Balscote: Balscote Quarry
9 Snipe: Took flight during conservation work on the reserve this morning. 10:30.
Mark Ribbons
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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
Friday 30 November 2018
Otmoor rspb. 30th. November. Evening.
Standlake Pit 60: am 30th November
Great White Egret
Jack Snipe
Peregrine
Goosander (m)
2 Goldeneye (m,f)
Yellow-legged Gull
Golden Plover flock over
(JD & JDH)
Jack Snipe
Peregrine
Goosander (m)
2 Goldeneye (m,f)
Yellow-legged Gull
Golden Plover flock over
(JD & JDH)
Otmoor.A.M. 30th November.
6 Bittern sightings
1 Marsh Harrier
1 Peregrine
1 Kingfisher
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Marsh Harrier
1 Peregrine
1 Kingfisher
1 Sparrowhawk.
Thursday 29 November 2018
Red Kites South Oxon.
Some superb footage taken by Elma Vonk of our beautiful Red Kites feeding.
Please view at 1080p HD
Wednesday 28 November 2018
Port Meadow: 28th November
Port Meadow
3 Yellow-legged Gull: ad.
40 Lapwing
40 Teal
40 Wigeon
Adam Hartley
3 Yellow-legged Gull: ad.
40 Lapwing
40 Teal
40 Wigeon
Adam Hartley
Tuesday 27 November 2018
Port Meadow: 27th November
Port Meadow
170 Barnacle Goose: The usual feral Cat C birds.
Adam Hartley
170 Barnacle Goose: The usual feral Cat C birds.
Adam Hartley
Buscot Park 26th November
Belated report of a Great white Egret yesterday in Buscot Park on the large lake (per RBA).
Monday 26 November 2018
Chinnor: Cement Works: 26th November
Chinnor: Cement Works
Sparrowhawk 12:30.
80 Fieldfare 12:30.
7 Common Gull 12:30.
30 Redwing 12:30.
Tawny Owl: Calling. 12:30.
160 Teal 12:30.
Nick Marriner
Sparrowhawk 12:30.
80 Fieldfare 12:30.
7 Common Gull 12:30.
30 Redwing 12:30.
Tawny Owl: Calling. 12:30.
160 Teal 12:30.
Nick Marriner
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 26th November
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
Great White Egret: Feeding close the Grand Bridge.
David Preston
Great White Egret: Feeding close the Grand Bridge.
David Preston
Henley Road GPs: 26th November
Henley Road GP: Cetti's Warbler.
Sonning Eye: 2 Goldeneye, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, Redpoll over.
Sent from my iPhone
Sonning Eye: 2 Goldeneye, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, Redpoll over.
Sent from my iPhone
New Marston: New Marston Meadows: 25th November
New Marston: New Marston Meadows
Woodcock: Wood near St Catherine's College.
Tom Evans
Woodcock: Wood near St Catherine's College.
Tom Evans
Sunday 25 November 2018
Farmoor Reservoir: 25th November
Grey Plover courtesy of Peter Alfrey
|
Grey Plover
Red-crested Pochard
Goldeneye 2
Kingfisher
Ebird list from today 09:30.
Peter Alfrey
Oxfordshire Golf club nr Moreton 25th November
Short-eared Owl in field adjacent to the golf course c16:30
Saturday 24 November 2018
Port Meadow 24th November
Oxford - Magdalen tower Peregrine
A peregrine (presumably the same bird) seen on the tower throughout November, usually in the morning (before ~8:45am) and late afternoon (after ~4:30pm). Roosting on site confirmed last night.
Salford 23rd November
Salford
Snipe: Wonderful to see - a first in this location - flushed by my Springer. SP285282. 11:00.
Salford
Raven 2 SP285282. 11:00.
Steve Akers
Snipe: Wonderful to see - a first in this location - flushed by my Springer. SP285282. 11:00.
Salford
Raven 2 SP285282. 11:00.
Steve Akers
Standlake Pit 60: 24th November
Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret
Jack Snipe: Yes. Jack and great white getting a bit moo monotonous.
