Sightings 2021

Please submit your sightings to sightings@mknhs.org.uk.
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Click here for previous year’s sightings: 2020 2019 2018 2017

If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to submit your sightings to become a record. Guidance on how to do this, and who to submit it to, can be found in the Recording section. (https://mknhs.org.uk/recording/)

MKNHS does not generally check the reliability of a sighting but for particularly rare or uncommon species, we may ask for additional information. We reserve the right to make the final decision on what sightings are posted.

December

31^st Goosander: pair, on the canal, Woolstone (Nick King)

29^th Gullls: huge flock of several hundreds of unidentified gulls video’d flying over and round Caldecotte Lake. (Rebecca Hiorns)

Video link: Gulls, Caldecotte (Rebecca Hiorns)

28^th Otter: Video’d running at speed between Caldecotte Lake and River Ouzel, Simpson. (Sam Hiorns)

Video link: Running otter, Simpson ( Sam Hiorns)

27^th Woodcock: Close by the track before flying off low near footpath by stone barn, Little Linford Wood (BuBC)

26^th Slavonian Grebe: Furzton Lake (Phill Crowe)

Slavonian Grebe (Photo©Phill Crowe)

26^th Great Northern Diver: Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

26^th Slavonian Grebe: Still present but spending more time nearer the W end of Furzton Lake (Harry Appleyard/BuBC))

26^th Slavonian Grebe: Furzton Lake (Martine Harvey/BuBC)

26^th Goldeneye (6m,2f): Willen Lakes (BuBC)

24^th Mistle Thrush: Wolverton Mill Balancing Lakes (Joe Clinch)

23^rd Probable ad Yellow-legged Gull : Clean white rounded head, yellow legs seen briefly when bathing. Also Mediterranean Gull (ad winter plumage) seen briefly in Black-headed Gull flock. Great Northern Diver still around. Caldecotte Lake south (Chris Coppock/BuBC)

22^nd Water Vole Arvicola amphibius: Seen in the old mill race at Willow Lane, Stony Stratford. It was about 4 metres away from me, entered the water with a plop, swam just under the surface for about 2m, then surfaced and swam to the other bank. Stony Stratford (Tim Pearson)

22^nd Slavonian Grebe: Spotted around 8am near the E end of the lake. Showed very well as it sat on the surface and dived for fish around quite a small range though occasionally harrassed by Great Crested Grebes. Furzton Lake (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)

22^nd Caspian Gull (adult): Newton Leys (BuBC)

22^nd Shoveller (5m), Wigeon (9m), as well as probable females, but difficult to be certain at a distance among a large number of birds, including c.60 Mallard (m/f), c.200 Greylag Geese, 30 Canada Geese; also a LIttle Egret on the island: all on the westernmost of the Gayhurst Quarry Lakes, adjacent the M1. (Martin Ferns)

22^nd Great Northern DIver: Still patrolling the south lake, still munching on Crayfish, Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

22^nd Goldeneye (m): Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

21^st Goosander (2m, 1f) and Shoveler (pair): My last two visits to the Stony Stratford reserve have produced very few siightings of any kind, so it was good to see Buzzard, Redwing, Gadwall, as well as the usual Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen. Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (Joe Clinch)

21^st Slavonian Grebe (ad, winter plumage): First on main lake near E end, then in Lpughton Brook ‘estuary’ SE of railway bridge. Dives a lot. Furzton Lake. (Chris Coppock/BuBC)

21st Goldeneye (4m, 2f)): Willen Lake South (BuBC)

18^th Hawfinch: My first for this site, calling in flight to the east over The Open University. Kents Hill (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)

18^th Mediterranean Gull (ad): Willen Lake North (BuBC)

18^th Merlin (prob m): Initially thought to be male Peregrine until ‘escorted’ off site by a Carrion Crow; about two-thirds the size of crow. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

17^th Goosander (5m); Tongwell Lake (Martin Ferns)

17^th Pintail (5m, 3f): Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

17^th Goldeneye (4m, 1f): Willen Lake South (BuBC)

16^th Great Black-backed Gull (ad): bathing then flew off south. Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

15^th Great Northern Diver: Seen most of the day, Caldecotte Lake South (Phill Crowe)

Great Northern Diver (Photo © Phill Crowe)

15^th Great Northern Diver: probably seen on MKNHS morning walk along with Little Grebe flock reported below – see 12^th. Photographed clearly on 15^th. Caldecotte Lake South (Julian Lambley)

Great Northern Diver (Photo © Julian Lambley)

14^th Egyptian Goose, Shoveller (2m), Gadwall (pair): Ashland (Peter Barnes)

14^th Buff-tailed Bumblebee: gathering pollen from Fatsia japonica (Caster-oil plant) outside the kitchen window, Simpson (Rebecca Hiorns)

Brief video: Buff-tailed Bumblebee Simpson RH 14.12.21

13^th Pintail (m): A single individual seen from Aqueduct Hide briefly before it went into dense vegetation. (BuBC)

13^th Black Redstart: Whitehouse (BuBC)

12^th Leaf ‘rosettes’ of Bee orchids: dozens at several sites in Portway (H5) grid-road grasslands but between the trees and houses and near a Redway. Bradwell Common (Mike LeRoy)

12^th Little Grebes (10): Seen on the MKNHS morning walk around Caldecotte Lake (Martine Harvey and others)

12^th Goldeneye: 1 on south lake, one on north: Willen Lake (BuBC)

12^th Mediterranean Gull (ad): Willen Lake North (BuBC)

11^th Siberian Chiffchaff: A classic-looking bird, watched at close range in great light. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

9^th Great White Egret: Gayhurst Quarry lakes (Martin Ferns)

8^th Goldeneye: Willen Lake North (Janice Robertson/BuBC)

5^th Grey Wagtail: in one of the drainage ditches. Fairfields estate, MK11 (Joe Clinch)

5^th Woodcock: flew up from the path as I waited for jogger to pass. Rushmere Park (BuBC)

2^nd Black Redstart: Whitehouse (BuBC)

1^st Sparrowhawk: Seen 3 times this week in Stantonbury (Adam A)

Sparrowhawk video, Stantonbury Dec 21

November

30^th Collared Earthstar Geastrum Triplex: tentative identification, thanks to Justin Long. seen near Bragenham Farm, Soulbury SP 899 285 (Peter Barnes / Martin Ferns)

poss. Collared Earthstar Geastrum Triplex (Photo © Peter Barnes)

28^th Kingfisher: Stony Stratford NR (Joe Clinch)

28^th Goosander (5 males, 3 females): Wolverton Mill Balancing Lakes (Joe Clinch)

26^th Caspian Gull (3): 1 very smart adult; 1 1st winter; 1 hybrid 1st winter, presumed with Herring Gull, Newton Leys (BuBC)

24^th Black Redstart: Whitehouse (BuBC)

23^rd Goldeneye: %m, 2f Willen Lake South (BuBC)

22^nd Mistletoe and Mistle Thrush: a tree near the boundary of Salcey Forest with lots of mistletoe bunches and attendant thrush guarding his/her berries (Julie Lane)

22^nd Goldeneye; 4, Willen Lake South (BuBC)

21^st Great White Egret: also 33 Lapwing and c.75 Greylag Geese – not seen for a while, Gayhurst Quarry Lakes (Martin Ferns)

20^th Great White Egret, Little Egret (5), Goosander (3 fem), Peregrine (2, on the chimney); Tree Creeper; Fieldfare; Meadow Pipit (10): Floodplain Forest Reserve (Peter Barnes)

20^th Woodcock: flushed by dogs at edge of wood, Stoke Goldington (BuBC)

18^th Woodcock: Flushed by footpath in Valley Park. Furzton (BuBC)

17^th Black Redstart (male): He’s back! Whitehouse, MK (BuBC)

16^th Goosander (Female): Tongwell Lake (Joe Clinch)

15^th Ruddy Shelduck (Female), Teals, Tufted Ducks, Grebes, Little Egret, Swans, Canada Geese and Green Woodpecker: Viaduct Hide, Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve (Jill Farrell)

14^th Whooper Swan: 3 flew in and landed on the middle lake, before flying off again shortly after to NW. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

12^th Woodcock: One flushed on Bury Field, Newport Pagnell (BuBC)

10^th Tawny Owl: Male and female heard. Willen Lake North (Ann Strutton)

7^th Great White Egret (7): 5 seen from the Heronry hide, at the same time as 2 seen from the Otter hide by Martine, one of which then flew over to join the 5 on the island. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

7^th Mediterranean Gull: Adult, winter plumage.In Black-headed Gull flock at west end of lake. Mount Farm SP876349 (Chris Coppock/BuBC)
7^th Pintail: Pair, now in full plumage. Gayhurst Quarry lakes (BuBC)

5^th Goldeneye: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

4^th Redwings: About 20 landed for a few minutes in the hawthorn tree next to our garden, Haversham (BuBC)

4^th Goldeneye (m): on main lake in front of hotel. Furzton Lake (BuBC)

1^st Grey Wagtail. By the overspill. Willen Lake North (Ann Strutton)

October

31^st Cattle Egret: See briefly from hide, Willen Lake North (BuBC)

29^th Common Crossbill (1m and 2 f): My first Crossbills here in a few months, spending a while in deciduous trees overlooking one of the outer meadows. Back Wood, Brickhills (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)

26^th Mediterranean Gull (1st winter): Among the Black-headed and Common Gulls. Furzton Lake (Tom Gravett)

26^th Cattle Egret: Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

24^th Orange Peel fungus: seen on the MKNHS walk, Linford Wood (Derek Taylor)

Orange Peel fungus (Photo © Derek Taylor)

24^th Leucistic Canada Goose (poss): Floodplain Forest NR (Glenn Singleton)

