Buckinghamshire
Birding Buckinghamshire
From the Thames Valley in the south to the River Ouse in the north, Buckinghamshire contains a wealth of interesting habitats, each with its characteristic bird community. Significant habitats include the Chiltern escarpment, the Chiltern Beech woods and the Vale of Aylesbury. Important bird sites within the county include Ashridge Forest, Black Park, Calvert Jubilee Brick Pit, College Lake, Great Linford Lakes, Little Marlow Gravel Pit, Steps Hill, Stoke Common, Wendover Woods, Weston Turville Reservoir and Willen Lake. The Berks, Bucks and Oxen Naturalist Society (BBONT) manage several of these sites.
The county can boast some rare breeding birds as well as providing important wintering areas for a number of species. Birds which breed in the county include Barn Owl, Crossbill, Curlew, Firecrest, Hawfinch, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Long-eared Owl and Nightingale, while the wonderful song of the Woodlark can again be heard at a few sites. Buzzards and Red Kites can also be regularly seen along parts of the Chiltern escarpment. Other species such as Nightjar, Snipe and Stonechat, breed occasionally.
In winter, wetland sites such as Willen Lake and Linford Pits in the north, Calvert Brick Pits, College Lake and Weston Turville Reservoir in the middle of the county and Little Marlow Gravel Pit in the south play host to many wildfowl that includes good numbers of Goosander at preferred sites and small numbers of Smew at others. In the Vale of Aylesbury large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing are annual. Large numbers of Gulls gather at rubbish tips and at roost sites in the county, bringing occasional records of scarcer species such as Iceland and Glaucous Gulls.
Waders are most often reported at the various water sites mentioned above, with the majority of records during the spring and autumn migration periods. Species such as Whimbrel, Greenshank and Ruff are annual but with many other wader species reported each year. Perhaps the most important migration site for passerines is Steps Hill, where birds such as Ring Ouzel are annual and significant movements of other commoner migrant birds are often noted.
The Buckinghamshire Bird Club is the major ornithological organisation in the county and organises evening meetings, field trips, conferences, surveys and publishes both a monthly newsletter and a county annual report. Apart from the clubs main function to advance the education of the public in the knowledge and understanding of ornithology in Buckinghamshire, the club also collects and provides data to planning and conservation bodies. Further details of the club and it`s activities given in the clubs website at http://www.BucksBirdClub.co.uk
This page is sponsored by Urban Lake Photography
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5 Top Birding Spots in Milton Keynes
WebpageMilton Keynes may not seem the best urban birding location in the UK, but we have our fair share of interesting places for the birds (sadly many have declined over the years through neglect or pressure from the growing town). So here are my 5 top birding spots in Milton Keynes, a few details about local wildlife hotspots to be found in (and around) Milton Keynes... -
Brickhill Woods
Satellite ViewThese woodlands are most famed for holding the only sizeable colony of Lady Amhurst's pheasants in the UK. Many visits may be necessary to turn one up as they love to skulk amongst the dense Rhododendrons. The woods hold all the usual pine-woodland species… including Goshawk that can sometimes be seen displaying over Back wood in early Spring. -
Linford Lakes
Satellite ViewThese lakes (formed by Gravel workings) are not all open to free public access, there are some used for fishing, others still working and still others private. The lakes are known for a long-eared owl roost and nesting lesser-spotted woodpecker and have turned up some great passing vagrants. -
Willen Lake
Satellite ViewA reserve has been created in what is a large public area and yet attracts some very good birds including, especially, rarer waders on passage around the small island.
