Buff-bellied Pipit

I didnt manage to catch up with a Buff-bellied Pipit this autumn on Scilly this autumn, with one or more birds present but highly elusive throughout my stay. Unexpectedly however, one had turned up a little closer to home at Queen Mother Reservoir in Berkshire.

This was enough to tempt me into a pre-crimbo final twitch of 2012.

The day started well with a self-found flock of 40 Waxwings in Milton Keynes.

The weather turned very dire, as it has been throughout this Xmas. I don't remember Bing Crosby singing I'm Dreaming on a Wet Christmas. 

That was not a problem though as we were soon watching a very confiding American Buff-bellied Pipit as it fed on the dam wall often down to only a few feet and not bothered at all by the birders huddled over it. A good bird like this is always worth getting soaked to the skin for.

Buff-bellied Pipit at Queen Mother Res

Incredibly there were now two Buff-bellied Pipits here on Boxing Day. The mind boggles! Not sure if they have both cleared off now though or not as there is no further general access until New Year.

Also here a Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red Kite, 40 Fieldfare and a Jay.