Black-necked Grebe |
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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 31 October 2018
Chinnor: Cement Works: 31st October
Chinnor: Cement Works
Stonechat: Male northern end of Lake 2b.
Peregrine: 1 over heading north.
David Stracey
Stonechat: Male northern end of Lake 2b.
Peregrine: 1 over heading north.
David Stracey
Blenheim Park 31st October
Great white Egret 1
Little Egret 3
Whooper Swan 3
Green Sandpiper 3
Yellow-legged Gull
Kingfisher
(per Dave Doherty)
Tuesday 30 October 2018
Cottisford Pond 30th October
1 Great White Egret on private lake just before village of Cottisford, lake can be viewed from public footpath which runs parallel to lake.
Alan Peters
Alan Peters
Crowmarsh Gifford: Institute of Hydrology/Howbery Park: 30th October
Crowmarsh Gifford: Institute of Hydrology/Howbery Park
2 Brambling: Calling Over heading west. 2 separate occasions, on walk into work. With steady stream of Redwings. 06:40.
Tom Wickens
2 Brambling: Calling Over heading west. 2 separate occasions, on walk into work. With steady stream of Redwings. 06:40.
Tom Wickens
Monday 29 October 2018
Farmoor Reservoir: Car Park (Gate 3): 29th October
Farmoor Reservoir: Car Park (Gate 3)
Swallow: single swallow flying around car park. 16:00.
Rob Downes
Swallow: single swallow flying around car park. 16:00.
Rob Downes
Farmoor Reservoir: 29th October
29th October
Farmoor Reservoir
Peregrine: Circled F2. 10:45.
Water Rail: Sludge beds at north end of F1. 09:25.
Common Gull: ad w/p. Around F1. 10:50.
Raven
Derek Evans
Farmoor Reservoir
Peregrine: Circled F2. 10:45.
Water Rail: Sludge beds at north end of F1. 09:25.
Common Gull: ad w/p. Around F1. 10:50.
Raven
Derek Evans
A4095 nr Upper Campsfield Farm: 29th October
A4095 nr Upper Campsfield Farm
Green Sandpiper: Seen over calling.
Michael Hunt
Green Sandpiper: Seen over calling.
Michael Hunt
Blenheim Park 29th October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 1
Little Egret 5
Whooper Swan 3
Water Rail 2
Yellow-legged Gull
Raven
Sunday 28 October 2018
Standlake Common: Sunday 28th October
Whooper Swan, 6 at pit 60
Great White Egret, 1 at pit 38
Green Sandpiper, 2 at pit 38
Great White Egret, 1 at pit 38
Green Sandpiper, 2 at pit 38
Farmoor Reservoir: 28th October
28th October
Farmoor Reservoir
Swallow
4 Wigeon 09:58.
Shelduck 09:58.
3 Goldeneye 09:58.
2 Gadwall 09:58.
Mike Youngman
Farmoor Reservoir
Swallow
4 Wigeon 09:58.
Shelduck 09:58.
3 Goldeneye 09:58.
2 Gadwall 09:58.
Mike Youngman
Blenheim Park 28th October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 2 still on Queens Pool 09:26
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan
Little Egret 6
Grey Heron 17
Saturday 27 October 2018
Farmoor Oct 27th 2pm-4:30pm
Rock Pipit - 1 (causeway)
Stonechat - pair (pinkhill lock)
Water Rail - 1 (pinkhill)
GBB Gull - 1 (adult)
Raven - 2 (South)
(barnacle goose - 1 with feral greylags on western bank of F1)
Stonechat - pair (pinkhill lock)
Water Rail - 1 (pinkhill)
GBB Gull - 1 (adult)
Raven - 2 (South)
(barnacle goose - 1 with feral greylags on western bank of F1)
Standlake Pit 60 27th October
Whooper Swan 8 at Pit 60 this morning then flew south.
