Farmoor 31st October

Caspian Gull (1st W) in Roost this evening (per R.B.A)

http://www.farmoor-birding.com/

Port Meadow 31st October

1 lesser yellowlegs,
1 ruff
1 redshank
lots of golden plover

Balscote Quarry 31st October

Brambling 5+

Tree Sparrow 10+

Lapwing 60

Golden Plover 5

Meadow Pipit 10+

Otmoor 31st October A.M

7 BEARDED TITS still present this morning.They were first seen feeding and calling in the northern reedbed near the 2nd screen,they then flew off towards the southern reedbed and landed near the 1st screen,they then flew off high. 2 landed back in the reeds while the other 5 flew off south.They could easily of returned to the reeds though!
Also,
2 Green sandpiper
1 Merlin
2 Brambling (over)
3 Siskin (over)
4+ Water Rail
1 Wheatear
3+Cetti's Warbler

For more info, photo's and the complete weekend round up
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding

Otmoor (7-10am)

Bearded Tit - 7 - northern reedbed, later in flight from first screen area - mobile but at least 2 still present at 9am.
Green Sand - 1
Kingfisher - 1
Merlin - 1 (prob 2) females


Many thanks to Peter Barker and Wayne Bull for help locating the Beardies.

Farmoor 31st October

Brambling 1 male

Otmoor Sat 30th Oct: Wheatear

Wheatear & Stonechat on the Big Otmoor fence posts seen from the path to the 1st screen. No sign of the Bearded Tits early afternoon.

Wheatear close-up (c) Nigel Forrow

Otmoor (3-5:30pm)

No sight or sound of the Bearded Tits from the area around the first screen this afternoon.
Raven - 2
Green Sand - 3
Cetti's - 2(h)
GSWood - 2

Appleford 30th October

1 Caspian Gull (1st w) in ploughed field south of Appleford adjacent to the B4016

this afternoon.

2nd w Caspian still on Sutton Courteney land fill this p.m (per Lew)

Radley Lakes 30th October (am)

c.60 Wigeon
c.180 Teal
c.25 Tufted duck
c.30 Shoveler
c.50 Gadwall
c.45 Mute swan
c.360 Coot
6 Cormorant
2 Pochard
3 Little grebe
1 Common gull
1 Cetti's Warbler
1 Water rail
1 Sparrowhawk

Port Meadow Saturday 30th October

1 lesser yellowlegs,
1 or 2 ruff,
4 dunlin,
600+ golden plover,
quite a few mipits & skylarks around,

Photo (c) Nigel Forrow

Otmoor Saturday 30th October: Beardies Still

At least 5 bearded tits still in the main reedbed by the first screen at Otmoor this morning

Possibly up to 7 (per Badger)

Port Meadow 29th October

1 lesser yellowlegs
1 ruff
4 dunlin
c. 400 golden plover
1 yellow-legged gull
2 greater black-backed gull
2 common gull
2 snipe
1 egyptian goose (leucistic bird)

(c) Nigel Forrow

Port Meadow 29th October

Lesser Yellowlegs still present at 11.15am (+ Ruff) - per RBA.
Still 15:54 (per R.B.A)

Port Meadow 28th October

1 lesser yellowlegs,
2 ruff,
c. 1000 golden plover,
improving gull roost with more large gulls including 2 greater black-backed gulls

Photo (c) Nigel Forrow

Blewbury (12:30-2pm)

Corn Bunting - 10+
Yellowhammer - 10+
Brambling - 1(h)
Fieldfare - 2

Windy conditions

East Hendred - Redleg Part - 3 and several goldfinch/linnet/greenfinch

Thursday 28th October: Blenheim

27 mandarins on pond near Combe Gate still
1 marsh tit
2 nuthatch
1 tree creeper

Farmoor 28th October

Redpoll 8
Raven 2
Little Grebe 14

Tilsley Park, Abingdon

Woodcock over W last night, 9pm.

