Headington, Oxford: 24th March

Southfield Golf Course, 20:15-21:30. Common Scoters: a flock flew east at 21:30. 47 flight calls were recorded (headphones may be needed, they were distant): 

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You don’t need special equipment to hear these migrating flocks of sea ducks. Although distant, both the flocks we heard on the nights of 23^rd and 24^th March were quite clearly audible over the sounds of east Oxford. An overhead flock would be quite an experience! Find a quiet spot on a still night, be familiar with the flight call (Teal and other duck species are also on the move at night and are also vocal) and be patient. We spent a total of 4.5 hours of listening across three successive evenings to hear these two flocks. Last year the major movement of Common Scoter across England occurred in the first week of April, so we may not be at peak scoter yet. This is a real opportunity to get Common Scoter on your patch and garden lists! 

Tom Bedford, Isaac West