September review

Highlights

A very busy month in September produced some very good birding and a decent spread of county rarities to boot. After adding no species to the county wide list in August, September added 7 more species included some very good county rarities although not all were gettable unfortunately. The county list now stands at 205, which has surpassed the low total of last year. With some of the Autumn and the whole of the Winter period yet to come we are hopefully on course to see a much more typical total of the last 20 or so years, although the trend as it stands does show a gradual decrease in species recorded since the turn of the century.

Pallid Harrier

The much anticipated change of pace of the Autumn kicked off with a bang early in the month when a 2^nd record for the county was located at Otmoor, with a young male Pallid Harrier snapped flying over Greenaways on the 9^th. An atypical looking bird that produced some discussion around its parentage and the possibility of hybrid, luckily though features for Pallid Harrier were quickly nailed down thanks to some cracking photos from onsite observers. Unfortunately for those of us unable to get over to site right away, or in my case heading in the opposite direction up north, the bird did not stick around very long after doing a few circuits of Otmoor. This bird constitutes the 2^nd county record and the 1^st since a similarly aged bird was seen by a single observer over the Downs in 2011. Unbelievably this means the county, and indeed Otmoor, has recorded all four regularly occurring harrier species in 2023, quite something given the fortunes of Montagu’s Harrier. Northern Harrier next anyone?

Pallid Harrier, above and below courtesy of John Reynolds

 

 

Grey Phalarope

The 23^rd of the month then went on to produce a stunning Grey Phalarope on the causeway at Farmoor. This diminutive and hardy wader species is always a much welcome addition to the county list and always proves to be popular with county birders and national birders alike. With last years brief flyover record, also at Farmoor, a bird showing well on the causeway was also going to be very sought after individual. Quite amazingly this bird was ringed, although it turns out a bird was ringed two days earlier on the Wilts/Oxon border on a duck pond of all places! Presumably the ring number will indeed show these birds are one and the same. The Phalarope thankfully stayed until the 25^th allowing many folk to see it before departure. 

Grey Phalarope courtesy of Nick Truby

Grey Phalarope video & photo courtesy of Anna Marlow.

Honourable Mentions

Dartford Warbler

A once county mega this species is starting to become an almost expected annual, with birds recorded in 3 of the last 4 years equal to number of records in the previous 20 years.  Always a skulky species this bird was no exception with an induvial heard calling near Frilford Heath Golf Course on the 17^th September and not seen or heard again. Like several of the last few records its quite possible this bird will go to ground for a while before reappearing elsewhere or even at the same site later in the Autumn. 

 

Manx Shearwater

Typically this species would make the highlights section in its own right. Unfortunately these records relate to windblown individual that were subsequently taken into care in Didcot having been picked up in Witney. Unbelievably 2 birds were actually picked up within the county within a couple of days and both were taken to Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue Unfortunately, as this the case with many pelagic birds, both perished over the course of their care.

Courtesy of Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue

Waders

As discussed in the previous edition of the monthly review both Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper made their appearance at Farmoor this month, interestingly both came within a day of each other. Little Stint came first with a lone individual on the causeway on the evening of the 8^th, although unfortunately didn’t remain long enough for those not already present on site that evening. 

Farmoor Little Stint, courtesy of Lew

A record group of Curlew Sandpiper also made a brief appearance the following morning with 7 birds along the causeway, unfortunately the news did not filter out before they had long departed although I suspect the distraction of a 2^nd county record over at Otmoor may have proved the more popular draw in this case. Luckily, another Curlew Sandpiper appeared, again at Farmoor, on the 12^th with the news of this one getting out quickly many a happy birder was able to connect before it departed that evening. 

Farmoor Curlew Sandpiper courtesy of Ben Sheldon

In what has been a very decent year for Knot in the county, another two appeared this month on the 18^th. Initially a single bird on the causeway was eventually joined by a 2^nd, although in the drabber winter plumage to which us inland birders are much more accustomed to. Continuing the theme of good showings, Turnstone continued to reach the county in decent numbers. Single birds were present on Farmoor on the 3^rd and 14^th with two birds then present on the 22^nd. A large count of 6 then flew into the reservoir whilst observers were delighting in the Grey Phalarope also present. A single one day Wood Sandpiper was also present this month in what has felt a much poorer autumn for this species, a lone bird was present down Peep-o-day Lane on the 10^th the 2^nd record for the site this year.