Blenheim

27 Mandarin on the ponds near the Combe Gate entrance at Blenhiem.
(per Steve Goddard from O.O.S)

http://www.oos.org.uk/news.php

Farmoor 27th October

5 Little Gull all 1st w flew through heading north at 14:35.
Water Pipit still on south side of causeway but mobile.
Rock Pipit
Jack Snipe on Shrike Meadow.
(per R.B.A)

More Info
http://www.farmoor-birding.com/

The water pipit (c) David Fearn

Henley 27th Oct

Raven 5 around most of day. Private site North edge of Henley.

Hugh Netley

Cholsey, 26th & 27th October

26th Oct
4 Golden Plover
1 Barn Owl

27th Oct
1 Raven
4 Fieldfare
1 Mistle Thrush
16 Skylark
2 Reed Bunting
Several Buzzard & Red Kite.

Port Meadow 27th October: Lesser Yellowlegs still

1 lesser yellowlegs
2 ruff
1 redshank
lots of wigeon, teal & shoveler
a couple of hundred golden plover


golden plover photo (c) Pete Styles

Otmoor 26th October

The Bearded Tits were still present yesterday, though only heard calling from the centre of the reedbed by Gareth Luscombe and our Tuesday volunteer team.

Also on the reserve are:
150 Wigeon - hide
200 Lapwing - hide
1 Green Sandpiper - Greenaways
200+ Fieldfare
1 Merlin

Cheers

Mike Shurmer, RSPB Otmoor

Bearded tit at RSPB Leighton Moss (c) Peter Clelford

Port Meadow Tuesday 26th October: Lesser Yellowlegs still

1 lesser yellowlegs
2 ruff
2 or 3 dunlin
several hundred golden plover
good numbers of wigeon, teal & shoveler
gull roost of a couple of thousand black-headed gulls

Ruff photo (c) Steve Burch

25th and 26th

25th 3 Ravens and 1 parakeet Henley on Thames
26th 5 Parakeets Sonning Eye

Hugh Netley

Farmoor 26th October

Water Pipit still at 13:30 near the 'Bus shelter' along the southern shore of F2.
2 Rock Pipit
2 Dunlin
Red Kite

(per Paul Wren)

Appleford Gulls

The 2nd winter Caspian Gull was on Appleford Pit (AKA Spit Pit) again yesterday at about 5pm.
Also in the area:
12+ Yellow-legged Gulls
25+ GBbGulls
1 Peregrine

Cheers, Ian

Lesser Yellowlegs

A belated upload from yesterday morning on Port Meadow. I had a few hundred shots to sort through! Very approachable.

Lesser Yellowlegs © Nigel Forrow

Otmoor 25th October

2-3 Bearded Tits in the southern end of the main reed bed this afternoon.
possibly best looked for from the 1st screen.
(per Pete Barker).

Farmoor 25th October

Water Pipit still along the southern shore of F2 at 1p.m
(near the 'Bus shelter' per Gnome)

1 Rock Pipit
1 Goosander
+ Siskins

(per Dai and Mat Prior)

Dodgy record shot of bird in deep shade taken by Gnome

Lesser Yellowlegs still at Port Meadow 9:45a.m
(per R.B.A)

Dix Pit WeBS count

Is anyone able to do the Dix Pit WeBS count for me next month, on Sunday 14 November?

Please drop me a line (or comment) if you are able to help. Many thanks, Stuart.

White Horse Hill area, 24 October

440 Golden Plover
150 Skylark
40 Yellowhammer
30 Linnet
1 Corn Bunting

(also Water Rail, Pinkhill on 23rd)

Churn 24th October

Merlin
Sprawk
13 Grey Partridge
7 Red-legged
50+Corn Bunting
2+Reed Bunting
30+Yellowhammer
100+Skylark
2 Wheatear
2 Brambling

Farmoor 24th October

Water Pipit this morning on the causeway (per R.B.A)
No sign (along Causeway) at 13:20...


