June-July Review

Headliners

It’s this time of year that my admiration for our local patch watchers increases exponentially. Groundhog Day, utterly dead or nothing of note are the typical catchphrases for the height of summer and for some, myself included, this can prove too much tedium to dedicate exorbitant amounts of time to one’s local patch. For me, this gives me time to focus on other taxa - chasing butterflies, Odanata or orchids is how I typically fill my time. For others focus turns to our local breeding birds at some of the flagship sites in Oxon such as Otmoor.

Surprisingly for this time of year there has been a reasonable trickle of rarities to keep things ticking over in these quietest of months, with a few in contention for highlight of the period whilst the end of July provided plenty of action across the county with birds starting to move. 

Dartford warbler:

A true county rarity with only a handful of records in the last 20 years, although with the last of these coming in the autumn of 2020 and still present in early 2021. A single bird associating with Stonechat was found on the Oxon downs by Churn on the evening of 16^th July with it still present on the morning of the 17^th. Almost all records have come during the late Autumn so to have one turn up in the middle of July is pretty remarkable . Dartford’s are highly sedentary species and with only 10 miles between Churn and the nearest breeding population at Greenham Common, this would seem the mostly likely source of this individual.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt.

Wood warbler:

For me, the highlight has to be a Wood warbler found holding territory in the south of the county. Given the rarity of this species even on passage, it is unprecedented to have one holding territory in the middle of the breeding season. The last confirmed breeding record potentially goes as far back as 1981. Given the national picture of this species, it is truly remarkable to find a new territory. The likely explanation is probably as grim as it is exciting, a probable failed breeder from elsewhere searching desperately for a mate. Given the sensitive nature of the record the news, understandably, wasn’t widely released and it has since moved on.

Courtesy of Conor MacKenzie.

Courtesy of Conor MacKenzie.

Spoonbill:

In any typical month an Oxon Spoonbill would take top billing but for two other county mega’s present and the long staying individual at Otmoor in May. Presumably the same bird from May was reported again at Otmoor on the 2^nd June. Things got very interesting for patch watchers at Bicester wetlands when two were seen on 6^th June and remaining until the morning of the 7^th, presumably different individuals from the Otmoor bird.  A remarkable record for such a small reserve and a highly deserved reward for all the dedicated birders there, in a year that is proving to be a great year for Spoonbill records with 3 records of 4 birds so far.

Bicester Wetlands Spoonbills courtesy of Stuart Lowe

Waders

Barring our local breeding species, the summer months are typically quieter on the wader front and for those that do turn up debate turns to whether these are late heading north or early heading south. The highlight of this period has to be a beautiful Grey Plover on Farmoor causeway present on the 6^th June and again on the morning of the 7^th. Sanderling continued their presence at Farmoor with 1 on the 7^th June, 2 on the 11^th and 4 on the 12^th all in various stages of their wonderful summer plumage. Whilst the first returning birds were noted on the 20^th July with two adults in summer plumage still present the following day, with 1 bird noted on the 27th. Dunlin were also present at Farmoor on route to their long journey north, with 1 on the 3^rd June, 2 on the 5^th, a nice count of 13 on the 6^th and 4 remaining on the 7^th. Dunlin started to return south and were noted on the 20^th and 21^st from Farmoor whilst a group of 4 on the 27th and a single bird reported from Grimsbury on the 26th. A single Ringed Plover was also present between the 3^rd and 5^th June, whilst another bird was seen at Chinnor on the 19^th July. A single Turnstone was noted with Dunlin and Sanderling on the 20^th July but wasn’t present the following day, whilst 2 on the 24^th made way for another group of 3 in summer plumage on the 25^th July while a lone bird lingered until the end of the month. A lone Greenshank was present on Otmoor on the 24^th July but wasn’t refound the following day, while several or possibly the same group of Whimbrel were observed from Grimsbury, Banbury and Otmoor with none stopping on route south. 

