Eynsham area today 17 Lapwings & circa 50 Tree Sparrows
Also 17 Common Snipe Eynsham Area.
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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
Wednesday 29 February 2012
Port Meadow: 29th February
Mediterranean Gull: ad.
6 Redshank
Dunlin
5 Shelduck
8 Pintail: approx count.
Adam Hartley
6 Redshank
Dunlin
5 Shelduck
8 Pintail: approx count.
Adam Hartley
Otmoor: 29th February
Otmoor
White-fronted Goose: Northern phase of reedbed.
Merlin: Male in front of hide.
Peregrine: Big Otmoor.
Joe Harris
White-fronted Goose: Northern phase of reedbed.
Merlin: Male in front of hide.
Peregrine: Big Otmoor.
Joe Harris
Headington: 29th February
Headington
4 Mealy Redpoll: At least four birds in same tree that seven birds were seen and photographed earlier in the month. SP544076.
Nick Forster
4 Mealy Redpoll: At least four birds in same tree that seven birds were seen and photographed earlier in the month. SP544076.
Nick Forster
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Last Saturdays Bird Ringing Demo at Farmoor
Photo's & comments from the Pinkhill Bird Ringing demo 25th March.
Thanks again to Matt Prior, The team from
the Edward Grey Institute and the OOS for
a very enjoyable and informative morning.
Top photo (c) Roger Green
Snipe & Robin photos (c) Gareth Blockley
''I attended the Farmoor Bird Ringing Event this morning and would like to thank the experts and the others in the team that attended and gave a very informative talk and demonstration''
(Roger Green)
''A great opportunity to see common birds
uncommonly close with explanations of
the 'mechanics' of bird flight''
''Was a good morning, very interesting to see the ringing and some good discussion too.
Thank you to Matt and the rest of the team''
Thank you to Matt and the rest of the team''
(Gareth Blockley)
Thanks again to Matt Prior, The team from
the Edward Grey Institute and the OOS for
a very enjoyable and informative morning.
Top photo (c) Roger Green
Snipe & Robin photos (c) Gareth Blockley
Port Meadow: 28th February
Port Meadow
2 Shelduck
2 Oystercatcher
4 Dunlin
2 Redshank
4 Ruff
Mary Gregory
2 Shelduck
2 Oystercatcher
4 Dunlin
2 Redshank
4 Ruff
Mary Gregory
Otmoor 28th February
White-fronted Goose (in Flood Field with Greylag flock) Peter Law
Short-eared Owl 3
Peregrine
(per The Wickster)
Short-eared Owl 3
Peregrine
(per The Wickster)
Monday 27 February 2012
Foxholes BBOWT February 27
Sunday 26 February 2012
Abingdon 26th February
Ring-necked Parakeet Drayton Road Allotments behind Abingdon Sewage Works
(per D.Godfrey goingbirding.)
(per D.Godfrey goingbirding.)
Charney Bassett 26th February
Short-eared Owl 4 (In fields north of Goosey Wick Farm)
(per Martin Smith Oxonbirds)
(per Martin Smith Oxonbirds)
Otmoor 26th February
Bittern (showing on and off from the 2nd screen all morning
but no sign in the afternoon by 15:30)
White-fronted Goose (on The Closes with the Greylags)
Short-eared Owl
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Curlew 10
Redshank 2
Ruff 2
Cetti's Warbler
but no sign in the afternoon by 15:30)
White-fronted Goose (on The Closes with the Greylags)