Stunning photo and more Info at
http://www.farmoor-birding.com/

Port Meadow

Lesser Yellowlegs still 13.30 with Ruff 20m from waters edge

photo (c) Bob Burgess

Farmoor Res - 23rd PM

Marsh Tit showing well from Pinkhill hide

Goldeneye on FI

Caspian Gulls at Appleford

Following the small influx of six cachinnans (3 juvs, two 2nd cy, and a 4th cy) in August around the Sutton Courtenay/Appleford area, all has been quiet until the last few days. First one, then two and yesterday three new birds appeared, a 1st w and two 2nd w.
Obviously there is no access to the tip but the Gulls are now loafing in the ploughed fields and regularly visiting Appleford Pit and the 'Lesser Scaup Pit' at the Sutton end. Be aware though that after recent thefts security has been stepped up and the gates at the Sutton end are locked in the evenings weekdays and late afternoons at weekends. Viewing the Appleford pit from the haul road near the level crossing is still fine. It's always best to stay in your car if you want to see anything!

Cheers, Ian

Stonesfield Common 24/10/10

Fieldfare 45
Redwing 20
Crossbill 8 over calling
Siskin 4
Marsh Tit 2
Red Kite 1

Otmoor, 23rd Oct

Sparrowhawk (in reed bed, 1st screen)

Kingfisher (fly-past, 1st screen)

Green Woodpecker (near RSPB hut, Greenaways)

Brown Hare (path near hide, Ashgrave)

Green Woodpecker © Nigel Forrow

Sparrowhawk © Nigel Forrow

Otmoor 23rd October

Merlin (f)

Peregrine(f)

Sprawk

Jack Snipe (pil)

43 Golden Plover

100+Lapwing

2 Little Egret

1+Water Rail

180+Fieldfare

4+Cetti's

2 Tree Sparrow (rep)

More info, pictures, plus the complete weekend round up on the superb Otmoor Blog http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding

Farmoor (2:30-5pm)

GC Grebe - 72 (no sign of RN Grebe)
"Aythya" hybrid - male still
Goldeneye - 4

Blenheim (Combe Gate) 13:30

Mandarin - approx 18 mainly drakes
Nuthatch - 2
Marsh Tit - 1

23rd October

Yellow legs still on the Meadow at Midday + Jack Snipe.
No sign of the Red necked Grebe at Farmoor today.

"Twitchers: A very British Obsession"

Message from Garry Bagnell which may be of interest to a few.

BBC4 programme "Twitchers: A very British Obsession" will be shown on Monday 1st November 2010 at 9pm to 10pm. This date & time WILL not change, the details have gone to the Radio Times and more importantly the Daily Express article has got the correct date and time etc.

Lapland Bunting.

Lapland Bunting yesterday flew south over Churn.
(per Roger Wyatt)

Stanlake Common 22nd October

1 Little Egret
1 Red Crested Pochard
2 Missle Thrush
60+ Fieldfare
6+ Redwing
1 Blackcap
Kingfisher
2 Bullfinch

per Keith Clack.

Farmoor 22nd October

Red-necked Grebe 1
Goldeneye 5
Rock Pipit 2
Long-tailed Tit 29
Cetti's 2

Still on F2 at 17:25

Nice 1 Dai.

Badger.

Sonning Eye GP

Mandarin - 1m 2f
Water Rail - calling

Port Meadow (Oct 22nd 1-2pm)

As well as the Lesser Yellowlegs mentioned earlier

Golden Plover - 400
Dunlin - 4
Ruff - 2

Large numbers of Wigeon and Teal with some Shovelar.

The meadow is looking good, keep checking those ducks and goldies!

Eynsham Oct 22nd (afternoon)

Merlin - 1 male
Tree Sparrow - 5+
Yellowhammer - 3

Red Necked Grebe Farmoor F2

currently
Per Badger

Witney 22nd October - Dipper not dipped!

Finally caught up with the Dipper today. Present from 10.30 - 10.45 at least.

Lesser legs 22nd October

Now in to its second week the Lesser Yellow-legs is still on the Meadow
this afternoon at 13:10 (per Dave Lowe).

