June/July review

 Highlights

Anyone else looking forward to Autumn yet? The summer lull can be particularly brutal in these parts and more often than not results in, for myself at least, chasing some of our other taxa – Orchids, Odonata and Lepidoptera. Even then, there is always one eye on what is happening on the birding front, locally or otherwise – but let’s not talk about the Black-winged Kite. Most of the summer locally was typically very quiet with much of the focus on our local breeding birds whether that’s species in stark decline such as Curlew or recent additions on the up such as Blenheim’s Cattle Egret colony. At the end of June I was starting to wonder whether I would have anything to write about come the end of July. Thankfully a county mega was unearthed in the 2^nd week of July, giving pretty much everyone in the county a second chance at a species that had recently caused heartache with a failed county wide twitch at Otmoor in May.

An accounting error on my part meant that I had double counted a few species over the course of the year, which means the county year list stands at 198 even after adding four species to the year list over the summer period. An additional 11 subspecies or non-BOU species have also been recorded so far in 2023.

Black-crowned Night Heron

After the bird found flying over Otmoor at dusk at the end of April failed to materialise the following evening, despite a vigil by many of the counties birders, who would have expected such a quick turn around for the next record? An adult in full summer regalia was found down Peep-o-day Lane on the morning of the 9^th and was a truly well-deserved find by Tom Wickens for all the effort he puts in down the patch and the wider area. Given we share this patch and been out of the county frequently I have learned to dread phone calls from Tom, having previously missed out on a few good birds locally including Yellow-browed Warbler. So to get a call from him in early July could only mean something great was on the patch and just my luck I was on my way elsewhere. I needn’t have worried though, as the bird did the right thing and stuck around until dusk at least, affording everyone who needed/wanted to see it to get great views from the cycle path whilst it roosted for much of the day.

The Night Heron courtesy of Ian Lewington

 

 

...and some video courtesy of Badger

Courtesy of Andy Last

Given the recent record back in April/May the question arises whether this is bird and that bird are actually one in the same? In a normal year this might seem a logical explanation even with such a large gap in sightings, given their nocturnal habits and abundance of suitable roosting habitat. But with so many records this year across the country it would seem this is likely to be a 2^nd individual and only the 4^th record this century, which includes the bird assessed as a probable escapee back in 2002. This individual decided to bunk or at the very least picked a much less observable roost spot by the following day, with no sign until the bird reappeared nearly week later on the same pool. This early morning sighting was followed up by a further disappearing act with no sign until reappearing over 10 days later when it was flushed from a ditch opposite its previously favoured pool. It seemingly has been present all this time, where is anyone’s guess but a subsequent search with a thermal imager produced no further sightings.

Nature of record	Site	Year
A single bird - shot	Burford	May 1891
Single bird	Deddington	September 1934
Single bird	Benson Weir	22nd May 1972
Single bird	Cassington GPs	6th – 29th July 1976
Single bird – flushed from Shifford Lock	Shifford Lock	16th April 2000
Adult – Present on Otmoor but observed to have colour ring and damaged beak. Assumed to be an escapee	Otmoor	19th – 27th May 2000
Adult – Photographed flying over Otmoor’s 2nd screen at dusk	Otmoor	31st April 2023 (possibly present before with nocturnal calls potentially heard)
Adult – found roosting and observed feeding later in the evening	Peep-o-day Lane	9th – 15th July 2023

Honourable mentions

A couple bits of interesting news filtered through the grapevine over the summer months relating to some rare breeding species. The first of these came from Otmoor with a fantastic record of four Spotted Crake heard singing over the summer and potentially holding territory. Single males can turn up and sing sporadically almost anywhere (pending suitable habitat), but for four males to set up territories on one site surely points to probable breeding attempts and the likely presence of female birds? Let’s hope the autumn brings some showy juveniles – maybe on one of the pools along Greenaway’s? It will also be interesting to see what other sites across the county report first ever breeding of the species or possible record numbers breeding at well-known colonies like Wheldrake Ings up in Yorkshire and maybe Otmoor, like the former will become a well-established colony in future years?

Finally, a singing male Black Redstart singing in central Oxford was a pleasant surprise for one lucky observer. The distinctive song was heard over the hustle and bustle of Gloucester Green and was seemingly holding territory from a TV antenna on top of an unoccupied building – classic! Only one proven breeding record has been documented in the county with the OOS vice president been shown a nest by the previous county recorder around 40 years ago! Our current county recorder was also shown a pair on territory back in 1985 at Didcot Power Station but this pairing was never proved to have bred. Unfortunately the singing male was not relocated over the course of several short visits, but with an abundance of suitable habitat its quite easy to imagine birds disappearing amongst the noise and activity of the city. 

