Farmoor 31st March

Garganey (drk) In small harbour adjacent to car park.
(Marc Suller)
Slavonian Grebe still this evening on F2
(per Dai)

Radley 31st March

3 Green Sandpiper
3 Redshank
2 Oystercatcher (poss 4)
1 Little Ringed Plover
Peregrine
4 Lesser b.b Gull

Gavin Paterson
John Hillsdon
Badger

photo Badger

Port Meadow 31st March

6 Redshank
5 Oystercatcher
5 Dunlin
2 White Wagtail
1 Little Ringed Plover
50+ Sand Martins
6+ Swallows
2 House Martins
1 Nuthatch (a Meadow rarity)

Foster& Gnome

GoingBirding: 31st March

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
Garganey: m. Ashgrave.
2 Pintail
Peregrine

Gavin Paterson

Cholsey am.

2 Peregrines, 1♂ and 1♀,
1 Willow Warbler singing early morning,
2 Blackcap
1 House Martin
c50 Fieldfare
c10 Redwing

GoingBirding: 30th March

Radley GP
2 Green Sandpiper
2 Redshank
Red-crested Pochard: fem.

John Hillsdon

Rufous Turtle Dove 31st March

Rufous Turtle Dove (form orientalis)
still in the back garden of No:41 The Leys at 9:25a.m.
Access to No:41 on Saturday from 7:30a.m
No access on Sunday.
(per R.B.A)

Stonesfield Common 30th March

Wheatear (am) then on adjacent crop field( pm)
Marsh Tit 2
Bullfinch 3
Reed Bunting male singing
Chiffchaff 3
Yellowhammer 6
Fieldfare 22
Blackcap male singing
23 Brambling Long Hanborough,some looking smart now(per Vicky)

Grimsbury 30/03/11

A Willow warbler singing this evening and a drake Tufted duck. The Tufted may not be that notable but it is the only duck species (other than Mallard) I have recorded there this year! House martins earlier in the day (Banburybirds yahoo group).

Port Meadow 30th March

9 Dunlin
9 Redshank
3 Oystercatcher
2 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Ruff
2 Little Ringed Plover
6-7 Swallow
5 Little Gulls
30+ sand martins

Foster& Gnome

Farmoor 30th March

Garganey still present at 14:00, also Slavonian Grebe.
c80 Sand Martin
10 Swallow and at least 1 House Martin.
2 Willow Warbler.

Days Lock 30th March

3 Goosander
5 Sand Martin
2 Swallow
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Blackcap

Waxwings - Milton Park 30th March

5 Waxwings feeding opposite RM, 183 Milton Park, Didcot at 12:50

Otmoor 30th March a.m

Garganey still on Ashgrave
Willow Warbler
Swallow
(per Wreny)

Waxwings - Kidlington 30th March

5 Waxwings in Kidlington at 9:48a.m in the short stay car park
behind the Kidlington Centre.

Farmoor 30th March

Slavonian Grebe
Garganey Still on F2 this morning
(per Dai)


Photo (c) Pete Styles

Rufous Turtle Dove 30th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) in back garden of
No:41 The Leys at 7:10a.m.
No parking at The Leys.
(per R.B.A)

-Still 9:06a.m in back garden of No:41 The Leys.
Further access on Saturday but not Sunday.

Farmoor 29th March

Knot (on causeway)
+Little Gull
More at the fantastic new Farmoor site http://farmoorbirding.blogspot.com/

Slavonian Grebe
Garganey
Dunlin
3 Redshank
Shelduck (Flyover) (Sydney Penner)

The Knot (c) Pete Styles

The Garganey (c) B.B.

Port Meadow 29th March

5 Little Gulls hunting flies over floods late afternoon
9 black-tailed godwit
8 redshank
8 dunlin
5 Ruff
4 little ringed plover
2 oystercatchers
(per Gnome & Richard Foster)

More details on Port Meadow Birding

Cholsey

2 drake Mandarin Ducks on the Thames by Cholsey Marsh.
1 Swallow flying upriver near Bow Bridge and another at Lollingdon.
Blackcap singing at the marsh.
Chiffchaffs everywhere!
a flock of 38 Yellowhammer.

 More  @ http://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/

Waxwing 29th March

Single Waxwing in trees in front of
RM building 183 Milton Park
before flying off strongly.
(per Simin O'Sullivan Oxonbirds)

Otmoor A.M. 29th March.

9 Curlew
7 L.Egret
1F/Merlin
1 Garganey (M)
1 Grey Plover( Big Otmoor)
8 Dunlin
15+ Redshank
1 Kestrel

Earliest ever Hobby 28th March 08:11 BST

Stunning view of adult bird polishing my car bonnet, whilst flying NE towards Wittenham area. Beating my previous earliest by a few days (1st April, early 1990's, SE Wales).