750 Lapwing: C750 up in a 'dread'.
34 Golden Plover
Mick Cunningham
Great White Egret
Jack Snipe: Yes. Jack and great white getting a bit moo monotonous.
750 Lapwing: C750 up in a 'dread'.
34 Golden Plover
Mick Cunningham
Friday 23 November 2018
Port Meadow: 23rd November
Port Meadow
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. Same bird as before.
Redshank
Yellow-legged Gull: ad.
Adam Hartley
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. Same bird as before.
Redshank
Yellow-legged Gull: ad.
Adam Hartley
: 23rd November
Towersey
Merlin: Sitting in small tree setback from Chinnor - Thame Road. SP728035.
Jez March
Merlin: Sitting in small tree setback from Chinnor - Thame Road. SP728035.
Jez March
Thursday 22 November 2018
Chinnor: Cement Works: 22nd November
Chinnor: Cement Works
175 Teal 11:00.
4 Pochard 11:00.
Nick Marriner
175 Teal 11:00.
4 Pochard 11:00.
Nick Marriner
Wednesday 21 November 2018
Milton Common: 21st November
Milton Common
31 Wigeon: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
Teal: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
22 Gadwall: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
4 Shoveler: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
3 Yellowhammer: Oxon Golf Couirse. 09:30.
Raven: Over Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
16 Little Grebe: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
Nick Marriner
31 Wigeon: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
Teal: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
22 Gadwall: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
4 Shoveler: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
3 Yellowhammer: Oxon Golf Couirse. 09:30.
Raven: Over Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
16 Little Grebe: Oxon Golf Course. 09:30.
Nick Marriner
Tuesday 20 November 2018
Newington: 20th November
Newington
4 Crane: Seen this morning at 11.15am by Martin Corby & Graham Edmond flying low over the farm fields between Warborough, Newington and Berrick Prior before they wheeled down and then dropped in to the fields and out of sight SU613948. SU613948. 11:15.
Ashley Stow
4 Crane: Seen this morning at 11.15am by Martin Corby & Graham Edmond flying low over the farm fields between Warborough, Newington and Berrick Prior before they wheeled down and then dropped in to the fields and out of sight SU613948. SU613948. 11:15.
Ashley Stow
Milton Common: 20th November
Milton Common
Tawny Owl: Over Oxfordshire Golf Course, found by Luke M. 17:00.
Peregrine: Over Oxfordshire Golf Club, found by Luke M. 17:00.
Nick Marriner
Tawny Owl: Over Oxfordshire Golf Course, found by Luke M. 17:00.
Peregrine: Over Oxfordshire Golf Club, found by Luke M. 17:00.
Nick Marriner
Moreton nr Thame: 20th November
Moreton nr Thame
Woodcock: Alongside footpath between Thame and Moreton. 10:00.
18 Wigeon 10:00.
14 Gadwall 10:00.
Pochard 10:00.
3 Teal 10:00.
Shoveler 10:00.
Nick Marriner
Woodcock: Alongside footpath between Thame and Moreton. 10:00.
18 Wigeon 10:00.
14 Gadwall 10:00.
Pochard 10:00.
3 Teal 10:00.
Shoveler 10:00.
Nick Marriner
Bicester Wetlands Reserve 20th November
1 Cetti's Warbler
160 Teal
15 Gadwall
7 Shoveler
1 Little Grebe
1 Sparrowhawk
Key Holder Reserve
Alan Peters
160 Teal
15 Gadwall
7 Shoveler
1 Little Grebe
1 Sparrowhawk
Key Holder Reserve
Alan Peters
Monday 19 November 2018
: 19th November
River Thames by Port Meadow
Kingfisher: Kingfisher was facing the strong wind and hovering kestrel-like a few feet over the water by rapidly beating its wings. Repeated hovering action 3 times before flying off. Never seen this behaviour before. SP492079. 14:15.
Andrew Siantonas
Kingfisher: Kingfisher was facing the strong wind and hovering kestrel-like a few feet over the water by rapidly beating its wings. Repeated hovering action 3 times before flying off. Never seen this behaviour before. SP492079. 14:15.