GREAT WHITE EGRET
GREAT WHITE EGRET
Friday 26 October 2018
Otmoor rspb 26th October
Standlake Pit 60: 26th October
Standlake Pit 60
Jack Snipe: Still opposite north shore hide.
Mick Cunningham
Jack Snipe: Still opposite north shore hide.
Mick Cunningham
Blenheim Queen Pool Woodstock 26th October
0945-1200hrs
Great White Egret 5 flew off at approx 1030
Little Egret 6
Grey Heron 21
Yellow legged Gull 2
Peregrine 1
Common Teal 500
Eurasian Wigeon 15+
Northern Shoveler 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Tree Creeper 1
Great White Egret 5 flew off at approx 1030
Little Egret 6
Grey Heron 21
Yellow legged Gull 2
Peregrine 1
Common Teal 500
Eurasian Wigeon 15+
Northern Shoveler 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Tree Creeper 1
Thursday 25 October 2018
Blenheim: Queen Pool: 25th October
Blenheim: Queen Pool
5 Great White Egret 14:00.
2 Common Sandpiper 14:00.
25 Grey Heron 14:00.
2 Wigeon 14:00.
Simon Myers
5 Great White Egret 14:00.
2 Common Sandpiper 14:00.
25 Grey Heron 14:00.
2 Wigeon 14:00.
Simon Myers
Rushey Common lake, 25th October
pm
Black Tailed Godwit
on island opposite hide and apparently present for a couple of days
Clackers
Black Tailed Godwit
on island opposite hide and apparently present for a couple of days
Clackers
Wednesday 24 October 2018
Blenheim 24th Oct
6 Great White Egret on Queens Pool
(5 together in the water and 1 on the bank)
12 Little Egret
25 Grey Heron
(5 together in the water and 1 on the bank)
12 Little Egret
25 Grey Heron
White Horse Hill: 24th October
White Horse Hill
Wheatear: Greenland looking individual. SP294862.
Mick Cunningham
Wheatear: Greenland looking individual. SP294862.
Mick Cunningham
Blenhiem Park 24th October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 5 still on Queens Pool.
Little Egret 11
Pochard 2
Yellow-legged Gull
Kingfisher
Tuesday 23 October 2018
Blenheim Park 23rd October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 5 still this afternoon
Little Egret c25
Water Rail
on Queens Pool.
Little Egret c25
Water Rail
(per Justin Taylor)
Monday 22 October 2018
Blenheim 22nd October
Standlake Pit 60: 22nd October
Standlake Pit 60
Mediterranean Gull: 1cy/1w. Joined the c420 blackheads on water. All flushed by buzzard, flew off NE. 17:20.
Mick Cunningham
Mediterranean Gull: 1cy/1w. Joined the c420 blackheads on water. All flushed by buzzard, flew off NE. 17:20.
Mick Cunningham
Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor II: 22nd October
Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor II
Whooper Swan: ad. With 2 Mute Swan at 0850.
Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
Goosander: fem. Flew north at 0900.
Derek Evans
Whooper Swan: ad. With 2 Mute Swan at 0850.
Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
Goosander: fem. Flew north at 0900.
Derek Evans
Sunday 21 October 2018
Standlake Pit 60: 20th October
Standlake Pit 60
165 Lapwing: Approx count. All in a single flock whiffled down to land. Several left in small groups over time. Golden plover mixed in but didn't land. Apologies for late post.
65 Golden Plover: Approximate count. Flew in with lapwings but the plover didn't land. Spent a few minutes circling pit before leaving SW.
2 Snipe: No Jack.
2 Water Rail: Minimum count as 2 seen on South shore. Others heard.
Mick Cunningham
165 Lapwing: Approx count. All in a single flock whiffled down to land. Several left in small groups over time. Golden plover mixed in but didn't land. Apologies for late post.
65 Golden Plover: Approximate count. Flew in with lapwings but the plover didn't land. Spent a few minutes circling pit before leaving SW.
