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For questions you can contact Adam at: adamchartley "at" gmail "dot" com or Jason at: jasoncppk "at" yahoo "dot" co "dot" uk
Monday 31 October 2011
Otmoor Bird Race
A big thank you to everyone who turned out for the annual College Lake and
Otmoor Bird Race. This was the first year the race has been held at Otmoor, 8
teams battled it out for the prestigious trophy.
Due to the dry conditions on the reserve, bird watchers had to work especially
hard to find as many species as possible. In total 70 species were found by all
the teams which is a fantastic effort. The winning team Peter's Pals found an
impressive 59 species, although the tricky Canada goose eluded them!
The bird race record is 60 species, which was at College Lake, so Otmoor will
have to try again in 2013 to beat that impressive total.
All the sponsorship money that will be raised from the event will go towards
BBOWT and the RSPB. I would also like to thank Barry Oxley and the Otmoor and
College Lake volunteers for all their hard work organising the event.
Next year the Race will return to College Lake, where Peter's Pals will be
defending their trophy form the reigning College Lake champions the Double D's.
David Wilding
Sunday 30 October 2011
Otmoor 30th October
Hen Harrier 2 (juv & f)
Peregrine
Golden Plover c20
Water rail
Green Sandpiper
Pill
Woodcock
No sign of the Great Grey Shrike
Peregrine
Golden Plover c20
Water rail
Green Sandpiper
Pill
Woodcock
No sign of the Great Grey Shrike
Rushy Common 30th October
Hen Harrier (male)
Golden Plover c300
Lapwing c300
Peregrine
Tar Lakes
Green Sandpiper 2
(per Clackers)
Golden Plover c300
Lapwing c300
Peregrine
Tar Lakes
Green Sandpiper 2
(per Clackers)
Saturday 29 October 2011
Hoverfly reveals Woodcock
13:50 Trying for closer view of a hoverfly in my father's small garden in north Abingdon resulted in a Woodcock errupting from amonghst the Vebena boreinsis at my feet. Effortless County tick !
Unlike Friday evening dip with Snow Bunting. Compensation through in the form of Noctule, Pips and surface trawling Daubenton's bats in the calm air/water near farmoor causeway.
Unlike Friday evening dip with Snow Bunting. Compensation through in the form of Noctule, Pips and surface trawling Daubenton's bats in the calm air/water near farmoor causeway.
Farmoor (Oct 29th 8-10am)
no sign of last nights snow bunting
Rock Pipit - 1
Aythya hybrid - 1 (m)
Goldeneye - 2
Redpoll - 2
Common Sand - 1
Redshank - 1
with Tom and Dai.
Rock Pipit - 1
Aythya hybrid - 1 (m)
Goldeneye - 2
Redpoll - 2
Common Sand - 1
Redshank - 1
with Tom and Dai.
Otmoor (Oct 28th 4-6pm)
Great Grey Shrike - showing reasonably well but at distance in hedges viewed east from the Pill
Friday 28 October 2011
Snow Bunting at Farmoor
Thursday 27 October 2011
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 27th October
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
Wheatear
15 Corn Bunting
Paul Chandler
Wheatear
15 Corn Bunting
Paul Chandler
Roost Reminder
It's that time of year again to post a gentle reminder. If you are lucky enough to come across a roost of harriers, owls, Merlins or any other species that may be vulnerable to disturbance, please keep the location to yourself. By all means submit the record directly to me or Jon Uren and we can check with the land owner that the site is safe (you may prefer to do that yourself). As winter roosts are often traditional, the locations will of course always be kept confidential and never mentioned in any publication.
Thanks again,
Ian
Thanks again,
Ian
Otmoor 26th October
Both photos (c) Pete Barker
Juv Hen Harrier Otmoor 26th Oct
+Short-eared Owl near Noke 26th Oct
A Plea to Observers and Submitters
Afternoon All,
We're all aware the OOS database is an important and valuable archive for bird recording in the county but it is only as good as the records submitted - the more the better! So obviously, everyone is encouraged to provide their records each month, be it directly to the database manager Jon Uren, via the OOS or Going Birding websites or by post to me.