GoingBirding: 29th March

Port Meadow
Dunlin
4 Ruff
6 Redshank
9 Black-tailed Godwit
Oystercatcher
2 Little Ringed Plover: I'm quite sure they weren't there when I arrived at 10:40, since I looked carefully for them. Not sure where they go when not on the floods.

Sydney Penner

Rufous Turtle Dove 29th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis)
still at Chipping Norton in back garden of No:41 The Leys at 9:50a.m.
No access to 41 today, access tomorrow from 7:30a.m.
Do not park at The Leys.
(per R.B.A)

Port Meadow 29th March

Early morning brief visit:
2 willow warblers singing in hedge near Burgess Field gate
2 black-tailed godwit
5 ruff
several redshank

GoingBirding: 29th March

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
4 Dunlin
4 Curlew
4 Pintail
Merlin: f.

Gavin Paterson

Farmoor 29th March

Slavonian Grebe F2 8:30a.m
(per Dai)

- still present at 10:40a.m in the S/W corner of F2 +Garganey

GoingBirding: 29th March

Wallingford
Brambling: f. Garden visitor.
2 Long-tailed Tit: ?. Garden visitors.
2 Goldfinch: ?. Garden visitors.

David Lovegrove

Radley 28th March

Red Crested Pochard (f) 5 Green Sand No sign of any Garganey.

GoingBirding: 28th March

West Ilsley: Ridgeway
5 Corn Bunting
3 Grey Partridge
3 Raven

Jon Kent

GoingBirding: 28th March

Long Hanborough
11 Brambling

Paul Wren

GoingBirding: 28th March

Stonesfield: Stonesfield Common
Brambling

Paul Wren

Swallow at Grimsbury Reservoir, Banbury c. 08.30.

© David Fearn

GoingBirding: 28th March

Port Meadow
8 Redshank
8 Dunlin
5 Ruff
4 Oystercatcher
3 Little Ringed Plover
2 Black-tailed Godwit

Adam Hartley

Otmoor.A.M. 28th March.

1 f/merlin 1 l.r. plover 1 m/ garganey chiffchaffs 1 willow warbler 9 curlew 1 dunlin

GoingBirding: 28th March

Wallingford
2 Grey Partridge: A first-ever garden tick!.

David Lovegrove

GoingBirding: 27th March

Oxey Mead
Goosander: fem.
Barnacle Goose: With Canada Geese - presumably feral.

James Grundy

GoingBirding: 27th March

Farmoor Reservoir: Causeway
Yellow Wagtail: One briefly on the causeway this evening with pied wagtails.

Ross Crates




Farmoor little gull (c) David Fearn

Farmoor Reservoir

Garganey 1 Goldeneye 8 Little Gull 8 all early afternoon

Otmoor Sunday

4 Whimbrel

9 Curlew

1 LRP

4 Oystercatchers

1 Wheatear ( Noke farm fence )

1 Willow warbler

2 Merlin male and female

1 Raven

1 Garganey

14 Sand Martins

+ usual ducks Lapwings, Redshanks, Goldies ( eighty) and Lapwings

GoingBirding: 27th March

Henley Road GPs
Goosander: rh.
2 Little Ringed Plover
Shelduck

Marek Walford

Radley

2 garganey
1 white wagtail
3 green sandpipers
4 redshank
30 lapwing
3 shoveler
21 teal
11 gadwall

(per Ewan)

GoingBirding: 27th March

Grimsbury Reservoir
3 Wheatear: 2m.1f.
Redwing

Gareth Blockley

Farmoor

Drake garganey still
2 swallow
1 green sandpiper

(per Jon, Keith & Andy)

Port Meadow

5 sand martin
3 dunlin
4 redshank
1 little ringed plover

(per Jon, Keith & Andy)

Rushy Common

Drake American wigeon still
1 willow warbler
2 oystercatchers

(per Jon, Keith & Andy)

Sunday 27th March: Waxwings

9 waxwings on Saxton Road, Abingdon (per the Wickster)

Henley rd and Sonning Eye G.P.s

26th March

3 goosander
9 goldeneye
Pair little.r.plover
2 redshank
1 swallow
1 shelduck

Hugh Netley

Willow tits

I can happily confirm there is still a pair of Willow tits at Grimsbury reservoir. They were in the Willows near the entrance mid morning today and the male was calling and singing away.

Gareth

GoingBirding: 26th March

Grimsbury Reservoir
White Wagtail: reported to me this by a friend leaving when I got there.

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 26th March

Farmoor Reservoir
4 Swallow: group of four through and another 1 later with sand martins.
55 Sand Martin: roughly 55 late afternoon. another group of around 30 through earlier may have been same birds again.

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 26th March

Otmoor: various
35 Golden Plover: roughly. very distant.
OTHER SPECIES: Grass snake.

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 26th March

Otmoor: various
Willow Warbler: m. singing. 2 reported.
Garganey: m.
2 Little Ringed Plover
5 Little Egret
Curlew: at least 1 calling.
7 Redshank: at least.
2 Oystercatcher
4 Pintail

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 26th March

Grimsbury Reservoir
Swallow
6 Sand Martin
6 Chiffchaff: at least.