2 Snipe: No Jack.
2 Water Rail: Minimum count as 2 seen on South shore. Others heard.
Mick Cunningham
Otmoor 21st October
5-6:45pm
c40 Fieldfare
Redwing (heard over)
Stonechat (m)
Marsh Harrier 1
Raven 2
Bittern 2 from the 2nd screen (per L.B)
Sent from my iPhone
c40 Fieldfare
Redwing (heard over)
Stonechat (m)
Marsh Harrier 1
Raven 2
Bittern 2 from the 2nd screen (per L.B)
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday 20 October 2018
Didcot Landfill 20th October
Little Egret
Wigeon
2 Pochard
Raven Over head
2 Egyptian Goose
5 Teal
Michael Violette
Wigeon
2 Pochard
Raven Over head
2 Egyptian Goose
5 Teal
Michael Violette
Otmoor: 19th October
Cothill & environs: 20th Oct.
Hawfinch
Brambling
2 Redpoll
8 Siskin
2 Raven
3 Chiffchaff (one singing)
30+ Meadow Pipit
Brambling
2 Redpoll
8 Siskin
2 Raven
3 Chiffchaff (one singing)
30+ Meadow Pipit
Farmoor Reservoir 20th October
LWV Pit 10: 20th October
LWV Pit 10
Brambling: Heard only. Actually adjacent to west oxon sail club.
Mick Cunningham
Brambling: Heard only. Actually adjacent to west oxon sail club.
Mick Cunningham
Friday 19 October 2018
Farmoor: 19 October
Black-necked Grebe (c) Stephen Burch
To see more and larger images, go to to the Tall Birder Blog or my website
Standlake Pit 60: 19th October
Jack Snipe: Still opposite n hide. To the young men leaving as I entered hide it's left of the 2 commons!
Green Sandpiper: On east shore as seen from n hide.
Mick Cunningham
Green Sandpiper: On east shore as seen from n hide.
Mick Cunningham
Otmoor rspb 19th October
Rushy Common: 19th October
Milton down
Stonechat: f. The stonechat, along with a couple of marsh tits nearby were the only things to brighten up a very unsuccessful vismig watch 7 30 to 10 30 am. Dribble of starlings WNW even fewer chaffnches S. SP309136.
Rushy Common
Goldeneye: SP309136.
Mick Cunningham
Stonechat: f. The stonechat, along with a couple of marsh tits nearby were the only things to brighten up a very unsuccessful vismig watch 7 30 to 10 30 am. Dribble of starlings WNW even fewer chaffnches S. SP309136.
Rushy Common
Goldeneye: SP309136.
Mick Cunningham
North Oxford 19th October
Heard-only flyover Brambling(s) in North Oxford (Linkside Avenue, adjacent to North Ox
golf course) at around 9 a.m. this morning.
per Nick Boyd
per Nick Boyd
Blenhiem Estate 19th October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 3
Little Egret 2
Pintail 6
Wigeon 25
Yellow-legged Gull
(per Dave Doherty)
19th October
Sadly a Short Eared Owl was found dead yesterday on a footpath in West Oxon.
Does anyone have any idea who is the most appropriate person/group to contact
to establish the cause of death.
Thursday 18 October 2018
Standlake Pit 60: 18th October
Standlake Pit 60
Jack Snipe: Actually might have been 2. 1 on view on southern shore continuously from 4pm to 6 45 pm. Asleep most of time waking and feeding towards sun set. As light fell minimum 4 common snipe joined it. Another snipe was probably a Jack but partially hidden and too gloomy to be sure. .
6 Snipe: 2 on view throughout others came out as sun setting.
Pintail: juv. First for a few days.
Mick Cunningham
Jack Snipe: Actually might have been 2. 1 on view on southern shore continuously from 4pm to 6 45 pm. Asleep most of time waking and feeding towards sun set. As light fell minimum 4 common snipe joined it. Another snipe was probably a Jack but partially hidden and too gloomy to be sure. .
