It’s been the wettest winter since records began and extensive flooding has continued along the Thames and River Thame. Both the Hurst and Old Bridge Meadow have remained largely flooded since December.

The winter visiting thrushes, Fieldfare and Redwing, are still present but not in large numbers. A few Redwing have been seen on Old Bridge Meadow and on both the 2nd and 13th of February Fieldfares were noted feeding on wet fields. A few Pochard ducks were still on the sailing lake early in the month, along with a Little Grebe or Dabchick. Flocks of Lapwing are also still in evidence.
Download full copy of report  

Records of the last dates that departing winter visitors are seen are especially interesting. Fieldfares and Redwings will be leaving on their way back to Scandinavia this month.

Rooks will be noisy nest building and repairing in their tree top rookeries.

Great Crested Grebes will be pairing up and engaging in their elaborate courtship dances on the lakes and rivers.

From mid-March, Spring really gets underway with the arrival of the first summer migrants – Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. These tend to be heard before they are seen, and again dates they are first recorded will be most welcome to our survey.