Gareth Blockley

Famoor 26 March

Gargeney on F1 near to causeway
Little Gull 5+
To see hi res version of pic click here.

North Oxon 26 March

Balscote Quarry
Sand Martin 18
Green Sand 1
Teal 2

Great Rollright
Brambling 1
Marsh Tit 2
Chiffchaff 3
Fieldfare 1

GoingBirding: 26th March

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
Garganey: male. On F1 very close to causeway.
8 Little Gull

Mari Esashi

Also at Rushy

2 Oystercatchers (flew in to island on main lake at 1430)
1 Common Sandpiper, on small pool to W of road

Steve

Rushy Common and Radley 26th March

Drake American Wigeon at Rushy Common still, among c150 Eurasian Wigeon on far side of main lake (NE of road).

In addition to today's other sightings at Radley, 2 ad Little Gulls (Thrupp Lake), 3 Redshank (small ash pit), Marsh Tit.

Standlake, 26th March

Grey Plover 1, pit 60
LR Plover 2
Curlew 2
Redshank 2
Little Egret 1
Teal 30
Mandarin 1m, pit 27
Egyptian Goose 1, pit 38
Sand Martin 1

GoingBirding: 26th March

Port Meadow
6 Redshank
5 Ruff
4 Dunlin
2 Sand Martin

Port Meadow: Burgess Field Nature Park
3 Chiffchaff: 3+.

Adam Hartley

Farmoor 26th March

7 Little Gulls (per Dai John)

GoingBirding: 26th March

Blenheim: Palace Garden
9 Hawfinch

Richard Foster

GoingBirding: 26th March

Farmoor Reservoir: Causeway
Garganey: Close to Causeway on F2.

Mike Flemming

Radley Lakes Sat 26th March (am)

Thrupp Lake
1 Oystercatcher
1 Red-crested pochard (f)
1 Goldeneye (f)
17 Waxwing (flew south)
Lake G
1 Little ringed plover
2 Oystercatcher
1 Green sandpiper
21 Lapwing
Other
1 Raven
7 Chiffchaff
9 Reed bunting

The FARMOOR-BIRDING website has expired.

Farmoor sightings and information can now be viewed HERE

Port Meadow 25th March

10 redshank
5 ruff
8 dunlin
2 little ringed plover
2 sand martins
1 white wagtail

Sedge Warbler 25th March

Sedge Warbler c1.5mls South of Abingdon along river Thames.
(per Phil Barnett)

GoingBirding: 25th March

Cholsey: Cholsey Marsh Nature Reserve
2 Lesser Redpoll
Peregrine

Paul Chandler

Farmoor 25 March

A quick visit in the beautiful spring weather this afternoon. There was a wonderful mix of winter and migrant species.

At least 4 Gadwall
5 Goldeneye (1m)
The drake Garganey showing close in shore on F1
The transitional plumage Slavonian Grebe on the western side of F2
The adult Little Gull lurking amongst the Bh Gulls on F1.
Great views of a male Great Spotted Woodpecker in the woods to the S of F2.

photo (c) B.B

GoingBirding: 25th March

Farmoor Reservoir
Garganey
Little Gull: Photo to follow.

David Fearn

GoingBirding: 25th March

Port Meadow
5 Ruff
7 Dunlin
Oystercatcher
6 Redshank
Little Ringed Plover

Sydney Penner

GoingBirding: 25th March

Radley GP
3 Green Sandpiper
2 Redshank
2 Oystercatcher

John Hillsdon

Waxwings 25th March

Headington

22 Waxwings Franklin Road near Rye St Antony School entrance.

Jeremy Dexter

GoingBirding: 25th March

Otmoor: RSPB reserve

Garganey m. Ashgrave.
3 Ruff
5 Dunlin
Merlin
4 Pintail

Gavin Paterson

Farmoor 25th March

Slavonian Grebe in the S/W corner of F2 7:40a.m
(per Dai)

Farmoor 24th March

This drake Garganey was a surprise this morning feeding in amongst the gulls in the middle of F.1. Still present this evening.
The long staying adult Little Gull all day in it's favourite section of F.2. just off the causeway.
Second summer Mediterranean Gull. This bird has been around for the last few days, along with a First winter, but the passage of adults has been very poor this year.

Also today:

3 Ruff

3 Oystercatcher

2 Rock Pipits

Radley 24th March 5:30-6:30 p.m

Red Crested Pochard (f)
Goldeneye (f)
5 Redshank
1 Green Sand
18 Sand Martin

American Wigeon 23rd March

Rushy Common

American Wigeon (dk) On pit to the right of the bridleway.
2 Redshank

Paul Boult

Shotover.A.M. 24th March.