6 Snipe: 2 on view throughout others came out as sun setting.
Pintail: juv. First for a few days.
Mick Cunningham
Rushey Common lake, 18th October
Egyptian Geese 2
Common Sandpiper
Great Tit on feeders with very bad growth around eyes
Clackers & Mrs Clackers
Common Sandpiper
Great Tit on feeders with very bad growth around eyes
Clackers & Mrs Clackers
Standlake Pit 60: 18 October
1 Green Sandpiper (from LL hide)
1 Common Snipe (from NS hide)
Jack Snipe: No sign between 10:00 and 12:00 but reported earlier (per RW)
1 Common Snipe (from NS hide)
Jack Snipe: No sign between 10:00 and 12:00 but reported earlier (per RW)
Lark Hill 18th October
Tree Sparrow along main track with large bunting flock
Stonechat (f)
5 Golden Plover
c20 Corn Bunting
c150 Yellowhammer
Stonechat (f)
5 Golden Plover
c20 Corn Bunting
c150 Yellowhammer
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 18th October
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
4 Pintail
5 Little Egret
3 Great White Egret
Water Rail
Derek Evans
4 Pintail
5 Little Egret
3 Great White Egret
Water Rail
Derek Evans
Wednesday 17 October 2018
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 17th October
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
2 Great White Egret
11 Little Egret
270 Teal
Kingfisher
17 Lapwing
Bob Pomfret
2 Great White Egret
11 Little Egret
270 Teal
Kingfisher
17 Lapwing
Bob Pomfret
: 17th October
Balscote Quarry
220 Golden Plover: Flew over and looked to land in nearby fields. Also 2 redpoll flew south calling. S.H and Mark Ribbons. SP391428. 11:10.
Steve Holliday
220 Golden Plover: Flew over and looked to land in nearby fields. Also 2 redpoll flew south calling. S.H and Mark Ribbons. SP391428. 11:10.
Steve Holliday
Tuesday 16 October 2018
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 16th October
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
3 Great White Egret: 3 birds feeding in queens pool. The lake is being drained in Oct 2018 for a survey. The lake will be filled up again in November, and if all goes to plan drained and the silt dredged out in 2020. 15:45.
Pete Roby
3 Great White Egret: 3 birds feeding in queens pool. The lake is being drained in Oct 2018 for a survey. The lake will be filled up again in November, and if all goes to plan drained and the silt dredged out in 2020. 15:45.
Pete Roby
Monday 15 October 2018
LWV Pit 10: 15th October
LWV Pit 10
4000 Starling: Approximate count of flock circling reed bed preparatory to roosting.
Mick Cunningham
4000 Starling: Approximate count of flock circling reed bed preparatory to roosting.
Mick Cunningham
Standlake Pit 60: 15th October
Standlake Pit 60
Jack Snipe: A single on the far shore opposite North Shore hide 4pm to c5 pm. It slept the whole time.
Mick Cunningham
Jack Snipe: A single on the far shore opposite North Shore hide 4pm to c5 pm. It slept the whole time.
Mick Cunningham
Blenheim Estate 15th October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 3
Little Egret 12
Grey Heron 23
Great black-backed Gull
Raven
(per Jon Uren)
Sunday 14 October 2018
Blenheim Estate Queens Lake 14th October
GREAT WHITE EGRET 3
Little Egret 12
Grey Heron c25
Pintail 2
Wigeon 40+
Shoveler 20+
Teal c150
Wigeon 40+
Shoveler 20+
Teal c150
Standlake Pit 60 14th October
Some very distant clips of the Jack Snipe.
2 Jack Snipe on far side of pit from North Shore hide late afternoon
1 Common Snipe
Kingfisher
(Badger)
Saturday 13 October 2018
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 13th October
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
Great White Egret: Flew off to the south at 1500 hrs. SP439165. 14:00.
Anthony Roberts
Great White Egret: Flew off to the south at 1500 hrs. SP439165. 14:00.
