Chipping Norton: 31st October

Chipping Norton
Brambling: With Chaffinch in woods on Oxon/Glocs border near Chastleton. 16:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir 31st October

Scaup imm/f still present early afternoon on F1 (per Andy Last).

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Port Meadow 31st October

No sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper at 13:10 (per RBA).

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Heythrop: 31st October

Heythrop
30 Lapwing: Over fields toward Showell Farm. SP355296. 11:45.

Steve Akers

Standlake: 31st October

Cattle Egret 1, at pit 27 (3Ts)

Standlake Pit 60: 30th October

Standlake Pit 60
9 Blackbird: A notable influx at north end of Langley lane early this a.m. leaping in and out of the bushes also chaffinches darting about . Arrivals from continent? 19:45.

Mick Cunningham

Otmoor rspb 30th October

Hen Harrier r/t hunting the Starling roost 17:25 (per Luke O'Byrne).

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Blenheim: 30th October

Blenheim
3 Brambling: Several with mixed finch flock on sunflower patch. 16:00.
20 Mandarin Duck: m+f. In the inlet west side of the Great Lake, in the water and in a tree. 16:00.
Great White Egret: On the island. 16:00.

Colm O Caomhanaigh

Sonning Eye GPs: 30th October

Sonning Eye GPs
2 Raven 14:50.
2 Grey Heron 14:50.

Ralph Watts

Northmoor: 30th October

Northmoor
7 Snipe 16:39.

Mick Cunningham

 Rushey Common Lake, 30th October

Marsh Harrier hunting north end of lake ,then in front of hide when it flushed 2 Snipe. Hunted on for 20 minutes.

+  Egyptian Geese 7

Teal 42

Cettis Warbler probably 2

Clackers

Standlake Pit 60: 30th October

Standlake Pit 60
2 Marsh Harrier: both male. a juv and other. Fighting each other. One fully juv. Other older ie has grey in wings and tail. Appeared to have remnant dark trailing edge on underwing and grey tail tip ie not fully adult but better view desired. 12:10.
Great White Egret 12:10.

Mick Cunningham

Marsh Tit Warburg courtesy of John Kearns.  

 

Stanmore 30th October

Stanmore
Brambling: SU475796. 09:35.

D Moden

Port Meadow: 30th October

 

Courtesy of John Workman.

Pectoral Sandpiper still present, southern flood

Chipping Norton: 29th October

Chipping Norton
4 Stonechat: two male; two fem. Two pairs on vegetation alongside Cornwell Brook at marsh near Cornwell. SP283268. 16:00.
4 Grey Heron: SP283268. 16:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor 29th October

                                                                            Scaup
 

Port Meadow 29th October

PECTORAL SANDPIPER juv again on the southern flood 16:21 (per Gnome).

Also

150 Wigeon
50 Golden Plover
~10 Lapwing
plus a few Teal

Swallow: 1w. SP491092. 15:30.

(per Nicholas Boyd)

Balscote Quarry Reserve 29th October

Brambling 3 (1m) at feeders this morning.

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Otmoor: 28th October

Recent observations - On 27th this immature female Marsh Harrier was observed on Big Otmoor feeding on carrion (a dead goose) for 30 minutes before being moved on by a Buzzard - something I've not seen before. There are currently small numbers of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll on the southern boundary of the reserve.

Blenheim 28 October 2021

Brambling - a good number in small flocks with chaffinch, greenfinch and goldfinch feeding in sunflower patch.

Peregrine - 1

Great white egret - 1

Farmoor Reservoir 28/10/2021 (10:30 - 12:00)

Scaup - imm/f still present with tufted duck n/w F1

Common sandpiper - 1

Port Meadow: 28th October

Courtesy of Mark Chivers.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Still present on southern flood. at 16:50 (per Gnome)

Also
12 Wigeon
12+ Lapwing
26 Golden Plover
800 Black-headed Gull
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Common Gull
1 Grey Heron

: 28th October

Chipping Norton
5 Brambling: 3 male; 2 fem. First records this year - feeding on beech mast with Chaffinch near Chastleton on Oxon/Gloc border. SP257283. 11:30.

Chipping Norton
50 Linnet: SP257283. 11:30.

Chipping Norton
6 Skylark: SP257283. 11:30.

Chipping Norton
5 Jay: A lot of Jay movement hear this morning - three birds flying through heading WNW. SP257283. 11:30.

Steve Akers

Balscote Quarry Reserve 28th October

Brambling reported.

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Bicester Wetland Reserve 28th October

 1 Stonechat

1 Chiffchaff

42 Snipe

70 Teal

12 Gadwall

11 Shoveler

1 Little Egret

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

Port Meadow, 27 October

 Early afternoon, showing "well" on southern end of flood (near side). 

Pectoral Sandpiper © Stephen Burch. Click here to enlarge

Crop of photo above © Stephen Burch. Click here to enlarge

Pectoral Sandpiper © Stephen Burch. Click here to enlarge

Crop of photo above © Stephen Burch. Click here to enlarge

Harwell Lab: 27th Oct.

Black Redstart (no general access) 

Port Meadow: 25th October

Port Meadow
170 Barnacle Goose: at least; close-packed flock on grass well north of flood hard to count accurately. 11:00.

Anthony Cheke

Port Meadow 27th October

PECTORAL SANDPIPER juv on southern flood early afternoon (per RBA)

...but no sign late afternoon (per Gnome & Michael Jezierski)

Also,
~40 Golden Plover
~10 Lapwing
100+ Barnacle Geese
~25 Wigeon
~600 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Blenheim Park 27th October

Brambling 20+ in large finch flock near Fisheries

Cottage at the northern end of Queens Pool.

Great white Egret 

(per Dave Doherty)

Sarsgrove: 26th October

Sarsgrove
8 Golden Plover: A group of five flew back and forth low over the field of newly sprouting winter wheat before settling. Then shortly after another three joined them. Clearly settling to roost. 17:30.

Steve Akers

Port Meadow 26th October

PECTORAL SANDPIPER juv still present on southern flood 14:00

(per Phil Barnett, Mark Chivers,Mark Mckeown).

14 Lapwing: flying as a flock near the southern flood area. 14:00.
16 Golden Plover: flying as a flock near the southern flood area. there should be more according to other birders' reports but I only saw 16. 14:00.
Pectoral Sandpiper: I didn't see it at first at around 1:30 pm, it disappeared for a while due to an un-leaded dog(according to a birder who arrived early mentioned, a dog owner threw a stick for the dog to pick it up near the flood, pec sandpiper and golden plovers got frightened and flew away). after 10 or 15mins it back to the southern flood area. 14:00.

Zhenhuan Zhang

Sarsgrove: 26th October

Sarsgrove
300 Starling: Largest flock here this Autumn so far wheeling back and forth like a mini-mumuration. 10:30.
18 Skylark 10:30.
10 Yellowhammer 10:30.

