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

Reports compiled by Rob Andrews.

Buckinghamshire Sightings – January 2003  

Highlights   -   A male Two-barred Crossbill was an amazing find at Hedgerley (27th). This is the first record for the county. Two Ring-billed Gulls were seen, at Furzton Lake (2nd) and Foxcote Reservoir (28th). Two Waxwings showed well near Caldecotte (from 18th). A Bittern was at Little Marlow Gravel Pit on a couple of dates. Three Brent Geese flew south-east over Broughton (4th) with 2 Pink-footed Geese over west (8th). Adult Iceland Gulls were at Calvert Lakes (16th) and Hedgerley Tip (18th). A first winter Little Gull was at Willen Lake (4th) and a second winter bird was on the Jubilee River (12th). A record county flock of 10 Little Egrets were on the River Chess near Chesham (3rd). Birds still present from last month included the Black-throated Diver at Taplow Lake (3rd) and the Whinchat by the
Jubilee River.

Broughton Pools  -  A productive month here included a Merlin (3rd), up to 6 Jack Snipe along with around 100 Common Snipe and up to 380 Lapwing and 30 Golden Plover were also seen. A couple of Grey Partridges were present (22nd), two Water Rails showed and a Lesser spotted Woodpecker appeared. Wildfowl numbers remained high with peaks of 43 Teal and 20 Gadwall (29th), 50 Wigeon (16th), 5 Shoveler (13th), 8 Mandarin (14th) and 3 Goosander (17th). Winter visitors included 158 Fieldfare and 245 Redwing (4th), 38 Siskin (1st), a Brambling (3rd), 2 Blackcaps (9th) and 96 Goldfinches (25th).

Calvert Lakes   -  Two adult Caspian Gulls were found in the roost (11th), with an adult Mediterranean Gull and 13 Yellow legged Gulls (19th). Two adult and a juvenile Whooper swan roosted nightly (from 23rd), a Dunlin flew in (26th) and 3 Pintail dropped in (20th).

Foxcote Reservoir   -   A redhead Smew was found (24th) and 19 Goosander were also present on this date. Two redhead Smew were seen (31st) along with 9 Pintail and 7 Little Grebes.

Hedgerley Tip  -  At least two adult Caspian Gulls were present on various dates, Buzzards were seen regularly and up to 50 Crossbills were in the area.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  A female Smew appeared (15th), 39 Snipe was a good count (27th), a female Goosander was seen on a few dates and Goldeneye were present throughout. Peak wildfowl counts included 57 Gadwall, 238 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 38 Shoveler, 123 Teal and 238 Tufted Ducks.

Watermead Lake   -  A drake Red-crested Pochard was found (27th), a male Goosander was seen (30th) and a few Siskins and Redpoll were in the surrounding Alders.

Other sites  -  At Linford 6 Pintail and 93 Siskin were seen (4th) while Willen Lake held 18 Goosander and the same number of Goldeneye (5th). Bramblings were seen at a number of locations including 30+ in Fennels Wood, c15 at Bow Brickhill and 12 at Beaconsfield. A Peregrine was seen at Aston Clinton and a Green Sandpiper was on the Jubilee River (11th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – February 2003 

Highlights -  The male Two-barred Crossbill was re-found at Hedgerley (2nd) and stayed for over a week, to the delight of hundreds of observers. A Tundra Bean Goose was at Linford (23rd) and if accepted as a wild bird would be only the third record for Bucks.  Four Waxwings were also seen at this site (1st) with
another eight birds found at Fenny Stratford (14th).   A Short-eared Owl was near Eythrope (21st) and a Cetti's Warbler was at Willen Lake (13th).  A Bittern was at Weston Turville Reservoir (15th), with another at Tongwell late in the month.  A Black Redstart was at Wolverton (17th) and a male Merlin was seen over Marlow (21st).   A first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Linford (1st) and Furzton Lake (20th) with a Little Egret at Linford the same day.

