*************************************************
30th
Mainly warm, with plenty of sunshine.
June has been typically very quiet with not much to report. Little Egrets have been noted on Shrike Meadow, with up to three birds feeding there. Also a summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit briefly on 24th. As for breeding birds, Black-headed Gulls have been successful on the tern raft with many fledged juveniles now in evidence. The three pairs that tried to breed again on Pinkhill, along with a single pair of Common Terns where again predated mid month. Loads of juvenile Pied Wagtails around the reservoir and at least two groups of juvenile Grey Wagtails. A notable arrival of Sand Martins late in the month with many young birds resting on the wave walls.
Image:
Juvenile Sand Martin, 25th June.
Image:
Male Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pinkhill. (photo: Dave John).
9th
Hot and sunny, moderate SE wind.
Excellent conditions for the continuing late passage of Black Terns with another six present at lunchtime today. 1 Common Sandpiper. Several more juvenile Black-headed Gulls begining to appear around the tern raft and Pinkhill.
Image:
Swallow feeding young, 9th June.
8th
Very warm, sunny.
A few waders today: 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, 1 Sanderling and 1 Common Sandpiper.
Image:
Oystercatcher, 8th June.
7th
Very warm, hazy sunshine.
A very unseasonal Great Northern Diver was on F.1. this evening. Also 2 Sanderling on the causeway.
Image:
Great Northern Diver, June 7th (videograb).
6th
Warm & Sunny.
More Black Terns with 3 early morning on F.2. Also 11 Ringed Plover and 1 Redshank
4th
Warm and sunny for much of the day, a light shower pm.
A drake Common Scoter on F.2. first thing, and 4 Black Terns passed through. A Greenshank on Shrike Meadow. Plenty of Buzzards drifting about in the fine weather plus a single Red Kite.
3rd
Very warm & sunny all day.
2 Red Kites above Lower Whitley Wood this morning. A late Black Tern on F.2. and 2 Sanderling on the causeway
Image:
Red Kites, Lower Whitley Wood, 3rd June.
2nd
Warm & Sunny all day.
The first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the year was on the causeway this morning, probably from nearby Cassington GP. Also a Ringed Plover.
Image:
Juvenile Black-headed Gull 2nd June.
28th
Light W wind, some sunshine.
1 Black Tern & 1 Whimbrel. Otherwise, pretty quiet.
27th
Light SW wind and rain for much of the day.
4 Sanderling arrived during the day and 9 Dunlin flew through in the morning. The first Black-headed Gull chicks hatched on the tern raft.
26th
Fresh WSW wind, mostly cloudy with a few sunny spells late pm.
A large movement of Dunlin with several small groups passing through during the day with at least 42 birds by early evening almost certainly a record day count. Also 4 Ringed Plover a single Turnstone and Little Ringed Plover.
23rd
Light SW wind, some sunshine.
A flock of 19 waders on the causeway this afternoon: 1 Sanderling, 8 Turnstone & 10 Dunin plus a Whimbrel and Curlew early morning.
Image:
Dunlin, Sanderling & Turnstone on the the causeway, 23rd May.
22nd>
Strong winds & rain all day.
Late news for yesterday, another Garganey, the third this spring. 2 Dunlin and a single Sanderling on the causeway. c300 House Martins and 1000's of Swifts
Image:
Garganey, 21st May. (photo: Ian Lewington).
21st
The last fours days have seen gale force WSW winds, rain and only brief periods of sunshine. It's been very poor for birds & birding with little of note to be seen, today just a handful of waders with singles each of Dunlin, Turnstone, Sanderling, Whimbrel & Ringed Plover.
Image:
Rain most of today, but a brief sunny spell in the evening.
17th
Fresh SE wind, showers, then rain.
A Marsh Harrier passed through Pinkhill in the morning. The Whimbrel is still present, usually feeding on the grassy bank below the western shore of F.1. Plenty of Swifts feeding low over the reservoir in the rain and just a few hirundines, mainly Swallows & Sand Martins, There have been few large counts of House Martins this spring.
