Oxon Birding Blog: August 2021 Review

Headline birds

August got off to a superb start in Oxon when a juvenile Purple Sandpiper was found at Farmoor on the evening of the 3rd. The last record of this predominantly coastal species in Oxon was in May 2011, again at Farmoor, meaning this individual was a popular bird for many county birders. As is typical of fresh, juvenile waders which have hatched on tundra in Northern Scandinavia, Iceland, and Greenland, and then migrated south come autumn, many have never seen a human being before and can be very confiding. This individual was no different, showing down to just a few metres on the causeway at Farmoor. Fortunately for many, it remained the next day to the delight of local birders. Incredibly, on the 31^st, another juvenile was found at Farmoor early afternoon and remained for the rest of the day. As was remarked – ‘like buses’ – none for ten years, and then two in a month!

Purple Sandpiper at Farmoor (Ewan Urquhart)

The other headline birds this month were the 2 Baltic Gulls at Appleford GPs. Back in early July, a 1st summer individual was found at Appleford, constituting the first record of this subspecies of Lesser Black-backed Gull for Oxon. In late July, a second 1st summer bird was then found, but was not seen again. Come August, the original bird then reappeared at Appleford on the 6^th. The next day, a new 1st summer Baltic Gull was found at Appleford, a different bird to the previous two individuals. Remarkably, on the 9th, both bird 1 and bird 3 were seen together at Appleford! Throughout August, the original bird was then resighted multiple times at the same site, fortunately becoming more reliable for many keen gullers to come and see. There was no further sign of bird 3, until on the 24^th, another 1st summer Baltic Gull was picked out in the Farmoor roost. Unfortunately, as is typical with doing the gull roost at Farmoor, it was distant, and so it was impossible to determine whether this individual was bird 3, or whether it was a new bird. The Farmoor bird did appear to be more advanced in moult though, suggesting that it might be a new bird.

Baltic Gull (bird 3) at Appleford (Badger)

Waders

One of the highlights of August birding in Oxon is return wader passage. Starting as early as June/July, autumn wader migration really accelerates come August. The last month has not disappointed in Oxon, with the aforementioned Purple Sandpiper being the clear highlight. There were plenty more waders out there to be found though, with a juvenile Little Stint making a brief appearance at Farmoor on the 28^th. Another scarce passage wader, Wood Sandpiper, was recorded at Otmoor on the 1^st and 3^rd, and again mid-month on the 14^th and 15^th. Appleford also hosted individuals on the 11^th and 16^th, and 1 spent a couple of hours at Farmoor on the morning of the 7^th. On the 31^st, one was also reported from Balscote Quarry.

Wood Sandpiper at Farmoor (Andy Last)

In what was a good month for Turnstone, there were some large counts logged at Farmoor, with 14 on the 18^th and 9 on the 26^th, as well as individual birds on the 7^th, 8^th, 11^th, and 16^th. As with Turnstone, Sanderling is another sought-after passage wader in August in Oxon, with both species almost exclusively coastal, except when on passage. As is usually the case, Farmoor hosted most of the records, with 2 on the 1^st and then a flock of 5 on the 18^th. There was also a single bird recorded at Appleford on the 21^st. The only Knot of the month flew straight through at Farmoor on the 30^th.

Turnstone at Farmoor (Ewan Urquhart)

Whimbrel were noted on 3 occasions, all in flight only, as they passed straight through. One flew west at Otmoor on the 21^st, and another flew over south at Farmoor on the 22^nd. Impressively, 9 were seen flying south over Farmoor on the 8^th. A few Black-tailed Godwit trickled through during the month, with 1 at Otmoor on the 1^st and 21^st, 4 at Ardley Lagoon on the 8^th, with one also there the following day. The same day, 5 were also found at Drayton, including one colour-ringed individual from a French scheme. Possibly the same birds were then seen circling at nearby Appleford later that evening. Appleford also held a single bird on the 18^th, 2 on the 27^th and 2 on the 30^th. On the 29^th, a juvenile was at Standlake Pit 60.