Broughton Pools   - The site remained popular for waders with maximum counts of c112 Snipe (22nd), 3 Jack Snipe and 800 Lapwing (14th).  Peak wildfowl numbers included 32 Gadwall, 73 Wigeon (13th), 104 Teal (21st), 2 male Pintails (17th), 5 Shoveler (5th), 7 Pochard (26th) and a pair of Goosander on three dates. Up to three Water Rails could be seen along with a couple of Kingfishers 4 Siskins and 5 Grey Partridge.   Wintering flocks included 300 Fieldfare (10th), 200 Redwing (13th), 92 Greenfinches (7th), 84 Goldfinches and 22 Bullfinches (4th).

College Lake   -   A Black-tailed Godwit and two Ringed Plovers were seen (28th).

Foxcote Reservoir    -  The two female Smew were present (17th) along with two Ruddy Ducks.  Six Goldeneye and 12 Goosander were present (5th)

Linford Reserve   -   Three Little Egrets roosted (1st) a Ruff was seen with the Lapwing flock and a Barn Owl showed.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -   Peak wildfowl counts included 122 Gadwall, 127 Pochard, 220 Tufted Ducks, 53 Shoveler, 153 Teal, 7 Pintail and 267 Wigeon (1st). A Dunlin and 34 Snipe were present (1st) and a Mediterranean Gull was seen (8th). The first Ringed Plover of the year arrived (23rd), with a Yellow-legged Gull also seen.

Willen Lake   -   A good count of 55 Snipe were on the spit (13th) and the first winter Mediterranean Gull and two Great Black-backed Gulls were in the roost. Up to 15 Goosander were seen (17th).

Other Sites  -  At Bow Brickhill there were 10+ Bramblings with 200 Chaffinches (1st), with 50+ Crossbill nearby.  A Peregrine was seen over Rowsham (23rd).  Three Goosanders were at Pennyland
Marina (1st).  Two Woodcocks were seen at Shenley Wood (13th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – March 2003 

Highlights -  The male Two-barred Crossbill continued to delight observers at Hedgerley (to 14th). A flock of nine Cranes were also seen flying past this site by some lucky birders looking for the Crossbill
(2nd).  A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen near Little Marlow (15th). A Spotted Crake was found at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (29th) and was seen again briefly the following morning. Seven Bewick's Swans flew low over Marlow heading North-west (14th). The Bittern remained at Tongwell Lake. A male Ring Ouzel
was at Steps Hill (28th). A Black Redstart was at Cressex (20th) followed by one at Broughton (22nd) and two in Milton Keynes (25th). A Merlin was seen at Great Missenden (12th). An adult Little Gull flew south through Linford (8th). Scandanavian Rock Pipits   were at Caldecotte Lake (9th), Furzton Lake (19th) and Linford (22nd). Up to five Little Egrets were still lingering near Chenies early in the month.

Broughton Pools  -  Wildfowl maxima included 68 Teal (16th), 18 Gadwall (2nd), 71 Wigeon & 3 Mandarin (3rd), 4 Shoveler (11th), 2 Goosander (14th) and a pair of Shelduck (24th). Two Jack Snipe were seen (3rd), Common Snipe numbers peaked at 30 (14th), 2 Curlew were present (6th), a couple of Redshanks were regular and a Woodcock was flushed (13th).  A Water Rail showed on a couple of dates, a Barn Owl was seen and Little Owls were active. Up to three Chiffchaffs were singing (17th), a Blackcap arrived (25th) and 3 Sand Martins flew through (29th) with a Willow Warbler the same day. Other passerines included 50 Meadow Pipits (28th), 61 Goldfinches (3rd) and 2 Siskins (16th).

College Lake    -   Three Little-ringed Plovers were seen (23rd) along with two pairs of Ringed Plover, 4 pairs of Redshank, a Water Rail and a Swallow.

Hedgerley Tip    -   Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were with 400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (16th).

Hyde Lane GPs  -     A male Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was seen (15th) along with a Tawny Owl, Goldeneye and a Chiffchaff.