15th.
Light SW wind, showers.
A Common Crane flew over F.2. and headed off south at 13.25. This was most likely the bird that had been present on Otmoor for the last couple of weeks. It represents only the second record for the reservoir, the first being seen intermittently between 21st & 29th January 1994.
Also today: 7 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Image:
Common Crane, 15th May.
14th
4 Whimbrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper the only birds of note today.
12th
Light variable winds, sunny and warm but cloud cover by evening.
A Whimbrel spent the day feeding on the grassy bank in the NW corner of F.1. 2 Turnstone a single Dunlin and Common Sandpiper. A few Black-headed Gulls nest building on Pinkhill along with a pair of Common Terns.
Image:
Turnstone, 12th May.
11th
Light E winds, plenty of sunshine and very warm.
A few waders on the move, with 10 Ringed Plovers and 2 Turnstone passing through. 2 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling present this evening. Also 5 Black Terns.
Image:
Black Tern, 11th May.
Image:
Sanderling, 11th May.
9th
Misty then sunny spells, light variable winds.
Quiet day with just a single fly-over Grey Plover and 3 Dunlin on the reservoir. A Raven seen again early evening. Up to 9 pairs of Black-headed Gulls on the 'tern' raft, with a pair of Common Terns attempting to breed on Pinkhill.
Image:
Singing Reed Warbler & Sedge Warbler, Shrike Meadow, 9th May.
8th
Heavy rain and a light SSE wind.
The drake Garganey still on Pinkhill. A few waders passed through during the morning: 3 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover and 13 Dunlin.
Image:
Drake Garganey, Pinkhill, 8th May.
7th
A drake Garganey on Pinkhill plus a Little Egret also there briefly. Just a few waders: a single Little Ringed Plover and Dunlin with 2 Common Sandpipers Also a Hobby.
6th
Another 3 Little Terns this afternoon, they were seen briefly before flying off ENE.8 Black Terns 35+ Common Terns.
5th
3 Black Terns early morning only. Little else of note.
4th
A very warm day with an increasing fresh south easterly wind and plenty of sunshine.
A superb Little Tern arrived mid afternoon and was still present into the early evening. A surprisingly long stay for a species that has a reputation for being an all too brief visitor to the reservoir.
Otherwise very little of note with just 4 Common Sandpipers and the Dunlin with a Green Sandpiper on Pinkhill.
Image:
Little Tern, 4th May.
3rd
Fresh southerly wind, high cloud and plenty of warm sunshine.
The fine conditions meant that most birds probably 'overflew' the reservoir with little of note seen today. The Whimbrel passage continued with 3 birds spending the afternoon on the causeway and the western bank of F.1. 8 Dunlin passed through as well as the summer plumage bird still around and the 6 Common Sandpipers. A single Redshank and Oystercatcher. Up to 3 Garden Warblers singing and showing quite well at Pinkhill.
Image:
Whimbrel on the causeway, 3rd May.
Image:
Cuckoo, Shrike Meadow, 3rd May.
2nd
Calm first thing then increasing southerly wind, still cool.
No sign of any Arctic Terns today, but 40 Common Terns at lunchtime. 9 Whimbrel flew north east at 16.00 also 6 Common Sandpipers, a fly over Greenshank and the Dunlin. Lots of hirundines again and huge numbers of Swifts. A first summer Little Gull in the evening.
Image:
Sand Martin & Common Sandpiper, 2nd May.
1st
Fresh westerly wind, early rain then sunny spells but cool.
A few Arctic Terns still with 10+ in the evening. A Sanderling fleetingly in the morning and other waders today were a Little Ringed Plover, Turnstone commuting between the 'tern' raft and the causeway. a Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin. The first summer Little Gull still plus about 25 Common Terns. 2 Hobbies in the evening.
