August Hightlights

For a third consecutive summer month stand-out passage or vagrant sightings in Oxfordshire were few and far between, with regular passage birds and more notable breeding species making much of the news. August's headliners were both from Farmoor reservoir. The earlier was an adult White-winged Black Tern that spent the afternoon there on 11th. Having been seen further north (feasibly) at Rutland Water on the two previous days this visitor remained in our space until dusk, allowing good numbers of Oxon birders to connect before going on its way overnight.

White-winged Black Tern courtesy of Tezzer

On the same day a new Great White Egret was found by the patch worker at Ewelme Cress Beds, but not surprisingly for a small, easily disturbed site this heron didn't linger. One hot tip for the next county mega, Night Heron came tantalisingly close just across the border in Bucks towards the end of the month but with Oxon birders poised on red alert it chose to stay put. Surely more scarcer herons will be seen in the county soon. Keep hoping everyone!

Great White Egret courtesy of Thomas Stevenson

The second headliners were a group of juvenile Shag that arrived at Farmoor just after midday on 27th, part of a nationally recorded movement for the species. By mid-afternoon 11 birds were counted, most of which roosted overnight. These took a liking to the pontoons at the southern end of F2 and remained until the end of the month, being much photographed. This represents the first Oxon occurrence since 2012.

 

Shag courtesy of Ewan

Steady passage of waders and passerines progressed throughout the month. The most frequently logged waders were Green and Common Sandpiper, and Greenshank. Water level management of the lagoon at RSPB Otmoor encouraged a steady flow of sightings from the first screen there, with records also coming from Rushy and Standlake (Pit 60) Commons, Bicester Wetlands Reserve, Chinnor, Farmoor and elsewhere. The highest tallies were 9 Greenshank at Otmoor (14th) and 7 Green Sandpiper at BWR on three occasions.

Common Sandpiper courtesy of Steve Burch

Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Ringed Plover all featured from different sites, with 2 Sanderling also passing through Farmoor on 5th and another on 24th, but the month produced little of greater note. Whimbrel were at Farmoor (1st) and Rushy Common (2nd), and a Grey Plover at Farmoor on 8th. Despite August's continuous Atlantic weather pattern Port Meadow remained largely dry which must contribute to this unremarkable picture. But a late bonus came with a Wood Sandpiper at Otmoor for August's final two days.

Sanderling courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Turnstone courtesy of Richard Tyler

Wood Sandpiper courtesy of Andy Last

Regular Otmoor watchers made consistent sightings through the month of seasonal Common Redstart, Whinchat and Northern Wheatear and these passerines were logged as frequently across the county. Redstart featured at Harwell (3rd), Standlake (6th & 22nd), Farmoor (6th), Wantage (14, 20th & 21st), Lollingdon Hill (14th & 21st), Letcombe Basset (15 & 29th), Padsdown Bottom (27th) and Stonesfield Common (28th).

Redstart courtesy of Paul Wyeth

Whinchat sightings came from Farmoor (6th), Barford  St Michael (9th), Wantage (14 & 20th) and Lollingdon Hill (21st). Juvenile Stonechat, a county bird more usually associated with winter, were observed again at Otmoor and sites on the South Oxon Downs, suggesting breeding in those places.

Whinchats on Otmoor courtesy of Badger

Wheatear records came from Wantage (12th & 21st), Letcombe Basset (15th), Farmoor (18-20th & 24th), Balscote Quarry (28-29th) and Rushy Common (31st). Hirundine passage was at times spectacular, an example being upwards of 600 Sand Martin through Farmoor on 2nd.

Wheatear courtesy of Ewan

With the appearance of family parties in different locations, breeding Spotted Flycatcher sightings built up nicely through the month. These were well distributed from Otmoor (6 & 26-27th), Ardington (13th), Stanton St John (14-16th), Farmoor (20th & 31st), Chinnor (21st), Letcombe Regis (21st), Lollingdon Hill (21st), Harwell (23rd), Aston Rowant NNR (26th), Middle Barton (27th), Kingston Bagpuize (28th) and Stonesfield Common (28th).

