It’s been a regular feature of May over the last decade or so in the county that this once most fruitful of months has turned out to be quite fruitless. Unfortunately, May 2026 was to be no different. However despite disappointment on the scarcity front, there were some very exciting breeding records.
With the male Bittern continuing to remain in residence at Linford a female was also seen there on several dates throughout the month, commuting to and from a possible nest site. Interestingly, a Bittern was also sighted at Willen Lake on 23rd. This could potentially be a wandering individual or more likely was one of the Linford birds.
Meanwhile at a different North Bucks site, a pair of Marsh Harriers were sighted on multiple dates during the month. Evidence of attempted breeding isn’t quite as robust as for the Bitterns though. Other records of this species involved birds over Little Marlow on 6th and Linford the next day.
As both Bittern and Marsh Harrier breed in neighbouring Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, it’s been thought for quite a while now that it wouldn’t be long before both populations spilled into Bucks.
Another very exciting breeding record was regarding a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, which raised 6 young at a South Bucks locality during the month. We know at least 4 successfully fledged the nest and it is presumed the other two did as well. Many thanks to several South Bucks birders for their tireless monitoring of this rare breeding bird!
On 17th, a White Stork was sighted at Lodge Hill, flying towards West Wycombe, where it was seen two days later. Cattle Egrets were at three sites: College Lake on 1st, Linford on 10th and Little Marlow GP on 15th. Surely we are not too far away from the county’s first breeding record of Great White Egret? But for now we may have to wait a little longer as the only May record concerned a single individual seen on three dates at Floodplain Forest NR - the only locality to host this graceful giant this month.
Pairs of Shelduck were noted at Dorney Common and Little Marlow GP. Gadwall were confirmed to have bred at Dorney Common and Willen. A late drake Goldeneye was also at Willen from 1st-3rd. Four sites hosted Goosanders, with confirmed breeding coming from one of them.
Juvenile Oystercatchers successfully fledged at College Lake and Stony Stratford NR. Pairs were reported from three other sites. Little Ringed Plover was confirmed to have bred at one site in the north of the county. There was also evidence of breeding activity from two other localities.
The news about Lapwings wasn’t quite so encouraging. Pairs were confirmed to have bred at Stony Stratford NR, College Lake and Gallows Bridge with fledged juveniles noted at all three sites. Breeding was also suspected of taking place at Jennings Farm. But the overall picture is of a beautiful, charismatic wader which has become a scarce breeder in our county.
Ringed Plovers were seen at both Little Marlow GP (1 on 10th) and Dorney Common (1 on 12th, 2 on 13th, 4 on 14th, 1 on 15th and 19th). And there were Dunlin at Gallows Bridge (1 on 4th), College Lake (1 on 8th), and Dorney Common (1 on 13th and 15th).
Whimbrels dropped into two sites, with Willen (on 1st) and College Lake (on 8th) both hosting singles. Shabbington and Gallows Bridge continued to hold Curlews, which showed signs of breeding at both localities. The Greenshank found at Little Marlow GP on the last day of April hung round until the 2nd.
At College Lake, a pair of Redshank reared four young and a second pair were thought to have possibly bred. At Gallows Bridge at least one pair were confirmed to have bred and a second pair was suspected of breeding. Two birds at Foxcote on 7th were either migrants or failed breeders.
Meanwhile a 1st-summer Little Gull was at Calvert Sailing Lake on 8th. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were suspected of breeding at the sewage treatment works opposite Little Marlow. At Foxcote a pair hung around for a while and were seen engaging in courtship behaviour on the dam. But no breeding attempt ensued.
Common Terns were breeding at College Lake (11 active nests), Willen (at least 14 pairs present), Little Marlow GP (at least 10 active nests), and Stony Stratford nature reserve (where a pair were seen to defend their nest).
Cuckoos were seen at 32 sites (4 in the south, 5 in mid-county and 23 in the north). This is up by 11 compared to last May. The most seen or heard at any one time was 3 at Willen. A pair were seen mating at Linford - so I think we can safely assume that breeding might be taking place there this summer.
Nightjar were present at two sites in the south of the county. Let’s hope they stick around to breed. There were a large number of Swift reports, the largest count concerned 100 individuals over Little Marlow GP on 15th. Breeding activity was noted at five sites, however I am sure breeding was more widespread than this.
A Woodlark was seen in suitable breeding habitat in the south of the county between 9th-10th, but unfortunately left soon after. On 24th, a migrating individual of this species was seen to make a brief stop off at Steps Hill.
Further north at Willen, a late Tree Pipit was heard calling overhead on 3rd. There was just a single report of Wheatear: 2 at Wapseys Wood on 3rd. We usually have a few more than this hang on into early May.
A pair of Stonechats successfully raised 2 young at a South Bucks location. Elsewhere, breeding activity was reported from another two sites.
An extremely late Redwing was at Newton Longville on 18th. This was most likely an injured individual unable to find the energy to migrate back its breeding grounds in Scandinavia. It’s great to see so many reports of Song Thrush in the database, with many relating to singing individuals. Fully fledged juveniles were seen at Linford, Emerson Valley, and Tingewick. Hopefully there will be many more seen over the rest of the summer.
House Sparrows bred at 10 sites, whilst there was evidence of breeding House Martins at five localities, which is rather low.
Please keep sending in your Song Thrush, House Sparrow and perhaps most importantly, House Martin records - especially those related to breeding.
Grasshopper Warblers were at five sites, including Emberton (1), Leckhampstead Wood (1), Olney (2) and Floodplain Forest NR (1). As well as this, 4 males were ringed and another individual was heard reeling at a site in the west of the county - it is thought up to 6 territories are being held at this location.
There were just 20 reports of Yellow Wagtail in May from 12 sites, which is again low. The only potential breeding report came from Prestwood. A female Blue-headed Wagtail was at Amersham Flood Meadows from 3rd-5th.
There were Spotted Flycatchers at 11 sites, which is up by 3 compared to May last year. Encouraging early signs of territorial behaviour were seen at Stowe, Church Wood, Burnham Beeches, Rushmere Park, Hardmead, Dorney Wood, and Buttermilk Wood. Please keep those breeding reports coming in.
Siskins were at Wendover (a pair on 5th), Stoke Common (an individual in song on 7th), Woburn Golf Club (a calling bird on 12th) and Great Brickhill (a flyover on 23rd). These late records may well refer to breeding birds.
Finally, I end this report with the only record of Little Owl made during the month, at Abbey Park Farm on 25th. Little Owls have been quietly on the decline nationwide over the last few years. Please can I urge all observers to send in any records they may have of this charismatic species, as surely there must be more out there in the county somewhere.