Steve Akers

Otmoor rspb 26th October

Hen Harrier rt from the 1st screen 12:45 

(per Wayne Paes)

Standlake Pit 60: 26th October

Standlake Pit 60
Marsh Harrier: male. 12:08.
Great White Egret 12:08.
2 Goldeneye 12:08.

Mick Cunningham

North Leigh 26th October 2021

 Raven 1

: 22nd October

Neal's Shaw
Raven: SU6882.

John Taylor

Milton Common: 25th October

Milton Common
Stonechat 18:59.

Mick Cunningham

Port Meadow 25th October

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper

Sarsgrove: 25th October

Sarsgrove
23 Golden Plover: Settled in field between Sarsgrove Farm and Chipping Norton - first flock this autumn. 17:30.

Steve Akers

Chipping Norton: 25th October

Chipping Norton
2 Stonechat: male and fem. Pair in usual location in bramble patch near Cornwell Brook and the marsh - possibly a third bird. SP283268. 16:00.
Reed Bunting: SP283268. 16:00.
7 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 16:00.
12 Linnet: SP283268. 16:00.
3 Grey Heron: SP283268. 16:00.
Jay: SP283268. 16:00.

Steve Akers

Milton Common: 25th October

Milton Common
2 Swallow: 1w. I stopped for a 15 watch. 2 1w swallows bombed through going south. 15:47.

Mick Cunningham

Appleford GPs

Green sandpiper

Lapwing - 300+

Stonechat - 2

Peregrine

Yellowhammer - 2

Siskin - 4

Little Egret - 4

Egyptian Goose

Black Swan

Port Meadow 25th October

PECTORAL SANDPIPER juv still present on southern pool 15:03 (per Mark Chivers)

Great white Egret a.m only

Golden Plover c100

(per Ewan Urquhart)

Otmoor rspb 25th October

Hen Harrier rt flew through 12:35 (per RBA).

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Port Meadow: 25th October

Port Meadow
Little Egret: near bf gate. 13:24.
100 Wigeon: near bf gate. the population is approximate. 13:24.
60 Golden Plover: 2 flocks, one population is 20(approximate), and another one is 40(accurate). other people's population records are 100, maybe I didn't see all. 13:24.
Pectoral Sandpiper: have been there at the flood area since 23/10/2021 morning. 13:24.

Zhenhuan Zhang

Meadow Pipit Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Steve Liptrot photography.

 

Port Meadow: 25th October

Port Meadow
Pectoral Sandpiper: Very close down to about 30 yards ish. You could see without Binoculars. With Bert and Richard Berkshire boy's. 11:10.

Ralph Watts

Wantage: 25th October

Wantage
3 Brambling: At least three in trees just east of Lock's Lane mill pond. SU394877. 09:00.

Leo Bateman

Abingdon 25th October

Mandarin m by bridge near outdoor swimming pool in Abingdon 12.30pm

(per Martin Green)

Standlake Pit 60: 25th October

Standlake Pit 60
Black-tailed Godwit: Still present. A lot of large scapulars missing. Need to check whether this relevant to aging. 11:32.
Great White Egret 11:32.
Peregrine 11:32.

Mick Cunningham

Farmoor Reservoir 25th October

Scaup imm/f off N/W bank of F1 11:35

Wigeon 8

Little Egret 5

(per Ewan Urquhart)

Courtesy of Mark Pidgeon.

Harwell Laboratory: Rutherford Laboratory: 25th October

Harwell Laboratory: Rutherford Laboratory
Brambling
Lesser Redpoll

Mark Merritt

 The winter-plum black-tailed godwit pit 60 - goes AWOL at times.

Shillingford 24th October

River of Life 2: Church Farm
5 Whooper Swan: ad. Viewed for 30 minutes on backwater before flying East. SU567945. 15:00.

Robert Gray

Port Meadow: 24th October

Port Meadow
Pectoral Sandpiper 15:00.
Golden Plover 15:00.
12 Lapwing 15:00.
150 Black-headed Gull: 150 plus on the larger flood. 15:00.
200 Barnacle Goose 15:00.

Steve Akers

Port Medow

 PECTORAL SANDPIPER - Juv

Standlake Pit 60: 24th October

Standlake Pit 60
Black-tailed Godwit: wp. Yesterday's bird flew in just after dawn. 15:52.
Great White Egret 15:52.
455 Redwing: As well as c20-30 'present', the was an obvious, but modest thrush migration from c10 30 am until noon. So 400+ in several small parties not exceeding 10.all going WSW. 15:52.
2 Siskin: Going west. Almost certainly under count. See chaffinch. 15:52.
150 Chaffinch: Movement west started 10 30 am. Watch ended noon. All small parties between 2 and 6 . 15:52.
Skylark: 13. Small parties south . 15:52.
Snipe: Seen to go WSW initially high but possibly dropped into fields. 15:52.
9 Fieldfare: Caught up in redwing push. 15:52.
Sparrowhawk: m. Stooged around for an hour. Seemed to be attending thrushes. 15:52.
250 Golden Plover: 29 flew south. Rest in large flock often rising high into air to east of pit. 15:52.
78 Teal

Mick Cunningham

Port Meadow 24th October

Courtesy of Nick Truby 

PECTORAL SANDPIPER juv still present on the southern floods 16:28 (per Peter Law).

Courtesy of Nick Truby.

Chimney: 23rd October

Chimney
4 Stonechat: 2m 2f. One pair near reserve car park. Another pair near new hide. 18:54.

Mick Cunningham

Standlake Pit 60: 23rd October

Standlake Pit 60
Black-tailed Godwit: w/p plumage. Seen late pm. Wasn't present on my first visit this morning. 18:49.
Marsh Harrier: cream crown. 18:49.
30 Redwing 18:49.

Mick Cunningham

Port Meadow 23 October

Pectoral Sandpiper © Steve Burch. Click here to enlarge

Pectoral Sandpiper © Steve Burch. Click here to enlarge

Port Meadow 23rd October

Pectoral Sandpiper

Port Meadow: 23rd October

Port Meadow
Pectoral Sandpiper: Still showing very well, nice one Thomas ! 15:37.
3 Siskin 15:37.

Luke Marriner

Port Meadow 23rd October

Video courtesy of Badger.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER juv found by Thomas Miller this morning and  still on southern pool
of Port Meadow floods at 13:10 

Also
Green Sandpiper (morning only)
15 Lapwing
4 Teal
Meadow Pipits
100+ Barnacle Geese

Henley-on-Thames: 23rd October

Henley-on-Thames
5 Egyptian Goose: Along River Thames. 11:45.

John Kearns

Appleford GP: 23rd October

Video courtesy of Badger.

Whooper Swan 5 ad late morning but no further sign by 14:30
Redpoll 3

Stonechat

Green Sandpiper 

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 23rd October

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: male. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen approx 100metres before second screen at midday in some bushes on right. Have photographs of bird. SP561129. 13:07.

John Strachan

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill: 23rd October

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill
Ring Ouzel: 1w fem.
2 Brambling
Raven
17 Corn Bunting

Mark Merritt

Standlake Pit 60: 23rd October

Standlake Pit 60
3 Goldeneye: Now 3 bh. 09:43.
Great White Egret 09:43.
Peregrine: ad. 09:43.
2 Cetti's Warbler 09:43.

