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For questions you can contact Adam at: adamchartley "at" gmail "dot" com or Jason at: jasoncppk "at" yahoo "dot" co "dot" uk

Thursday 31 December 2020

December Highlights and Video Review of 2020

Ring-necked Ducks at Radley GPs, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Through this year's last review period a number of wildfowl events and a rather special "escape" occupied much of the headline billing concerning birds in Oxfordshire. Other interest was offered by gulls, waders, raptors, winter finches and more besides; so it was quite a reasonable month overall. These observations brought our total county year list to exactly 200, the same number as in 2019.


Otmoor White-fronted Geese courtesy of Badger

Early December saw the largest influx of White-fronted Geese into south-east England for almost a decade. Initially these seemed reluctant to include our county on their visiting list, with just single records occurring at Cote (2nd) and Buscot Wick (6th). That changed from 12th with the arrival of a dozen on Otmoor which proved a popular draw, rising to 27 by 17th and more than 45 in the final days. The RSPB reserve had already hosted an as impressive group of seven Whooper Swan as the month opened. Another nine White-fronts were a patch first at Waterstock on 28th.

White-fronted Geese ↑ and Whooper Swans ↓ at Otmoor, courtesy of Terry Sherlock


We had to wait for a genuine mid-winter rarity until 19th when a pair of Ring-necked Duck (m & f) at Radley GPs were amongst some 30 logged around the British Isles at that time. All too infrequently our county this time shared in a national bonanza with the first Oxon record of the smart Nearctic ducks since April 2015. Our birds of the month boosted the spirits of all who observed them through to year's end. 


Ring-necked Ducks courtesy of Badger

Ring-necked Ducks, courtesy of Richard Tyler
click on remaining images to enlarge

A number of earlier winter headliners stayed with us in this review period too. The juvenile Great Northern Diver, three Scaup and Aythya hybrid at Farmoor Reservoir all showed no inclination to depart permanently, remaining popular with visitors as in November. Through this month the immature drake Scaup became ever more dapper as it moulted into adult plumage.

Great Northern Diver ↑ (juv) and Scaup (m) ↓ courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

More and more Caspian Gulls were recorded in the roosts at Farmoor, Port Meadow and Appleford by the burgeoning ranks of our experts who diligently logged herein the age and topography of each individual. This winter's juvenile Iceland Gull also remained in the Appleford area throughout.

Caspian ↑ and ↓ Iceland Gulls at Appleford, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

It was a respectable December for waders which were posted regularly from different places around the county. Otmoor was the best centre for this group with Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Curlew, Dunlin and Ruff all recorded through the often rainy month. Large concentrations of Lapwing, Golden Plover and winter wildfowl there continued to provide seasonal spectacle throughout.

Short-eared Owl on Otmoor, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Further items worthy of mention were Short-eared Owl and Peregrine. The former peaked in the county early in December with sightings at Farmoor, Otmoor and elsewhere. The latter's growing regularity around Oxfordshire was reflected in records from seven different locations. Hen Harrier put in appearances a number of times from Otmoor, and away from there Marsh Harrier were noted at both Standlake and Cassington GPs.

Peregrine, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Otmoor Hen Harrier, courtesy of Nick Truby

Passerine news majored on Common Crossbill and Brambling, with a flock of the former recorded often at Cornbury Park in the Oxon Cotswolds. Further north the wintering count of Brambling at one stage exceeded 30 at the regular site of Sarsgrove near Chipping Norton. A more unusual item for this time of year was a very late Ring Ouzel found at Gramp's Hill on the Downs early in the review period (5th).

Ring Ouzel, courtesy of Mark Merritt

This column's final "novelty item" of 2020 is the errant Great Bustard from the Salisbury Plain release project that drew an appreciative audience to Letcombe Regis, near Wantage in south Oxon through much of December. Though not deemed worthy of consideration by all birders, this "escape" proved to be enormously popular and by some measure our most photographed bird of the month. The following images are just a sample, and thank you to all who contributed.

