Birds
Turned up at Farmoor 11.10 with a force 6 westerly blowing. Went to causeway, scanned Wytham, then Farmoor 1. Then scanned Wytham again and everthing was up at 11:25. At least one Goshawk, a couple of Buzzard, with Male sparrowhawk and Carrion crows showing far more bravery today, the tiny Sparrowhawk at least continually mobbing bird for some 15 minutes. Plenty of interplay between the birds with Gos turning on Sproghawk and Crow now and then. A few steep dives observed and one lucky Wood Pigeon flew away leaving an explosive puff of feathers in its wake. No further sightings up to 14.00.
Dunlin and unringed Barnacle Goose on Causeway (F1), Green Sandpiper on F2 (report from Dai). One Mipit and just a handful of Pied's by Sewage treatment works. Couple of Yellow-legged Gulls (1st and 2nd winters) on F1. Very few birders around and they apparently had not been scanning Wytham, so missed out on a great acrobatic display and left after very short stay. Congats to G. for putting in the time this afternoon and commiserations for not being rewarded this time around. I am sure it will be seen again soon by those who do this, although I suggest a westerly and very strong wind (suitable for slope soaring) is the best time to visit AND continual scanning of horizon across the woodland. Luckily(?), there appears to be little else of great interest to see at farmoor at the moment !
- Farmoor: 30th April
Little Gull, 1st summer - Farmoor 2 (ad. also reported, Graham Soden) 2-4 Arctic Tern - Farmoor 2 40+ Swifts (60+ reported earlier, Graham Soden) White Wagtail - Water Treatment Works Ringed Plover - Causeway (Graham Soden) 5 Dunlin - 2 Causeway &...
- Farmoor Afternoon
c300 Fieldfare and c50 Redwing, 1 Buzard, Treecreeper, Bullfinch through Buckthorn Meadow to Pinkhill (including the berry burdened cotonesters by the F1 fishermans car park). c300 Wood Pigeon at Pinkhill lock area, possibly flushed by one of the 4 sightings...
- Farmoor At Dusk
Light no good for gull roost but a Great Northern Diver was perfectly silloueted at the edge of the thousands of Larids. At least 2300 Jackdaws coming mainly from Wytham direction to roost in the woodland south of the Res. One buzzard flying NE into wind,...
- Wytham Woods 7th October
Goshawk circling Wytham woods at 12:25 viewed from F1 at Farmoor. (per Ian Smith)...
- Red-rumped Swallow Farmoor May 1997
A minor influx of Red-rumped Swallows was under way in early May with several birds recorded around the UK. The closest being near Guildford in Surrey. As it's a favourite species I decided to finish work early and take a trip down to see it. I got...
Birds
Goshawk puts on great display over Wytham
Turned up at Farmoor 11.10 with a force 6 westerly blowing. Went to causeway, scanned Wytham, then Farmoor 1. Then scanned Wytham again and everthing was up at 11:25. At least one Goshawk, a couple of Buzzard, with Male sparrowhawk and Carrion crows showing far more bravery today, the tiny Sparrowhawk at least continually mobbing bird for some 15 minutes. Plenty of interplay between the birds with Gos turning on Sproghawk and Crow now and then. A few steep dives observed and one lucky Wood Pigeon flew away leaving an explosive puff of feathers in its wake. No further sightings up to 14.00.
Dunlin and unringed Barnacle Goose on Causeway (F1), Green Sandpiper on F2 (report from Dai). One Mipit and just a handful of Pied's by Sewage treatment works. Couple of Yellow-legged Gulls (1st and 2nd winters) on F1. Very few birders around and they apparently had not been scanning Wytham, so missed out on a great acrobatic display and left after very short stay. Congats to G. for putting in the time this afternoon and commiserations for not being rewarded this time around. I am sure it will be seen again soon by those who do this, although I suggest a westerly and very strong wind (suitable for slope soaring) is the best time to visit AND continual scanning of horizon across the woodland. Luckily(?), there appears to be little else of great interest to see at farmoor at the moment !
- Farmoor: 30th April
Little Gull, 1st summer - Farmoor 2 (ad. also reported, Graham Soden) 2-4 Arctic Tern - Farmoor 2 40+ Swifts (60+ reported earlier, Graham Soden) White Wagtail - Water Treatment Works Ringed Plover - Causeway (Graham Soden) 5 Dunlin - 2 Causeway &...
- Farmoor Afternoon
c300 Fieldfare and c50 Redwing, 1 Buzard, Treecreeper, Bullfinch through Buckthorn Meadow to Pinkhill (including the berry burdened cotonesters by the F1 fishermans car park). c300 Wood Pigeon at Pinkhill lock area, possibly flushed by one of the 4 sightings...
- Farmoor At Dusk
Light no good for gull roost but a Great Northern Diver was perfectly silloueted at the edge of the thousands of Larids. At least 2300 Jackdaws coming mainly from Wytham direction to roost in the woodland south of the Res. One buzzard flying NE into wind,...
- Wytham Woods 7th October
Goshawk circling Wytham woods at 12:25 viewed from F1 at Farmoor. (per Ian Smith)...
- Red-rumped Swallow Farmoor May 1997
A minor influx of Red-rumped Swallows was under way in early May with several birds recorded around the UK. The closest being near Guildford in Surrey. As it's a favourite species I decided to finish work early and take a trip down to see it. I got...