Mick Cunningham

Grimsbury Reservoir 23rd October

Cattle Egret flew north

Little Egret 

Hawfinch over S/E

Brambling over 

Redpoll 

(per Gareth Blockley, John Friendship-Taylor)

Farmoor Reservoir 23rd October

Scaup juv/1stw F1 08:14 (per Dave Lowe)

Standlake Pit 60: 22nd October

Standlake Pit 60
2 Goldeneye: I returned to site at dusk. As I suspected earlier, there's actually 2 brown head goldeneyes. 18:13.
Marsh Harrier: cc. 18:13.
Great White Egret 18:13.

1200 Starling: To roost .. being chased by male sparrowhawk. 18:16.

Mick Cunningham

Port Meadow: 22nd October

Port Meadow
50 Wigeon: at the flood area, numbers are approx. 16:25.
12 Lapwing: at the flood area, numbers are approx. 16:25.
20 Pied Wagtail: at the flood area, numbers are approx. 16:25.

Zhenhuan Zhang

Standlake Pit 60: 22nd October

Standlake Pit 60
Goldeneye: bh. First of autumn. 13:51.

Mick Cunningham

Blenheim: 22nd October

Blenheim
3 Brambling: 3 brambling with chaffinch's & greenfinch's in larch tree's by the sunflower's. SP428167. 12:05.

Paul Willis

Charlton on Otmoor 22nd October

Black Redstart c11:14

Briefly on rooftops on Church Lane in Charlton on Otmoor but no further sign by 12:20 (per Barry Batchelor). 

Chipping Norton: 21st October

Chipping Norton
Stonechat: fem. Over on far side of marsh at small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 15:30.
5 Reed Bunting: SP283268. 15:30.
7 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 15:30.
18 Linnet: SP283268. 15:30.
7 Snipe: At least seven put up from the marsh. SP283268. 15:30.
5 Teal: SP283268. 15:30.
7 Grey Heron: Largest number seen here this year. SP283268. 15:30.
Mute Swan: SP283268. 15:30.

Steve Akers

Blenheim: Grand Bridge: 21st October

Blenheim: Grand Bridge
6 Mandarin Duck: 5m 1f. Favoring the corner of the Lake near the palace side of the bridge. SP437164. 15:00.
2 Egyptian Goose: 2ad. With small flock of Canada Geese. SP437164. 15:00.
2 Little Grebe: SP437164. 15:00.

Glen Pascoe

: 21st October

Stanford in the Vale
Raven: Flying SW to NE, and cronking. SU337934. 17:33.

JB Woodford

Blenheim: 21st October

Blenheim
Brambling: Several in a small flock with chaffinch and greenfinch around sunflower patches and adjacent trees towards the farm. 14:22.

Gareth Casburn

Farmoor Reservoir 20th October

Peregrine 1

Kingfisher 1

Water Rail 1

Little Egret 4

Common Chiffchaff 1

Blenheim: Queen Pool: 20th October

Blenheim: Queen Pool
Pintail 13:45.

Gareth Casburn

Standlake Pit 60: 19th October

Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret 19:40.
Peregrine: ad. On pylon. 19:40.
Cetti's Warbler: I briefly visited Langley hide. Cetti singing from S shore. 19:40.
118 Mallard: Majority males! Unless I missed females. 19:40.
88 Teal 19:40.
53 Shoveler 19:40.
47 Wigeon 19:40.
4 Little Grebe 19:40.
12 Pochard: Possibly under count as I had to leave early. 19:40.

Mick Cunningham

Eynsham 19th October

Short-eared Owl 2 Chilbridge SP.422.092 

(per RBA).

West Oxon 19th October

 

Satellite tagged ring-tailed Hen Harrier West Oxon all photos courtesy of Colm O'Brien.

Letcombe Bassett: 19th October

Letcombe Bassett
Redstart: fem/imm. Seen well enough to rule out Black Redstart. Sound recording taken.
Raven
9 Corn Bunting

Mark Merritt

: 19th October

Chippinghurst
2 Stonechat: Male and Female. SP592015. 12:00.

Stephen Lockey

Blenheim: 19th October

Blenheim
Water Rail 13:30.
Yellow-legged Gull 13:30.

Gareth Casburn

 

Great white Egret with Coots Appleford GPs 17/10 courtesy of Badger.

Ardley ERF Lagoon: 19th October

Ardley ERF Lagoon
Black-tailed Godwit 10:30.
4 Green Sandpiper 10:30.

Gareth Casburn

Farmoor Reservoir 18th October

Rock Pipit 1

Egyptian Goose 2

Little Egret 3

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 18th October

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
Cattle Egret: Dropped in briefly at the 1st screen around 18.00. 21:07.
Great White Egret: At the 1st screen. 21:07.

Steve Roby

: 18th October

River Thames,1km upstream of Day's Lock
100 Golden Plover: Flock flying around new backwater linked to the River. SU569945. 19:41.

David Eccles

Chipping Norton: 18th October

Chipping Norton
Raven: SP283268. 14:30.
5 Stonechat: 3 male; 2 fem. Three male and two female Stonechat on the vegetation alongside Cornwell Brook and bramble bushes beside straw shooting butts. The males are especially striking and beautifully marked. SP283268. 14:30.
Reed Bunting: SP283268. 14:30.
7 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 14:30.
12 Linnet: SP283268. 14:30.
Mute Swan: ad male. Flew in and settled in pool on marsh. SP283268. 14:30.
3 Grey Heron: SP283268. 14:30.
Green Woodpecker: SP283268. 14:30.

Steve Akers

: 18th October

Port Meadow
32 Golden Plover: They stood on the northwest side of the flood area and then flew to the north. SP496080. 17:58.

Zhenhuan Zhang

Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 18th October

Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
Great White Egret
78 Gadwall
35 Tufted Duck
10 Wigeon
31 Shoveler
14 Teal

Bob Pomfret

Otmoor rspb 17th October

Rock Pipit flew over Big Otmoor 14:00 (per RBA)

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Chipping Norton: 17th October

Chipping Norton
4 Stonechat: 3 male; 1 fem. On and around the straw bales next to the marsh at small lake and Cornwell Brook. SP283268. 15:30.
Snipe: SP283268. 15:30.
2 Reed Bunting: SP283268. 15:30.
6 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 15:30.
Grey Heron: SP283268. 15:30.
5 Redwing: SP283268. 15:30.
12 Linnet: SP283268. 15:30.
Kestrel: SP283268. 15:30.

Steve Akers

Port Meadow 17th October

Jack Snipe late afternoon flushed near Burgess Field entrance (T.M).

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Northmoor: 17th October

Northmoor
2 Snipe: This traditional ie since I moved to oxon 2017 site currently very dry. 18:12.

Mick Cunningham

Standlake: 17th October

Standlake
800 Redwing: Minimum count of a single flock heading north over my Rack End Garden just now. Heading north, presumably to a roost or, conceivably, setting off on overnight (reorienting) migration. 18:08.

