The Log Book features records of any interesting sightings, scarce & rare visitors, migrant arrivals and high counts etc. It does not attempt to include every species present.
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19th
Cloudy with some sunny spells. Wind: SW 3.
4 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling and 4 Dunlin the only notable birds today.
16th
Mostly cloudy, a few bright spells. Wind: SSW 4-5
There were 6 Whimbrel resting on the wave wall in the morning, they flew NW at 09.45. Otherwise a single Arctic Tern, 2 Hobbies, 2 Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin.
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The six Whimbrel leaving the reservoir this morning.
15th
Murky then cloudy with sunny spells, rain later. Wind SSW 2 increasing 3-4
Just 8 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Redshank. A rather late Wheatear and a White Wagtail. Hirundine numbers increased in the evening with c200 House Martins.
14th
Rather murky. Rain by evening. Wind: ENE 0-1
Much quieter. A single Black Tern, spent most of the day asleep on one of the buoys on F.2. 3 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin and 3 Common Sandpiper. A Little Egret over and 1 Hobby. Practically no hirundines.
13th
Rain first thing, then murky and drizzly. Wind ESE 2-3
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Summer plumaged Knot, clearly 'wader of the day'.
One of those days were the reservoir certainly lived up to it's reputation as the counties premier migration watchpoint. Birds (waders in particular) were moving through all day. The first Black Terns of the spring finally arrived with 4 present on F.2. from around 7am 'til dusk. c45 Common Terns dropped in at 8am but lingered for just a few minutes. 4 Common Sandpipers were the only waders to begin with, but a Bar-tailed Godwit flew over mid morning. 2 Knot were found after lunch and stayed for the afternoon but 5 Turnstone were fleeting visitors, although 10 summer plumaged Dunlin quickly took their place. A vocal and very mobile Grey Plover this evening and the wader tally was completed by 5 Sanderling, four of which promptly went to roost on the barley bales. Hirundine passage built up through the day, particularly House Martins with many perching in the trees at the southern end of F.2.
8th
Heavy showers early am, then sunny and blustery. Wind SW5-6
Just 5 Sanderling first thing but more Turnstones arrived mid morning with 8 on the causeway, they didn't stay long. Also 3 Ringed Plover and three Dunlin. Masses of Swifts and a good passage of Swallows with c200 over F.2. A Little Egret flew through and a Cetti's Warbler again near Pinkhill. Just 7 Common Terns with no sign of breeding as yet. The Black-headed Gulls are all now incubating.
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Sanderling, 8th May.
7th
Cloudy and cool with a few showers. Wind SW3-4
A bit of action at last with a decent passage of waders today: A single Whimbrel, 13 Sanderling, 15 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher.
4th
Cloudy, chilly. A few light showers. Wind WNW4
The highlight of another lacklustre day was 3 Red-crested Pochard! That says something about how dreadfully dull it's been over the last couple of weeks. There has been very little obvious migration with the exception of a huge arrival of Swifts over the weekend. There have been a few Common Sandpipers passing through, with a maximum of just 5, along with 2 Sanderling and 2 Dunlin this morning. A single Whinchat was seen last week and a Cetti's Warbler at Pinkhill. There is obviously no gull roost at the moment, but the breeding Black-headed Gulls on the old raft are good value. The 2 new rafts have now been launched and hopefully will attract some Common Terns to breed.
27th
Heavy showers. Wind S then W 3. Calmer by evening.
A very disappointing day given the weather conditions. Just a single Arctic Tern (Nearby, Calvert had 50+ this evening). Hirundine numbers built up during the day, but only 1 House Martin. 10+ Yellow Wagtails.
24th
Mostly sunny but cloud increasing, cooler than of late. Wind: SE4 decreasing by evening.
The first winter Little Gull again today. A Whimbrel and 2 Dunlin. Still 1+ Grasshopper Warbler at Pinkhill Lock. A Little Egret on Shrike Meadow. 7 Common Terns. 11 Yellow Wagtails.