Linford Reserve    -   Three winter plumaged Sanderling were found (2nd) along with two Little Egrets, 30 Common Snipe, 9 Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper. A Jack Snipe showed well during the last week of the month. Two Dunlin and a Water Rail were seen (3rd).  A male Pintail, 12 Goldeneye, a Dunlin and 3 Little Egrets were seen (8th). The first Willow Warbler arrived (30th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -   The first Sand Martin of the year arrived (8th), with the first Wheatear (15th) and a Little-ringed Plover arriving (18th). An adult Mediterranean Gull showed gave good views (9th). A Dunlin was present (19th) along with a Redshank, 3 Little-ringed Plovers and 1000 Common Gulls. A Peregrine caused panic amongst the gulls (14th). Two Water Rails showed well (16th).

Willen Lake     -    A Cetti's Warbler was seen on a few dates during the month but was typically elusive. An adult Mediterranean Gull was found (23rd) and a Jack Snipe was showing well from the hide. Two Willow Warblers were singing (31st).

Other Sites    -   The two redhead Smew were still at Foxcote Reservoir (2nd). At Gayhurst Quarry there were two Little Egrets, 2 Oystercatchers and a Redshank (8th). Two Jack Snipe (19th) and two male Wheatears were in Milton Keynes (24th). A Swallow was back in Rowsham (26th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – April 2003   

Highlights   -     A drake White-headed Duck of unknown origin was found at Shardeloes Lake (11th). An adult Ring-billed Gull was an excellent find at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (1st), almost exactly the same date as a 2nd summer bird was found at this site last year. A Blue headed Wagtail was at Marsworth (21st) with a Little Tern at Linford the same day. A Water Pipit was at Furzton Lake (8th) and a Sandwich Tern was there (14th). At Broughton Pools an Osprey flew over (15th) and 23 Bar-tailed Godwits flew over Stoke Common (21st).

Broughton Pools    -   Wader passage was very good here with three Black-tailed Godwits dropping down to feed (8th), 9 Little-ringed Plovers (9th), Curlew (12th), Common Sandpiper (23rd), Whimbrel over NE (25th) 1-2 Redshank on six dates and a Green Sandpiper on 5 dates. A Peregrine was seen (2nd) with two Buzzards (17th). Two Common Terns arrived (15th), with a Cuckoo (10th), Swift (25th), Swallow (7th) and House Martin (17th). Other spring migrants included a male Whinchat (23rd), Yellow Wagtail (16th), Sedge Warbler (6th), Reed Warbler (25th), Lesser Whitethroat (24th) and Wheatear (29th). A Lesser-spotted Woodpecker called (26th), two Little Owls were seen (17th) and a Redwing was still here (25th).

College Lake     -   A Turnstone was a good local find (18th), 31 Common Terns were present (20th) along with 6 Redshank, 3 Little -ringed Plovers and 20 Snipe.

Foxcote Reservoir    -   A Black Tern dropped in (15th), 4 Little Gulls (16th) and 3 Yellow Wagtails arrived (14th). 

Gayhurst Quarry     -  A Greenshank landed (21st), with 6 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers and 15 Common Terns also present.

Linford Reserve   -  The highlight was a fine drake Garganey (13th) when there were also 8 Ringed Plovers present. Two Scandinavian Rock Pipits were a good find (3rd) with a Yellow Wagtail. A Hobby arrived (16th), along with two Sedge Warblers, a Cuckoo and 20 Common Terns. A Little Gull and 7 Dunlin were seen (21st). A pair of Shelduck and 3 Swifts were present (26th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -    A Little Gull passed through (10th) with two seen (21st). A Reed Warbler arrived (18th), Common Sandpiper, Arctic Tern (19th) and Swift (20th).  A flock of 18 Whimbrel flew over heading north (28th) along with 1000+ House Martins, 600+ Swallows and 150 Swifts.

Steps Hill    -   Ring Ouzels passed through in good numbers with a peak count of eleven birds (20th). A Tree Pipit was singing (21st) and a Nightingale sang briefly (25th).

Willen Lake    -  Three Little Gulls dropped in (15th), with two more the following day. A Sedge Warbler arrived (7th), a male Red-crested Pochard was seen (16th) and a Kittiwake (17th).

