and a pair of Ruddy Duck. A pair of Gadwall showed (15th) while other breeding birds included Lapwing along with Reed and Sedge Warblers.

Other Sites    -     A juvenile Siskin appeared in a Chalfont St Peter garden (19th) raising hopes of local breeding. Tree Sparrows were feeding young near Ashendon (23rd), a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in
Wendover Woods (26th) and a Corn Bunting sang at Kop Hill (1st).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – May 2002 

Highlights  -  A Black kite flew south over Stoke Common (11th). This is a potential first for the county. Two Great white Egrets flew west over Marlow (13th) and a female Red-necked Phalarope spent about half an hour at College Lake (23rd). Other good local birds included a pair of Common Scoter at Caldecotte Lake (7th) and an Osprey at Wotton Underwood (30th).

College Lake  -   A productive month here with a Greenshank and Wheatear (5th), Little Stint, Garganey (10th), 3 Bar tailed Godwits and 3 Little Egrets (18th). Three Whooper Swans were probably feral birds (19th) and there was a Whimbrel and an Oystercatcher (24th). Breeding birds
included many pairs of Common Terns along with a few pairs of Little ringed Plovers and Redshank.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -   The first pair of Bucks breeding Cormorants were sitting on eggs here (13th). Three Common Sandpipers were present (1st), a Whinchat (2nd), 35 Common Terns passed through (13th) along with 200+ Swallows and a Dunlin. A Black Tern appeared (16th) as well as an
Oystercatcher and 3 Hobbies. A drake Garganey was a nice record (19th), 7 Little ringed Plovers were counted (28th) and a Redshank and Dunlin were seen (30th).

Shardeloes Lake  -  Up to 5 Ruddy Ducks were present all month along with a Pair of Great-crested Grebes, 4 pairs of Tufted Duck and a pair each of Shoveler and Gadwall. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen (17th) along with a Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.

Willen Lake   -   A Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper arrived (6th) and an Oystercatcher was seen (15th).

Other Sites   -   A female Blue-headed Wagtail and an Oystercatcher were at Gayhurst Quarry (7th), Whinchat and Wheatear were in Milton Keynes and 6 Dunlin were at Linford (15th). Five Whimbrel flew over Bourne End (10th) with 12 over Ashridge the following day, 9 Wheatears were
in Pitstone Quarry (5th) and a Tree Pipit was singing at Ash Grove (26th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – April 2002 

Highlights      -    Bird of the month was a Red-rumped Swallow (29th) which dropped in at Furzton Lake in Milton Keynes for a short time during the evening. This is the first record for the county.  An immature male Long-tailed Duck was found at Foxcote Reservoir (21st), a Hen Harrier was over Rowsham (5th), a female Marsh Harrier lingered at Little marlow Gravel Pit (21st) and Ospreys were seen at Little Marlow (12th&27th) and Tring (17th).  An influx of Ring Ouzels included up to four birds at Steps Hill on a few dates and the Cetti's Warbler remained at Caldecotte Lake all month.

Broughton Pools     -    Highlight here was a Wood Sandpiper on the flood meadow (19th&20th) with other notable waders including a Ruff (8th-11th), 2 Curlews (13th), Common Sandpiper (19th), 400 Golden Plovers (12th), two Little ringed Plovers (11th) and 7 Snipe (2nd). Summer migrants included Willow Warbler & Yellow wagtail (3rd), Cuckoo (20th) and Lesser Whitethroat (23rd). Peak wildfowl counts included 2 Gadwall (1st), 6 Teal (6th), a Shoveler (5th), 10 Tufted Ducks (9th), a drake Pintail (11th), 2 Mandarins (22nd) and a pair of Shelduck on four dates. There were still around 500 Fieldfare (1st) and a Little Owl was seen regularly.

College Lake     -    A Jack Snipe was an excellent find (7th), with three Whooper Swans, a Green Sandpiper and two Ringed Plovers present the same day. A Goldeneye was present (15th), up to 15 Common Terns had returned (21st) along with 3 Little ringed Plovers, 3 Redshank, a Cuckoo and 4 Wheatears. A male Whinchat arrived (27th) and 10 Whimbrel flew north (28th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit     -   A first winter Mediterranean Gull was seen (3rd&9th), a Peregrine (21st), Hobby (26th) and a Little Egret appeared (23rd).  Up to five Little ringed Plovers were seen along with 4
Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper (9th), 3 Common Sandpipers (27th), a Dunlin (26th) and two Redshanks.  Four juvenile Ruddy Shelducks flew in (20th), two Reed Warblers arrived (23rd) 20 Swifts (26th) and a Yellow
Wagtail dropped in (27th).

