August Review

 Highlights

And just like that the summer lull has dissipated and the excitement of autumn is rolling in, possibly more with a whimper than a bang but at least things are beginning to kick off! That time of year where an early morning or late evening visit to the patch can produce a bit of patch gold, with waders the staple of most patch birders ambitions and the most obvious target. It’s early doors yet but the variety and spread of migrant wader records started to pick up around the middle of the month albeit in a trickle rather than a flood, hopefully with plenty more birds and species to come over the next couple weeks. August failed to provide any additions to the year list, so the total still stands at 198 with the additional 11 non-BOU species and the odd subspecies also. September is very likely to tip us over the 200 mark and hopefully top the lowly 204 achieved last year, the joint 2^nd lowest species recorded this century. Little Stint should be a given, having only been missing from two out of the last 20 September’s whilst another Curlew Sandpiper or a summer plumaged Spotted Redshank would be most welcome additions.

Unfortunately, there was no real standout rarity this month that warranted a highlight, so below is a couple records of note that seemed deserving of highlighting instead.

Norwegian ringed Common Sandpiper

A cracking image from Pinkhill of a flagged and colour ringed Common Sandpiper provided a great opportunity to get some context for these fairly common and widespread migrants within the county. A quick search suggested that ‘LTN’ was ringed in Norway rather than from our own breeding population in the north of England or even Scotland. Southern England is an important fuelling ground for both our ‘own’ breeders and those from further north, particularly the Fenno-Scandinavian birds which number half a million pairs, en route to the wintering grounds in West Africa. Unfortunately the most specific details we could gain for ‘LTN’ was that it was likely ringed as a young bird this summer in Rogaland county, SW Norway presumably on its way approximately 900km southwest to Farmoor.

The ringed Common Sandpiper at Pinkhill, courtesy of Paul Mallarini

Breeding Quail

In what has been a great year for rare breeding species in the county (see Cattle Egret, Goosander, Spotted Crake and Black Redstart). A fantastic record of a Quail family party at Otmoor on the 22^nd gives some rare confirmation of successful breeding for a species that is likely to breed annually within the county but incredibly difficult to confirm. In any given year it can be difficult to pin down exactly how many birds have been recorded due to their elusiveness and their almost ventriloquist like ability to sound in multiple places at once. In fact the last solidly confirmed breeding record (i.e physical evidence of success) came back in 2011 when our own Roger Wyatt staked out a field due for harvest which resulted in the survival of the brood and some fantastic photos (see below). This year, although not quite at ‘Quail’ year status, has seen a good spread of records across the county with Otmoor seeing multiple singing males present in summer, a site that surprisingly records few Quail year to year. With Spotted Crake seemingly added to breeding bird assemblage there this year, Otmoor has had cracking 2023.

Breeding Oxon Quail back in 2011, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Waders

The first returning Wood Sandpiper of the autumn was probably the standout rarity for this group in August. A lone bird at Peep-o-Day Lane was present from the 21^st until at least the 27^th, unfortunately preferring the furthest part of the flood and only affording folk mostly distant views. 

 

Wood Sandpiper at Peep-O-Day Lane, courtesy of Badger

A pair of Turnstone on the Farmoor causeway on the 13^th as expected afforded observers much better views. A juv and a lovely summer plumaged adult were present for a single day with the adult hanging on until the 15^th. A 2^nd bird appeared on the 15^th with two still present up until at least the 23^rd.   

Farmoor Turnstone, courtesy of John Workman

A lone Sanderling on the 16^th also came from Farmoor in the company of several other wader species. Presumably a 2^nd bird was present on the 23^rd. Also present on the 16^th was a cracking juvenile Ruff and was typically confiding up until its departure on the 17^th.  Pit 60 also hosted a single juvenile on the 26^th with two birds then here on the 28^th until at least the 29^th. 

Farmoor Ruff, courtesy of Steve Liptrot

A great vis-mig record of four Whimbrel over Fyfield Wick on the 24^th were the first of the autumn and just goes to prove what we might be missing flying directly over our heads during this busy period.