Other Sites     -   At Wendover Woods there were two Grasshopper Warblers reeling (24th) with one also heard at Rowsham (13th).  A male Brambling was late at Cheddington (15th) and a Whinchat stopped at Woodham (27th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – May 2003   

Highlights    -     The month got off to a cracking start with the discovery of a stunning Woodchat Shrike at Langley Park (1st). This third for the county was appreciated by many birders during its three day stay.  South Buck's excellent run then continued when a Black Kite drifted north over Little Marlow Gravel Pit (8th) with what was possibly the same bird over Ivinghoe Beacon (10th).  The drake White-headed Duck was last seen at Shardeloes Lake on the 8th.  An Osprey passed over Broughton Pools (6th) and Calvert Lakes the same day.  A Turnstone was at Linford Reserve (21st) with a Wood Sandpiper there (31st).

Broughton Pools    -    A Short-eared Owl was reported (8th), two Red Kites were seen (13th) and a Hobby on three dates. A Whinchat dropped in (7th), Yellow Wagtail (2nd) and Spotted Flycatcher (2nd). Waders included a Snipe (3rd), 4 Little-ringed Plovers (11th), a Common Sandpiper (13th&17th), 2 Redshank (27th) and an Oystercatcher (30th). A Mandarin was seen (2nd), 4 Gadwall (17th), 5 Common Terns (23rd) and 2 Cuckoos (24th). Excellent counts of 16 Sedge Warblers (19th) and 15 Reed Warblers (24th) were noteworthy.

Calvert Lakes   -   Nine Wheatears and 7 Turtle Doves were good counts (4th), a Nightingale was singing (5th) with a Hobby the same day and a Goshawk flew over (10th).

Dorney Lake    -   Two pairs of Shelduck were seen (6th) along with 8 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper and 4 Corn Buntings.

Foxcote Reservoir  -   A Black Tern was hawking over the water (3rd), a Whimbrel stopped briefly (15th) and a Redshank and two Common Terns were seen (21st).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  A Common Sandpiper, Wigeon and six Shelduck were present (8th), a Little Egret flew over (11th) and two pairs of Mandarin with young were seen on the river (26th). The heronry held over 20 pairs and a pair of Cormorants hatched young to become the first breeding record in the county.

Other Sites    -   Two Grasshopper Warblers were reeling in Wendover Woods (3rd), two Egyptian Geese were at Hyde Lane Gravel Pits (9th) and a Peregrine flew over Old Wolverton (13th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – June 2003 

Buckinghamshire Sightings – July 2003 

Highlights   -  A Black Kite was reported in the area around Coombe Hill on a couple of dates early in the month. A summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe was at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (24th) with two Black Terns there (20th) and a Little Egret (27th). A Quail was calling in field next to Pitstone Hill (17th).

Broughton Pools -   A juvenile Shelduck arrived for a five day stay (from 7th), a Tree Pipit was an unusual visitor (18th) and a Yellow Wagtail headed south (21st). Red Kite, Buzzard and Hobby were all seen on one day each, two Little Owls became more visible and a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker called (28th). Warbler numbers were down on last year with maximums of 12 Reed Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers and six Lesser Whitethroats. The last day of the month produced the first returning Teal as well as a Common Sandpiper and 4 Sand Martin.

College Lake   - A flock of seven Black-tailed Godwits feeding on the marsh (27th) was an excellent local record.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -   The early autumn wader passage got off to a good start with a Whimbrel (5th), Black-tailed Godwit (6th), 5 Common Sandpipers (18th) and three Dunlin (22nd). Single Ringed and Little-ringed Plovers were present on a couple of dates and the first couple of Snipe arrived back (27th). A Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost (6th), two Turtle Doves were seen (27th) and at least four Water Rails were calling from the reedbed (6th).

Willen Lake   -   A colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit (20th) had been rung at Holbeach, Lincolnshire in September 2002. Other returning waders included 3 Oystercatchers and a Ringed Plover (20th) with 6 Green Sandpipers and 4 Common Sandpipers (23rd). A second summer Mediterranean Gull was a nice find (9th).