Short-eared Owl
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Curlew 10
Redshank 2
Ruff 2
Cetti's Warbler
Henley Road GPs: 26th February
Henley Road GPs
2 Smew: redheads.
3 Goosander: drk+2 rh.
Marek Walford
2 Smew: redheads.
3 Goosander: drk+2 rh.
Marek Walford
Otmoor Redpolls 25th February
At least four Redpolls seen by the niger seed feeder. Photo (c) Nigel Forrow
Standlake Pit 60 26 February pm
1 Smew (redhead)
2 Goosander (both females)
350 Eurasian Wigeon
51 Tufted Duck
50+ Common Teal
20+ Common Pochard
20 Mallard
8 Northern Shoveler
5 Gadwall
2 Little Grebe
1 Little Egret
10 Lapwing
50+ Fieldfare
Waterski Pit
10 Goosander (3 males 7 females)
6 Red crested Pochard
2 Goosander (both females)
350 Eurasian Wigeon
51 Tufted Duck
50+ Common Teal
20+ Common Pochard
20 Mallard
8 Northern Shoveler
5 Gadwall
2 Little Grebe
1 Little Egret
10 Lapwing
50+ Fieldfare
Waterski Pit
10 Goosander (3 males 7 females)
6 Red crested Pochard
Saturday 25 February 2012
Farmoor Reservoir 25th February
Oystercatcher: probing in grass by new 'bus shelter on F2
Knot
Dave Godfrey
Shelduck 2
Dunlin 3
Common Sandpiper
more from the Res at The Insomniac Birder
Knot
Dave Godfrey
Shelduck 2
Dunlin 3
Common Sandpiper
more from the Res at The Insomniac Birder
Otmoor 25th February
Bittern over the reed beds this morning photo & news courtesy of Terry Sherlock Ruff 2+ (Big Otmoor) Curlew Redpoll (on feeders) Otmoor Birding |
Friday 24 February 2012
Bird Ringing Demo Farmoor Res Saturday 25th February
Bird Ringing Demonstration at Farmoor Reservoir - 0800-1130 Saturday 25th February
Come and join us to get up close and personal with wild birds as we are joined by The Edward Grey Institute from Oxford University in a bird ringing demonstration at Farmoor Reservoir. This is a great opportunity to learn about the birds that thrive on our nature reserves. Bird ringing is a valuable method of studying our bird populations and we expect to be able to show you Blue Tits, Great Tits, Reed Buntings and maybe something more unusual such as Nuthatch or Yellowhammer.
The earlier you come, the more birds you will see.
Meet in the car park at Gate 3, Farmoor Reservoir, OX2 9NS. (The event will not take place if it rains).
Matt Prior
Come and join us to get up close and personal with wild birds as we are joined by The Edward Grey Institute from Oxford University in a bird ringing demonstration at Farmoor Reservoir. This is a great opportunity to learn about the birds that thrive on our nature reserves. Bird ringing is a valuable method of studying our bird populations and we expect to be able to show you Blue Tits, Great Tits, Reed Buntings and maybe something more unusual such as Nuthatch or Yellowhammer.
The earlier you come, the more birds you will see.
Meet in the car park at Gate 3, Farmoor Reservoir, OX2 9NS. (The event will not take place if it rains).
Matt Prior
Oxon/Berks West Ilsley 24th February
Hen Harrier (male) West Ilsley flew north over fields at 4:25
(per RBA)
(per RBA)
Sonning Eye GPs: 24th February
Sonning Eye GPs
2 Bittern: In the reedbed at the northern end of the lake.
7 Pintail: 5m+2f.
Marek Walford
2 Bittern: In the reedbed at the northern end of the lake.
7 Pintail: 5m+2f.
Marek Walford
Thursday 23 February 2012
Port Meadow: 23rd February
Port Meadow
5 Goosander: 1m, 4 r/h.
4 Ruff: 3m 1f.
2 Redshank
3 Dunlin
2 Shelduck
8 Pintail: approximate count.
Yellow-legged Gull: 2w.
No sign of the Merganser more at Port Meadow Birding
Adam Hartley
5 Goosander: 1m, 4 r/h.
4 Ruff: 3m 1f.
2 Redshank
3 Dunlin
2 Shelduck
8 Pintail: approximate count.
Yellow-legged Gull: 2w.
No sign of the Merganser more at Port Meadow Birding
Adam Hartley
Otmoor.A.M. 23rd February.
1 W.F. Goose
750+ Starlings
C.350 Golden Plover
1 Peregrine (M)
1 Water Rail
1 S.E.Owl
2 L. Redpoll
Otmoor Birding
750+ Starlings
C.350 Golden Plover
1 Peregrine (M)
1 Water Rail
1 S.E.Owl
2 L. Redpoll
Otmoor Birding
Farmoor 23rd February
Snow Bunting along causeway 08:30. (per Dai & Terry Sherlock)
Still present at 11:30 (per Marc Suller)
Still present mid afternoon (per Peter Law)
Still present at 11:30 (per Marc Suller)
Still present mid afternoon (per Peter Law)
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Port Meadow: 22nd February
Port Meadow
Red-breasted Merganser: r/h.