Checking the database over the last couple of months, however, has revealed several notable sightings missing. These records have been posted on this site but obviously not to either the Going Birding or OOS sites. This blog has proved very good at disseminating information and displaying photos but postings here are not automatically uploaded to the database. If sightings are not submitted to either the OOS or Going Birding sites they will in effect be lost, which would be a great shame.
Some records have been submitted by people other than the initial finder, which is fine, but this means in future publications they may well be credited to the wrong observer . . . . and we wouldn't want that would we?
So to clarify, I urge everyone to add their sightings to either the Going Birding or OOS sites and not just this blog alone.
Many thanks,
Ian
We're all aware the OOS database is an important and valuable archive for bird recording in the county but it is only as good as the records submitted - the more the better! So obviously, everyone is encouraged to provide their records each month, be it directly to the database manager Jon Uren, via the OOS or Going Birding websites or by post to me.
Checking the database over the last couple of months, however, has revealed several notable sightings missing. These records have been posted on this site but obviously not to either the Going Birding or OOS sites. This blog has proved very good at disseminating information and displaying photos but postings here are not automatically uploaded to the database. If sightings are not submitted to either the OOS or Going Birding sites they will in effect be lost, which would be a great shame.
Some records have been submitted by people other than the initial finder, which is fine, but this means in future publications they may well be credited to the wrong observer . . . . and we wouldn't want that would we?
So to clarify, I urge everyone to add their sightings to either the Going Birding or OOS sites and not just this blog alone.
Many thanks,
Ian
Henley Road GPs: 27th October
Black-necked Grebe From hide and screens park in lay-by in disabled spaces.
Ralph Watts
Ralph Watts
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Chimney: Chimney Meadows: 26th October
Chimney: Chimney Meadows
2 Short-eared Owl: On the SW section from Thames footpath between weir & ten-foot bridge.
J Dexter
2 Short-eared Owl: On the SW section from Thames footpath between weir & ten-foot bridge.
J Dexter
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Henley Rd G.P.s 25th Oct
Black necked grebe 1 on central pit
Also 2+ crossbill over Henley yesterday
Hugh
Also 2+ crossbill over Henley yesterday
Hugh
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 25th October
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
4 Wheatear: , no sign of BlackRed.
2 Buzzard
9 Grey Partridge
Paul Chandler
http://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/
4 Wheatear: , no sign of BlackRed.
2 Buzzard
9 Grey Partridge
Paul Chandler
http://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/
Farmoor 25th October
Monday 24 October 2011
Dipper 24th Oct
Dipper seen from bridge next to Crawley Industrial estate 14:15
then flew towards Witney.
(per Pete Roby)
then flew towards Witney.
(per Pete Roby)
Sunday 23 October 2011
Port Meadow: 23rd October
Port Meadow
White-fronted Goose: Associating with flock of Greylags.
Sydney Penner
White-fronted Goose: Associating with flock of Greylags.
Sydney Penner
Pit 60 23rd October
Black necked grebe still showing well from small (N Shore) hide a.m.
(per Antony Collieu Oxonbirds)
(per Antony Collieu Oxonbirds)
Otmoor 23rd Oct
Short-eared Owl 1( briefly Pill area)
Peregrine 2 (m&f)
Raven 2
Stonechat
Fieldfare (large flock of c540)
Full weekend report at
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding
Peregrine 2 (m&f)
Raven 2
Stonechat
Fieldfare (large flock of c540)
Full weekend report at
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding
Warburg Reserve (October 23rd)
Crossbill - approx 6.
Siskin - 8
Redpoll - 6
Nuthatch - 4
Redwing - many
Fieldfare - several
Marsh Tit - several
with tom w.