Port Meadow 21st October 3:30pm

Lesser Yellow-legs
2 Ruff
1 Redshank
2 Dunlin
100+ Golden Plover
Red Kite
3 Fieldfare
(per Jon Prowse)

Farmoor 21st October

Shelduck 1
Greenshank 1
Redshank 1
Dunlin 1
Jack Snipe 3
Red Kite 1
Siskin 5

Cholsey, 21st Oct

5 Siskin
50+ Goldfinch
2+ Jay
1 Chiffchaff
5 Buzzard
8 Red Kite
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Green Woodpecker
8 Skylark
18 Grey Partridge
4 Meadow Pipit
2 Yellowhammer
2 Reed Bunting
1 Grey Heron
14 Lesser Black backs
88 Black-headed Gull
fem Common Darter

Radley Gravel Pits 21st October

Wigeon,Teal,Gadwall,Shoveler,Pochard,Tufted duck.
3 Buzzard
1 Red kite
28 lapwing
1 Snipe
1 Green Sandpiper
2 Common Gull
1 Grt blk backed Gull
6 Skylark
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Cetti's Warbler
5 Siskin

2 Common darter. 1 Small Copper.

Lesser Legs still 21st October

Still on Port Meadow at 1:49p.m (per R.B.A)

Lesser Yellowlegs on Port Meadow

The Lesser Yellowlegs was associating with a Ruff and first seen in the area known as South Tail before moving north along East Shore around 3pm.

There were 2 Ruff present

Port Meadow 20th October: Lesser Yellowlegs still

1 lesser yellowlegs
1 or 2 ruff
1 redshank
4 dunlin
12 snipe
lots of golden plover

per Steve Roby

Gargany at 1066

Gargany with about 100 Teal at 1066 this afternoon.

Whinchat still on Otmoor today near 1st screen.

Port Meadow Tuesday 19th October: Lesser Yellowlegs still

The lesser yellowlegs showed well on the Meadow all day.

Also
1 ruff,
1 redshank
3 dunlin
c. 300 golden plover
1 common gull


Gnome

Lesser Yellow-legs still this P.M 18th Oct

Lesser legs back on Port Meadow at 17:14 (per Gnome)

Also
1 ruff
2 leucistic egyptian geese
c. 400 golden plover
3 dunlin

Gnome

Radley Gravel Pits,18th October.Whooper Swan!

Usual ducks:-
Wigeon,Teal,Gadwall,Shoveler,Pochard,Tufted duck.
1 WHOOPER SWAN
4 Red Kite
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Red legged partridge
3 Snipe
3 Green Sandpiper
11 Skylark
12 Meadow Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Cetti's Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
4 Fieldfare
3 Redwing
5 Siskin
1 Lesser Redpoll

Whooper swan, Thrupp Lake, Radley

Perhaps the Otmoor bird, it's presently on Thrupp lake at Radley, found by Wayne Bull and Ian Smith. It's currently behind the islands so perhaps best viewed from the road.

per Badger (still there at 18:00 per the Wickster).

Port Meadow 18th October: Lesser Yellowlegs fly-over

The yellowlegs flew low over the floods at 08:55 before circling off high to the South so it's still kicking around the county somewhere. I've also had more news on the sighting yesterday evening which appears to be genuine.

Also
3 dunlin
c. 100 golden plover
good numbers of wigeon, teal and shoveler

Appleford 17th October

1 Med Gull (1st W)
15+ Skylark

Cassington G.P's 17th October

2 Green Sand
4 Snipe
1 Raven
1 Kingfisher

Lap Bunt just outside Henley

Bird Guides reporting: "One with skylarks at Rememen Hill at 17:30, S of A4130". I presume they mean Remenham Hill which unfortunately is actually in Berkshire :-(

Balscote Quarry Sunday am

Tree Sparrow 5+

Bullfinch 2

Yellowhammer 20+

Linnet 15+

Meadow Pipit 10+

Skylark 30+

Meadow Pipit (c) Mike Shurmer

Port Meadow 15.00 - 16.15

Ruff 1

Dunlin 3

Redshank 1

Snipe 10+

I did not see the 'legs and assumed it had gone, but see comment to this post.