Farmoor Kingfisher, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Waders

The standout for the period came late in the day with a lovely summer plumaged Knot at Farmoor on the 25^th July A cracking ‘Red’ individual and the first since 2021 with a blank year in 2022 it stuck around until at least the 26^th accompanied by another staple of the early autumn Farmoor birding assemblage – a Turnstone which had been present since the previous day feeding along the causeway.

The Farmoor Knot, courtesy of Steve Liptrot

Sanderling either were still moving through on at the beginning of the period with a flock of 7 at Farmoor on the 1^st June. Likely late arrivals to breeding grounds in Greenland it is likely we will see the first returning birds within the next week or so! Five of this flock remained at Farmoor until the 2^nd before departing for pastures new. And just like that the first returning bird was at Grimsbury on the 28^th, a mere 57 days after the last of the northern bound migrants were in the county.  Whimbrel flying into roost at Balscote Quarry with Curlew for several evenings between the 15^th and 27^th June was probably the most unusual of the periods observations. 

Farmoor Sanderling, courtesy of David Hastings

 

Presumably the last Greenshank heading north was clocked at Appleford on the 1^st. Whilst presumed returning birds trickled through on the 9^th with a single at Pit 60 whilst two birds were logged on the 10^th with a single at Otmoor and a flyover birds at Farmoor also. Black-tailed Godwit also made their return journey through the county on the 10^th when a single was also at Otmoor with numbers increasing to five here on the 13^th. Northward bound Ringed Plover continued through the county with a nice flock of 8 at Appleford on the 1^st. Venn Mill had a single the following day whilst Otmoor had 3 on the 2^nd also. This increased to 10+ on the 5^th with 3 remaining until at least the 8^th. The first presumed returning bird came from Peep-o-day Lane on the 17^th July.

Distant Greenshank at Pit 60, courtesy of Mick Cunningham

 

Black-tailed Godwits at Otmoor, courtesy of Malcolm Bowey

The last of the Dunlin heading north through the county came on the 2^nd from Venn Mill which interestingly enough seemingly hosted the first southward bound migrant on the 17^th July. Grimsbury also hosted a bird on the 17^th with birds at Farmoor from the 24^th, with a maximum count of 4 here on the 26^th. Bicester also managed to host a single bird on the 28^th amongst the many Green Sandpiper the site is hosting currently. Green Sandpiper were logged at 7 sites across the county through June and July. As in recent years Bicester Wetlands produced the most records with numbers slowly increasing reaching a peak of 16 on the 21^st with double digit counts still been received at the end of the month.

Green Sandpipers at Biscester Wetlands, courtesy of Alan Peters

Common Sandpiper came from 8 sites throughout the summer period. The highest count came from Kings Lock on the 13^th when 7 were logged, but other high counts include 5 at Pit 60 on the 12^th with several sites logging 2-3 birds throughout June and July. Outside of Otmoor Redshank were recorded at Bicester on the 20^th June and Peep-o-day Lane on the 17^th July. Little Ringed Plover were observed breeding at various sites across the county with many attending to young chicks. A nice surprise came in the form of several Woodcock records with one at Little Baldon on the 12^th June and a further four birds at Stoke Row on the 16^th, giving hope that this species clings on as a breeding species within the county.

Wildfowl, game and crakes

Quail had a good spread of records across the county with a minimum 5 birds recorded from the very north of the county to the most southerly part. The Devils Punchbowl, a classic site, had records from the 3^rd through to the 9^th June. Otmoor, a site that unusually doesn’t seem get many records, had a bird singing on the 16^th and sporadically up until the 23^rd June before two birds where then heard singing on the 21^st July. Additional birds came from Balscote Quarry on the 28^th, Rushey Lock on the 30^th June with the latest record at Taynton on the 20^th July.

We only received two records over the summer of Garganey with a female bird at Peep-o-day Lane on the 15^th June, whilst a pair were present on Otmoor on the 24^th of the month. No confirmation of breeding was forthcoming from either site even though pairs or singles have been present almost continuously since the end of April. Shelduck records all came from the northern half of the county with birds continuing to be recorded at Port Meadow with up to 3 birds until at least the 4^th June. Bicester hosted 2 birds on the 4^th also with possibly the same pair at Otmoor on the 8^th June.

After another successful breeding year for Goosander, with at least two family groups observed around Waterstock and outer Oxford records were a bit thin on the ground with birds presumably dispersing. Waterstock still hosted one birds on the 18^th June whilst juvenile birds were present at Port Meadow and Farmoor on the 16^th and 25^th July respectively. A nice breeding record of Shoveler came from Pit 60 with a female and 5 ducklings recorded on the 17^th June.

Ruddy Shelduck were still present in the first half of June with a pair of birds at Kirtlington on the 5^th June with presumably the same birds present on Otmoor almost a month later on the 9^th July. A single female at Peep-o-day Lane on the 25^th July coincided with a national influx of continental birds and one has to wonder when these birds will move into Cat C with a seemingly strong naturalised population in the Netherlands. Mandarin were present in the usual places over the summer month with up to 3 at Sonning Eye GP’s and a single birds present throughout at Sutton Courtenay. The dodgy Red-breasted Goose continued at Otmoor in the early part of June from the 3^rd to the 4^th, presumably one of the same birds that was present last year although where it has been in the interim is anybody’s guess.

