Otmoor 31st Aug

1 Wheatear at Noke
8 Little Egret roosting in trees opposite hide
c1000 Starling over reedbed at dusk
Flock of c25 Yellow Wags roosting in reedbed
2 Hobbies
Flock of 20 Snipe flying around reserve
Tawny Owl calling at 8:15pm near car park.

Wheatear (c) Paul Greenaway

Port Meadow: 31st August

Port Meadow
2 Black-tailed Godwit
8 Golden Plover
11 Ringed Plover
3 Dunlin
Common Sandpiper
Yellow Wagtail

Adam Hartley

Farmoor 31st August

Bar-tailed Godwit (in field
behind Buckthorn Meadow
with 4 Curlew 10:10
but no further sign late afternoon)

Black Tern 1
Dunlin 11 (7pm)
Ringed Plover 4 (ad+3juv 7pm)
Yellow Wagtail 6

No sign of juv Little Stint

(per Dai)

The Insomniac Birder

OTMOOR 30th August evening

12 Green Sandpipers  very vocal @ 1st screen
Raven heard only

long drive home... A40 roundabout at Barton blocked by lorry on its side.

 Two Otmoor Kingfishers (c) Derek Woodard

Farmoor Reservoir: 30th August

Farmoor Reservoir
7 Dunlin
5 Common Sandpiper
14 Black Tern

Richard Catling

Cholsey Lollingdon Hill 30th August

Redstart
3 Willow Warbler

(Paul Chandler)

Cholsey Wildlife

Farmoor 30th August

 Black Tern (c) Paranoid Birder
The Paranoid Birder

Adult Med Gull (c) Nic Hallam

Black Tern 8 on F2 07:09 increasing to 14 late p.m
Med Gull 2 (ad & juv) in roost (NJH)
Little Stint (juv)
Dunlin 8
Ringed Plover 2
Redshank

(per Dai)

The Insomniac Birder

Grimsbury Reservoir: 30th August

Grimsbury Reservoir
2 Common Sandpiper
Little Ringed Plover: juv. This one has been around for a week now, must be the longest staying wader ever at grim res!.
House Martin: Flew over, heard calling but not seen.

Gareth Blockley

Common Sandpiper 4
Little Ringed Plover juv still

Ewan Urquhart

Farmoor 29th August

Little Gull Farmoor 29th August (c) Nic Hallam

Little Stint (juv)
Dunlin 6
Ringed Plover 2
Common Sandpiper 2
Little Gull (juv)

(per Dai) 17:30

The Insomniac Birder

Port Meadow: 29th August

Port Meadow
5 Black-tailed Godwit
Greenshank
2 Ruff
14 Ringed Plover: At least.
8 Common Sandpiper: Approx count.
Dunlin
4 Yellow Wagtai: Approx count
7 Snipe: Approx count

Adam Hartley

Cholsey Lollingdon Hill 28th August

2 Redstart

(Paul Chandler)

Cholsey Wildlife

Abingdon August 28th 2012

Osprey

Seen at mid day drifting south over Abingdon
 The Paranoid Birder


 

                                                                 

Port Meadow (13:15 - 15:00)

Golden Plover - 7
Black Tailed Godwit - 7 (1 adult)
Ringed Plover - 7
Little Ringed Plover - 1juv
Ruff - 2 juvs
Greenshank - 1
Dunlin - 3
Common Sand - 6
Wheatear -1
Yellow Wagtail - 1

Ringed Plover count risen to 16 by 16:30 (Gnome)

Otmoor 28th August

(c) David Cuddon

2 Marsh Harrier 1. Juv 1. Fem. (Greenaways).
Raven: Flying from Greenaways to closes.
Green Sandpiper: From 1st screen.
3 Wheatear: Greenaways.
3 Lesser Whitethroat

(Peter Coombes)

The Otmoor Blogger

Witney 28th August

Dipper still along the Windrush nr Crawley at the wier (per Derek Woodcock)

The Oxon Feather

Marsh Harrier Otmoor 28th August (c) David Cuddon

Farmoor 28th August

Little Stint (along causeway)
Med Gull
Yellow-lg Gull
Hobby
Whinchat (nr Lower Whitley)

(per Dave Lowe)

The Insomniac Birder




No further sign of Whinchat by 11a.m

Port Meadow: 28th August

Port Meadow
Mediterranean Gull: juv->1w.
2 Ruff
Greenshank
7 Black-tailed Godwit
Little Ringed Plover
6 Ringed Plover
6 Common Sandpiper

Jarrod Hadfield

Farmoor Roost

Little Gull

Quite a small roost. A second summer/moulting to adult winter Mediterranean Gull plus a Little Gull with some small black markings in wing tip, probably third winter.

Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 27th August

Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
Redstart: Two present yesterday (per TW).

(Paul Chandler)

Cholsey Wildlife

Farmoor R.P

Otmoor: Long Meadow: 27th August

Otmoor: Long Meadow
2 Redstart

Mark Merritt

Farmoor Res 27th August

Arctic Tern 23 arrived after a rain shower at 1332 departing high at 1413, possibly another 20 flew straight through earlier after another rain shower
Common Tern 1
Ringed Plover 1 juv
Dunlin 1 juv
Common Sandpiper 3
Common Swift 90+ moving South over period of 3 hours
House Martin 50+
Swallow 50+
Yellow Wagtail 2
Reed Warbler 2
Willow/Chiff 10+
Egyptian Goose 1 with Greylags

Part of flock of 23 Arctic Terns

Black Audi Birding
 

Otmoor. A.M. 27th. August.

1 Peregrine (J) (still present 4pm see comments)
1 Marsh Harrier (still present 4pm)
3 Green Sandpiper
2 Garganey
1 Raven
1 Whinchat.

The Otmoor Wanderers

Otmoor Birding


 

Farmoor 27th August

23 Arctic Tern on F2 13:40 (per Two Eyes & the Wickster)

 

 

Little Stint still present on causeway.

Also present
Ringed Plover
Dunlin 2
Egyptian Goose
Whinchat (reported)
 

Stonesfield: Stonesfield Common: 27th August

Stonesfield: Stonesfield Common
Spotted Flycatcher
Reed Warbler
2 Lesser Whitethroat
8 Whitethroat
30 Linnet
17 Goldfinch
Kingfisher
3 Willow Warbler

Paul Wren

Aston Upthorpe 26th August

Montagu's Harrier (m) Stunned! Long, slim-winged raptor observed (Although white rump made Jay pop into my head initially!), got scope on it quickly. Viewed mostly from above due to vantage point at top Western edge of valley. Decent, albeit brief initial view as it skirted the Western edge of Oven Bottom Wood before disappearing round Southern Edge. Mid to dark grey overall with obvious black wingtips and white rump. Rufous & black underwing markings observed briefly during manouvre. Shoulder/back also appeared slightly rufous but perhaps trick of the evening sunlight? Despite this overall impression was of male Monty. I'm certain it wasn't a male marsh anyway! Seen about 10 minutes later far beyond the Eastern edge of the woods, low over field, close to Juniper Valley - very distant but longer (still fairly brief) view. Light was still fairly decent at this time. SU537836.

Mark Merritt

Farmoor 26th August

Little Stint still along causeway

(per SNT)

Farmoor Roost

Mediterranean Gull

Common Tern

A juvenile/first winter Mediterranean Gull hanging around in front of the sailing club this evening plus the long-staying Common Tern. Another two Mediterranean Gulls (juvenile & adult) in the roost.

Port Meadow: 26th August

 

4 Greenshank
10 Common Sandpiper
2 Ruff
4 Black-tailed Godwit
6 Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover

Sydney Penner

Otmoor 26th August

(c) Terry Sherlock

Osprey (over reedbeds c09:00 then difted S/W)
Marsh Harrier (imm)
Hobby 4
Sprawk
Garganey 3 (1st screen)
Water Rail
Whinchat 8 (3 from hide 1 in hedgerow to 1st sc,4 Noke Farm)
Wheatear 5 (Noke Farm)
Green Sandpiper 4
Snipe 10+
Lapwing 150+

Ringed Plover 1

 

 Otmoor Birding

 

Grimsbury Reservoir: 26th August

Grimsbury Reservoir
Common Sandpiper
Little Ringed Plover: juv.
Willow Tit: in wood with roving tit flock.
Spotted Flycatcher: in wood with roving tit flock.
Green Sandpiper: on newly created pool along the canal.
Yellow-legged Gull: juv. on newly created pool along the canal.

Gareth Blockley

Farmoor Roost

Juvenile Common Gull

Adult Mediterranean Gull

3 Mediterranean Gulls (ad, 1st w, 2nd w). Just one Common Gull (juvenile). A lot more Herring Gulls appearing, mostly juveniles. 4 Great-Black-backed Gulls. Plenty of Yellow-legged Gulls.

Otmoor 25th August

Marsh Harrier imm over Greenaways at 16:28
Peregrine
Hobby 2
Green Sandpiper 5 (3 from 1st screen 2 Ashgrave)
Snipe
Little Egret 8+
Whinchat 2 (on fence around 'Big Otmoor' and 1 in hedgerow to
                    1st screen per Steve Roby)

(Badger)

Blewbury: 25th August

Marsh Harrier fem/juv. Hunting for about half an hour along Blewbury Down and Roden Down before disappearing in a thunderstorm and not seen again.

