BEDFORDSHIRE BIRDING: Perched MERLIN

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).

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Perched MERLIN

Having the opportunity to leave work in London early this afternoon, I decided to head north up the A1 to try for Jim Gurney's TUNDRA BEAN GEESE at Blunham Lake. I pulled up beside the lake at 14.45 and immediately saw the geese on the ice on the eastern side of the lake. Next moved onto Gypsy Lane West where the redhead SMEW was feeding in the ice free northern end of the lake beside the lay-by. Returning back along Gypsy Lane towards Hill Lane, I noticed what looked like a small raptor on telegraph wires above the unmade road leading to Brookland Farm. I pulled over and there on the wire was a stunning male MERLIN. Three excellent Beds birds in an hour and I didn't even have to get out of the car (Johnny Lynch)

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My 2015 Bedfordshire Year List (Life List for the County now stands at 266 species)

152) LITTLE STINT, Gypsy Lane East, 24 May
151) Spotted Flycatcher, Gypsy Lane East, 20 May
150) RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, Gypsy Lane East, 20 May
149) TEMMINCK'S STINT, Gypsy Lane East, 14 May
148) Hobby, Blunham Lake, 30 April
147) EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE, Octagon Farm, 30 April
146) Cuckoo, Willington, 30 April
145) Common Swift, 100 Acre, 30 April
144) WHITE WAGTAIL, Grovebury Pit, 27 April
143) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, Roxton Pit, 24 April
142) COMMON NIGHTINGALE, Begwary Brook, Wyboston, 24 April
141) House Martin, Gypsy Lane East, 24 April
140) Yellow Wagtail, Gypsy Lane East, 24 April
139) Common Sandpiper, Gypsy Lane East, 24 April
138) WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN, Gypsy Lane East, 24 April
137) Sedge Warbler, Marston Vale, 23 April
136) Western Reed Warbler, Marston Vale, 23 April
135) Lesser Whitethroat, Marston Vale, 23 April
134) Garden Warbler, Peacock's Lake, 23 April
133) Common Whitethroat, Peacock's Lake, Broom, 23 April
132) Common Tern, Gypsy Lane East, 23 April
131) BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Gypsy Lane East, 23 April
130) BEARDED TIT, up to 4, Marston Vale
129) NORTHERN GOSHAWK, Billington, flew NE at 0827, 16 April
128) Blackcap, Blows Downs, 14 April
127) Willow Warbler, Blows Downs, 14 April
126) WHINCHAT, Blows Downs, 14 April
GREENLAND WHEATEAR, Deacon Hill, 10 April
125) RING OUZEL (15 birds), Pegsdon Hills/Knocking Hoe NR, 10 April
124) COMMON REDSTART (2 males), Blows Downs Paddocks, 10 April
123) MARSH HARRIER (female), Marston Vale, 2 April
122) Barn Swallow (4), Grovebury Sand Pit, 2 April
121) Sand Martin (8), Grovebury Sand Pit, 2 April
120) SANDWICH TERN, Stewartby Lake, 31 March
119) BLACK REDSTART, Blows Downs, 20 March
118) Northern Wheatear, Gypsy Lane East, 14 March
117) Common Redshank, Gypsy Lane East, 14 March
116) SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT, Gypsy Lane East, 14 March
115) Corn Bunting, Wellhead Road, Totternhoe, 14 March
114) EURASIAN CURLEW, Park Farm Fisheries (breeding pair), 14 March
113) LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT, 5 males surviving
112) Water Rail, Marston Vale, 12 March
111) Cetti's Warbler, Marston Vale, 12 March
110) SISKIN, Eversholt Lake, 12 March
109) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Eversholt Lake, 12 March
108) Little Ringed Plover, Gypsy Lane West, 12 March
107) Common Snipe, Gypsy Lane West, 12 March
106) Dunlin, Gypsy Lane West, 12 March
105) GARGANEY, Gypsy Lane East, 12 March
104) MEDITERRANEAN GULL, Stewartby Lake, 28 Feb
103) SMEW (drake), Brogborough Lake, 28 Feb
102) Egyptian Goose, Cainhoe Pit, 21 Feb
101) LONG-EARED OWL, two locations
100) Barn Owl, Lidlington, 14 Feb
99) Common Treecreeper, Eversholt Lake, 14 Feb
98) Greenfinch, 14 Feb
97) COMMON RAVEN, nesting site, 14 Feb
96) MERLIN (adult male), Gypsy Lane West, 14 Feb
95) Green Sandpiper, Gypsy Lane East, 14 Feb