Siskin - 8
Redpoll - 6
Nuthatch - 4
Redwing - many
Fieldfare - several
Marsh Tit - several
with tom w.
Saturday 22 October 2011
Standlake, Sat 22nd October
Black-necked Grebe, 1 still pit 60
Siskin, 1
Redpoll, 1
Greenshank, 1
Little Egret, 1
RC Pochard, 6 (pits 38 & 27)
Siskin, 1
Redpoll, 1
Greenshank, 1
Little Egret, 1
RC Pochard, 6 (pits 38 & 27)
Otmoor RSPB 22nd October
Merlin 2 (m f)
Short-eared Owl 2
Green Sandpiper
Raven
Fieldfare 60+
Stonechat
Wheatear
Paul Greenaway
Pete Barker et al
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding
Short-eared Owl 2
Green Sandpiper
Raven
Fieldfare 60+
Stonechat
Wheatear
Paul Greenaway
Pete Barker et al
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding
Gozzards Ford: 22nd October
Gozzards Ford
Stonechat: male. in field opposite Abingdon airfield as you approach village from Abingdon.
Richard Ballard
Stonechat: male. in field opposite Abingdon airfield as you approach village from Abingdon.
Richard Ballard
Friday 21 October 2011
Aston Rowant: Aston Rowant NNR: 21st October
Aston Rowant: Aston Rowant NNR
2 Raven: Going through the M40 cutting alongside the NNR had a good view of a pair of ravens flying alongside 4 red kites.
Rachel Everett
2 Raven: Going through the M40 cutting alongside the NNR had a good view of a pair of ravens flying alongside 4 red kites.
Rachel Everett
Farmoor 21st October
Water Pipit (along causeway)
Rock Pipit 2
Jack Snipe (shrike Meadow)
Goldeneye
(per Dai)
Rock Pipit 2
Jack Snipe (shrike Meadow)
Goldeneye
(per Dai)
Thursday 20 October 2011
Careful what you pish for...
With the continued presents of the two + Shorties on Otmoor here's some
video filmed by a Cambridgeshire birder a few years ago.
(apologies for the dreadful pun)
Birds of Oxfordshire 2006
Its here and worth the wait the new Birds of Oxfordshire 2006
Some fantastic illustrations and superb colour as well as black
& white photo's.Congrats to all involved in the production.
Copies available from Barry Hudson secretary@oos.org.uk
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 19th October
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
2 Wheatear
24 Corn Bunting
Paul Chandler
2 Wheatear
24 Corn Bunting
Paul Chandler
Standlake Common Nature Reserve 19th October
The Blacked Necked Grebe first seen by John Melling on pit 38 on Sunday moved to Pit 60 on Monday and was still there today at 11.00 am near the reed bed to the right of the little hide. It seemed to have found a rich source of food.
Otmoor 19th October
Hen Harrier (ringtail) near the Noke end of the reserve
(per Paul Greenaway)
2 Short-eared Owl at the Pill
No sign of the Great Grey Shrike.
(per Graham Coleman & Terry Sherlock)
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding
(per Paul Greenaway)
2 Short-eared Owl at the Pill
No sign of the Great Grey Shrike.
(per Graham Coleman & Terry Sherlock)
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/OtmoorBirding
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Short-eared owl on Otmoor 18th October
Short-eared owl seen on Ashgrave again today by Zoe Edwards (Estate Worker). First seen on 29th Sept. it appears to be favouring the Southern drier section of the field. An otter was reported too.
photo (c) Joe Harris
photo (c) Joe Harris
Pit 60 Standlake 18th Oct
Black-necked Grebe still 15:30
Little Grebe 4
at least 15 Goldcrests
Rushy Common
Red creasted Pochard (1f 2m)
(per Clackers)
Little Grebe 4
at least 15 Goldcrests
Rushy Common
Red creasted Pochard (1f 2m)
(per Clackers)
Farmoor 18th October
Curlew Sandpiper along the causeway at 10:35a.m
+Rock Pipit
(per Dai & Terry Sherlock)
Record shot of Curlew Sandpiper (c) T.Sherlock
+Rock Pipit
(per Dai & Terry Sherlock)
Record shot of Curlew Sandpiper (c) T.Sherlock
Monday 17 October 2011
Great Grey Shrike still present at 5:20p.m at least although mobile.
