14th July : Old Amersham Flood Meadows.

Visited here the previous Sunday with Stewart, when we found 3 Little ringed Plovers & a Common Sandpiper, along with Blackcap, Linnets, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Swallow, Little Egret & 22 Swifts overhead.

This Sunday 2 Little ringed Plovers were still out on the flooded field, feeding in exactly the same spot, further down the the field a Lapwing flew up when spooked by a walker, a Hobby flew up the valley, 2 Reed Buntings called from vantage points alongside the river, as juvenile Goldfinches were attended by their parents.

Distant Little ringed Plover with Black headed Gulls.

One of two male Reed Buntings.

This Grey Heron remained in the same position for at least an hour as I made my way around the site.

Following all the wet weather during the Winter & Spring the river Misbourne breached it's banks here several months ago, forming this wetland habitat, but you have to feel sorry for the farmer as he's lost the chance to grow any crops here for this year or maybe even longer... who knows, as can be seen in the photo top soil has been washed away making the field look like a river bed, will he be entitled to any compensation I wonder.

Don.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.