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy of Ewan Jones

Tern passage was generally light until late in the month, a Little Tern at Farmoor on 16th being the second most notable record. Then on the evening of 23rd roost watchers at the reservoir witnessed 15 Black and a single Arctic Tern. Two more Black Tern passed through there and Dix Pit on 28th. Yellow-legged Gull numbers remained respectable throughout, 44 at Farmoor on 15th being the highest individual count. Juvenile Mediterranean Gull were sighted at Farmoor on 6th then from 21st-24th, with another at Carswell Marsh on 23rd. A juvenile Caspian Gull was at Farmoor on 23rd and another on 31st.

Juvenile Caspian Gull courtesy of Gnome

August's best wildfowl record was 3 adult and a juvenile Common Scoter, briefly at Grimsbury Reservoir on the morning of 22nd. Mandarin were noted at Sonning Eye (13th) and Chinnor Quarry (19th). A pair of Egyptian Goose with 6 young was an unusual record for Blenhein Lake on 13th. The smart Ruddy Shelduck of unknown origin remained at Farmoor throughout, while the home counties feral Snow Goose flock paid a visit on 1st.

The Four Scoter courtesy John Friendship-Taylor

Ruddy Shelduck courtesy of Richard Tyler

Where raptors are concerned, Marsh Harrier were observed in the south of the county near Wantage on 11th and at Rowstock (16th). Southward bound Osprey passed over Dix Pit and Oddington, both on 13th with another through Radley GPs on 30th. Hobby continued to be recorded from Standlake Pit 60, Rushey Common, Otmoor, Kingston Bagpuize, Wantage and Farmoor.

Hobby courtesy of Derek Latham

Much attention remained focused on the scarcer breeding and other key species now resident at RSPB Otmoor. We, perhaps I especially, should not overlook that some of these birds would have been headline makers themselves in the not too distant past. That they are now a constant feature of Oxon birding owes much to the hard work and dedication of the reserve's professional staff and volunteers in creating and maintaining habitat then ensuring the birds' welfare.

Cranes courtesy of Norman Smith

Following a second year's breeding success, Otmoor's Bittern have continued to be admired and photographed when they show themselves, though were less visible than in July. The release scheme Common Crane pair, who left on 15th August last year, this time extended their stay until 25th. On that morning they were seen to circle over the reserve, bugling loudly and climbing ever higher before making their departure to the south-west.

Departing Cranes courtesy of Norman Smith

A few juvenile Cuckoo were seen around the place through the early part of August, including one that settled most obligingly on a perch in front of the first screen. But no newly fledged Turtle Dove have been positively identified this season.

Juvenile Cuckoo courtesy of Tezzer

On this month's first weekend (5th) two juvenile Marsh Harrier were observed heading south-west through and presumably out of the county. Another flew over Farmoor at dusk on 25th and was reported further south-west the following morning. Other young birds were seen on site in between, though their own origins remain unclear.

Hen Harrier courtesy of Tezzer

One significant bird yet to move on is Otmoor's first year Hen Harrier, that continued to reveal its male colours through this review period. Given more recently cited instances of ongoing and illegal persecution by shooting interests of all three British Harriers, it will be the fervent wish of all Oxon birders that when this star performer eventually leaves us he can enjoy a comparable degree of security to that whilst in our stewardship. But perhaps this is too much to hope for. Please no.

Leucistic Magpie courtesy of Nick Truby

Finally, for those interested in oddities a leucistic juvenile Magpie was observed frequenting a Bicester housing estate through the month. And so to the sharp end of the passage season into September and hopefully a few true county rares.

Peter Law

Peter Law

Happy Birthday Otmoor RSPB.

Last Thursday 31st of August marked the twentieth anniversary of the RSPB reserve on Otmoor.
The reserve holds a very special place in many peoples hearts who have watched over those
twenty years, as the reserve has matured and grown to what it has become today, a true haven
for Oxfordshires wildlife and flora both new and returning.
So congratulations, birthday wishes and thank you to the RSPB and here's to the next twenty years! 

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