Turnstone courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Post-breeding flocks of Black-tailed Godwit are typically the first of the southbound waders to turn up within our borders and they didn’t let us down with a nice flock of 18 on the 3^rd July on Otmoor building to 22 on the 4^th. A flock of 12 were observed in flight over Farmoor on the 9^th July and a single bird on Pit 60 on the 12^th. A trio of Avocet were present on the Farmoor causeway on the 8^th, a most welcome record of multiple birds! Green Sandpiper were absent from the first half of June with the first returning bird noted at Bicester wetlands on the 21^st June with 3 also at Ardley on the same date. Numbers continued to build through June and into July at Bicester wetlands with a peak of 14 on the 25^th July with a single bird on Otmoor on the 4^th and 14^th July while 3 were present at Appleford on the 24th building to 14 on the 30th July . Common Sandpiper were recorded mostly at Farmoor with at least one present continuously throughout the period with a max count of 4 on the 4^th July. A single bird was reported from Balscote Quarry on the 19^th July and other records came from Appleford, Sutton Courtenay, Otmoor and Blenheim. 

Black-tailed Godwit courtesy of Stephen Burch

Records started to filter through of the successes of our local breeding waders with Otmoor hosting most of the interest. Outside of Otmoor - Redshank were observed at Farmoor on the 4^th and 7^th July with up to 4 birds present, 1 at Duxford on the 4^th, 2 were at Appleford on the 7^th June, 1 present at Blenheim on the 20^th and 1 on Grimsbury on the 22^nd July. Breeding Oystercatcher were noted at 4 locations and single or paired birds observed from 5 locations with a high count of 8 at Otmoor. Outside of Otmoor breeding Lapwing were observed at 4 locations and non-breeding flocks from Bicester, Appleford, Balscote Quarry and Standlake.

Little Ringed Plover bred at a least 4 locations with non-breeding birds observed at Grimsbury reservoir although a juv was observed present on 17^th July and on the 20^th with 3 on Otmoor on the 4^th July. Snipe records were thin on the ground with one coming from Otmoor in July. Outside of their stronghold of Otmoor Curlew seen at Standlake on the 19^th June and somewhere in the Upper Thames Valley on the 7^th June.

Gulls & Terns

The obvious highlight for the period was a Little Tern present on Farmoor on the 1^st July and although it wasn’t present the following day, remarkably seemingly the same bird was seen briefly at Port Meadow on the 3^rd. The same bird then relocated back to Farmoor on the 4^th and put on a magnificent show for the locals. Another record came again on the 20^th July with a single bird observed from the causeway, the same bird potentially? On the 6^th July 2 Sandwich Tern were seen in flight over Witney and unfortunately weren’t seen again. The first returning Arctic Tern was seen on evening of the 25^th July from Farmoor while 10 were reported mixed in with 40+ Common Tern on the evening of the 29th with none lingering the next day. 

Little Tern, courtesy of Bryan Manston

Yellow-legged Gull were reported from Farmoor on the 7^th July and again on the 19^th- 21^st, while Blenheim also hosted one on the 17^th. The first returning Caspian Gull was observed on the 12^th July from, where else but Appleford. This individual has been observed as a 1^st winter, 1^st Summer and now as a 2^nd Summer and was ringed in Germany, a fascinating insight into this enigmatic winter specialty. A 1^st  summer Caspian Gull was also present at Ewelme  on the 27^th. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was seen coming into roost on Farmoor on the 21^st July along with a great count of 50+ Yellow-legged Gull. While 3 juvenile Med Gulls were present on Grimsbury Reservoir on the 29th, observed feeding on emergent flying ants, and two were also to be found at Farmoor on the 30th. Little Gull also just scraped into the review period when an adult bird dropped in briefly at Pit 60 on the 30th. 

Juvenile Med Gull courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Common Tern were observed across multiple sites around the county with no specific mention of successful breeding anywhere. Although multiple birds carrying fish were observed from 3 sites with Farmoor having up to 21 birds in July with 2 juveniles amongst the group. A Black Tern was reported on the 1^st June from Farmoor but was actually seen on the 31^st May and so didn’t make it into the May review.

Caspian Gull courtesy of Thomas Miller

Wildfowl etc

After last year’s breeding success, it was great to hear once again that Garganey bred at Otmoor. Two young were observed with a female from the first screen, with at least one drake going into eclipse plumage present also throughout the period. A single drake was also observed at Standlake on the 19^th June, which continues its run as a reliable site for the species throughout the year. 

