BLACK-NECKED GREBE still present

The BLACK-NECKED GREBE was near the end of the barley bales in Cemetery Corner this morning. An immature Little Egret was feeding successfully on fish in the stream by the hide – it was also there yesterday. Also Siskins were flying over – two sightings of two birds. A Water Rail was on the mud between Cemetery Corner and the boathouse. The European Golden Plover flock was still present on the mud islands and a Goldeneye was on the lagoon to the right of the hide (Roy Hargreaves).

PINTAIL numbers remain stable

This morning there were fourteen PINTAILS present on Wilstone – mainly by the jetty spit – unusually I heard them calling. Also two Marsh Tits calling by the junction of the main footpath and the footpath to the hide. Two parties of Brambling also brightened up the already sunny day considerably as that brought up my 150th species at the reservoirs this year.

The large flock of Golden Plover still looked decidedly mono-specific. Also had a flock of about 20 Skylarks in a field of stubble to the south of the Dry Canal – no Lapland Buntings or Shore Larks yet, but I’ll keep looking and listening (Roy Hargreaves).

LAPLAND BUNTING at the Beacon

There is a LAPLAND BUNTING in with the large flock of Eurasian Skylarks and other seedeaters in the fields to the east of the Sheep Pens at Ivinghoe Hills NR this morning (Dave Bilcock et al)

BLACK REDSTARTS in Aylesbury

Two BLACK REDSTARTS remain for at least their seventh day today on rough ground behind the Chiltern View Garden Centre just off of the A413 between Aylesbury and Wendover. They are actually spending most of their time flitting between the two parked lorries and outbuilding on private land adjacent to the Triangle Business Park and are extremely elusive. The site is strictly private property and should only be entered if access has been allowed by James Bone or his associates at the Fireworks kiosk at the entrance.

BRAMBLINGS still at the Beacon

There was still a flock of 20 or more BRAMBLINGS feasting on the berries on the Whitebeam trees this afternoon at 4:30pm in the scrub across the road from the main car park. These superb portraits were taken by local birder Michael Knott.

Late SWALLOWS

Two EUROPEAN BARN SWALLOWS at Long Marston village plus a female PEREGRINE at Betlow farm Long Marston this morning. Also 50 plus flock of European Golden Plover in field at Cemetery corner Wilstone (Johne Taylor)

17 October - another ROCK PIPIT

With Steve Rodwell late this afternoon a SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT was along the shore near the new overflow and the drake GARGANEY was still amongst the teal on the mud close to the hide. A DUNLIN was amongst the lapwings and gulls but a low flying balloon put up most of the birds present, resulting in the gulls heading off early. This morning Steve saw a Common Goldeneye in Cemetery corner.

Two more Common Goldeneyes were discovered by Paul Reed on the main lake at College Lake this morning, which had moved to the marsh by mid day. The Goosander was still present also, again on the far side of the tern island (David Bilcock).