Anthony Roberts
Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill: 13th October
Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill
Fieldfare
3 Chiffchaff: One singing in high winds and driving rain.
Mark Merritt
Fieldfare
3 Chiffchaff: One singing in high winds and driving rain.
Mark Merritt
Friday 12 October 2018
Bicester Wetland Reserve 12th October
1 Chiffchaff singing in strong winds
1 Sparrowhawk
52 Teal
9 Gadwall
6 Shoveler
300 Starling
Key Holder Reserve
Alan Peters
1 Sparrowhawk
52 Teal
9 Gadwall
6 Shoveler
300 Starling
Key Holder Reserve
Alan Peters
Standlake Pit 60 12th October
Jack Snipe again along shoreline opposite the North Shore hide this morning (per Adey State).
Thursday 11 October 2018
Otmoor: 11th October
Otmoor
Merlin: male.
Peregrine
2 Bittern
Dunlin
Pintail: fem.
Stonechat: fem.
Jonathon Parsons
Merlin: male.
Peregrine
2 Bittern
Dunlin
Pintail: fem.
Stonechat: fem.
Jonathon Parsons
Blenhiem Estate 11th October
Great white Egret 2 on Queens Lake 15:50
Pintail 2
(per Phil Barnett)
Yesterday Water Rail on the newly revealed mud near the Seven Arches... very obliging.
(per Bob Pomfret)
Oxford 11th October
A likely YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at 9:20am this morning, on treetops at the Cowley rd/Princes st junction. Very vocal and mobile, moving fast toward the city centre. I didn't have bins so cannot confirm but the call was right for YBW.
Wednesday 10 October 2018
Chinnor: Cement Works: 10th October
Chinnor: Cement Works
4 Chiffchaff: SU751996. 17:00.
3 Little Grebe: Lake 2B. SU751996. 17:00.
200 Canada Goose: Lake 2B. SU751996. 17:00.
2 Pochard: SU751996. 17:00.
12 Long-tailed Tit: chasing flies over the surface of lake 2B. SU751996. 17:00.
4 Mute Swan: SU751996. 17:00.
20 Tufted Duck: SU751996. 17:00.
Jez March
4 Chiffchaff: SU751996. 17:00.
3 Little Grebe: Lake 2B. SU751996. 17:00.
200 Canada Goose: Lake 2B. SU751996. 17:00.
2 Pochard: SU751996. 17:00.
12 Long-tailed Tit: chasing flies over the surface of lake 2B. SU751996. 17:00.
4 Mute Swan: SU751996. 17:00.
20 Tufted Duck: SU751996. 17:00.
Jez March
Oxford 10th October
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER heard and seen in garden on Hill Top Road c13:30 but no further sign by 18:30.
Apparently individuals have been trying to tape lure the Warbler, please don't.
Apparently individuals have been trying to tape lure the Warbler, please don't.
Chiffchaff 2
Blackcap
Tuesday 9th Oct Otmoor
Great White Egret
Coming in, in front of first screen at dusk
Short Eared Owl also at first screen.
Coming in, in front of first screen at dusk
Short Eared Owl also at first screen.
Blenhiem Estate 10th October
Great white Egret
Little Egret 2
Great-black backed Gull
Water Rail
Pintail
Kingfisher
Redpoll 4
Tuesday 9 October 2018
Grimsbury Reservoir: 9th October
Watlington Hill: 9th October
Watlington Hill
Raven: Over heading NE. SU706941. 16:30.
Richard Haydon
Raven: Over heading NE. SU706941. 16:30.
Richard Haydon
Standlake Pit 60: 9th October
Standlake Pit 60
Jack Snipe: Feeding and resting on southern shore. Viewable from north shore hide. Bouncing away. See twitter @MickgCuningham for shaky phonescope video.
Mick Cunningham
Jack Snipe: Feeding and resting on southern shore. Viewable from north shore hide. Bouncing away. See twitter @MickgCuningham for shaky phonescope video.