Although near annual in the county this is the first on Otmoor since Feb 1994.
No access to the Pill grounds tomorrow due to the M.O.D shooting range
being in use. Probable access on Wednesday although always best to check
for the red no access flag.
Although near annual in the county this is the first on Otmoor since Feb 1994.
No access to the Pill grounds tomorrow due to the M.O.D shooting range
being in use. Probable access on Wednesday although always best to check
for the red no access flag.
Farmoor Res 17th Oct
Short-eared Owl Buckthorn Meadow this afternoon (per Matt Prior)
Starling roost of c4000-5000 birds (per Dai)
Starling roost of c4000-5000 birds (per Dai)
Dorchester: Dorchester complex: 17th October
15 Egyptian Goose
113 Golden Plover
Thomas Stevenson
More here...
http://benewetom.blogspot.com/2011/10/dorchester-webs-count-october.html
113 Golden Plover
Thomas Stevenson
More here...
http://benewetom.blogspot.com/2011/10/dorchester-webs-count-october.html
Great Grey Shrike Otmoor 17th October
Great Grey Shrike Otmoor near the Pil 15:45p.m
The Pil is north of the rifle range and is accessed from
the east end of the main bridleway within RSPB Otmoor.
(more info to follow)
The Pil is north of the rifle range and is accessed from
the east end of the main bridleway within RSPB Otmoor.
(more info to follow)
Little Wittenham: Little Wittenham Nature Reserve: 16th October
Little Wittenham: Little Wittenham Nature Reserve
Probable Raven: flying north.
Sabine Eckert
Probable Raven: flying north.
Sabine Eckert
Grimsbury Reservoir: 17th October
17th October
Grimsbury Reservoir
Mandarin Duck: Drake coming out of eclipse. This must be the duck I have seen a couple of times leaving with the Mallards early morning, both times in near darkness and only in flight. Based on size and it being dark above and the pattern of light plumage below I concluded Tufty but the all dark underwing still didn't match.
Banbury
16 Redwing: Over town centre south.
Gareth Blockley
Grimsbury Reservoir
Mandarin Duck: Drake coming out of eclipse. This must be the duck I have seen a couple of times leaving with the Mallards early morning, both times in near darkness and only in flight. Based on size and it being dark above and the pattern of light plumage below I concluded Tufty but the all dark underwing still didn't match.
Banbury
16 Redwing: Over town centre south.
Gareth Blockley
Sunday 16 October 2011
Stanton Harcourt 16th October
Saturday 15 October 2011
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 15th October
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
2 Wheatear
33 Corn Bunting
16 Yellowhammer
15 Linnet
40 Skylark: 40+ in area.
11 Grey Partridge: in the fields below the southern slope.
5 Meadow Pipit
Cholsey
4 Redwing: Over Marymead.
Paul Chandler
2 Wheatear
33 Corn Bunting
16 Yellowhammer
15 Linnet
40 Skylark: 40+ in area.
11 Grey Partridge: in the fields below the southern slope.
5 Meadow Pipit
Cholsey
4 Redwing: Over Marymead.
Paul Chandler
Wytham 15th October
Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting western edge for 10 mins at 1500, seen from
Farmoor Causeway.
Farmoor Causeway.
Friday 14 October 2011
Hen Harrier 14th Oct
Ring tailed Hen Harrier.
I was in the car park of the Watlington cricket club yesterday when there was a
great commotion from behind the trees. Sudenly a ring tailed hen harrier
appeared briefly overhead before being sent on it's way by a gang of kites and
corvids.
great commotion from behind the trees. Sudenly a ring tailed hen harrier
appeared briefly overhead before being sent on it's way by a gang of kites and
corvids.