Other Sites   -   Both Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were confirmed as new breeding species for the county at Cressex Industrial Estate. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling by the River Thames at Marlow (6th), and a pair of Willow Tits were at Steps Hill (14th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – August 2003 

Highlights    -    The Least Sandpiper and the Great White Egret present during the month at Tring Reservoirs were both seen to fly into Bucks during their more lengthy periods spent in Herts. A juvenile Hen Harrier was a good local record at Radnage (17th) and a Marsh Harrier flew north over Little Marlow Gravel Pit (25th). Four Black-necked Grebes were at Linford (21st), a Raven flew over Dancersend (12th) and an Osprey was seen fishing at Calvert Lakes (31st).

Broughton Pools   -  The month got off to a good start for waders with a Whimbrel (1st), followed by a Black-tailed Godwit (2nd), Green Sandpiper (11th), Greenshank (12th&24th), 2 Common Sandpipers (15th) and a Curlew (26th). A Little Egret was a nice surprise (2nd), 8 Yellow Wagtails was the peak count (27th) and a Whinchat was found (18th) with two (29th).  Two Hobbies flew over (16th), with a Buzzard (18th) and a Peregrine (29th).  Other highlights included two Spotted Flycatchers (16th), 10 Lesser Whitethroats (18th), four Redpoll (29th) and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (30th).

College Lake  -   An adult Mediterranean Gull was found (2nd), with two Little Egrets, a Whinchat and a Wheatear being seen (16th).

Linford Reserve   -   A Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, three Green Sandpipers and a Whinchat were all present (24th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -  An adult Little Gull was found (10th) along with a juvenile Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and a Snipe. An Oystercatcher dropped in (14th) as well as a Golden Plover, 4 Common Sandpipers and two Turtle Doves. A Spotted Redshank was an excellent county bird (24th) a Little Egret visited (20th) and two Dunlin were seen (30th).

Willen Lake   -   Three Black-tailed Godwits arrived for at least a weeks stay (24th) along with 7 Green Sandpipers, two Greenshank and two Common Sandpipers. A Garganey appeared (12th) and stayed for a few days and a Little Egret was seen (17th). other good birds included a Ruff (28th), with a Pintail and 13 Swifts the same day.

Other Sites   -   A Redstart was seen at Steps Hill (23rd), Ruddy Ducks reared young at Shardeloes Lake and Tree Sparrows bred at Ashendon.

Buckinghamshire Sightings – September 2003 

Highlights    -     A White Stork was found in fields at Leckhampstead (25th) and remained for a couple of days. Two Ravens flew over Dinton (13th). An Osprey was at Calvert Lakes (7th) and a Marsh Harrier
flew over Fulmer Lake (23rd). A juvenile Little Gull was at Willen Lake (13th) and two Black-necked Grebes remained at Linford (1st).

Broughton Pools    -    An excellent count of 22 Yellow Wagtails was made (2nd) when 3 Whinchats were also present. Waders included a Common Sandpiper (3rd), 12 Snipe (10th), 2 Greenshank (12th) and a Ruff (23rd).   Three Wheatears were seen (4th), a Spotted Flycatcher (9th), 9 Lesser Whitethroats (3rd) and 39 Meadow Pipits (24th). Raptors included a Red Kite (8th), Hobby (10th) and a Buzzard (25th).

Calvert Lakes   -    Two Hobbies were seen (2nd) along with a Buzzard, Greenshank and Dunlin. Seven Yellow-legged Gulls were with 1,100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (21st) and 2 Common Sandpipers dropped in (3rd). 

College Lake  -  A Pied Flycatcher was a good find (6th) with 4 Greenshank and a Hobby the same day.

Fulmer Lake - Two Greenshank stopped off (21st) as well as a Wheatear and Whinchat. Green Sandpipers peaked at three (23rd).

Linford Reserve   -  A Garganey was still present (1st) along with 2 Green Sandpipers.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit    -   A first winter Mediterranean Gull was found (3rd) along with a Redshank. Two Dunlin, 3 Snipe and a Hobby were seen (1st), Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail (8th) and a Pintail (21st).