Andrew Siantonas
Otmoor rspb. 19th. November.
Moreton nr Thame: 19th November
Moreton nr Thame
Woodcock: Found by Luke Marriner. No sign of SEO on golf course but flushed Woodcock from small Willow copse on footpath between Moreton and Thame. 08:00.
Nick Marriner
Woodcock: Found by Luke Marriner. No sign of SEO on golf course but flushed Woodcock from small Willow copse on footpath between Moreton and Thame. 08:00.
Nick Marriner
Grimsbury Reservoir: 19th November
Grimsbury Reservoir
2 White-fronted Goose: 2 adults headed fairly low N calling. May possibly have dropped down into the Upper Cherwell. 12:30.
John Friendship-Taylor
2 White-fronted Goose: 2 adults headed fairly low N calling. May possibly have dropped down into the Upper Cherwell. 12:30.
John Friendship-Taylor
Blenheim Park 19th November
Great white Egret
Pintail (m)
Yellow-legged Gull
Great black-backed Gull
Kingfisher
Siskin
Brambling
Sunday 18 November 2018
Buckland Warren: 18th November
Buckland Warren
2 Common Crossbill: male & fem. Showing well this afternoon..
Kevin Polley
2 Common Crossbill: male & fem. Showing well this afternoon..
Kevin Polley
Port Meadow: Burgess Field Nature Park: 18th November
Port Meadow: Burgess Field Nature Park
Short-eared Owl: Seen again this evening by Mary MacDougall at around 4:10 pm.
Adam Hartley
Short-eared Owl: Seen again this evening by Mary MacDougall at around 4:10 pm.
Adam Hartley
Moreton near Thame 18th November
Common Crane 4 arrived at dusk out of the gloom from the direction of Moreton near
Thame and appeared to land on the Oxfordshire Golf Course c16:50.
Apologies for the shaky handheld video they caught me somewhat by surprise!
Barn Owl
Sparrowhawk
No sign of any Short-eared Owls this afternoon/evening.
(per Badger, Peter Law).
Buckland Warren, 18th November
Cowleaze wood 18th Nov
2+ Crossbill (h/o)
Marsh tit
Raven
Otmoor: 14:00-15:30
2 Stonechat
Sent from my iPhone
Marsh tit
Raven
Otmoor: 14:00-15:30
2 Stonechat
Sent from my iPhone
Lower Highmoor/Swyncombe, 18th November
Lower Highmoor 09:30-11:30
Firecrest
Brambling m
Marsh Tit
Goldcrest c15
Swyncombe 12:30-13:30
Peregrine (hunting large flock of wood pigeon)
No photos of anything! 😬
Full write up of my weekends birding at Old Caley's Diary
Firecrest
Brambling m
Marsh Tit
Goldcrest c15
Swyncombe 12:30-13:30
Peregrine (hunting large flock of wood pigeon)
No photos of anything! 😬
Full write up of my weekends birding at Old Caley's Diary
Radley village: Radley College: 18th November
Radley village: Radley College
2 Raven: fly over Sugworth Lane heading towards Sandford. 08:00.
John Hillsdon
2 Raven: fly over Sugworth Lane heading towards Sandford. 08:00.
John Hillsdon
Wootton nr Woodstock 18th November
2000+ Golden Plover with lapwing in 4 fields alongside the B4027 between Wootton and Glympton
700+ Lapwing
3 Raven
11:00 Bob Pomfret
700+ Lapwing
3 Raven
11:00 Bob Pomfret
Saturday 17 November 2018
Otmoor: 17th November
Otmoor
3 Bittern: Multiple sightings. Minimum of 3 birds. 15:00.
OTHER SPECIES: Otter. Seen from 1st hide. 15:00.
2 Sparrowhawk: Hunting Starlings. 15:00.
Peregrine 15:00.
Marsh Harrier: fem. Female. 15:00.
Nick Suckling
3 Bittern: Multiple sightings. Minimum of 3 birds. 15:00.
OTHER SPECIES: Otter. Seen from 1st hide. 15:00.