Pete Styles (per Oxonbirds)
Banbury: 13th October
13th October
Banbury
Redwing: A few calls heard going over in c. 5 mins from my flat.
14th October
Grimsbury Reservoir
Hawfinch Over north west. Picked up on call (3 pzik calls) then seen very well from underneath as it passed overhead and could see the broad white wing bars.
Gareth Blockley
Banbury
Redwing: A few calls heard going over in c. 5 mins from my flat.
14th October
Grimsbury Reservoir
Hawfinch Over north west. Picked up on call (3 pzik calls) then seen very well from underneath as it passed overhead and could see the broad white wing bars.
Gareth Blockley
Thursday 13 October 2011
Fieldfare Thursday 13th October
Tony Edwards from Aston reports a flock of Fieldfares numbering in excess fifty individuals.Alongside the great Brook toward the Buckland road end.
Farmoor 13th October
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Cholsey: Cholsey Hill: 12th October
Cholsey: Cholsey Hill
Wheatear
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
Wheatear
12 Meadow Pipit: flying south.
Drayton 1066
41 Teal
Willow Warbler: partial song heard.
2 Chiffchaff
Water Rail
Paul Chandler
Wheatear
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
Wheatear
12 Meadow Pipit: flying south.
Drayton 1066
41 Teal
Willow Warbler: partial song heard.
2 Chiffchaff
Water Rail
Paul Chandler
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Stanton St. John: 11th October
Stanton St. John
12 House Martin: A group of 12 over the village this morning.
+ Fieldfare
David Brown
12 House Martin: A group of 12 over the village this morning.
+ Fieldfare
David Brown
Monday 10 October 2011
Farmoor Med Gulls in late afternoon
Arrived 16:40, so far too late for any hope of raptor watching. 1 Rockit, 2 Mipit and perhaps 20 Pied Wags plus 1 Ringed Plover in the SE of F1. Enormous gull roost this evening and gusting gale force WSW, so concentrated on F1 only. Common Gull totalled at least 16 birds, with 1 1stW, a few adult and the remaining being 2ndW plumage. Yellow-legged Gulls of all ages but not really counted as concentrating on searching through Black-headed for Med Gulls and better(?) Med success with 1 1stW (no real mask as yet) on water before leaving F1 for F2 at 17:25 and then another 1stW did similar at 18:15 - seen only in more distant flight. Must assume two birds as no return of gulls from F2 to f1 noted during watch. Who knows what could be seen here if there was a wind proof shelter to observe from.....
Church Hanborough 10th October
In fields near Church Hanborough courtesy of tip off from Bill Foley
Golden Plover 468
Lapwing 186
Golden Plover 468
Lapwing 186
Farmoor 1 10th October
Rock Pipit 1 (also present yesterday per Bill Foley)
Dunlin 1
no sign of any Goshawks between 1230-1445
Dunlin 1
no sign of any Goshawks between 1230-1445
East Hendred: East Hendred Downs: 9th October
East Hendred: East Hendred Downs
2 Corn Bunting
7 Grey Partridge
Aston Upthorpe: Juniper Valley
Whinchat
Mark Merritt
2 Corn Bunting
7 Grey Partridge
Aston Upthorpe: Juniper Valley
Whinchat
Mark Merritt
Sunday 9 October 2011
Oxford Ornithological Society Indoor Meeting.
Wednesday 12th October 7.45 pm please note start time 7.45pm.
Wildlife of a Working Forest by Mike Read.
Mike is a professional wildlife and landscape photographer and an experienced speaker.
This beautifully illustrated talk deals with not just the wildlife and scenery of the New Forest but also the business of the area ; activities such as timber production,commoning, drifts and pannage are all covered in this highly informative presentation.
Barry Hudson (secretary) 01993 852028.
