Otmoor 14th October

Bittern
Marsh Harrier
4 Redpoll along track to 1st screen
10 Redwing
11 Golden Plover
c100 Lapwing

Wheatear - Near Pill

: 13th October

Bayswater Road
400 Golden Plover: A mobile flock of about 400 golden plovers was moving between the farmed fields on either side of Bayswater Road near the junction with B4027. SP567098. 12:30.

Lyn Ebbs

Otmoor. 13th. October.

Brambling.  (f.)    Still in mixed flock feeding by Wetland hide.

Farmoor 13th October

Grey Plover flying around F2 10.am. 3 Rock Pipits along the causeway.

Rock Pipit

Otmoor 12th October PM

Female Brambling in mixed finch flock from Wetlands Watch Hide

Reedbed:
Bittern
c150 Pied Wagtails
Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk at Pinkhill, Farmoor

courtesy of John Workman

Farmoor 12th October

4 Raven
1 Redshank
1 Ringed Plover
1 Common Sandpiper
5 Cetti's Warbler

12th October Curbridge

"At 12.30 today whilst driving between Brize Norton and Curbridge, close to Caswell House I think a female (Hen) Hen Harrier flew across the road in front of me at a distance of about 30 yards, flying in a Westerly direction. Slow flight, just above hedgerows. Brown buzzard/gull sized with with distinct white rump. I could not "follow" it as I had a car coming towards me but I did get a good view and have a confirmed sighting about 5 years ago on a walk near Swinbrook where one flew below me at very close quarters ( I was on a hill) carrying a partridge kill. Can't think of anything other than HH, visibility was excellent."

per Phil Buck

Rushey Common lake, 12th October

11am -3 pm
A day of comings and goings!
122+ Lapwing
32 Teal
above flew in and straight through
Swallow 1 through heading south
Settled- 3f 2m Pochard
              2f Wigeon
              Common Sandpiper
              Sparrowhawk
Lesser Black Backed Gull killed a Black Headed Gull on centre small island and while fighting off 2 Carrion Crows continually, reduced it to just the pair of wings.

Clackers

Otmoor.A.M. 12th October.

1 Siskin (over calling)
1+ Redpoll
2 Marsh Harrier (m/f)
1 Hen Harrier
2+ Bittern
6 Stonechat
1 Kingfisher.

per  Otmoor M.

A329 near Moulsford: 11th October

A329 near Moulsford
7 Grey Partridge: Moving N along hedgerow separating the two fields I regularly mention. Distant but good view, male and female belly patches could be discerned. SU591855. 09:45.

Mike Amphlett

Otmoor 11th Evening

5 - 6:30pm

Hen harrier (m) attacked the starlings over the reedbed before drifting over to the flood field.
Sparrowhawk

Starlings

Bicester Wetlands Reserve 11th October

Whooper Swan courtesy of Justin Taylor

Whooper Swan on main reserve at 12.25pm (Reserve first) then flew off south
c12:40 (per Bill Foley, Justin Taylor).

September Highlights & News

Red-necked Phalarope Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Tezzer

Headliners
September is traditionally a month where we're more likely to get some good birds in the county and thankfully this month did manage to produce some noteworthy sightings. Of course the star bird has to be the wonderful juvenile Red-necked Phalarope that graced the concrete shores of Farmoor from 21st to the 25th.

Red-necked Phalarope Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Gnome (please view at 1080p)

Make no mistake, this is a proper county Mega though the one day bird at Bicester Wetlands a couple of years back meant that most county listers already had it on their lists. Previous records of Red-necked Phalarope in Oxfordshire (with thanks to Terry Tossel & Justin Taylor) are as follows:

• Winter 1834 Shotover bird found exhausted
• 30th Sept-1st Oct 1944 Sandford Sewage Works
• 25th June 8th July 1960 female Marsh Baldon ponds
• 27th June 1969 non adult male Stanton Harcourt trapped and ringed
• 17th May 1974 male Farmoor
• 8th June 1974 Farmoor (possibly same bird as above)
• 1st June 1995 juv Dix Pit Stanton Harcourt
• 24th May 2015 Bicester Wetlands Reserve

Grey Phalarope has been pretty much annual in the county over the last few years but this year we really managed to out-do ourselves in the form of no less than four different birds. This was very much part of a national wreck of Phalaropes, blown inland by some very stormy weather mid month. To kick things off there was an adult from 11th to 14th with another one overlapping at Farmoor from the 13th for a few days. Meanwhile at Sonning Eye GP there was one from the 13th to 14th and finally Bicester Wetlands struck again with a bird from the 18th to the 22nd. Quite amazing!