8 Goosander
3 Ruff
Redshank
2 Dunlin
3 Shelduck
8 Pintail
Adam Hartley
Red-breasted Merganser: r/h.
8 Goosander
3 Ruff
Redshank
2 Dunlin
3 Shelduck
8 Pintail
Adam Hartley
Grotty Pic
Sorry forgot the grotty Egyptian Geese photo.
There are 16 Egyptian Geese in oilseed rape alongside the Cote backroad they are in among some 150 Mute Swans, also circa 200 winter thrushes 75/25% split in favour of Fieldfare alongside the Eynsham to Long Hanborough road.
Barry Hudson.
There are 16 Egyptian Geese in oilseed rape alongside the Cote backroad they are in among some 150 Mute Swans, also circa 200 winter thrushes 75/25% split in favour of Fieldfare alongside the Eynsham to Long Hanborough road.
Barry Hudson.
Standlake Pit 60 22nd February
One curlew present again on S shore together with 6 snipe, and 6 shoveler on the lake.
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Port Meadow: 21st February
Port Meadow
Red-breasted Merganser: r/h.
19 Goosander
3 Ruff
3 Dunlin
2 Redshank
Adam Hartley
Red-breasted Merganser: r/h.
19 Goosander
3 Ruff
3 Dunlin
2 Redshank
Adam Hartley
RSPB Otmoor 21/02/12
The first curlew on the moor this year was seen today by the Tuesday volunteer work party flying over the reedbed. The brent goose is also still present on Closes with the greylag flock.
Standlake Pit 60 February 21st
Pintail 1m
Goldeneye 2f
Goosander 10 (2m8f)
Curlew 1
Wigeon 355
Shoveler 7 (1f6m)
Buzzard 1
Little Egret 1
Smew 1 f
Goldeneye 2f
Goosander 10 (2m8f)
Curlew 1
Wigeon 355
Shoveler 7 (1f6m)
Buzzard 1
Little Egret 1
Smew 1 f
Port Meadow: 21st February
Port Meadow
18 Goosander: all left, some NW, some S at 07:00.
4 Shelduck
Peter Law
18 Goosander: all left, some NW, some S at 07:00.
4 Shelduck
Peter Law
Monday 20 February 2012
Port Meadow: 20th February
Red-breasted Merganser: r/h.
7 Goosander
2 Ruff
3 Redshank
3 Dunlin
8 Pintail
1 Yellow-legged gull: 2w
200 Golden Plover
Adam Hartley
7 Goosander
2 Ruff
3 Redshank
3 Dunlin
8 Pintail
1 Yellow-legged gull: 2w
200 Golden Plover
Adam Hartley
Sunday 19 February 2012
Grimsbury Reservoir: 19th February
Grimsbury Reservoir
Peregrine: Over - per Clive Payne.
Bagley Wood
4 Common Crossbill: Just a quick look and at least 4 - 2 seen well and 2 calling/seen briefly.
Radley GP: Thrupp Lake
Little Egret
Gareth Blockley
Peregrine: Over - per Clive Payne.
Bagley Wood
4 Common Crossbill: Just a quick look and at least 4 - 2 seen well and 2 calling/seen briefly.
Radley GP: Thrupp Lake
Little Egret
Gareth Blockley
Ridgeway above Letcombe Bassett 19th February
Merlin (fem) In flight along fenceline just north of Ridgeway.
33 Corn Bunting
Leo Bateman
33 Corn Bunting
Leo Bateman
Sparsholt: Sparsholt Down: 19th February
Hen Harrier (ringtail) Distant but viewed for a decent amount of time.