Mick Cunningham
Standlake Pit 60: 9th October
Standlake Pit 60
Mediterranean Gull: ad. In moult. Surprisingly scarce here. Resting with other gulls including 7 adult yellow legged gull and 2 common gulls Duff phonescope shots at @MickgCunningham Twitter.
Mick Cunningham
Mediterranean Gull: ad. In moult. Surprisingly scarce here. Resting with other gulls including 7 adult yellow legged gull and 2 common gulls Duff phonescope shots at @MickgCunningham Twitter.
Mick Cunningham
: 8th October
Milton Down shipton UW
64 Golden Plover: Minimum count. Feeding in field. Apologies for late posting. SP287157.
Mick Cunningham
64 Golden Plover: Minimum count. Feeding in field. Apologies for late posting. SP287157.
Mick Cunningham
Monday 8 October 2018
Grimsbury Reservoir: 8th October
Otmoor rspb 27th September
Belated report of Jack Snipe: got up out of ditch by main track near junction for 'Wetlands watch' hide, flipped over hedge and vanished. 11:00.
Standlake Pit 60: 8th October
Standlake Pit 60
97 Redwing: Best in a poor vismig watch All went west.
19 Fieldfare: West.
7 Chaffinch: South.
Mick Cunningham
97 Redwing: Best in a poor vismig watch All went west.
19 Fieldfare: West.
7 Chaffinch: South.
Mick Cunningham
Blenhiem Estate 8th October
Green Sandpiper
Pintail 4
Little Egret 2
Stonechat (m)
Siskin
Redwing c20 over
Upper Campsfield Farm:
Several Crossbills flew over.
Upper Campsfield Farm:
Several Crossbills flew over.
Sunday 7 October 2018
More Redwings
5 Redwings over oxford university park (at the 12 mile mark of the oxford half marathon)
plus more groups over calling this evening in Abingdon.
Oxford Rail Station: 7th October
120+ Pied Wagtails gathering to roost behind the Said Business School, visible from the front of Oxford station.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 7th October
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
12 Redwing: Flying over. 09:00.
Bob Pomfret
12 Redwing: Flying over. 09:00.
Bob Pomfret
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 7th October
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
Water Rail: On the mud close to the old Fisheries cottage. The Queen Pool is currently being drained and is low.
100 Teal
80 Shoveler
13 Wigeon
35 Moorhen: High count, active on mud as Queen Pool is drained.
22 Little Grebe
2 Little Egret
Bob Pomfret
Water Rail: On the mud close to the old Fisheries cottage. The Queen Pool is currently being drained and is low.
100 Teal
80 Shoveler
13 Wigeon
35 Moorhen: High count, active on mud as Queen Pool is drained.
22 Little Grebe
2 Little Egret
Bob Pomfret
Lark Hill 7th October
2 Wheatear (1stw)
Stonechat (m)
Siskin (over)
30+ Meadow Pipit
c15 Corn Bunting
Stonechat (m)
Siskin (over)
30+ Meadow Pipit
c15 Corn Bunting
Rushy Common lake, 7th October
Chiffchaff 2
Red Crested Pochards 13m 15 f at least
Black Swan
Lapwings 60+ landed in field in front of hide
Little Egrets 2
Clackers & Mrs Clackers
Red Crested Pochards 13m 15 f at least
Black Swan
Lapwings 60+ landed in field in front of hide
Little Egrets 2
Clackers & Mrs Clackers
Appleford New Workings 7th October
Appleford: New Workings
Black-tailed Godwit: SU521939.
Appleford: New Workings
4 Green Sandpiper: SU521939.
Michael Violette
Black-tailed Godwit: SU521939.