Greenshank were recorded at Otmoor throughout the month, with 3 there on the 21^st. There were also singles at Drayton on the 13^th, Appleford on the 18^th, 28^th and 30^th, and Bicester Wetland Reserve on the 17^th and 18^th. Farmoor recorded individuals on the 22^nd, 24^th and 26^th, and most notably, a group of 6 over south on the 21^st. Records of the closely related Redshank were more thinly spread, with 3 records of individuals from Farmoor on the 2^nd, 11^th, and 30^th, and 2 from Appleford on the 12^th and 15^th.

Greenshank and Green Sandpiper at Bicester (Old Caley)

An unseasonable Golden Plover made an appearance at the first screen at Otmoor on the 21^st and 23^rd. Quite a contrast to the 1000s that will be present in just a couple of months. Also at the first screen were singles of Ruff, recorded on the 15^th, 20^th and 21^st. One seen at Appleford on the 22^nd was joined by a second bird the following day until the end of the month. There was also an individual at Farmoor on the 28^th and then the 30^th and 31^st. On the 8^th and 9^th, a Curlew was recorded at Appleford, whilst 5 were at Otmoor on the 10^th.

Ruff at Farmoor (Ewan Urquhart)

There were some excellent counts of Green Sandpiper this month, with 14 at Ardley Lagoon on the 27^th, 12 at Drayton on 7^th, 10 at Bicester on the 8^th and 18^th, and 8 at Appleford on the 15^th. Records also emerged from Otmoor, Farmoor, Chipping Norton, Standlake Pit 60 and Moreton. The peak count for Common Sandpiper was at Farmoor on the 10^th, when 7 individuals were present. They were also recorded from 6 other sites. Dunlin were seen at just two sites this month (Farmoor and Appleford), with a max count of 6 at Farmoor on the 14^th. Little Ringed Plover were recorded at 6 sites, with a peak count of 7 at Appleford on the 14^th. Appleford also held the peak count for Ringed Plover, with 8 there on the 22^nd. Farmoor, Drayton and Ardley Lagoon also hosted records of this wader. Oystercatcher were recorded from Moreton, Standlake Pit 60 and Appleford, with 4 at Otmoor on the 7^th. There were records of Snipe from multiple sites, with most significantly, a group of 50 at the first screen at Otmoor on the 14^th.

Terns

August has historically been an excellent month for terns in Oxon, with a Roseate Tern recorded at Farmoor in 2012 and 2018, White-winged Black Tern recorded at Farmoor 7 times during previous Augusts, an American Black Tern at Farmoor in 2009, and some large counts of some of the more common terns. This August though, records of terns have been thin on the ground. Just two instances of Black Tern were recorded this month, with a juvenile at Farmoor on the 23^rd and then 2 on the evening of the 31^st. Similarly, there was one record of Sandwich Tern at Farmoor on the 4^th. Farmoor also held the peak count of Common Tern with 24 there on the 9^th. The only other records of Common Tern came from Appleford and Otmoor.

Black Tern at Farmoor (Roger Wyatt)

Gulls

Aside from the obvious gull highlight of the Baltic Gulls, there were around 20 individual Caspian Gulls recorded this month at Appleford. Whilst most of these were juveniles, there were a few 1st summers, and a 2nd summer on the 3^rd. Notable days included 3 juveniles together at Appleford on the 7^th, including an interesting aberrant individual, and then on the 25^th, 2 juveniles and 2 1st summers were seen together on the pit. The only other sites that hosted a Caspian Gull were Standlake Pit 60, where a 1st summer bird was found on the 30^th, and Farmoor, where a gorgeous juvenile resided on the reservoir banks from the 21^st to at least the 27^th, allowing close views for many.