Image:
Turnstone, 1st May.
30th
Calm and overcast for much of the day, then a light SW wind by evening. Chilly.
Highlight was a flock of 10 Common Scoter present all day on F.2. despite disturbance from the sailors! A Whimbrel flew through early morning with another bird arriving mid evening and resting on the causeway briefly. The Arctic Tern passage continued with c60 birds dropping in at 09.45 and staying for the day with about 20 Common Terns amongst them. Still 1 first summer Little Gull and an adult Kittiwake passed through in the early morning. A single Dunlin and c30 Yellow Wagtails on the grassy bank next to the log room in the evening. 'Hundreds' of Swifts above the reservoir during the day and good numbers of hirundines by late afternoon.
Image:
Common Scoter, 30th April.
Image:
Whimbrel, 30th April.
29th
NNE light winds, high cloud and sunny spells, cool.
Arctic Terns again much in evidence with a maximum of c120 by late afternoon. A single Black Tern in amongst them and 3 Little Gulls. 7 Whimbrel passed through early morning. Still one or two late White Wagtails. An Oystercatcher on Pinkhill and a single Dunlin. but few other birds around the reservoir perimeter, due in part to the large number of grumpy fishermen present today.
28th
NW wind veering N then NE by evening. Broken cloud and sunshine. Cool.
Another fantastic passage of Arctic Terns today. They started arriving at lunchtime with 20+ birds and increased throughout the afternoon peaking at an incredible 220+ birds by dusk. Some then started to move off high towards the north east. A real privilege to witness these superb long distance migrants at Farmoor. Otherwise again quiet with 2 Little Gulls still on F.2. A single summer plumage Dunlin, a couple of Common Sandpipers and a solitary female Wheatear. Plus masses of Swifts.
Image:
Arctic Terns, 28th April.
Image:
A group of the Arctic Terns moving off high to the north east at 20.00. 28th April.
27th
Light NW wind, cloudy, clearing to calm and sunny by evening.
The Pinkhill Black-headed Gull colony was predated last night. Most probably by a fox or, more likely, mink. At least three adult BHG's were killed and all the nests robbed of eggs. The remaining gulls have lost no time in moving over to the 'tern' raft in the south western corner of F.1. Luckily the Thames Water wardens have recently refurbished this raft and in the space of just a few hours it has now become a thriving
Apart from that drama a very quiet day, notable for a large arrival of Swifts early am with at least 400 birds over the reservoir. Otherwise a party of 12 Dunlin flew through, plus a single Little Ringed Plover and 5 Common Sandpiper. 5 Shelduck were on F.2. The 2 first summer Little Gulls were joined by the aldult bird that had been at Dix Pit in the morning. A single male Wheatear in the southern corner of F.2.
Image:
Barn Owl and Common Swift, 27th April.
25th
Fresh SW wind, showers clearing to sunny spells by evening.
Pretty quiet today. The Mediterranean Gull still around on Pinkhill and F.1. Still 2 lingering Arctic Terns and 2 first summer Little Gulls. Not much on the wader front, just a single Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpipers. 2 Wheatears around the perimeter of F.2. At Pinkhill 2 Grasshopper Warblers singing early in the morning and plenty of Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers.
Image:
Mediterranean Gull, 25th April.
Image:
Common Tern, 25th April.
24th
Light NE wind, cloudy, warmish.
Another group of Bar-tailed Godwits today with 5 birds spending the morning feeding around the western bank of F.1. Other waders were 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlew, a Little Ringed Plover and a Dunlin.Just 2 Arctic Terns and 2 Little Gulls. A first summer Mediterranean Gull was on Pinkhill briefly early evening. LOTS of singing Sedge Warblers concentrated around the Pinkhill area with at least 30 birds, also several Reed Warblers singing and a single Lesser Whitethroat and plenty of Whitethroats. Two Willow Tits feeding around the pumping station.
