Total Number of Species Recorded in 2011

2010 saw a total of 196 species recorded in Bedfordshire. Of this total, LGRE recorded 183, closely followed by Jim Gurney and Steve Blain on 181, Lol Carman on 180, Martin Palmer on 179 and Bob Chalkley on 177.

In 2011, a total of 452 species was recorded in Britain and Ireland of which I recorded just 69% (312); Bedfordshire recorded 204 species (of which I saw 94% at 191), Hertfordshire 192 (of which I saw 88.5% at 170) and Buckinghamshire 192 (of which I recorded just 86% at 165)

In 2012, I came fourth (on 168), following Steve Blain (177), Jim Gurney (174) and Martin Plamer (171).



Monday 30 September 2013

Gypsy Lane early afternoon

2 Rock Pipits, Little Stint, and a Dunlin on Gypsy Lane East pits, 12.40 (per Steve Blain)

Thursday 26 September 2013

Just north of the border.......

This SOOTY SHEARWATER turned up this afternoon at Grafham Water (Cambs) - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this species on an inland reservoir. In fact it is the first one I have ever heard of...



















Sunday 22 September 2013

SPOTTED CRAKE still present

Showing very well in the sunshine this morning from around 9:30 to 10am, feeding on small black pond snails.
 
It is back where it was last Sunday, on the north, eastern corner of the lake viewed closest from the platform at the eastern end closest to the road bridge.
 

Robin Edwards

Friday 20 September 2013

SPOTTED CRAKE showing well

I spent a lot of hours in Bedford today waiting for the SPOTTED CRAKE to appear. During the morning, it showed on and off for about two hours before the rain set in and then this evening, showed very well from around 5pm until dusk - Graham Madge and Tim Stowe both joining me on the observation platform.

The bird is inhabiting the extreme far NE end of Longholme Lake, immediately south of the River Ouse (and south of the Embankment) at TL 063 493 and favours the reedy fringe in the immediate vicinity of the plastic container easily visible from the platform in that corner. Although the light was fading fast, I managed to get this selection of record shots before dark and the whole of the moon....

















Monday 16 September 2013

Local Mega: SPOTTED CRAKE in Bedford

A SPOTTED CRAKE is present for a second day in Bedford at the NE end of Longholme Lake in the area of the 3 plastic bottles viewable from the first platform at TL 061 493

Thursday 12 September 2013

Broom LITTLE STINTS last less than half an hour

Jim Gurney and I (as well as Lol and Bob) reacted instantly to Steve Blain's call highlighting the fact that he had found 2 juvenile LITTLE STINTS on the mud in the SW corner of Peacock's Lake (Broom) early afternoon. Stuart Warren actually made it on site first, he seeing the back end of two small waders as they flew off strongly to the north. The rest of us dipped.......

This juvenile DUNLIN remained - perhaps worse the wear for a long overland journey - and seemingly unaware of the striking capabilities of juvenile Hobbies. Luckily, he survived to see another day....













Dunlin initially cowering then crouching as Hobby took an interest..



Juvenile Little Grebe with parent




Juvenile Tufted Duck