24^th Otter: Spotted approx 9.35 am, Viaduct hide, Floodplain Forest NR (Glenn Singleton)

24^th Starling murmuration: coming into roost in the reeds on the west bank of Willen Lake north, at 18.00 hrs. Still quite a small murmuration but hopefully it will grow. (Susan Weatherhead)

20^thHornets nest in Ash tree Linford Wood (Charles Vaton)

18^th Shaggy Ink Cap at Salcey forest ( Julie Lane)

Coprinus comatus (Photo: Julie Lane)

17^th Black Redstart : Willen Lake South, Willen Lakes. Seen and photographed on the Ferris Wheel and later on the rough ground behind the old cafe. John Richardson (BuBC)

16^th Harlequin ladybirds. Large numbers swarming around MK as reported on the Society facebook page after an initial report by Julie Lane

15^th Hen Harrier: Newport Pagnell. Ringtail (female) flew towards a circling buzzard over Woad Farm and then flew towards Lathbury (BuBC)
14^th Common Crossbill: 2, Tattenhoe Park, Milton Keynes. (On behalf of Szimi. Hasan Al-Farhan(BuBC)
13^th Rock Pipit: 2, Willen Lake South (BuBC)
10^th Pintail: either juv or ecl male: Gayhurst Quarry Lakes (BuBC)
10^th Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus occidentalis: Came to light at night, in bathroom. This is the third record of this species at this location; previous records were 28^th March 2015 and 23^rd March 2019. This species was first recorded in Britain in 2007. Numbers of the species are said to be bolstered by migrants late in the year. It feeds on seeds and unripe cones of conifer, particularly Scots Pine. There are several Corsican Pine Pinus nigra subsp. larico nearby. Bradwell Common: SP 84378 38908 (Mike LeRoy)
9^th Grass Snake: 2 basking in the sunshine on brambles, and 1 in the undergrowth – well-disguised, and only seen as I was blackberrying. Lakes Lane, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

Grass snake (Photo: Martin Ferns)
9^th Great White Egret: Gayhurst Quarry Lakes (Martin Ferns)
9^th Tree Sparrow: 5+ seen near Pineham Farm, Haversham (BuBC)
7^th Hawfinch : heard only as it called in flight over one of the dense coniferous patches of the wood. Seemed to be heading south. Picked up on camera audio. Back Wood (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)
6^th Mandarin Duck: Male Mandarin in breeding plumage, in close company to a pair of Mallards, on the Grand Union Canal between bridges 97 and 98, Water Eaton (Colin Docketty)
6^th Painted Lady: Photographed on Plumbago in her garden in Caldecotte. (Jill Lewis)

Painted Lady (Photo © Jill Lewis)
5^th Merlin: Flying over Sherington. (BuBC)

September

29^th Glossy Ibis: Showing well near the ‘screen’ for a while in the afternoon, before flying to the end of the island on the left, Floodplain Forest NR. (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)
29^th Red-eared Terrapin: Also known as Red-eared Slider, an invasive species, seen in River Ouzel, Simpson (Rebecca Hiorns)

(Red-eared Terrapin. Photo © Rebecca Hiorns)
26^th Glossy Ibis: seen from the screen wall, Floodplain Forest NR. (Phill Crowe)

Glossy Ibis (Photo © Phill Crowe)
25^th Ruff, Glossy Ibis: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
22^nd Woodlark: My first Woodlark for the Tattenhoe area. A morning flyover given away by calls as it went to the west not long before the mist drifted in. Tattenhoe Park. (Harry Appleyard)

Woodlark (Photo © Harry Appleyard)
22^nd Glossy Ibis: My first, watched for about half an hour from the iron trunk hide as it fed around one of the shallow pools. Still present when I left. Superb find by A Beolens. Floodplain Forest NR (Harry Appleyard and others / BuBC)
21^st Grey Wagtail: popped out from under one of the bridges on the lakes, Ashland (BuBC)
20^th Clifden Nonpareil: Winslow (Chris Roberts)
16^th Clifden Nonpareil: Winslow (Chris Roberts)
15^th Ruddy Shelduck and Green Sandpiper (2): Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
13^th Osprey: Seen flying over the Willen Road, heading SE. Willen Lakes (BuBC)
11^th Wasp Spider: several seen in long grass alongside the path, Skylark Trail, Sandy RSPB Reserve – outside MK, but a beautiful creature, and something to look out for here? (Julian Lambley)

Wasp Spider (Photo©Julian Lambley)
11^th Black Tern: 2 juveniles. Willen Lake South (BuBC)
8^th Noble False Widow (?) spider Steatoda nobilis: On the wall of the front porch, Bancroft (Carol and Colin Hughes)

Noble False Widow (Photo © Colin Hughes)
7^th Jersey Tiger moth: Old Stratford (Andy Harding)
7^th Clifden Nonpareil: Tattenhoe (Janice Robertson)
6^th Clifden Nonpareil (moth): 2 in Little Linford Wood (Ayla Webb, Andy Harding)
6^th Hedgehog: Two in the garden 21.49. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

Hedgehogs (Photo © Peter Barnes)
6^th Whinchat: Perched on a 3-yr-old Hornbeam in new wood (BuBC)
5^th Red Admiral: on buddleia, garden in Simpson (Peter Barnes)

Red Admiral (Photo © Peter Barnes)
5^th Ruddy Shelduck: Lone bird among large numbers of Canada and Greylag geese. Also 25 Lapwing on the spit. In front of Viaduct Hide. Floodplain Forest NR (Martin Ferns)
5^th Pintail: 2 on Spinney Pit. Gayhurst Quarry. (BuBC)
5^th Osprey: flew in twoards my watchpoint from SE straight past me, then watched it go over our house and away heading W. Great Brickhill (BuBC)
4^th Tree Pipit: my first for Bucks this year, photographed as a silhouette overhead as it flew to the west after being given away by calls. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)
2^nd Fox: Stealing the hedgehog’s milk. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

Fox (Photo © Peter Barnes)

August

30^th Whinchat: A superb find by H Al-Farhan, showing well as it foraged and perched around the meadow at the north edge of Water Spinney. The first Whinchat I have ever seen in the Tattenhoe Valley Park itself, with all the previous ones being on the other side of the V1 at the fields marked for development in Tattenhoe Park and one briefly by St. Giles Church on 2nd September 2014. (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)

Whinchat, Water Spinney (Photo © Harry Appleyard)
29^th Pintail: 2 in a small influx of ducks. Gayhurst Quarry (BuBC)
29^th Grey Wagtail: flitting between stones in Loughton Brook, between H4 and A5 bridge. Wymbush (Martin Ferns)
29th Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar: 2 on fuscias in my garden, one much smaller than the other – probably an earlier instar. Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

Elephant hawk-moth caterpillars (photos © Martin Ferns)
28^th Scorpionfly (female): either German Scorpionfly Panorpa germanica or Common Scorpionfly Panorpa communis. (Thanks to Mike LeRoy for help with identification.) Also Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral. Lakes Lane, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

Scorpionfly (photo © Martin Ferns)
28^th Red Underwing: on the concrete underside of the A5 bridge over the R. Ouse, Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)
26^th Speckled Wood: near Campbell Park (Jill Lewis)

Speckled Wood (Photo © Jill Lewis)
26^th Whinchat: on the fence line. Ravenstone (BuBC)
25^th Osprey: photographed to NW of the village, not far from Tattenhoe Park. Gradually gained height while circling and eventually drifted off high to the W. Newton Longville (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)
24^th Comma on tree adjacant to first gate and drain to River Ouse just east of Wolverton Mill (Jenny Mercer)
23^rd Greenshank: Feeding by Iron Trunk hide, Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
23^rd Marsh Harrier: Female low over crop fields, flushed a gull flock, then quickly gained height as it flew SW down the river valley. Ravenstone (BuBC)
23^rd Spotted Flycatcher: Showing well around deadwood near the orchard. A frequented pit-stop for these birds in recent years. Tattenhoe 23^rd Greenshank: Feeding by Iron Trunk hide, Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
22^nd Tree Pipit: 2 ringed, both juveniles. Linford Lakes NR (Kenny Cramer/BuBC)
21^st Spotted Flycatcher: A pleasant surprise in a mixed flock of tits and warblers moving through trees in a field near the west ewd of the site. My first for the Tattenhoe area this year. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)
21^st Tree Pipit: 2 flew over the garden together calling, heading WSW. Great Brickhill (BuBC)
21^st Spotted Flycatcher (2): Probably more – lots of birds in the trees around the church, Tyringham Park (BuBC)
20^th Garganey (juv):: Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve (BuBC)
19^th Spotted Flycatcher (ad): Adult. Ravenstone (BuBC)
18^th Osprey: flew due W over North Bucks bridges, Newport Pagnell (BuBC)
16^th Greenshank (2): Willen Lake North (BuBC)
15^th Wheatear (ad f), Grey wagtail (5 ad + juvs), Chiffchaff, Blackcap and (?) Willow Warbler. Ravenstone (Chris Coppock/BuBC)
14^th Osprey: Circling high over main lake. Distinctive due to missing central tail feathers. Linford Lakes NR (Note: this is a permit-only site) (Kenny Cramer/BuBC)
13^th Black-tailed Godwit. Asleep on island opposite Viaduct Hide. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
12^th Jersey Tiger moth: recorded for the first time in 23 years of mothing in my garden: New Bradwell (Tony Wood)

Jersey Tiger moth (Photo © Tony Wood)
11^th Starlings: making a racket while raiding just ripened old apple tree in Church Street garden, Wolverton (Jenny Mercer)
Video of starlings on apple tree
10^th Spotted Flycatcher: At least 4 in the trees and metal fence below the church. (BuBC)
10^th Ringed Plover: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
6^th Garganey: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
5^th Purple Emperor (f): Shenley Wood (Martin Ferns)
5^th Robin’s pincushion Dipoloepis rosae: on wild rose, W side of Caldecotte Lake South. (Jill and Jim Lewis)