Mick Cunningham

Appleford GPs 17th October

Great white Egret 

Green Sandpiper 3

Snipe

Lapwing c200

Grey Partridge 2

Kingfisher 

Stonechat m

Black Swan

Ducklington: 17th October

Ducklington
Brambling: Home farm 7 45 to 8 45. A brambling heard during vain attempt at vismig. 09:35.

Mick Cunningham

East Challow: 17th October

East Challow
2 Brambling: 2 over at dawn. 07:30.

Mark Merritt

Otmoor Saturday 16th

15-18:30

Merlin hunting over greenaways
Bittern
2 Stonechat
2 Raven
Kingfisher



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Port Meadow: 16th October

Port Meadow
120 Barnacle Goose: On muddy area opposite Burgess Field Gtae. 15:00.

Andrew Siantonas

Sonning Eye GPs: 16th October

Sonning Eye GPs
Redshank: Sat on the string of buoys in the middle of the lake. 15:21.

Marek Walford

Blewbury 16th October

Brambling 2 Churn (per Andy Last)

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Water Eaton: 16th October

Water Eaton
Brambling: By Sparsey Bridge. 14:00.

Nicholas Boyd

Standlake Pit 60: 16th October

Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret 13:38.
2 Cetti's Warbler 13:38.
Water Rail: Heard. 13:38.
Redwing: A single east. As was a song thrush and 2 meadow pipits between 7 30 and 8 20 when i gave up. 13:38.

Standlake
Stonechat: m. Near village site that proved productive for Jack snipe and snipe last year. Latter has died up/ been 'improved. 13:38.

Mick Cunningham

Appleford GPs 16th October

Green Sandpiper 4

Lapwing c200

Wigeon 10+

Kingfisher 2

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Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course: 16th October

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course
Rock Pipit: Still on small lake. 10:16.
2 Lesser Redpoll: Over. 10:16.
Brambling: Over. 10:16.
27 Golden Plover: Over. 10:16.

Luke Marriner

Grimsbury Reservoir 16th October

Rock Pipit 

Brambling over

(JFT)

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Farmoor Reservoir 16th October

Rock Pipit along the Causeway 09:41 

Black-tailed Godwit Shrike Meadow hide 

(C.C)

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Chipping Norton: 15th October

Chipping Norton
2 Stonechat: male and fem. Pair still present - possibly a third bird - at the small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 13:00.
2 Lapwing: SP283268. 13:00.
4 Jay: Two over - two heard. SP283268. 13:00.

Steve Akers

Warburg Reserve: 15th October

Warburg Reserve
Brambling 14:46.

John Kearns

Courtesy of John Kearns.

Tar Lakes: 15th October

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
6 Red-crested Pochard: 4 male, 2 fem. 18:00.

Richard Catling

Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 15th October

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
Pintail: A female on back pool flew off NW. Also first golden plovers of the autumn, a flock of 33 in adjoining fields . 16:20.

Steve Holliday

Witney Lake 15th October

Great white Egret (per D.D)

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Bicester Wetland Reserve 15th October

 2 Green Sandpiper

18 Snipe

24 Gadwall

85 Teal

4 Shoveler

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

Tar Lakes: 14th October

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
6 Red-crested Pochard: 4 male, 2 fem. 17:45.

Richard Catling

Farmoor Reservoir: 14th October

Farmoor Reservoir
Peregrine: Flew over road houses near entrence. 16:03.

Yacky Morris

Chipping Norton: 14th October

Chipping Norton
2 Stonechat: male and fem. Same location at small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 14:30.
62 Black-headed Gull: SP283268. 14:30.
14 Lesser Black-backed Gull: SP283268. 14:30.
Grey Heron: SP283268. 14:30.
Sparrowhawk: SP283268. 14:30.
Jay: SP283268. 14:30.

Steve Akers

Standlake Pit 60: 14th October

Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret 18:17.
Snipe: Spooked into open by the horrendous flock of mutant greylags. 18:17.

Mick Cunningham

Warburg Reserve: 14th October

Courtesy of John Kearns

Brambling: m. Came down to pond with male & female Chaffinch for a drink. 15:02.

John Kearns

Port Meadow: 14th October

Port Meadow
10 Lapwing: On small flood near Burgess field nature reserve. SP496086. 16:56.

Matthew Southwell

Port Meadow: 14th October

Port Meadow
40 Barnacle Goose 16:32.

Matthew Southwell

Farmoor

Dark-bellied Brent Goose feeding with Geese on southern side of F2

Farmoor Reservoir 14th October

Brent Goose on F1 10:03 (per Dai)

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Standlake Pit 60: 13th October

Standlake Pit 60
Yellow-legged Gull: 1w. Received info on a ringed bird seen at Pit 60 in Sept 2021. 1st w Yellow-Legged Gull green ring 749:C recorded at Standlake Oxfordshire England 2nd September 2021 until at least 10th September 2021. Banded on 03.06.2021 at the stage of 'Chick', Carteau - Port-Saint-Louis-du-rh�ne - Bouches-du-Rh�ne - FRANCE (N43�22'40", E04�51'27") PVC band : 749:C in white on green background, reading direction : from bottom to top, position : right tarsus Metal ring : EC111703, position : left tibia Sex : Unknown . 23:23.

Mick Cunningham

Chipping Norton: 13th October

Chipping Norton
60 Redwing: Flock overhead between Churchill and Kingham. SP264246. 16:00.
50 Linnet: SP264246. 16:00.
100 Starling: 100 plus gathered on electricity wires. SP264246. 16:00.
2 Kestrel: Plus two Roe Deer and Brown Hare. SP264246. 16:00.

Steve Akers

Chipping Norton: 13th October

Chipping Norton
2 Stonechat: male and fem. Pair in same location at small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 13:00.
54 Black-headed Gull: On the lake and over the marsh. SP283268. 13:00.
2 Grey Heron: SP283268. 13:00.
2 Jay: SP283268. 13:00.
2 Kestrel: SP283268. 13:00.

Steve Akers

Thame: Cuttle Brook: 13th October

Thame: Cuttle Brook
55 Redwing: In two groups over. 17:40.

Luke Marriner

 

Barnacle Geese Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Bryan Manston.

Ducklington: 13th October

Ducklington
275 Redwing: Home Farm vismig 11 30 am to 12. All west, mainly in two large flocks. 15:41.
11 Fieldfare: 5, 3 and 3 west with redwings. 15:41.

Mick Cunningham

Standlake Pit 60: 13th October

Standlake Pit 60
1496 Redwing: 7 30 to 10 am. Vismig started badly as realised I'd forgotten notebook and phone. And then found usual viewpoint fenced off. Did have one clicker though. 45 redwing milling around first light deemed to be leaving roost. Vis count from Thames Fields Redwing 1149 west 302 north Un counted small numbers of following moving Sky larks c 25 west Meadow pipit c7 west Siskin h.o. Reed bunt c4 N Song thrush c4 h.o. Chaffinch c15 south. 15:27.
3 Great White Egret: 2 on the pit. A third flew north v high with, presumably same, south 20 min later. 15:27.
2 Marsh Harrier: all cream crowns. Minimum count. A third was, possibly, a different bird on plumage but views brief. 15:27.
Peregrine: Adult flew n over Thames fields carrying prey. 15:27.
6 Goldcrest: In hedgerows Thames field. Unsure if an influx as I rarely check these fields. 15:27.