2 Sparrowhawk: Hunting Starlings. 15:00.
Peregrine 15:00.
Marsh Harrier: fem. Female. 15:00.
Nick Suckling
Port Meadow: Burgess Field Nature Park: 17th November
Port Meadow: Burgess Field Nature Park
Short-eared Owl: Seen by Mary MacDougall this evening. 16:10.
Adam Hartley
Short-eared Owl: Seen by Mary MacDougall this evening. 16:10.
Adam Hartley
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 17th November
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
2 Great White Egret
2 Kingfisher
30 Wigeon
Woodstock: Woodstock Water Meadows
Great White Egret: Back where it was last winter, just upstream from the Black Prince.
Bob Pomfret
2 Great White Egret
2 Kingfisher
30 Wigeon
Woodstock: Woodstock Water Meadows
Great White Egret: Back where it was last winter, just upstream from the Black Prince.
Bob Pomfret
Moreton, nr Thame - 17th November
2 Short-eared Owl in fields to SW of village near golf course at 16:45
Standlake Pit 60: 17th November
Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret: Flew over. 15:30.
Michael Violette
Great White Egret: Flew over. 15:30.
Michael Violette
Boarstall Decoy: 17th November
Boarstall Decoy
5 Woodcock: In woods in the Boarstall area. 14:00.
Colin Oram
5 Woodcock: In woods in the Boarstall area. 14:00.
Colin Oram
Otmoor 17th Nov
12:00-2pm
2 Curlew flew over closes
Cetti's Warbler
Marsh Harrier (m)
Bittern from second screen.
Sent from my iPhone
2 Curlew flew over closes
Cetti's Warbler
Marsh Harrier (m)
Bittern from second screen.
Sent from my iPhone
Cassington GPs 17th November
Great white Egret flew over heading east c13:20
Little Egret 3
Green Sandpiper
Pintail
Grey Partridge 4
Marsh Tit 2
Little Egret 3
Green Sandpiper
Pintail
Grey Partridge 4
Marsh Tit 2
New Marston: New Marston Meadows: 17th November
New Marston: New Marston Meadows
Probable 2 Ring-necked Parakeet: Playing fields south of Ferry Road. Too far to clinch ID but size, jizz and call all like Ring-necked. Mobbed by jackdaws.
Woodcock: Woods near St Catherine's.
Tom Evans
Probable 2 Ring-necked Parakeet: Playing fields south of Ferry Road. Too far to clinch ID but size, jizz and call all like Ring-necked. Mobbed by jackdaws.
Woodcock: Woods near St Catherine's.
Tom Evans
: 16th November
A329 south of Moulsford
20 Grey Partridge: Observed from moving car, so a difficult record, also very close to W Berks border, but birds almost certainly flew into Oxon. Large group <20> exploded over the road from W and flew NE, presumably into fields on E side of A329. SU5982. 16:15.
Mike Amphlett
20 Grey Partridge: Observed from moving car, so a difficult record, also very close to W Berks border, but birds almost certainly flew into Oxon. Large group <20> exploded over the road from W and flew NE, presumably into fields on E side of A329. SU5982. 16:15.
Mike Amphlett
Linch Hill (LWV Pit 18): 17th November
Linch Hill (LWV Pit 18)
Great White Egret: Flew over. Presumably one of pit 60 birds.
Mick Cunningham
Great White Egret: Flew over. Presumably one of pit 60 birds.
Mick Cunningham
Standlake Pit 60 17th November
Great white Egret
Jack Snipe along southern shore between the gap in the reeds.
Golden Plover 500+ over Standlake
Friday 16 November 2018
Port Meadow: 16th November
Port Meadow
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. For the third day in a row!
Dunlin
5 Golden Plover
30+ Lapwing
150 Wigeon
Adam Hartley
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. For the third day in a row!