1 sparrowhawk
2 treecreeper
2 kestrel

Port Meadow 24th March

5 Dunlin
5 Ruff
5 Black-tailed Godwit
5 Little Ringed Plover
10 Redshank
1 Curlew
15 sand martin
4 chiffchaff


Sydney Penner, Richard Foster & Gnome


Photo of chiffchaff in blackthorn blossom (c) David Fearn

Farmoor 24th March

Garganey (dk) F1
2 Med Gull (2s+1w)
3 Ruff

Otmoor Thursday morning

Oddington side:

7 Curlew

12 Chiffchaffs

9 Wrens

Beckley side:

2 Blackwits

4 Oystercatchers

1 Garganey

8 Little Egrets

9 Dunlin

3 Ruff

100+ Golden Plover

Wheatear ( per Martin Randall )

usual Lapwings and Redshanks

* working party on Tuesday heard Cettis calling on Maltpit.

Bark

GoingBirding: 24th March

Port Meadow
5 Dunlin
3 Little Ringed Plover
5 Ruff

David Fearn

GoingBirding: 23rd March

Wallingford
14 Yellowhammer: m + f. Feeding on the seed scatter in my back garden.

David Lovegrove

Ring-necked Parakeet Henley (per B.Wyatt OOS)

Farmoor 23rd March 4 - 6pm

Little Gull - ad
Med Gull - 1 (2nd summ)
Dunlin - 1
Goldeneye - 12 (1m)

Otmoor 23rd March P.M

Garganey (dk) still on Ashgrave until 5p.m at least viewed from the bridleway.
Merlin (f)
3 Ruff still (Big Otmoor)

Somerton Curlews

Three Curlews displaying and calling between the canal and the Cherwell slightly north of Somerton around 1pm

Bark

Otmoor.A.M. 23rd March.

15 curlew
1 f/merlin
7 l. egret
3 ruff
12+ redshank
3 oystercatcher
c.10 dunlin
c.120 golden plover
1 water rail

Port Meadow 23rd March

No sign of the Garganey today
8 Redshank
5 Ruff
3 Little Ringed Plover
7 Dunlin
1 Oystercatcher
1 Black-tailed Godwit

Richard Foster & Gnome


Photo (c) Adam Hartley

GoingBirding: 23rd March

Blenheim: Palace Garden
2 Hawfinch

Steve Goddard

Farmoor 23rd March 9:35a.m

Little Gull (ad)
Rock Pipit
(per Dave Lowe)

No sign of the Scoter.

Farmoor 22nd March

Adult Little Gull this afternoon plus 3 Mediterranean Gulls (1st winter, 2nd summer & adult).

Otmoor 22nd March

Garganey (dk) on Ashgrave 3p.m
(per Terry Tossel)

Port Meadow 22nd March P.M

Garganey (male). This morning's bird still there: gorgeous bird in breeding plumage. Active: feeding around north end of flood, showing very well from Burgess Field gate.

5 Ruff: One individual with a strikingly pale head: presumably coming into breeding plumage.

(Steve Goddard)

Also:
6 little ringed plover
3 dunlin
2 oystercatcher
(Gnome & Richard Foster)

+ Greenshank (RBA)


Some video footage of it dabbling away on the floods.

Photos and more details at Port Meadow Birding

Waxwing 22nd March

A single bird seen sat in a tree calling at 1.30p.m in Lambourn Road,Rose Hill, before
flying off 5 minutes later.

Farmoor 22nd March

4 Common Scoter f2

Ruff on the causeway.

Rofous Turtle Dove 22nd March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) briefly in trees behind odd numbered houses
at The Leys from yellow shrubs on Cross Leys at 6.55a.m.
Please keep away from nos. 39 & 54.
No parking at the Leys.
(per R.B.A)

Port Meadow 22nd March

Garganey & 5 ruff this morning (per Dave Docherty)

GoingBirding: 22nd March

Otmoor: RSPB reserve

8 Little Egret
Tree Sparrow: Near the feeders.
3 Ruff
Raven

Gavin Paterson

GoingBirding: 21st March

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor II
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. This was found by another birder, who very kindly pointed it out to me!.

Steve Goddard

American Wigeon 21st March

American Wigeon (dk) still near Rushy Common 5:45p.m 200yds along bridleway
to view fishing pit on the right (per B.B)

GoingBirding: 21st March

Port Meadow
6 Oystercatcher: very noisy and restless flock, kept flying all over the place.
4 Little Ringed Plover
10 Redshank
2 Dunlin
Goosander: red-head.
150 Golden Plover
Common Gull: 1w.

Adam Hartley

Farmoor 21st March

Little Gull (ad) 10:35a.m

Hailey

A peregrine over Hailey at 11.00am being mobbed by corvids.

Shotover.A.M.21st March.

5 mistle thrush
8 wren
4 treecreeper
2 g.s.woodpecker
5 green woodpecker
2 red kite
2 buzzard
1 raven
3 brambling

GoingBirding: 19th March

Ewelme: Cress beds
Brambling

Thomas Stevenson

Otmoor pictures 19th March

Chiffchaff on the Bridleway

Buzzard dogfight over Big Otmoor

Merlin on a frosty Greenaways

Treecreeper on the Bridleway

All photos (c) Nigel Forrow

GoingBirding: 20th March

20th March

Banbury
Peregrine: Flew over south.