94) Ringed Plover, Gypsy Lane East, 14 Feb
93) Marsh Tit, Palmer's Wood, 12 Feb
92) Tawny Owl, Palmer's Wood, 12 Feb
91) BRAMBLING, Palmer's Wood, Old Warden, 12 Feb
90) Mistle Thrush, Gypsy Lane West, 12 Feb
89) LESSER REDPOLL, Broom Village Pit, 12 Feb
88) PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, Broom Peacock's Lake, 12 Feb
87) Skylark, Broom Peacock's Lake, 10 Feb
86) Common Shelduck, Gypsy Lane Pits, 10 Feb
85) LITTLE OWL, Sandy Smith NR, 10 Feb
84) GREATER SCAUP, Kempston Hardwick South, 10 Feb
83) WOODCOCK, 15 at dusk, Milton Wood, 21 Jan
82) Meadow Pipit, Quest Pit, 21 Jan
81) RED-CRESTED POCHARD (6 birds), Quest Pit, Stewartby, 21 Jan
80) Stock Dove, Stotfold, 21 Jan
79) GREAT WHITE EGRET, Roxton GP, 13 Jan
78) Little Egret, Blunham Lake, 13 Jan
77) PEREGRINE, Grovebury Pit, 5 Jan
Ross's Snow Goose, Grovebury Pit, 5 Jan
76) CASPIAN GULL, Grovebury Pit, 5 Jan
75) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, Grovebury Pit, 5 Jan
74) Great Black-backed Gull, Grovebury Pit, 5 Jan
73) JACK SNIPE (7 birds), Gypsy Lane East, Broom GP, 5 Jan
72) TREE SPARROW (27 birds), Upper Caldecote, 5 Jan
71) Yellowhammer, Upper Caldecote, 5 Jan
70) Linnet, Upper Caldecote, 5 Jan
69) Green Woodpecker, Upper Caldecote, 5 Jan
68) Grey Partridge, Hatch, 5 Jan
67) Red-legged Partridge, Hatch, 5 Jan
66) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willington, 5 Jan
65) Barnacle Goose (425 birds), Willington, 5 Jan
64) Lapwing, 100 Acre Pit, 5 Jan
63) European Golden Plover (850+), 100 Acre Pit, 5 Jan
62) Greylag Goose, 100 Acre Pit, 5 Jan
61) DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, 100 Acre Lake, 5 Jan
60) Reed Bunting, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
59) Bullfinch, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
58) Goldfinch, Eversholt Lake, 4 Jan
57) Chaffinch, Woburn Park, 4 Jan
56) House Sparrow, Marston Moretaine, 4 Jan
55) Common Starling, Marston Moretaine, 4 Jan
54) Carrion Crow, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
53) Rook, Brogborough, 4 Jan
52) Jackdaw, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
51) Jay, Eversholt Lake, 4 Jan
50) Common Magpie, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
49) Nuthatch, Stockgrove CP, 4 Jan
48) Long-tailed Tit, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
47) Blue Tit, Stockgrove CP, 4 Jan
46) Coal Tit, Woburn Park, 4 Jan
45) Great Tit, Stockgrove CP, 4 Jan
44) Goldcrest, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
43) SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, Marston SW, 4 Jan
42) Common Chiffchaff, Dunstable & Manston SW, 4 Jan
41) Common Blackbird, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
40) Fieldfare, Ridgmont, 4 Jan
39) Redwing, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
38) Song Thrush, Eversholt Lake, 4 Jan
37) Robin, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
36) Dunnock, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
35) Winter Wren, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
34) Grey Wagtail, Marston SW, 4 Jan
33) Pied Wagtail, Marston Sewage Works, 4 Jan
32) Common Kingfisher, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
31) Collared Dove, Ridgmont, 4 Jan
30) Woodpigeon, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
29) Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woburn Park, 4 Jan
28) Herring Gull, Woburn Park, 4 Jan
27) Common Gull, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
26) Black-headed Gull, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
25) Coot, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
24) Moorhen, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
23) Common Pheasant, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
22) Kestrel, Brogborough Lake, 4 Jan
21) Sparrowhawk, Rushmere, 4 Jan
20) Common Buzzard, Brogborough, 4 Jan
19) GOOSANDER, pair, Eversholt Lake, 4 Jan
18) Common Goldeneye, Brogborough Lake, 4 Jan
17) COMMON SCOTER, Stewartby Lake, 4 Jan