Wildlife of a Working Forest by Mike Read.
Mike is a professional wildlife and landscape photographer and an experienced speaker.
This beautifully illustrated talk deals with not just the wildlife and scenery of the New Forest but also the business of the area ; activities such as timber production,commoning, drifts and pannage are all covered in this highly informative presentation.
Barry Hudson (secretary) 01993 852028.
Goshawk puts on great display over Wytham
Turned up at Farmoor 11.10 with a force 6 westerly blowing. Went to causeway, scanned Wytham, then Farmoor 1. Then scanned Wytham again and everthing was up at 11:25. At least one Goshawk, a couple of Buzzard, with Male sparrowhawk and Carrion crows showing far more bravery today, the tiny Sparrowhawk at least continually mobbing bird for some 15 minutes. Plenty of interplay between the birds with Gos turning on Sproghawk and Crow now and then. A few steep dives observed and one lucky Wood Pigeon flew away leaving an explosive puff of feathers in its wake. No further sightings up to 14.00.
Dunlin and unringed Barnacle Goose on Causeway (F1), Green Sandpiper on F2 (report from Dai). One Mipit and just a handful of Pied's by Sewage treatment works. Couple of Yellow-legged Gulls (1st and 2nd winters) on F1. Very few birders around and they apparently had not been scanning Wytham, so missed out on a great acrobatic display and left after very short stay. Congats to G. for putting in the time this afternoon and commiserations for not being rewarded this time around. I am sure it will be seen again soon by those who do this, although I suggest a westerly and very strong wind (suitable for slope soaring) is the best time to visit AND continual scanning of horizon across the woodland. Luckily(?), there appears to be little else of great interest to see at farmoor at the moment !
Dunlin and unringed Barnacle Goose on Causeway (F1), Green Sandpiper on F2 (report from Dai). One Mipit and just a handful of Pied's by Sewage treatment works. Couple of Yellow-legged Gulls (1st and 2nd winters) on F1. Very few birders around and they apparently had not been scanning Wytham, so missed out on a great acrobatic display and left after very short stay. Congats to G. for putting in the time this afternoon and commiserations for not being rewarded this time around. I am sure it will be seen again soon by those who do this, although I suggest a westerly and very strong wind (suitable for slope soaring) is the best time to visit AND continual scanning of horizon across the woodland. Luckily(?), there appears to be little else of great interest to see at farmoor at the moment !
Wytham Woods (from Farmoor causeway)
Buzzard - 6
Red Kite - 2
Sparrowhawk - at least 2
Kestrel - 2
Swallow - 3 (s)
Skylark - 2 (w)
no sign recently reported goshawk between 1 - 3pm.
+ Ringed Plover - 2 (Badger)
Red Kite - 2
Sparrowhawk - at least 2
Kestrel - 2
Swallow - 3 (s)
Skylark - 2 (w)
no sign recently reported goshawk between 1 - 3pm.
+ Ringed Plover - 2 (Badger)
Saturday 8 October 2011
Sat 8th Osprey over Radley Thrupp Lake
Spent a couple of minutes scanning Thrupp Lake when the flock of Black-headed Gulls erupted off the lake. Looking skyward for the reason, an Osprey just glided over, heading southward at 15:17. All over in less than 10 seconds!
Pochard, Teal, Shoveler and Little Grebe have returned so far to Thrupp. The most noticeable change this autumn from 2010 is the amazing numbers of G C Grebes that have bred, with begging juveniles all over the lake. Shame the wader pit has been dry this summer/autumn, with so many rare species across the British Isles.....
Pochard, Teal, Shoveler and Little Grebe have returned so far to Thrupp. The most noticeable change this autumn from 2010 is the amazing numbers of G C Grebes that have bred, with begging juveniles all over the lake. Shame the wader pit has been dry this summer/autumn, with so many rare species across the British Isles.....