One of the Farmoor Knot courtesy of Peter Law

Ruff records came from four locations this month with most birds been single day stopovers whilst passing through. The exception to this was a pair of juveniles at Pit 60 which turned up on the 2^nd of the month and remained on the site until at least the 11^th. Single birds were at Venn Mill and Days Lock on the 3^rd and 13^th respectively, whilst a pair of birds were on Farmoor on the 9^th and 17^th. We only had a single Greenshank record this month with a pair at Venn Mill on the 2^nd, a relatively poor showing from this species during this part of autumn. Ringed Plover and Dunlin continued to be logged frequently throughout September with all but one record of these species coming from Farmoor, with a near ever presence this month. Ringed Plover were recorded on and off between the 3^rd and 18^th this month with a maximum count of 5 logged on two occasions, the only non-Farmoor record came from Cutteslowe Park with a flyover bird on the 1^st. Dunlin were typically more common with 13 days of the month logging birds from the 3^rd until the 26^th and a maximum count of 6 came from the 7^th. 

Ringed Plover at Farmoor courtesy of John Workman

Green Sandpiper records started to dissipate somewhat this month with only 5 sites recording birds. Bicester Wetlands continued its form as the place for large gatherings of the species during the migration period with a high count 6 logged on 4^th, 8^th and 16^th. Common Sandpiper were still spread far and wide across the county with 10 sites logging birds throughout September. Most records related to single birds but high counts of 4 were recorded across two sites – Grimsbury on the 1^st and Farmoor on the 2^nd. 

Bicester Wetland Green Sandpiper, courtesy of Patricia Clissold

Wildfowl, Game and Crakes

A possible Quail flushed at Water Eaton was the only record of this magnificent diminutive and migratory gamebird this month, although presumably some of the possible breeders remained for part of it. A flock of 5 Whooper Swan on Farmoor on the 27^th was remarkably early for the county and as far as I can tell from searching the various data bases the first September record of this species for at least the last 20 years. The flock after some indecisiveness, first leaving and then returning, eventually left later that afternoon.

Whooper Swans courtesy of Dave Murphy.

Also this month a corking drake Common Scoter delighted folk at Farmoor for a few days after arriving on the 20^th, coming close enough at times for some very decent photos to be had before departing on the 23^rd.

Common Scoter courtesy of Bryan Manston

 

A reported double of Black-necked Grebe and Scaup seemingly observed during a twitch for the Phalarope unfortunately remained as ‘reported’ with no sightings the following day. A juv or female Garganey however was very much confirmed having been seen again at Days Lock in Dorchester-on-Thames although remaining incredibly elusive it would seem. Goosander only had 3 records this month from two sites – Port Meadow on the 22^nd and Farmoor also on the 22^nd and again on the 25^th. On the feral/plastic front Mandarin were reported several times in the Blenheim and Woodstock area and a large count of 8 came from Waterstock on the 10^th. 

 

Herons, Egrets Etc.

The usual species make up the records this month with very little change to last months series of sightings. Cattle Egret numbers grew to at least 26 individuals consisting of many ‘home grown’ individuals although not quite beating last years big totals. The birds remained pretty loyal to the Blenheim area for much of the month with the odd sighting elsewhere of single birds (Farmoor and Pit 60) although some clearly had itchy feet with big flocks Cassington (17 on the 4^th) Otmoor (9 on the 5^th) and Day’s Lock (13 on the 12^th and 9 on the 13^th). No birds remained at Blenheim by the 25^th, though, presumably joining the mega flocks now down on the levels. 

Woodstock Cattle Egrets courtesy of Gareth Cashburn

Great White Egret followed much the same pattern and numbers of the previous month with Blenheim and Pit 60 frequently hosting between 1 and 3 birds. Grimsbury scored one this month with a flyover bird on the 2^nd, a nice bird for the locals. Farmoor also managed two records this month of flyover birds on the 8^th and 22^nd, whilst the colour-ringed bird from down on the levels remained at Day’s Lock on the 13^th. 

Great White Egret at Shrike Meadow, Farmoor, courtesy of Brian Walker

Crane remained on Otmoor in September in what has been a disappointing year after 2022’s big success. Up to 3 birds were seen from the 14^th until the 25^th with at least two birds un-ringed, we can only hope that 2024 brings some better fortunes for this iconic species. 

Crane bugling on Otmoor courtesy of Steve Liptrot.