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Mike Wallen
15 Bennett Lane, Rowsham, HP22 4QU
07976560040
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Number of bird species: 280
County Bird - Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba
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Birds Around Milton Keynes
| By Bob Tunnicliffe & Trisha Tunnicliffe | WR Tunnicliffe | 1997 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 70 pages, B/w illustrations | ISBN: 9780953228102 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Buckinghamshire Bird Report 1996
| By Buckinghamshire Bird Club | 1997 | Paperback | 72 pages, b/w photos, illustrations, tables | ISBN: 9780907823292 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
The Birds of Buckinghamshire
| By David Ferguson | Buckinghamshire Bird Club | 2012 | Hardback | 392 pages, 255 colour photos, colour illustrations, colour distribution maps, tables | ISBN: 9780907823940 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Where to Watch Birds in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire & Oxfordshire
| By Brian Clews, Andrew Herget & Paul Trodd | Christopher Helm | 2002 | Paperback | 320 pages, 69 maps, 30 line drawings | ISBN: 9780713640021 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Amersham Birdwatching Club
WebsiteWelcome to the Amersham Birdwatching Club Website - Our aim is to share and foster an interest in and enjoyment of birds and their environment. We will be glad to see you at any of our meetings. -
BBONT Wildlife Trust
WebsiteBBONT is one of a network of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK which work to protect wildlife in town and country. With more than 2200 nature reserves in their care The Wildlife Trusts are dedicated to achieving a UK richer in wildlife. -
Bucks Bird Club
WebsiteRoger Warren, Bakery Lodge, Skirmett, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 6TD 01491 638544The Buckinghamshire Bird Club was formed in 1981 and was granted charity status in 1989. It was formed with the objective of bringing together under one organisation all those interested in birds in the county. Previously, no single natural history organisation effectively covered the whole of Buckinghamshire. Now, all birdwatchers from the complete novice to the skilled ornithologist are able to enrich their interest and encourage nature conservation by joining the Buckinghamshire Bird Club. -
Bucks Owl Raptor Group
WebsiteThe Bucks Owl Raptor Group exists to further the interests of Owl and Kestrel conservation within Buckinghamshire. We do this through recording, monitoring, educational work, practical conservation and provision of advice. We work closely with other birding groups and under the guidance of the British Trust for Ornithology. We are a group of volunteers based in Aylesbury and have been operating for over 10 years. We have boxes across Buckinghamshire which we oversee in partnership with landowners. -
Friends of Tring Reservoirs
WebsiteLocal conservation organization for this SSSI with around 400 members -
Milton Keynes Natural History Society
WebsiteWelcome to the Milton Keynes Natural History Society web pages. We are a friendly group and have been active in Milton Keynes since 1968... -
North Bucks Birders
WebsiteAndy Harding, 15 Jubilee Terrace, Stoney Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK11 1DU. 01908 565896 -
RSPB - Aylesbury Group
WebsiteThe Aylesbury RSPB Local Members` Group is an active and friendly group serving Aylesbury and the surrounding areas -
RSPB - North Bucks Group
WebsiteThis local group covers parts of Bedfordshire around Milton Keynes, as well as north Buckinghamshire, and is one of 170 such groups set up by the RSPB. It is run entirely by local volunteers
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BBOWT - College Lake Wildlife Centre
InformationSatellite ViewBBOWT Flagship Reserve… Please note that College Lake Wildlife Centre will be closed for maintenance on Monday 14 August [2006] for approximately 4 weeks. Contact the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust on 01865 775476 or e-mail: info@bbowt.org.uk for a re-opening date closer to the time. We look forward to welcoming you back in the autumn. College Lake has new telephone and fax numbers: 01442 826774. Fax: 01442 826396 -
Ouse Valley Park
WebpageSatellite ViewThe Ouse Valley Park lies in the flood plain of the Great Ouse which flows from Oxfordshire to the Wash. The park is the most rural of any found in Milton Keynes and is a great place to go to experience the feeling of the countryside without leaving the city. Old trees, hedgerows, meadows, and new plantations combine to provide excellent habitats for wildlife. -
RSPB Reserves - Church Wood
WebpageSatellite ViewWoodpeckers, nuthatches and blackcaps are among the birds breeding in the wood… -
Wendover Woods