Although of questionable origin a Ruddy Shelduck was a nice addition to the Otmoor year list, with a single bird present first on the 16^th June and again throughout until the 2^nd half of July and a single bird also present at Little Wittenham on the 29th. Continuing the theme,  Red-crested Pochard were reported from Farmoor on the 20^th June with 2 females present with the tufted flock. Mandarin were noted from Dorchester on the 16th July while 3 were present at Sonning Eye GPs on the 28th. A juvenile Black-necked Grebe just scraped into the review period when one dropped in at Otmoor on the 29th and remained until the end of the month, whilst 3 birds were reported from Farmoor towards the end of July. 

Ruddy Shelduck courtesy of Nick Truby

Two Shelduck were present on Otmoor on the 3^rd June, whilst 4 were present on Bicester wetlands also on the 3^rd and through to the 9^th June. Successful breeding of Gadwall and Tufted Duck were noted at Bicester wetlands and Farmoor respectively, with 2 Broods of 3 and 6 of Gadwall and 2 broods of 4 and 6 Tufted Duck. The first returning Teal was reported from Bicester wetlands on the 2^nd July with a Wigeon reported from Appleford on the 1^st June which is presumably the same drake present last summer.

Quail records were thin on the ground with one record coming on the 1^st June from Aston Rowant NNR and another heard on Otmoor on the 4^th July. Two Great Bustards were reported flushed from a field in Letcombe Bassett on the 27^th the same area which played host to the long staying and popular male in 2020 through to the middle of 2021. This is the 2^nd  record in Oxon this year with a bird from Chimney Meadows earlier in the year.  With the now apparent self-sustaining population on Salisbury Plain this could become a much more regular occurrence within our county boundary.

Egrets, herons etc

White Stork was reported twice through the period with one in flight over Brize Norton on the 22 June and a probable reported over Kidlington on the 14^th but unfortunately neither report led to a bird been found on the deck.

Great news was once again found coming from Blenheim with the successful breeding colony of Cattle Egret continuing for another year. Records of these wide-ranging birds came from mostly the north and west of the county. Groups of various sizes were reported throughout the period from Otmoor, Chimney Meadows and Pit 60. Numbers were difficult to pin down but up to 40 were potentially present on the 23^rd July across Otmoor and Pit 60. 5 young were observed in the nests within the colony and several juveniles have been reported with feeding flocks from several sites. A max flock count came from Otmoor at the end of July with a minimum of 28, whilst birds were observed collecting nesting material for what could be another breeding attempt at a different site! 

Otmoor Cattle Egrets courtesy of Malcom Bowey

Great White Egret were regularly reported across the county with 1 seen at Pit 60 on the 2^nd,  9^th and 23^rd June and again on the 3^rd and 9^th July. One was reported from Farmoor on the 20^th June with 2 also present at Cassington on the 12^th July. Some decent counts of Little Egret came in the latter half of the period with 21 reported from Blenheim around the breeding colony with a significant proportion of these juvenile. 18 were also reported from Bicester wetlands on the 18^th July, a site record.

Success again this year for the Otmoor Cranes, photo courtesy of Richard Stevens.

Adult with juvenile Crane Otmoor rspb courtesy of Richard Stevens.

Crane looked to be having another fantastic year when up to 6 birds were present on the 3^rd June including 2 juveniles. 2 of the adults that were present departed later in the month, but two chicks remained with the initial pair. Unfortunately, by the end of July only 1 chick was left but this one was eventually seen taking small practice flights and will hopefully successfully fledge! The 2^nd pair were again reported on the 24^th July. Bittern were only reported from one other site outside of Otmoor with 1 at Standlake on the 3^rd July.

Passerines etc

A Channel Wagtail present at Appleford on the 2^nd June was a nice record and the 2^nd there in two years, elsewhere Yellow Wagtail were recorded from at least 10 sites with a maximum count of 4 at Letcombe Regis. A single Northern Wheatear showing characteristics of the Greenland subspecies was present on Farmoor on the 6^th June, given the lateness of the record this would seem to add this identification. Whilst a 3^rd Yellow Wagtail race graced the county boundaries when a cracking Flava/Blue-headed Wagtail was present at Farmoor on the 22^nd July .