Robin’s pincushion (Photo © Jim Lewis)

5^th Comma: photographed from the Otter Hide, Linford Lakes NR (Peter Barnes)

Comma (Photo © Peter Barnes)
5^th Cinnabar caterpillar: by the front door, Simpson (Peter Barnes)

Cinnabar moth caterpillar (Photo © Peter Barnes)
3^rd Green Sandpiper (10): Willen Lake North (BuBC)
1^st Wood Sandpiper: seen from the Farm Hide, elusive at times due to the vegetation. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

July

29^th Small Copper feeding on Marjoram, along with 7 Gatekeepers, home garden, Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)
28^th Little Ringed Plover (2 ads + 2 juvs), Green Sandpiper (ad), Common Sandpiper (ad), Peregrine: all seen at Floodplain Forest NR (Chris Coppock/BuBC)
27^th Emperor Dragonfly (female): In garden at Caldecotte (Jill and Jim Lewis)

Female Emperor Dragonfly (Photo © Jim Lewis)
26^th Honey Buzzard: Great Brickhill (BuBC)
25^th Greenshank: 1 flew over, calling. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
23^rd Marsh Harrier fem/imm: Bird flushed from reeds during a ringing session on the bund. Linford Lakes NR (Kenny Cramer/BuBC)
21^st Lapwing: 80-100 on the shore opposite Farm Hide, and a black cat (with its owners) in the Iron Trunk Hide. Floodplain Forest NR (Martin Ferns)
21^st Black-Tailed Godwit (5): Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)
21st Spotted Flycatcher: Showing now and again, but singing well. Leckhampstead Wood (BuBC)
18^th Purple Emperor: morning, Little Linford Wood (Ian Brazier)
16^th Grasshopper Warbler: reeling on Goosey Meadows, Olney (BuBC)
15^th Silver-washed fritillary, Willen Lake (Julian Lambley)
14^th Purple Emperor butterfly (male): flying and then settling on hawthorn on the south edge of Stokepark Wood, next to public footpath Stoke Goldington (Joe Clinch)
13^th Great Dodder: seen on MKNHS walk along R. Ouzel, Simpson (Julian Lambley)

Great Dodder, on nettles (Photo © Julian Lambley)

13^th Curlew: flew over Willen Lake North (BuBC)
4^th Grasshopper Warbler: Reeling below Weston Road, Goosey Meadows, Olney (BuBC)
2^nd Bar-tailed Godwit (4 probable): 4 birds dropped in calling at 21.30; they proceeded to do 3 laps of Viaduct pit before landing on a small island with Canada Geese on – the only island still visible due to the height of the water. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
2^nd Hobby seen over Barn Field. Then Kingfisher and Common Tern flying along river. Also huge numbers (100+) of Emperor dragonflies over river and adjacent fields hawking for Mayflies, mating and egg laying in river. Also almost definite sighting of Willow Emerald damselfly but need to go back to get photos as it was getting dark. Olney (Julie Lane)
1^st Wood white: Lots flying in Salcey Forest (Julie Lane)

Wood whites (Photos © Julie Lane)

June

29^th Spotted Flycatcher: My first for this site, watched for about a minute catching flies around some heavily-leaved birch trees by one of the woodland rides. Back Wood, Brickhills (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)
25^th Pintail): Unmistakeable male flying back and forth over the water with its long thin neck, small head, long pointed tail, and rapid wing beats. It disappeared from view after about 3 minutes. Floodplain Forest NR (Joe Clinch)
24^th Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis: Barn Field, Olney (Julie Lane)

Pyramidal Orchid (Photo©Julie Lane)
23^rd Soprano pipistrelle: a large roost, first heard making a right racket; then watched about 50 popping out one at a time. Also saw an otter in the gloom, and heard it crunching something! Near the Mill House, Olney. (Julie Lane)
23^rd Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis: 2 seen near Caldecotte Lake, west of R. Ouzel (Rebecca Hiorns)

Pyramidal Orchid (Photo©Rebecca Hiorns)

23^rd Common Spotted Orchid: over 60 seen in Shenley Wood. (Richard and Marian Gent)
19^th Bee Orchids: approx. 100 on verge in front of the OU’s east campus, Hammerwood Gate, Kents Hill. A fabulous sight (Richard and Marian Gent)

Bee Orchids, Kents Hill (Photo © Richard and Marian Gent)
17^th Ophrys apifera Bee Orchids: over 50 stems at five sites on Bradwell Common. The first 15 emerged 7^th June at edge of unenriched grassland among dense patches of Lotus corniculatus Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Thanks to Parks Trust mower man for avoiding this corner so the orchids would flower). Plenty of bumblebees on Bird’s-foot Trefoil: none on Bee Orchids! A patch of 11 Bee Orchids emerged on a grass bank next to Hampstead Gate on 9^th June. 17 emerged 11^th June on steep bank of rough grass next to Redway underpass at Grafton North roundabout. Another patch of 13 emerged near Bradwell Common Boulevard around 14^th June. 3 more on verge of H5 Portway. Many other orchid leaf rosettes on verges showed in February and March but have not flowered. (Mike LeRoy).
16^th Elephant Hawk moth (3), Small Elephant Hawk moth (5), Poplar Hawk moth (1), Privet Hawk moth, plus a Scarlet Tiger moth: A wet night, but a good night for Hawk moths in my garden in New Bradwell (Tony Wood)
16^th Grasshopper Warbler: Calling near the owl box on the Goosey, Olney (BuBC)
14^th Ophrys apifera Bee Orchids. Central MK, North Row. 3 in dense grass next to Redway ramp to footbridge to Bradwell Common. (Mike LeRoy).
14^th Bee Orchid (welcome return after 4-year gap) and Twayblade: home garden, Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)

Bee Orchid (l) and Twayblade (r) (Photos © Joe Clinch)
13^th Bee Orchid: at least 35, on road bank near aqueduct, Grafton Street (Tony Wood)
13^th Red-legged Partridge: 2 immediately east of M1 underpass by the road to Little Linford Wood (Martin Ferns)
12^th Hobby: flying around the north end of the own. Newport Pagnell (BuBC)
11^th Small Copper and Gatekeeper: Bury field, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)
9^th Tree Sparrow: Single male in bushes at top of slope beyond Hill Farm. Haversham (BuBC)

8^th Chimney Sweeper (Odezia Afrata) day-flying moth (2): Pilch Field NR (Richard and Marian Gent)
8^th Glow-worm larvae: found crossing the track in Salcey Forest. Also a cuckoo calling in the distance and Ragged Robin in flower. Salcey Forest (Julie Lane)

Ragged Robin (Photo © Julie Lane)

8^th Small Blue butterfly: Stonepits Field (Katie Brazier)
7^th Marsh Warbler: seen at Floodplain Forest NR (Martine Harvey)
6^th Swift: at least 11 over the town, including a sighting of one entering the eaves of an estate house – same location as last year. Olney (Julie Lane)
6^th Pipistrelle: 3 pipistrelle bats over my garden, identified using my new Echo meter touch 2 detector. Olney (Julie Lane)
6^th Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera : Simpson churchyard (Rebecca Hiorns / Peter Barnes)

Bee orchid Ophrys apifera (Photo © Peter Barnes)

6^th Oystercatcher (3), Cuckoo (2 in flight): Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)
5^th Cuckoo: calling, has been present for a couple of days. Willen Lake North (Ann Strutton)
4^th Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula, Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuschia, Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon: Shenley Wood (Mike LeRoy/Martin Ferns)
2^nd Spotted Flycatcher (2), Tree Sparrow (2): Little Linford Wood (BuBC)
1^st Signal Crayfish: An invasive pest, relatively common in the UK, video’d in Simpson stream. (Rebecca Hiorns)
Signal Crayfish video 01.6.21 RH Simpson

Signal Crayfish (Photo and video © Rebecca Hiorns)
1^st Badger: Two photographed in my garden during the night with trail camera. New Bradwell. (Tony Wood)
1^st Grasshopper Warbler (4): Two separate groups with at least two calling in each area, the bank area Weston Underwood end of the Goosey and the other side of the river over the stone bridge but before the sheep paddocks. Olney (BuBC)
1^st Spotted Flycatcher: My first for this site and this year, singing by one of the woodland rides in College Wood, Nash. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

May

31^st Tree Sparrow (6): By the stone barn, just west of Little Linford Wood (BuBC)
31^st Mouse-ear Hawkweed. Lower Weald, Calverton. (Joe Clinch)

Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Photo © Joe Clinch)
29^th Golden Oriole: Heard just before 9am in Little Linford Wood, immediately reminding us of the Golden Oriole we had seen and heard some years ago at Lakenheath Fen. We didn’t see the bird, which sounded as if it was high up in the trees hidden from view, depsite our best efforts to try to locate the source of the lovely flutey song. Little Linford Wood (Jane and Martin Barrow)

Golden Oriole singing but not visible (Recording © Jane and Martin Barrow)

29^th Spotted Flycatcher: Vocal individual in small copse just south of village. Stoke Golindgton (BuBC)
25^th Otter: Furzton Lake (Simon Hare)
Otter Video – Simon Hare 25.05.21
25^th Night Heron: A full summer-plumage bird, photographed at 8.30 in the evening where the land/trees stick out towards the island; also seen in flight. Lodge Lake, Great Holm (Dave and Sue Smith)