Image:
Bar-tailed Godwits, 24th April.
23rd
Low cloud, drizzle & light ENE wind.
The 'classic' weather conditions certainly produced plenty of birds today. Waders much in evidence with a group of 7 Bar-tailed Godwits passing through early am. 12 Dunlin also kept going as did a single Bar-tailed Godwit. A splendid Grey Plover arrived early p.m. and spent the remainder of the day feeding along the western wave-wall of F.1.
Three Arctic Terns dropped into F.2. in the afternoon and by 17.00 there were 30 birds, increasing to 50+ an hour later. This group moved off but a constant watch until dusk produced more birds arriving, and moving off high to the north east, with about another 65+ individuals. a single Black Tern was also feeding over F.2. for much of the day.
A Whinchat and still plenty of Yellow Wagtails including up to 3 'blue-headed' birds.
Image:
Arctic Terns, 23rd April.
Image:
Grey Plover, 23rd April.
Image:
Whinchat, 23rd April.
21st
ENE light wind, increasing in evening, cloudy with sunny spells, quite warm but chilly later.
A good Gull and Tern day with the first Black Terns of the year: 2 present all day. Little Gulls increased from 3 in the morning to 11 by 19.00: (8 adults and 3 first year). 4 Sandwich Terns flew through early morning. Still plenty of Yellow Wagtails with a couple of 'blue-headed' types and at least two grey-mantled birds. An Osprey flew north following the Thames at 18.30, followed shortly afterwards by a Peregrine. 4 Common Sandpipers the only waders noted.
Image:
Image:
Adult Little Gulls and Black Tern, 21st April.
20th
Light SW wind, showers, warmish.
The BONAPARTE'S GULL was absent all day but was again in the roost on F.1. mid evening, including several hundred Black-headed Gulls, mostly first summer birds. A bewildering assortment of Yellow Wagtails arrived during the afternoon, including 3 'Blue-headed' types showing features of M.f.flava, plus a couple of birds with pale grey mantles and prominant white wing bars....!? Also good numbers of White Wagtails with 20+ birds around the causeway and F.1. 2 Wheatears also today. Waders thin on the ground with just a single Common Sandpiper and a Redshank. The Little Gull continues to visit Pinkhill but can go missing for long periods. c40 Common Terns, some passing through but several birds paired and courtship feeding.
Image:
'Blue-headed Wagtail type'. One of three birds seen today. Rather than pure M.f.flava, these are more likely 'Channel Wagtail', i.e. flava/flavissima hybrids.
Image:
This one shows a much more yellow throat, so maybe a better candidate for a pure M.f.flava. (photo: Justin Taylor).
19th
Cloudy, with some light rain.
The BONAPARTE'S GULL again, commuting between the reservoir and Pinkhill Reserve. A single Arctic Tern, c20 Common Terns & the Little Gull still. A Blue-headed (type) Wagtail on the causeway. 10 Common Sandpipers and a summer plumage Dunlin. A Little Egret again on Shrike Meadow, early morning.
Plenty of hirundines in the evening with c50+ House Martins, the highest count of the spring. A handful of Swifts during the day. Late news for yesterday: a Grasshopper Warbler singing at 20.30 from the Pinkhill Reserve, also a late female Goosander on F.1.
Image:
Little Gull, 19th April. (photo: Ian Lewington).
18th
Light westerly wind, showers pm. chilly.
The BONAPARTE'S GULL still present. Late pm it was on the Pinkhill reserve were it obviously gave some very good views, it then moved over to F.1 and showed continuously, although rather distant at times.
Still about 25 Common Terns and the 1st year Little Gull. 8 Common Sandpipers and a single Dunlin. 2 Little Egrets early a.m. only. 200+ Swallows but still very few House Martins.
Image:
Bonaparte's Gull, Pinkhill Reserve, 18th April.
17th
Fresh WNW wind, sunny spells.