Dunlin
5 Golden Plover
30+ Lapwing
150 Wigeon
Adam Hartley
Pit 60 - Friday 16 Nov am
1 Great White Egret (2nd reported)
1-2 Jack Snipe [on S shore from LL hide - midway between the two gaps in the reeds. Mostly asleep]
Teal, Wigeon
No sign of the Bittern by 13:00
Thursday 15 November 2018
Eynsham: 15th November
Eynsham
OTHER SPECIES: Red Admiral. Enjoying the warm sunshine. 11:00.
Nick Suckling
OTHER SPECIES: Red Admiral. Enjoying the warm sunshine. 11:00.
Nick Suckling
Port Meadow: 15th November
Port Meadow
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. Same bird as yesterday.
3 White-fronted Goose: Three of the usual feral flock.
Adam Hartley
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. Same bird as yesterday.
3 White-fronted Goose: Three of the usual feral flock.
Adam Hartley
Standlake Pit 60: 15th November
Standlake Pit 60
Jack Snipe: Asleep on South shore with a common snipe. Total 9 common snipe sleep along shore.
Great White Egret: Flew in from north.
2 Water Rail
Mick Cunningham
Jack Snipe: Asleep on South shore with a common snipe. Total 9 common snipe sleep along shore.
Great White Egret: Flew in from north.
2 Water Rail
Mick Cunningham
Wednesday 14 November 2018
Port Meadow: 14th November
Port Meadow
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. In amongst a small roost this evening - found by Thomas Miller.
Adam Hartley
Mediterranean Gull: 1w. In amongst a small roost this evening - found by Thomas Miller.
Adam Hartley
West Oxon 13th November
AMERICAN WIGEON (drake) yesterday with Wigeon at a private site in West Oxon but no sign today, so it's probably worth scrutinising
Milton Common nr Thame 14th November
Oxfordshire Golf Club
3 Short-eared Owl: Saw initial bird perched on tree alongside rough grassland field off of golf course that was then joined by second bird quartering the field actively before flying off to hunt over golf course itself. Found third bird perched on tree before flying off in direction of Tetsworth - cracking views. Golf Course becoming a regular winter site for SEO. SP680040. 17:00.
Nick Marriner
3 Short-eared Owl: Saw initial bird perched on tree alongside rough grassland field off of golf course that was then joined by second bird quartering the field actively before flying off to hunt over golf course itself. Found third bird perched on tree before flying off in direction of Tetsworth - cracking views. Golf Course becoming a regular winter site for SEO. SP680040. 17:00.
Nick Marriner
Standlake Pit 60: 14th November
Standlake Pit 60
Bittern: Still showing really well in reeds opposite north shore hide. SP380058. 14:15.
Antony Collieu
Bittern: Still showing really well in reeds opposite north shore hide. SP380058. 14:15.
Antony Collieu
Tuesday 13 November 2018
Pit 60, 13th November
Great White Egret 2 but mobile
Bittern prolonged views from n hide
Jack Snipe
Lapwing good numbers
Goldcrest 6+ along path
Clackers & Mrs Clackers
Bittern prolonged views from n hide
Jack Snipe
Lapwing good numbers
Goldcrest 6+ along path
Clackers & Mrs Clackers
Farmoor 13th November
GLOSSY IBIS flew from river bank adjacent to
Shrike Meadow and appeared to land slightly further south along the river c15:00 (per Dai)
Monday 12 November 2018
Horton-cum-studley 12th Nov
Short Eared Owl flew across road by golf course c7:40pm
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Otmoor rspb. Evening. 12th. November.
Sunday 11 November 2018
Woodstock: Banbury Road: 11th November
Woodstock: Banbury Road
250 Golden Plover: flying over.
Bob Pomfret
250 Golden Plover: flying over.
Bob Pomfret
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake: 11th November
Blenheim: Blenheim Lake
44 Shoveler
Pintail: male.
42 Wigeon
280 Mallard
33 Tufted Duck
11 Little Grebe
Bob Pomfret
44 Shoveler
Pintail: male.
42 Wigeon
280 Mallard
33 Tufted Duck
11 Little Grebe
Bob Pomfret
Otmoor. Evening. 11th. November.
Wytham Wood: 11th November
Wytham Wood
Probable Hawfinch: Heard and seen very briefly in the Hornbeam plantation area.