Night Heron (Photo © Dave and Sue Smith)
24^th Swifts: Approximately 30 swooping and feeding over area bordering NW of Caldecotte Lake North (Peter Barnes/Martin Ferns)
23rd Cuckoo: 2 flew in front of Warbler Hide, only one calling so probably a pair. Also 2 Cetti’s Warbler. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)
23^rd Early Purple Orchid: along the path in the section of Hoo Wood east of the M1, Gayhurst (Martin Ferns)

Early Purple Orchid (Photo © Martin Ferns)
23^rd Mandarin Duck: male. Gayhurst Quarry Lakes (Martin Ferns)
22^nd Swift: 10-12 screaming over Market Square, Stony Stratford (Phil and Mary Sarre)
21^st Swift: on the canal towpath at Fenny Stratford, immediately south of Watling Street. It looked intact but I guess the fact that it was on the ground indicated that it was in some sort of trouble. (Peter Barnes)

Swift (Photo © Peter Barnes)
19^th Tree Sparrow: In the usual place near the barn, just west of Little Linford Wood (BuBC)
18^th Robin: One of my pair of Robins collecting meal worms for its young. In my garden, Woburn Sands (Viola Read)

Robin (Photo © Viola Read)
17^th Cattle Egret: 2 close together in field with Little Egrets. Floodplain Forest NR (Martine Harvey / BuBC)
17^th Mistle Thrush (2): Simpson Manor field. Simpson (Peter Barnes/Martin Ferns)
17^th Grey Wagtail (2): by sluice, Caldecotte Lake North (Peter Barnes/Martin Ferns)

Grey Wagtail (Photo © Peter Barnes)
17^th Little Egret, Common Tern (2), Pied Wagtail (6), Mandarin Duck (m), Great Crested Grebe (3), Reed Bunting (m); Swifts (5) and Buzzard overhead. Caldecotte Lake (Peter Barnes/Martin Ferns)
17^th Cattle Egret: 2 close together in field with Little Egrets. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
16^th Grey Wagtail: mill stream, Wolverton Mill (Joe Clinch)
16^th Goosander (pair): River Ouse, Millfield, Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)
16^th Whimbrel: pair spooted heading E over gap in the woodland canopy. Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)
15^th Yellow Wagtail (m, f): 3 in reeds/dead willow sticks in left-hand corner + many hirundines; Cuckoo (m) singing in wood; Common Tern (6) competing with Black-headed Gull for rafts; Common Sandpiper (1) on dam; Cetti’s Warbler (m) (3) singing; + the usual suspects . Foxcote Reservoir (Chris Coppock / BuBC)
14^th Mistle Thrush: feeding on the grass, in the balancing lakes area. Wolverton Mill (Joe Clinch)
14^th Early Purple Orchid: 30+ between two new ponds. Little Linford Wood (Phil Sarre)
14^th Whimbrel: Morning flyover. Flock of 8 heading to NE. Quite low down and seeming following the Tattenhoe Valley Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)
13^th Garganey (m): Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
12^th Wheatear (f): In bare Lapwing plot with several Lapwing and zillions of hares. Hanslope (Chris Coppock / BuBC)
12^th Painted Lady: near Sports Pavilion, Tattenhoe (Martin Ferns)
10^th Barnacle Goose: near the Caldecotte Arms, Caldecotte Lake North (Peter Barnes)

Barnacle Goose (top) and with Canada Goose (bottom) (Photos © Peter Barnes)
10^th Swift (4), House Martin (c. 12), Swallow: Flying and feeding along the R. Ouse and over the lakes; 2 Oystercatchers on the isalnd on the western lake. Gayhurst Quarry Pit Lakes, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)
9^th Swan and cygnets: a short video (link below) of a swan giving its cygnets a ride as they leave the nest beside the R. Ouzel, just south of the road between Simpson and Walton Park. (Produced and edited by 7-yr-old Madison Eatwell)
Madison’s video of swan 12.05.21
9^th Lesser Whitethroat: seen and heard between Warbler and Otter hides. Also Cuckoo flew over far hide. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)
9^th Hobby: sat in a tall willow west of the hide, visible from the E bank. Willen Lake North (BuBC)
7th Green-winged orchids: Just coming out. Pilch Field NR, Pilch Lane, nr Thornborough (Mary Sarre)

Green-winged orchids and cowslips (Photo © Mary Sarre)
7^th Grasshopper Warbler (2 singing), Cetti’s Warbler, Cuckoo, plus lots of Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting singing. Near Goosey Bridge, Olney (Julie Lane)
7^th Redstart (f): The latest I have ever recorded on Spring passage (only April in previous years), perched and foraging around a set of bushes where many of the past sightings have been seem, now close to a field with ongoing excavation. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)
7^th ‘Rustyback’ fern: (Asplenium ceterach or Ceterach offinarium): in old limestone wall, Vicarage Road, Stony Stratford (Mary Sarre)
7^th Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes): growing in mortar in brickwork railway bridge 170, North Loughton Valley Park (Mary Sarre)
6^th Brown Hare: 2 beautiful big hares, and a Cuckoo singing. Salcey Forest (Julie Lane)
6^th Meadow Saxifrage: in flower; also 4 Lapwing on the island (but otherwise the wetland species are all Canada Geese). Stony Stratford NR (Joe Clinch)
5^th Holly Blue Butterfly: 2 in my garden, Olney (Julie Lane)
5^th House Martin: Large numbers over Olney meadows (Julie Lane)
5^th Early Purple Orchid: one spike, two plants. Linford Wood (Mary Sarre)
5^th Grasshopper Warbler: 3 reeling, Goosey Meadows, Olney (BuBC)
4^th Grasshopper Warbler: reeling by the canal, Stanton Low Country Park (BuBC)
4^th Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
4^th Whimbrel: in field with sheep by main R. Ouse, 200m downstream of Emberton CP Caravan park; Also male Whinchat on fence posts 150m over the little bridge. Weston Road, Goosey Fields, Olney (BuBC)
4^th Gannet: adult, reported flying along Tattenhoe Valley Paark, heading east over Emerson Valley (BuBC)
3^rd Common Sandpiper: My first record on R. Ouse – the bird was initially feeding by the weir, but then flew towards the Mill and continued to feed. Wolverton Mill (BuBC)
3^rd Grasshopper Warbler: 3 ‘reeling’ birds in west meadow. Olney (BuBC)
2^ndPasque flower: Abundant Pasque flowers still, some with seed heads. Knocking Hoe (Julian Lambley)

Pasque flower and seed head (Photo © Julian Lambley)
2^nd Dingy Skipper (male?), Green Hairstreak: Knocking Hoe (Julian Lambley)

Dingy Skipper (Photo © Julian Lambley)

2^nd Common Sandpiper: Seen very briefly feeding by Common Terns on muddy spit, deeper pit. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

1^st Greenshank (2): One appeared to have only one leg. Plus Common Sandpiper. Floodplain Forest NR (Peter Barnes / BuBC)

1^st Common Tern: 4 on the island shore, western lake. Gayhurst Quarry (Martin Ferns)

1^st Common Sandpiper: Out front of Sailing Club. Emberton (BuBC)

1^stGrasshopper Warbler: Reeling in scrub below gate off Weston Road. The Goosey, Olney (BuBC)

1^st Ring Ouzel: very pleased to find a cracking male in paddocks E of . village. My first in the village, typically furtive keeping near bushes, but with patience could be seen feeding in the open albeit at a distance. Great Brickhill (BuBC)

April

30^th Mealy Redpoll (poss): Very pale bird among flock of 30 Redpolls near east end of the wood, feeding on aspen catkins like yesterday’s bird. A largely clean breast lacking speckles in the middle with a white brow. Howe Park Wood. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

30^th Greenshank (3), Common Sandpiper: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

29^th Cuckoo: heard (while in Lathbury) calling from Bury Field area, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

29^th Mealy Redpoll: A first for me, feeding on catkins alongside 2 other Redpolls on an aspen overlooking one of the main mud/wood-chip rides. Flock of about 15/20 Redpolls still feeding in this area in the early evening. Howe Park Wood. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

29^th Black Redstart: Heard singing (and just about picked up on windy sound recording) in the vicinity of one of the fields with ongoing excavation for new development, before work resumed in the morning. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

29^th Whinchat: adult male. Ravenstone (BuBC)

29^th Bulbous buttercup, Lady’s smock, Apple blossom, along banks of Gt River Ouse. near Haversham Mill (Mary Sarre)

28^th Little Gull: 2 first summer birds. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

28^th Whinchat (m): Sat holding on to a sprig of sorrel for grim death in a stiff NE breeze. Also 2-3 Greenshanks. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)
28^th Common Sandpiper: Floodplain Forest NR (Martine Harvey /

BuBC)

28^th Coot’s nest and egg: seen at Three Locks, Gt Brickhill (Julian Lambley)

Coot’s egg in nest (Photo © Julian Lambley)

28^th Whimbrel: My first ever ‘grounded’ Whimbrel for the Tattenhoe area, watched for about 40 mins foraging around damp field between 2 that are marked for development, before being flushed by an unknowing walker at the opposite end, flying off to the NE. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

28^th Pied flycatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Reed bunting: Floodplain Forest NR (Julian Lambley)

28^th Sand Martin: at least 4 flying around by the North Bridge, Newport Pagnell. (Martin Ferns)

27^th Skylark: at least two birds singing above tussock grass area just to W of Fairfield development (Joe Clinch)

27^th Linnet: male singing on recently planted area between Fairfield and Calverton (Joe Clinch)

27^th Hobby: Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

27^th Greenshank (2), Little Ringed Plover (3), Common Sandpiper, Swift, Common Tern, Herring Gull, Green Woodpecker. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

26^th Hoopoe: Still present, same area, quite mobile this morning. Willen Road Excavations (BuBC)

