We had two meetings in June, the first to Little Marlow gravel pits when, in a starting temperature of 10C and a chilly wind, it was hard to believe it was a summer month. However we saw/heard 42 species, including little ringed plovers, reed warblers, common terns, little egrets and numerous cormorants.

Mid June we visited College Lake, a BBOWT reserve and, as is common in the summer months, there were only a few birds on the lakes, but we enjoyed watching cygnets, goslings and common tern chicks. The lovely meadow of cornfield flowers with butterflies and some damselflies enhanced our walk.

In July a small group had a lovely walk at Lodge Hill in the Chiltern countryside and we saw/heard 25 different species, including whitethroat, kestrel, buzzard and a yellowhammer - the latter has sadly declined considerably in numbers and it’s the first one the group has seen for several years.

In August we visited Stockers Lake and, although it was a very hot day, there were plenty of shady paths along the lake and River Colne with lots of trees and shrubs. There were still a few common terns perched on a raft, perhaps waiting for their chicks to be strong enough for the long migration. Some of the black headed gulls had already lost their distinctive breeding colouration on their heads.  We saw very few small birds, probably because this is the time of year when they are hiding away to moult.