Very exciting news today with the discovery of a First winter BONAPARTE'S GULL. The bird was seen to fly into Farmoor 2 at about 19.00. Local birders were quckly alerted and the gull was soon located feeding along the southern shore. It then went missing for about an hour before being refound in the north western corner of F.1. It remained there until dark, allowing a few poor quality video-grabs to be taken. Hopefully it will still be present in the morning. This is the second record of this species for Farmoor and Oxfordshire, the other, also a first winter was present on Pinkhill and F.2 from 17th to 19th May 2000.
25 Common Terns and a single Arctic Tern present all day. The first summer Little Gull still around with 10 Common Gulls passing through in the evening. 9 Common Sandpipers a Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover. Up to 5 Sedge Warblers around Pinkhill and a couple of Whitethroats with 2 Ravens again briefly. 2 Swifts and c150 Swallows and just a couple of House Martins. Only a couple of Yellow Wagtails and 5+White Wagtails.
Image:
First winter Bonaparte's Gull, 17th April.
Image:
Common Tern left, Arctic Tern right. 17th April.
Image:
Little Ringed Plover, 17th April.
15th
Light N.E. wind, high cloud with some hazy sunshine late p.m.
A significant arrival of Common Terns today with 53 counted during the evening, and a single Arctic Tern amongst them. A first summer Little Gull also. 3 Little Egrets briefly early a.m. and the first Sedge Warbler of the spring at Pinkhill. The Knot still in residence with 5 Common Sandpipers reported. 4 Ravens were seen late pm cavorting over fields behind Pinkhill. Yellow Wagtails down to just two or three birds, also only a few White Wagtails and a single Wheatear. Still plenty of Willow Warblers with at least 15 singing around the 'Countryside Walk'.
Image:
Common Terns, 15th April.
14th
Light westerly wind, drizzle first thing, then calm & warm by evening with long sunny spells.
A full summer plumage Water Pipit probably qualifies for 'bird of the day'. A record count this spring of White Wagtails with up to 35 birds by mid evening. c10 Yellow Wagtails. The male Redstart still around, having moved to the bushes bordering Pinkhill. The Knot continues to give fantastic close views. 2 Common Sandpipers and a summer plumage Dunlin with a Greenshank in the evening. Lots of Black-headed Gulls still feeding over both reservoirs. A distinct lack of hirundines today.
Image:
Water Pipit & Grey Wagtail, 14th April.
11th
Moderate SW wind, rain in pm.
5 Shelduck present all day. 7 Common Terns. 1 Knot. 1 Common Sandpiper and the Turnstone. A huge arrival of c700+Swallows. c10 House Martins. Up 20 Yellow Wagtails. and 10 White Wagtails.
Image:
Swallow, 11th April.
10th
Light northerly wind, sunshine.
An adult Kittiwake on F.2 in the evening. Still 1 Knot plus 4 Common Sandpipers. The Yellow Wagtail count up to 20+ with 10+ White Wagtails. 4 House Martins over F.1. The Redstart still present and good numbers of Meadow Pipits with at least 30 in the morning.
Image:
Meadow Pipit, 10th April.
9th
Calm first thing then increasing northerly wind, some sunshine, showers in the evening. Chilly again.
The 2 Knot still present plus 2 Common Sandpiper. Rather surprisingly the male Redstart stayed overnight. Up to 20 Reed Buntings, 10+ White Wagtails and 5 Yellow Wagtails. Hirundine numbers picked up in the evening with a significant arrival of Swallows with c250 present along with 3 House Martins. Common Terns increased to 3.
Image:
Knot, 9th April (photo: Justin Taylor).
8th
A fresh westerly wind, long sunny spells, but cold.