Wantage 8th October
Lark Hill:
Peregrine
Wheatear 6
Golden Plover c50
Skylark c100
Linnet c700
Sainsbury's:
Siskin over
Peregrine
Wheatear 6
Golden Plover c50
Skylark c100
Linnet c700
Sainsbury's:
Siskin over
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 8th October
Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
Raven: possibly 2.
22 Corn Bunting
20 Skylark: 20+.
17 Yellowhammer
Paul Chandler
Raven: possibly 2.
22 Corn Bunting
20 Skylark: 20+.
17 Yellowhammer
Paul Chandler
Friday 7 October 2011
Blenheim Coombe Gate
Mandarin Duck 9
Wood Duck 4 (2 pairs) probably introduced by the landowners.
All four birds appeared unpinioned so potential to roam is high
Siskin 3+
Wood Duck 4 (2 pairs) probably introduced by the landowners.
All four birds appeared unpinioned so potential to roam is high
Siskin 3+
Goshawk stirs the birds over Wytham
Dreadful pic shows 3 Jackdaws above as the only birds brave (or foolish) enough to mob this Goshawk. 4 Buzzards, 3 Ravens, Carrion Crows, Rooks and very sensible flocks of Wood Pigeons just got out of the way! Watched for about 8 minutes but fleeing flocks of Wood Pigeons plotted its presence for about the same time afterwards. Only after it had gone and things quietened down did a tiny Sproghawk and then Red Kite dare to appear over the ridge.
The pic was a lucky snap from a compact camera thrust quickly against the scope eyepiece. At least it shows the narrow parallel sided tail, wing shape and comparative wingspan (in part). Passing Raven and exiting Buzzards had the same wingspan.
When viewed lower against the trees, the plumage was brown adult female including the white undertail coverts. The clasic lack of 'body bounce' in flight whilst battling force 5-6 winds was enough to separate this bird from female Sparrowhawk, as soon as it broke the skyline.
A couple of Teal at Pinkhill, a Ruff on the Causeway, two Grey Wags by the pumping station and 2 Mipits by the sewage treatment bank were about it excepting a couple of chiffs in with a flock of, near 50, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits at the NE of F1.
Wytham woods 7th October
Goshawk circling Wytham woods at 12:25 viewed from F1 at Farmoor.
(per Ian Smith)
(per Ian Smith)
Thursday 6 October 2011
Cholsey, 6th Oct
2 Wheatear, Lollingdon Hill
2 Corn Bunting
9 Grey Partridge
100+ Skylark, incl a flock of 70+
3 Meadow Pipit
3 Chiffchaff
More @ http://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/
9 Grey Partridge
100+ Skylark, incl a flock of 70+
3 Meadow Pipit
3 Chiffchaff
More @ http://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Warborough: 5th October
Warborough
13 Egyptian Goose: Second day seen feeding in field. SU593769.
Heather Howes
13 Egyptian Goose: Second day seen feeding in field. SU593769.
Heather Howes
Roseate Tern at Brize
The adult Roseate Tern found on the runway at RAF Brize Norton on 20th September was taken to St Tiggeywinkles wildlife hospital to recuperate. Unfortunately after an apparent improvement last week, it died on Sunday 2nd October.
The bird possessed a ring and its history makes interesting reading. It was ringed as a pullus on Rockabill (Co. Dublin) on 8th July 1999. As a 12 year old it must be something of a record for a Roseate Tern.
The bird possessed a ring and its history makes interesting reading. It was ringed as a pullus on Rockabill (Co. Dublin) on 8th July 1999. As a 12 year old it must be something of a record for a Roseate Tern.
Sunday 2 October 2011
Chimney: Chimney Meadows: 2nd October
Chimney: Chimney Meadows
4 Grey Partridge
35 Tree Sparrow: Conservative estimate of numbers - split over three flocks.
Mark Merritt
4 Grey Partridge
35 Tree Sparrow: Conservative estimate of numbers - split over three flocks.
Mark Merritt
Saturday 1 October 2011
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