Willen Lake    -    A Little Egret, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshank and 2 Snipe were seen (5th). A Ruff was found (6th) along with 6 Green Sandpipers and a Redshank.

Wotton Lakes   -   Two Water Rails were around (23rd) as well as 65 Wigeon, 45 Teal and 19 Gadwall.

Other Sites     -   At Campbell Park a Pied Flycatcher was found (4th) along with 2 Redstarts. Peregrines were seen at Rowsham (10th) and Cuddington (23rd). Two Wheatears were at Lodge Hill (28th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – October 2003 

Highlights    -     A Twite was an excellent find (3rd) but remained elusive, only being seen once more a couple of days later. A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen briefly at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (14th) with another bird being seen at Bletchley (19th). An adult Sabine's Gull was at Foxcote Reservoir for an hour (19th), the same site producing the wandering White Stork earlier in the month (4th). A Ring Ouzel was a good autumn bird at Steps Hill (7th), a Short-eared Owl was at Lodge Hill (11th) and a Black Redstart was at The Pickeridge (14th). An adult Whooper Swan dropped in to Calvert Lakes (5th) with three at Foxcote (26th).  A Rock Pipit was at Startops Reservoir (23rd).

Broughton Pools  -  The last of the summer migrants included a Whinchat (18th), Lesser Whitethroat (4th) and Swallow (7th).  Wildfowl counts included 78 Canada Geese (4th), 12 Teal (9th), 1 Gadwall (4th) and 60 Mallard (6th). Four Snipe showed (1st), a Water Rail was seen (6th), 70 Collared Doves were counted (3rd) and 19 Song Thrushes (8th).

Calvert Lakes  -   A Caspian Gull was found in the roost (26th) along with 7 Yellow-legged, c3000 Lesser Black-backed and c4000 Black-headed Gulls.   A Ring-necked Parakeet flew over (3rd), with Ruddy Duck seen (5th) and two Pintail (12th). A Little Egret and the first returning Goldeneye were seen (24th).

College Lake Reserve   -  Two Ruddy Ducks were present (19th) along with 8 Wigeon, Snipe, Greenshank and Redpoll.

Fulmer Marsh  -   A Ruff was found (5th) staying for a further three days. Two Green Sandpipers showed (4th), with a Greenshank (5th), 80 Teal (14th) and 31 Snipe (27th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit  -  Another Ruff arrived for a four day stay here (4th). A Little Egret roosted (12th) along with 124 Cormorants.  Peak wildfowl counts included 172 Teal and 22 Shoveler (12th), 1 Goldeneye (15th) and c40 Gadwall (23rd). Two Water Rails broke cover (26th) and 18 Snipe were counted (12th).

Steps Hill    -    A Peregrine flew over (15th) no doubt causing widespread panic. A Stonechat arrived (5th) and a Willow Tit was seen (24th).

Willen Lake - Four Scaup appeared (31st) and a Jack Snipe showed well in front of the hide.

Other Sites   -   A Wheatear was on Ivinghoe Beacon (3rd) with a good count of 5 Stonechats at the same site (8th).  A Brambling was at Shardeloes Lake (10th) and 82 Golden Plover were on Dorney Common (20th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – November 2003 

Highlights   - The Spoonbill at Wilstone Reservoir flew off into Bucks (27th) to become the seventh county record. An adult Iceland Gull returned to Hedgerley Tip (2nd) and nearby a female Black Redstart took up residence at Fulmer. A Black-necked Grebe appeared at Calvert Lakes (3rd) and there were Scaup at College Lake (2nd) and Linford (23rd).

Broughton Pools   -  Peak wildfowl counts included 450 Canada Geese and 39 Teal (18th), 2 Gadwall (27th), Wigeon on four dates and 2 Goosander (17th). There were up to 18 Snipe (27th) and 2 Kingfishers were seen. An influx of c30 Song Thrushes occurred (15th), with 120 Redwing and 3 Siskin (27th), 16 Redpoll (19th) and 11 Bullfinches (27th).

