Night Heron!!!

I teamed up with Graham Smith and Dave Cleal to try and see the Black-crowned Night Heron that had been found at Claydon Lakes a couple of days earlier.  We arrived at the site about 7:30pm and walked on the footpath to the lake where Mike Campbell and another birder were already waiting, along with four fisherman at various places around the lake.  As the time went by to dusk, a steady tickle of birders arrived including Mike and Ted Wallen, Paul Moon, Simon Nichols, Don Stone, et al.  About 15 people in all.

We were all watching the end of the lake where the bird had appeared on the two previous nights and sure enough, at 8:30pm the bird flew a short distance and landed in a tall tree about 100 metres away.  We manged some decent telescope views, although the light was very poor.

After a few minutes the Heron decided to head off, presumably to fish and it flew off in the direction of Steeple Claydon.  The river Thame is the far side of the village, so it may well have been headed there.  I managed a few photos in very poor light, so they are only silhouette shots and with a high ISO setting, rather grainy.  However everyone present was delighted to have views of only the 6th record for the county and the first twitchable one.

Waiting in anticipation just before the Nigh Heron appeared.  It was rather dark!

Black-crowned Nigh Heron

The Night Heron disappeared into the sunset towards Steeple Claydon

Dorney Lake Scoter

I thought it was about time I paid another visit to Dorney Lake.  An overcast morning and a movement of birds the previous day were encouraging.

I got to the start end and scanned the mown area near  the mound and soon came up with two female/juvenile Wheatears.  Off to a good start.  Quite a few Swallows flew over heading west at this point.

Wheatear - Rather distant on the far side of the return lake.
Two were present but surprisingly none anywhere else.

I decided to check the main lake as having both Common and Velvet Scoters there in 2016, although usually it just has Coot, Mallard and the odd Great Crested Grebe.  However, my luck was in and at the 500 metre marker point was a group of Coot along with a nice male Common Scoter.  It remained there into the afternoon at least when Kevin Holt saw it.

Common Scoter 

Showing it's typical profile

Pretty big webbed feet for diving.

The yellow on the bill really stood out.

Barnacle Goose - Asleep in among a large flock of Canada Geese.  Origin unknown.

A lot of geese were present (400+) but nothing much else of interest.  The Arboretum Lake and the bushes seemed to be devoid of birds!

Little Marlow Again

Another visit to Little Marlow partly to try out my new tripod (Carbon fibre with fluid head from Surui).

Common Gull - One of the first seen here since they departed in the Spring. 

Common Sandpipers - These three were sat together on the west side of the sand spit.
They did not move while I was there and were mainly asleep.  I assume that had just arrived.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Colour ringed "White WO" plus a black ring on the right leg.
This is the 14th sighting I have had of this individual since July 2013.
It was ringed as a 4cy+ male at Maasvlakte (Yangtzehaven), Zuid-Hollad, NL on 12/05/2012

Little Marlow in August

A few photos taken in mid-August

Mediterranean Gull - This juvenile was found by Adam Bassett and fortunately still around when I arrived.
I did not stay very long, so these are the best photos I could get.

Fox - It casually wandered out onto the sand spit and sat down.

It decided to have a scratch.

Bored with watching the Mallards, it had a yawn!

Roe Deer - Two fawns seemed at home on the far side of the sand spit.

Common Tern with bill already turning black.

Woodpigeon - Digiscoped while I was sat on the bench on the west side of the lake.
The adult almost seems to be devouring the rather large chick!

Blue Butterflies +

I thought it was about time I visited the BBOWT reserve at Yoesden Bank, Bledow Ridge and try and catch up with a few of the scarce butterflies that inhabit the site.  The bank is undisturbed Chalk grassland that faces south and has a wide variety of chalkland plants which in turn attract the butterflies.
The weather was OK although it was fairly cloudy but with sunny periods.  There was also a fairly light breeze.  When we arrived there were a few other people at the site and plenty of butterflies flying around.

Adonis Blue - A rare butterfly which is restricted to the Chilterns and Downs of southern England.

Adonis Blue  - A new species for me.

Chalkhill Blue - A very local species that is restricted to Chalk slopes.

Chalkhill Blue 

Common Blue  - A much more widespread species.

Great Green Bush Cricket - Not easy to see!

Great Green Bush Cricket -  Rather large!

Chiltern Gentian

An enjoyable visit.

Sandwich Terns + Cetti's Warbler

A message from Adam Bassett at about 7:30am, regarding three Sandwich Terns at Little Marlow GP, spurred me into action.  So I gathered my birding gear together and popped down.  Sure enough they were still present on the sand spit when I got there and were still there when I left a couple of hours later.
Several other birders made the effort to see them, showing the importance of getting the news out quickly.  This species is certainly scarce at this site, only being seen every year or two.

Sandwich Terns - Stopping off for a rest on the sand spit.

Cetti's Warbler - Again this bird was located by Adam.  I had to hang around for about 20 minutes before I heard it call.
I then managed this head shot before it disappeared.

This Terrapin (?) has been present at the lake for many years.  Seen here resting on a submerged log.

Little Marlow Grebes +

Adult Great Crested Grebe carrying two youngsters on it's back. 

The youngsters evicted while the adult has a quick preen.

Yet another Great Crested Grebe nest.  They have had a good breeding year at Little Marlow.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Colour ringed "White WO" plus a black ring on it's right leg.   It was ringed as a 4cy+ male at Maasvlakte (Yangtzehaven), Zuid-Hollad, NL on 12/05/2012 and has been seen many times at LMGP arriving usually in July/August. In 2016 it was first reported on 13th August.  

Quail Hunt

A Quail first reported around 15th July was still present until the end of July at least.  I had not been able to get over there previously but on 1st August I decided to try and locate the bird.  I did not arrive until about 10:15am which is rather late for a species that sings mostly in the early morning and in the evening, so I was not too surprised not to hear anything, at least in the first hour.  I tried an adjacent field with no luck and then on returning to the field that runs from the car park towards Incombe hole I heard a distant song of a Quail. I waited for some time along with another birder and eventually the Quail came very close.  It seemed to be just in a field of Barley which was about 15 feet on the other side of a fence.  The bird moved along the edge of the Barley calling frequently for about 20 minute.  It did not show itself once, but that is no great surprise for this species!  So near but so far!!

Before the Quail started calling I tried a bit of butterfly photography.  A bit challenging as most refused to stop flying.  This Common Blue fortunately dd hand around for a while. 

A quick stop at College Lake on the way home produced this Black-tailed Godwit.
There have been several passing through the county in recent days,so this was no great surprise.