Caspian Gull (juv) at Farmoor (Isaac West)

2nd summer Caspian Gull at Appleford (Lew)

A juvenile Kittiwake was found at Farmoor on the 3^rd, though sadly, by the next day, it was moribund on the reservoir edge. The only Little Gull of the month was a juvenile at Farmoor on the 25^th. The first juvenile Mediterranean Gull on passage was seen flying over Headington on the 2^nd. Individuals were seen at Farmoor on the 4^th, 21^st and 23^rd, with 2 present on the 20^th in the evening. One was also seen at Grimsbury Reservoir on the 8^th and another at Standlake Pit 60 on the 30^th and 31^st. There were good numbers of Yellow-legged Gull seen at Farmoor throughout the month, with 11 there on 22^nd. The first Common Gull of the autumn was an adult at Farmoor on the 14^th.

Kittiwake at Farmoor (Old Caley)

Mediterranean Gull at Farmoor (Jeremy Dexter)

Wildfowl

In what’s often a quiet month for wildfowl, the breeding success of Garganey at Otmoor was obvious, with consistent records for the duration of the month. On the 15^th, 6 were seen together at the first screen, comprising 4 juveniles, an adult male and an adult female. An eclipse male Garganey continued at Standlake Pit 60, first seen this month on the 3^rd. On the 15^th, two were seen together – the eclipse male and a female/juvenile type. Then on the 22^nd, a single was seen, presumed to be the female/juvenile type. Finally, on the 29^th, 2 were together. Continuing along the lines of breeding success, the Goosander that bred near Waterstock were seen on the 22^nd, with 4 birds present. That same day, 2 females dropped briefly into Farmoor. The next day, a female Common Scoter was found at Farmoor in the Tufted Duck flock, which then stayed at the reservoir until the 26^th.

Garganey at Standlake (Stephen Burch)

Common Scoter at Farmoor (Ewan Urquhart)

A Pintail was present at Cassington GPs on the 23^rd, with 1 also at Appleford that same day. Continuing with unseasonal wildfowl, there were a few scattered Wigeon records, with a female at Appleford on the 14^th, 15^th, and 19^th, before being joined by a male on the 24^th. By the 30^th, there was just a single Wigeon. On the 27^th, there were 5 at Farmoor. 2 were also at Rushy Common on the 14^th and 3 were at Cassington GPs on the 24^th. Teal were seen at Chipping Norton, Farmoor, Otmoor, Cassington, Appleford and Standlake Pit 60.

Onto wildfowl of more uncertain origin, there was a Ruddy Shelduck at Appleford on the 11^th, and one found at Hardwick GPs on the 24^th. 4 Red-crested Pochard were seen at Rushy Common on the 12^th, and then 3 on the 22^nd, whilst 4 were at Tar Lakes on the 30^th. A Mandarin was at Waterstock on the 22^nd, with 3 at Otmoor the next day. 4 females were then at Otmoor on the 28^th. On the 29^th, 1 was at Standlake Pit 27.

Egrets, herons, cormorants etc

It’s been an impressive month for egrets, with the evident breeding success of the Cattle Egrets at Blenheim. On the 10^th, at least 10 juveniles were counted, with 6 adults also present. Having never bred in Oxon before, to have at least 3 nests is a monumental success for this rapidly spreading species. Otmoor has also joined in on the Cattle Egret influx, with initially a single bird present on the 1^st and 2^nd, before numbers gradually climbed through the month, and by the 24^th, an incredible 19 were recorded. Remarkable given that before 2021, Otmoor only held two records of Cattle Egret – one in August 2020 and one in January 2017. 3 Cattle Egret were also at Weston-on-the-Green on the 8^th, and one was at Enslow Bridge on the 14^th. A good mid-month find was a Spoonbill reported flying over Hinksey on the 20^th. A juvenile Shag turned up at Appleford Spit Pit on the 17^th – a species not recorded at all in Oxon last year, and the first this year. Nearby, a White Stork was seen at Appleford GPs on the 11^th.