Great Bustard, courtesy of Mark Bradfield

Great Bustard, courtesy of Steve Burch ↑ and Nick Truby ↓

The third round of national emergency measures to counter Covid-19 introduced from 26th did not restrict access to the countryside for individuals or household groups. So opportunity for local birding continued over the holiday period, by which time low lying areas of Oxfordshire had become extensively flooded. With the immediate future being uncertain concerning any return to normal life it remains to wish all contributors and visitors to this resource a safe and bird-filled 2021.


Peter Law


Oxon Birding Annual Review Video


Another Gnome Studios Production



Port Meadow: 31st December

Port Meadow
4 Goosander: 2m and 2f. 2 male and 2 female Goosander up by the flooded area near Godstow. SP485087. 16:00.

Matthew Doorly

Sarsgrove: 31st December

Sarsgrove
35 Brambling: The Brambling were settled at the top of the thicket basking in the last rays of the sun before going to roost - hence able to make a much more accurate count. Let's hope they stay for the winter. They have given much pleasure and afforded many photographic opportunities for visiting birders as the blog testifies. SP314249. 15:20.

Steve Akers

Play Hatch: 31st December

Play Hatch
2 Brambling: With large flock of linnets and Chaffinch. 10:40.

John Kearns

Cornbury Park: 31st December

Cornbury Park
6 Common Crossbill: 3 ad male; 3 fem poss juv. Wonderful views of this small group of Crossbill that have been present for some time now - feeding at top of Scots Pine on right hand side of the path just before a clearing and "cross-roads" in the paths - the males absolutely glorious in the bright sunshine. SP325183. 12:00.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: SP325183. 12:00.
2 Lesser Redpoll: SP325183. 12:00.
3 Goldcrest: Hovering at the ends of the pine branches and feeding constantly. SP325183. 12:00.
2 Raven: Flew over. SP325183. 12:00.

Steve Akers

Grimsbury Reservoir 31st December

Goosander (m)
Stonechat (f)

Balscote Quarry B.O.S Reserve:

Brambling (m)

 

Redwing courtesy of Michael Enticott

Port Meadow: Godstow: 30th December

Port Meadow: Godstow
2 Kingfisher: One very obliging kingfisher just south of Godstow bridge on the side of the river where the water is slower moving. One about half a mile north of the bridge towards Kings Lock. 14:56.

Port Meadow
50 Barnacle Goose: Flock of appx 50 feeding on the Burgess Field side of the meadow. 14:56.

Andrew Mann

Bittern on Otmoor


Bittern at Otmoor rspb 2nd screen 30th December.
All photographs courtesy of Steven Gozdz.
More superb pictures on Stevens site.






Letcombe Regis - 31 December midday

No sign of the Great Bustard in the field immediately to the east of the village. Also no sign in field S of the A417 and just west of KA school.

Radley GP: 31st December

Radley GP
2 Ring-necked Duck: pair. On Thrupp Lake. 11:00.

Ian Elkins

Otmoor rspb 31st December

Russian White-fronted Goose 47 on Ashgrave mid-morning
Marsh Harrier 4
Brambling (f) near the Wetlands Watch hide.

(per Ewan Urquhart).

Christmas Quiz 2020 - Answers

Time to reveal the answers and prize winner. 

In a very close contest the winner was Ewan Urquhart -  congratulations.