Plenty of variety today. An Osprey flew through at lunchtime. Two Knot spent the whole day on the southern shore of the causeway and an Oystercatcher flew over. 2 Common Sandpipers completed the wader line up. The star passerine was a splendid male Redstart feeding along the fence bordering Shrike Meadow. Also 2 male Wheatears present. The Yellow Wagtail count reached 12 keeping company with at least 7 White Wagtails. Plenty of Sand Martins and c50 Swallows. 2 Blackcaps and there were Willow Warblers singing all over the place! 2 Common Terns in the evening.
Image:
Image:
Top left male Wheatear. Top right male Redstart. Bottom left Knot. Bottom right Sand Martin. April 8th.
7th
Calm first thing, then fresh westerly, sunny spells and again chilly.
2 Common Terns. Turnstone the only wader today. Plenty of hirundines with just a solitary House Martin. 8 Yellow Wagtails and c6 White Wagtails. Lots of singing Willow Warblers and up to 8 male Reed Buntings at the top of the causeway.
Image:
Willow Warbler, 7th April.
Image:
Reed Bunting, 7th April.
6th
Wind moderate westerly, sunny but chilly.
Highlight today was a pair of Garganey on Pinkhill. The first Common Tern of the year over F.2 in the evening. A Black-tailed Godwit briefly plus the long staying Turnstone, 2 Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper. 4 Shelduck were seen in the morning. Still good numbers of Sand Martins & Swallows 6 Yellow Wagtails and 5+ White Wagtails 3 male Reed Buntings on the causeway. Several singing Willow Warblers in evidence. Lots of Black-headed Gulls surface feeding over both reservoirs.
Image:
Garganey, Pinkhill Reserve, 6th April.
5th
A light NNW wind and clear skies.
A large passage of hirundines first thing with somewhere in the region of 800+ birds, mostly Sand Martins with c100 Swallows. Waders today: 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin. The Yellow Wagtail count up to 6 and at least 5 White Wagtails. Bird of day was a spring plumage Water Pipit at the top of the causeway.
Still a sizeable gull roost.
Image:
Water Pipit, 5th April.
4th
The wind moved back to a chilly north-easterly, but fairly bright and sunny for most of the day.
A Rock Pipit on the causeway along with 3 Yellow Wagtails & 6+ White Wagtails. A Ringed Plover and Dunlin plus a 1st year Great-black-backed Gull loitering on the causeway.
At least 350 Sand Martins in the evening with a solitary House Martin and c20 Swallows.
Image:
Great Black-backed Gull & Ringed Plover, 4th April.
3rd
Bright, but cool with a moderate NNW wind.
A single Yellow Wagtail in company with 5 White Wagtails. c150 Sand Martins and 5+ Swallows. 6+ male Reed Buntings at the top of the causeway and a winter plumaged Dunlin.
Image:
Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail, 3rd April.
Image:
Common Buzzard, 3rd April.
2nd
1 Sandwich Tern.
4 Shelduck.
1 Dunlin.
1 Common Sandpiper.
2 Ringed Plover.
1 Yellow Wagtail.
1 House Martin.
1st
A good selection of birds today with some obvious migration well underway...
2 Sand Martin.
1 Swallow.
1 House Martin.
1 Short-eared Owl, flew east high over F2.
1 Little Ringed Plover.
2 White Wagtail.
2 Yellow Wagtail.
1 Barn Owl.
1 Oystercatcher.
1+ Willow Warbler.
20+ Sand Martin.
1 Buzzard.
4+ Chiffchaff.
30th
7 Sand Martin.
2 Swallow.
1 Barn Owl.
Cetti's Warbler (Pinkhill).
An adult Kittiwake in the roost.
29th
1 Little Ringed Plover.
1 Turnstone.
1 Dunlin.
2 Redpoll.
2 Sand Martin.
1 Wheatear.
Chiffchaff singing.
28th
1 male Wheatear.
27th
1 Swallow.
2 Sand Martin.
25th
Willow Warbler, first of the year, in the exact same spot that the species was first recorded in spring last year.