26^th Siberian Chiffchaff (m): Still present in the Tattenhoe Valley Park. Quietly calling and making sub-song before going into louder song as he foraged through blossom in the same location as yesterday’s sighting. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

26^th Lesser Whitethroat (m): My first for the Tattenhoe area this year, heard singing near the E end of Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard /BuBC)

26^th Swift (18): Also Greenshank and Lesser Whitethroat. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

26^th Yellow wagtail: pair seen near Olney Mill (julie Lane)

25^th Hoopoe: in the same location as on previous days, Willen Road Excavations, Willen (Peter Barnes)

Hoopoe (Photo © Peter Barnes)

24^th Hairy footed Flower Bee (m+f) and Mason Bee: Simpson churchyard (Rebecca Hiorns)

Hairy footed Flower Bee (Photo © Martin Ferns)

24^th Cuckoo (heard), Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank (4), Goosander (f). Little Owl: Floodplain Forest NR (Jane Grisdale)

24^th Hoopoe: Good – though brief – view from 20m in middle of the large site. The bird had been under observation for the previous 45 minutes. I was advised that the landowner does not welcome the attention; to reduce the potential for conflict, it’s important to keep to the somewhat ill-defined footpath. Willen Road Excavations, Willen (Peter Barnes)

24^th Greater Stitchwort: in flower in several places. Also Speckled Wood butterfly. Little Linford Wood (Martin Ferns)

24^th Lady’s Smock: in flower between the first two lakes, Gayhurst Quarry (Martin Ferns)

24^th Small Tortoiseshell; Speckled Wood: Lakes Lane/Gayhurst Quarry (Martin Ferns)

24^th Swift (3), Common Sandpiper (2), Reed Warbler (2): Willen Lake North (BuBC)

24th Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

24^th Hobby: Flew over garden heading NE. Great Brickhill. (BuBC)

24^th Swift: flew through Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

24^th Swift: photographed low over housing near Furzton Lake (BuBC)

24^th Whimbrel: in front of Farm Hide. Also 4 Greenshank – 3 on stilt pit and 1 in front of Farm Hide with Whimbrel. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

23rd Whimbrel: My 2nd record for the Tattenhoe area. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard/BuBC)

23rd Bar-tailed Godwit: On small island opposite Viaduct Hide. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

23rd Pasque flower: Fantastic display despite dry Spring. Knocking Hoe NR (Mary Sarre)

Pasque flower (Photo © Mary Sarre)

23rd Reed Warbler: seen and heard singing in the reeds along the S edge of the lake. Magna Park. (BuBC)

23rd Hoopoe: Showed well on ground in SE corner of set-aside field, then flew along hedgeline toward M1.Seen regularly throughout the day. Also male Redstart. Willen Road Excavations, Willen (BuBC)

22nd Whimbrel: Willen Lake South (BuBC)

22nd Common Sandpiper. On the spit. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

22nd Hoopoe: ‘What a find, and it stuck around all day. Willen Road excavations. Willen (BuBC)

22^nd Greenshank: 2. Farm Hide. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

21^st Siberian Chiffchaff (m) Still present, given away by a quiet burst of song while working through a row of blossom and trees. Tattenhoe Valley Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

20^th Blackcap: nr Baker’s Spinney, Sherington/Filgrave. (Peter Barnes)

Blackcap (Photo © Peter Barnes)

20^th Yellowhammer (m+f): pair on western edge of Hill Plantation, Fences Farm. Tyringham. (Peter Barnes)

Male and female Yellowhammers (Photo © Peter Barnes)

20^th Linnet and Yellowhammer (f): seen in succession on a wire, the Linnet singing. Also 4 Buzzards circling high above with a Red Kite passing through. Probable flock of c. 100 Golden Plover wheeling in distance above ridge to north. Water Lane, Sherington (Peter Barnes)

Linnet (l), Yellowhammer (r) (Photos © Peter Barnes)

20^th Greenshank: 2 outside Farm Hide. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

20^th Sedge Warbler: heard opposite the hospice. 2 Reed Warbler also heard not seen. Plus Common Tern, Green Sandpiper (2), Little Ringed Plover. Willen Lake North. (BuBC)

19^th Glossy Ibis: 2 seen circling the reserve for a minute or so before lost to view. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

19^th Common Sandpiper: seen from Farm Hide. Reed Warbler along river bank near caravan park. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

19^th Common Tern: 2 flying up and down the river. The Mill, Olney (BuBC)

18^th Peregrine: very vocal. Gayhurst Wood (Ann Strutton)

18^th Reed Warbler: Willen Lake North (BuBC)

17^th Redstart: stunning male, spending a while sat in the sunshoine and catching insects around brambles along the edge of one of the fields before unfortunately being flushed by a walker nearby. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

17^th Whitethroat: male. My first for this year, singing as he foraged through blossom and scrub in one of the fields Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

17^th Marsh Harrier: female flew across the lake twice. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

17^th Orange tip butterfly:2 males in garden at Olney (Julie Lane)

Male Orange tip (Photo © Julie Lane)

17^th Bluebells: First bluebells in flower. Turvey (Julie Lane)

Bluebells (Photo © Julie Lane)

17^th Gadwall: 2 pairs. Gayhurst Quarry (Martin Ferns)

17^th Garden Warbler: in tre near allotments. New Bradwell Quarry (BuBC)

16^th Garganey: awesome pair seen showing well in the NW channel before flying toward the eastern end of the northern channel. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

16^th Whitethroat: Ravenstone (BuBC)

15^th Red Crested Pochard (m): Gayhurst Quarry lakes (Alan Nelson / BuBC)

15^th Ring Ouzel: 2 males feeding in the paddocks on the north edge of the back wood. Bow Brickhill (BuBC)

15^th Sedge Warbler. Singing by the hospice. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

15^th Glow-worm larvae Lampryis nocticula: Salcey Forest (Julie Lane)

Lampryis nocticula (Photo © Julie Lane)

14^th Ring Ouzel: My 4th Ring Ouzel record for the Tattenhoe area. Fantastic view as this bird flew long the linear park/Tattenhoe Valley Park in a roughly NE direction. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

14^th Little Owl: Seen in tree near Olney Mill; and a Willow Warbler singing down near Goosey Bridge. Olney (Julie Lane)

14^th Oystercatcher: 2 on the island in the western lake. Gayhurst Quarry (Martin Ferns)

13^th Hobby: Flew lazily north. Linford Lakes (BuBC)

13^th Redstart: male bird showing well on wasteground opposite Argos. Central Milton Keynes (BuBC)

13^th Ring Ouzel: 4. An incredible evening of watching, after seeing two Thrushes dive into a distant hedgerow, I then pick up 3 birds heading east, to my surprise these are two male Ring Ouzels and a third duller bird, which i assumed was a female. Incredibly 5 minutes later and a flock of 34 Fieldfare head west, with a trailing Ring Ouzel (!). Whether this was a new bird or one of the easterly 3 I couldnt say, but have recorded 4. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

13^th Possible Willow Tit: Heard what sounded very like a Willow Tit’s song, slow deliberate ‘chews’ not like Marsh Tit but didn’t see the bird. Was it another species mimicking. Shenley Wood. (BuBC)

13^th Queen Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum: seen in garden, Olney. SP884515. (Julie Lane)

Bombus hypnorum (Photos © Julie Lane)

13^th Redstart: male on hedgeline and oak tree. Plus 2 Tree Sparrow in oak tree. Little Linford Wood (BuBC)

12th Red Kite being mobbed by 2 crows. Heelands. (Marina Grainger)

12^th Redshank 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Little Ringed Plover 1, Snipe 1, Lapwing 3, Willow Warbler 1, Goldeneye 1m 1f, plus most of the usual suspects. 1 Swallow the only hirundine. Heron 6-8 nests, Little Egret 3 nests but Great White Egrets (if breeding) are somewhere else. Willen Lake North (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

12^th Mink: among vegetation on NE of spur in Caldecotte Lake North (Peter Skilton)

Mink (Photo © Peter Skilton)

12^th Red Fox: Stony Stratford NR (Joe Clinch)

12^th Grey Wagtail: male, low in willow tree on bank of River Ouse, Tombs Meadow, Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)

11^th Redstart (m): very mobile around the low willows at west end of Fishing Pit Gayhurst Quarry. (BuBC)

11^th Ring Ouzel (m): Flew over Spinney Pit and landed in top of a tall willow. Gayhurst Quarry. (BuBC)

11^th Redstart. Seen 8.15 am in same location as previous 2 days. Tattenhoe Park (BuBC)

11^th Siberian Chiffchaff (m): found once again in the same area, vocalising for the first time in my observations since Friday. Filmed making classic ‘tristis’ song and heard making Bullfinch-like ‘peep’ calls as he looked for insects. Tattenhoe Valley Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

Siberian Chiffchaff (Photos © Harry Appleyard)

11^th Yellow Wagtail: Calling in flight to the north. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

11^th Whitethroat. In small spinney east of village. Castlethorpe (BuBC)

11^th Sedge Warbler: singing in the reeds by t.e sluice. Willen Lake North. (BuBC)

10^th House Martin (10): My first so far, in large hirundine flock, mainly Swallows and Sand Martins. Plus Common Sandpiper and Meadow Pipit (8): on dam with Yellow and Pied Wagtails. Foxcote Reservoir (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

9^th Swallow: 200 (ad) foraging on Blackhorse Lake. 200 is a crude estimate on a brief visit in poor light. Later also many Sand Martins. Thanks to Kenny Cramer for pointing them out, as there were none on the reserve! Linford Lakes NR (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

9^th Cetti’s Warbler: adult seen and heard in reed fringe immediately to R of Warbler Hide; also adult male Willow Warbler, several Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Linford Lakes NR (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

9^th Common Sandpiper with Little Ringed Plover. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