Hope you enjoyed it - answers below




(A) Arctic Tern  (B) Lesser Scaup  (C) Pallas's Sandgrouse  (last seen 1908!)  (D) Little Owl (false eyes)   (E) Merlin feather (female)  (F) Whimbrel  (G) Mediterranean, Black Headed and Glaucous Gulls  (H) Hen Harrier  (I) Common Snipe and Jack Snipe (bottom right)  (J) Spotted Redshank and Greenshank  (K) Dotterel  (L) Firecrest  (M) Hawfinch (juvenile)  (N) Shag  (O) Spoonbill  (P) Brambling and Siskin (background)  (Q) Black Necked Grebe  (R) Tundra Bean Goose (front two), Greylag and White Fronted Geese (behind)  (S) Dartford Warbler and Meadow Pipit  (T) Sanderling  (U) Cuckoo (rufous morph)  (V) Gull Billed Tern  (W) White-Tailed Eagle  (X) Ruddy Duck (male winter plumage)  (Y) Corncrake  (Z) Common Crossbill

Wednesday 30 December 2020

Banbury 30th December

 Peregrine Falcon 2 on St Mary's Church (per Gareth Blockley)

Stonesfield: Kingswood Brake: 30th December

30th December

Stonesfield: Kingswood Brake
40 Brambling: Estimate - very hard to count. Almost certainly more present. Coming to seed. Mix of male + female. 13:00.
5 Common Crossbill 13:00.
2 Raven: Flyover. 13:00.

Over Norton
2 Brambling 09:00.
2 Raven 09:00.
50 Yellowhammer 09:00.

Isaac West

Otmoor RSPB 30th December

White-fronted Goose 30+ on Ashgrave a.m
Barnacle Goose c30
Pintail 126+
Dunlin 2
Bittern 2nd screen
Hen Harrier r/t
Marsh Harrier 4
Peregrine 1
Stonechat 6+
Cetti's Warbler 3+
Water Rail 8 one seen and seven heard

(per Mike Prentice, Ewan Urquhart, Badger,Jeremy Dexter et al)

No access onto the bridleway from Noke or Oddington due to flooding.


 

















Greater White-fronted Geese on Otmoor this afternoon.

Sarsgrove, 30th December 2020

 10:15-11:15

Brambling 20+, m&f mix




Bullfinch m
Marsh Tit 2
Greenfinch m
Chaffinch 50+
Linnet 50+

Old Caley's Diary & Mark Pidgeon


Sarsgrove: 30th December

Sarsgrove
15 Brambling: Still present with Linnet and Chaffinch - the Brambling tend to favour perching lower down in the thicket - estimate count of 15 but very likely more present. SP314249. 15:15.
80 Linnet: SP314249. 15:15.
40 Chaffinch: SP314249. 15:15.
2 Redwing: SP314249. 15:15.

Steve Akers

Cornbury Park: 30th December

Cornbury Park
6 Common Crossbill: 3 ad male; 2 ad female; and juv. Watched them feeding in tops of conifers in trees to the left of the walk through Knighton's Copse (spotted courtesy of Anthony West) - please stay on public permissive paths at request of Estate keepers who spoke with us today. SP325183. 13:50.
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker: ad male and fem. SP325183. 13:50.
3 Goldcrest: SP325183. 13:50.
Nuthatch: Heard only. SP325183. 13:50.
50 Stock Dove: Near the set-aside at Church Brake. SP325183. 13:50.

Steve Akers

Sonning Eye GPs: 30th December

Sonning Eye GPs
Treecreeper: No access to road down to G.P. Flooding across the road and woods Sonning Eye pits. 14:14.

Ralph Watts

Letcombe Regis: 30th December

30th December

Letcombe Regis
Great Bustard: Still present. . 12:30.

Devil's Punchbowl
50 Corn Bunting: Single flock. 13:30.

Nick Suckling

Middleton Stoney, 30th December 2020

 Grey Partridge, 4 (in field next to B4030), 09:30


Old Caley's Diary

Lower Shiplake: 30th December

Lower Shiplake
2 Egyptian Goose: In field by side road as I drove past junction to lower Shiplake. SU766788. 11:08.

Ralph Watts

Kings Lock: 30th December

Kings Lock
Goosander: On the very swollen river just below the lock. Accesible with care and wellies along Thames Path upstream from the Trout bridge in Wolvercote. Final stretch to the lock itself is not passable. 11:00.
3 Stonechat: Flitting over the flooded fields and resting on vegetation by side of Thames Path were it emerges from under the A34 overbridge on King's Lock side. SU482094. 11:00.