4 Sand Martin.
1 Turnstone.
1 Redshank.
2 Reed Buntings, causeway.
23rd
The first winter Glaucous Gull early am.
Turnstone still present and a couple of (migrant) Reed Buntings on the causeway.
ROOST:
1st winter Little Gull.
Adult summer Mediterranean Gull.
20th
Common Scoter, a male & female, on F2.
1 Ruddy Duck.
2 Redshank.
1 Turnstone.
1 Dunlin.
ROOST:
1st winter Little Gull.
17th
Dark-bellied Brent Goose still present.
The long staying Turnstone also still around.
ROOST:
1st winter Little Gull
16th
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose in fields next to Shrike Meadow today.
ROOST:
1st winter Little Gull.
15th
ROOST:
First winter Glaucous Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull
14th
1 1st winter Little Gull.
I Oystercatcher.
1 Turnstone.
2 Dunlin.
13 Goosander.
ROOST:
1st winter Glaucous Gull This bird was present mid afternoon at Dix Pit.
13th
Rock Pipit on causeway this morning.
1st winter Little Gull in roost.
Late News:
A Jack Snipe was seen well on Shrike Meadow on 5th March (see photos page). A species hard enough to see at Farmoor, let alone photograph!
12th
ROOST:
First winter Mediterranean Gull
11th
An adult Kittiwake and 1st winter Little Gull, both present late pm.
10th
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull (a diiferent bird to the two adults last night).
9th
An adult Mediterranean Gull present this morning.
ROOST:
Without doubt the most exciting roost of the winter. An adult Iceland Gull was perhaps the regular bird, although that was last seen on 25th February, so this could be a new individual? Also an adult Kumlien's Gull This is almost certainly the regular wintering bird that is seen at Chew Valley Lake and nearby Cotswold Water Park. It first visited Farmoor on 19th March last year. Three Mediterranean Gulls: 2 Adults, both summer plumage birds, one with a slightly less complete hood (photographed), and a second summer.
8th
Pretty quiet still. The Turnstone still around, and a Red Kite seen again. The local Black-headed Gulls displaying on Pinkhill. The highlight an adult Mediterranean Gull resplenent in full summer plumage in the roost.
6th
1 Red Kite
3 Buzzards.
1 Turnstone.
c350 Golden Plover flew through.
2 Redshank.
5th
Eight Bewick's Swans arrived mid morning and spent the day on Farmoor 1.
1 Turnstone.
1 Ringed Plover.
64 Pochard.
4th
The run of 'white-winged gulls' continued today with a splendid 1st winter Glaucous Gull. The bird was only present for about 15 minutes resting on the ice (see Photos Page). It then moved over to Dix staying there until about 10.30 when it flew off west.
The first winter Iceland Gull was again in the roost.
3rd
Little of note, the Turnstone still present plus 2 Redshank and 44 Goldeneye still in residence (and the males displaying like mad!!)
ROOST:
The 1st winter Iceland Gull again in the roost, having been at Dix all afternoon.
Also a second winter Mediterranean Gull
2nd
ROOST:
No sign of the 1st w Iceland Gull (although it was at Dix early p.m.)
Adult Mediterranean Gull.
1st
2 Shelduck.
1 Turnstone.
ROOST:
A nice start to the month in the shape of another Iceland Gull, This time a First winter bird. Found late pm at Dix (see photos page), it roosted on F2.
25th
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
1stw. Mediterranean Gull
24th
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
Albino Black-headed Gull
23rd
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
21st
1 Turnstone
c15 lapwing
1 Peregrine
ROOST:
Albino Black-headed Gull
Adult Iceland Gull
20th
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
Albino Black-headed Gull
19th
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull again.
14th
ROOST:
Two Mediterranean Gulls: Adult & 2nd winter.
12th
1 Turnstone.
102 Pochard.
c40 Goldeneye.
