Birds
Montagu's Harrier (m) Stunned! Long, slim-winged raptor observed (Although white rump made Jay pop into my head initially!), got scope on it quickly. Viewed mostly from above due to vantage point at top Western edge of valley. Decent, albeit brief initial view as it skirted the Western edge of Oven Bottom Wood before disappearing round Southern Edge. Mid to dark grey overall with obvious black wingtips and white rump. Rufous & black underwing markings observed briefly during manouvre. Shoulder/back also appeared slightly rufous but perhaps trick of the evening sunlight? Despite this overall impression was of male Monty. I'm certain it wasn't a male marsh anyway! Seen about 10 minutes later far beyond the Eastern edge of the woods, low over field, close to Juniper Valley - very distant but longer (still fairly brief) view. Light was still fairly decent at this time. SU537836.
Mark Merritt
- Dorchester 6th January
Long-tailed Duck (f) showing well along the western edge of the Sailing Lake (per Ben Carpenter)...
- Farmoor F2 Basin 5.15 - 7.00pm
Med Gull 1 adult (Nick Hallam & Dai) Little Gull 2 adult keeping to south and 2 adult keeping to west (all non-hooded) Sand Martin 1 Wheatear 1 male SW corner Rock Pipit 2 (Dai). The 1 bird I checked was littoralis; again at south end Herring Gull(?)...
- Bernwood Forest: Waterperry Wood: 30th September
30th September Bernwood Forest: Waterperry Wood 2 Willow Tit: Very surprised to hear willow tits (more than one - number unknown) wheezing away in one of the many sizable tit flocks. Heard along edge of one of the cleared areas slightly to SW of centre...
- Farmoor 19th January
Grey Phalarope still 08:30 along eastern edge of F2 nr windsock. + Knot (per Terry Sherlock) Knot (c) Terry Sherlock Still present 10:30a.m along eastern edge of F2 + Great Northern Diver on F2 A stop-gap shot until the proper photographers come up with...
- Aston Upthorpe: Juniper Valley: 19th August
Aston Upthorpe: Juniper Valley Whinchat: juv. Mark Merritt ...
Birds
Aston Upthorpe 26th August
Montagu's Harrier (m) Stunned! Long, slim-winged raptor observed (Although white rump made Jay pop into my head initially!), got scope on it quickly. Viewed mostly from above due to vantage point at top Western edge of valley. Decent, albeit brief initial view as it skirted the Western edge of Oven Bottom Wood before disappearing round Southern Edge. Mid to dark grey overall with obvious black wingtips and white rump. Rufous & black underwing markings observed briefly during manouvre. Shoulder/back also appeared slightly rufous but perhaps trick of the evening sunlight? Despite this overall impression was of male Monty. I'm certain it wasn't a male marsh anyway! Seen about 10 minutes later far beyond the Eastern edge of the woods, low over field, close to Juniper Valley - very distant but longer (still fairly brief) view. Light was still fairly decent at this time. SU537836.
Mark Merritt
- Dorchester 6th January
Long-tailed Duck (f) showing well along the western edge of the Sailing Lake (per Ben Carpenter)...
- Farmoor F2 Basin 5.15 - 7.00pm
Med Gull 1 adult (Nick Hallam & Dai) Little Gull 2 adult keeping to south and 2 adult keeping to west (all non-hooded) Sand Martin 1 Wheatear 1 male SW corner Rock Pipit 2 (Dai). The 1 bird I checked was littoralis; again at south end Herring Gull(?)...
- Bernwood Forest: Waterperry Wood: 30th September
30th September Bernwood Forest: Waterperry Wood 2 Willow Tit: Very surprised to hear willow tits (more than one - number unknown) wheezing away in one of the many sizable tit flocks. Heard along edge of one of the cleared areas slightly to SW of centre...
- Farmoor 19th January
Grey Phalarope still 08:30 along eastern edge of F2 nr windsock. + Knot (per Terry Sherlock) Knot (c) Terry Sherlock Still present 10:30a.m along eastern edge of F2 + Great Northern Diver on F2 A stop-gap shot until the proper photographers come up with...
- Aston Upthorpe: Juniper Valley: 19th August
Aston Upthorpe: Juniper Valley Whinchat: juv. Mark Merritt ...