Mick Cunningham

Eynsham: Oxford Road: 13th October

Eynsham: Oxford Road
Stonechat: male. SP445089. 10:30.

Thomas Stevens

Port Meadow: 13th October

Port Meadow
100 Barnacle Goose: Approximate count. Birds grazing on meadow opposite Burgess Field gate. 10:00.

Andrew Siantonas

Thame: 13th October

Thame

786 Redwing: Over in an hour between 10:00 and 11:00. 11:07.
8 Skylark: Over. 11:07.
4 Meadow Pipit: Over. 11:07.
Reed Bunting: Over. 11:07.
3 Siskin 

9 Golden Plover 

Luke Marriner

Tar Lakes: 13th October

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
5 Red-crested Pochard: 3 male, 2 fem. 17:30.

Richard Catling

October 12th/13th various

Mass arrival of Redwing overnight (et al).

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Culham/Sutton Courtenay

Several hundred Redwing flying north this morning between 740-815

Cutteslowe: Cutteslowe Park: 13th October

Cutteslowe: Cutteslowe Park
45 Redwing: flock in flight. 07:35.

Nicholas Boyd

Eynsham 12th October

Female Black Redstart reported from an Eynsham garden today (per Dave Doherty).

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East Challow: 12th October

East Challow
3 Redwing 21:58.

Mark Merritt

Chipping Norton: 12th October

Chipping Norton
2 Stonechat: male and fem. Pair still present on and around straw shooting butts near marsh at small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 13:15.
60 Lapwing: Circling over toward Salford. SP283268. 13:15.
2 Grey Heron: SP283268. 13:15.
12 Black-headed Gull: On the lake. SP283268. 13:15.
Kestrel: SP283268. 13:15.
2 Jay: Flying N. SP283268. 13:15.

Steve Akers

Otmoor: 11th October

Whilst Roger was enjoying a proper falcon I had to make do with an escape. What do people think Lanner (erlangeri) type ?  High over the Closes being mobbed by Red Kites

Otmoor 11th October

Peregrine with Snipe

Tar Lakes: 11th October

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
15 Red-crested Pochard 19:15.

Richard Catling

Standlake Pit 60: 11th October

Standlake Pit 60
Marsh Harrier: cream crown. Also a great white Egret. No sign of the black- necked grebe, although my visit was brief. 18:11.

Mick Cunningham

Otmoor 10th October

09-12:00

Great Egret

Little Egret

Marsh Harrier 2

Peregrine

Pintail 6

Chiffchaff 2

Old Caley's Diary

Otmoor rspb 10th October

Short-eared Owl again over Greenaways 17:45 (per Luke O'Byrne)

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Farmoor Reservoir 10th October

Cattle Egret on pontoon in the middle of F1 16:48
(per Ian Elkins).

Waterstock: River Thame: 10th October

Waterstock: River Thame
4 Raven 10:00.
Snipe 10:00.
Kingfisher 10:00.
5 Teal 10:00.
7 Grey Heron 10:00.
Little Egret 10:00.
8 Linnet 10:00.
4 Goldcrest 10:00.
3 Treecreeper 10:00.
16 Redwing 10:00.
26 Meadow Pipit 10:00.
Wigeon 10:00.
3 Reed Bunting 10:00.
2 Stonechat 10:00.
Grey Wagtail 10:00.
Chiffchaff 10:00.

Nick Marriner

Pit 60 Standlake 10th October

Black-necked Grebe still present 09:28.

Key holder reserve.

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Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 10th October

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
11 Jay: Movement of jays with parties of 6 and 5 flying nortth. Also 5 snipe, first common gulls of autumn (2), 13 skylarks over and single redwing and redpoll south. 08:30.

Steve Holliday

Otmoor: 9th October

Shortie courtesy of Terry Sherlock.

Great White Egret: At first screen.
Short-eared Owl: Appeared over Greenaways at 16:55, then flew NW.
8 Pintail: At first screen.
4 Stonechat: On Greenaways.

Ian Elkins

: 9th October

Henton
Stonechat: Male on track from Emmington to Henton. SP753028. 10:30.

David Stracey

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course: 9th October

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course
2 Egyptian Goose: Only my second record here. 16:48.
Rock Pipit: On the small lake calling. Then flushed by the golfers. My first for the county. 16:48.

Luke Marriner

Pit 60 Standlake 9th October

Black-necked Grebe still present 11:00

Great white Egret 15:07 (per Yacky Morris)

(per Kyle Smith)

Key holder reserve.

Moreton nr Thame: 9th October

Moreton nr Thame
44 Little Grebe 09:00.
14 Gadwall 09:00.
9 Wigeon 09:00.
Raven 09:00.
2 Redwing 09:00.
8 Linnet 09:00.
2 Brambling 09:00.
16 Skylark 09:00.
8 Meadow Pipit 09:00.
2 Goldcrest 09:00.

Nick Marriner

Eynsham: 9th October

Eynsham
Raven: Flyover, calling, Eynsham. 13:24.

Thomas Stevens

Port Meadow: 8th October

Port Meadow
10 Egyptian Goose: 2 ad 8 imm. Same family group as earlier in the year back on the floods.
11 Golden Plover
3 Cattle Egret: in amongst the cattle, per Mary MacDougall.

Adam Hartley

Pit 60 Standlake 8th October

Black-necked Grebe

Great white Egret 

From the Langley hide 16:00 (per Graham Lenton).

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Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 8th October

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
Siskin: Flew over south. Also 5 snipe on site. 15:45.

Steve Holliday

Chipping Norton: 8th October

Chipping Norton
3 Stonechat: male and two fem. Still present - perched on vegetation bordering the marsh at small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 14:00.
2 Reed Bunting: SP283268. 14:00.
5 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 14:00.
16 Linnet: SP283268. 14:00.
7 Snipe: A pair flew up and circled the marsh before settling gain. A separate group of five seen later further into the marsh flying low. Always wonderful to see them here. SP283268. 14:00.
3 Grey Heron: SP283268. 14:00.
4 Lapwing: SP283268. 14:00.

Steve Akers

Chipping Norton: 7th October

Chipping Norton
6 Stonechat: 3 male; 3 fem. Three pairs in the same locations as yesterday. Together with Reed Buntings and Chiffchaff. SP283268. 15:00.
4 Reed Bunting: SP283268. 15:00.
Chiffchaff: SP283268. 15:00.
10 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 15:00.
17 Linnet: SP283268. 15:00.
2 Snipe: SP283268. 15:00.
2 Grey Heron: SP283268. 15:00.
Green Woodpecker: SP283268. 15:00.