Adult Grey Phalarope Grimsbury Reservoir courtesy of Badger (please view at 1080p)

Grey Phalarope Grimsbury Reservoir courtesy of Richard Tyler

Grey Phalarope Bicester Wetlands Reserve courtesy of Alan Peters

Good County Birds
Kicking off the "good county birds"section we start with a Kittiwake at Farmoor Reservoir 12th.

Kittiwake Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of  The Gun-slinger

A tantalising Yellow-browed Warbler was heard-only in a Headington Garden on the morning of 26th. This species was once a county Mega but a spate of sightings over the last few years (very much mirroring a national trend) has somewhat taken the shine of this though had it been actually seen and twitchable it would definitely be higher up the highlights section.

A Greenish Warbler was reported at Middle Barton on the 2nd of September, and as with all potential firsts for Oxfordshire, requires a submission to the Oxfordshire rarities committee before possible acceptance.

A pale phase Honey Buzzard was seen over Ardington on 16th.

Juvenile Turtle Dove Otmoor RSPB courtesy of Paul Greenaway

There was welcome confirmation that the Turtle Doves bred once again on Otmoor this year with juveniles being seen and photographed on the reserve.

Two Manx Shearwaters were discovered way off course of their normal pelagic habitat last month, with an individual picked up at Banburys railway station on the 8th and taken in to care with a second bird photographed within a Bicester garden on the 11th though by dawn this bird had gone.

The Best of the Rest

Osprey Radley Gravel Pits courtesy of Eddie McLaughlin 

It was a fantastic month for Osprey in the county allowing county birders and photographers an opportunity to catch up with these beautiful and enigmatic migrating raptors. At Radley gravel pits a juvenile bird arrived on the 30th of August and remained faithful to these well stocked lakes until at least the 18th, making a stay of an impressive 19 days.

Osprey Radley Gravel Pits courtesy of John Reynolds

Individuals were also noted over Kingston Bagpuize on the 8th and the 17th, at Farmoor on the 10th and 11th with birds also seen drifting over the first screen on Otmoor on the 13th and along the Thames at South Stoke; a further individual was again over Otmoor on the 24th.

Osprey at Radley GPs courtesy of Badger please view at 1080p

The male Hen Harrier remained on the Otmoor RSPB reserve throughout changing plumage subtly to the ghost like grey of an adult. A ringtail Hen Harrier was also present briefly on the reserve from the 9th-12th

Away from Otmoor RSPB, Marsh Harriers were seen at Roke on the 6th with two present at Lark Hill

on the 7th with a female seen at Sparholt Down on the 10th. A further bird was seen briefly at Farmoor reservoir on the 15th, at Warborough on the 16th and over Kingston Bagpuize on the 21st with another bird at West Challow on the 30th.

An early Short-eared Owl was seen at Farmoor reservoir on the 6th.

Black Terns stopped off in Oxfordshire on the 4th with a pair at Farmoor res and a single present at the same site on the 22nd. Three birds at Baulking pit on the 25th was a great record especially away from the two reservoirs and west Oxon gravel pits. A pair of Sandwich Terns dropped on at Farmoor on the 24th.

Caspian Gull Didcot Landfill courtesy of Lew

A first winter Little Gull continued the purple patch at Grimsbury Reservoir on the 19th. Up to three Caspian Gulls were being seen regularly on the Didcot Landfill throughout.

Turnstone courtesy of Dai

Waders arrived throughout with three Black-tailed Godwits at Otmoor on the 4th with two Turnstone

at Farmoor on the 8th and three Ruff at Farmoor on the 11th. Numbers of Green Sandpipers throughout the county seemed down on last year perhaps in part due to the lack of suitable habitat.

Green Sandpiper Bicester Wetlands Reserve courtesy of Nick Truby

Two diminutive Little Stints delighted birders and photographers at Farmoor on the 15th with a further individual appearing at the Oxford reservoir on the 20th.

Little Stint Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Tezzer

Knot at Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Badger please view at 1080p

Two Knot were at Farmoor reservoir on the 3rd. The first and only sighting this year of a Spotted Redshank was of a bird that touched down in front of the first screen on Otmoor on the 16th but unfortunately didn't linger.