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Whimbrel taking a breather on the causeway this morning.
23rd
Sunny with some thin high cloud increasing in the evening, warmish. Wind SSW2
The only birds of note today were 2+ Grasshopper Warblers singing near Pinkhill Lock and 10 Yellow Wagtails. The reservoir itself is almost bird free apart from a single Common Sandpiper and 6 Common Terns.
22nd
Warm and sunny. Calm
Conditions at the reservoir more like mid summer than mid April with the place feeling practically bird free. The only obvious signs of migration was another Wheatear joining yesterdays bird. Otherwise the Little Gull still frequenting F.1. a Little Egret and the Common Sandpiper. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing near Pinkhil Lock this morning.
21st
Sunny and warm. Wind: NW2
The first winter Little Gull still. Single Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Oystercatcher. 1 Wheatear and 7 Yellow Wagtails
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First summer male Wheatear, 21st April.
20th
Sunny and warm.
The dreaded wall to wall sunshine, calm conditions and virtually cloudless skies ensured that today was practically bird free. Just a left over Little Gull and a pair of Shelduck, 7 Yellow Wagtails and a single Common Sandpiper. The Bonaparte's Gull was looked for in vain this evening.
19th
Cloudy and chilly first thing, warmer with long sunny spells later. Wind: NE2
There was no sign of the adult Bonaparte's Gull in the roost this evening despite about twenty people looking, but 10 Common Gulls were notable
5 Little Gulls (3 adults and 2 first summer), a single Arctic Tern early morning only. A Curlew and 2 Common Sandpipers. c12 Yellow Wagtails and 5+ White Wagtails. A Cetti's Warbler singing on Pinkhill this evening.
18th
Sunny spells but partly cloudy. Chilly.
The adult BONAPARTE'S GULL again in the roost on F.1. It took a bit of finding this evening but eventually showed quite well from the top of the causeway just after 20.00.
A pretty quiet day with 4 Little Gulls the only other birds of note.
17th
Murky, drizzly & damp.
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The BONAPARTE'S GULL gave it's best views of the week this evening. Arriving at about 18.30, it was very inactive and reasonably close at about 150 metres offshore. Seeing the bird so well it was possible to detect just a tiny bit of white flecking remaining in the hood.
Another good day and a reasonable passage of Arctic Terns with 2 birds flying into F.1 at 08.40, followed by a further 8 a short while later. They stayed until dusk. Also 6+ Common Terns. Waders again made a reasonable showing with 2 Whimbrel, 1 Sanderling, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper and 8 Dunlin. Another poor Yellow Wagtail count with only about five birds all day, one of which was a 'Blue-headed type'. Also just 2+ White Wagtails.
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Arctic Tern, 17th April. Always one of the most enjoyable migrants of the spring.
16th
Heavy showers, murky, ENE3
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The adult BONAPARTE'S GULL present for it's sixth day. Arriving in the roost nice and early at 18.15. The body moult is now complete and the bird is in full summer plumage.
Superb weather conditions produced one of the best days of the spring. An Avocet arrived mid morning, swimming and feeding with a small group of Black-headed Gulls in the centre of F.1. It made a couple of brief visits to the causeway but appeared much happier out on the open water. A summer plumaged Grey Plover also put in a brief appearance at lunchtime. 6 Whimbrel passed through during the morning. Little Gull numbers rose steadily throughout the day peaking at 10 (9 adults, 1 first summer) by early evening. Common Terns reached double figures for the first time this year with 15 on F.1. There was a single Common Sandpiper. Just 4 Yellow Wagtails, an appalling spring for this species with numbers usually in the low 20's by mid April. Similarly just 1 White Wagtail.
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Avocet on the causeway, 16th April. One of the scarcest waders at Farmoor. This is the first since 2002, rarer at the reservoir than Bonaparte's Gulls!
15th
Strange weather. Very wet and cold first thing. Then an increasing ENE wind with broken sunshine but surprisingly warm at times.
