Linch Hill (LWV Pit 18): 8th February

Linch Hill (LWV Pit 18)
2 Smew: drk and rh. SP419041. 14:00.
3 Goosander: mixed. SP419041. 14:00.
Great White Egret: SP419041. 14:00.

Steve Violette

Dix Pit: 8th February

Dix Pit
9 Red-crested Pochard: mixed sexes. SU526914. 13:30.
Marsh Harrier: Flew over Devil's Quoits. SU526914. 13:30.

Steve Violette

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common: 8th February

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
3 Oystercatcher: SP382072. 12:25.
Great White Egret: SP382072. 12:25.
5 Pintail: SP382072. 12:25.
4 Shelduck: SU526914. 12:55.
Stonechat: male. SU526914. 12:55.

Steve Violette

Northern Cross Valley Way 8th February

Knot 4 still on flood north of NCVW 10:23

Shelduck 2

Mediterranean Gull 2ndw

Marsh Harrier 

Merlin

Rushy Common 

Pintail 8

Red-crested Pochard 2

Oystercatcher 

(per Jed Cleeter, Gareth Casburn)

Stanton Harcourt 8th February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 (Stoneacres Lake) 12:37 viewed through perimeter fence (per Ben Sheldon et al)

Oxford 8th February

Black Redstart male still present 09:32 on and around Christ Church college (per Phil Barnett)

Balscote Quarry 7th February

Jack Snipe 5 flushed during conservation work

Snipe 20 

(per Mark Ribbons)

Northern Cross Valley Way 7th February

Knot 4 (per T.M)

Otmoor rspb 7th February

Glossy Ibis 2 at the 2nd screen 16:27 (A.T)

Cornwell Marsh and Wetland: 7th February

Cornwell Marsh and Wetland
Jack Snipe 12:00.
4 Snipe 12:00.
6 Stonechat: 3m, 3f. Three pairs across the marsh. 12:00.
4 Grey Heron 12:00.
50 Mallard 12:00.
2 Teal: pair. 12:00.
4 Mute Swan 12:00.
3 Reed Bunting 12:00.
11 Meadow Pipit 12:00.
Sparrowhawk 12:00.

Steve Akers

Hatford: Sandpit: 7th February

Hatford: Sandpit
Oystercatcher
Shelduck
Egyptian Goose

Mark Merritt

Oxford 7th February

Black Redstart male still present 11:18 on and around Christ Church college (per Phil Barnett)

Stanton Harcourt 7th February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 (Stoneacres Lake) 10:49 viewed through perimeter fence (per Steve Sansom)

Port Meadow 6th February

Little Gull ad 

Mediterranean Gull ad

16:05 (per Thomas Miller)

Northern Cross Valley Way 6th February

Dunlin 6 on flooded field just north of NCVW

Shelduck 2

(per Dave Doherty)

Stanton Harcourt 6th February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 (Stoneacres Lake) 10:58 viewed through perimeter fence (per Liam Haines)

Viewed from road signposted to Bablockhythe

Farmoor Reservoir 6th February

Common Scoter imm male F1

Scaup f F1

10:41 (per Dave Lowe)

Cornwell Marsh and Wetland: 5th February

Cornwell Marsh and Wetland
10Meadow Pipit 12:35.
3Reed Bunting 12:35.
23Redwing 12:35.
2Kestrel 12:35.
5Red Kite 12:35.
3Buzzard 12:35.

Steve Akers

Fyfield Wick: 5th February

Fyfield Wick
300 Greenfinch: Approx in to roost. 15:45.

Jed Cleeter

Standlake Pit 60 5th February

Lapwing 3600 

Golden Pover 1650 

The above on the flood to the west of Pit 60

Common Pochard 424

Northern Pintail 33

Goldeneye 4  1m/3f

Redwing 200 - many in subsong

Key Holder Reserve 

Stanton Harcourt 5th February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 (Stoneacres Lake) 10:04 viewed through perimeter fence (per Ewan Urquhart)

Viewed from road signposted to Bablockhythe

Bicester Wetland Reserve

Access to Bicester Wetland Reserve (BWR)

Those of you that have completed permit details to visit BWR were issued a padlock key. During the past 2-3 years Thames Water has operated a 24 hour open gate policy and your keys have not been needed.

Please note:

From Friday afternoon the 6th February the main entrance gate will be open from 07.30 to 15.30 Monday to Friday. Outside of these times the gate could be locked and you will need your key to the black BOS padlock.

If you arrive and the gate is locked you can enter using your padlock key and lock the gate behind you. If you need any more information please contact me by email           birders@sky.com

Include your phone number and I will contact you.

Alan Peters  Reserve Manager

Farmoor Reservoir 4th February

Common Scoter imm male F1

Scaup f F1

11:29 (per Ewan Urquhart)

Stanton Harcourt 4th February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 (Stoneacres Lake) 16:21 viewed through perimeter fence (per Peter Pool et al)

Viewed from road signposted to Bablockhythe

Rushy Common 4th February

No sign of the male Long-tailed Duck 09:00

Marsh Harrier 

Great white Egret 

Oystercatcher 2

Pintail 6

(per Ewan Urquhart)

Key Holder Reserve 

Cornwell Marsh and Wetland: 4th February

Cornwell Marsh and Wetland
Green Sandpiper 10:26.
Snipe 10:26.
7Grey Heron 10:26.
Water Rail 10:26.
5Moorhen 10:26.
45Mallard 10:26.
Mute Swan 10:26.
Teal 10:26.
4Stonechat 10:26.
Grey Wagtail 10:26.

Steve Akers

Rushy Common 3rd February

Long-tailed duck - drake.

Long-tailed Duck male 15:40 viewed from hide (per Paul Butler, Jed Cleeter)

Key Holder Reserve.

Courtesy of Jed Cleeter

Stanton Harcourt 3rd February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 (Stoneacres Lake) 10:04 viewed through perimeter fence (per Paul Willis)

Kingston Bagpuize: 2nd February

Kingston Bagpuize
2 Snipe: At least 2 came out of rough grass field calling in near full dark. 17:33.

Jed Cleeter

Farmoor Reservoir 2nd February

Scaup f still on F1 (per Birdguides)

East Hendred: East Hendred Downs: 31st January

East Hendred: East Hendred Downs
3 Raven: group of 3, others heard. 11:30.
Stonechat: pair. 11:30.

Anthony Cheke

Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 2nd February

Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
Egyptian Goose: on parapet of Grand Bridge. 19:03.
Goosander: pair. 19:03.
Great White Egret 19:03.

Blenheim: High Lodge
2 Raven: 2 near Combe Gate, others heard near monument. 19:03.

Anthony Cheke

Smew - Stoneacres Lake 2nd February

Both male and female seen very distantly through the fence from south west of lake.

Water Eaton 2nd February

Cattle Egret 32

Pintail 7

Merlin

(et al)

Sunday 1st February 

At least a couple of white-fronted geese (not countable in downpour) also present, late yesterday afternoon

(per Simon Myers)

Stanton Harcourt 2nd February

Smew 2 m&f still present on Linch Hill pit 18 15:44 (MB et al) Viewed through perimeter fence.

Goosander 2

Red-crested Pochard 

Clifton Hampden

White-fronted Goose - flew over Thames this morning towards Long Wittenham. 

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common: 2nd February

Tar Lakes, Rushy Common
6 Pintail: A very quick scan from the hide revealed 6, but there could be more. 12:08.

Jon Hicks