CALVERT BBOWT
(Tim Watts)
Northern Pochard (22)
GREEN SANDPIPER
About 400 Lapwing flushed by a PEREGRINE
Monday, 29 September 2008
28 SEPTEMBER 2008
CALVERT BBOWT
WATER RAIL squealing in reeds, with MARSH TIT in scrub and COMMON SNIPE in front of hide
SAILING LAKE
A late SEDGE WARBLER was encountered, with 5 Skylark over, Bullfinch abd Blackcap noted.
HILLESDEN POOLS
LITTLE EGRET, 4 Little Grebes, 104 Greylag Geese and 8 Common Teal
CRESLOW - YELLOW WAGTAIL
WATER RAIL squealing in reeds, with MARSH TIT in scrub and COMMON SNIPE in front of hide
SAILING LAKE
A late SEDGE WARBLER was encountered, with 5 Skylark over, Bullfinch abd Blackcap noted.
HILLESDEN POOLS
LITTLE EGRET, 4 Little Grebes, 104 Greylag Geese and 8 Common Teal
CRESLOW - YELLOW WAGTAIL
26 SEPTEMBER 2008
JAYS ARE EVERYWHERE JUST NOW
QUAINTON HILLS
A single SPOTTED FLYCATCHER remains, along with 1 Common Chiffchaff; c20 Meadow Pipits in vicinity
CALVERT
6 JAYS flew east, with a few Blackcaps in the scrub
TIM WATTS
Saturday, 27 September 2008
25 SEPTEMBER 2008
25 SEPTEMBER 2008
QUAINTON HILLS
A total of 9 REDWINGS - 2 at the very bottom near the church and 7 at the top of West Slope.
Also, two female COMMON REDSTARTS, 2 NORTHERN WHEATEAR, a YELLOW WAGTAIL and about 50 Meadow Pipits.
(All observations Tim Watts)
More FERRUGINOUS DUCK Images
Tim Watts has very kindly supplied me with four further images of the superb drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK he found at Calvert BBOWT Lake last week
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
24 SEPTEMBER 2008
CALVERT LAKES
NO SIGN of yesterday's drake Ferruginous Duck despite extensive searching**
The CETTI'S WARBLER appeared again in scrub by the Fisher Hide (several observers)
Drake RUDDY DUCK
COMMON SANDPIPER
Common Chiffchaff
Single adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL and first-winter GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL in Lesser Black-backed Gull roost (see photograph above)
Little Grebe
Meadow Pipits - 2 over
(TIM WATTS)
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
23 SEPTEMBER 2008 - FERRUGINOUS DUCK arrives with 11 Pochard
TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2008
An increasing NE wind pushing down thick cloud, with the odd heavy shower. Temperatures still holding up.
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE (NORTH BUCKS)
(1323-1404 hours)
After receiving a text mega from Tim Watts shortly after 1230 hours, I made my way from Little Chalfont to Calvert Lake. Tim had just discovered a drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK whilst chaperoning his wider family around the BBOWT reserve. I rendezvoued with Mike & Rose Collard in Great Missenden and at 1323, arrived on site.
The drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK was consorting with 11 newly-arrived Northern Pochards at the north end of the BBOWT Lake, just behind the left hand raft, and was affording excellent 'scope views from the Crispin Fisher Hide. It was a cracking adult drake, emerging from its summer moult, with deep ferruginous-brown/cinnamon-brown head, black-toned upperparts, paler brown sides and flanks and heavily contrasting and gleaming white undertail-coverts. The head shape was typically domed or peak-crowned, with a striking pearly-white eye and a black tip to the bill. It was smaller than the accompanying Pochards and was rather small-bodied, with a long bill and neck, and a distinctly high forehead and peaked crown.
For most of the time it was resting, but was never seen to close its eyes. It remained alert throughout and each time the northerly wind pushed it south of the rafts, it would 'wake up' and swim quickly north to rejoin the Pochard flock.
A hybrid was ruled out on the fact that the black on the bill was restricted to the nail and did not continue around on to the flanges of the bill. There was also no hint of any green in the head, nor any imperfections in the gleaming white of the undertail-coverts. Furthermore, the eye was pure pearly-white, with no dark influence.