Greenshank were observed at 3 locations this month. With the first coming from John Allen Pit in Dorchester-on-Thames on the 9^th. A bird calling over Farmoor presumably was looking for somewhere to rest up but didn’t stick around on the 23^rd whilst two birds were on Hatford Pit on the 27^th. Ringed Plover records only came from Farmoor in August with two birds calling over the reservoir on the 14^th, a lone bird on the 19^th and a trio of birds there on the 23^rd. A single Black-tailed Godwit was on Pit 60 on the 3^rd with possibly another here on the 15^th, whilst a group of four were clocked heading over Fyfield Wick on the 24^th. Dunlin records were still mostly confided to Farmoor through August with only Bicester Wetlands and Hatford hosting any other birds this month. A maximum of five were on Farmoor on the 4^th with three remaining until the 6^th, with a new pair of birds also here on the 23^rd. Bicester hosted a single bird on the 7^th and it continued to be recorded up until at least the 13^th, whilst a juvenile was at Hatford on the 28^th.

As expected, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper made up the bulk of wader records this month with a large spread throughout the county. Green Sandpiper were reported form eight sites this month with several sites recorded multiple birds. The highest count came from Bicester Wetlands which retains its status as the best site in the county for Green Sandpiper during both migration periods, a maximum of 15 were here on the 9^th. Peep-o-Day Lane recorded the next highest count with three birds on the 23^rd. Common Sandpiper on the other hand were observed from at least 12 sites. Most records relate to single birds with the highest count of three coming from Grimsbury on the 1^st and Chinnor on the 29^th. Non Otmoor Redshank records came from Farmoor on the 10^th & 28^th, Pit 60 on the 15^th and Rushy Common on the 28^th.

Farmoor Dunlin, courtesy of Mark Chivers

Wildfowl, game and crakes

Aside from the excellent record of the family party at Otmoor, with two birds subsequently seen in flight on the 27^th, the only other record this month was of a sad record of a dead bird up on the ridgeway in the early part of August. Although it has been a great month for Garganey records with several sites have multiple birds present during the late spring, there has been no confirmed breeding records forthcoming. Several reports of a female down Peep-o-Day Lane showed no signs of young in attendance despite seemingly being present since April. A juvenile on Church Farm Scrape may hopefully point to local breeding somewhere but could just have easily come from anywhere in reality.

The Ruddy Shelduck continued on Peep-o-Day Lane spending much of its time with large and seemingly growing flock of Egyptian Goose. The bird was reported on and off throughout the month with a 2^nd bird joining on the 28^th. A Shelduck observed on Venn Mill on the 28^th was the only record of this species this month, whilst the only Mandarin record came from Pit 60 on the 5^th.

Herons, egrets etc

After another successful breeding year Cattle Egret saw more widespread records within the county this month, as juveniles and adult feeding parties began to wander away from their natal grounds at Blenheim. Breeding this year appears to have been staggered with several nests at different stages still present throughout August. The maximum count came from Otmoor on the 19^th with at least 12 birds which included at least three juveniles, whilst on the 18^th there was at least six juveniles across two nests with a different nest containing one juvenile on the 23^rd. All of this points to very productive year for the now well established colony. Away from Otmoor and Blenheim five additional sites recorded at least one Cattle Egret this month. Several were flyover records i.e Frilford on the 7^th or 11 over Farmoor on the 24^th. Singles were present at Church Farm Scrape and Ardley ERF on the 6^th and 11^th respectively, whilst four were at Woodstock on the 28^th.

Juvenile Cattle Egret, at Otmoor, courtesy of Peter Barker

Great White Egret continued their ever presence in the county through August. Five sites recorded birds this month with a maximum count of three birds present on Pit 60 on the 26^th, whilst two birds were present throughout the month at Blenheim and Otmoor. A colour ringed bird at Church Farm Scrape on the 29^th was a 1^st summer bird ringed this year down at Ham Wall in Somerset, the likely source for the entirety of our records during the summer months. With a seemingly record year down on Shapwick Heath with 88 chicks fledged this year, one has to hope we will eventually see the first breeding in Oxon sometime soon.

Gulls and Terns

Unfortunately most good records this month relate to birds flying through Farmoor on not lingering very long. The highlight for the period came in the form of a stunning adult Little Gull on the 16^th from Farmoor whilst a nice flock of 11 Sandwich Tern bombed through Farmoor on the 14^th with a single bird hanging around a little while longer. A single Black Tern was present on Farmoor on the afternoon of the 18^th which eventually grew into 13 birds later that evening. As expected, these birds were gone by the following morning. Almost too late for the review came another record of single Black Tern on Farmoor on the evening of the 31^st and maybe this one will hang around into September. 