2 Raven
18 Corn Bunting
Mark Merritt
Sparsholt Down
2 Raven
18 Corn Bunting
Mark Merritt
Sparsholt Down
Nuffield: Mongewell Woods: 19th February
Nuffield: Mongewell Woods
3 Brambling: At least 3 in mixed flock of finches.
Mark Merritt
3 Brambling: At least 3 in mixed flock of finches.
Mark Merritt
Otmoor 19th February
Dark-bellied Brent Goose still on Otmoor today on Ashgrave and the Closes photo (c) Roger Green No sign of the Bittern by mid day Otmoor Birding |
Saturday 18 February 2012
Otmoor 18th February
Brent Goose (on the Closes late morning with the Greylags)
White-fronted Goose (on Greenaways early morning)
Bittern seen briefly in flight early morning at the west end of Greenaways.
then over the reedbeds mid morning.
and reportedly showing from the 2nd screen in the afternoon.
Ruff 3 (on Big Otmoor)
Dunlin c13 ( Ashgrave per Paul Greenaway)
Otter 3 more info on the Chub Munchers to come on Otmoor Birding
White-fronted Goose (on Greenaways early morning)
Bittern seen briefly in flight early morning at the west end of Greenaways.
then over the reedbeds mid morning.
and reportedly showing from the 2nd screen in the afternoon.
Ruff 3 (on Big Otmoor)
Dunlin c13 ( Ashgrave per Paul Greenaway)
Otter 3 more info on the Chub Munchers to come on Otmoor Birding
Dark-bellied Brent Goose (c) Terry Sherlock |
Friday 17 February 2012
Ravenous Friday 17th.
A pair of Raven feeding on a Muntjac carcase near Bampton and two Little Egret at Clanfield.
Barry Hudson
Barry Hudson
Standlake: Pits 60&38, February 16th
Thursday 16 February 2012
Not Quite tristus ?
The weather was (irisistably) warm and sunny and the Abingdon Sewage Works aroma confirmed it... and Chiffs were plenty but getting them to sit still, without the sun behind them meant... a count of 68 Pied Wagtails on the adjacent sports field; plus 2 Grey Wagtails and other Pieds on the filter beds. An earlier front lit Little Egret and around 160 Teal at 1066 was more illuminating. Goldcrests were noisy and very viewable in the nearby conifers, whilst G C Grebes were nest building and Kingfishers arguing on the lake opposite. Very different to the freezing dusk last Saturday when at 1755, a Barn Owl was the noisiest bird around. It was crossing the lane just where the warm effluent stream from the works does the same below. Suitable compensation for the roosting Bittern that I hoped might have returned this year!
Spit Pit, Appleford was also liquidfied and recent high numbers of loafing gulls had quit in the main. One exception was a 'goose stepping' first winter bird (left leg injury) that since last week still refuses to hold its right leg motionless long enough to photograph the largish coloured ring at high enough magnification, so as to ID its origin.
Farmoor luck towards dusk, when 2 different adult Mediterranean Gulls were present quite early on ...1620 and 1650, with Common Sandpiper in the SE of F2. A final peak into F1 revealed 2 male and 4 redhead Goosander over by the west wall at 1715, before a hasty retreat and exit before shut gate time that has now crept up to 1730 hrs. With breeding plumaged Med gulls, presumably already making way back to nesting sites to the east, it certainly looks as if Spring might be arriving at last. Apologies again for my typically bad photos of interesting birds at Farmoor, when everyone elses efforts are usually quite stunning.
Not Quite Oxon (Streatley)
tristis type Chiffchaff at Streatley
Otmoor 16th February
Photo's courtesy of Nigel Woodley |
Brent Goose Otmoor on Greenaways with Canada Geese at c12:15 (per Peter Law)
from the 1st screen 10:45 (per Paul Greenaway)
(c) Nigel Woodley |
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Abingdon Sewage Works 14th February
Potential Siberian ChiffChaff still in the hedge by the works
6+ Common ChiffChaff
4 Goldcrest,
8 Long Tailed Tit,
2 Siskin
2 Grey Wagtail
6+ Common ChiffChaff
4 Goldcrest,
8 Long Tailed Tit,
2 Siskin
2 Grey Wagtail
14th Feb Sonning Eye and Henley Rd G.P's
Sonning Eye
Bittern 1 showing well in tree above reeds 3.15pm
Scaup 1 drk
Goosander Pair
Henley Rd
Smew 4 (1 drk)
Goosander 2rh
Hugh
Bittern 1 showing well in tree above reeds 3.15pm
Scaup 1 drk
Goosander Pair
Henley Rd
Smew 4 (1 drk)
Goosander 2rh
Hugh
Grimsbury Reservoir: 14th February
Grimsbury Reservoir
Merlin: Through over cattle fields soon after first light and away over town south. Species number 57 at the reservoir for the year.