20th March

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
Red Kite: Flew over high north east (not so common up here!).

Grimsbury Reservoir
Brambling: Heard flying over. Probable heard this morning but wasn't sure, hearing again clinched it.

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 20th March

20th March

Port Meadow
3 Dunlin
8 Redshank

20th March

Oxey Mead
2 Green Sandpiper
6 Goosander: 2 male, 4 fem.

James Grundy

Cholsey Downs 20th March

Short-eared Owl near the Fairmile.

No sign of the Rough-legged Buzzard.

Farmoor 20th March

2 Med Gull (both ad)
2 Little Gull (both ad)
early afternoon.

Port Meadow 20th March

Port Meadow
Dunlin
2 Little Ringed Plover
11 Redshank

Sydney Penner

Port Meadow
3 Dunlin
8 Redshank

20th March

Oxey Mead
2 Green Sandpiper

James Grundy

Radley Lakes Sun 20th Mar (pm)

Thrupp Lake
1 Goldeneye (female)
1 Redshank (then probably flew to Lake G)
19 Cormorant
60 Tufted duck
1 Common gull
2 Pochard
20 Shoveler
Lake G
1 Little ringed plover
3 Redshank
3 Green sandpiper
1 Oystercatcher
2 Common gull
Plus
5 Chiffchaff

American Wigeon 20th March

American Wigeon (dk) still near Rushy Common at 10:55a.m
Follow bridleway south for 200yds to view fishing pit to right.
(per R.B.A)

Possibility of White tailed eagle

With the ideal raptor soaring conditions yesterday that led to the Rough legged buzzard leaving it turns out the Hampshire White tailed Eagle left late morning high north too. If it flew directly north it probably went into Oxfordshire airspace. It may have even ended up in Oxfordshire somewhere.... ;-)

Grimsbury Res 20/03/11

2 Blackcaps this morning, singing but only quietly. 4 Chiffchaffs singing now and Green woodpecker yaffling away regularly. 1 Siskin around at least flew over south and (very) minor movement of a few Meadow pipits and Skylark going north west.

No sign of any Willow tits since a report of two on the OOS news website on 31/01/11 (SHG). I fear they may have gone but if I sight any I will report it. Likewise if anyone ever pays a visit and gets a sighting please let me know. Thanks, Gareth

GoingBirding: 20th March

Rowstock
4 House Martin: North over Nissan garage.

Leo Bateman

Rufous Turtle Dove 20th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) in back garden of No: 41 The Leys 7:30a.m
(per R.B.A)

-No further sign by 12:04p.m.No further access to No:41 The Leys today,
next access to 41 will be next Sunday from 7:30a.m.

GoingBirding: 19th March

Farmoor Reservoir: Causeway
Dunlin

Gareth Blockley

Rough legged Buzzard

I arrived early afternoon to receive news that the bird had thermalled high and flown north c. 10:30. It was however reported flying along Fair mile again at 15:15 (RBA) so may still be around.

Pleasant walk in the sun either way with Blackcap singing in hedge by the wood store next to start of path off A417, a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Brimstone and a Comma.

American Wigeon 19th March

American Wigeon (dk) still near Rushy Common on 1st fishing pit to the right of the
bridleway at 1:30p.m.
(per The Wickster)

Farmoor 19th March

2 Little Gull (both ad) mid morning.
(per R.B.A)

2 Rock Pipit
40+Sand Martin

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
13 Goldeneye: 3 male 10 fem.

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill
Barn Owl

Mari Esashi

GoingBirding: 19th March

Fair Mile
Grey Partridge: calling at 9am.
Rough-legged Buzzard: soaring at 9.30 with 3 Common Buzzards.
3 Corn Bunting: 3+ birds singing at 9am.

Jonathan Mercer

GoingBirding: 19th March

Port Meadow
4 Dunlin
10 Redshank
Pintail
2 Little Ringed Plover

Sydney Penner

GoingBirding: 19th March

Port Meadow
10 Redshank
3 Dunlin

Adam Hartley

Radley Lakes Sat 19th March

Thrupp Lake
2 Oystercatcher
4 Pochard
18 Shoveler
4 Gadwall
1 Black swan (reported earlier)
Lake G
1 Redshank
2 Green sandpiper
8 Lapwing
10 Shoveler
Plus
7 Chiffchaff
5 Reed bunting
1 Treecreeper

GoingBirding: 19th March

Otmoor: RSPB reserve

18 Redshank
4 Curlew
15 Pintail
Merlin

Gavin Paterson

Stock Dove 19th March

Two Stock Dove and one Yellowhammer on a Bampton lawn.

Barry.