Otmoor Cranes courtesy of Richard Stevens

 

Gulls and Terns

Unfortunately not loads to recount this month, much more about quality than quantity for September. A stunning juvenile Little Gull was expertly picked out over F1 at Farmoor on the 14^th where it remained for the rest of the day.  

 

Farmoor Little Gull, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Black Tern had a decent showing this month with all records coming from Farmoor. Four were here on the 2^nd consisting of at least two juveniles and one remaining until the 4^th. A flock of 8 then flew through the reservoir on the 8^th and another single present here on the 18^th. 

Above & below Black Tern courtesy of Mark Chivers.

Sandwich Tern also came through the county in small numbers. Grimsbury continued its good form, especially given the size of the site, with 2 birds flying through on the 2^nd. Clearly a movement of the species was occurring across the county/country because an unusual record of 2+ came from Aston Rowant of all places the same day, a fine vis-mig record! Another single bird also came later in the month with one over Farmoor on the 10^th. Caspian Gull season hasn’t quite kicked off yet in the county with only a couple records to mention, relating to two birds. One was at Grimsbury on the 2^nd whilst a 1cy bird was present in the gull roost at Farmoor from the 14^th until at least the 19^th. Also present frequently in the roost was a 1cy Mediterranean Gull from the 5^th until at least the 25^th, with the only other record of the species also coming from Grimsbury on the 2^nd. 

Caspian Gull at Farmoor courtesy of Lew

 

First Winter Mediterranean Gull at Farmoor courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

 

Passerines

Typically a bird that would make the highlight reel for the month if not demoted for rarer species, a Wryneck was gladly added to the county year list. A bird flushed from a footpath around Baulking Pit on the 3^rd allowed the observer brief views in the adjacent sallow but unfortunately wasn’t seen again. A lone Pied Flycatcher record this month was made somewhat more special due its location in urban Oxford with the Lye Valley continuing its very decent run of form on the 8^th, only the 2^nd record for the site and one of only three records for the county this year. Three Flava type Yellow-wagtails were present on Farmoor on the 24^th and were the first record of the nominate subspecies in the county this year with no Channel Wagtails logged at all either this year. 

Lye Vallye Pied Flycatcher courtes of Tom Bedford

Whinchat continued to march their way through the county with 9 sites recording birds this month. The highest count came from Kings Lock with a group of 6 here on the 8^th, whilst a count of 4 came from Aston Upthorpe on the 26^th. Wheatear followed on in larger numbers and spread further around the county with 10 sites still logging birds. Although mostly of singles or pairs a nice count of 6 up by the Devils Punchbowl came on the 9^th whilst another group of 5 were up on Lark Hill on the 3^rd. The only Tree Pipit record came from Pit 60 this month, typically a single flyover bird calling. Redstart records were much more diminished having largely made their way through the county last month. Four sites recorded birds with singles at most sites with only Childrey Field recording 2 birds on the 2^nd. Port Meadow, Lark Hill and Stonesfield Common were the other sites to log birds.

Ring-necked Parakeet clearly had another good breeding year in 2023 when a flock of 32 flew over Cowley Road in Oxford on the 6^th. Not quite the 40+ birds of previous years but clearly the species is doing well in the city, it would be interesting to know how many breeding pairs Oxford hosts? 

 

Raptors

Aside from the absolute mega that was recorded early in the month in the form of a certain Pallid Harrier this group has otherwise been fairly quite in September. Not a single returning passage Osprey was logged in either September or August, the first blank autumn for a number of years (although October may yet produce a bird).

A Short-eared Owl was flushed from Greenaways on Otmoor by an enthusiastic Marsh Harrier on the 8^th. The early Merlin on the downs presumably continued on from August with a female type bird present at Letcombe Basset on the 3^rd.

 

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight	Target	Percentage of target
Aston eyot	Ben Sheldon	58	56		90	64.44
Blenheim	Gareth Casburn	127	113		100	127.00
Dix pit	Simon Bradfield	114	91		75	152.00
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	118	107		130	90.77
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	90	83		80	112.50
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	154	131		122	126.23
Sutton courtenay	Conor MacKenzie	152	127		140	108.57
East challow	Mark Merritt	84	80		83	101.20
Freeland	Glen Pascoe	86	78		80	107.50

Great white Egret Otmoor rspb courtesy of Mark Chivers.