16) Tufted Duck, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
15) Northern Pochard, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
14) Common Teal, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
13) Eurasian Wigeon, Woburn Park, 4 Jan
12) Shoveler, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
11) Gadwall, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
10) Mallard, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
9) Mandarin Duck, Rushmere Pond, Stockgrove CP, 4 Jan
8) Atlantic Canada Goose, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
Australian Black Swan, resident pair, Drakelow Ponds Woburn, 4 Jan
7) Whooper Swan, resident pair, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
6) Mute Swan, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
5) Grey Heron, Brogborough Lake, 4 Jan
4) North Atlantic Cormorant, Brogborough Lake, 4 Jan
3) BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Dunstable SW, 4 Jan
2) Little Grebe, Dunstable Sewage Works, 4 Jan
1) Great Crested Grebe, Stewartby Lake, 4 January

My 2013 Bedfordshire Year List

164) LITTLE STINT, Gypsy Lane East, 1 October
163) SPOTTED CRAKE, Longholme Lake, Bedford, 19 September
162) Hobby, The Lodge Sandy RSPB, 23 August
161) Common Greenshank, Gypsy Lane East, 23 August
160) RUFF (31 birds), Gypsy Lane East, 23 August
159) COMMON QUAIL, 2 birds, Woodbury Low Farm, Tempsford, 25 July
158) GARGANEY, Broom GP, 9 June
157) COMMON STONECHAT (male on territory), North Beds, 23 May
156) WOOD SANDPIPER, Gypsy Lane East, 22 May
155) CURLEW SANDPIPER, Gypsy Lane East, 19 May
154) PIED AVOCET (pair), Gypsy Lane East, 17 May
153) SANDERLING, Gypsy Lane East, 15 May
152) Spotted Flycatcher, Tempsford Church, 13 May
151) Common Swift, Broom GP, 13 May
150) TURNSTONE, Gypsy Lane East, 13 May
149) COMMON NIGHTINGALE, Ampthill Bowling Green, 13 May
148) TURTLE DOVE, Totternhoe Knolls, 8 May
147) Grasshopper Warbler, Lidlington Cemetery, 2 May
146) Tawny Owl, Millbrook, 2 May
145) WHINCHAT (2), Chiltern Green, 1 May
144) Lesser Whitethroat, Stewartby Lake, 1 May
143) Garden Warbler, Stewartby Lake, 1 May
142) Common Cuckoo, Marston Vale, 1 May
141) Cetti's Warbler, Marston Vale, 1 May
140) Western Reed Warbler, Marston Vale, 1 May
139) EURASIAN BITTERN, Ledburn Road Sandpit, Tiddenfoot, 29 April
138) Sedge Warbler, 100 Acre Pools, 29 April
137) Common Whitethroat, Brogborough, 29 April
136) ARCTIC TERN (5), Brogborough Lake, 29 April
135) EURASIAN SPOONBILL, Derek White's Pit, Biggleswade, 27 April
134) COMMON SCOTER, Brogborough Lake, 25 April
133) BLACK TERN, Brogborough Lake, 25 April
132) Blackcap, Blows Downs, 15 April
131) Willow Warbler, Blows Downs, 15 April
130) COMMON REDSTART (5), Blows Downs, 15 April
129) LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT, single male
128) Common Tern, Stewartby Lake, 13 April
127) Yellow Wagtail, Gypsy Lane East, 13 April
126) Common Sandpiper, Gypsy Lane East (Broom), 13 April
125) RUDDY DUCK, Peacocks Lake (Broom), 13 April
124) Swallow, Grovebury, 12 April
123) House Martin, Grovebury, 12 April
122) Sand Martin, Grovebury GP, 12 April
121) LITTLE GULL, Brogborough Lake, 9 April
120) SPOTTED REDSHANK, Gypsy Lane East (Broom), 9 April
119) WATER PIPIT, Castle Mills GP, 9 April
118) SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT (2), Castle Mills GP, 9 April
117) Common Kingfisher, Castle Mills GP, 9 April
116) WHITE WAGTAIL, Castle Mills GP, 9 April
115) NORTHERN WHEATEAR, Pegsdon Hills, 9 April
114) RING OUZEL (4), Pegsdon Hills, 9 April
113) COMMON CROSSBILL, The Lodge RSPB, 8 April
112) European Golden Plover, Upper Caldecote, 8 April
111) Dunlin, Gypsy Lane East, 8 April
110) Ringed Plover, Gypsy Lane
109) Little Ringed Plover, Castle Mills GP, 8 April
108) Green Sandpiper, Castle Mills GP, 8 April
107) GREAT GREY SHRIKE, Streatley, 14 March
106) Mandarin Duck, Stockgrove Park, 12 March
105) Linnet, Grovebury Pit, 9 March
104) Oystercatcher (5), Grovebury Pit, 9 March
103) EURASIAN CURLEW (flock of 8), Grovebury Pit, 9 March
102) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, Grovebury Pit, 9 March
101) KITTIWAKE, Grovebury Pit, 9 March
100) COMMON RAVEN, Dagnall, 6 March
99) Little Owl, Totternhoe, 15 February
98) Ring-necked Parakeet, Southcott Village, 15 February
97) Common Snipe, Broom GP, 15 February
96) RED-CRESTED POCHARD (3), Harrold-Odell Country Park, 15 February
95) Red Kite
94) TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE (2), Radwell GP, 15 February
93) BOHEMIAN WAXWING (10 birds), Ampthill, 15 February
92) Barn Owl, Biggleswade Common, 9 February
91) Yellowhammer, Biggleswade Common, 9 February
90) CORN BUNTING (53), Biggleswade Common, 9 February
89) Grey Wagtail, Biggleswade Common SW, 9 February
88) Common Chiffchaff (3), Biggleswade Common SW, 9 February
87) SHORT-EARED OWL, Biggleswade Common, 9 February
86) Ringed Plover, Gypsy Lane East GP, 9 February
85) Common Shelduck, Gypsy Lane East GP, 9 February
84) MEALY REDPOLL (5 birds), The Lodge Sandy, 9 February
83) Lesser Redpoll, The Lodge Sandy, 9 February
82) Peregrine, Stewartby Lake, 02 February
81) MEDITERRANEAN GULL, Stewartby Lake, 02 February
80) Little Egret, Brook End, 02 February
79) WHOOPER SWAN (3 adults), Broom Village, 02 February
78) BEWICK'S SWAN (12 adults), Chimney Corner South Pit, 02 February
Australian Black Swan (Woburn Park, 31 Jan)
77) Bullfinch
76) Siskin
75) Greenfinch
74) Goldfinch
73) BRAMBLING (Wilstead)
72) Chaffinch
71) TREE SPARROW (Southill)
70) House Sparrow
69) Starling
68) Carrion Crow
67) Rook
66) Jackdaw
65) Jay
64) Magpie
63) Treecreeper
62) Nuthatch
61) Long-tailed Tit
60) Marsh Tit
59) Blue Tit
58) Coal Tit
57) Great Tit
56) Goldcrest
55) Common Blackbird
54) Redwing
53) Fieldfare
52) Mistle Thrush
51) Song Thrush
50) Robin
49) Dunnock
48) Wren
47) Pied Wagtail
46) Meadow Pipit
45) Skylark
44) Green Woodpecker
43) Collared Dove
42) Woodpigeon
41) Stock Dove
40) Lesser Black-backed Gull
39) Herring Gull
38) Common Gull
37) Black-headed Gull
36) JACK SNIPE (9 at Gypsy Lane East)
35) Lapwing
34) Coot
33) Moorhen
32) Pheasant
31) GREY PARTRIDGE
30) Red-legged Partridge
29) Kestrel
28) Sparrowhawk
27) Common Buzzard
26) GOOSANDER
25) SMEW (Gypsy Lane West Pit)
24) Goldeneye
23) Tufted Duck
22) GREATER SCAUP (3 at Brogborough)
21) FERRUGINOUS DUCK (drake at Priory Country Park 30 Jan)
20) Northern Pochard
19) Common Teal
18) Wigeon
17) Shoveler
16) Gadwall
15) Mallard
14) Egyptian Goose
13) DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (flock at Brogborough)
12) Barnacle Goose (404 at Willington GP)
11) Canada Goose
10) Greylag Goose
9) PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, Broom GP
8) Mute Swan
7) Grey Heron
6) Cormorant
5) Great Crested Grebe
4) Little Grebe
3) BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Priory Country Park, 30 January
2) SLAVONIAN GREBE, Brogborough Lake
1) GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, Chimney Corner Pits

My Bedfordshire Year List of 2012

167) GREY PHALAROPE, Dunstable Sewage Farm, 13, 14 & 15 December
166) RUDDY DUCK, two immature drakes, 3 December
165) BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Marston Vale, 10 Nov
164) HAWFINCH, Marston Vale, 16 Nov
163) DOTTEREL, Southill, 5 Nov
162) PECTORAL SANDPIPER, Broom Gypsy Lane East, 25 Sept
161) WOOD SANDPIPER, Gypsy Lane East, 7 July
160) GARGANEY (pair), Marston Vale, 5 June
159) COMMON NIGHTINGALE, Tempsford Crossing, 5 June
158) GOLDEN ORIOLE (County Tick), Tempsford, 03 June
157) SANDERLING, Broom Peacocks Lake, 9 May
156) Common Greenshank, Gypsy Lane East, 8 May
155) Spotted Flycatcher, Tempsford Churchyard, 8 May
154) TURTLE DOVE, Stewartby Lake, 04 May
153) WHINCHAT, Blows Downs, 03 May
152) BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Derek White's Pit, 03 May
151) GREY PLOVER, Broom Peacocks Lake, 03 May
150) Hobby, Broom Peacocks Lake, 03 May
149) BEARDED TIT, 03 May
148) BLACK-NECKED GREBE (3 birds), Millbrook Pillinge, 03 May
147) BLACK TERN, Priory & Broom, 30 April