Scaup Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of John Workman

An eclipse drake Scaup was a superb find at Farmoor resrvoir on the 21st and remaining until at least the 23rd

Shag Farmoor Reservoir courtey of Stephen Burch

The original eleven Shag which first arrived at Farmoor reservoir in August had dwindled in number during September with at least three of the birds unfortunately later being found dead though a single juvenile remained at the Oxford reservoir until at least the 29th

Whinchat were well represented with birds frequently seen at Lark Hill near Wantage and up to six birds seen on Otmoor on the 5th

Redstart numbers although down on last month's impressive numbers on Otmoor, still managed a total of ten on the RSPB reserve on the 6th

Leucistic House Martin with Sand Martin Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Tree pipit is now unfortunately a scarce bird in the county with records solely of birds seen and heard on migration, and may well now be lost as a breeding bird in Oxfordshire. Individuals were recorded at Harwell Laboraty on the 6th-7th at Kingston Bagpuize on the 9th and at Lark Hill on the 23rd.

Norwegian ringed Rock Pipit Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Jeremy Dexter  

Rock Pipits started to arrive along the causeway at Farmoor with a single bird on the 25th.

Female Blue-headed Wagtail Port Meadow courtesy of Gnome

A (retrospectively identified) female Blue-headed Wagtail was on Port Meadow on the 1st.

A Firecrest was seen at Aston Rowant on the 30th.

News

Notice to Pit 60 (Standlake Common) key holders

Please note that the padlock on the field gate at Langley’s Lane has now been replaced.

The parking area outside the Langley’s Lane hide is for Blue Badge holders only, or those accessing the site for management purposes with prior agreement from LWVP. If you are a Blue Badge holder and need the access code for the gate, please contact lwvp@oxfordshire.gov.uk or 07557 082575.

Access to the hides for key holders without a Blue Badge should be via public footpaths. A map showing public footpaths and bridleways can be found here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/countrysidemap/

Lucy Kennery

Lower Windrush Valley Project Manager

Tel: 07557 082575

Lower Windrush Valley Project | c/o Oxfordshire County Council | Ron Groves House | 23 Oxford Road | Kidlington | OX5 2BP

Visit the project website: http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/lowerwindrushvalleyproject

BBOWT Appeal  (Some good news)






Camera Found

A Nikon Coolpix camera was found in the Otmoor Hide on Sunday 8th Oct. It's currently in the Otmoor Reserve office, phone 01865 351163 if it's yours.

Otmoor rspb. Evening. 10th. October.

Grey Plover.  Eastern scrape, Big Otmoor.

Per.  Gary Smith.

Wheatley 10th

Redwing flew over calling this morning

Didcot Landfill - 9th October

The two long staying Caspian Gulls are still around.

Saw X480 on the water for the first time where it appeared to take on a convincing resemblance to Mark's bird at Baulking from the other day.

Baulking: 9th October

Baulking
Peregrine
Yellow-legged Gull: 1w.

Mark Merritt

Bicester Wetlands

Cetti's Warbler 1 seen and heard calling at lunchtime. Found by Bill Foley seen by Bill and JT
First site record.

Lollingdon: 9th Oct

60+ Redwing
2 Stonechat
1 Little Owl
2 Bullfinch

Otmoor. rspb. 9th. October.

Bittern
Hen Harrier (m) seen early evening over the Reed beds (per Luke O'Byrne)
Water Rail.
2. Kingfisher.
Merlin.  (Greenaways)
3. Stonechat.
35. Redwing.  (over)
Raven.
2. Marsh Harrier.  (m. and f.)
2. Marsh tit.
Coal Tit.

Per.  P..G.  T.S.

Banbury: 8th October

Banbury
7 Redwing: Several calls heard in a few minutes, assumed each call a different individual. 23:00.

Gareth Blockley

Oxon Downs nr Lands End 7th October

Belated report of a Ring Ouzel (per Roger Wyatt)

Otmoor RSPB 8th October

Hen Harrier (male) Circling with four Red Kites over 100 acre field. Occasional interaction between kites and harrier. Fifth Red Kite joined group and the harrier drifted away. SP572143. 15:00.

(Suzanne Parrott)

Bittern 2 reported
Wigeon 2
Dunlin
Snipe c25
Water Rail 4
Sparrowhawk
Raven 2
Stonechat 2 (f) the Pill (m) 1st scn
Kingfisher
Cetti's Warbler 3+
Grey Wagtail

No sign of the Whooper Swan.

Stanton St. John: Stanton St. John Pit: 7th October

Stanton St. John: Stanton St. John Pit
200 Golden Plover: Flying over Shepherd's pit, 8.00am.