Adam Hartley
Probable Hawfinch: Heard and seen very briefly in the Hornbeam plantation area.
Adam Hartley
Standlake Pit 60 11th November
Bittern & Great white Egret showing well opposite the North Shore hide c09:15
+Jack Snipe
(per Paul Jepson and Steve Jennings).
+Jack Snipe
(per Paul Jepson and Steve Jennings).
To purchase a key for the bird hides visit the Lower
Windrush Valley Project website:
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/lowerwindrushvalleyproject
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/lowerwindrushvalleyproject
Aston Rowant NNR 11th November
Saturday 10 November 2018
Wolvercote: 10th November
Wolvercote
Great White Egret: Briefly seen on Wolvercote Lakes, flew north. SP491099. 14:00.
Steve Goddard
Great White Egret: Briefly seen on Wolvercote Lakes, flew north. SP491099. 14:00.
Steve Goddard
Blewbury Downs 10th Nov
Sarsgrove: 10th November
Sarsgrove
2 Brambling: male. Feeding on beech mast and bathing in puddles on grass verge under Beech trees at turning into private road to Sarsgrove Farm. 11:00.
8 Golden Plover: Flew overhead down into fields close to Chipping Norton. 11:00.
Steve Akers
2 Brambling: male. Feeding on beech mast and bathing in puddles on grass verge under Beech trees at turning into private road to Sarsgrove Farm. 11:00.
8 Golden Plover: Flew overhead down into fields close to Chipping Norton. 11:00.
Steve Akers
Standlake Pit 60: 10th November
Standlake Pit 60
Jack Snipe: With 4 snipe on South shore. Viewed from LL hide.
Great White Egret
Goldeneye: f type. Asleep.
Mick Cunningham
Jack Snipe: With 4 snipe on South shore. Viewed from LL hide.
Great White Egret
Goldeneye: f type. Asleep.
Mick Cunningham
: 10th November
LWV pit 3
71 Red-crested Pochard: SP0539. 12:00.
LWV pit 3
Yellow-legged Gull: ad. SP0539. 12:00.
David Doherty
71 Red-crested Pochard: SP0539. 12:00.
LWV pit 3
Yellow-legged Gull: ad. SP0539. 12:00.
David Doherty
Yarnton Mead: 10th November
Yarnton Mead
26 Barnacle Goose: Part of the feral flock.
Green Sandpiper
4 Stonechat: 2 pairs.
Siskin
Derek Evans
26 Barnacle Goose: Part of the feral flock.
Green Sandpiper
4 Stonechat: 2 pairs.
Siskin
Derek Evans
Friday 9 November 2018
Farmoor. 9th. November.
Red-breasted Merganser courtesy of Dai.
|
Red Breasted Merganser. (f.) again, S/W corner of F2 nr the 'bus stop' 09:50.
Per. Dai.
Blenheim Park 9th November
Great white Egret 2
Little Egret 3
Peregrine 2
Pintail 5
Pintail 5
Green Sandpiper
Yellow-legged Gull
Raven
Siskin
Otmoor rspb 6th November
Belated report of a ringtail Hen Harrier quartering the Starling roost on Tuesday.
Thursday 8 November 2018
Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I: 8th November
Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
Red-breasted Merganser: fem. 14:00.
Gerry Quinn
Red-breasted Merganser: fem. 14:00.
Gerry Quinn
Blenheim: 8th November
Blenheim
5 Pintail
2 Little Egret
Great White Egret
Water Rail
Green Sandpiper
Derek Evans
5 Pintail
2 Little Egret
Great White Egret
Water Rail
Green Sandpiper
Derek Evans
Otmoor rspb. 8th. November.
New Marston: Ferry Road: 8th November
New Marston: Ferry Road
Ring-necked Parakeet: SP525071. 10:30.
Trevor Stevens
Ring-necked Parakeet: SP525071. 10:30.