Marek Walford

Port Meadow: 25th August

Port Meadow
8 Black-tailed Godwit: Ringed adult has white over yellow on right leg and orange flag over green on left leg. If it also has a metal ring below the knee on the left leg, then it is likely to be from the G02 scheme ringed in Moeze Oleron, France.
4 Greenshank
Redshank
2 Ruff
10 Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover
2 Golden Plover
2 Snipe
13 Common Sandpiper: Fairly accurate count, but birds very mobile.

Gareth Blockley

Standlake: 25th August

Mandarin 1f
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Kingfisher 1
Green Sand 1
Common Sand 1
Little Egret 2
Lesser Whitethroat 3

Farmoor 25th August



Little Stint (juv) still
Turnstone 6
Dunlin 4
Common Sandpiper 6+
Yellow Wagtail 6

(per Dave Lowe)

also

Ringed Plover
(per Peter Law)

 

Grimsbury Reservoir: 25th August

Grimsbury Reservoir
Common Sandpiper
Little Ringed Plover: juv.

Gareth Blockley

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill: 24th August

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill
Common Sandpiper: actually on the river bank opposite 'Shrike Meadow'.

Anthony Cheke

Port Meadow: 24th August

Port Meadow
8 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Greenshank
Redshank
11 Common Sandpiper
8 Ringed Plover
3 Little Ringed Plover
Golden Plover
2 Ruff

Adam Hartley

Farmoor 24th August

Turnstone & Dunlin

Little Stint

Dunlin & Little Stint

Common Sandpiper

Cassington GPs 24th August

No sign of Great white Egret at Cassington GPs by 1p.m

(per Paul Wren)

Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 24th August

Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
Redstart

Paul Chandler  Cholsey Wildlife

Farmoor 24th August

Little Stint still on causeway 10:40

 

+Turnstone

5 Dunlin    

Port Meadow 23rd August

Little Ringed Plover

Black-tailed Godwit

Ruff

12 Ringed Plover
3 Little Ringed Plover
7 Black-tailed Godwit
4 Greenshank
2 Redshank
6 Common Sandpiper
2 Ruff
1 Green Sandpiper
1 Hobby

Great white Egret 23rd August Cassington GP's (c) Roger Wyatt

Cassington GPs 23rd August

Great white Egret  relocated at Cassington GPs by Roger Wyatt and still present at 18:00.

Heading west from Oxford on the A40 take the left hand turn after the large layby (often with a burger van) on to the haul road leading to the Hanson works and recycling centre. The road will take you back under the A40 to view the first pit on the left about 50 yards after the bridge under the A40.

Please park sensibly in the cleared area just to the left of the gate.

VIEW ONLY FROM THE ROAD DO NOT ENTER THE PIT  

This is a sensitive site with one very dedicated patch worker and permission has very kindly been sought in order that others may see this bird.

About Here

NB The Site Closes at 4:30p.m

Just some of the assembled birders checking out the Great White Egret. 

 A temporary record shot until Roger posts some of his 
great shots in due course.

(c) Badger

Green Sandpiper 2
 Snipe 20+
Lapwing 100+
+probable Garganey
                

Farmoor 23rd August

Great White Egret      From the Pink Hill hide 10:00a.m
                                         Found by Keith Clack (Clackers)
                                         The bird then flew over Wytham
                                         woods heading N/E.
                                     
No sign of GWE on Port Meadow at 10:45 a.m.

+Spotted Redshank over F2 08:45

(per Dai)  The Insomniac Birder

Warburg Reserve 23rd August

2 Raven Managed to get record shot of one of them will post later.

Ian Paine

Great White Egret - Cassington GP

The GWEgret is now at Cassington GPs. This a private site so please view only from the haul road just to the north of the A40, just east of Cassington. The bird is in the south-west corner on the pit north of the haul road. This is a sensitive area so please do not enter the pits, fields or gravel workings. Please park sensibly at the western end of the haul road.

Otmoor.A.M. 23rd. August.

5 Green Sandpiper.
1 Kingfisher.
14+ L. Egret.
4 Snipe.
1 Peregrine. (J)
3 Hobby.
2 Redstart.
2 Whinchat. (rep)

 No sign of G.W.E.

Radley Gravel Pits 23rd August

1 Little Egret
7 Little Grebe
8 Teal
22 Lapwing

W.P.Bull

Aston Rowant: Aston Rowant NNR: 23rd August

Aston Rowant: Aston Rowant NNR
5 Spotted Flycatcher: family party.
Redstart: juv.

