-
BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!
Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Oxfordshire birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter gareth_blockley
- Start date
gareth_blockley
Smile people
Grimsbury res, Banbury. 2 Willow tits this morning, foraging on the other side of the river just before the wood. I picked them up on call but they only called a couple of times. There is also at least 2 Marsh tits in the wood.
Other birds were 2 Goldeneye, 3 Shoveller, Wigeaon, several Siskin, Redwings and one Fieldfare. The Goldeneyes and Shovellers are patch ticks and Wigeon only my second - the joys of patch work!
Gareth
Other birds were 2 Goldeneye, 3 Shoveller, Wigeaon, several Siskin, Redwings and one Fieldfare. The Goldeneyes and Shovellers are patch ticks and Wigeon only my second - the joys of patch work!
Gareth
CactusD
ἀρχός οἰω
Hi all,
I've updated my year list page with some recent shots of stuff around and about Banbury; I had one male Stonechat at Grimsbury res. yesterday afternoon, and three or four more on my local patch in the fields by the canal to the south east side of town along with Skylarks and Meadow Pipits - plus the obligatory Yellowhammers (never seen so many guaranteed in one spot before! I always see at least two or three, and usually more). I had my first Fieldfares of the year there (four or five), but no redwings yet.
I've updated my year list page with some recent shots of stuff around and about Banbury; I had one male Stonechat at Grimsbury res. yesterday afternoon, and three or four more on my local patch in the fields by the canal to the south east side of town along with Skylarks and Meadow Pipits - plus the obligatory Yellowhammers (never seen so many guaranteed in one spot before! I always see at least two or three, and usually more). I had my first Fieldfares of the year there (four or five), but no redwings yet.
gareth_blockley
Smile people
I was thinking a Stonechat was due at the res. nice one. Where are your pics? I'd like to have a look.
Is your patch the area south of the sewage works that used to be managed by BBONT (BBOWT)? I haven't been down there for a while. I wish they still flooded the fields there, we could do with somewhere attracting waders and more ducks locally.
Gareth
Is your patch the area south of the sewage works that used to be managed by BBONT (BBOWT)? I haven't been down there for a while. I wish they still flooded the fields there, we could do with somewhere attracting waders and more ducks locally.
Gareth
CactusD
ἀρχός οἰω
Hi Gareth, my pics are over in the members' year list thread; my patch is on the other side of the river/canal, in the fields down to the canal from Bankside (a good track down from the road - well frequented by dogwalkers but they can be avoided); you can walk down the track from Bankside past the park near where the chicanes are in the road, and walk down the canal and up again along Canal Lane into Bodicote; Canal lane was good for the Corn Buntings earlier in the year too.
Haven't been on the other side before.
Haven't been on the other side before.
Mike Shurmer
Well-known member
I often look in this area. The fields between the canal and Bodicote are also good for grey partridge as well as corn bunting. I saw yellow wagtail throughout the summer here as well.
gareth_blockley
Smile people
Oh I see. Your year list made a nice read. Some nice birds on your patch too, like Grey partridge, Corn bunting and Brambling. I hope to find some local Bramblings this year.
Gareth
Gareth
gareth_blockley
Smile people
Rose coloured starling reported this afternoon. Juvenile at Forest hill along the Stanton road, present c.3 weeks. Park sensibly and respect residents privacy. SP584080. A photo on Surfbirds stop press.
Also 2 Black redstarts Farmoor on water works buildings. Has been one in Bicester but in an area with no access.
Gareth
Also 2 Black redstarts Farmoor on water works buildings. Has been one in Bicester but in an area with no access.
Gareth
Last edited:
gareth_blockley
Smile people
Farmoor is the place to be: http://www.farmoor-birding.com/
as well as going to see the Rosy starling..
Gareth
as well as going to see the Rosy starling..
Gareth
As a point of information, the Pinkhill hide is kept locked and access is for key-holders only. A key, along with a birding permit for the reservoir, can be obtained for a modest fee from the fishing lodge next to the sailing building on the east shore of Farmoor II
gareth_blockley
Smile people
It was last reported on sunday. It has been elusive so may still be around or people have stopped looking for it?
Gareth
Thanks Gareth, I'll put the question on Oxonbirds as well but it is certainly worth a look!
jimmyg
Good game boys, good game!
Think people have just stopped looking. A local resident I spoke to on the day I dipped said he thought I was too late judging by the fact nobody was looking anymore, but then it was seen a few days later! If you go and do get it, please post as I hope to go back but havent had a chance yet... :t:
I saw it was reported on Birdguides yesterday so I will be looking tomorrow...
!I tried for the RC Starling yesterday without success - a 20 minute try on my way to Bicester, in Forest Hill itself, and about an hour scouring the very large Starling flock on the farm just out of the village (Breach Farm?) early afternoon.
The Starling flock must have contained many of the Otmoor Birds and I estimated about eight thousand in the field - Hence the RC may well still be there but I would think the best chance of seeing it would be first thing before the large feeding flocks form. A resident said she had seen it at the weekend.
ATB
Robin
The Starling flock must have contained many of the Otmoor Birds and I estimated about eight thousand in the field - Hence the RC may well still be there but I would think the best chance of seeing it would be first thing before the large feeding flocks form. A resident said she had seen it at the weekend.
ATB
Robin
Hi Robin,
In my experience the best way to see the bird is to go to the end of Mickle Way before it bends round to the left. Stand opposite the bend and look back along the roof tops and telegraph wires on the opposite side of the street to where you are standing. The bird usually appears here periodically. I would suggest that you need longer than 20 minutes as it can go AWOL for some time but in general it has been feeding in the back gardens in this street and periodically pops up onto the roof tops though it doesn't usually stay there for very long. Best times certainly seem to be in the morning up until lunch time.
Good luck!
Adam
In my experience the best way to see the bird is to go to the end of Mickle Way before it bends round to the left. Stand opposite the bend and look back along the roof tops and telegraph wires on the opposite side of the street to where you are standing. The bird usually appears here periodically. I would suggest that you need longer than 20 minutes as it can go AWOL for some time but in general it has been feeding in the back gardens in this street and periodically pops up onto the roof tops though it doesn't usually stay there for very long. Best times certainly seem to be in the morning up until lunch time.
Good luck!
Adam
