January brought us a brief cold spell, which resulted in some dispersal of our wintering birds. But otherwise the weather remained mild and dull, and the birding was largely settled. Several of our splendid wintering guests stayed on, but there wasn’t too much new.
Right at the month’s end – the 30th - a Brent Goose turned up at Dorney Common and would end up settling down there for a spell. Six White-fronted Geese at Watermead (2ads and 4 1st-w) from 13th-16th were no doubt part of the flock that arrived at Aylesbury STW in December.
There were Pintails at four sites: 2 at Willen from 11th to month’s end 5 at Foxcote on 12th, 2 at Watermead on 15th, and a single at Hulcott on 29th. Red-crested Pochard reports no doubt originated from the same small flock flitting about the Chilterns, with 8 at College Lake on 14th and 3 there on 25th, plus 2 at Marsworth on 15th.
Goldeneye were reported from just four sites, three of which were in Milton Keynes, and the other being Foxcote. The maximum count was 14 at Willen. Goosander numbers picked up considerably, although their distribution was as usual biased towards north Bucks. Site maxima included 23 at FFNR, 15 at Emberton, 7 at Tongwell, and 6 at Stowe.
The other notable new bird in January was a first-winter male Black Redstart at Logistica Floods on 15th. Despite not being seen for another couple of weeks subsequently, it was found again in February.
The Black-necked Grebe remained at College Lake until at least the 22nd. 7 Cattle Egrets remained at Shabbington, being seen on 23rd. Great White Egrets were reported from an impressive 15 sites, with a maximum of 8 at Linford.
Gallows Bridge continued to be the place to see Marsh Harriers. Yes, plural – with a male and a female reported on 2nd. The male remained, being seen on several other dates in January.
The over-wintering Common Sandpiper was seen again at Dorney Common on 8th & 18th. A Redshank at Little Marlow GP on 3rd was a little unseasonal. Woodcock were reported from nine sites, one of which was the Peregrine nest at High Wycombe, where the remains of 10 Woodcock were found. An example of just how many birds these supreme predators are capable of catching.
As in December, most of our Golden Plovers seemed to be at Gallows Bridge, with 2000 being the maximum count there. But this species was scarce elsewhere, with 79 at Rowsham the only other notable site count. Lapwing numbers increased a bit from December. Once again, the best count (of 1000) was at Gallows Bridge. But other good flocks included 400 at Ickford, 369 at Little Marlow GP, 222 at FFNR, 200 at both Willen and Tove Valley, 150 at Ledburn, 120 at Hardmead, and 110 at Rowsham. The flock at Marlow included what was for many the bird of the month, an absolutely beautiful dark Lapwing, presumably melanistic or partially melanistic.
Jack Snipes were reported from five sites: 1 at Whitehouse MK, 3 at Aylesbury STW, 2 at Ickford, and singles at Wing and Stoke Common. Snipe were again low in numbers, with 60 at Aylesbury STW being the only significant count.
The only Mediterranean Gull was a first-winter bird at Little Marlow GP on 2nd-3rd, and 10th. It was a great month for Caspian Gulls, especially at the Calvert roost. A string of records starting on 6th delivered a peak of 8 birds on two dates, with 6-7 birds on several other dates. At least two individuals regularly roosted at Little Marlow GP, and other site totals included 3 at Springfield, and singles at Foxcote, Newton Leys, and FFNR.
Yellow-legged Gulls were reported from five sites, which is a welcome increase on December. Once again Calvert provided the bulk of the records, with birds seen in the roost on several dates, peaking at 11 on 4th. Other reports were all of singles, from Foxcote, Newton Leys, Little Marlow GP, and Furzton.
Two Short-eared Owls sadly didn’t stick around for the masses – singles at Bradwell New workings on 20th, and Fleet Marston on 22nd. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Burnham Beeches and Church Wood.
Hawfinch sightings have slowly tailed off since the autumn influx. One was seen at Great Hampden on three dates, and another 3 were at Aston Clinton on 30th.
The superb finch flock at The Hale increased in number, including up to 104 Brambling, 360 Chaffinch, and 100 Linnets. What a sight that must have been, and one that seems to be increasingly rare in our woodlands in recent years. Bramblings were rare away from The Hale though, with a few scattered reports and none in the north. The only other sizeable Chaffinch flock was of 100 in Little Marlow village.
There were 400 Linnets at Rowsham – a very high count in Bucks these days. Other flocks included 200 at Little Marlow village, 173 at Tattenhoe Park, and 120 at Tove Valley. Siskin were well distributed throughout the county, but there were no big flocks reported, 60 at Little Marlow GP and 25 at Rushmere Park being the largest.
Once again, Redpoll were scarce, with no double-figure flocks seen. Same story for Reed Bunting. There were 80 Yellowhammer at Hunt’s Green, 50 at Lodge Hill, and 40 at Tove Valley, but otherwise few reports.
Away from a handful of sites in the Chilterns, 4 Corn Buntings at Tove Valley in January - right up on the northern edge of our county - is a notable report. It mirrors a similar sighting from the same site a few years ago. Is there a small population clinging on in the local area?