Steve Akers

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 7th October

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
Great white Egret 

Bittern: A near ditch before seat, Greenways. 11:15.

Paul Woodham

Standlake Pit 60: 7th October

Courtesy of Mick Cunningham.

Black-necked Grebe Still present 7 30 am. 08:07.
Great White Egret 08:07.

Mick Cunningham

Abingdon

Peregrine perched on the spire of Trinity Church in Abingdon 4/10
Photo courtesy of Martin Green.

Farmoor Reservoir 6th October

Courtesy of Anna Marlow.

Little Stint (juvenile) along the causeway 18:30 (per Anna Marlow).

Chipping Norton: 6th October

Chipping Norton
4 Raven: Two pairs over. SP283268. 15:00.
3 Stonechat: One male on vegetation and hedge near lake; pair on straw butts in field next to marsh. Very 'birdy' today - Stonechat, reed bunting, meadow pipit and robin all in frame at one point when looking through bins. SP283268. 15:00.
4 Reed Bunting: Two males with Stonechats. SP283268. 15:00.
45 Meadow Pipit: Highest count here so far this year - numbers increasing daily. SP283268. 15:00.
4 Grey Heron: SP283268. 15:00.
4 Swallow: Flying through low and hard heading SW. SP283268. 15:00.
Chiffchaff: SP283268. 15:00.
Kestrel: juv male. SP283268. 15:00.

Steve Akers

Standlake Pit 60: 6th October

Black-necked Grebe (indeterminate age).

Seen distantly from n shore in near dusk light. Initially with little grebes. 19:04.
Marsh Harrier: male. Briefly over south shore. 19:04.
Cetti's Warbler: Singing. 19:04.

Mick Cunningham

Port Meadow: 6th October

Port Meadow
120 Barnacle Goose: Large group grazing on meadow opposite Burgess Field gate. 15:15.

Andrew Siantonas

Sutton Courtenay: 6th October

Sutton Courtenay
2 Siskin: At least 2 calling over. SU500935. 11:34.

Conor MacKenzie

Farmoor Reservoir: 6th October

6th October

Farmoor Reservoir
2 Whooper Swan: Flew over N/E. 08:30.
Knot: On East side of F2. 09:30.

Gareth Casburn

Thame: 6th October

Thame
Osprey: Arrived from NW and left to the W. SP701058. 09:30.

Mike Bond

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill: 5th October

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill
Wheatear
6 Grey Partridge
Raven

Mark Merritt

Chipping Norton: 5th October

Chipping Norton
Stonechat: ad male. On the cut hedge next to the small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 17:00.
5 Swallow: SP283268. 17:00.
4 House Martin: SP283268. 17:00.
8 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 17:00.
3 Snipe: Circling the marsh and descending sharply to settle. SP283268. 17:00.
2 Grey Heron: SP283268. 17:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor: 5th October - Afternoon

Knot - (F2 east side - JD/DJ)

3 Dunlin

30+ House Martin

6 Swallow

Farmoor

 

Thame: 5th October

Thame
Raven: SP694058. 13:01.

Luke Marriner

Farmoor Reservoir: 4th October

Farmoor Reservoir
Stonechat 09:00.
2 Common Sandpiper 09:00.

Peter Alfrey

Eynsham: Eynsham Mill: 3rd October

3rd October

Eynsham: Eynsham Mill
8 White-fronted Goose: Infront of large pond near house. 14:13.
4 Stock Dove: Feeding in nearby fields. 13:58.

Yacky Morris

Chipping Norton: 3rd October

Chipping Norton
3 Stonechat: two ad male and fem. In favoured location on fence beside reed bed near small lake near Cornwell. SP283268. 14:00.
10 Swallow: Flying through heading SSW. SP283268. 14:00.
Snipe: SP283268. 14:00.
2 Grey Heron: SP283268. 14:00.
2 Teal: SP283268. 14:00.
Chiffchaff: SP283268. 14:00.

Steve Akers

Tar Lakes: 3rd October

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
7 Red-crested Pochard: 4m 3f. On Tar Lakes. SP383070. 09:30.
3 House Martin: SP383070. 09:30.
2 Chiffchaff: SP383070. 09:30.
3 Snipe: Edge of Rushy Common near reedbed along the North side. SP383070. 09:30.
Marsh Harrier: Over Rushy Common briefly. SP383070. 09:30.

Glen Pascoe

 

Snipe Otmoor rspb courtesy of Nick Truby.

Sutton Courtenay: 3rd October

Sutton Courtenay
Hobby: Feeding on insects over Thames, just upstream of pools. 15:49.

James Bennett

Port Meadow: 3rd October

Port Meadow
Cattle Egret: One in one of the three large Poplar trees by the river late morning.
150 Barnacle Goose
4 Egyptian Goose: immature birds from this summer's brood
2 Lapwing
50 Meadow Pipit
15 Skylark

Adam Hartley

Courtesy of Gnome

 

 

Great white Egret this morning on Otmoor courtesy of Mark Chivers.

Milcombe: 3rd October

Milcombe
8 House Martin 13:57.

Mary Clifton

Farmoor Reservoir 3rd October

Rock Pipit reported along the causeway.

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Standlake Pit 60: 3rd October

Standlake Pit 60
Bittern: Flew along reeds into NW corner. 10:59.

Mick Cunningham

Radley GPs 2nd October

Great white Egret on the Orchard Lake 10:07 (per Mark Chivers).

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Barn Owl courtesy of George Best.

 

Ardley ERF Lagoon: 2nd October

Ardley ERF Lagoon
Great White Egret 11:15.
20 Teal 11:15.
Shoveler 11:15.
3 Green Sandpiper 11:15.
250 Lesser Black-backed Gull 11:15.
8 Yellow-legged Gull: Loafing in field near quarry with lbb gulls. 11:15.

Gareth Casburn

Bicester Wetland reserve 2nd October

 10 House Martin feeding over filter pools

2 Green Sandpiper

4 Snipe

60 Teal

13 Gadwall

5 Shoveler

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

Chipping Norton: 1st October

Chipping Norton
Stonechat: At the marsh by small lake on Cornwell Manor Estate. SP283268. 12:00.
6 Meadow Pipit: SP283268. 12:00.
15 Linnet: SP283268. 12:00.
36 Lapwing: SP283268. 12:00.

Steve Akers

Chimney: Chimney Meadows: 1st October

Chimney: Chimney Meadows
Marsh Harrier: imm. male; 2cy?
2 Water Rail
Barn Owl
2 Cetti's Warbler

Buckland
3 Grey Partridge

Mark Merritt

Chinnor: Cement Works: 1st October

Chinnor: Cement Works
Caspian Gull: Adult in the gull roost Lake 2b. 10:00.

