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).



Sunday 22 December 2013

SHAG at Priory

A little more detail on the SHAG for those who are interested.
 
The bird is a juvenile and Dave Kramer and I initially discovered it very close to the northern edge of the main lake, at the east end level with the 'crescent' reedbed. It was showing very well and seemed a confiding bird.
 

A nice surprise on an otherwise rather 'sameish' jaunt round the local patch!

Tony P

Monday 9 December 2013

Woburn Park wildfowl

Excellent numbers of wildfowl in Woburn Park this am;

Goosander 16 (inc 12 drakes)
Wigeon 418
Canada Geese 199
Greylags 155
Barnacle Goose 1
Gadwall 135
Tufted Duck 122
Mallard 83
Egyptian Geese 2
Cormorant 11
Shoveler 5
Mute Swan 23

plus smaller numbers Pochards, Coots, various gulls


Barry Nightingale

Sunday 8 December 2013

Thurleigh Airfield this evening

Two Short-eared Owls on the airfield tonight. I had access so one would not have been visible from the footpath around the perimeter. The other however was hunting near the control tower. Take the footpath north to the fence from TL058596 and scan. The bird tonight would have been visible from TL050599.

Site write up here

http://www.bedsbirdclub.org.uk/site/thurleigh.php

Also a Barn Owl here.

Spoke to some birders who had seen two SEOs here in the week and Tawny and Little Owl.

Richard Bashford

Saturday 7 December 2013

Today's Highlights

A female COMMON SCOTER was discovered on Brogborough Lake late afternoon whilst Andy Grimsey had a male HEN HARRIER fly east over the Sandy Smith Nature Reserve at Chicksands. The two SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS remain at Marston Sewage Works

Monday 2 December 2013

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS

The two SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS were still present around Marston Sewage Works yesterday (Sunday) morning.  They were present around the east side of the sewage works, often in the company of a small tit flock.

This map should help:

Some excellent shots of one of the birds by Neil Wright can be found on the BedsBirds blog:

The second bird is more elusive, but often appears around the small plantation in the east side.  This bird is greyer above with brighter green wings and tail.

Steve Blain

SHORT-EARED OWLS at Thurleigh Airfield

At least 3 on Thurleigh Airfield currently hunting high over the parked cars in the centre of the site. Viewed from end of Keysoe Row West.

Richard Bashford (Sunday)