Andrew Siantonas

Bicester Wetland Reserve 30th December


 Most open water frozen:

60 Snipe

70 Teal

2 Chiffchaff

2 Stonechat

1 Heron

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

Tuesday 29 December 2020

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 29th December

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
Bittern: Stalking the grassland in SW corner of Greenaways.
Hen Harrier: Flew from Flood Field to Greenaways and then hunting over the reedbed late afternoon.

Gareth Blockley

Dorchester: Sailing Club Pit (Dorchester Lagoon): 29th December

Dorchester: Sailing Club Pit (Dorchester Lagoon)
30 Pochard: Minimum count. 16:00.
25 Common Gull 16:00.
130 Cormorant: Roosting in trees on NE edge of lake. 16:00.

Isaac West

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake: 29th December

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake
2 Ring-necked Duck: m+f. Viewed from N side of Lake. SU519977. 15:40.
Kingfisher: SU519977. 15:40.

Colin Teal

Sarsgrove 29th December

























Brambling 20+
Chaffinch 50+
Linnet 60+

Churn 29th December

Churn Farm
10 Stonechat: At least 10 x birds in the field immediately S of the small bungalow. All seemed to be in 'pairs', and, where close enough to determine, often were males and fems, presumed 1st winter birds? 8 of the birds were in the field where sheep are currently grazing, the other two were in the fenceline of the old railway, closer to the bridge. SU5182. 15:01.

Mike Amphlett

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake: 29th December

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake
2 Ring-necked Duck: pair. tend to hide around the mid-lake islands. 14:46.

Radley GP: Old railway line
Raven: Heard from direction of Thames near railway bridge. 14:46.

Anthony Cheke

Chipping Norton: 29th December

Chipping Norton
Blackcap: ad fem. Feeding on sunflower hearts in our garden - she seems to have taken up residence for the Winter. SP308267. 14:00.

Steve Akers

Sarsgrove: 29th December

Sarsgrove
11 Brambling: Feeding in the set aside with Linnet and Chaffinch - and then up to rest in the thicket - as ever great activity so very likely more than eleven. SP314249. 12:00.
50 Chaffinch: Approximate number - in large mixed flock with Linnet and Brambling. SP314249. 12:00.
2 Redwing: SP314249. 12:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir 29th December

Grey Plover over
Scaup 3
Wigeon 30
Shoveler 2
Stonechat 2

(per Ewan Urquhart)

30 Linnet 11:15 (per Ivo Elliott)

Childrey: Childrey Field: 29th December

Childrey: Childrey Field
Stonechat: f.
2 Grey Partridge

Mark Merritt

Monday 28 December 2020

Chinnor: Cement Works: 28th December

Chinnor: Cement Works
Yellow-legged Gull: Adult Lake 2b. 11:00.

David Stracey

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake: 28th December

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake
2 Ring-necked Duck: m & f. SU519973. 15:06.

Anthony Roberts

 

Kingfisher Marston courtesy of Christopher Knight.

Buckland: 28th December

Buckland
Short-eared Owl: To west of Rectory Farm, being mobbed by Corvid. 13:00.

Leo Bateman

: 28th December

Neal's Shaw
Brambling: m. SU6882. 13:57.

Neal's Shaw
Raven: SU6882. 13:57.

John Taylor

Waterstock: River Thame: 28th December

White-fronted Geese courtesy of Luke Marriner


























2 Stonechat: male and fem. 12:09.
Raven 12:09.
Goosander: male. 12:09.
Woodcock 12:09.
26 Pintail 12:09.
9 White-fronted Goose: our first for the site. 12:09.

Luke Marriner

University Parks: 28th December

University Parks
Goosander: mail. River Cherwell. 13:18.

Paul Butler

 

Stonechat at Waterstock courtesy of Luke Marriner.

