Oxfordshire birding (1 Viewer)

[jason hodges]

yes gareth its the spinney you want, theres a layby each side of the road, one side has a gate overlooking fields and farm,you want to go the other side of the road to this ,in centre of the spinney is a clearing scan around trees,normally far side of road and you should spot them.

 

[gareth_blockley]

Farmoor has had Sand martin, Swallow, Wheatear on the 15th and Garganey today (Shrike meadow).
Dorchester has has two Wheatear.

Anyone found anything on their patch over this last fall of birds? Ive been away and am going away again tomorrow, hopefully i'll get a quick visit in in the morning.

Gareth

 

[gnome]

Anyone found anything on their patch over this last fall of birds?

There's not been much on Port Meadow or Burgess (my local patch). There were at least 15 sand martins last Sunday and a single curlew. The barn owl has been sighted again this week at around 5:30pm. The Meadow is highly flooded though the waters are now receding. The waders and ducks are still there but more distant.

If you fancy going off-county then within striking distance are:

1. A couple of black-necked grebes in near summer plumage at Wilstone reservoir in Herts (I went yesterday). Also white and grey wagtail, chiffchaff, goldeneye, Little Owl, 1w Little Gull and adult Med. Gull. For more info: http://www.tringreservoirs.org.uk/

2. There's also been a summer plumage red-throated diver down in Swindon (Wilts) at Coate Water CP.

3. A great grey shrike at Half Moon Plantation (Gloc.).

 

[JohnZ]

Thank you very much Gareth. Much appreciated.

 

[gareth_blockley]

Most of the news has been coming from Farmoor with Little gulls, Kittiwakes, Wheatears, Sand martins, Swallow, Garganey, White wag, Water pipit and Rock pipit.
Otmoor has had Merlin, Bittern and Willow warbler.

Today - Water pipit and 2 Wheatears at Farmoor and Willow warbler at port meadow.

Happy birding!

Gareth

 

[jason hodges]

thanks gareth. does anyone know if otmoor lane is fully open yet .glad bitten has been there,hope it sticks around allways escapes me.

 

[jason hodges]

12 black tailed godwits and a single wheatear at otmoor

 

[gnome]

Ring Ouzels

There have been two male Ring Ouzels all day at Aston Rowant NNR.

Current off-county twitches:

1. The great grey shrike is a good one to go for (I went today) as it is showing well and has been there for some time: Half Moon Plantation, Cutsdean Quarry at c.SP104314

2. The 100 acre field near Slimbridge has a green-winged teal and a cattle egret currently in residence: view from Green Lane SO734059

 

[jason hodges]

otmoor today had lots of swallows ,4 little egrets,1 pintail,feral barnacle goose and black swan

 

[jason hodges]

at stoke wood today 2 firecrests male showing crest really well.i dont know if they breed there?also chiffchaff and i think willow warbler ,marsh tits also seen.

 

[gareth_blockley]

at stoke wood today 2 firecrests male showing crest really well.i dont know if they breed there?also chiffchaff and i think willow warbler ,marsh tits also seen.

I took this from the RBA feature on where to find birds:
South-east England - Buckinghamshire
Wendover Woods: A population of up to 46 singing males (April-June 1975) survives in the extensive conifer plantations to the east of Wendover. They are present from late April until August and can be seen in small family parties in late summer in the tree canopies. Leave Wendover on a minor road signposted The Hale and after a mile, park on the left by the Forestry Commission Cottages. A footpath leads north from here into Halton Wood (Wendover Woods) and can be followed to the ridge to the north. This forms a triangular route and passes through several Firecrest (and Goldcrest) territories, particularly in the area around the tree hide and at the various crossroads in the wood. LGRE recorded eight territories in May-June 2002.


Its possible that you have found some birds from this population.

Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

I have had a surprising good day, after the snow i wasn't expecting much but really happy i chose to brave the cold!

I started at Banburys Grimsbury reservior. Here i found a yellow wagtail, possible white wagtail (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=111095), c7 Swallows, 4 House martins and a few chiffchaffs singing. Another guy saw a Willow warbler in the park across the road too.
A small quarry site has had a pair of Little plovers return where they normally breed and 2 Sand martin.

Gareth

 

[jason hodges]

thanks gareth i will keep a closer look up there over coming weeks .have to admit though i check this wood out a couple of times a month and have not come across firecrest before only goldies.

 

[jason hodges]

hi i dont know if anyone is interested but after correspondence with birdwatching magazine about lack of coverage for oxfordshire as we are never mentioned in ukbs.the reply was basically they have been looking for county recorders or societys to supply info on oxfordshires birds for sometime but have come up short,so if you know any one who could help contact birdwatching magazines [email protected] thanks jason

 

[jason hodges]

scops owl in oxfordshire i just read but cant find out where maybe thrupp again any news anyone?

 

[gareth_blockley]

scops owl in oxfordshire i just read but cant find out where maybe thrupp again any news anyone?

Probable Scop's owl singingOxford on Iffley road on University sports complex at midnight on Sunday - from RBA.

There is another thread about it on here. It's either a very confused returning bird or the rumoured escapee thats taken up residence somewhere else....

 

[gareth_blockley]

News from OOS:
Common crane yesturday Little wittenham woods
Hawfinch yesturday Blenhiem palace garden
6 Ruff yesturday Port meadow


Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

Farmoor had 3 ruff, a dunlin, a common sand, a Common tern, a mix of wagtails and a lot of hirrundines today.

Off out early tomorrow to see what i can find!

Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

Swallow, Chiffchaffs, Willow warblers, blackcaps, yellow wag and LRPs all seen around banbury today.

Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

Interesting wagtail at Farmoor today http://farmoor-birding.com/LOG-BOOK does anyone have any more info on this type of bird? Redstart, Brambling and 13 Common terns also.

4 Ruff at Port meadow also.

Gareth