October Review

Firecrest, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

The transitional month of October maintained the generally quietish pattern of September and August, though one stand-out event became the focus of the autumnal Oxon birding scene. That was the spectacle of several Great White Egret that were attracted to Blenheim Park where Queen's Lake was being temporarily drained for engineering work to be undertaken.

The first of these aristocrats among Herons was reported from there on 10th, then two on 11th and three by 15th. Oxon birders went on alert that as the ornamental feature came to resemble a tidal creek its short-term habitat might be the best place in the county for something really decent to turn up. Those of Otmoor's finest who relocated to Blenheim might perhaps have been mindful of what a lowering of water levels can bring about.

Great White Egrets courtesy of Badger

No true mega materialised however, just more magnificent Egrets as numbers swelled to five by 22nd, while a supporting cast of Little Egret peaked at 25 on 23rd. Lastly a sixth Great White appeared briefly on 24th before the group began to disperse to other sites towards month's end. Queen's Lake will be re-filled during November ahead of a major dredging project in 2020.

Great White Egrets, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Whooper Swan were also reported from Blenheim and elsewhere a number of times through October, though usually briefly. Nine birds passed through Queen's Lake on 2nd, and three more returned there from 28th to 31st. One dropped in at Farmoor Reservoir on 22nd, and a further group of eight visited LWV Pit 60 on 28th. That is surely not a bad tally for just one month.

Whooper Swan at Blenheim, courtesy of Nick Truby

Other October notables were mostly a repeat of last month. Possibly the same Black-necked Grebe that passed through Farmoor Reservoir on 29th September relocated to Dix Pit through the early part of this month, before being seen at Farmoor again on 19th. If these were indeed separate birds that would be the reservoir's fifth record of 2018. There was another sighting back at Dix Pit on the last day of the month.

Black-necked Grebe at Farmoor Reservoir, courtesy of Steve Burch

Caspian Gull continued to frequent the Appleford and Didcot areas on and off throughout October. Another was logged at Baulking Pit on 28th. Mediterranean Gull was noted at Pit 60 on 9th and 22nd. Two late Sandwich Tern flew through Farmoor on 7th, with an Arctic Tern reported there on 6th and a Skua sp on 5th.

Caspian Gull at Appleford GPs, courtesy of Ian Lewington

This review's banner bird, Firecrest was photographed at Swyncombe in the Chilterns on 2nd. For the sharpest eyed and eared amongst us a Yellow-browed Warbler was located in East Oxford on 10th and again the following day, but eluded those other observers who attempted to twitch it.

The Best of the Rest

Meanwhile back at Otmoor the resident deep water Herons began to show themselves more regularly again. Bittern were photographed several times there as is customary. Another was spotted at LWV Tar Lakes on 31st. Short-eared Owl were also observed around the RSPB reserve through October, with other individuals sighted at Eynsham mid-month and Baulking Pit on 28th.

Otmoor Bittern, courtesy of John Reynolds

Another popular draw to feature anew in this log were the Water Rails at Pinkhill Meadow, Farmoor. Increased rainfall might keep them closer to the hide there in the weeks ahead. A pair of Jack Snipe were observed regularly opposite the north shore hide at Pit 60 all month.

Water Rails, courtesy of John Workman

Rock Pipit were recorded a number of times at both Farmoor and Grimsbury reservoirs early in the month. The first ever Grimsbury Cetti's Warbler was found along the river there on 9th. 2018's latest Whinchat record came from Otmoor on 5th, while departing Wheatear continued to crop up in several places through to 24th.

Rock Pipit at Farmoor, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Patch tick Cetti's at Grimsbury Reservoir, courtesy of John Friendship-Taylor

Amongst incoming seasonal passerines, Common Crossbill flocks were sighted at Blenheim on 8th, and Buckland Warren near Faringdon on 16 & 29th. Hawfinch returned to Ardington from 5th, and another was seen at Cothill on 20th where and when Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin were all present.

Common Crossbill, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Elsewhere Brambling were recorded from 8th, then regularly through to month's end with 11+ at Lockinge on 28th. Redpoll began to be noticed from 10th, while Siskin also featured fairly regularly throughout with 20+ at Farmoor on 27th. The first Redwings of winter came in on 7th with plenty more thereafter, and Fieldfare inevitably soon followed.

Brambling, courtesy of Simon Bradfield

So now the short hours of daylight are with us once more and available time in the field will be at a premium. Headline birds for November could be winter Geese or Sawbills, white-winged Gulls, Great Grey Shrike or those ever charming masked berry bandits, Waxwing. Or maybe we might even get the next county mega, whatever that may be.

Peter Law