Appleford: New Workings
4 Green Sandpiper: SU521939.
Michael Violette
Ardington 7th October
Hawfinch just S of Ardington at 09:50 (approx SU429877) in tree top for 5mins before dropping down into yews
Raven 2+
Treecreeper 4
Kingfisher
Grey Wagtail
Raven 2+
Treecreeper 4
Kingfisher
Grey Wagtail
Saturday 6 October 2018
Farmoor Reservoir: 6th October
Farmoor Reservoir
2 Ringed Plover: on causeway.
5 Common Tern: juvs.
Arctic Tern: juv. in flock with Common Terns.
Great Black-backed Gull: ad.
Ian Elkins
2 Ringed Plover: on causeway.
5 Common Tern: juvs.
Arctic Tern: juv. in flock with Common Terns.
Great Black-backed Gull: ad.
Ian Elkins
Standlake Pit 60: 6th October
Standlake Pit 60
7 Pintail: Weren't here yesterday. Assume brought in by rain/ rising water levels.
Mick Cunningham
7 Pintail: Weren't here yesterday. Assume brought in by rain/ rising water levels.
Mick Cunningham
Sonning Eye GPs: 6th October
Sonning Eye GPs
Redshank: Sat on the string of orange buoys in the middle of the lake! 09:50.
Marek Walford
Redshank: Sat on the string of orange buoys in the middle of the lake! 09:50.
Marek Walford
Friday 5 October 2018
Otmoor: Central: 5th October
Otmoor: Central
Hobby
Whinchat: On Greenaways. 11:40.
Pete Roby
Short-eared Owl again early evening (L.O)
Hobby
Whinchat: On Greenaways. 11:40.
Pete Roby
Short-eared Owl again early evening (L.O)
Wantage: Lark Hill: 5th October
Wantage: Lark Hill
3 Stonechat: Pair plus another fem. 13:00.
Leo Bateman
3 Stonechat: Pair plus another fem. 13:00.
Leo Bateman
Grimsbury Reservoir: 5th October
2 Rock Pipits, along western shore
Found by John at 12:43 and confirmed still present by Mark 13:25
Found by John at 12:43 and confirmed still present by Mark 13:25
Thursday 4 October 2018
Watlington 4th October
Reeves's pheasant, female, present today 09.30 and 15.30, woodland alongside Knightsbridge Lane, north of Watlington SU683968
per Sam Thomas
Tuesday 2 October 2018
Blenheim 2nd October
9 Whooper Swans on the main (Queen's) lake at Blenheim 08:50 a.m.
per Dave Doherty
per Dave Doherty
Monday 1 October 2018
Farmoor Reservoir: Causeway: 1st October
Farmoor Reservoir: Causeway
Dunlin: 0900-1100.
5 Ringed Plover
Derek Evans
Dunlin: 0900-1100.
5 Ringed Plover
Derek Evans
September Review
Arctic Tern (juv), courtesy of Steve Burch |
Much of September was unusually quiet for a peak passage month. While not too distant inland counties enjoyed confiding Spotted Crake, settled Pallid Harrier and twitchable Pectoral Sandpiper, the birdscape in Oxfordshire remained much as it had through August until the fourth week. Then a threesome of more notable if now annual species chose to enliven the autumnal scene a little more.
Grey Phalarope at Grimsbury Reservoir, courtesy of John Taylor |
Grey Phalarope at Sonning Eye, courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
Following an Atlantic storm on 20th, a widespread national influx of Grey Phalarope at inshore and inland waters deposited lost waifs at two Oxon locations. The first was in the north of the county at Grimsbury Reservoir on 21st. Then a day later a second bird arrived at Sonning Eye GPs in the far south-east, and this one remained until 24th. Wader passage was otherwise steady but unremarkable.
Great White Egret, courtesy of Jim Hutchins |
Next, on 25th a Great White Egret returned to the Lower Windrush Valley, being found at pit 38 then later pit 60 near Standlake. These majestic herons over-wintered there in recent years, so it is hoped this newly arrived bird will remain with us too.