InformationSatellite ViewWendover is famous for its elusive Firescrests. Found in a mixture of woodland habitat, these rare and distinctive birds can be seen, particularly in the tops of conifer, from April through to September. Closely related Goldcrests, present in large numbers throughout the year can also be seen amongst the conifer crops. Crossbills visit the woods, where brightly coloured males can be seen feeding on conifer cones. Other finches include Siskin, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Redpoll. Red Kites have been seen occassionaly over the wood and Sparrowhawks are frequently see in the area. Tree Creepers, Nuthatch, Blackcaps and Marsh Tits are also regulars in the woodland. We have information about Red kite…
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Bucks Bird News
Twitter Websitehe latest Tweets from Bucks Bird News -
Bucksbirders
Mailing ListThis group is for birders wishing to share bird sightings and other bird related information in Buckinghamshire, England
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Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area
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Birdline East Anglia
WebsiteWhat's about? Simply phone 09068 700245. Please report your bird sightings to phone/text 07941333970 or e birdnews@birdlineeastanglia.co.uk - Calls to 09068 700245 cost 60p/min from a BT landline other networks may vary -
St Tiggywinkles
WebsiteI have included this most famous of all wild animal hospitals as Bucks residents might need to know where to take an injured bird. Every year in Britain over five million wild animals and birds are injured as a direct result of their encounters with man and man`s world. St. Tiggywinkles, The Wildlife Hospital Trust is a specialist hospital. Using all available veterinary welfare skills, we are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating all species of British wildlife. -
The 5 best sites to spot birds in Milton Keynes
WebpageMilton Keynes may not seem the best urban birding location in the UK, but we have our fair share of interesting places for the birds. Sadly many have declined over the years through neglect or pressure from the growing town, but there is always potential. So here are my The 5 best sites to spot birds in Milton Keynes. -
Wildlife in Milton Keynes
Websitee.g. Extensive plantation woodland with pockets of former heathland and good views including Woburn Abbey. Excellent for birds, the woods can be explored via many footpaths and bridleways and an access area, where all paths are open to the public.
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Ash's Bird BLOG
BlogAshley Stow from Buckinghamshire writes a detailed and well illustrated BLOG of his 'twitching' and takes some fine photos and video -
Ashley Beolens - Views From an Urban Lake
BLOGThis blog was all about my time photographing and watching wildlife around my local patch an urban lake in Milton Keynes known as Lodge lake. Now its more often about my new patch - Manor Farm, part of the Ouse Valley Park. -
Birding North Bucks and Beyond
BLOGThis is set to be a diary of my Birding and Nature Experiences mainly around North Buckinghamshire, but with occaisional forays out of County. Please note I am a Birder rather than a photographer. Most of my shots will just be of record quality, although if you click on them and then click again they come up big enough for you to see what I have seen. -
Chris & Denise Lamsdell - Lamsdell Bird Ringing and Wildlife Blog
BLOGChris and Denise Lamsdell - We have both been birders for about 30 years based in South Bucks near the West London reservoir complexes. -
Holding Moments
BLOGMilton Keynes, Bucks, United Kingdom - Had a love of birds since I was kid, and always admired the pictures in books and magazines. Photography took my interest when I was about 20 ish, and consisted of mainly 'snaps' for my own enjoyment. I got older, digital came along, and for the first time I was able to combine two of my loves; birds and photography. Still for my own enjoyment, but if others 'enjoy' them too, then that's a bonus… -
Lee Evans - Buckinghamshire Birding
BLOGThis is an account of the personal observations of Lee G R Evans (LGRE) in his home county of Buckinghamshire. It also hosts all sightings of interest within the county but only those considered authentic by the author. I am extremely grateful for any images of local birds as well as of any information relating to birds within the boundaries - contact me anytime on 07881 906629 or email LGREUK400@aol.com. -
Lee Evans - UK400ClubRareBirdAlert
BlogThis is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert highlighting all records of avian interest and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers and utilising additional information gleaned from the Regional Birdlines, BirdGuides, local email groups and individual observers… -
Rick Simpson - Wader Quest
BLOGIt is vital to to take action to prevent the Spoon-billed Sandpiper from becoming extinct. Wader Quest is an attempt to raise money and awareness to the plight of, not just these tiny wanderers but of wader species worldwide…