Calvert Lakes   -  A Green Sandpiper was found (9th) along with a female Ruddy Duck and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.Up to 59 Greylag Geese were counted (10th), 4 Goldeneye had returned (28th) and 26 Pochard were present.

College Lake   -  Wildfowl counts included 969 Canada Geese, 68 Greylag Geese, 385 Teal, 57 Gadwall, 900+ Wigeon, 5 Pintail and 234 Tufted Ducks (1st), 144 Shoveler (8th) and 2 Goldeneye (29th).

Fulmer Marsh    -  A Green Sandpiper was present (1st) along with 21 Snipe and a Water Rail. Peak wildfowl counts included 4 Barnacle Geese (7th), Shelduck (7th), 33 Wigeon (12th), 12 Shoveler (7th) and 10 Pochard (27th).

Little Marlow Gravel Pit      -      A first winter Mediterranean Gull was found (15th) and also reappeared (28th) along with a Black-tailed Godwit.  A new County record of 209 Cormorants came into roost (15th). Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on a couple of dates as were up to 15 Brambling.  Wildfowl counts included peaks of 20 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 110 Pochard and a Goldeneye (14th) with 3 Ruddy Ducks (15th). Up to 5 Water Rail were present (15th), 400 Common Gulls (28th) with 4 Redpoll and 12 Siskin (14th).

Willen Lake -  Up to two Jack Snipe appeared from cover on various dates, the Cetti's Warbler was heard all month and 2 Green Sandpipers were found (6th). Counts included 112 Teal and 87 Pochard
(6th)with 4 Snipe (13th).

Wotton Lakes  -   Two pairs of Goosander were seen (19th) with a Woodcock, 15 Cormorants and 17 Shoveler (14th).

Other Sites  -   At Granborough there were 4 Brambling and 150 Chaffinches (15th) and a Chiffchaff was at Steps Hill (28th).

Buckinghamshire Sightings – December 2003 

Highlights -   Single Waxwings were seen in Milton Keynes (2nd) and Whitchurch (16th). A pair of Smew were at College Lake (12th), a Whooper Swan was seen at Calvert Lakes (30th) and a Merlin was at Little Marlow Gravel Pit (14th). Bitterns were seen at Linford, Tongwell Lake and Weston Turville Reservoir during the month. At Woodham there were 3 jack Snipe (31st), while both Linford and Chenies held 4 Little Egrets.

Broughton Pools   -   Peak wildfowl counts included 9 Gadwall and 2 Wigeon (3rd), 20 Teal (4th) and a Little Grebe (5th). Two Snipe were present (3rd), with a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker seen (2nd), 33 Fieldfare, 100 Redwing and 6 Redpoll also counted.

Calvert Lakes  - In the gull roost there were 6 Yellow-legged Gulls (4th), with 77 Great Black-backed and c2000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (30th).

College Lake   -  Wildfowl numbers peaked with 1703 Wigeon, 222 Gadwall, 7 Mandarins, 331 Teal, 104 Shoveler, 240 Tufted Ducks, 102 Mute Swans and 4 Goldeneye.

Foxcote Reservoir   -  An escaped Chiloe Wigeon was with the Wigeon flock (15th), along with 13 Goosander and 7 Goldeneye.

Little Marlow Gravel Pit   -   A flock of up to 150 Siskin were feeding in the Alders around the car park (14th) along with 3 Redpoll. Two Yellow-legged Gulls were in the roost (29th) along with 300+ Common Gulls.  Four Ruddy Ducks were present (31st) along with 3 Water Rails and 4 Chiffchaffs.

Willen Lake   -   A Jack Snipe was seen (17th), with 2 Scaup (25th) and 2 Water Rails (14th). Peak wildfowl counts included 2 Shelduck, 305 Pochard, 232 Tufted Ducks, 15 Goldeneye and 13 Goosander.

Other Sites   -  A few Tree Sparrows were back for the winter at Granborough and good numbers of Brambling were with Chaffinches near Ibstone (31st).