The Red-breasted Goose at Otmoor, courtesy of Maurici Burnet

Herons, egrets etc

Aside from the stunning adult Night Heron down Peep-o-day Lane the excitement from this group came in the form of successful breeding from the now established Cattle Egret breeding colony at Blenheim. Three juveniles were observed on the 10^th July and the birds are in their 3^rd consecutive year breeding successfully at the site. Hopefully the continued success will push new colonies to set up elsewhere in the county with Otmoor and Pit 60 seemingly favoured sites at the moment. Most of the records came from these 3 sites with a peak count of 10+ at Otmoor on the 9^th July, whilst a peak count of 8 and 6 were logged at Blenheim and Pit 60 respectively. Additional sites to records birds included a single bird at Enslow on the 23^rd June and 4 in flight over the A34 near Hampton Poyle on the 18^th July.

Cattle Egret at Otmoor, courtesy of Debbie Cowee

Great White Egret continued to be ever present in the county over the summer months, albeit more loyal to a handful of sites. Presumably most are young non-breeders although the occasional one appears to be in breeding plumage and could be failed breeders from the Somerset Levels? Pit 60 had the most records with birds present regularly over both months, with a max count of 4 coming on the 9^th June. Otmoor also hosted birds regularly, albeit from the end of June through into July. The maximum count of 5 on the 25^th July was the highest in the county over the period and the joint most seen together this year. It seems though from notes over at Pit 60 there is regular turnover of birds and just how many are in the county at any one time is hard to know, but its possible double figures have already been reached this year. Additional records came from Farmoor and Peep-o-day Lane all at the latter end of July.

Otmoor Great White Egret, courtesy of Malcolm Bowey

 

Great White Egret Otmoor courtesy of Peter Miligan.

Cranes continued to be recorded through the summer although records became scarcer towards the end of the period. Sadly after the death of the pioneering Maple Glory it seems any breeding attempt by the newer pair of birds hasn’t resulted in success, a real shame after last years amazing news.

Otmoor Cranes, courtesy of Derek Lane

Gulls and Terns

A typically very quiet period for Gulls & Terns over the summer, with the main passage season yet to get under way. Only two records worthy of mention made it through over the period with a single Yellow-legged Gull over at Grimsbury on the 18^th June, although I am sure there may be more records out there, whilst single Mediterranean Gull over at Pit 60 on the 23^rd July rounded off the only highlights.

Passerines

Again, another typically quiet period of Passerines with most of the common birds that move through the county still on breeding grounds. The first southward bound Redstart did make their way through the county from Mid-July though. Typically all juvenile birds the first appeared at Grimsbury on the 12^th and continued until the 17^th at least. The downs hosted birds at Lollingdon on the 20^th and at Chilton on the 21^st. The first of the Autumn seasons Wheatear also arrived in the county in the latter part of July, with two present in the typical location of the Oxon Downs at Aston Upthorpe

Juvenile Redstart at Grimsbury Reservoir, courtesy of Mike Pollard

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy of Alan Dawson

Raptors

A typically brief Honey Buzzard over Otmoor on the 3^rd June was the only notable species observed through the summer.

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight	Target	Percentage of target
Aston eyot	Ben Sheldon	58	56		90	64.44
Blenheim	Gareth Casburn	110	106	Shelduck	100	110.00
Dix pit	Simon Bradfield	114	91	Black Tern	75	152.00
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	112	103	Sandwich Tern and Greenshank	130	86.15
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	80	74	Firecrest	80	100.00
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	148	127	Wood  Sand #Patchtick. Grey Plover #Patchtick. Osprey.	122	121.31
Sutton courtenay	Conor MacKenzie	144	123	Black-crowned Night Heron, Great White egret, Ruddy Shelduck	140	102.86
Freeland	Glen Pascoe	81	74		80	101.20
East challow	Mark Merritt	84	80		83	101.20

Terry Godfrey took some beautiful footage of Red Kites and their nest near to Cassington and was kind enough to share a montage of their activity and an insight to these stunning birds of prey. Please note that all these clips were taken from a regularly used public footpath some 125 metres from the nest, with the birds unconcerned or at any point disturbed by Terrys presence.   

Otmoor Sky at Night

Saturday 12 August 9.00pm-11.30pm

Come to Otmoor and explore the open night skies in search of stars, planets and the summer spectacular of the Perseid meteor shower.

          BOOKING ESSENTIAL:

Book on line at https://events.rspb.org.uk/

£8.75 members, £10.75 non members

Suitable for children over 10 years—children £6.75

Email otmoor.admin@rspb.org.uk or
telephone 01865 351163 for more details