Otmoor 28th morning

c47 White-fronted geese behind second screen
Brambling by hide
Peregrine
3 Marsh harrier. 

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I: 28th December

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
3 Goldeneye: 1 male 2 fem. Close to north shore of F1. 11:15.
Common Sandpiper: North shore of F1. 11:15.

Anthony Roberts

Cherwell Valley Clifton 28th December

Hen Harrier (ringtail) flying north along Oxon/Northants border c10:20 (per John Friendship-Taylor).

A329 near Moulsford: 28th December

A329 near Moulsford
11 Grey Partridge: In cereal field, E of our house, about 150m out, been there for 30+ min's. SU5985. 10:40.

Mike Amphlett

Iffley Lock: 27th December

 4 ring necked parakeets

Tom Pizzari

Port Meadow: Wolvercote Common: 28th December

Port Meadow: Wolvercote Common
50 Barnacle Goose: Only the top end of the common is accessible via the Jubilee Gate by the railway bridge. Barnacle geese feeding on patch of higher ground above surrounding flood water. 10:00.

Andrew Siantonas

: 28th December

Ardington
Merlin: Male flying along fenceline of fields in between Lockinge and Ardington. SU428879. 10:08.

Conor MacKenzie

Sunday 27 December 2020

: 27th December

Blewbury, nr Upper Chance Farm
10 Grey Partridge: Hunkered down in 'crop', but prob ten birds. SU5384. 15:00.

Mike Amphlett

Cote: 27th December

Cote
Stonechat: On road towards Yelford. 20:43.
2 Golden Plover: Along road towards Yelford. With gull flock ( which only contained commoner species). 20:43.

Mick Cunningham

Eynsham: Eynsham Mill: 27th December

Eynsham: Eynsham Mill
Stonechat: male ad. 14:45.

Thomas Stevens

Radley GP: 27th December

Radley GP
2 Ring-necked Duck: male + fem. Pair still on flooded pit south of old railway at 16:08.
5 Little Egret: In pre-roost gathering.
Water Rail: Heard.
Lesser Redpoll

Ian Elkins

North Stoke: 27th December


Siberian Chiffchaff

 

Oxford: Florence Park: 27th December

Oxford: Florence Park
Probable 5 Ring-necked Parakeet 15:24.

Tim Pizey

Play Hatch: 27th December

Play Hatch
4 Brambling: 2 f 2 m. 11:34.

John Kearns

Port Meadow: 27th December

Port Meadow
2 Redshank
2 Goosander: m & f.
100 Barnacle Goose

Adam Hartley

Cornbury Park: 27th December

Cornbury Park
2 Raven: SP325183. 11:00.
Lesser Redpoll: ad male. SP325183. 11:00.
2 Brambling: The Brambling are with Chaffinch feeding in a copse beside a field called Church Brake which is partly sown with plants for wild birds at SP324184. SP325183. 11:00.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: SP325183. 11:00.

Steve Akers

Bicester Wetland Reserve: 27th December

Bicester Wetland Reserve
3 Green Sandpiper 13:01.
2 Stonechat 13:01.
70 Snipe: Minimum count. 13:01.

Colin Oram

Radley GP 27th December

 Ring-necked Duck pair still on usual pool SE of Thrupp Lake 12:50 

Farmoor: 27th December

Scaup 3

Grimsbury Reservoir 27th December

Goosander 2 m/f 11:20 (per Kyle Smith).
Stonechat

Saturday 26 December 2020

University Parks: River Cherwell: 23rd December

University Parks: River Cherwell
Goosander: male.
Kingfisher

Bob Pomfret

Port Meadow: 26th December

Port Meadow
2 Goosander: male. 15:45.

Isaac West

Play Hatch: 26th December

Play Hatch
Brambling: m. Just the one with Chaffinch group. ( my first sighting this season). 11:15.

John Kearns

Dunsden Green: 26th December

Dunsden Green
2 Egyptian Goose: m & f. In yard of Loddon Brewery. 11:05.