146) Garden Warbler, Stewartby Lake, 30 April
145) Common Swift, Marston Vale, 28 April
144) Common Cuckoo, Marston Vale, 28 April
143) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, Fenlake Meadows NR, 24 April
142) House Martin, Marston Vale, 24 April
141) Lesser Whitethroat, Marston Vale, 24 April
140) Common Whitethroat, Stewartby Lake, 24 April
139) ARCTIC TERN (17), Stewartby Lake, 24 April
138) Western Reed Warbler, Marston Vale, 24 April
137) Sedge Warbler, Marston Vale, 24 April
136) COMMON REDSTART, Blows Downs, 17 April
135) Common Tern, Stewartby Lake, 13 April
134) SLAVONIAN GREBE, Stewartby Lake, 13 April
133) RING OUZEL (4 males), Blows Downs, 11 April
132) Common Sandpiper, Derek White's, 11 April
131) RUFF, Derek White's, 11 April
130) BLACK REDSTART, Blows Downs, 09 April
129) Barn Swallow, Grovebury Sandpit, 09 April
128) Willow Warbler, Dunstable Sewage Works, 09 April
127) Yellow Wagtail, Willington, 09 April
126) WHITE WAGTAIL, Willington, 09 April
125) GREAT WHITE EGRET, Radwell GP, 06 April (my first in the county)
Whooper Swan (Wardown birds), Dunstable Sewage Works, 02 April
124) LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT (2 males), 27 March
123) Blackcap, Priory Country Park, 27 March
122) Sand Martin, Broom GP, 27 March
121) LITTLE GULL (4), Peacock's Lake, Broom, 27 March
120) Little Ringed Plover, Derek White's, 27 March
119) Common Chiffchaff, Dunstable Sewage Works, 19 March
118) EURASIAN CURLEW (pair), 17 March
117) Northern Wheatear, Blows Downs, 17 March
116) Green Sandpiper, East Hyde, 17 March
115) GREEN-WINGED TEAL, Broom Gypsy Lane East, 16 March
114) Barn Owl (pair), Brogborough, 28 February
113) FIRECREST (pair), King's Wood, Ampthill, 28 February
112) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (pair), Flitwick Moor, 28 February
111) European Golden Plover, Octagon Farm, 28 February
110) Ringed Plover, Broom GP, 27 February
109) Oystercatcher, Willington GP, 27 February
108) Marsh Tit, Stockgrove CP, 19 February
107) DUNLIN (3), Stewartby lake, 05 February
106) Common Redshank, Stewartby Lake, 05 February
105) BEWICK'S SWAN (13 birds), Stewartby Lake, 05 February
104) JACK SNIPE (3), East Hyde, 05 February
103) Common Shelduck, Broom GP, 04 February
102) NORTHERN PINTAIL (44), Millbrook Pillinge, 04 February
101) Common Kingfisher, Stewartby Lake, 04 February
100) MEDITERRANEAN GULL, Millbrook Pillinge Pit, 04 February
99) EURASIAN BITTERN, Stewartby lake, 04 February
98) COMMON RAVEN, Dagnall, 04 February
97) TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, flock of 10, Blunham Lake, 02 February
96) SMEW (4 different redheads), Millbrook Pillinge/Gypsy Lane West GP, 02 February
95) COMMON SCOTER (female), Millbrook Pillinge Pit, 02 February
94) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, Grovebury, 25 January
93) Meadow Pipit, Houghton Regis Quarry, 25 January
92) WOODCOCK, Houghton Regis Quarry, 25 January
91) Common Snipe, Houghton Regis Quarry, 25 January
90) Little Egret, Kempston Bypass Pits, 24 January
89) RED-CRESTED POCHARD (2 drakes), Radwell Viaduct Pit, 24 January
88) Tawny Owl, Milton Wood, Eversholt, 13 January
87) COMMON STONECHAT, The Wixams, 13 January
86) LONG-EARED OWL
85) Shoveler, Broom Peacock's Lake, 10 January
84) GREY PARTRIDGE (37 birds), Hatch Area, 10 January
83) SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, Meadow Lane, Bedford SW, 10 January
82) Grey Wagtail, Bedford Sewage Works, 10 January
81) Stock Dove, Bedford Sewage Works, 10 january
80) LESSER REDPOLL, Stockgrove Park, 10 January
79) Mandarin Duck, Stockgrove Park, 10 january
78) Yellowhammer, 7 January
77) CORN BUNTING, Moggerhanger, 7 January
76) Reed Bunting, 7 January
75) COMMON CROSSBILL, Charle Wood, 8 January
74) Bullfinch, Pegsdon Hills, 7 January
73) Siskin, 7 January
72) Greenfinch, 7 January
71) Goldfinch, 7 January
70) Linnet, 7 January
69) Chaffinch, 7 January
68) TREE SPARROW (22 birds), Southill, 7 January
67) House Sparrow, 7 January
66) Common Starling, 7 January