Willow Tit: In the wood with tit flock.
Gareth Blockley
Merlin: Through over cattle fields soon after first light and away over town south. Species number 57 at the reservoir for the year.
Willow Tit: In the wood with tit flock.
Gareth Blockley
Farmoor 14th February
Knot (along the causeway) 10:00 (per Dai)
still present 12:00 F2 nr bus shelter (per Peter Law)
More from the Res at The Insomniac Birder
still present 12:00 F2 nr bus shelter (per Peter Law)
More from the Res at The Insomniac Birder
Monday 13 February 2012
Dorchester 13th February
Allen Pit
1 Smew (redhead)
21 Goosander (7 male, 14 redhead)
930 Wigeon
60 Shoveler
18 Gadwall
2 Egyptian Geese
6 Common gull
Drayton Road Pit
192 Teal
9 Common Gull
52 Tufted Duck
24 Gadwall
3 Wigeon
12 Pochard
1 Smew (redhead)
21 Goosander (7 male, 14 redhead)
930 Wigeon
60 Shoveler
18 Gadwall
2 Egyptian Geese
6 Common gull
Drayton Road Pit
192 Teal
9 Common Gull
52 Tufted Duck
24 Gadwall
3 Wigeon
12 Pochard
Sunday 12 February 2012
Siberian Chiffchaff?, Abingdon SF 12th Feb
The tristis/abietinus bird was still present the sewage works today. I didn't hear it call but the pics below give an impression of how it variously appeared in the field. Generally grey-brown lacking any green/yellow except for yellow underwing covs/axillaries and greenish fringes to the remiges, tail and greater coverts. Neat super, dark bill and legs, nice wingbar and a light brown wash to the ear coverts.
Farmoor Reservoir: 12th February
Farmoor Reservoir
6 Barnacle Goose: Flew over with one dark morph Snow Goose.
33 Snow Goose: Flew over. Four dark morph.
Sydney Penner
6 Barnacle Goose: Flew over with one dark morph Snow Goose.
33 Snow Goose: Flew over. Four dark morph.
Sydney Penner
Farmoor 11 February
2+ Red-crested Pochard on F1
Golden Plover (1) and Redshank (1) on Causeway.
1 SEO high over Shrike Meadow
3 Goosander (1 male) on the river and a few on F1
Golden Plover (1) and Redshank (1) on Causeway.
1 SEO high over Shrike Meadow
3 Goosander (1 male) on the river and a few on F1
(c) Stephen Burch. Click here to enlarge.
Unhill Wood 12 February
Two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers heard from about SU557818, but neither seen, let alone photographed! One calling close to the public footpath, the other calling and drumming briefly in the distance. Close to the spot from where they were reported earlier by Mark Merritt.
Bletchingdon male Blackcap (c) Elizabeth Hodgson |
Abingdon female Blackcap (c) Mike Flemming Mike Flemming's Natural History Photos |
Grimsbury Reservoir: 12th February
Grimsbury Reservoir
Little Owl: Found this morning by Clive Payne. Perched in one of the old pollarded willow trees to the west of the reservoir. 53 for the year.
Gareth Blockley
Little Owl: Found this morning by Clive Payne. Perched in one of the old pollarded willow trees to the west of the reservoir. 53 for the year.
Gareth Blockley
Sonning Eye GP 12th February
2 Bittern at 9:00 a.m. (still present this afternoon see comments)
5 Smew ( 1 drk Henley Rd pits)
4 Goosander
1 Scaup (drk on the Water Skiing pit)
(per Peter Law & Marek Walford)
Bittern photo M.Walford
goingbirding
Marek's Blog
Nun photos (Badger) |
Saturday 11 February 2012
Standlake Pit 60 11th February
Goosander 9 ( 6m 3 f)
Smew 1 f
Lake all but frozen over
Smew 1 f
Lake all but frozen over
Smew Influx February 11th
Both Pictures (c) The Paranoid Birder |
3 Smew on a private fishing lake today taking the county total to at least 10 birds.
More photos of these diminutive Sawbills here
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