David Stracey

Eynsham Mill 1st October

Cattle Egret 4

White-fronted Goose 8

15:10 (per RBA)

September 2021 Review

Headline birds

September is always an exciting month for birding, with huge potential for something rarer to turn up. This last month has not failed to produce, starting off with a sub-adult Gannet seen flying over Standlake Pit 60 in an ENE direction on the 4^th. A real inland rarity, though remarkably, this is the third September in a row when Oxon has hosted a Gannet, with a juvenile taken into care in 2019 and a juvenile over Waterstock in 2020.

With Wrynecks turning up all over the UK in late August and early September, it was no surprise when one was found in a private garden in Oddington on the 6^th, incredibly just feeding on the lucky homeowner’s lawn! To the delight of many birders, another Wryneck was found at Lark Hill on the 19^th. Although elusive at times, it remained until the 23^rd, allowing many to connect with this truly extraordinary member of the woodpecker family.#

Wryneck Lark Hill (Stephen Burch)

Wryneck Oddington (Mark Stanley Price)

The next headline bird this September was a Purple Heron at Blenheim, initially reported as a probable on the 13^th, before then being reported again on RBA on the 16^th. It was then seen well and confirmed on the morning of the 17^th. It proved difficult to connect with though, partly because the bird could be quite mobile, but also because it spent a large majority of its time feeding in tall, thick vegetation, where it remained obscured. It was not seen the next day on the 18^th, but then appeared again on the 19^th and 20^th, before disappearing on the 21^st and 22^nd. It was then finally seen on the 23^rd and 24^th. The last record of this species in Oxon was in 2016, when an individual stayed at Otmoor for 7 weeks.

Purple Heron Blenheim (Ewan Urquhart)

Purple Heron Blenheim (Jeremy Dexter)

Another species recorded in Oxon for the first time in a few years was Roseate Tern, with 2 ringed birds found at Farmoor on the 14^th. They remained until the evening, allowing several county birders who had missed the last record of one at Farmoor in August 2018 to see them. Given that both terns were metal ringed on the left leg, it seems likely that these are individuals from Coquet Island.

Roseate Tern Farmoor (Roger Wyatt)

Roseate Terns Farmoor (Jeremy Dexter)

Following on from an incredible spring for Glossy Ibises in Oxon, one was reported at Otmoor on the 18^th. Then on the 28^th, another flew high N over Farmoor. The next day, one was seen at the first screen at Otmoor.

Glossy Ibis Otmoor (Terry Sherlock)

Waders

Wader passage is still in full flow in September, with a juvenile Little Stint found at the 1^st screen at Otmoor on the 4^th. It remained until the end of the day. Otmoor also briefly held a juvenile Wood Sandpiper on the 26^th, which was on Big Otmoor, until it flew off W.

Little Stint Otmoor (Pete Roby)

There was a single record of Knot this month at Farmoor on the 1^st – a gorgeous orange-red individual. Farmoor also had the only records of Turnstone this month, with one on the 5^th, one on the 15^th and one on the 30^th.

Knot Farmoor (Marian Payne)

It was an excellent month for Ruff with the juvenile male that was present at Farmoor at the end of August continuing until the 6^th. On the 5^th, it was joined briefly by 3 others. Another was found at Farmoor on the 21^st. A single was at Appleford on the 2^nd, with 2 there on the 4^th. On the 5^th, this increased to 3. The trio stayed until the 10^th. A single then remained from the 12^th to the 16^th. Otmoor also hosted singles on the 18^th and 26^th. One was also at Pit 60 on the 13^th. Pit 60 also hosted the highest count of Black-tailed Godwit this month with 3 there on the 2^nd. Singles were at Appleford from the 2^nd to the 8^th and Otmoor on the 16^th, 18^th and then the 24^th to 26^th.

The peak count of Greenshank this month was at Appleford, with 3 on the 5^th. There were 2 at that same site on the 15^th, with individuals on the 16^th and 19^th. Singles were also reported from 3 other sites with one at Otmoor on the 1^st, one at Ardley Lagoon on the 1^st and one at Farmoor on the 15^th. Redshank records were more thinly spread this month, with one at Farmoor on the 2^nd, and then 7 found there the next day. One was also seen at Farmoor on the 15^th.

Greenshank Appleford (Badger)

There was just one record of Oystercatcher this month – one at Otmoor on the 1^st. Similarly, the only Curlew to be reported this month were 2 at Farmoor on the 19^th. After one at Otmoor last month, September saw a few more Golden Plover start to arrive. One was seen at White Horse Hill on the 4^th, with 3 there on the 7^th. Otmoor also hosted one on the 16^th. A few Lapwing were on the move in the last month, with 231 flying S over Farmoor on the 28^th. Records also emerged from Otmoor, Chipping Norton, Appleford, Drayton and Port Meadow.

An impressive 8 Ringed Plover were found at Farmoor on the 19^th, with birds also being recorded at Grimsbury Reservoir and Appleford. Appleford hosted most of the Little Ringed Plover records this month with 2 on the 2^nd, 3 on the 6^th, 2 on the 8^th, and finally, 3 on the 10^th. Individuals were at Farmoor on the 8^th, 15^th, 18^th, and 19^th. The same site saw the peak count of Dunlin on the 15^th, with 5 present. They were also recorded from 5 other sites.

Little Ringed Plover Farmoor (Ewan Urquhart)

Ardley Lagoon continued hosting an impressive tally of Green Sandpiper, with 12 on the 1^st. There were also records from Chipping Norton, Appleford, Bicester Wetland Reserve, Drayton, and Pit 60. Common Sandpiper were recorded at Appleford, Grimsbury Reservoir, Moreton, and Chinnor Cement Works, with the highest count of 4 from Farmoor on the 3^rd.

A leucistic Redshank was seen and filmed in the north of the county walking around seemingly indifferent to the identification head scratching, near to the centre of South Newington on the 4th.

Leucistic Redshank courtesy of Steve Akers.

Terns

Aside from the Roseate Terns, there were 2 Sandwich Tern at Farmoor on the 13^th. In a much better month for Black Tern than August was, 15 were found at Farmoor on the 5^th and another 3 on the 13^th. There was also one at Cassington on the 6^th. A few Common Tern were recorded passing through with 5 at Pit 60 on the 3^rd and 3 there the next day. The same day, one was at Farmoor, with 2 more on the 5^th. Finally, on the 19^th, 14 were seen to fly straight through, before another flock of 18 arrived, bringing the total count to 32.

Sandwich Tern Farmoor (Jeremy Dexter)

Gulls

There were plenty of individual Caspian Gulls seen at Appleford this month. Most notably, there were 6 present on the 3^rd, comprising 3 juveniles, a 1st summer, a 3rd summer, and an adult. On the 16^th, 6 were recorded again. This time there were 3 juveniles, 2 1st summers and a 2nd summer. At Pit 60, there were 2 1st summers on the 1^st and 2^nd, and then a single 1st summer on the 3^rd, 4^th, and 13^th. An adult was also seen on 8^th, 9^th, and 13^th. One of the 1st summers seen at Pit 60 was then relocated in the Farmoor roost on the 2^nd. There was also a juvenile at Farmoor on the 4^th and a 1st winter on the 26^th.