10 Meadow Pipits.
2 Little Grebes.
25 Gadwall
10 Teal (Pinkhill).
1 Water Rail (Pinkhill).
1 Peregrine.
The wintering Water Pipit was last seen on 27th January. This would be a rather premature departure date so it might have been taken by a predator? Sparrowhawks are regularly seen hunting the causeway......
10th
1 Little Egret.
1 Turnstone.
3 Redshank.
1 Curlew.
3 Siskin.
11 Little Grebes.
46 Goldeneye.
1 Barn Owl.
c150 Golden Plover.
ROOST:
The adult Iceland Gull reappeared having been absent for a week.
8th
1 Red Kite.
1 Turnstone.
1 Dulin.
6th
Little of note:
2 Ruddy Ducks.
1 Turnstone.
ROOST:
2nd winter Mediterranaen Gull
5th
1 Little Egret flew over F.2 at 17.00
1 Turnstone.
3 Redshank.
2 Dunlin.
1 Peregrine.
No sign of Iceland Gull in roost.
4th
1 Turnstone.
2 Dunlin.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Water Rail.
No sign of Iceland Gull in the roost.
3rd
2 Dunlin.
I Turnstone.
36 Goosanders in evening.
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull.
2nd
2 Water Rails.
Cetti's Warbler (heard at Pinkhill).
1 Turnstone.
2 Dunlin.
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
Of interest: Ewan Urquhart found a dead Cormorant on 24th December 2005. It was carrying a BTO ring. He reported the details and has been informed that it was ringed as nestling at Inverbervie, Grampian Region, Scotland on 22nd June 2005. It had moved a distance of 568km
31st
2 Dunlin.
ROOST:
Ault Iceland Gull again.
29th
1 Turnstone.
1 Dunlin.
3 Redshank.
ROOST:
2nd winter Mediterranean Gull.
28th
Little of note, the rather unseasonal Turnstone still present.
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
27th
1 Turnstone.
1 Water Pipit.
3 Redshank.
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
26th
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
Adult Caspian Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull
24th
18 Wigeon.
12 Goosander.
1 Ruddy Duck.
ROOST:
Adult Mediterranean Gull.
23rd
16 Goosander.
Water Pipit still present.
ROOST:
No sign of the Iceland Gull tonight but the first (adult) Mediterranean Gull of the year.
1 adult Caspian Gull.
22nd
An adult Caspian Gull in the roost
21st
ROOST:
Adult Iceland Gull
Adult Caspian Gull
19th
Adult Iceland Gull in roost.
14th
The main attraction was the roost with the adult Iceland Gull arriving at 15.55.
13th
Nothing really of note other than the adult Iceland Gull which arrived in the roost at 16.30 and showed reasonably well. It had earlier spent at least two hours at nearby Lynch Hill Fisheries Lake at SU420044.
12th
1 Male Pintail.
1 Water Pipit.
2 Black-necked Grebes reported.
ROOST:
No sign of the Iceland Gull, but it was seen at Dix Pit during the afternoon.
10th
ROOST:
The Iceland Gull arrived at the roost at 16.15 but was hard to see in the failing light and choppy water.
9th
ROOST:
Adult Caspian Gull.
The Iceland Gull left the roost this morning and headed straight to Dix Pit (see photos page). It was still there at lunchtime but couldn't be found in the roost in the evening. However this was mainly due to very misty conditions and flighty birds making viewing very difficult.
8th
Pretty much as yesterday but an adult Iceland Gull was in the roost. This is probably the usual bird that turns up at this time of year. It will hopefully spend a few days at Dix Pit and roost at the reservoir.
7th
1 Black-necked Grebe.
1 Water Pipit.
1 Knot.
1 Water Rail.
1 Willow Tit (near Pinkhill).
16 Goosander.
3rd
1 Water Pipit.
1 Black-necked Grebe.
16 Goosander.
1st
3 Black-necked Grebe.
1 Peregrine.
1 Water Pipit.
ROOST:
Adult Caspian Gull.
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