John Kearns

Standlake: 26th December

Standlake
2 Blackcap: m and f. Both in my Rack End Garden. Male still at front. Female at feeders in back. 15:01.
3 Chiffchaff: Minimum. Possibly 4. Frequenting STW. 15:01.

Mick Cunningham

South Leigh: 26th December

South Leigh
Merlin: 1 ad male. Superb adult Male buzzing linnet flock. SP411076. 14:58.

Mick Cunningham

Chipping Norton: 26th December

Chipping Norton
Blackcap: ad fem. On fat feeder in our garden in The Leys. SP308267. 13:00.

Steve Akers

Cornbury Park: 26th December

Cornbury Park
3 Brambling: Within large flock of Chaffinch. SU325183. 11:30.
100 Chaffinch: Off the circular walk beyond Knighton's Copse on left feeding in field and flying up into wood - Brambling were in with them. SU325183. 11:30.
2 Treecreeper: SU325183. 11:30.
10 Long-tailed Tit: SU325183. 11:30.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: SU325183. 11:30.

Steve Akers

Standlake: West Oxon Sailing Club Lake: 26th December

Standlake: West Oxon Sailing Club Lake
Chiffchaff: Leaf gleaning along a hawthorn hedge behind the sailing club clubhouse. 12:22.

Wylie Horn

West Ginge: West Ginge Down: 26th December

West Ginge: West Ginge Down
2 Stonechat
Raven

Mark Merritt

Blenheim Park 26th December

Great white Egret on Queens Pool this morning (per J.T).

Bicester Wetland Reserve 26th December

 1 singing Chiffchaff

80 Teal

2 Shoveler

2 Gadwall

2 Little Grebe

Some water still frozen 

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

Friday 25 December 2020

Sarsgrove: 25th December

Sarsgrove
10 Brambling: Observed up to ten Brambling in the thicket opposite Shepherd Hill House again today together with Linnet, Chaffinch and Redwing. Merry Christmas! SP314249. 11:00.

Steve Akers

Witney: Witney Fields: 25th December

Witney: Witney Fields
2 Firecrest: male. 14:41.

Janet Briggs

: 25th December

Marston Hamm
3 Teal: Merry Christmas! Marston Hamm now fully inundated by the Cherwell. SP517092. 08:00.

Marston Hamm
Wigeon: SP517092. 08:00.

Colm O Caomhanaigh

Oxford: 24th December

Peregrine: 1 flew in from Christ Church meadows carrying small prey, sat on Magdalen tower and started plucking away. Collected feathers revealed the prey to be a goldfinch, 3:30pm (1-2 peregrines seen almost daily for the last 5 days, hunting around the Plain and CC meadows). 

1+ kingfisher, 2 cormorants and 1 grey heron, all fishing on the floods around Magdalen bridge.  

Tom Pizzari

Christmas Quiz 2020

This year we have a photo ID competition to test your birding skills. If you would like to enter simply identify as many birds as you can in the following photos (all birds appear on the county list). Send your answers to jeremydexter62@googlemail.com by midnight on Wednesday 30th December. The winning entry (from an Oxon birder) will receive a £15 voucher from Wild Sounds and Books. We hope you enjoy the challenge and good luck.

Answers will be posted on 31st Dec.

(Copyright on all photos remains with the original photographers - special thanks to Nicholas Galea, Reinhild Waschkies, S Pisarevskiy, Richard Markendale, Duncan Usher, Corey Finger and Dave Appleton for the use of their images)






 

Cholsey 25th December

Cholsey, nr Hillgreen Farm
2 Grey Partridge: Foraging in field W Bunk Line, nr Hillgreen Farm. Their luck will be out, if there's a Boxing Day shoot, indicated by the numbered sticks in the field. SU5987. 10:30.

Mike Amphlett

Happy Christmas 2020

 


From what has been the strangest of years to what we may be facing in the next.
We would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and thank everyone who has taken the time
to share your sightings with the rest of our birding community throughout the year.
The kindest of Regards
Adam, Badger and Peter. 