During the hour that Mike, Rose and I were present in the hide, we were joined by Steve Norman, Ted & Evelyn Reed, Tony Pozanski, Adam Hartley and Andrew Harding, whilst Simon Nichols and others connected later in the afternoon. It represented only the TENTH RECORD for the county, following a long-staying drake present at Newton Longville from 24 February to 12 April 1974 (and again from 5-26 October 1974), a drake at Eythrope on 15 February 1976, a drake of suspect origin on the River Colne at Iver on 2 February 1979 and a female at Little Marlow GP on 3-4 December 1989.
An increasing NE wind pushing down thick cloud, with the odd heavy shower. Temperatures still holding up.
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE (NORTH BUCKS)
(1323-1404 hours)
After receiving a text mega from Tim Watts shortly after 1230 hours, I made my way from Little Chalfont to Calvert Lake. Tim had just discovered a drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK whilst chaperoning his wider family around the BBOWT reserve. I rendezvoued with Mike & Rose Collard in Great Missenden and at 1323, arrived on site.
The drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK was consorting with 11 newly-arrived Northern Pochards at the north end of the BBOWT Lake, just behind the left hand raft, and was affording excellent 'scope views from the Crispin Fisher Hide. It was a cracking adult drake, emerging from its summer moult, with deep ferruginous-brown/cinnamon-brown head, black-toned upperparts, paler brown sides and flanks and heavily contrasting and gleaming white undertail-coverts. The head shape was typically domed or peak-crowned, with a striking pearly-white eye and a black tip to the bill. It was smaller than the accompanying Pochards and was rather small-bodied, with a long bill and neck, and a distinctly high forehead and peaked crown.
For most of the time it was resting, but was never seen to close its eyes. It remained alert throughout and each time the northerly wind pushed it south of the rafts, it would 'wake up' and swim quickly north to rejoin the Pochard flock.
A hybrid was ruled out on the fact that the black on the bill was restricted to the nail and did not continue around on to the flanges of the bill. There was also no hint of any green in the head, nor any imperfections in the gleaming white of the undertail-coverts. Furthermore, the eye was pure pearly-white, with no dark influence.
During the hour that Mike, Rose and I were present in the hide, we were joined by Steve Norman, Ted & Evelyn Reed, Tony Pozanski, Adam Hartley and Andrew Harding, whilst Simon Nichols and others connected later in the afternoon. It represented only the TENTH RECORD for the county, following a long-staying drake present at Newton Longville from 24 February to 12 April 1974 (and again from 5-26 October 1974), a drake at Eythrope on 15 February 1976, a drake of suspect origin on the River Colne at Iver on 2 February 1979 and a female at Little Marlow GP on 3-4 December 1989.
More recently, a female was on College Lake on 3-4 & 19 November and 9 December 1995, a drake on Little Marlow GP on 19 & 26 October 1996, a drake almost daily from 22 February to 2 March 1997, a drake at Calvert on 23 December 1997 and a drake on Little Marlow GP on 30-31 January 1999.
Adam managed to obtain the three images above
A single LITTLE EGRET was also present, feeding on the cut-reed area in front of the hide
Monday, 22 September 2008
19 SEPTEMBER 2008
Whinchat, Quainton Hills North Slope, 19 September 2008 (Tim Watts)
19 SEPTEMBER 2008
QUAINTON HILLS
WHINCHAT - 3 present on the North Slopes
NORTHERN WHEATEAR - 3
COMMON REDSTART - new bright male present
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - 3 remain
Meadow Pipits (40+)
LESSER WHITETHROAT (2)
COMMON WHITETHROAT
Common Chiffchaff (6)
18 SEPTEMBER 2008
18 SEPTEMBER 2008
All today's observations courtesy of Tim Watts
QUAINTON HILLS
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - 4
COMMON REDSTART - 1 male
Common Chiffchaff - 6
Willow Warbler - 4
COMMON WHITETHROAT
Meadow Pipits - 50+ (see photograph above)
Robin (10)
Song Thrush
Chaffinch (30+)
Jays - 2, one of which flew high east
LITTLE OWL
17 SEPTEMBER 2008
Lesser Whitethroat (Mike Lawrence)
17 SEPTEMBER
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE AND SAILING LAKE
(Tim Watts)
Little Grebe
All 5 LITTLE EGRET were feeding in front of the Fisher Hide
Northern Pochard (11)
COMMON KINGFISHER (2)
Grey Wagtail (2)
LESSER WHITETHROAT (2)
Common Chiffchaff (6)
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
16 SEPTEMBER 2008
QUAINTON HILLS
Two SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS (see photo above), 2 COMMON REDSTART, single NORTHERN WHEATEAR, 3 Blackcap, 2 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 5 Common Chiffchaffs, 4 Meadow Pipits, 60 Goldfinch and an increase in Common Blackbirds, Robins and Chaffinches (Tim Watts)
CALVERT BBOWT
Four LITTLE EGRETS remain, affording spectacularly close views as they feed in recently cut reeds just below the hide. The GREEN SANDPIPER is still present, with 3 Blackcaps in the scrub (Tim Watts).