65) Carrion Crow, 7 January
64) Rook, 7 January
63) Western Jackdaw, 7 January
62) Jay, 7 January
61) Common Magpie, 7 January
60) Common Treecreeper, 7 January
59) Nuthatch, 7 January
58) Long-tailed Tit, 7 January
57) Blue Tit, 7 January
56) Coal Tit, 7 January
55) Great Tit, 7 January
54) Goldcrest, 7 January
53) CETTI'S WARBLER, Marston Vale, 7 January
52) Common Blackbird, 7 January
51) Fieldfare, 7 January
50) Mistle Thrush, 8 January
49) Redwing, 7 January
48) Song Thrush, 7 January
47) Robin, 7 January
46) Dunnock, 4 January
45) Wren, 7 January
44) Pied Wagtail, 7 January
43) Skylark, 7 January
42) Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 January
41) Green Woodpecker, 7 January
40) Little Owl, Pegsdon, 7 January
39) SHORT-EARED OWL, Brogborough, 8 January
38) Collared Dove, 7 January
37) Woodpigeon, 7 January
36) Great Black-backed Gull, 7 January
35) Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 January
34) Herring Gull, 8 January
33) Common Gull, 7 January
32) Black-headed Gull, 7 January
31) Lapwing, 7 January
30) Coot, 7 January
29) Moorhen, 7 January
28) WATER RAIL, Marston Vale, 7 January
27) Common Pheasant, 7 January
26) Red-legged Partridge, 7 January
25) PEREGRINE, Cardington, 7 January
24) Common Kestrel, 7 January
23) Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 7 January
22) Common Buzzard, 7 January
21) Red Kite, Pegsdon Hills, 7 January
20) GOOSANDER (17), Eversholt Lake, 8 January
19) Common Goldeneye, Brogborough Lake, 7 January
18) Tufted Duck, 7 January
17) GREATER SCAUP (3), Brogborough Lake, 7-8 January
16) Northern Pochard, 7 January
15) Common Teal, 7 January
14) Eurasian Wigeon, 7 January
13) Gadwall, 7 January
12) Mallard, 7 January
11) Egyptian Goose, Little Barford, 7 January
10) Barnacle Goose (naturalised), Willington, 7 January
9) (Atlantic) Canada Goose, 7 January
8) Greylag Goose, 7 January
7) EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, two different first-winters, 7 & 8 January
6) Mute Swan, 7 January
5) Grey Heron, 7 January
4) Cormorant, 7 January
3) Great Crested Grebe, 7 January
2) Little Grebe, 7 January
1) GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (2 juveniles), Stewartby Lake, 7 January

My 2011 BEDFORDSHIRE YEAR LIST

191) TUNDRA BEAN GEESE (3 birds - 2 adults and a juvenile), Cainhoe GP at Clophill, 19 November
190) NORTHERN GANNET (juvenile), Priory Country Park, 14 November
189) GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (juvenile), Brogborough Lake, 12 November
188) BLACK-NECKED GREBE (3), Brogborough Lake, 12 November
187) SLAVONIAN GREBE, Brogborough Lake, 9 November
186) RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, Millbrook Pillinge Pit, 9 November
185) HEN HARRIER (juvenile), Knotting Green, 7 November
184) COMMON SCOTER (juvenile), Stewartby Lake, 21 October
183) COMMON CROSSBILL (2), The Lodge Sandy, 19 October
182) WOODLARK (6 birds), The Lodge Sandy, 19 October
181) RUDDY DUCK, 17 October
180) AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULL, Stewartby Lake, 25 September (First County Record)
179) EURASIAN SPOONBILL (adult), Quest Pit, Stewartby, 10 September
178) TREE PIPIT (3), Pegsdon Hills, 2 September
177) LITTLE STINT, Rookery Pit, 18 August
176) WHINCHAT (3), Sandy Smith Natures Reserve, Clophill, 15 August
175) OSPREY, Eversholt Lake, 5 August
174) COMMON QUAIL, Grange Farm, Pertenhall, 11 June
173) RUDDY TURNSTONE, Rookery Pit, 7 June
172) Spotted Flycatcher, The Lodge Sandy, 31 May
171) FIRECREST, The Lodge Sandy, 31 May
170) SANDERLING (6 birds), Rookery Pit, 30 May
169) RED-NECKED PHALAROPE**, Rookery Pit, 30 May
168) GREY PLOVER, Rookery Pit, 15 May
167) Arctic Tern (8), Broom GP, 28 April
166) BAR-TAILED GODWIT (4), Rookery Pit South, 28 April
165) PURPLE HERON (first-summer), Rookery Pit North, 26 April
164) Hobby (6 birds), Rookery Pit, 26 April
163) Common Swift, Rookery Pit, 26 April
162) Lesser Whitethroat, Rookery Pit, 22 April
161) WHIMBREL, Cardington, 22 April
160) WOOD SANDPIPER, Quest Pit, Stewartby, 19 April