Juvenile Caspian Gull Appleford (Badger)

There was a sighting of a putative adult Baltic Gull at Appleford on the 3^rd. It looked promising as it showed no moult in the primaries, with all primaries still old. However, without a ring, adult Baltic Gulls can be very difficult to prove. A possible adult Azorean Yellow-legged Gull was seen in the Farmoor roost on the 4^th, but as open wing details were not seen, it could not be confirmed.

Wildfowl and grebes

A Black-necked Grebe was found at Farmoor on the 30^th. Some of the Garganey continued at Otmoor, with a maximum of 6 seen on the 6^th. 2 were at Pit 60 up until the 12^th and one was at Appleford on the 19^th. Returning Pintail were recorded in small numbers at Otmoor, Pit 60, Cassington, and Appleford, and returning Wigeon were recorded at Appleford, Pit 60, Cassington, and Blenheim. Teal and Shoveler were both recorded at 6 sites.

Black-necked Grebe Farmoor (Richard Tyler)

Red-crested Pochard were recorded from Tar Lakes on several occasions, with a maximum of 18 on the 4^th. 4 Mandarin were seen at Otmoor on the 2^nd and one on the 6^th. 3 were at Blenheim on 17^th and 4 on the 24^th.

Egrets, herons etc

A superb month for egrets and herons with the Blenheim Purple Heron and several Glossy Ibis sightings. The Cattle Egrets that bred at Blenheim have started dispersing across the county, leading to sightings from multiple sites. Initially, a large number were at Otmoor with as many as 19 recorded from the 1^st to 10^th, mostly at the first screen. On the 13^th, one was at Farmoor – only the second record for the reservoirs. Most of them appeared to be coming into roost at Blenheim still, with 11 seen leaving the roost on the morning of the 17^th and then 15 seen coming into roost that evening. There were 2 juveniles that could be seen at Blenheim during the day feeding on the grass banks and proving very confiding at times. Towards the end of the month, the group that had been at Otmoor appeared to gradually move to Port Meadow, with 12 there on the 25^th, increasing to 20 by the 28^th. On the 29^th, 16 were then present at Port Meadow, with at least 3 having moved to near Wytham. On the 30^th, there were at least 5 near Wytham and 6 at Port Meadow.

Cattle Egrets Otmoor (Pete Roby)

Cattle Egret Blenheim (Michael Enticott)

Singles of Great White Egret were recorded at Stratfield Brake, Pit 60, Port Meadow, Blenheim, Farmoor and Appleford. There were also 2 at Otmoor on the 16^th and a very showy individual at the first screen at Otmoor from the 23^rd to the 28^th. Aside from Otmoor on the 2^nd and 4^th, Bittern records emerged from Moreton when one was seen flying over on the 2^nd and Pit 60 on the 25^th.

Great White Egret Otmoor (Steve Liptrot)

Passerines

Always a good month for migratory passerines, this September did not fail to produce, with some excellent records. A Pied Flycatcher was found in University Parks on the 12^th, though sadly was not relocated. Spotted Flycatcher were recorded from 11 sites this month with a peak count of 3 at Moreton on the 11^th.

There were several Rock Pipit records this September, with one at Farmoor on the 23^rd and 24^th, increasing to 2 on the 25^th, and then one recorded the next day. Another was reported on the 29^th and then 2 on the 30^th. One was also found at Appleford on the 26^th. A flyover Tree Pipit was seen at Southfield Golf Course on the 4^th and another in the same area, seen on the deck in the Lye Valley on the 8^th. 2 were at Harwell Lab on the 6^th and then a late individual there on the 28^th. One was also recorded from Blenheim on the 23^rd. There were some good counts of Meadow Pipit too with 185 at Waterstock on the 27^th and 344 at Farmoor on the 28^th.

Rock Pipit Farmoor (Ewan Urquhart)

Tree Pipit Harwell Lab (Mark Merritt)

A Black Redstart was reported from Notcutts Garden Centre on the 3^rd. Redstart were recorded from 9 sites - the highest count coming from Otmoor on the 6^th, with 5 present. The peak count for Whinchat this month was also at Otmoor with 7 on the 3^rd. Other notable counts emerged from Emmington on the 3^rd and Lark Hill on the 4^th, each recording 6 individuals. Whinchat were also recorded from 7 other sites. The largest count of Stonechat was at Aston Upthorpe on the 29^th, with an impressive 8 seen, as well as being recorded from 6 other sites. The highest counts of Wheatear this month were from Lark Hill, with 8 on the 11^th, and Sarsgrove, with 7 on the 7^th and 8^th. There were also records from 9 other sites. On the 19^th, there was a Greenland Wheatear seen at Lark Hill.

Whinchat Otmoor (Jeremy Dexter)

Redstart Grimsbury Reservoir (Kyle Smith)

Yellow Wagtail were recorded from 12 sites this month with a peak count of 26 at Waterstock on the 12^th. There was a White Wagtail at Farmoor on the 15^th and 3 there on the 16^th.

Some early Lesser Redpolls were seen at White Horse Hill with 4 on the 4^th and one on the 7^th.

Raptors

An Osprey was seen fishing at King’s Lock on the 8^th, before flying N. Another was seen nearby at Wolvercote Lock on Port Meadow on the 20^th. A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Letcombe Regis on the 4^th and then a probable at Caversfield on the 22^nd. Away from Otmoor, 3 individual Marsh Harriers were recorded at Pit 60 throughout the month – a juvenile, immature male, and an adult female. A female was at Lark Hill on the 18^th, with another there on the 22^nd. One was also at Cassington on the 21^st.

Osprey Farmoor (Bryan Manston)

Hobby were recorded from an incredible 16 sites this month, with the highest count of 5 recorded at Otmoor on the 6^th. Singles of Peregrine were seen at Marsh Baldon on the 5^th, Appleford on the 16^th, Garford on the 18^th, Lark Hill on the 22^nd and Otmoor on the 23^rd. There were also 2 at Grimsbury Reservoir on the 10^th.

A Short-eared Owl was at Otmoor over Greenaways on the 14^th and a Little Owl was at Marsh Baldon on the 15^th.

Hirundines and swifts

The last few Swifts were recorded at Farmoor, with 11 on the 4^th, and Cowley, with 4 on the 8^th. Sand Martins were seen passing through Farmoor throughout the month with a peak count of 500 on the 5^th. House Martin were seen at Chipping Norton and Farmoor. Swallow were seen at Chipping Norton, Farmoor, Balscote Quarry, Waterstock and Otmoor.

Otmoor Appeal: 

A rare chance has arisen for the rspb to buy adjacent land and substantially increase the size of the Otmoor reserve. A place close to many of our hearts and a site and habitat increasingly important not only locally but nationally, we can not miss this opportunity.  

The Birds of Otmoor: 

And if you are in any doubt as to just how fabulous this reserve is, Otmoor stalwart Peter Barker 
has written and compiled a comprehensive and detailed account of all of the bird and mammal
species recorded on the Otmoor reserve it's a great read and a must for anyone with an interest in
this wonderful reserve.