Juvenile Cattle Egrets at Blenheim (Jeremy Dexter)

Shag at Appleford Spit Pit (Lew)

There were many records of Great White Egret this month, recorded at 8 different sites, including Tar Lakes, Abbey Meadow, Stratfield Brake and Rushy Common. All were singles apart from 2 at Otmoor on the 21^st.

Passerines

Whinchat were recorded at 8 sites this month, with the largest counts emerging from Lark Hill, with 7 there on the 27^th. 2 juvenile Stonechat were also at Lark Hill on the 18^th, with the only other Stonechat record coming from an individual at Aston Upthorpe on the 17^th. Lark Hill also hosted the peak count of Redstart with 4 males and 2 females there on the 21^st. A good month for the species saw reports from 13 other sites. The highest count of Wheatear also came from Lark Hill with 3 on the 26^th and 27^th. Devil’s Punchbowl and Farmoor also hosted the same number on the 8^th and 25^th respectively. Records also came from 5 other sites. Spotted Flycatcher were recorded from 10 sites this month, with the peak count being 4 at Port Meadow on the 19^th and Muswell Hill on the 30^th. A much rarer Pied Flycatcher was seen in Garsington on the 31^st. Yellow Wagtail was seen at 8 sites this month, with the highest count of 15 coming from Moreton on the 4^th. The same day, a notably high count of 14 Grey Wagtail was observed at Moreton. Often a difficult bird in the county, there were 3 Tree Pipit records this month, with 1 over Standlake on the 11^th and 1 over Waterstock on the 22^nd. One was also seen on the deck at Stonesfield Common on the 21^st.

Whinchat at Stonesfield Common (Paul and Vicky Wren)

Wheatear on the Oxon Downs (Roger Wyatt)

Redstart at Otmoor (Jeremy Dexter)

Raptors

An Osprey over Farmoor on the 18^th hung around the reservoirs for a few hours, allowing multiple birders to connect. Singles of Peregrine were recorded at Farmoor on the 11^th, 14^th, 24^th, and 29^th, as well as Lark Hill on the 19^th, Grimsbury Reservoir on the 23^rd and New Marston Meadows on the 30^th. On the 30^th, 2 were seen at Blenheim. A Little Owl was at Moreton on the 4^th. Two individual Marsh Harrier were seen at Lark Hill over the month with an adult female on the 7^th, followed by a juvenile on the 16^th. At Otmoor, the highest count this month was of 3 on the 3^rd. Otmoor also held the max count of Hobby with 3 on the 2^nd. There were also records from 8 other sites. A Merlin was also reported at Wittenham Clumps on the 14^th.

Osprey at Farmoor (Stephen Burch)

Hirundines and swifts

Swift were reported in small numbers passing through various sites this month, with up to 20 at Appleford on the 27^th and 20 at Farmoor on the 29^th. Farmoor also held some large flocks of Sand Martin, with around 600 present there on the 31^st, with flocks into the hundreds being recorded throughout the month. On the 22^nd, they were joined by 2 House Martin. The largest count of Swallow this month was 150 at Muswell Hill on the 31^st. There were also 30 at Farmoor on the 22^nd, and 36 at Waterstock the same day.

Partridges, pheasants etc

A Quail was at Aston on the 2^nd. 8 Grey Partridge were at Weston-on-the-Green on the 8^th and 15 were at Sutton Courtenay on the 20^th.

Otmoor Crane success.

After six years of trying and sadly failing, Bryan Manston finally took the photos we had all been waiting for, confirmation of the first successfully fledged young on the reserve.
The parents are from the long running reintroduction scheme based in Somerset and along with other individuals, have delighted visitors to the reserve with their antics and ethereal bugling calls.

Congratulations to the rspb team whose effort and hard work has finally paid off.

Press release from the rspb

All photos courtesy of Bryan Manston.