Rough-legged Buzzard 19th March

Rough-legged Buzzard (juv) again on the Cholsey Downs at 8:45a.m.
(per Dai Johns & B.B)

-Still present mid to late morning and showing well.
Ranging from the Fairmile to Uphill Wood.

-Wheatear at Cholsey Lollongdon Hill.

Rufous Turtle Dove 19th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) in the back garden on No:41 The Leys at 7:36a.m.
Access to #41 today and tomorrow from7:30a.m.
Please keep away from No: 39 &54.
No parking at The Leys
(per R.B.A)

GoingBirding: 18th March

Water Eaton
2 Tree Sparrow: At least two: singing, so possible breeding?. SP516119.

Steve Goddard

Rough-legged Buzzard 18th March

No Sign of juv Rough-legged Buzzard Cholsey Downs 3p.m-4:50p.m but
Ring Ouzel (male)
(per R.B.A)

GoingBirding: 18th March

Port Meadow
4 Little Ringed Plover
10 Redshank
2 Dunlin
2 Pintail: 1m 1f.
3 Gadwall: 2m 1f.

Adam Hartley

Little ringed plover (c) Adam Hartley

Rufous Turtle Dove 18th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) in the back garden of No:41
The Leys this morning. Access tomorrow and Sunday to No:41.
No parking at The Leys.
(per R.B.A)

Waxwings 18th March

Dave Doherty has found 27 Waxwings in Witney on Mill Street near the junction
with Jacobs close this morning.
(per Oz Oxonbirds)

Franklin road, Oxford
30 Waxwing 7 hanging around on the berry tree just by the entrance of Rye St Antony at around 8am, number went up to 20 by 9am and at 4pm 30 over the school to SW. SP536071.
(per Mari Esashi)

Rough-legged Buzzard 17th March

Rough-legged Buzzard (juv) Seen again this morning (per Dave Doherty)
flying along the Fairmile near Cholsey.

-Seen again late afternoon per Gnome

Photos taken Wed (c) R.Wyatt

Otmoor 17th March

Treecreeper near feeders
Yellowhammer below feeders
Numerous Reed Buntings - all male except 1
8 Little Egrets on lagoons near new hide
3 Herons near new hide
Approx 5-6 Barnacle geese flying over reedbeds and by new hide later
1 Gt Crested Grebe - 2nd hide

(per John Lloyd Oxonbirds)

GoingBirding: 17th March

Port Meadow
2 Dunlin
3 Little Ringed Plover
10 Redshank

Richard Foster

Rufous Turtle Dove 17th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) still this morning in the back garden
of No:41 The Leys. Next access on Saturday & Sunday.
(per R.B.A)

GoingBirding: 17th March

Oxford: Florence Park
2 Brambling: m/f. on garden bird feeder.

James Shaw

Waxwings 17th March

Headington

32 Waxwing Churchill Hospital.

Gavin Paterson

GoingBirding: 17th March

Port Meadow
3 Redshank
2 Pintail

Sydney Penner

Colour-ringed Waxwing Report

Colours: LRB Ring NW49487


Date Location                 Age/sex Obs         Dist  dir Notes

27/11/10 Aberdeen                4f LC/RD/JL/EW

21/12/10 Taunton                 4f Hyrax         685km SSW Resighting

03/03/11 Bayswater Rd, Oxford    4f Peter Barker  152km NE  Resighting.

05/03/11 Bayswater Rd, Oxford    4f Jason Coppock 0km       Resighting.

Above is the ringing report for a colour-ringed waxwing seen in Oxon by Peter Barker and Jason Coppock. Photo below:

Following an exceptional number of resightings along the south coast earlier in the winter we wondered if the birds would then head across the channel into France . Your resighting, like a few others (see attached map) suggest that most of the birds have turned east and west and back north rather than make another hazardous sea crossing. Unfortunately sightings have reduced greatly as people have seen the bird, got the photo and moved on to other things so I am very pleased to hear from you about this bird.

Raymond Duncan on behalf of Grampian Ringing group.

GoingBirding: 15th March

Long Hanborough
23 Brambling: In garden.

Stonesfield: Stonesfield Common
Peregrine: Over common, towards East end.

Paul Wren

Appleford 16th March

Iceland Gull (1w) still loafing in field north of B4016 today.
(per R.B.A)

GoingBirding: 16th March

Port Meadow
Dunlin
4 Little Ringed Plover
13 Redshank

Richard Foster

Sonning Eye and Henley Rd G.Ps

16th March

5 smew (1 drake)
3 goosander
2 sand martin

H Netley

Rough-legged Buzzard, Cholsey Downs. 16th March

The Rough-legged Buzzard seen at 08:30 this morning at the start of the Fairmile (by the motor bike course and sheep field) on a fence post along with a Common Buzzard. Flew NNW but lost in the murk as visibility down to between 200 to 400m.

Sighted again at around 15:45 near the Fairway.


photo (c) R.Wyatt

GoingBirding: 16th March

Port Meadow
Dunlin
12 Redshank
Oystercatcher: mobile over floods and Burgess Field 09:30-10:00.