CALVERT SAILING LAKE
3 'new' small Great Crested Grebe chicks (Tim Watts)
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
9 SEPTEMBER 2008
RECENT SIGHTINGS
The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard present briefly at Foxcote Reservoir and Northern Wheatears and Whinchat photographed on Quainton Hills (all TIM WATTS)
TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
CALVERT SAILING LAKE
Large number of warblers in surrounding scrub including Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler and Common Chiffchaff; also noticeable influx of thrushes
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE
The COMMON REDSTART remains, as well as single LITTLE EGRET. Steady trickle of Barn Swallows heading south. No sign of juvenile Greater Scaup.
BOTOLPH CLAYDON
COMMON RAVEN being mobbed by Carrion Crows
All TIM WATTS
8 SEPTEMBER 2008
CALVERT SAILING LAKE
No sign of the Greater Scaup but 8 Great Crested Grebes (including 1 juvenile), 1 LITTLE EGRET feeding, 6 Tufted Ducks, pair of Northern Pochard and COMMON KINGFISHER.
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE (1800-1900 hours)
The juvenile GREATER SCAUP was located at the extreme south end of the lake, swimming close to the overhanging trees and lake edge. A rather nondescript bird with a strange long-neck and rounded head profile. It was a much paler brown than female Tufted Duck, with pale brown flanks and sides and contrastingly darker upperparts and head. The white blaze was rather restricted, with a paler area on the crown and on the ear-coverts. The eye was rather dull yellow, with the bill spatulated, wider-flanged, dark-tipped and pale grey in colour. When diving for food, it was rather Shag-like, jumping out of the water before diving under.
Also 4 Great Crested Grebes
All Today's Sightings courtesy of LGRE
No sign of the Greater Scaup but 8 Great Crested Grebes (including 1 juvenile), 1 LITTLE EGRET feeding, 6 Tufted Ducks, pair of Northern Pochard and COMMON KINGFISHER.
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE (1800-1900 hours)
The juvenile GREATER SCAUP was located at the extreme south end of the lake, swimming close to the overhanging trees and lake edge. A rather nondescript bird with a strange long-neck and rounded head profile. It was a much paler brown than female Tufted Duck, with pale brown flanks and sides and contrastingly darker upperparts and head. The white blaze was rather restricted, with a paler area on the crown and on the ear-coverts. The eye was rather dull yellow, with the bill spatulated, wider-flanged, dark-tipped and pale grey in colour. When diving for food, it was rather Shag-like, jumping out of the water before diving under.
Also 4 Great Crested Grebes
All Today's Sightings courtesy of LGRE
7 SEPTEMBER 2008
CALVERT SAILING LAKE
The juvenile GREATER SCAUP was still present this morning prior to the sailing, hugging the reeds in the far NW corner of the lake; also 3 Northern Pochard.
CALVERT BBOWT
One LITTLE EGRET remained, as well as the long-staying COMMON REDSTART
WADDESDON - HOBBY over fields
WHITCHURCH/CRESLOW - 24 Stock Doves and 60 Barn Swallows.
The juvenile GREATER SCAUP was still present this morning prior to the sailing, hugging the reeds in the far NW corner of the lake; also 3 Northern Pochard.