Yellow Wagtail courtesy of Bryan Manston

Spotted Flycatcher were reported in pairs and singles from at least 11 locations with no confirmation of breeding reported but certainly happened within the county boundaries. Cuckoo were reported widely across the county, mostly of singing male but several females were also recorded with up to 5 birds (3m + 2f) at Otmoor on the 3^rd June. A rather keen male was heard singing from Pinkhill reserve along the Thames well into July. At least one juv was present at Otmoor at the back end of July.

Juvenile Stonechat were observed from the Oxon downs on the 15^th June, whilst away from their strongholds Corn Bunting were recorded from Appleford on the 11^th June, Otmoor on the 5^th July and at least 3 singing males in Sutton Courtenay were present throughout.

Leucistic Starling courtesy of Chris Knight.

 

The first returning Redstart were reported from Otmoor on the 6^th July and again present on the 25^th, whilst 3 were on the downs at Segsbury Camp on the 13^th with 2 remaining on the 23^rd, 1 on Linkey Down on the 16^th and 1 at Harwell Lab on the 20^th. Whinchat also made an appearance with a nice count of 4 on Otmoor on the 5^th July. A juvenile bird was reported from Ardley on the 30th and another bird from Farmoor on the same day. 

Redstart, Segsbury Camp, courtesy of Geoff Dymott

With 'the' Otmoor Turtle Dove failing to turn up for any significant amount of time this year, the grim scenario that this once numerous species was potentially about to become extinct in the county was feeling like reality. So it is great news to hear of a pair found in the south of the county with the male heard purring and holding territory!

Little Owl family Oxon courtesy of Matthew Lloyd.

Raptors

Marsh Harrier had a good showing across the county through the summer. Bicester wetlands continued its purple patch hosting one from the 7^th June until the 9^th, another fantastic record for a small reserve. Appleford saw only its 2^nd record with a young male drifting over on the 11^th June, Chimney hosted a pair on the 12^th and Standlake had a female on the 13^th June and again on the 3^rd July. Otmoor had a max count of 8 with at least 4 juveniles present throughout the period.

An unseasonable Osprey was seen in flight heading north over Otmoor on the 7^th June and typically wasn’t seen again, while a more typical sighting came on the 31st fishing at Farmoor before not been seen again. Hobby were noted from at least 10 sites across the county with a max count of 5 at Otmoor earlier in the period.

Courtesy of Malcom Bowey

Looking ahead

With the slow but unstoppable creep of autumn upon us, locals can start to hope again that an early morning visit to the patch will produce some migration magic (see White-rumped Sandpiper at Dorney Common in Bucks).

As well as the expected commoner birds, August is a great time of year to pick up patch gold as waders start to move en masse and can turn up just about it anywhere. Scarcities such as Little Stint are pretty reliable from Farmoor this month with 5 of the last 10 Augusts producing at least one bird. Wryneck are also frequently recorded in August with birds recorded in 2010,13, 15 and 2018 and would be a welcome bird to any local patch.

On the rarer side of things two Purple Heron records have come in August in years gone by, 2007 and 2018, with both been long staying popular birds. Whilst in more recent times this month has also seen a couple records of Pectoral Sandpiper with 1 from Farmoor in 2020 and another from Appleford in 2018.

August has also produced its fair share of county mega’s even as recently as last year when the first of two Purple Sandpiper that year turned up a Farmoor. An even rarer wader, Marsh Sandpiper, was found in August 2007 and frequented Peep-o-Day Lane for several days. Whilst going a little further back when a county first and only a 3^rd for Britain at the time in the form of an American Black Tern rocked up at Farmoor along with a White-winged Black Tern. An event surely unlikely to ever be repeated?! White-winged Black Tern also has an affinity with this month with the last two records coming in August.

What will August 2022 produce? With the recent breeding records, a Black-winged Stilt maybe? Either way here’s hoping for a strong passage of migrants after the what seemed like a slow spring!

Conor 

Swift action saves the day!

Courtesy of Sally Taylor.

This juvenile Swift was found in middle of a busy road in Eynsham,yesterday evening,under a very popular low nesting site.It was very briefly in this shoe box to assess its condition.

It was desperate to fly,so released successfully away from busy roads.

Lets hope it is on its way to Africa!

Sally Taylor