159) COMMON NIGHTINGALE, Willington Cycle Track, 19 April
158) Garden Warbler, Broom GP, 19 April
157) COMMON GREENSHANK, Broom Peacock's Lake, 19 April
156) SPOTTED REDSHANK (two summer adults), Derek White's, 19 April
155) BLACK TERN (2), Rookery Pit, 18 April
154) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, Willington, 18 April
153) EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE, Willington, 18 April
152) Common Cuckoo, Willington, 18 April
151) Common Sandpiper, Gypsy Lane Pits, Broom, 18 April
150) Western Reed Warbler, Marston Vale, 12 April
149) House Martin, Marston Vale, 12 April
148) Common Whitethroat, Marston Vale, 12 April
147) Sedge Warbler, Marston Vale, 12 April
146) LITTLE GULL, Stewartby Lake, 10 April
145) LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT (2 males) 8 April
144) Willow Warbler, Rookery Pit, 8/4
143) WHITE WAGTAIL, Willington GP, 6/4
142) COMMON REDSTART, Blows Downs, 06/4
141) RING OUZEL, Deacon Hill, Pegsdon, 04/4
140) Common Tern, Derek White's Eggs A1 Pit, 04/4
139) Yellow Wagtail, Stewartby Lake, 04/4
138) COMMON CRANE, Brogborough, 04/4
`137) Barn Swallow, Dunstable Sewage Works, 04/4
136) (GREENLAND) WHEATEAR, Blows Downs, 02/4
135) PIED FLYCATCHER, Blows Downs, 02/4
132) MARSH HARRIER (adult female), Rookery Pit South, 28/3
131) PIED AVOCET (pair), Rookery Pit South, 28/3
130) Blackcap, Stewartby Lake, 28/3
129) CETTI'S WARBLER, Stewartby Lake, 28/3
128) BLACK REDSTART, Blows Downs Paddocks, 27/3
ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (9 birds), Rookery Pit South, 23/3
127) RUFF (3), Rookery Pit South, 23/3
126) MERLIN, Chalton Sewage Works, 21/3
125) BEARDED TIT (4), Broom Area, 21/3
124) Sand Martin, Rookery Pit, 21/3
123) Little Ringed Plover, Rookery Pit, 21/3
122) Limosa BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, Rookery Pit, 21/3
121) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Flitwick Moor SSSI, 21/3
120) SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT, Gypsy Lane South Pit, Broom, 18/3
119) CASPIAN GULL (2 different first-winters), Stewartby Lake and Fields, 14/3
118) Dunlin, Broom Washout Pits, 14/3
117) Ringed Plover, Gypsy Lane Pits South, Broom, 14/3
116) Oystercatcher, Chimney Corner North, 14/2
115) GLAUCOUS GULL (juvenile), Stewartby Lake, 13/2
114) MEDITERRANEAN GULL (2 birds), Stewartby Area, 13/2
113) Barn Owl, Blunham, 11/2
112) Common Chiffchaff, Bedford Sewage Works, 11/2
111) ICELAND GULL (juvenile), Stewartby Lake, 11/2
110) EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, Meadow Lane GP, 9/2
109) SMEW, Rookery Pit South, 9/2
108) Common Snipe, Houghton Regis Chalk Quarry, 4/2
107) Little Owl, Speedsdairy Farm Clophill, 31/1
106) LONG-EARED OWL (2), 31/1
105) Common Redshank, Stewartby Lake, 30/1
104) NORTHERN PINTAIL (2 females), Stewartby Lake, 30/1
103) Bullfinch, Green Lane Stewartby, 30/1
102) Marsh Tit, Stockgrove Country Park, 30/1
101) Ring-necked Parakeet, Southcott, Old Linslade, 30/1
100) WOODCOCK, Palmers Wood, Old Wareden, 29/1
99) WATER PIPIT, Bedford Sewage Treatment Works, 29/1
98) Grey Wagtail, Marston SW, 29/1
97) Meadow Pipit, Marston SW, 29/1
96) Common Shelduck, Broom GP, 25/1
95) Tawny Owl, Southill, 25/1
94) BRAMBLING (41 birds), Southill, 25/1
93) Red Kite, Pegsdon Hollow, 25/1
Whooper Swan (4), non-naturalised, Wardown Park Luton, 25/1
92) Egyptian Goose (of unknown origin), Wardown Park Luton, 25/1
91) Mandarin Duck, Stockgrove Park, 19/1
90) EURASIAN CURLEW (pair), Radwell Fields, 17/1
89) Green Sandpiper, Octagon Farm, 17/1
88) Little Egret, Bidwell, 16/1
87) GREY PARTRIDGE, Southill Village (9), 12/1
86) SCANDINAVIAN ARCTIC REDPOLL (2+ individuals), Coronation Pit and The Lodge Sandy RSPB, 12/1
85) MEALY REDPOLL (5), Coronation Pit, 12/1
84) Greenfinch, The Lodge RSPB, 8/1
83) SHORT-EARED OWL, The Wixams, 8/1
82) Eurasian Sparrowhawk, The Wixams, 8/1
81) COMMON STONECHAT, The Wixams, 8/1
80) Eurasian Skylark, The Wixams, 8/1
79) Barnacle Goose, Willington GP, 8/1
