1st January 2011

Well after an amazing birding year I have decided to put my wildlife diary online, and whilst I could always back date all of last years incredible days out I have decided instead to start afresh and I can't think of a better time than the start of a new year. During the week I'm a van driver, mainly around the Milton Keynes area. This has led to some good bird sightings during the many years I've been doing it (such as Scaup, Long Eared Owl, Little Owl, Barn Owl etc etc), but this year has been exceptional due to the massive Waxwing influx that the UK has experienced. Up until dec 2010 I'd only ever seen 2 Waxwings in my life, but the recent flocks in Woburn (Beds) and some of my self found birds in Bletchley (a flock of over 200) have provided a birding experience that has rivalled any birding spectacles I've been lucky enough to witness. This continued into New Years Day this year as  I took a route though Oldbrook in Milton Keynes to connect with approx 50 Waxwings mid morning, and then a trip to Woburn produced approx 150!! I then drove up to Northamptonshire with the hope of getting a 3 county count but dipped unfortunately after a half hour search. Northants Waxies will obviously have to wait a bit for the 2011 tick but not a bad days birding really considering I was working!!