Other Sites     -    A Whimbrel was at Rowsham (28th) and two Arctic Terns were at Furzton Lake (29th).  Other returning migrants included a Cuckoo at Chalfont St Giles (2nd), with 2 Common Terns at Willen Lake the same day, Yellow wagtail at Caldecotte lake (8th), two Sedge warblers at Weston Turville Reservoir (22nd) and 9 Wheatears at Pitstone Hill (29th).  Up to 5 Mandarins were at Wendover Pond and 6 Ruddy Ducks were at Shardeloes Lake (7th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – March 2002 

Highlights -    A second summer Ring billed Gull was found at  Little Marlow Gravel Pit amongst the Commons (29th) and then returned for the following evening as well.  At the same site an Avocet was an excellent record (24th) and the Siberian Chiffchaff was seen on a few dates.  A Cetti's Warbler was singing at Caldecotte Lake (3rd) and stayed there all month. An Osprey flew north-east over Marlow (25th) and a Kittiwake was at Weston Turville Reservoir (12th).  A record county flock of 8 Little Egrets were on the River Chess at Chenies (4th) while singles were at Caldecotte and Little Marlow GP.  A juvenile Bewick's Swan was with Mutes at Watermead Lake (4th) with presumably the same bird at Caldecotte Lake (21st). A Black Redstart was at Broughton (16th), a Glaucous Gull was found at Calvert Lakes (12th) and 2 Jack Snipe showed well in front of the hide at Weston Turville Reservoir (17th).

Broughton Pools   -   Peak wilfowl counts included 32 Wigeon (14th), 5 Gadwall (5th), 78 Teal (15th), 6 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebes (5th), 6 Mandarins (15th) and 10 Tufted Ducks (1st). A few waders dropped in including a Ruff, Ringed Plover and Dunlin (7th), Curlew (13th), 215 Lapwing (5th) with Snipe peaking at 12 (2nd). A Water Rail showed on a couple of dates, as did a couple of Little Owls.

College Lake     -     A pair of Ringed Plovers arrived (4th), Ruff and Wheatear (24th), a Black-tailed Godwit was seen (27th) with 2 Little ringed plovers and 2 Redshank (29th).

Fulmer Lake    -     A Green Sandpiper was present (30th) along with 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 16 Teal, 10+ Shoveler and a couple of Wigeon. 

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -     At least three different Mediterranean Gulls roosted on various dates including 2 adults and one 1st winter. Peak counts included 90 Wigeon, 42 Gadwall, 68 Shoveler and  4 Goldeneye (2nd) with 79 Teal and a Shelduck (23rd).  The first Little-ringed Plover arrived (11th) while other notable waders included 4 Ringed Plovers (9th), 4 Snipe (22nd), a Green Sandpiper (23rd) a Curlew (28th) and a Ruff (30th). A flock of 25 Siskin were seen (1st) and a
Water Rail showed on a couple of dates. 

Shardeloes Lake    -   Top wildfowl numbers counts 16 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall, 5 Teal and 31 Tufted ducks (3rd) with 5 Ruddy Ducks and a Great-crested Grebe (23rd). Two pairs of Little owls were present with 3 Siskin (3rd).

Willen Lake     -     A male Red-crested Pochard was seen (27th) along with a female Goosander and a Green Sandpiper, while 4 Redshank were seen (29th).

Other Sites    -   A male stonechat and 5 Siskins were at Wendover Woods (2nd), a male Wheatear was at Dunsmore (29th) and 4 Curlews were seen in the vale of Aylesbury.

Buckinghamshire Sightings – February 2002 

Highlights   -    A stunning male Hen Harrier at Calvert was a nice surprise for one observer (17th). A probable Mealy Redpoll was seen with a Lesser at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (16th) with a Siberian Chiffchaff (26th). A group of 8 Hawfinches were a good find near West Wycombe (23rd), a Bittern was at Calvert BBOWT Lake (6th-12th) and up to two Little Egrets lingered on the River Chess at Chenies all month. An adult Glaucous Gull was at Hedgerley Tip (9th) with Iceland and Caspian Gulls also reported on a couple of dates.

Broughton Pools     -   Peak wildfowl counts included 10 Gadwall (3rd), 43 Wigeon, 13 Tufted Ducks & 7 Pochard (5th), 6 Shoveler & 6 Goosander (7th) and 68 Teal (17th). A Curlew was present (26th), 90 Lapwing (17th) and 24 Snipe (4th). Two Water Rails were seen all month, with a Kinfisher, two Grey Wagtails and a Little Owl seen on a few dates. Other notable flocks were 325 Fieldfare (8th), 275 Redwings (19th), 18 Meadow Pipits (11th), 80 Greenfinches (21st), 75 Golfinches (4th) and 4 Redpolls (8th).