David Fearn

Waxwings 16th March

c25 Waxwings Abingdon on Blacklands Way in Business park 9a.m though mobile.
(per Jean Burgess)

12 Waxwings feeding on berries opposite RM Education, 183 Milton Park,
Didcot at 1:30pm
(per Pete Roby Oxonbirds)

Rufous Turtle Dove 16th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) in back garden of No:41 The Leys at 8:23a.m.
Access to 41 this morning with further access to #41 on Saturday & Sunday.
Please keep away from 39 & 54 The Leys.
No parking at The Leys.
(per R.B.A)

Rough-legged Buzzard Cholsey Downs

Rough-legged Buzzard Cholsey Downs on The Fairmile by the motor cycle track ranging towards Lowbury Hill.

GoingBirding: 15th March

Port Meadow
7 Redshank
Dunlin
6 Sand Martin

Adam Hartley

GoingBirding: 15th March

Dorchester: Dorchester complex
4 Oystercatcher
3 Egyptian Goose
Redshank

Thomas Stevenson

Farmoor 15th P.M

Little Gull (ad) F1 3p.m (per Dai)

Otmoor Long Meadow A.M.15th March.

2 red kite
3 green woodpecker
2 g. s. woodpecker
1 chiffchaff
1 sparrowhawk
1 yellowhammer
3 meadow pipit
4 buzzard
15+ snipe



Reed bunting (c) Pete Styles

GoingBirding: 15th March

Port Meadow
Little Ringed Plover

David Fearn

Rufous Turtle Dove 15th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) in back garden of no:41 The Leys 9.20a.m
then flew off. Access to no:41 tomorrow from 7:30a.m.
(per R.B.A)

Farmoor 15th March

Sand Martin 10+
Rock Pipit 2

Radley 15th March

1 Little Ringed Plover
2+Green Sandpiper
2 Redshank

Carswell Marsh 14th March

5Curlew  20 Redwing  1 Peregrine  30 Hares

More Otmoor pictures 12th March

Lapwing takes off from Big Otmoor

Golden Plover in flight over Big Otmoor

Golden Plover & two Dunlin in flight over Big Otmoor

Redshank record shot - Big Otmoor

Goldfinch - Roman Road

Brown Hare on the Bridleway (from 27th Feb)

All photos (c) Nigel Forrow

Willow & Marsh Tit March

Willow Tit on the left and Marsh Tit

Showing the small white patch at the base of the upper

mandible that is usually used to differentiate

Quite striking how submissive it looks compared with the bolder Marsh Tit.

Ringing Day at private site photos courtesy (c) B.Hudson.

American Wigeon 14th March

Rushy Common

American Wigeon (m) Same place as reported yesterday - on the first lake to the right of the bridle path.
2 Oystercatcher
Green Sandpiper

Richard Foster

Rufous Turtle Dove 14th March

Rufous Turtle Dove (form orientalis) in back garden of #41 The Leys
at 9:55a.m. No access to 41 this week although further access may be
arranged at the weekend. No parking at The Leys.
(per R.B.A)

Radley Gravel Pits/Lakes March 14th

Mallard,Tufted Duck,Pochard,Gadwall,Shoveler,
3 Little Grebe
18 Cormorant
5 Grey Heron
40+ Teal
1 Goldeneye (f)
2 Red Kite
6 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk (m)
1 Peregrine Falcon (m)
2 Oystercatcher
1 Ringed Plover
1 Redshank
9 Snipe
3 Green Sandpiper
3 Common Gull
1 Raven
30+ Redwing
1 Chiffchaff (singing)
3 Siskin

GoingBirding: 14th March

14th March

Port Meadow
6 Redshank
2 Dunlin

14th March

Port Meadow: Burgess Field Nature Park
2 Chiffchaff

Richard Foster

Wheatear 14th March

Wheatear Stanton St John (per Colin Oram)

Radley Lakes Sunday 13th March 6-7pm

6.20 1stW Iceland Gull on 'wader pit', along with some 5-6oo Herring and L B-backs the latter by far the greater majority (Intermedius, graelsii and thin long winged.... ?). Only c350 stayed to roost, with last arriving by 6.40. 28 B H Gulls included 9 with full hoods. Couple of Snipe and Grey Heron heard and brief Greenshank call which might have been a good copy by Song Thrush(?). Fair range of duck majority being Tufted with plenty of vocal courting on Thrupp Lake. Otherwise, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard (1), Goldeneye(1f), 2min GC Grebe in full breeding plumage and one flying off off eastward at 6.40pm. Coot nest platform nearing completion. Majority of geese now arrriving to roost in pairs, rather than just one or two large flocks. Pair of Oystercatchers, 1 Cormorant, a handfull of Mute's and distinct lack of promised Smews on view, but coverage of lake only about 50%. Yesterday around Abingdon, at least 3 Brimstone butterflies, solitary wasps and solitary bees - first of the year for me.

