June / July Review

Two of more than 20 Cattle Egrets in Oxon at present, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

These summer months in Oxfordshire were perhaps most remarkable for two significant new breeding events in the county, of Cattle Egret at Blenheim and Garganey on Otmoor. Long-legged birds and raptors generated more headlines, and a much sought Gull was discovered at Appleford.

In the present still contradictory times, one of life's certainties at least amongst those of our wildlife persuasion is that seasonal birds will begin to head south in late July. An early and welcome vanguard of autumn migration, Green Sandpiper featured strongly county-wide as in any year with Bicester Wetland Reserve and Cornwell near Chipping Norton again hotspots. Then near month's end Wood Sandpiper were stand-out records at Otmoor and Appleford GPs. Amongst other waders Black-tailed Godwit, still in splendid summer plumage graced Otmoor on several dates.

Wood Sandpiper on Otmoor, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter
click on any image to enlarge

Green Sandpiper at Bicester WR, courtesy of Mike Curnow

Otmoor Blackwits, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

July was nonetheless largely uneventful in terms of headline birds. The month opened with a holy grail for gull enthusiasts when a first summer individual of the Larus fuscus Ssp Baltic Gull was located and confirmed at Appleford GPs. This bird was seen again on 13th, then a different individual was identified there on 28th.

Baltic Gull (centre), courtesy of Thomas Miller

The first half of this review period was notable for an apparent influx of Cattle Egret into Oxfordshire that remained through July. After no less than 15 birds were found at Enslow on 4th June, the increasingly regular item in our county was logged subsequently at each of Blenheim Park, Wytham, Cassington GPs, Thrupp Lake at Radley, Thrupp near Kidlington; and on Otmoor.

On 26th July Oxon's first breeding was confirmed in the heronry at Blenheim's Queen Pool. A day later 14 birds were seen together in flight over the Cherwell Valley north of Oxford, suggesting the total local population may have reached more than 20 individuals.

Cattle Egrets at Enslow, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

In the same group, two Spoonbill were observed in flight over Fyfield Wick on 5th June, then another over Otmoor a day later. It became established that the RSPB reserve's Common Cranes were commuting between there and Chimney Meadows in west Oxon. Hence they could be viewable in transit over Port Meadow and Farmoor Reservoir by the sufficiently opportune and skyward looking.

Spoonbill over Otmoor, courtesy of Terry Sherlock

Common Cranes over Port Meadow, courtesy of Thomas Miller

Further long-legged interest included Great White Egret, recorded at five locations through the two months, and a Great Bustard again in Wantage on 20th June. The settled Glossy Ibis was reported from time to time on Otmoor, where a Black-necked Grebe also dropped in on 18 & 19th July.

Northbound Osprey, courtesy of John Workman

June produced some notable raptor records. Two quite late northbound Osprey featured herein from Otmoor (5th) and Chinnor Cement Works (8th). Then either the summer's first southbound individual or possibly a wing flexer from Rutland Water was photographed over Otmoor on 16th July. But the stand-out sighting was a White-tailed Eagle, presumably from the Isle-of-Wight re-introduction programme, logged over Berrick Salome below the Chilterns escarpment on 15th June.

Southbound or wandering Osprey, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

White-tailed Eagle, courtesy of Ian Kirkwood

Also in June it was confirmed for the first time that Otmoor's long-staying Garganey had bred, with a fine brood of nine ducklings being photographed from the second screen. In early July it became clear there had been a second brood when an eclipse female and three well developed juveniles were observed on the southern lagoon. Two lonelier individuals, a male and female, continued to be reported now and again from LWV Pit 60 at Standlake and another at Bicester WR on 25th.

Otmoor Garganey brood, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Having myself compiled these monthly reviews for the last three years I now wonder if it might be time for someone else to take over. I am concerned that the OB resource I value is no longer the prime channel for bird news in Oxfordshire. So maybe someone with a greater grasp of social media who is in the right loops might step in, or a reviewer who is just more in tune with county birding all-round. Please contact eds to put yourself forward.

Peter Law