CALVERT BBOWT
One LITTLE EGRET remained, as well as the long-staying COMMON REDSTART
WADDESDON - HOBBY over fields
WHITCHURCH/CRESLOW - 24 Stock Doves and 60 Barn Swallows.
Saturday, 6 September 2008
SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
CALVERT BOATING LAKE AND BBOWT RESERVE
The juvenile GREATER SCAUP discovered this evening was still present up until dark on the sailing lake at Calvert, favouring the SW corner and associating with 3 Northern Pochards (Mike Wallen).
There was a massive gull roost with very large numbers of juveniles which was really nice to see after low numbers in recent times. About 6,000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls roosted together with a rather impressive 26 YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS and a few Herring Gulls but not one single small gull of any variety !!
The COMMON REDSTART remained in bushes by the Fisher Hide, with at least 3 LITTLE EGRETS still in the vicinity (Tim Watts).
The juvenile GREATER SCAUP discovered this evening was still present up until dark on the sailing lake at Calvert, favouring the SW corner and associating with 3 Northern Pochards (Mike Wallen).
There was a massive gull roost with very large numbers of juveniles which was really nice to see after low numbers in recent times. About 6,000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls roosted together with a rather impressive 26 YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS and a few Herring Gulls but not one single small gull of any variety !!
The COMMON REDSTART remained in bushes by the Fisher Hide, with at least 3 LITTLE EGRETS still in the vicinity (Tim Watts).
Friday, 5 September 2008
5 SEPTEMBER 2008
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE
Two COMMON TERNS were pushed down by heavy rain, whilst 4 LITTLE EGRETS remain, as well as the COMMON REDSTART in bushes left of the hide (Tim Watts)
CALVERT SAILING LAKE
A single LITTLE EGRET and at least 60 hirundines.
FOXCOTE RESERVOIR
An eclipse drake RED-CRESTED POCHARD was present, landing briefly in front of the hide.
At least 100 Black-headed Gulls roosting, including one still in full juvenile plumage (Tim Watts)
Two COMMON TERNS were pushed down by heavy rain, whilst 4 LITTLE EGRETS remain, as well as the COMMON REDSTART in bushes left of the hide (Tim Watts)
CALVERT SAILING LAKE
A single LITTLE EGRET and at least 60 hirundines.
FOXCOTE RESERVOIR
An eclipse drake RED-CRESTED POCHARD was present, landing briefly in front of the hide.
At least 100 Black-headed Gulls roosting, including one still in full juvenile plumage (Tim Watts)
Thursday, 4 September 2008
4 SEPTEMBER
FOXCOTE RESERVOIR
A probable GREY PHALAROPE was seen very briefly, mostly in flight, late morning, along with a juvenile COMMON GREENSHANK, 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 5 Common Snipe, 329 Coots, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 47 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 75 Black-hedaed Gulls (Phil Tizzard)
A probable GREY PHALAROPE was seen very briefly, mostly in flight, late morning, along with a juvenile COMMON GREENSHANK, 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 5 Common Snipe, 329 Coots, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 47 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 75 Black-hedaed Gulls (Phil Tizzard)
3 SEPTEMBER
QUAINTON HILLS
A quick look around the Lower Slopes produced 2 COMMON REDSTARTS (male and female; male photographed above), 4 SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS, a few WILLOW WARBLERS and a HOBBY.
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE
The juvenile EUROPEAN SHAG was again roosting on the raft, whilst 3 Common Teal were noted on the lake. Up to 4 LITTLE EGRETS were present, three feeding together below the first hide. The HOBBY was seen again.
All Observations and Photographs today - TIM WATTS
Monday, 1 September 2008
1ST-2ND SEPTEMBER 2008
Colour-ringed Juvenile Little Egret, Calvert Lake BBOWT Reserve, Bucks, 1st September 2008 (Tim Watts)
This bird was the largest of three nestlings trapped and ringed on 23 June 2008 at the Gwent Levels in SOUTH WALES.
CALVERT BBOWT LAKE
Once again, the juvenile EURASIAN SHAG was showing well roosting on the raft in front of the Fisher Hide, along with all 3 LITTLE EGRETS and a COMMON SANDPIPER. The HOBBY was again present, and the juvenile COMMON REDSTART still remained in scrub right of the main track just beyond the hide (Tim Watts)
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