Oxfordshire birding (1 Viewer)

[jason hodges]

havent seen ant migrants yet either.water rails and snipe showing really well at otmoor still, 3 or 4 rails together at times, lapwings and skylarks putting on lovely displays also.stoke wood today had a few goldcrests ,treecreeper, nuthatch and few bull finch,just wating for the warblers.

 

[gareth_blockley]

Up to 3 Blackcaps in Oxford along the canal. Redshanks, Ruff and Dunlin at Port meadow. 2 Jack snipe and an SEO at Otmoor (100 acre).

I have come across this local photographers site today: http://www.stephenburch.com/index.htm some really nice shots of local birds over the last few years.

Gareth

 

[jason hodges]

little stint and goosander at otmoor

 

[gareth_blockley]

Merlin at chimney meadows

Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

SEO still near Burford
Merlin and 10 Dunlin at Otmoor on the 9th
Waders like Dunlin, Ruff and Redshank being seen at Port meadow, and Peregrine on the 11th and Barn owl hunting Burgess fields on the 10th.


Gareth

 

[CactusD]

Went to Otmoor early on Sat (8th); another good visit: highlights were flock of yellowhammers, red kite, curlew in good numbers, redshank, snipe, golden plover, and four water rails viewable from first screen (another first for me).
Missed Short-eared owl at there, but would like to see Barn owl at Burgess field: what time would give best opportunity of a sighting?
Best,
Dave

 

[gareth_blockley]

Missed Short-eared owl at there, but would like to see Barn owl at Burgess field: what time would give best opportunity of a sighting?
Best,
Dave

For both I'd say either very early morning (before dawn ideally) or late afternoon. I would recommend going on a calm and dry day. I've never heard of Barn owl at burgess fields before so i dont know if they are regular there?

HTH
Gareth

 

[jason hodges]

two cetti's warblers at otmoor

 

[sbradfield]

Common Sandpiper on a pool in field next to A415 just south of Standlake for last two days. A new tick for my "Drive to Work" list (and yes I do keep such a thing!)

 

[gnome]

For both I'd say either very early morning (before dawn ideally) or late afternoon. I would recommend going on a calm and dry day. I've never heard of Barn owl at burgess fields before so i dont know if they are regular there?

HTH
Gareth

As the poster of the barn owl sighting I can say that I saw it at 9:15 am on a rather overcast and very windy day! It was the first one I've seen there though. There was another sighting there on 1st March (source: OOS site) and someone saw one by the Thames to the north of Godstow bridge on 2nd March at 5pm (source: Oxon birds newsgroup). It therefore looks like one is hanging around the area.

A couple were also seen at Pinkhill NR at Farmoor on the morning of 11th March (source: Oxon birds newsgroup).

HTH

 

[gnome]

Little Stint on Port Meadow

There's been Little Stint on Port Meadow today since mid morning. It's hanging around with a flock of 10 dunlin.

Also present: 4 ruff, 6 redshank and the usual ducks.

 

[gareth_blockley]

As the poster of the barn owl sighting I can say that I saw it at 9:15 am on a rather overcast and very windy day!

A couple were also seen at Pinkhill NR at Farmoor on the morning of 11th March (source: Oxon birds newsgroup).

HTH

Must be a hungry then! I think the ones at Farmoor are more regularly seen.

There's been Little Stint on Port Meadow today since mid morning. It's hanging around with a flock of 10 dunlin.

What age or plumage is the the Stint do you know? I saw some in the autumn but would like to see some in various stages if possible. One has been seen at Farmoor and Otmoor so i assume its the same bird?

Cheers
Gareth

 

[gnome]

What age or plumage is the the Stint do you know? I saw some in the autumn but would like to see some in various stages if possible. One has been seen at Farmoor and Otmoor so i assume its the same bird?

Cheers
Gareth

Difficult to say as it's at a bit of a distance and it was rather windy so my eyes were watering! I couldn't discern any back stripes so probably not a juvenile. If the weather's ok tomorrow then I'll see if I can get a better look if it's still around.

I didn't know about one being seen at Farmoor recently (not mentioned on the web-site anyway). I assumed that this bird was the same as the Otmoor one.

 

[gnome]

Gareth,

I've been meaning to ask you as, an Otmoor volunteer, about Willow Tits at Otmoor. Am I correct in thinking that one can see them there and if so where's the best time and place? I'm guessing that the bird feeders might be good but any inside information that you have would be most useful.

 

[gareth_blockley]

I've been meaning to ask you as, an Otmoor volunteer, about Willow Tits at Otmoor. Am I correct in thinking that one can see them there and if so where's the best time and place? I'm guessing that the bird feeders might be good but any inside information that you have would be most useful.

The only place i have seen them is at the feeders. I should think the near by woodlands would be more reliable, there is a BBOWT wood near by.

Gareth

 

[jason hodges]

another fairly good site for Willow tit is newbottle wood near banbury .

 

[gareth_blockley]

another fairly good site for Willow tit is newbottle wood near banbury .

Wheres that then? i have to admit ive never heard of it. I had a pair of willow tits around the reservoir in banbury earlier this winter but they were the only really local ones i knew of. they have to come from somewhere though...

Gareth

 

[jason hodges]

newbottle is between kings sutton and charlton. they take some finding but see them regular there .someone told me they had seen lsw there but they have not shown to me yet .have not even heard gsw there this year so far.

 

[gnome]

newbottle is between kings sutton and charlton. they take some finding but see them regular there .someone told me they had seen lsw there but they have not shown to me yet .have not even heard gsw there this year so far.

Hi Jason,
Thanks for that. I've found newbottle on the ordnance survey web-site. There appears to be a small wood next to the church ("nursery wood" - SP525369) and a larger one ("newbottle spinney" - SP516365) to the west. Which is the one that you are talking about? Are there any access details you could let me know about?

 

[gnome]

Port Meadow Saturday 15th

The Little Stint is still there (an adult in winter plumage) as well as an adult Med. Gull and a single oystercatcher. Also the usual dunlin, ruff and redshanks.

Also the barn owl has been sighted in Burgess Field NR again.