9^th Yellow Wagtail (1m 2f), plus Common Sandpiper feeding, on the Ski Tow. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

9^th Redstart: 2 immaculate male Common Redstarts and a Willow Warbler. Rough ground opposite Sainsburys, Central Milton Keynes (BuBC)

9^th Siberian Chiffchaff: found silently preening and foraging alongside 2 Willow Warblers. A very dull, grey bird with an almost white underside. Tattenhoe Valley Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

9^th Redstart: Male, seen well from distance, foraging around one of the green corridors near the E end of the site. Chased by Robins on a few occasions. Tattenhoe Valley Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

9^th Yellowhammer (2), Pied Wagtail (3), Wheatear: 2m 1f in field above rabbit bank, Ravenstone (BuBC)

8th Reed Bunting: Male in summer plumage. Bury Field, western edge.of river meadow, between the ditch and the hedge, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

6^th Herring Gull (2 ad), Little Ringed Plover (ad), Oystercatcher (2, m+f), plus Swallow (2) – my first, but many more with 2 House Martin across the Ouse on the lovely Cosgrove Leisure Park lake. Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve. (Chris Coppock/BuBC)

6^th Kittiwake: Briefly seen and photographed heading W, quite low. Initially thought it was asummer plumage Common Gull until reviewing the image later. A first for Tattenhoe and Bucks for me. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

6^th Yellow Wagtail (m): My first for this year, given away by calls as it flew north. One vibrant bird. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

5^th Otter: picked up on a trailcam at 1a.m. by the stream in the middle of Simpson, almost opposite the pub. (Rebecca Hiorns)

Otter video – Simpson 05.04.21

5^th Early Dog Violet viola reichenbachiana. Little Linford Wood (Mary Sarre)

4^th/5^th Mandarin duck: A pair, at the southern end of the western arm (near the flood control structures), on the water and grazing nearby. Caldecotte Lake North (Rebecca Hiorns/Peter Barnes)

Photos © Peter Barnes

4^th Woodcock, Peacock butterfly, and Comma: All within a few yards of each other. Gayhurst Wood (Ann Strutton)

4^th Spoonbill: Seen flying low over the A5. We were right underneath it when it turned to fly over Wymbush Industrial Estate. It was flying low and slow, so you could not miss that bill! (BuBC)

4^th Common Tern: Willen Lake South (BuBC)

3^rd Yellow Wagtail: feeding on the bund for a time, then headed off east; Sedge Warbler (2) – one ringed ringed, one heard nearby, Linford Lakes NR (Kenny Cramer / BuBC)

3^rd Swallow, at least 14 over the main lake throughout the morning. Linford Lakes NR (Kenny Cramer / BuBC)

2^nd Hobby: seen heading east over main lake: Linford Lakes NR (Kenny Cramer / BuBC)

2^nd Great Northern Diver: A very unexpected first for my Tattenhoe records, photographed flying over to the SE. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

2^nd House Martin: Willen Lake North (BuBC)

2^nd Little Ringed Plover (3), Oystercatcher (2), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (2), Swallow (10), House Martin, Green Woodpecker: Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

1^st Willow Warbler: male. My first for this site this year, heard singing. Newton Longville (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

1^st Swallow: Flying low to the west. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

1^st Redstart: male. My first for this year, and earliest to date by 2 days, given away by calls, and briefly seen perched by a small thicket in the linear park / Tattenhoe Valley Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

March

31^st Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major: In the garden, Olney (Julie Lane)

Bombylius major (Photo © Julie Lane)

31^st Willow Warbler. Tattenhoe (BuBC)

31^st Swallow: 3 Sherington SP892468 (BuBC)

31^st Yellow Wagtail: sunning bright male. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

31^st Buzzard: 4 wheeling round just to the north of the H9, drifting slowly east. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

31^st Garden Warbler: N end of small lake, singing by large ornate seat in willows. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

31^st Brown Hare: 4 frolicking in the ploughed fields by the motorway south of Gayhurst Wood. SP837461 (Martin Ferns)

31^st Roe Deer: 3 males running across a field 200m W of the NW corner of Little Linford Wood. SP822447 (Martin Ferns)

30^th Swallow: flying low to the W. Tattenhoe Park; another high-flying bird seen through a gap in the woodland canopy, singing as it flew W. Back Wood, Brickhills (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

30^th Swallow: one did a fly-past near the Sailing Club, Emberton (BuBC)

30^th Curlew: Calling down by the river near Goosey Bridge, Olney (Julie Lane)

29^th Willow Warbler: Singing in trees near the Woodland Hide. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

29^th Willow Warbler: Male. My earliest for the Tattenhoe sites since 2017, heard very quietly singing by one of the woodland rides, but unfortunately not seen. Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

29^th Swallow: My first for the year, briefly seen from my garden as it flew W over the estate. Tattenhoe. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

29^th Swallow: 3. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

29^th Peacock butterfly: First of the year in my garden. Olney (Julie Lane)

28^th Swallow: 10. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

28^th Black-tailed Godwit: On the spit, visible from the hide and bank. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

27^th Sand Martin: 4, just arrived. Newport Pagnell SP877440 (BuBC)

27^th Marsh Marigold: in ditch by footpath between Quarry Hall Farm and Lathbury. SP865457. (Martin Ferns)

Marsh Marigold (Photo: Martin Ferns)

26^th Sand Martin: Lone bird briefly seen hawking over fields adjacent to the linear park/Tattenhoe Valley Park, disappearing as it flew to the west. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

26^th Sand Martin: Flock of 53 seen over Blackhorse Lake around midday. Only 5-6 about an hour later. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

25^th Common Sandpiper: Feeding in dense scrub by Farm Hide. First of year for me. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

25th Green Sandpiper: 2 on the bund, plus Blackcap: Adult male in full song, and 5 Chiffchaffs. (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

25^th Sand Martin: My first for this year, photographed as it flew over to the NW. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

25^th Osprey: adult. Circled 50 ft above me being harrassed by 2 B;lack-headed Gulls. Powered north over the plantation area and into Willen South. Woolstones. (BuBC)

25^th Brown Long-eared Bat: 2 found whilst cleaning out the mammal nest boxes in Little Linford Wood. (Tony Wood)

24^th Sand Martin: 3 flying and calling over the field for about 5 minutes. The Mill area, Olney (BuBC)

23^rd Hobby: over twice 9.45 and 12.00. Very early? Olney (BuBC)

22^nd Greenshank: Linford Lakes NR (Andy Harding /BuBC)

22^nd Sand Martin (6): Willen Lake South (BuBC)

22^nd Common Scoter: Nocturnal record and my first of this species in Bucks. Calls picked up over the estate on my sound recorder in the garden at 01.35. Tattenhoe (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

22^nd Tree Sparrow: 4 sunning themselves on the fence by the old barn, west of Little Linford Wood (Martin Ferns)

22^nd Marsh Tit (possible): Recorded calling in Little Linford Wood, 9.00. Alternative identifications welcome! (Martin Ferns)

21^st Ruddy Shelduck: 2 flying over between Little Linford Wood and Hanslope Park (Julian Lambley)

Ruddy Shelduck (Photo © Julian Lambley)

20^th Otter: spotted in R. Ouzel by Caldecotte South Lake (Simon Stevens)

Otter – diving just as the photo was taken … (Photo © Simon Stevens)

20^th Brent Goose: With small group of Tufted Ducks seen from Warbler Hide, Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

20^th Hobby: Flying across Stanton Low; circled Haversham Sailing Lake. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

19^th Woodcock: Flushed from the south-westerly ride. Little Linford Wood (BuBC)

19^th Common Crossbill: Given away by calls as it passed over Water Eaton (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

19^th Mediterranean Gull: 1 very attractive summer-plumaged adult with the Black-headed Gulls. Was heard to ‘meow’ on a couple of occasions. A few white feathers in forehead. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

18^th Hairy-footed Flower Bee: male seen on Rosemary in garden, Olney. (Julie Lane)

Hairy-footed Flower Bee – you can just see his hairy front feet (Photo © Julie Lane)

18^th Mute Swans: Over a hundred on the meadows by the River Ouse between Weston Underwood and Gayhurst. (Julie Lane)

18^th Wood Pigeon: About a hundred on Bury Field, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

17^th Lapwing, Snipe (2), Shoveller (pr), Great Spotted Woodpecker… and 2 Brown Rats. Stony Stratford NR (Joe Clinch)

17^th Great Spotted Woodpecker: comes to feed a couple of times a day since mid-February. Bradwell (Kerry Garratt)

17^th Red-crested Pochard: Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

17th Pintail: female, on the Spit. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

16^th Tawny Owl: not so much seen as heard, at midnight. Great Linford (Jane Grisdale)

16^th Skylark: in song above the rough grassland on the Calverton side of the Fairfield development, (Joe Clinch)

14^th Mandarin Duck: Also seen on 23^rd February in roughly the same place with (presumably) the same pair of mallards. Grand Union canal, near the Watling Street bridge, Fenny Stratford (June and Robin Young)

Mandarin Duck (Photo © Robin Young)

14^th Cetti’s Warbler (2 singing males), Mistle Thrush (2 adults), Chiffchaff (brief burst of song – first of year), Oystercatcher (adult), Egyptian Goose (adult) and 7 Barnacle Geese (adults) with other geese across R. Ouse. Linford Lakes NR (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

14^th Mediterranean Gull: 1 in winter plumage. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

14^th Red-Legged Partridge: Feeding along the edge of a hedge. Another first for the garden, and indeed the first sighting for the Calverton area that I have seen in 50 years. Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)

14^th Jay: a pair in the garden this morning – the first time I’ve seen two together here. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

13^th Goldfinch (5): in garden. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

Goldfinch (Photo © Peter Barnes)

