MONDAY 7 AUGUST
A beautiful day with moderate to fresh warm SSW winds, clear blue skies and temperatures reaching 23 degrees C. I decided to bird South Bucks today searching several farmland sites and then Dorney Rowing Lakes........
A beautiful day with moderate to fresh warm SSW winds, clear blue skies and temperatures reaching 23 degrees C. I decided to bird South Bucks today searching several farmland sites and then Dorney Rowing Lakes........
Although just outside the Amersham Recording Area, the sites listed below are all just 1-2 miles south of Beaconsfield and the M40
HEDGERLEY AREA
After directions and details were finally forthcoming, I spent time checking the gamebird feeding trays near Hillmotts Farm and Hyde Farm. Red-legged Partridges were absolutely everywhere, with many small 'poults' running around - along with many young Common Pheasants.
RED KITES numbered 34 on and around Hedgerley Landfill.
DIPPLE WOOD AREA (SU 930 884)
After spending 90 minutes or more scanning from the raised bund overlooking the overgrown gravel pits east of Over's Farm and the farmland therein, I failed in my quest of locating the 3 Common Ravens that had been seen in this area in recent days. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of large raptors in this area, with RED KITES absolutely everywhere. The farmer at Castleman's was ploughing his fields and spraying them with manure which in turn, attracted the kites from every quarter. I was staggered by the number of juveniles - 13 in total - indicating yet another booming breeding season. Adults numbered at least 30 - many in ragged and very worn plumage - and many diving down on to the soil in search of prey and food.
Common Buzzards were also abundant, with what appeared to be two nesting pairs from Dipple Wood - adults feeding two juveniles in both cases - and a pair of Common Kestrels feeding two young.
Large numbers of Carrion Crows (44+) were also in the area, Dipple Wood also harbouring Great Spotted Woodpecker and Wren.
CASTLEMAN'S FARM (SU 926 877)
I was delighted to find 35 HOUSE SPARROWS roosting in the hedgerow bordering the eastern boundary of the farm as well as two separate families of Barn Swallow - three juveniles in each.
At the tiny farm pond opposite (at SU 924 877), Moorhens have successfully bred, with 3 juveniles fledged.
OVER'S FARM (SU 925 886)
Linnets bred successfully, with an adult feeding two young.
MILL WOOD/OVER'S FARM AREA
I returned back to the farmland south of the M40 and at 1640 hours, I eventually located an adult COMMON RAVEN feeding in the overgrown gravel pit. It soon flew and went directly towards Mill Wood and Wooburn Green. It was in primary moult with at least one full feather missing on its left wing.
HEDGERLEY AREA
After directions and details were finally forthcoming, I spent time checking the gamebird feeding trays near Hillmotts Farm and Hyde Farm. Red-legged Partridges were absolutely everywhere, with many small 'poults' running around - along with many young Common Pheasants.
RED KITES numbered 34 on and around Hedgerley Landfill.
DIPPLE WOOD AREA (SU 930 884)
After spending 90 minutes or more scanning from the raised bund overlooking the overgrown gravel pits east of Over's Farm and the farmland therein, I failed in my quest of locating the 3 Common Ravens that had been seen in this area in recent days. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of large raptors in this area, with RED KITES absolutely everywhere. The farmer at Castleman's was ploughing his fields and spraying them with manure which in turn, attracted the kites from every quarter. I was staggered by the number of juveniles - 13 in total - indicating yet another booming breeding season. Adults numbered at least 30 - many in ragged and very worn plumage - and many diving down on to the soil in search of prey and food.
Common Buzzards were also abundant, with what appeared to be two nesting pairs from Dipple Wood - adults feeding two juveniles in both cases - and a pair of Common Kestrels feeding two young.
Large numbers of Carrion Crows (44+) were also in the area, Dipple Wood also harbouring Great Spotted Woodpecker and Wren.
CASTLEMAN'S FARM (SU 926 877)
I was delighted to find 35 HOUSE SPARROWS roosting in the hedgerow bordering the eastern boundary of the farm as well as two separate families of Barn Swallow - three juveniles in each.
At the tiny farm pond opposite (at SU 924 877), Moorhens have successfully bred, with 3 juveniles fledged.
OVER'S FARM (SU 925 886)
Linnets bred successfully, with an adult feeding two young.
MILL WOOD/OVER'S FARM AREA
I returned back to the farmland south of the M40 and at 1640 hours, I eventually located an adult COMMON RAVEN feeding in the overgrown gravel pit. It soon flew and went directly towards Mill Wood and Wooburn Green. It was in primary moult with at least one full feather missing on its left wing.
No comments:
Post a Comment