GoingBirding: 12th March

Thame

11 Waxwing Feeding on trees by Cattle Market - first this winter in Thame for me!.

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
15 Dunlin
2 Curlew
Oystercatcher
2 Redshank

Nick Marriner

Great Grey Shrike 13th March

Great Grey Shrike Oxon/Bucks 8.5mls west of Buckingham between Westbury &
Fulwell at 4.30p.m then flew west SP.628.344
(per R.B.A)

Ardley Field Quarry 13th March

Glaucous Gull (2w)

Richard Hazel

American Wigeon 13th March

The American Wigeon located today to the right of the first lake down the lane opposite the rushy Common Hide, walked down with Clackers and he had located it before I had even set up my scope. The Yankee Doodle Dandy was showing some sexual interest in a duck so I guess it's over here, over sexed and overdue, at least for me this was my seventh attempt.
Thanks to Nic Hallam for a most interesting and enlightening evening meeting the committee of the BBRC - A great time was had by all.
Barry.

Blenheim 13 March

2 Hawfinch in top of tree from miniature railway shed/station at 13:00
1 Raven

http://www.stephenburch.com

American Wigeon 13th March

American Wigeon (dk) midday near Rushy Common on fishing pit to the right
of the bridleway. (per Keith)

Farmoor 13th March

Rock Pipit
No sign of the Brent.

GoingBirding: 13th March

Piddington
Raven

Colin Oram

Still 15+ Raven at Muswell Hill this morning.
(per Justin)

Otmoor.A.M.13th March.

1/f merlin
5 l. egret
3 oystercatcher
4 redshank
400+ golden plover
12+ dunlin
2 goosander (reported)
2 buzzard

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
3 Chiffchaff
6 Little Egret
Treecreeper

Colin Oram

Standlake, 13th March

Firecrest 1, in bushes by bridge over stream between pits 38 & 60
Smew 4
Wigeon 125
Egyptian Goose 1, pit 38
Redshank 2
Teal 42
Chiffchaff 3
Siskin 2
Little Egret 1
Redpoll 1 & Siskin 45 at Dix

& Farmoor y/day
Brent Goose 1, FI from 10.30
Chiffchaff 6

GoingBirding: 13th March

Grimsbury Reservoir
Grey Wagtail: m. Singing.
15 Siskin: Mobile flock of c.15.

Gareth Blockley

Radley Lakes Sun. 13th March

2 Oystercatcher (Thrupp Lake)
1 Red-crested Pochard (female) (Thrupp Lake)
1 Goldeneye (female) (Thrupp Lake)
3 Green sandpiper (Lake G)
2 Redshank (Lake G)
45 Lapwing (Lake G)
2 Chiffchaff (Singing)
2 Treecreeper
7 Reed Bunting
No sign of redhead Smew, Dunlin or an additional 2 Redshank that were present on the 12th March.

Radley GP
3 Green Sandpiper
Redshank

Christopher Ellis

Rufous Turtle Dove 13th March

Rufous Turtle Dove 1w (form orientalis) still 10.10a.m viewable from
top of Lord Piece Road. No parking at The Leys.
(per R.B.A)

No further access today or during the week. Further access may be arranged
next weekend.

BBRC Saturday Social 12th March

Really great evening and a chance to find out more about the work carried out
by the BBRC and to put faces to some well know names.

GoingBirding: 12th March

Horsleys Green
Raven: Heard only. SU787949.

James Grundy

GoingBirding: 12th March

Wolvercote
No sign of any waxwings c11:00 and c13:00.

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 12th March

Port Meadow
12 Pintail

Gareth Blockley

GoingBirding: 12th March

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
Brent Goose

Gareth Blockley

photo (c) B.B

BBRC AGM in Oxford. 11th-13th March 2011

‘Saturday Social’ 12th March 8pm onwards

The British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) holds it’s AGM every year in March at a different location within the UK. This year it is taking place in Oxford over the weekend of 11^th-13^th. Most of the members will be present and as is traditional, the Saturday evening is set aside for a very informal get together with local birders. The chosen venue this year is The King’s Arms at Sandford Lock from about 8pm onwards. So if you want to find out more about the workings of the committee, discuss any aspects of birding in general, or simply just enjoy a drink with fellow birders then do please come along.

BBRC Committee members: Steve Votier, Martin Garner, Richard Millington, Chris Batty, Nic Hallam, Chris Bradshaw, Paul French, James Lidster, Richard Schofield, Mike Pennington. Chairman: Adam Rowlands. Secretary: Nigel Hudson

Muswell Hill nr Piddington 12th March

18 Raven
5 Red Kite
Buzzard

Feeding on and around Sheep Carcass.

Otmoor pictures 12th March

Curlew in flight over Greenaways

Long-tailed Tit - Bridleway

Reed Bunting singing - Greenaways

Merlin record shot - Greenaways

Comma butterfly on the Roman Road

All photos (c) Nigel Forrow