Thursday 24 December 2020

Baulking Pit 24th December

Caspian Gull (ad) late afternoon (per RBA).

Pit 60 Flooded - Marsh Harriers

The paths accessing the site are flooded. Langley Lane Hide inaccessible, even with high-top wellies. North hide accessible with wellies.

2 Marsh Harriers - 1 cream crown female (Juv? Tail looked warm sometimes - sun glow?). 1imm Male: slimmer: 2nd summer (?)

1 GW Egret.

A few pintails amongst wigeon, teal, goldeneyes etc.


Otmoor: 24th December

White-fronted Geese courtesy of Peter Alfrey.




















28 White-fronted Goose: SP560136. 18:24.
38 Barnacle Goose: SP560136. 18:24.
2 Black-tailed Godwit: SP560136. 18:24.
2 Ruff: SP560136. 18:24.
Dunlin: SP560136. 18:24.
4 Marsh Harrier: SP560136. 18:24.
Bittern: SP560136. 18:24.
Peregrine: SP560136. 18:24.

Peter Alfrey

Letcombe Regis 24th December


Video courtesy of Christopher Knight.

Great Bustard from the Wiltshire reintroduction project still just east of Letcombe Regis at 14:37.Park in village and follow footpath east from Manor Field OX12 9JG to view field on the left.

(per RBA).

 

Nuthatch courtesy of George Best.

Pit 60 - 24th December AM

1-2 Great White Egret
2 Little Egret
1 Marsh Harrier
5+ Pintail
1+m Goldeneye
Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe

NB Approach to Langley Lane Hide flooded - depth > wellie tops on return! 

Farmoor Res 24th December



Great Northern Diver

Bicester Wetland Reserve 24th December

Langford Brook which borders the reserve overflowed it's banks flooding fields;
125 Common Snipe (probably quite a few more)
6 Jack Snipe
2 Green Sandpiper
150 + Teal
1 Stonechat
1 Sparrowhawk

Alan Peters, Mike Lewis

Keyholder Reserve

Duxford: 24th December

Duxford
Great White Egret: Seen in flooded meadow by Thames. 11:30.

Simon Cousins

Sarsgrove: 24th December

Sarsgrove
19 Brambling: Highest count of Brambling basking in the sun and flocking with Linnet and Chaffinch to feed - huge activity as usual - there may well be more birds here. SP314249. 11:00.
50 Linnet: SP314249. 11:00.
30 Chaffinch: SP314249. 11:00.
2 Greenfinch: ad male and fem. SP314249. 11:00.
3 Redwing: SP314249. 11:00.
8 Fieldfare: SP314249. 11:00.
Kestrel: SP314249. 11:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir 24th December

Great northern Diver (juv) on F2 along southern bank 12:24 (per Peter Law).

Blenheim: Glyme Bridge: 24th December

Blenheim: Glyme Bridge
2 Great White Egret: 2 on flooded field with Grey Heron about 0.8km S of southern tip of Great Lake. Viewed from the car on A4095. 10:45.

Isaac West

Grimsbury Reservoir 24th December

No access to the Reservoir due to flooding.

Wednesday 23 December 2020

Letcombe Regis 23rd December

Great Bustard from the Wiltshire reintroduction project still just east of Letcombe Regis .

Park in village and follow footpath east from Manor Field OX12 9JG to view field on the left.

(per RBA).

Oxon/Bucks Nr Thame 23rd December

Russian White-fronted Goose (juv) 3.5miles west of Thame still at dusk in field north of River Thame near Ickford Bridge with Canada Geese.

Farmoor Reservoir 23rd December

Great Northern Diver 1 juv - in southwest corner of F2 between the two pontoons
No sign of the 3 Greater Scaup or the Aythya hybrid on either FI or F2

Common Sandpiper 1
Yellow legged Gull 1 first winter
Gadwall 3
Water Rail 1

 


Otmoor rspb Reserve

With the tightening of the Covid rules and the delicate position we are in, we once again ask that you don't visit Otmoor over the festive period.