Otmoor Sunday Morning 7 - 11am

1 Whinchat
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Chetties
c20 Lapwing
c30 Golden Plover
1 Kingfisher
1 Green Sand
65 Fieldfare

Ring Ouzel at Days Lock

One reported on OOS (BJWy)
No Sign at 15:40 (Badger)

Muswell Hill

Redwing 14+ over
Skylark 2 over
Meadow Pipit 2 over
Treecreeper
Bullfinch 5
G S Woodpecker 2
Sparrowhawk

Witney 17th October

Dipper still this morning 08:20 at least (per Dave Lowe).
+ Jack Snipe again at Farmoor this morning.

Yellowlegs departed?

Bird Guides reporting at 08:05 a.m.: "juvenile still then flew north"

Portmeadow & Dix Pit, Sat 16 October

Portmeadow:
Lesser Yellowlegs to 11.30 at least
Lesser Whitethroat in the hedge between the Meadow and the allotments

Dix:
1 Brambling over
1 Pintail
1 Goldeneye
1 YL Gull

PORT MEADOW
Up to 1100 am

Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Common Redshank 1
Little Stint 1
Dunlin 3
Golden Plover 27
Ruff 1
Common Snipe 3
Lapwing 35
Wigeon 454
Shoveler 7
Teal n/c
ChiffChaff 1

Port Meadow 'legs still

It's still there this morning (per Bird Guides)
Still there at midday (per R.B.A) + 2 Little Stints.
Still there this evening (per Bird Guides)

A proper SLR photo of the bird at last courtesy of Steve Burch

Winter Thrushes

Approx 50 Redwing & Fieldfare NW over Didcot today.

Radley 16th October

40 Wigeon
54 Shoveler
1 Green Sand
c6 Redpoll (over)

(per Ewan U)

Otmoor RSPB 16th Oct

Tree Sparrow J Taylor (photos by Badger)
(Also seen by Pete Barker, Jason Coppock, Pete Roby and Jon Uren)

23 Golden Plover
1 Whinchat
2 Stonechat
1 Chiffy
1 Marsh Tit

Farmoor 15th Oct

Jack Snipe
Lesser Redpoll
2 Rock Pipit
Raven
Barn Owl

(per Dai J)

Otmoor (evening) 15th October.

2 Sparrowhawk
2 Water rail (calling)
5 Snipe
1 Green sandpiper
14 Meadow pipit
3000+ Starling (going to roost)
4 Cetti's warbler
1 Chiffchaff
1 Whinchat
2 Stonechat
2 Yellowhammer

Dead water shrew on path by 1st screen.

Grove Airfield 15 Oct

Some big numbers this lunchtime...

200+ Yellowhammer
c100 Skylark
c40 Meadow Pipit
c15 Reed Bunting
2 Fieldfare
10 Redwing
1 Brambling
3 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff

Lesser Legs 15th October

Still there at 14:10 (per Vic Wren).
Still there at 15:25 (per R.B.A)

Still there this evening.



Some more video footage of it today on the floods (c) Adam Hartley

Well done Adam!!

cracking find Adam, and thanks for getting the news out. cheers.

Bird still showing well at 08:10 at least along with Little Stint, Ruff, Dunlin(2) and Redshank, can be mobile around the flood though.

The lesser yellowlegs this morning. More photos on Port Meadow Birding. (c) Adam Hartley

Witney Dipper

Showing well on the river just below the weir (per Lee Evans)

Lesser-legs 15th October

Lesser Yellowlegs still there this morning 7:15a.m
per JT.



Some video footage taken last night (c) Adam Hartley

Port Meadow 14th October: Lesser Yellowlegs!

1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS
1 ruff
1 redshank
1 little stint
1 dunlin

The yellowlegs was still on the floods at dusk and looked like it was going to roost there. Worth a visit at first light tomorrow.

(c) Adam Hartley. More photos and some video on the Port Meadow Birding blog

Farmoor Reservoir 13th October

Goldeneye 2
Rock Pipit 1
Siskin 1
Swallow 3
Cetti's Warbler 1
Dunlin 1

Hen Harrier (ringtail) late morning (NJH)
2 Med Gull (1stW) (NJH)
Further info at: Farmoor Birding

Port Meadow 13th October

No sign of little stint
1 peregrine
1 ruff
1 redshank
1 dunlin

Whooper Swan

Unringed bird flew east at c12p.m

Otmoor 13th October Whooper Swan

Apparently (via Peter Barker) there's a whooper swan on the Ashgrave scrapes in front of the new hide presently (found by Paul Greenway).

