Gannet – six passed west over Bedford area on 12th !

Spoonbill – eight at Grovebury SP on 3rd

Great White Egret – a bird noted around Priory CP on a number of dates through the month. Three at Harrold CP on 9th, one at Eversholt Lake on 14th. There were at least two birds in the Ouse Valley east of Bedford on 17th, one at Priory CP, another nearby at Meadow Lane GP, also report from Cuckoo Bridge Lake on same day (a third individual?). Another has been noted hanging around Stewartby Lake on a number of dates.

Pintail – seven at Grovebury SP on 3rd, 14 on 4th, one at Cuckoo Bridge Lake on 17th, one recorded on a few occasions at Dunstable STW

Red-crested Pochard – one on Brogborough Tip Pools on 16th and 24th, also at Brogborough Lake on 31st at least

Aythya hybrid – one thought to be a Tufted x Pochard hybrid but resembling a Scaup in colouration was at Grovebury SP on 10th to 25th at least

Ring-necked Duck – a male at WIllington GP on 24th to 29th was potentially last winter’s bird returning

Goldeneye – one at Stewartby Lake on 3rd was first returning bird of the year

 

Ringed Plover – six on Thurleigh Airfield on 4th

Dunlin – two at Grovebury SP on 3rd, five on Thurleigh Airfield on 4th, two at MCP Wetlands NR on 11th

Knot – one at Grovebury SP on 3rd

Ruff – one at Grovebury SP on 3rd, five on flooded field near Girtford on 7th/8th

Mediterranean Gull – 1st winter at Broom East CWS on 4th, another there on 17th. Two at Girtford on 11th, one in roost at Stewartby on 30th

Caspian Gull – up to two regularly roosting at Grovebury SP

LAMMERGEIER – The bird that summered in Derbyshire was noted passing through the county at Sandy on the morning of the 12th, having also been reported near The Lodge on the afternoon of 11th. It later made it to Beachy Head and was observed from there flying high out over the sea towards France. Hopefully it will get home.

Hen Harrier – one near Grovebury SP on 3rd

Short-eared Owl – one at Priory CP on 17th

Merlin – one at Henlow on 12th, two birds seen on visble migration watches on 14th: one at The Pinnacle, Sandy, another went through heading westwards at Sharpenhoe, another bird at Houghton Brook Pools on 16th

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – one in Woburn Park on 14th

Swift – six reported over Stopsley on 1st were late

Ring-necked Parakeet – three around Wardown Park Luton at the start of the month and seven at Blows Down on 1st, five over Warden Hills on 26th, birds also seen during the month in Bedford, Sandy

Woodlark – one at The Lodge RSPB on 17th

Yellow Wagtail – one that showed characteristics of some of the eastern races was present on floooded fields near Girtford on 7th

Swallow – last reported on 27th

Ring Ouzel – one past Sharpenhoe early morning on 11th, another near Meppershall on 12th

Redwing – a strong passage on the morning of 11th included counts of 3725 over Sharpenhoe , and 7200 over The Pinnacle Sandy, both by 10:30.

Wheatear – three late migrants at Pegsdon on 7th at another at Streatley on 11th

Whinchat – one at Meadow Lane GP on 2nd. two at Henlow up to 9th were the last of the year

Stonechat – minimum of eight at Blows Down on 1st

Black Redstart – one in Luton town centre on 1st

RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL – A county first was seen briefly bear Biddenham on 18th and showed occasionally on 19th and 20th

Dartford Warbler – remained at Blows Downs from September until 5th, one at Sandy Heath from 14th, another at The Lodge from 19th

Yellow-browed Warbler – one near Staploe on 6th, one at Upper Caldecotte from 26th to 28th, one at Brogborough Hill on 25th and 31st brings total for the year to four

Firecrest – two at Ampthill Park from 25th to end of month, one at Henlow on 26th

Rock Pipit – one at Broom East CWS on 3rd

Crossbill – around 50 noted at The Lodge RSPB on 12th as well as other reports in the area of up to seven birds. Twenty noted at Stockgrove CP on 21st. Birds also noted on visig watches including 12 over Eaton Bray on 22nd

Hawfinch – single birds seen on visible migration watches at The Pinnacle Sandy on 5th 12th and 17th and Sharpenhoe on 18th

Goldfinch – one reported in Wootton as being 98% white