Richard Ebbs

Radley GP: 8th October

Radley GP
7 Lesser Redpoll

Ian Elkins

White Horse Hill: 7th October

3 Stonechat
120 Golden Plover
A loose gathering containing Mipit, Skylark, Linnet and Reed Bunting didn't appear to hold anything more exotic but optics and observer both thoroughly soaked by this point!

Baulking Pit:6th October

This bird at Baulking last night appeared to tick all the boxes for a 1W Caspian Gull, opinions to the contrary welcome!

7th October Otmoor

Otmoor: 7th October

Otmoor
Hen Harrier: male. from the second screen.
2 Redwing: at Moorleys.
10 Golden Plover: over Moorleys.
2 Stonechat: pair. at Greenaways.

Ian Elkins

Grimsbury Reservoir: 7th October

Redwing, 1 over early morning

per Colin Wilkinson

Standlake Pit 60: am 7th September

3 Egyptian Goose

Otmoor RSPB 7th October

Whooper Swan again at the first screen 10:17 (per Nick Truby)

Marsh Harrier
Green Sandpiper
Snipe 2

Radley GPs 6th October

Red-crested Pochard (m)
Wigeon 2

Henley Road GPs: 6th October

Henley Road GPs
Mandarin Duck: fem. 18:00.

Marek Walford

Lollingdon Hill: 6th Oct

2 Stonechat.
1 Wheatear.
58 Skylark.

Farmoor Reservoir 6th October

No sign of the Whooper Swans this morning (per Dai).

Otmoor 5th Evening

5-7pm

Merlin m (second screen)
Hen Harrier m (second screen)
Dunlin (First Screen)
Sparrowhawk

Hen Harrier

Distant Merlin

Farmoor Reservoir 5th October

Whooper Swan 5 on F1 (Dai) still present along western

side of F1 at dusk (per Tezzer).

Whooper Swan

Rock Pipit

: 5th October

Aston Upthorpe Downs
3 Stonechat: 2m 1f. Using the fence posts and sheep wire to watch for insects. Dropping down into grass and back up onto fence to eat. SU5483.

Suzanne Parrott

Cholsey: 5th October

Cholsey
4 Egyptian Goose: in field to S of Ferry Lane. SU595854. 17:45.

Peter Law

Chinnor: Cement Works: 4th October

Chinnor: Cement Works
Mandarin Duck: Male with Mallards on the east bank of lake 2b.

David Stracey

Farmoor Reservoir 4th October

Rock Pipit 4+ along the causeway 16:30
Dunlin

(per Dai)

Standlake Pit 60: am 4th October

Kingfisher
Egyptian Goose
YL Gull
Little Egret

http://jimhutchins.zenfolio.com

A329 near Moulsford: 3rd October

A329 near Moulsford
7 Grey Partridge: 7 x birds flushed on cereal stubble, which then flew rapidly to opposite end of field. Nice sight!. SU592855. 16:00.

Mike Amphlett

Otmoor RSPB 3rd October

Goosander 3 from the first screen 

Barnacle Goose (feral)

Hen Harrier (m)

(per Barry Neale)

Photo courtesy of Barry Neale.

Chinnor: Chinnor Hill: 3rd October

Chinnor: Chinnor Hill
Raven: 1 flying west escorted by 4 jackdaws.
Peregrine: 1 flying south West along the ridge.

David Stracey

Rushey Common lake, 3rd October

Green Sandpiper
Red Crested Pochard 47+

Clackers & Mrs Clackers

Standlake 3rd October

Osprey again near fishing lakes 6 & 7 at Standlake 11:18 (per Mick Cunningham).


.

Chinnor: Cement Works: 2nd October

Chinnor: Cement Works
3 Stonechat: 3 on fence by the western screen.

David Stracey

Lower Windrush Valley GPs: 1st October

Osprey courtesy of Jeremy Dexter. 

Osprey been hunting over pits 6 and 7 most days for a week . 2 birds spotted Tuesday 09:00
(Paul Cooper).

Both of these pits are accessed off the B4449 signed for The West Oxon Sailing Club.
Please keep to public rights of way.

Pit 7 is indicated by the arrow with pit 6 the adjacent pit to the left.

Please keep to public rights of way.

Farmoor 2nd October

Three Ruff late afternoon.

Male Kingfisher

Otmoor RSPB from the first screen

Courtesy of John Reynolds

Sutton Courtney 30th September

Caspian Gull 3 (all 1stw) yesterday Sutton Courtney landfill
(per RBA)

: 1st October

Shenington Airfield
Corn Bunting: Still hanging on - my first here this year. Also 250 linnet and a small influx/movement of skylarks. SP365430.

Steve Holliday