Birds
Lesser Scaup: 12th November – 28th December 1994
Back in the 1990s I regularly watched the Edward Richardson Reserve on the northern edge of Lechlade, just over the border in Gloucestershire. It constituted two main pools, one with extensive dead trees close to housing on the southern side and a more open, less disturbed pool overlooked by a hide. The reserve remains largely unchanged to this day, although the old ramshackle hide has gone and it is further hemmed in by housing. During autumn the muddy edges to the main pool attracted waders, and in winter the open water was often frequented by teal and a few diving duck. On 12th November I made a quick stop at the hide late afternoon on the way home and immediately picked out what appeared to be a drake Lesser Scaup with the tufties and pochards. In those days this was a very rare bird indeed, with just six previous records so the identification needed plenty of time, careful note taking and expert input from Jon King and Ian Lewington to ensure that the more likely hybrid candidates were fully excluded. Luckily it stayed at the reserve over the next few days enabling the identification to be clinched, including views of the all important upperwing pattern and bill detail. On 15th November it was seen to roost at nearby Little Faringdon GP which is on the right side of the county boundary thus becoming the first record for Oxon as well as Glos!
During the latter part of its stay the bird ranged more widely out into the eastern section of the Cotswold Water Park to the west of Lechlade as well as occasional forays back onto the Little Faringdon GP, you had to be quick (or make many visits) to catch up with it in the county! Accepted by BBRC as the 7th record for Britain.
Stuart Thomson
- January 2014 Review
Great Grey Shrike by Andy Last Firstly, it's worth noting that we've now done a whole year of monthly reviews with this one kicking off a second year. Since they've been well received (at least no one has complained too bitterly about them!)...
- December Highlights
Iceland Gull by Andy Last Once again the concrete basin took most of the limelight this month and once again it involved a pelagic county mega; also a potential first for Britain but only a second for Oxon stopped off at nearby Stanton...
- November Highlights
Long-tailed Duck Farmoor (c) Andy Last A Red-necked Grebe arrived at Farmoor on the first day of the month and was still present at the month's end. Even in winter plumage these birds look smart and its protracted stay coupled with October's...
- Otmoor Raptor Display
2.30 Left car park to immediate views of ring-tailed Hen Harrier playing like a cat with a vole(?) for at least 5 minutes in The Closes; giving very close views for those in the hide. BBWOT bird race team arrived and left with two new species under belt;...
- Bicester Wetland Reserve 28th July
...
Birds
Lesser Scaup
Lesser Scaup: 12th November – 28th December 1994
Back in the 1990s I regularly watched the Edward Richardson Reserve on the northern edge of Lechlade, just over the border in Gloucestershire. It constituted two main pools, one with extensive dead trees close to housing on the southern side and a more open, less disturbed pool overlooked by a hide. The reserve remains largely unchanged to this day, although the old ramshackle hide has gone and it is further hemmed in by housing. During autumn the muddy edges to the main pool attracted waders, and in winter the open water was often frequented by teal and a few diving duck. On 12th November I made a quick stop at the hide late afternoon on the way home and immediately picked out what appeared to be a drake Lesser Scaup with the tufties and pochards. In those days this was a very rare bird indeed, with just six previous records so the identification needed plenty of time, careful note taking and expert input from Jon King and Ian Lewington to ensure that the more likely hybrid candidates were fully excluded. Luckily it stayed at the reserve over the next few days enabling the identification to be clinched, including views of the all important upperwing pattern and bill detail. On 15th November it was seen to roost at nearby Little Faringdon GP which is on the right side of the county boundary thus becoming the first record for Oxon as well as Glos!
During the latter part of its stay the bird ranged more widely out into the eastern section of the Cotswold Water Park to the west of Lechlade as well as occasional forays back onto the Little Faringdon GP, you had to be quick (or make many visits) to catch up with it in the county! Accepted by BBRC as the 7th record for Britain.
Stuart Thomson
- January 2014 Review
Great Grey Shrike by Andy Last Firstly, it's worth noting that we've now done a whole year of monthly reviews with this one kicking off a second year. Since they've been well received (at least no one has complained too bitterly about them!)...
- December Highlights
Iceland Gull by Andy Last Once again the concrete basin took most of the limelight this month and once again it involved a pelagic county mega; also a potential first for Britain but only a second for Oxon stopped off at nearby Stanton...
- November Highlights
Long-tailed Duck Farmoor (c) Andy Last A Red-necked Grebe arrived at Farmoor on the first day of the month and was still present at the month's end. Even in winter plumage these birds look smart and its protracted stay coupled with October's...
- Otmoor Raptor Display
2.30 Left car park to immediate views of ring-tailed Hen Harrier playing like a cat with a vole(?) for at least 5 minutes in The Closes; giving very close views for those in the hide. BBWOT bird race team arrived and left with two new species under belt;...
- Bicester Wetland Reserve 28th July
...