Neil Hammatt

Port Meadow: 23rd August

Port Meadow
7 Black-tailed Godwit: 1 ad 6 juv. Adult is ringed.
2 Ruff
3 Greenshank
Redshank
9 Ringed Plover
3 Little Ringed Plover
Green Sandpiper
6 Common Sandpiper

Adam Hartley

Farmoor Roost

Adult Caspian Gull showed pretty well on F.1 from 20.19.....
2 Mediterranean Gulls ( Ad & 1stw).

Otmoor 22nd August

Ringtail Harrier reported on RSPB Otmoor today.

1066 22nd August

Garganey ecl drake



Lark Hill 22nd August

2 Whinchat
4 Redstart
2 Wheatear
3 Swift

Rushy Common 22nd August

Peregrine
Hobby (juv)
Common Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Sand Martin 30+

(per Clackers)

Port Meadow: 22nd August

Port Meadow
7 Black-tailed Godwit: 1 adult (ringed) + 6 juvs.
2 Greenshank: Didn't see the 3rd one but it was probably still around.
Redshank
9 Ringed Plover
3 Little Ringed Plover
6 Common Sandpiper: Minimum count.

Adam Hartley

Otmoor. A.M. 22nd. August.

12 L. Egret
5 Swift
2 Raven
100+ Lapwing
3 Kestrel.

Juv Yellow-legged Gull Farmoor (c) B.B

The Paranoid Birder

ID pointers courtesy of Lew

Port Meadow: 21st August

Port Meadow
3 Greenshank
2 Redshank
5 Ringed Plover
3 Little Ringed Plover
9 Common Sandpiper
Golden Plover

Adam Hartley

Otmoor 21st August

Green Sandpiper (1st sn)
Peregrine (Ashgrave)
Hobby 2-3
Little Egret 8

(per Terry Tossel)

Lark Hill, Wantage 21st August

4 Whinchat
2 Wheatear
White Wagtail
3 Yellow Wagtail
Hobby
4 Grey Partridge
Corn Bunting
Willow Warbler

Port Meadow

4 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Greenshank
11 Common Sandpiper
5 Ringed Plover
3 Little-ringed Plover
1 Redshank
1 Snipe
1 Swift
11 Little Egret
Hirundine movement

Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 20th August

3 Redstart: one with the Spot Flys, one in the western hedge and another on the north side.
6 Spotted Flycatcher: near manor house.
Willow Warbler

Paul Chandler

Cholsey Wildlife

19 August Kidlington

2 swifts over the north of the village during the evening.

Port Meadow: 18th August

Port Meadow
16 Black-tailed Godwit

Cherry Robertson

Grimsbury Reservoir: 19th August

Grimsbury Reservoir
3 Little Ringed Plover: juvs.
3 Common Sandpiper
Kingfisher

Gareth Blockley

Farmoor 19th August

1 Sandwich Tern a.m
3 Common Tern
4 Common Sandpiper
1 Ringed Plover
2 Redstart
1 Sandwich Tern p.m

Terry Sherlock Dave Daniels and Dai.

2 Arctic Tern
1 Med Gull (1st S)

(per Ewan)

Rare dragonfly alert!

Crookham and Greenham Common, only just to the south of the County yesterday (18th) had  the following rare species:

Red-veined Darter (4-5 terneral males)
Lesser Emperor 1
Small-red eyed Damselfly 10+

So those looking for dragons and damsels in Oxon should keep an eye out for these!

Of the above, there are fully document records of Lesser Emperor in Oxon, most recently from Pit 60 and Radley Lakes. Shellingford Pit even had one in 2008. They are quite easy to identify - small dark hawkers with a vivid blue "rump".

Red-veined Darters are more elusive, but there are some not well documented records from Otmoor in 2006 and Radley in 2007 so you never know! Incidentally, the last time any were seen at Crookham was also in 2007. Immature males are not that easy to identify but the blue lower half to the eyes is diagnostic. Mature males are vivid red - brighter than Common Darters and hence stand out more.

SRE Damsels do occur regularly at a small number of sites in Oxon, with a few records this year from Shellingford Pit and Didcot.

 Immature male Red-veined Darter at Crookham Common Berks (c) Stephen Burch

Small red eyed Damselfly at Crookham Common Berks (c) Stephen Burch

For more info on dragonflies in Oxon, see http://www.stephenburch.com/dragonflies/OxonDragons.htm

Whitecross Green Wood 19th August

1 Crossbill
 W.P.Bull