Black-necked Grebe, courtesy of Dai John |
At month's end Farmoor Reservoir hosted it's fourth Black-necked Grebe of 2018, a smart individual being discovered on the morning of 29th. The concrete bowl had also produced some earlier records of note, with a Shag reported there on 1st, a Jack Snipe seen on the causeway on 6th, and an Osprey over on 8th. None of those lingered.
Caspian Gull at Farmoor (1w) courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
Through the month 's first to third weeks it was Gulls and Terns that had rather stood out. Up to six separate Caspian Gull were observed on a number of occasions. One moulting into third winter was filmed at Appleford on 8th, while a first winter was photographed at Farmoor Reservoir on 8th and again on 21st, and a third winter was logged at Appleford on 23rd. Three more juvenile / first winters frequented Didcot landfill on and off from 5th to month's end. A late Little Gull was noted briefly at LWV pit 10 on 16th.
Caspian Gull nearing completion of its moult into 3rd winter courtesy of Badger
Caspian Gull nearing completion of its moult into 3rd winter courtesy of Badger
Black Tern (juv) at Farmoor, courtesy of Terry Sherlock |
Black Tern (juv) at Farmoor, courtesy of Nick Truby |
Black Tern passage at Farmoor continued until 8th, while a much later individual visited Dix Pit on 22nd. Arctic Tern continued to pass through Farmoor to month's end, with a succession of juveniles recorded there from 11th, as well as at Sonning Eye between 22nd and 24th. Two Sandwich Tern were also seen circling Sonning Eye briefly on 23rd.
Arctic Tern (juv) at Farmoor, courtesy of Terry Sherlock |
The Best of the Rest
In general, with prevailing westerly winds and largely benign conditions between occasional squalls, the word "quiet" kept occurring on county patch blogs time and again. This was especially true of Otmoor where even the regular Marsh Harriers had absented themselves. But a Short-eared Owl was seen there on 15th and 17th.
Amongst the seasonal passerines, a passage Wood Warbler was found at the woodland reserve by Grimsbury Reservoir on 3rd. On the same day Whincat, Wheatear, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher were all logged at a single site, that being Lollingdon Hill near Cholsey.
Wheatear, courtesy of Nick Truby |
Whinchat continued to be noted in good numbers around our meticulously worked county patches until 23rd, while the latest Wheatear records also occurred on that date. The last recorded Redstart of autumn was at Lark Hill, Wantage on 11th; with three Wheatear also there that day, and a respectable six Whinchat on 20th.
Spotted Flycatcher at Otmoor, courtesy of Ewan Jones |
A Pied Flycatcher moved through Lollingdon Hill on 11th, and another was reported at Thrupp on 15th. Meanwhile Spotted Flycatcher produced both records and picture opportunities through to 26th.
A first Merlin of the autumn was spotted on the Downs on 9th, while an urban Peregrine flew low over Oxford High Street on 20th. This month also produced some Ring-necked Parakeet sightings in urban locations. The colourful screechers announced themselves around Oxford between 18th and 23rd, and over Didcot on 22nd; suggesting they may be expanding from their traditional toe-hold just inside the county at Henley-on-Thames.
Siskin, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter |
Lastly, as a presage of approaching winter, a 30 strong Siskin flock was located at Buckland Warren in west Oxon on 27th. So the month just passed produced a selection of good county records for our roving birders and much more of interest to our patch watchers. Call me a ticker if you wish but I for one will be hoping for something a little more stand-out and rather more that is twitchable in October.
Peter Law
Our experiment with the mobile version of the Blog seems to have been met with approval so with no complaints about it and some positive comments as well, we've decided to keep it like this for now. It's certainly much easier and faster to load out in the field and you can always switch over to the full web-version if you want.
Jason & Adam
Peter Law
Blog Matters
Our experiment with the mobile version of the Blog seems to have been met with approval so with no complaints about it and some positive comments as well, we've decided to keep it like this for now. It's certainly much easier and faster to load out in the field and you can always switch over to the full web-version if you want.
Jason & Adam
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