Trevor Stevens
Wednesday 7 November 2018
Farmoor Reservoir 7th November
Blenhiem Park 7th November
Great white Egret
Little Egret 4
Pintail 5
Raven 2
Siskin 4
Brambling in the beech trees between the palace and the lake,
near the steps that go down to the lake side.
near the steps that go down to the lake side.
Tuesday 6 November 2018
Dix Pit: 6th November
Little Gull 2 adult constantly feeding over water.
Black-necked Grebe
Mick Cunningham
Black-necked Grebe
Mick Cunningham
Monday 5 November 2018
Blewbury: 5th November
Blewbury
Richard's Pipit: No sign of bird from 07:20 to 08:45. 07:20.
Ralph Watts
Richard's Pipit: No sign of bird from 07:20 to 08:45. 07:20.
Ralph Watts
Sunday 4 November 2018
Woodway, Blewbury. 4th November
Another video of the Richard's Pipit by Badger.
RICHARD'S PIPIT still present at the southern end of Woodway in the original paddock at 16:00 (per Ian Smith)
Previously in the second to last enclosed field on the left until at least 10:48
(per Dave Doherty, Badger, et al).
Brambling with Chaffinches feeding amongst the beech mast at the end of Woodway.
Standlake Pit 60: 4th November
Standlake Pit 60
3 Jack Snipe: 3 jacks with 2 common snipe on South shore viewable from Langley Lane hide. .
Pusey
Brambling: m. With finches feeding on game crop. Unfortunately most of flock obscured as private land.
Mick Cunningham
3 Jack Snipe: 3 jacks with 2 common snipe on South shore viewable from Langley Lane hide. .
Pusey
Brambling: m. With finches feeding on game crop. Unfortunately most of flock obscured as private land.
Mick Cunningham
Wantage: Middlehill Down: 4th November
Wantage: Middlehill Down
2 Stonechat
12 Brambling
2 Raven
56 Skylark
Mark Merritt
2 Stonechat
12 Brambling
2 Raven
56 Skylark
Mark Merritt
Saturday 3 November 2018
Appleford: Appleford GP: 3rd November
Appleford: Appleford GP
Caspian Gull: ad. SU519938. 15:00.
Yellow-legged Gull: ad. SU519938. 15:00.
Michael Pocock
Caspian Gull: ad. SU519938. 15:00.
Yellow-legged Gull: ad. SU519938. 15:00.
Michael Pocock
Blewbury Woodway 3rd November
Ditchley 3rd November
Standlake Common Pit 60 3rd November
Friday 2 November 2018
Bicester Wetland Reserve: 2nd November
Courtesy of Mike Pollard.
Jack Snipe: Viewable from cattle bridge pool hide amongst rushes at back of pool towards right hand end. 11:00.
Cetti's Warbler 11:00.
Mike Pollard Nature in the Heart of England
Farmoor Roost - 2nd November.
2 Caspian Gulls, both first winter. One yellow colour-ringed.
2 Mediterranean Gulls - Adult and first winter.
Blewbury Woodway 2nd November
Blenheim 2nd November
Great white Egret 2
Little Egret
Whooper Swan 3 on Lower Lake
Green Sandpiper 3
Yellow-legged Gull 2
Kingfisher
Oxford City 2nd November
Peregrine back on Magdalen tower in Oxford this morning, perching on its favourite gargoyle close to some pigeons. Left at 8:53, flying toward Christ Church meadows.
2nd November, Wolvercote Lakes
Great White Egret again on the roadside Wolvercote Lake this morning per Steve Goddard
October Review
Firecrest, courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
The transitional month of October maintained the generally quietish pattern of September and August, though one stand-out event became the focus of the autumnal Oxon birding scene. That was the spectacle of several Great White Egret that were attracted to Blenheim Park where Queen's Lake was being temporarily drained for engineering work to be undertaken.
The first of these aristocrats among Herons was reported from there on 10th, then two on 11th and three by 15th. Oxon birders went on alert that as the ornamental feature came to resemble a tidal creek its short-term habitat might be the best place in the county for something really decent to turn up. Those of Otmoor's finest who relocated to Blenheim might perhaps have been mindful of what a lowering of water levels can bring about.