Caldecotte Lakes    -  A Slavonian Grebe was an excellent discovery (2nd) along with a Little Egret and 14 Goosander.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  Wildfowl counts included 64 Shoveler, 66 Gadwall & 104 Pochard (9th), 80 Wigeon & 95 teal (16th) and 6 Pintail (27th). The first of the Ringed plovers arrived (14th), two Ring-necked Parakeets were seen (16th) and 20 Golden plovers (24th). At least 16 Grey Herons were counted (23rd), a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker showed well (9th) and 9 Chiffchaffs were seen (24th).

Shardeloes Lake   -  Peak wildfowl counts included 30 Little Grebes, 120 Coot & 4 Ruddy Ducks (14th), with 14 Gadwall, 2 Teal & 19 Tufted Ducks (17th). Three Buzzards were seen (14th).

Other Sites  -   A large flock of finches near West Wycombe contained 1500 Chaffinches, 300 Linnets and 50+ Bramblings.  A Peregrine was seen chasing the gulls at Hedgerley Tip (17th) and a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was found in Shenley Wood (23rd).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – January 2002  

Highlights   -  A surprise Cattle Egret was seen flying towards Prestwood from High Wycombe (16th).  Five Whooper Swans roosted at Calvert BBOWT Lake (4th&5th) while two others were seen flying along the Thames at Marlow (8th).  An adult Iceland Gull was at Hedgerley Tip (12th) with another at Newton Longville Tip (20th) and presumably the same roosting at Willen Lake (26th). .   At least three Little Egrets were seen around the county with one on the River Chess for most of the month, one at Caldecotte Lake (22nd) and another at Marlow Low Grounds (27th).

Broughton Pools   -   Wildfowl numbers remained impressive with peaks of 33 Shoveler (8th), 3 Mandarin (13th), 53 Teal (17th), 12 Gadwall (22nd), 35 Wigeon (25th), 15 Tufted ducks (23rd) and 3 Goosander (18th).  Single Jack Snipe were seen on two dates (12th&18th), Common Snipe peaked at 20 (4th), a Dunlin lingered (12th-17th) and a Curlew flew in (13th). There were 400 Lapwing and 67 Golden Plover present (4th) and up to
3 Water Rails (15th). A Little Owl showed on a few dates, with a Chiffchaff (7th), 218 Redwing (24th), 6 Siskins (8th), 3 Redpolls (13th) and 11 Bullfinches (15th).

Caldecotte Lakes  -  Two redhead Smew were present (9th) with 18 Goosander. The Smew were still there (12th) along with 12 Goldeneye and 6 Goosander.

Calvert Lakes   -   A Caspian Gull and 9 Yellow-legged Gulls were in the roost (27th). A drake Goosander was present (4th) along with a Ruddy Duck and 18 Shoveler.  Other peak wildfowl counts included 53 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 303 Mallard, 103 Pochard and114 Tufted Ducks (1st).  A Barn Owl and 3 Green Sandpipers were also present (1st).

College Lake    - A pair of Red-crested Pochards were seen (20th) along with a drake Pintail, 300+ Wigeon, 150+ Teal, 50+ Gadwall, a female Ruddy Duck and c40 Corn Buntings.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  A Yellow legged Gull and 2 Water Rails were seen (2nd), 4 Chiffchaffs and 22 Siskins (5th) and 51 Golden Plover (10th).  Wilfowl numbers were excellent with 285 Teal (12th), 61 Wigeon, 85 Greylag Geese, a Shelduck and 44 Shoveler (13th) and also 116 Pochard, 36 Gadwall and a drake Goldeneye (19th).   Two Ring-necked Parakeets were present (13th), 2 Buzzards (19th) and 5 Snipe (10th).

Willen Lake   -  An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the roost (20th) along with 4 Yellow legged Gulls. Other birds seen were 6 Goosander, 134 Tufted ducks, 98 Pochards, 170 Lapwings and 3 Snipe.

Other Sites   - Some good birds were seen at Newton Longville including 4 Jack Snipe, 50 Common Snipe, 40 Dunlin and 3 Green Sandpipers. A Bittern was at Weston Turville Reservoir (21st) and a Goshawk was seen at Bourne End (15th). Foxcote Reservoir produced a Red-crested Pochard and a shelduck (3rd).