78) Reed Bunting, Blunham, 8/1
77) CORN BUNTING (137), Blunham, 8/1
76) Mistle Thrush, Blunham, 8/1
75) Dunnock, Blunham, 8/1
74) Coal Tit, The Lodge RSPB, 8/1
73) Common Treecreeper, The Lodge RSPB, 8/1
72) Lesser Redpoll, The Lodge RSPB, 8/1
71) Siskin, The Lodge RSPB, 8/1
70) European Golden Plover, Biggleswade, 8/1
69) JACK SNIPE, East Hyde, 7/1
68) GARGANEY, Blunham Lake, 6/1 (probably of captive origin)
67) BEWICK'S SWAN (15 adults), Radwell, 6/1
66) Lapwing, Kempston Hardwick Pits, 6/1
65) RED-CRESTED POCHARD (10 birds), Kempston Hardwick Pits, 6/1
64) Goldfinch, Millbrook village, 6/1
63) BOHEMIAN WAXWING (57 birds), Bilton Way Industrial Estate, Dallow Road, Luton, 6/1
62) Stock Dove, The Turnpike, 4 January
61) Gadwall, Chimney Corner Pits, 4 January
60) PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (2), Southill, 4 January
59) TREE SPARROW (18), Southill village, 4 January
58) Green Woodpecker, Southill, 4 January
57) Yellowhammer, Duck End NR Maulden, 4 January
56) GOOSANDER, Cowhill Belt Pond, Woburn, 4 January
55) COMMON RAVEN, Woburn, 4 January
54) Red-legged Partridge, Thrales End Lane, 3 January
53) Chaffinch, Stewartby, 1 January
52) House Sparrow, Woburn, 1 January
51) Common Starling, Stewartby, 1 January
50) Carrion Crow, Stewartby, 1 January
49) Rook, Stewartby, 1 January
48) Jackdaw, Stewartby, 1 January
47) Jay, Woburn, 1 January
46) Common Magpie, Stewartby, 1 January
45) Long-tailed Tit, Stewartby, 1 January
44) Blue Tit, Stewartby, 1 January
43) Great Tit, Stewartby, 1 January
42) Goldcrest, Stewartby, 1 January
41) Common Blackbird, Stewartby, 1 January
40) Fieldfare, Stewartby, 1 January
39) Redwing, Stewartby, 1 January
38) Song Thrush, Stewartby, 1 January
37) Robin, Stewartby, 1 January
36) Wren, Stewartby, 1 January
35) Pied Wagtail, Stewartby, 1 January
34) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stewartby, 1 January
33) Common Kingfisher, Stewartby, 1 January
32) Collared Dove, Woburn, 1 January
31) Woodpigeon, Woburn, 1 January
30) Great Black-backed Gull, Stewartby, 1 January
29) Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stewartby, 1 January
28) Yellow-legged Gull, Stewartby, 1 January
27) Herring Gull, Stewartby, 1 January
26) Common Gull, Stewartby, 1 January
25) Black-headed Gull, Stewartby, 1 January
24) Coot, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
23) Moorhen, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
22) Water Rail, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
21) Common Pheasant, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
20) PEREGRINE, Stewartby Brickwork Chimneys, 1 January
19) Common Kestrel, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
18) Common Buzzard, M1, 1 January
17) Common Goldeneye, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
16) Tufted Duck, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
15) GREATER SCAUP (3), Stewartby Lake, 1 January
14) Northern Pochard, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
13) Common Teal, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
12) Eurasian Wigeon, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
11) Shoveler, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
10) Mallard, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
9) Atlantic Canada Goose, Grovebury Pit, 1 January
8) Greylag Goose, Grovebury Pit, 1 January
7) Mute Swan, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
6) Grey Heron, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
5) EURASIAN BITTERN, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
4) Cormorant, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
3) Great Crested Grebe, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
2) Little Grebe, Stewartby Lake, 1 January
1) RED-THROATED DIVER Stewartby Lake, 1 January
128) BLACK REDSTART, Blows Downs Paddocks, 27/3

Total Number of Species Recorded in 2011

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Perched MERLIN

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