Port Meadow 12th October

1 little stint
1 ruff
1 redshank
1 dunlin
c. 40 golden plover

(c) Adam Hartley

Radley Gravel Pits 12th October

Wigeon
Teal
Shoveler
Gadwall
6 Pochard
1 Water rail (calling)
25 Lapwing
1 Ruff
1 Snipe
3 Green sandpiper
1 Common gull (1stw)
1 Stock dove
2 Kingfisher
6 Skylark
8 Meadow pipit
1 Grey wagtail
1 Raven
4 Chiffchaff
80+ Redwing
1 Brambling (over calling)
1 Yellowhammer

Radley Kingfisher (c) Jason Coppock

Port Meadow 11th October: Little Stint

1 little stint
1 ruff
1 redshank
1 dunlin
c. 50 golden plover
wigeon
teal
shoveler

The Little Stint (c) Adam Hartley

Dix Pit 10 October

5 Red crested Pochard
1 Yellow legged Gull

Skutchhamer Knob (nr E.Hendred) 10th Oct

60+Redwing over

3 Corn Bunting

20+Yellowhammer

30+Meadow Pipit

25+Skylark

32 Red-legged Partridge

c20 Grey Partridge

1 Wheatear

2 Swallow

1 Chiffy

Muswell Hill 10th October

Redwing 70+ over
Lapwing 15 over
Skylark 2 over
Chiffy
G S Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Jay 2

Blenheim Palace (Combe Gate)

~50 Redwings flying S

2 Marsh Tit

Nuthatch

Drake Mandarin on pools

Farmoor Oct 10th (07:30-10am)

Dunlin - 1
Redwing - 20(n)
Yellowhammer - 1 (nw)
Swallow - 5 (e)
Chiffchaff - 2
Skylark - light passage (n)

3 siskin flying over Witney early Sunday morning

Port Meadow Oct 9th (15:15 - 17:30)

Rock Pipit - 1
Golden Plover - 71
Wigeon - 36
Teal - 45
Dunlin - 3
Redshank - 1
Ruff - 2 Juvs
ChiffChaff - 2
Yellow Wagtail - 1

Photo (c) Adam Hartley

Port Meadow

1 Ruff
1 Redshank
2 Dunlin
130 Golden Plover
1 Rock Pipit

Otmoor last night
1 Hobby
5 Stonechat
2 Green Sands
2 Little Egret
1 Curlew
1 Yellow wag
1200 Starlings in roost

Sydlings Copse 9th Oct

1 Buzzard
3 Red kite
1 Golden Plover (over)
300+ Woodpigeon
6 Swallow
15 Redwing
1 Marsh tit
1 Raven
3 Siskin

Saturday 9th Redwing

At least one redwing flew over the Jericho area this morning.

Redwings Banbury

Got my first Redwings of this Autumn over Banbury today (Friday). Several through this evening and into the night.

Port Meadow Friday 8th October

2 ruff
1 redshank
1 dunlin
1 egyptian goose (leucistic)
1 yellow wagtail
wigeon
teal
2 shoveler

Witney 06 October

Dipper 1
Grey Wagtail 1

Ewan Urquhart

Photo (c) Pete Styles

Farmoor 7th Oct

3 Rock Pipit
+ Aythya hybrid

Dave Lowe.

Radley Gravel Pits 7th October

Wigeon
Teal
Gadwall
Shoveler
4 Little grebe
31 Mute swan
1 Hobby (Juv)
4 Buzzard
2 Red-legged partridge
18 Lapwing
3 Green Sandpiper
1 Stock Dove
3 Chiffchaff

Otmoor Thursday 7th October

2 whinchat
2 stonechat
3 hobbies
1 little egret
1 sparrow hawk
1 red kite

Photo (c) Pete Styles

Port Meadow 6th October

2 dunlin
2 ruff
1 yellow wagtail
c. 80 golden plover

A ruff on the floods (c) Adam Hartley