Finding Gulls in Oxfordshire (1 Viewer)

[Neil Morris]

I'd appreciate any guidance on where's best these days for finding gulls in Oxfordshire. Is it still possible to walk around Dix Pit, or would I be better off trying in the Didcot/Appleford area (and exactly where)?

I'm not looking for evening roosts, but daylight opportunities to get reasonably close views. Any advice on productive sites and access would be hugely welcome. Thanks,

 

[Neil Morris]

Hmmn. State secret then...

 

[Musoman]

Farmoor is pretty good for Gulls, and Port Meadow too.

Dont worry about lack of replies - i asked months ago about never being able find the warden for the key to the bird hide at Farmoor, and still no one has replied

http://www.farmoor-birding.com/

http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/PortMeadowBirding/

 

[RobinD]

Hi Neil,

Sorry no one has replied before.

You can still access Dix pit but it is not nearly as productive as it used to be, due to capping of the landfill and bird scaring being in operation at the tip.

The Appleford/Didcot birds are around the area of SU525928 There is often a large gull loafing area in the fields on the far side of the road and there is a bathing pool the other side of the level crossing.

The best place for gulls in Oxon is of course Farmoor reservoir. (Musoman I have never had a key for the hide either!)

 

[Neil Morris]

Farmoor is pretty good for Gulls, and Port Meadow too.

Dont worry about lack of replies - i asked months ago about never being able find the warden for the key to the bird hide at Farmoor, and still no one has replied

http://www.farmoor-birding.com/

http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/PortMeadowBirding/

Greatly appreciate the response, Musoman.

I can understand that advertising to the world one's local patch is a sensitive issue for many birders, and often for good reason. So maybe the lack of response is understandable. But Berks and Oxon were once excellent places to watch gulls and the demise of Dix Pit and Pingewood have lately rather limited the options.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

 

[Neil Morris]

Hi Neil,

Sorry no one has replied before.

You can still access Dix pit but it is not nearly as productive as it used to be, due to capping of the landfill and bird scaring being in operation at the tip.

The Appleford/Didcot birds are around the area of SU525928 There is often a large gull loafing area in the fields on the far side of the road and there is a bathing pool the other side of the level crossing.

The best place for gulls in Oxon is of course Farmoor reservoir. (Musoman I have never had a key for the hide either!)

Thanks Robin. That's really helpful. Hopefully, I can give Appleford a go before the winter is out. Cheers!

 

[Musoman]

The best place for gulls in Oxon is of course Farmoor reservoir. (Musoman I have never had a key for the hide either!)

I've had a reply from Nic at Farmoor Birding ( i emailed him about this ) and i was looking in the wrong hut apparently

I had always thought the cabin / hut at the very entrance just off the main road , was where the key was, and to get a permit. But thats not the right cabin / hut

 

[Musoman]

Greatly appreciate the response, Musoman.

I can understand that advertising to the world one's local patch is a sensitive issue for many birders, and often for good reason. So maybe the lack of response is understandable. But Berks and Oxon were once excellent places to watch gulls and the demise of Dix Pit and Pingewood have lately rather limited the options.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Yes Neil, its possible thats why, but i would have thought birding was a community thing, and birders would be happy to tell other birders this sort of info, so bit of a mystery :eat:

 

[RobinD]

No real secrets! There are just not many good sites for gulls atm. The best sites are the roosts, Farmoor, QMR, Moatlands etc. Many of the landfills have been capped so the numbers of gulls are greatly diminished. Hedgerley and Calvert landfills in Bucks can be productive but finding the loafing flocks is not too easy!

 

[Musoman]

I will have to get out to Farmoor again soon. I love that place. Maybe this time try and get the key to the hide :t:

If you're planning a jaunt to Farmoor Robin, or Neil, PM me and perhaps we can meet up in the carpark, and nobble that warden for a key

 

[gareth_blockley]

Caspian gull in Farmoor roost sun and mon and 2 Appleford on sat.
2 Yellow legged gulls at Otmoor on Sunday.
Yellow legged gulls seem regular at ort Meadow pre roost gatherings.

Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

There's been a lot of gull activity at Appleford GPs, Farmoor and Port meadow recently. Not so much being reported from Dix pit.

So far a 2nd winter Glaucous gull, several Caspian gulls, Yellow legged gulls and a few Med gulls recently.

Gareth

 

[Birds 4ever]

I need to really work on my gull list - So far I'm missing glaucous, caspian, common, med etc...

 

[jamesdee]

Hi all. I am spending the summer in Oxford with a bicycle with lots of time on my hands. Very experienced birder and am wondering about resources/ groups and sites etc.