Andy is the former county Bird Recorder for Buckinghamshire and visits Linford Lakes Nature Reserve every month to count waterbirds for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Fifteen of us gathered in the car park on a bright and dry morning in December 2023. Andy began by explaining how he counts all the waterbirds at the reserve and surrounding lakes each month. He then sends the records to the BTO for including in the Wetlands Bird Survey. We started off by counting 8 Great Crested Grebes on Blackhorse Lake and then noticed two groups of Lapwings coming together high over our heads, in a loose flappy flock of alternating black and white shapes. Some of us needed more practice at counting large moving flocks but the consensus was an estimated 120 birds.
We then moved on to the reserve past the Sand Martin bank which was constructed in 2019 by the Friends group. It successfully hosted some nests in the pipe chambers this year. Andy pointed out the large permanent light trap for moths next to the centre building. We walked past the carved wooden bench installed as a memorial to the late Gordon Redford who was a long-standing moth recorder here, faithfully identifying and releasing the night’s catch over many years. The carvings included representations of Scarlet Tiger, Clifden Nonpareil, and, demurely on the reverse side, one that Gordon liked to call Large Yellow Underpants (actually Underwing).
On the main lake viewed from the Warbler Hide we could see a good number of 12 Shovelers which breed in north and west Europe; a Great Egret becoming a more common resident in Milton Keynes; and 8 Little Egrets, also increasing their UK populations. There were 2 Pochard, much fewer than the numbers that used to come for the winter, probably because they have found just as amenable wintering grounds closer to their breeding sites in eastern Europe.
On the way to the furthest hide, the Heronry Hide, we spotted a group of active Siskins feeding in the alders, and noted a Goldcrest and Great Spotted Woodpecker. From the hide we saw a smart male Goldeneye, a species which spends some of the winter locally in small numbers, more in North Bucks than in the south of the county. It kept us guessing as it spent a lot of time disappearing under water. But then it had a rest to preen so we all had good views. Other birds were 43 Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, Teal, and a few Mallard, a duck that is decreasing in numbers. Hiding among the trees on the island were 10 Little Egrets. One of them was just standing with its legs in the water which seemed unusual but perhaps it found the water warmer than the air. The wind had become stronger and ruffled the plumed feathers on its back. Andy reminded us that it was to preserve this species from being shot for fashionable feathered hats that led to the origin of the RSPB. The island is also home to Grey Herons, which begin thinking about breeding there in January. Herons manage to move among the branches, if looking rather ungainly, but Andy pointed out that Cormorants also nest in trees despite their webbed feet.
After a final check and a chat in the Otter Hide, the group thanked Andy for leading the group in such a friendly and informative session.
