Oxfordshire birding (1 Viewer)

[gareth_blockley]

I had my first Redwings for the winter calling over head last night with 2 flocks around early morning.

Gareth

 

[Vespa]

As far as avoiding the entry fee is concerned, there is a gate a few minutes walk from the town centre. There are other free gates but this is the most convenient one.

Now you tell us

I assume once you are in there is nothing to stop you walking through the palace gardens and along the side of the lake?

 

[gnome]

Now you tell us

I assume once you are in there is nothing to stop you walking through the palace gardens and along the side of the lake?

You can certainly walk along the lake and anywhere in the park but the Palace Gardens themselves which adjoin the Palace require an entry ticket.

 

[gareth_blockley]

A couple of Rock pipits remain at Farmoor but fairly quiet unless your into Gulls!

The Azorean is back and Appleford with supporting cast of very probable Baltic gull (sunday) and a few caspians and several Yellow legs. It'll be a great site when the White winged gulls are in!

Gareth

 

[Mike Shurmer]

Otmoor Lane closure

Copy of part of an email from the site manager at Otmoor.

-------------

I am writing to inform you that Otmoor Lane, the road from Beckley leading down to the RSPB Otmoor nature reserve car park, will be closed for approximately 3 weeks. The road is closed for re-surfacing, which I am sure that many of you who have travelled down the lane recently would agree needs to be done. However, this is going to cause some disruption.

Otmoor Lane closed from Beckley to reserve car park
Monday 19 October 2009 - Friday 6 November 2009

We are sorry for the late notice on this closure, but this is out of our control and we have only had the terms of the closure confirmed by the Oxfordshire County Council Highways today. It will be closed for the full 21 days, however it should be left passable at the end of each working day. Pedestrians can still pass the works, the walk down the lane from the village is approximately 1 mile. The closure could include weekends if they choose to do so, and we will have no notice if this is the case. So the advice is to avoid the lane for the next 3 weeks. The reserve is still open and can be accessed from other footpaths and bridleways around the moor. If you choose to do this please take care in parking, and avoid blocking field gates etc.

 

[gareth_blockley]

9+ Bearded tits in the reedbed this morning, get there before the lane closes!

Gareth

 

[gareth_blockley]

The 9 Bearded tits flew high NE this morning. Yesterday there was a Brambling also.

Farmoor yesterday there was a Grey plover and the Caspian gull in the roost.

Azorean gull and others at Appleford.

Gareth

 

[Musoman]

Hi folks - just slipped a quickie in the Hello forum, and then slunk straight into the Oxon camp

Rather late to be mentioning stuff already seen, but i saw that Bittern at Ottmoor - i was so blown away i could barely keep still.

Tufted Duck , Pochard , Canadas, GCG's too.

Caught the BH Gulls at Farmoor and a lovely little brood of Mallard young 'uns. Mum was asleep so i snipered 'em.

 

[jimmyg]

On the subject of late news, a mate of mine had a Water Pipit in University Parks a few days ago!

 

[Musoman]

Wow - thats a good catch :t:

Is he sure it was a Water rather than the much more abundant Tree and Meadow ?

 

[gareth_blockley]

Welcome along! It'll be good to hear about your birds and see some photos. Was the Bittern you saw the very showy bird of last winter? So showy I think I'm the only person who didn't see it?!

On the subject of Water pipit I was thinking our Farmoor bird should turn up pretty soon. I'm surprised Otmoor dosn't get more funny pipits or Wagtails too.

Gareth

 

[Musoman]

Cheers GB

That could be him - not very showy though. He was mostly hidden all that day.

I'm due for a Farmoor visit soon. You going Gareth ?

 

[gareth_blockley]

Cheers GB

That could be him - not very showy though. He was mostly hidden all that day.

I'm due for a Farmoor visit soon. You going Gareth ?

Not in the very near future, unless something turns up and persuades me to fill the car with petrol!

Need to have a good go at the local patches over the weekend.

Gareth

 

[Musoman]

The last time i went, they had the hide locked. ^%$£$!!£$%$

 

[Vespa]

Copy of part of an email from the site manager at Otmoor.

-------------

I am writing to inform you that Otmoor Lane, the road from Beckley leading down to the RSPB Otmoor nature reserve car park, will be closed for approximately 3 weeks. The road is closed for re-surfacing, which I am sure that many of you who have travelled down the lane recently would agree needs to be done. However, this is going to cause some disruption.

Otmoor Lane closed from Beckley to reserve car park
Monday 19 October 2009 - Friday 6 November 2009

We are sorry for the late notice on this closure, but this is out of our control and we have only had the terms of the closure confirmed by the Oxfordshire County Council Highways today. It will be closed for the full 21 days, however it should be left passable at the end of each working day. Pedestrians can still pass the works, the walk down the lane from the village is approximately 1 mile. The closure could include weekends if they choose to do so, and we will have no notice if this is the case. So the advice is to avoid the lane for the next 3 weeks. The reserve is still open and can be accessed from other footpaths and bridleways around the moor. If you choose to do this please take care in parking, and avoid blocking field gates etc.

:clap: Good one. Last time I was there I had to have my engine cover fixed back on. Worth the wait I would say

 

[jimmyg]

Wow - thats a good catch :t:

Is he sure it was a Water rather than the much more abundant Tree and Meadow ?

I know, I was surprised too. He's from Luxembourg so didn't realise it was a good bird here, but had it on the deck and calling in flight and when I asked him whether he was sure he replied "it was spinoletta - is that water pipit?" so I assumed he knew what he was talking about. He's been birding 10 years, so probably a safe call.

 

[Musoman]

Amazing - hard to spot in the UK. Not as difficult as the Rock Pipit though - what do you think ?

Some people here think they've seen Rock Pipit, when its been Meadow or Tree. Cant blame them though - i find it hard to tell the difference too.

 

[Mike Shurmer]

:clap: Good one. Last time I was there I had to have my engine cover fixed back on. Worth the wait I would say

Definitely needed doing and worth a little inconvenience for a couple of weeks. You're not the only one who has had a car related mishap on the lane in recent weeks :eek!:

 

[gareth_blockley]

Fairly quiet in Oxfordshire of late. The biggest news going out is that the Azorean gull is back around Didcot. A Firecrest was seen at Sydlings copse and Red-crested pochard at Radley both on Tuesday.

Hopefully the weekend will have something for us.

Gareth

 

[gnome]

You've not mentioned your cracking willow tit last week on your local patch, Gareth. A great find in the county these days!