13^th Mistle Thrush: in a local apple tree, guarding it against all competitors! Olney (Julie Lane)

12^th Peregrine, Raven and a pari of Red Kites. Tyringham Bridge. (Julie Lane)

12^th Otter: on River Ouzel, seen by reliable observers, also on 8th. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

11^th Sand Martin. Briefly seen circiling over garden before struggling N in the heavy wind. Broughton (BuBC)

10th Siskins (2): in garden. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

9th Small Tortoiseshell: Simpson (Peter Barnes)

9^th Common Crossbill: A maximum of 5 seen at once flying over the wood. Also a couple seen in pines over the golf course including what appeared to be a first calendar year male, still showing speckles on the chest and hints of green on the head. Harry Appleyard. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

9^th Oystercatcher: 2 feeding on mud in centre of Forest Floodplain NR; also Small Tortoiseshell sitting in sunlight close of Irontrunk Aqueduct (Martin Ferns)

9^th Gadwall: 2 pairs. Gayhurst Quarry lake. (Martin Ferns)

8^th Iceland Gull: Photographed flying over to south, astonishingly over same corner of site as juvenile just over 5 weeks ago. Neck appears to be a little speckled so possibly a 3rd winter bird. Tattenhoe Park. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

8^th Pintail: Long stayer female in SW corner; could only be seen from SE side. Willen Lake North. Also 18 Goldeneye (10m) Willen Lake South (BuBC)

7^th Great White Egret: 9 birds were recorded in the MK area today: 3 at Floodplain Forest NR, 3 at Linford Lakes NR, 2 at Gayhurst, 1 at New Bradwell Quarry lake (BuBC)

7^th Black Redstart: female. My first Black Redstart for the Tattenhoe area, photographed foraging and perched by one of the fields near Blyton Lane. Tattenhoe Park. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

7^th Barnacle Goose: 10 see on grazing field, E. end of site, seen from boundary walk, with a group of Canada and Greylag Geese. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

5^th Coltsfoot: just in flower. Floodplain Forest NR (Joe Clinch)

5^th Tree Creeper: among the young trees. Floodplain Forest NR (Joe Clinch)

5^thCommon Crossbill: c. 40 (m+f) i larches around clearfell area. Also min. 3 Siskin (m+f) – scarce this winter; 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Tawny Owl heard (unless it was people larking about), c. 80 Wigeon over. Rushmere Country Park. (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

5^th Mediterranean Gull: Adult in full breeding plumge. Willen Lake South. (BuBC)

3^rd Siskin: A pair on the garden feeder. The first I have seen since 2013. Simpson. (Peter Barnes)

Siskins (Photo © Peter Barnes)

3^rd Oystercatcher (2): also Great White Egret and Little Owl. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

3^rd Common Crossbill: Having seen groups of 2,3 and 8, c.40 others flew in, quite a sight. Recently clear-felled area along the Greensand Ridge walk (SP908292), Rushmere Country Park (BuBC)

February

28^th Cobweb: This blanket of cobweb covered a manure heap at the back of Little Linford wood yesterday.Total area covered was about 2 double king-size blankets. Little Linford Wood (Julian Lambley)

(Photo © Julian Lambley)

28^th Small Tortoisehell: on the wing. Lower Weald, Calverton. My first for this year. (Joe Clinch)

28th Goldeneye: ecl female on the sailing lake, Emberton (BuBC)

27^th Common Crossbill: at least 12 in Rushmere Park between car park and clearfell area. Great Brickhill (BuBC)

27^th Pintail: female, SW corner of Willen Lake North (BuBC)

27^th 7-spot Ladybird: in garden, Gawcott (Sue Hetherington)

7-spot Ladybird (Photo © Sue Hetheringon)

26^th Oystercatcher: at least 4 calling and flying back and forth. Floodplain Forest NR (Joe Clinch)

26^th Chiffchaff: in willow tree at edge of reserve. Floodplain Forest NR (Joe Clinch)

25^th Great Crested Grebe: A pair engaged in classic courtship display. Caldecotte Lake (Peter Barnes)

Great Crested Grebes courting (Photos © Peter Barnes)

25^th Red Kite: over the Linear Park. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

Red Kite (Photo © Peter Barnes)

25^th Ross’s Goose: On the lake with other geese. Ashland Lake (BuBC)

24th Brimstone butterfly: in garden this morning, Woburn Sands (Mary Lea)

24^th Common Woodlouse oniscus acellus: in my house. A little follow-up to Graham Bellamy’s16th September talk to MKNHS! (Julie Lane)

Common Woodlouse: (Photo © Julie Lane)

24th Caddis Larvae: Lots of larvae at the warmer surface water in a ditch near R. Ouse, Olney. (Julie Lane)

24^th Pintail: 5 (3m / 2f). Willen Lake North (BuBC)

23^rd Brimstone butterfly: a male in garden at Linford Lakes Study Centre (Martin Kincaid)

23^rd Frogs and frogspawn: in pond by H3, Stantonbury (Kate Wyatt)

23^rd Sparrowhawk: just outside our garden, having caught a dove; also Common Frog on the doorstep! Newport Pagnell (Ann Jones)

23^rd Brown Hare: running across field between R Ouse and Quarry Hall Farm, late afternoon; also Little Egret, flying over Gayhurst Quarry lakes. Gayhurst (Martin Ferns)

23^rd Common Frog: A very rotund (pregnant) Common Frog at Salcey Forest (Julie Lane)

22^nd Honeybees (2) and Buff-tailed Bumblebee Queen: in garden, Olney (Julie Lane)

22^nd Mistle Thrush: singing in large Ash tree outside Stony Mill apartments, Stony Stratford. (Mary Sarre)

22^nd Goosander: pair, on River Ouse, opposite the Millfield, Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)

21^st Oak Beauty moth: back garden Oldbrook (Martin Kincaid)

21^st Jackdaw: nest-building activities have commenced at the box provided (since 2019) on my house at Gawcott (Sue Hetherington)

20^th Hen Harrier: a ringtail (female) over reed bed, Linford lakes. Same bird has been seen several times over past fortnight between haversham and Linford. (Martin Kincaid)

20^th Blackcap: male in garden, Simpson (Rebecca Hiorns)

20^th Meadow Pipit: Calverton side of fairfield Development (Joe Clinch)

20^th Mistle Thrush singing; 2 Song Thrush singing; 3 Stonechat (2m) on fence by entrance track; Great White Egret. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

20^th Wheatear: Very early sighting. Alternating between field and hedgerow. Tingewick (BuBC)

20^th Brimstone butterfly: First of 2021, in the copse at the back of my garden. Morning. Simpson. (Peter Barnes)

20^th Brimstone butterfly: In sunshine by roadside, 11.30, NW of Stratford Road, Old Wolverton (Jenny Mercer)

18^th Iceland Gull: A smart-looking bird in 1^st winter plumage. Newton Leys (BuBC)

18^th Woodcock: seen twice in the clearfell area of Rushmere Park, Great Brickhill (BuBC)

17^th Stonechat: pair (m/f) by the S pond, Bury Field, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

17^th Redshank and 2 Dunlin: with Lapwings in NW corner of Willen Lake North (BuBC)

16^th Goldeneye: 23 (13m) Willen Lake South (BuBC)

15^th Barn Owl: seen huunting in the fields between the back of ASDA at Oakridge/Stanton Low and the canal. It covered the whole field several times often swooping down, around 5p.m. (Charles Vaton)

15^th Greenshank: On island viewed from hide. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

15^th Stonechat: seen again on Bury FIeld, Newport Pagnell (Ryan Cox)

15^th Mistle Thrush: enjoying the bluish/black fruit of a Myrtle bush at the side of the house, a first for my garden in 40 plus years. Stony Stratford (Joe Clinch)

14th Hen Harrier (fem): An absolutely cracking Ringtail was seen to fly over from E to W between the Far Hide and the Heronry. Seemed to head into the reserve. Also a Woodcock, going the other way. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

14^th Pintail: male, amongst a raft of Teal and Gadwall. Forest Floodplain NR (BuBC)

13^th Goosander: 7 on the Ouse next to Forest Floodplain NR (Jim Ward)

13^th Woodcock: 2 flushed from stubble field. Stoke Goldington (BuBC)

13^th Pintail: adult/female. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

13^th Pintail: Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

12^th Heron: Watching and waiting. Caldecotte Lake (Peter Barnes)

12^th Goosander: 2m, 4f on river from Churchyard, Newport Pagnell (BuBC)

11^th Little Egret and Grey Heron: On the Ouzel just N of H9 bridge, afternoon. Walton. (Peter Barnes)

11^th Probable juv Marsh Harrier: Flying along Eastern boundary of main lake south. Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

11^th: Treecreeper: on tree close to North Bridge, Ousebank Gardens, Newport Pagnell (Martin Ferns)

10^th Fieldfare and Redwing: A large mixed flock (>100) on watery field just below Quarry Hall Farm. A couple of Lapwing amongst them, and another flock of c.25 Lapwing seen just before flying towards the Ouse. 15.45 Gayhurst. (Martin Ferns)

10^th Snipe: 10 minimum. Also Chiffchaff calling then seen, but not clearly Floodplain Forest NR (Chris Coppock/BuBC)

10^th Stonechat: female, in the shrub-planted area above the wet-dry balancing lake on the Calverton side of the Fairfield development. (Joe Clinch)

10^th Stonechat: male, perched by some of the standing water on Bury Field, Newport Pagnell (Ryan and Nadine Cox)

10^th Jack Snipe: One of the many Snipe started to bounce characteristically, but then

disappeared deeper into the reeds. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

10^th Goldeneye: 12 m, 9 f, with a lot of displaying from the males. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

9^th Caspian Gull: 2 pristine adults in the roost. Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