Farmoor Yellow-legged Gull courtesy of Nick Truby

A one legged adult Caspian Gull on the 20^th was the only record of this species albeit an intriguing one at that, with the bird present at Gill Mill Quarry. A single juvenile Mediterranean Gull was present on Farmoor on the 25^th with possible the same one present the next day at Pit 60. 

One legged Caspian Gull at Gill Mill Quarry, courtesy of Paul Hicks

Passerines

After a few early migrants in the latter half of last month Passerine migration got into full swing this month with good numbers of all the common and expected species. Whinchat were recorded from at least 11 locations. By far the largest count came from Otmoor were a minimum of 18 were seen on the 23^rd, a whopping count and an especially painful number for those us who would take just a single bird on their patch. Typically, an obvious bias was towards the downs with the next highest count coming from Cholsey with 6 on the 15^th. Trio’s were noted on Kings Lock and the Chilton Downs on the 26^th and 16^th respectively. Singles were noted from Cholsey, Farmoor, Woodstock, Childrey Field, Lark Hill, Caterton and Gramps Hill. 

Whinchat along the Bunk Line, Cholsey, courtesy of Alan Dawson

Wheatear followed a similar trajectory through the county although interestingly in less numbers. The largest group came from Lark Hill where four were present on the 15^th. Trios were present at the Devils Punchbowl, Childrey Field and Letcombe Regis on the 6^th, 24^th and 26^th respectively. Other locations included Farmoor, Hatford, Gramps Hill and Caterton. Redstart were certainly the most widespread migrant this month with records from at least 16 sites. Otmoor recorded birds the most frequently, as it often does, with birds recorded on and off throughout August. Only two sites recorded more than two birds with three individuals at Gramps Hill and Letcombe Regis on the 23^rd and 26^th respectively. 

Redstart, Burgess Field, Port Meadow, courtesy of Matthew Lloyd

Notable counts of Yellow Wagtail came from two sites this month. Moreton Golf Course recorded 40 birds on the 25^th whilst Childrey Field recorded 39 birds on the 23^rd. 

Yellow Wagtail at the Bunk Line, Cholsey, courtesy of Paul Chandler

 

Tree Pipit were recorded from four sites with the most notable of these coming from the city of Oxford with two birds over Warneford Meadow on the 19^th. Another notable record and certainly the rarest of them all within its own unique context was the record of a Corn Bunting also from Warneford Meadow in Oxford on the 17^th. Incredibly the first Oxford record in 43 years! A really cracking urban record and proves what can found with sustained effort even in the most constrained of greenspaces. 

Raptors

Unfortunately it was a quiet month for Raptor records with the most notable record coming very early in the month when a White-tailed Eagle was seen along the Berks/Oxon border on the 1^st. Almost certainly a bird from the IoW reintroduction project and was quite possibly G452 a 3cy female that has travelled widely throughout the country since her release. She was seen at Rutland later that month and presumably travelled through Oxfordshire en route. Whatever its origin and identity with the success of the project, having had their successful breeding and fledging this year we are likely to get more and more records from now on!

An early Merlin was also pretty notable when a single bird was seen at Childrey Field on the 27^th and presumably the same bird stuck around the downs when a Merlin was also seen around Churn Farm the following day. 

 

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight	Target	Percentage of target
Aston eyot	Ben Sheldon	58	56		90	64.44
Blenheim	Gareth Casburn	122	109	Shelduck	100	122.00
Dix pit	Simon Bradfield	114	91	Black Tern	75	152.00
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	113	104	Sandwich Tern and Greenshank	130	86.92
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	86	80	Corn Bunting – first City record for 43 years!	80	107.50
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	148	127	Wood  Sand #Patchtick. Grey Plover #Patchtick. Osprey.	122	121.31
Sutton Courtenay	Conor MacKenzie	151	126	Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier (patch tick) and Redstart	140	107.86
Freeland	Glen Pascoe	81	74		80	101.25
East Challow	Mark Merritt	84	80		83	101.20