Great White Egrets courtesy of Badger
No true mega materialised however, just more magnificent Egrets as numbers swelled to five by 22nd, while a supporting cast of Little Egret peaked at 25 on 23rd. Lastly a sixth Great White appeared briefly on 24th before the group began to disperse to other sites towards month's end. Queen's Lake will be re-filled during November ahead of a major dredging project in 2020.
Great White Egrets, courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
Whooper Swan were also reported from Blenheim and elsewhere a number of times through October, though usually briefly. Nine birds passed through Queen's Lake on 2nd, and three more returned there from 28th to 31st. One dropped in at Farmoor Reservoir on 22nd, and a further group of eight visited LWV Pit 60 on 28th. That is surely not a bad tally for just one month.
Whooper Swan at Blenheim, courtesy of Nick Truby |
Other October notables were mostly a repeat of last month. Possibly the same Black-necked Grebe that passed through Farmoor Reservoir on 29th September relocated to Dix Pit through the early part of this month, before being seen at Farmoor again on 19th. If these were indeed separate birds that would be the reservoir's fifth record of 2018. There was another sighting back at Dix Pit on the last day of the month.
Black-necked Grebe at Farmoor Reservoir, courtesy of Steve Burch |
Caspian Gull continued to frequent the Appleford and Didcot areas on and off throughout October. Another was logged at Baulking Pit on 28th. Mediterranean Gull was noted at Pit 60 on 9th and 22nd. Two late Sandwich Tern flew through Farmoor on 7th, with an Arctic Tern reported there on 6th and a Skua sp on 5th.
Caspian Gull at Appleford GPs, courtesy of Ian Lewington |
This review's banner bird, Firecrest was photographed at Swyncombe in the Chilterns on 2nd. For the sharpest eyed and eared amongst us a Yellow-browed Warbler was located in East Oxford on 10th and again the following day, but eluded those other observers who attempted to twitch it.
The Best of the Rest
Meanwhile back at Otmoor the resident deep water Herons began to show themselves more regularly again. Bittern were photographed several times there as is customary. Another was spotted at LWV Tar Lakes on 31st. Short-eared Owl were also observed around the RSPB reserve through October, with other individuals sighted at Eynsham mid-month and Baulking Pit on 28th.
Otmoor Bittern, courtesy of John Reynolds |
Another popular draw to feature anew in this log were the Water Rails at Pinkhill Meadow, Farmoor. Increased rainfall might keep them closer to the hide there in the weeks ahead. A pair of Jack Snipe were observed regularly opposite the north shore hide at Pit 60 all month.
Water Rails, courtesy of John Workman |
Rock Pipit were recorded a number of times at both Farmoor and Grimsbury reservoirs early in the month. The first ever Grimsbury Cetti's Warbler was found along the river there on 9th. 2018's latest Whinchat record came from Otmoor on 5th, while departing Wheatear continued to crop up in several places through to 24th.
Rock Pipit at Farmoor, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter |
Patch tick Cetti's at Grimsbury Reservoir, courtesy of John Friendship-Taylor |
Amongst incoming seasonal passerines, Common Crossbill flocks were sighted at Blenheim on 8th, and Buckland Warren near Faringdon on 16 & 29th. Hawfinch returned to Ardington from 5th, and another was seen at Cothill on 20th where and when Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin were all present.
Common Crossbill, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter |
Elsewhere Brambling were recorded from 8th, then regularly through to month's end with 11+ at Lockinge on 28th. Redpoll began to be noticed from 10th, while Siskin also featured fairly regularly throughout with 20+ at Farmoor on 27th. The first Redwings of winter came in on 7th with plenty more thereafter, and Fieldfare inevitably soon followed.
Brambling, courtesy of Simon Bradfield |
So now the short hours of daylight are with us once more and available time in the field will be at a premium. Headline birds for November could be winter Geese or Sawbills, white-winged Gulls, Great Grey Shrike or those ever charming masked berry bandits, Waxwing. Or maybe we might even get the next county mega, whatever that may be.
Peter Law
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