8^th Cormorant: A wonderful male, in breeding plumage, with long white feathers on the side of it head. On the Ouse near Goosey Bridge, Olney (Julie Lane)

8^th Little Grebe: 5, plus at least 250 Lapwings. The sand bars are going to disappear soon, as Anglia Water are going to raise the water level. Willen Lake North (Ann Strutton)

8^th Pochard: around 30 pairs. Willen Lake South (Ann Strutton)

7^th Sparrowhawk: feeding on pigeon in garden. Bletchley (Pat/Neil Hodges)

6^th Cattle Egret: bird found earlier in flooded fields by bridge still present (BuBC)

6^th Great Crested Grebe: Caldecotte Lake (Peter Barnes)

6^th Lapwing – 100 on spits over north lake; Snipe – 100 possibly more, a few seen from hide, but large collection protected in reeds close to the hospice; Mandarin Duck (m) around the edge of the island, seen from hide and bank by river. Willen Lake North (BuBC)

6^th Goldeneye: 23 (13m) in the pre-desk gathering. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

6^th Mistle Thrush: 2 in bottom horse paddock along Tongwell Lane. Newport Pagnell. (BuBC)

5^th Redwing: seen at The Walnuts, Simpson (Peter Barnes)

5^th Great Northern Diver: Still at Caldecotte Lake SP890351. (BuBC)

4^th Willow or Marsh Tit: A really good sighting of a Willow or Marsh Tit. I have a hunch it was a Willow Tit as I have seen them up close and in the hand in the past. No clarity with the song, sadly. Salcey Forest (Julie Lane)
3^rd Greenfinch: 20. Sherington (BuBC)

3^rd Linnet: at least 32, in trees near Chicheley Hill, Chicheley (BuBC)

3^rd Common Crossbill: 20, giving prolonged views as they fed, occasionally dropping down to lower branches. Look for a clear-felled area on the Greensand Ridge Walk about 0.5 mile west of the gatehouse on the Heath & Reach to Great Brickhill lane. (BuBC)

2^nd Ravens: 2 (a pair?), flying over the lower meadow of Bury Common, Newport Pagnell (Ann Jones)

1^st Black Redstart: still in paddock at NW end of Bury Field. Frequenting the wood pile near the portacabin. Newport Pagnell (BuBC)

1^st Whooper Swan: 2 seen flying over flooded area near Quarry Hall Farm, west entrance, disappeared over field towards Newport Pagnell. Quarry Hall Farm, Gayhurst (BuBC)

1^st Mistletoe Viscum album: as noted in Mary S’s news item, mistletoe is indeed flourishing in Simpson (Hanmer Road). (Peter Barnes)

January 2021

31^st Red Kite (probable): on the shed in back garden, a quick visit to eat bacon rind, Furzton (Andrew Quirke)

31^st Whooper Swan: 2 on the floods with Mutes. A lovely sight in North Bucks. Quarry Hall Farm, Gayhurst (BuBC)

31^st Black Redstart: Seen from embankment, NW edge of Bury Field. Newport Pagnell (BuBC)

31^st Tree Sparrow: Seen perched in hedge and in first tree from road, together with 7 House Sparrows. Castlethorpe SP809436 (BuBC)

31^st Ring-necked Parakeet: Flying overhead, calling loudly, towards Manor Farm from Floodplain Forest NR (Jane Barrow)

31^st Goldeneye: 21, including 13 males. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

31^st Otter: in the Brook alongside Little Stocking. I noticed the water was disturbed, so stopped and an otter head popped up; as soon as it saw me it ducked back under the road culvert. Shenley Brook End. Too quick for a picture! (Helen Mitchell)

30^th Tree Sparrow: 2 – unexpected surprise, feeding in game strip north of Lodge Farm. Castlethorpe (BuBC)

29^th Peregrine: see at approx. 8.30 a.m. Willen Lake South (Ann Strutton)

27^th Dartford Warbler: Hazeley Woods (Jim Ward)

27^th Goosander: 3m, 3f upper balancing lake. Wolverton Mill (Joe Clinch)

27^th Grey Wagtail: Millstream, Wolverton Mill (Joe Clinch)

27^th Caspian Gull: Near adult 3rd winter on the grass opposite the pavilion. Clearly larger than adjacent Herring Gulls, displaying all the classic features until the whole flock was spooked by a low-flying Red Kite. (BuBC)

27^th Pink-footed Goose: In a mixed Greylag/Canada Goose flock swimming on the east side of the north lake. Flew off on its own at 8.45. Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

26^th Iceland Gull: My first for the Tattenhoe area, watched and photographed for about a minute as it flew to the SW before suddenly turning to the south and heading towards Newton Longville. Very dull lght at the time, but clearly a very pale bird against the dark sky. A rare county bird. (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

26^th Jack Snipe: Flushed. New Bradwell Quarry. (BuBC)

25^th Brambling: male on feeder in garden in Woburn Sands (Anne Groves, reported by Viola Read)

25^th Goosander (5m, 4f), Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler heard, Little Grebe, a large flock of Fieldfares, some Redwings, a singing Song Thrush, some Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, a Green Woodpecker, a large flock of Goldfinches, two Greenfinches, and many more commoner birds! What a wonderful morning walk! Near Goosey bridge, Olney. (Julie Lane)

25^th Water Rail: also heard on the morning walk, The recording below has Water Rail wheezing away in the background; also fieldfares, pied wagtail, robin, blue tits and meadows pipits. Near Goosey bridge, Olney. (Julie Lane, who made the recording)

25^th Iceland Gull: An absolute beauty of a cream-coloured northern beauty. A 1st winter bird seen on the ice in company with 2 Herring Gulls and 8 Black-headed Gulls, preened for a few minutes and then headed off west. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

25^th Fieldfare: 204 counted from a photo; feeding on fallen apples in my garden. Highest count ever; suprisingly only 4 Redwings among them. Stowe. (BuBC)

24^th Great Northern Diver: Still there, seen to catch and demolish a large crayfish. Caldecotte Lake (BuBC)

23^rd Hedgehog: caught on a trail cam. Also seen on 21^st Jan. Simpson (Peter Barnes)

23^rd Pintail: 4 – 2 males jockeying for position for the attention of 2 females. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

23^rd Black Redstart: 1 winter male in paddocks NW of Bury Field. Newport Pagnell (BuBC)

22^nd Pintail: 2m Seen distantly on Viaduct Pit from Manor Farm. Floodplain Forest (BuBC)

22^nd Common Crossbill: A morning flyover, calling as it flew to the west. Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard / BuBC)

20^th Peacock butterfly: brief sighting in garden. Wobrun Sands (Viola Read)

20^th Red Kite: A pair now regularly seen over the western side of Olney. (Julie Lane)

18^th Goldeneye: 4m 1f. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

16^th Stonechat: On drive to LLNR visitor centre no felled trees between road and lake. Used to be a regular site. Probably also a male somewhere, only you’re not allowed to stop. Linford Lakes NR. (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

16^th Great Crested Newt: found under a coal sack, photographed in a plastic box, and returned to a safe dry place. We have had newts in both our ponds for many years now, including smooth newts – but no Gt Crested Newt observed previously. Bow Brickhill (Carol Gale)

Great Crested Newt (Photo: Carol Gale)

15^th Caspian Gull: a clean-cut winter bird. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

12^th Goldcrest, Siskin (min. 10 near woodland hide), Stonechat (pair on fence along entrance track): Linford Lakes NR (BuBC)

11^th Marsh Tit (ad): With mixed tit flock in rather interesting woodland strip with several Nuthatch, Treecreeper etc. SP686385 Akely Wood (north of Buckingham). (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

11^th Yellowhammer: At least 7 among a group of c. 30 birds (others unidentified), flying to woodland from hedgerow along road towards car park. Also 8 pied wagtails foraging in ploughed field nearby. SP835455. Little Linford Wood (Martin Ferns)

11^th Greylag Goose: c.200 in field between the two arms of the Ouse. SP855450. Gayhurst Quarry (Martin Ferns)

10^th Water Rail: Calling repeatedly from pond behind the centre, Linford Lakes NR (Chris Coppock / BuBC)

9^th Goosander (9m, 9f), Gadwall (4): at the balancing lakes, Wolverton Mill (Julian Lambley)

8^th Coot: >210 in photo below, with others in smaller groups elsewhere on Willen Lake South. (Peter Barnes)

8^th Blackheaded-gulls, Great Crested Grebe: Willen Lake South (Peter Barnes)

8^th Pintail: 4m, 3f Foxcote Reservoir (BuBC)

8^th Goldeneye: male. Willen Lake South (Peter Barnes/BuBC)

8^th Merlin: female, in field west of Bullington End. Castlethorpe (BuBC)

7^th Goldeneye: 4. Willen Lake South (BuBC)

7^th Goosander: pair (m+f) on R.Ouse below Stony Mill apartments (Mary Sarre)

5^th Cattle Egret: flew east along river. Gayhurst Quarry (BuBC)

5^th Little Owl: 2 in usual tree. Floodplain Forest NR (BuBC)

5^th Goosander: seen from bridge over River Ouse, Tyringham Park (BuBC)

5^th Short-eared Owl: noted in the headlights on way into work (Cranfield), not far from Newport Pagnell (Alan Nelson/BuBC)

4^thRedwing: Willen Lake South (Phill Crowe)

3^rd Black Redstart (f): Seen briefly in horse paddocks to NW of Bury Field. Newport Pagnell (BuBC)

2^nd Greater Spotted Woodpecker: on a bird feeder, Stony Stratford (Julian Lambley)

2^nd Primrose and Red Campion: among 29 native or naturalised flowering plants observed during the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) new year plant hunt. Simpson Parish. (Rebecca Hiorns)