SOUTH EAST
Yellow-browed Buntings are extremely rare, these days (actually, ever, with just five accepted UK records). So, one trapped at Sandwich Bay, Kent (10th) was easily the rarest bird of the month in the region.
BEDFORDSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Yellow-browed Warblers were at Potton (9th), Dunstable (13th) and Brogborough Hill (16th). Ring Ouzels were at Shortstown (26th-28th) and over Sandy (19th). An Arctic Tern was at Stewartby Lake (11th). A Scaup was at Grovebury SP (2nd-16th). A Hen Harrier flew over Sandy (25th). Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia for enquiries please call 07941333970 www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
BERKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Glossy Ibis was at Fleethill Farm/Moor Green Lakes (14th-31st). Two Ring-necked Ducks were at Wellington CP (7th). Pallid Swifts were at Downshire GC (27th) and Lower Earley (29th). The long-staying Marsh Harrier remained at Moor Green Lakes (to 19th), with others at Dinton (19th) and two over Wokingham (31st). Moor Green Lakes had two Garganeys (1st-7th). A Little Stint was there (3rd-5th), with possibly the same bird at Theale GP (6th). Theale GP had a Cattle Egret (12th-30th), with two (5th), a Common Scoter (20th) and a Whooper Swan (28th). A Whooper Swan was at Fobney (29th-30th). Merlins were at Englefield (9th), Waltham St. Lawrence (14th), Bury Down (16th) and over the M4 near Bradfield (18th). A Great Northern Diver was at Queen Mother Reservoir (9th-16th). Three Scaup were at Dinton (15th). Hawfinches were over Woose Hill (12th and 29th). A Black Redstart was at Queen Mother Reservoir (25th). Fobney had a Ring Ouzel (29th-30th). Elaine Charlson
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Wooburn Green (7th-8th). Three Spoonbills flew over Tattenhoe (10th). Six Cattle Egrets at Little Marlow GP was the biggest group ever recorded in the county (10th). A Goshawk flew over Bledlow (8th), with an Osprey recorded over Weston Turville Reservoir (26th). A Little Stint was recorded at Dorney Common (1st-2nd). A Lapland Bunting flew over Ivinghoe Beacon (19th). A Black Redstart and Rock Pipit were both recorded at Grange Farm ruins (13th). A Whooper Swan was seen at a private site (1st).
FLOODPLAIN FOREST: There was a Cattle Egret (25th), Great White Egrets (8th and 28th-29th), a Ruddy Shelduck (8th, 13th & 30th) and Marsh Harrier (29th).
STEPS HILL: There were eight Pintails over (8th), a Woodlark (22nd), Rock Pipit (13th), seven Ring Ouzels (22nd), a Firecrest (8th), Crossbill (22nd) and six Hawfinches (22nd).
OTHER SITES: Cattle Egrets were at Gayhurst Quarry (24th) and Dorney Common (11th). Great White Egrets were at College Lake (29th), Wotton Lakes (15th), College Lake (15th), Foxcote Reservoir (23rd) and Linford GP (three on 2nd).
Three Pintails were at Foxcote Reservoir (17th) and one at Linford GP (18th). Dunlin were at Little Marlow GP (5th and 21st), and Foxcote Reservoir (9th).
Two Ruff were at Dorney Common (9th). A Ring Ouzel was at Monks Risborough (22nd). Newton Leys held Caspian Gulls (13th and 31st) and a Yellow-legged Gull (28th and 31st). Hawfinches flew over Tattenhoe (21st and 31st). A Marsh Harrier was at Watermead (26th). Paul Gibbs
HERTFORDSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: An Olive-Backed Pipit was at Ellenbrook Fields (31st). Dartford Warblers were near Baldock (8th) and at Harpenden (21st). Black Redstarts were at Hemel Hempstead (18th) and St Albans (27th). A Ring Ouzel flew south over High Wych (21st). A Redstart was at Whitwell (3rd). One or two Little Stints were at Tyttenhanger GP (to 14th), with another at Coopers Green GP (13th-15th). A Curlew Sandpiper was at Wilstone Reservoir (12th).
A Wood Sandpiper was heard flying over Stanborough GP (13th). A Spoonbill flew east over Amwell (1st). Hen Harriers were at Stanborough GP (24th) and near South Mimms (28th). Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia for enquiries please call 07941333970 www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
KENT HIGHLIGHTS:
A Yellow-browed Bunting was ringed at Sandwich Bay (10th). A Pallid Swift was over Grenham Bay (23rd), with widespread sightings along the coast later in the month. A Glossy Ibis was at Sholden (1st). A Crane flew over Upstreet (2nd) and a number of nearby locations, including Grove Ferry (3rd). Dungeness NNR had a Dotterel (2nd), Red-breasted Flycatcher (6th), Sabine’s Gull (9th), Grey Phalarope (27th) and Black-winged Stilt (31st).
Dungeness RSPB had one or two Glossy Ibises (3rd-31st), 13 Cattle Egrets, up to four Little Stints (15th-26th), a Long-tailed Duck (24th) and Firecrest (26th). Elmley had one or two Red-footed Falcons (4th-9th) and six Cattle Egrets (7th). A Purple Heron was at Seasalter (9th and 29th-30th). Grey Phalaropes were at Walmer (9th), Kingsdown (9th) and Stodmarsh (10th-13th). A Barred Warbler was at North Foreland (12th). Two Black Brants were off Seasalter (19th), with one at Reculver (29th).
SURREY
HIGHLIGHTS: Holmethorpe Sand Pits had a Little Stint (1st) and two Jack Snipe (20th). Tice’s Meadow had two Whinchats (1st), a
Wood Sandpiper (2nd-8th) and one or two Dartford Warblers. A Dartford Warbler was recorded at Tadworth (18th). Island Barn Reservoir had a Garganey (1st-8th). Ring Ouzels were recorded at Woodmansterne (2nd), Banstead Heath (three, 17th-18th), Leith Hill (seven over, 19th), Thursley Common (19th), Devil’s Punch Bowl (22nd), Ewell (23rd-25th) and Nutfield (two, 26th-28th).
Black Redstarts were at Godstone (3rd), Unstead SF (23rd-25th), Ewell (24th), Papercourt GP (24th-25th), Haslemere (27th) and one or two at Shackleford (22nd-28th). Two Firecrests were at Ewell (24th). Frensham Great Pond had a Little Gull (7th-15th). A Yellow-browed Warbler was in a Tanbridge garden (11th). Fifteen Hawfinches roosted at Dick Focks Common (24th). Hen Harriers were at Hankley Common (27th) and Thursley Common (29th).
SUSSEX
EAST SUSSEX: A Glossy Ibis was at Jury’s Gap (2nd). Beachy Head had a Radde’s Warbler (21st-23rd) and Pallas’s Warbler (29th-31st). Rye Harbour had a Red-necked Phalarope (16th-30th), Dartford Warbler (23rd), Spotted Redshank (28th-29th) and Little Stint (29th). A Pallid Swift was taken into care at Peacehaven (30th), with another over Pett Level (31st). A Purple Heron was at Brighton (30th). A Leach’s Petrel passed Seaford Beach (30th).
WEST SUSSEX: A Red-backed Shrike was at Medmerry (1st-8th), with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper there (2nd-3rd). A Barred Warbler was at Climping (8th-10th). Two released White-tailed Eagles were around Pulborough Brooks (15th), with another at Amberley Wild Brooks (18th). A Pallid or Common Swift flew over Bosham (30th). A Sabine’s Gull was at Selsey Bill (30th).