This has been our busiest time over the last few years and in the current climate, we cant guarantee the safety of everyone who wishes to use the reserve, which has been extremely busy over the last few weeks.

Also, as a result of Oxfordshire moving into tier 4 as of Boxing day, we have now closed the Wetland Watch hide until further notice.

Otmoor and its wildlife will still be here once the festive period has calmed down and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.

Many thanks for your patience and co-operation.

The Otmoor Team.



Farmoor Reservoir: 23rd December

Great Northern Diver On south end of F2 at 11am. 
Snow Goose 96
Water Rail
No sign of any Scaup

(per Hector S, Ewan Urquhart)

Tuesday 22 December 2020

Cassington GPs: 22nd December

Cassington GPs
Marsh Harrier 14:15.

Sally Taylor
Marsh Harrier and geese Otmoor rspb courtesy of Matt Hancock,

Cholsey: 21st December

Cholsey
Blackcap: male. Feeding from fatball feeder. SU58. 08:31.

Steve Foster

Letcombe Regis 22nd December

Great Bustard from the Wiltshire reintroduction project still just east of Letcombe Regis .

Park in village and follow footpath east from Manor Field OX12 9JG to view field on the left.

(per RBA).

Sarsgrove 22nd December

Brambling 14 still.

Sutton Courtenay

 Male Goosander on fishing lakes




Abingdon: Thrupp: 22nd December

Abingdon: Thrupp
2 Ring-necked Duck: male and fem. Back on Thrupp lake at 12:55. SU521975. 12:54.

Phil Skinner

Port Meadow: 22nd December

Port Meadow
120 Barnacle Goose: Feeding as one large group by the side of the greatly expanded floods. 10:30.

Andrew Siantonas

Radley GPs 22nd December

Ring-necked Duck 2 m/f present at c11:13 on Thrupp Lake (Ewan Urquhart).
The male Ring-necked Duck has a ring at the top of its left leg.

Monday 21 December 2020

Radley GPs 21st December


Courtesy of Richard Tyler.




Ring-necked Duck 2 m/f still present 14:00 (per Badger,Wayne Bull,Dave,et al).

The male appears to have a ring on its left leg as seen in the bottom photo taken by Richard.

Take Thrupp Lane and park on the corner just beyond Tuckwell (OX14 3NG).
Continue on foot along the small road with Thrupp Lake on your right.
At the end of the road at the T-junction, take the left hand gravel track through the bushes
for c150yds to view small pit on right.







































Courtesy of Richard Tyler.

Chimney: Chimney Meadows: 21st December

Chimney: Chimney Meadows
2 Stonechat: m+f. On fence line between car park and reserve. 17:29.
4 Chiffchaff: Near hides. Many winter thrushes too. 17:29.

Mick Cunningham

Sarsgrove: 21st December

Sarsgrove
5 Brambling: Still present with Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. SP314249. 12:45.
40 Linnet: SP314249. 12:45.
Green Woodpecker: SP314249. 12:45.

Steve Akers

Letcombe Regis 21st December

Great Bustard from the Wiltshire reintroduction project still just east of Letcombe Regis 11:25.
Park in village and follow footpath east from Manor Field OX12 9JG to view field on the left.

: 19th December

Baulking Pit
3 Yellow-legged Gull: SU322909.

Mark Merritt

Sunday 20 December 2020

Yarnton Mead: 20th December

Yarnton Mead
2 Stonechat: 1m/1f. Where I have seen them previously in reeds and shrubs by the river a few hundred yards upstream from King's Lock. 15:00.

Andrew Siantonas

University Parks: 20th December

University Parks
11 Ring-necked Parakeet: Very vocal flock in trees in N/NE corner of University Parks. 15:00.

Isaac West

Sarsgrove 20th December 2020

Brambling male

Brambling female