The adult BONAPARTE'S GULL showed very nicely from c19.10 onwards in the F.1. roost. The speed of this birds body moult is quite staggering. In just five days it has transformed from a rather moth eaten looking individual to a beautiful summer plumaged adult. The black hood is virtually complete and the only thing missing is the pink flush to the underparts.........
Also today 2 Arctic Terns and 6+ Common Terns. There was a Grasshopper Warbler singing at Pinkhill at lunchtime and again this evening. 1+ White Wagtail and just 3 Yellow Wagtails. A passage of c200 hirundines (Mostly Sand Martins & Swallows) in the early rain, all had left by mid morning.
14th
Sunny and warm with some cloud and a few light showers. SE.2.
The BONAPARTE'S GULL arrived at 19.00 this evening. It was constantly on view and showed pretty well for at least an hour. It again favoured the eastern section of F.1. Also today an adult summer Little Gull, 8 Common Terns and 4 Yellow Wagtails.
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Top: Adult Little Gull. Below: Adult BONAPARTE'S GULL, 14th April. Dreadful videograbs but the right hand frame just shows the pale underside to the primaries. Even in just four days the head moult appears to have advanced.
13th
Warm, calm & sunny.
The BONAPARTE'S GULL again today. It was present from 12.45 to 13.15 when it was flushed by a Buzzard passing overhead and flew off high NW. It was in company with just a few Black-headed Gulls and spent the entire time on F.1. often resting on the barley bales. It returned to roost at 19.15.
Otherwise another very quiet day with just 7 Common Terns, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a single White Wagtail.
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Adult BONAPARTE'S GULL in the roost, F.1, 13th April. The bird began feeding frantically as soon as it arrived this evening. It's a little mystifying that it is spending so much time away from the reservoir and it's obvious abundant food supply.
12th
Mostly dull and cloudy.
No sign of the Bonaparte's Gull all day. The first winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost. 3+ Common Terns. A few Swifts early evening.
11th
Calm, mostly cloudy.
An adult BONAPARTE'S GULL was a very nice surprise this afternoon. Surface feeding with Black-headed Gulls in the western section of F.1. Initially seen at some distance at around 16.30 but then showed quite well before moving further out into the centre of the reservoir. It moved over to ploughed fields in Farmoor village at c18.15 and remained there until at least 19.45. The bird has a well developed hood and is in almost full summer plumage. This is the fourth record for Farmoor and Oxon, but the first adult.
Also today the first winter Mediterranean Gull still plus 2 Little Gulls, 2 Common Scoter 10+ Yellow Wagtails and Water Pipit.
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Adult BONAPARTE'S GULL, F.1. 11th April. Rubbish video grabs. Hopefully if the bird lingers (all the others have) there will be better pics........
10th
Mostly cloudy with some light rain.
The first winter Mediterranean Gull in the same spot this evening. The first 3 Common Terns of the spring plus 3+ Swifts. 6 House Martins. A Water Pipit & 7 Yellow Wagtails. The Aythya Hybrid on Pinkhill plus singing Cetti's Warbler
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The obligatory April Yellow Wagtail pic'.
9th
Cloudy, some light rain. Wind SE 3
The gull roost virtually over and consisting of mainly first year Black-headed Gulls. Most birds are now on F.1. and the majority rather obsessed with the barley bales, including a first winter Mediterranean Gull. Just 2 Common Gulls and a handful of larger gulls. Otherwise very boring. Just 5+ Yellow Wagtails a single Rock Pipit and Wheatear. The reservoir is full to overflowing, so very unattractive to waders, although there was a single Dunlin and Common Sandpiper.
5th
Sunny, then cloudy. calm and warmish.
An extremely tedious, virtually bird-free weekend was enlivened this evening by a juvenile Iceland Gull. It arrived reasonably early into the F.2. roost, but then moved over to F.1 and found the barely bales to it's liking. A first winter Mediterranean Gull also present. Several Black-headed Gulls are paired up, displaying and copulating on the barley bales. It's to be hoped they don't actually attempt to breed on them, since they are rather unstable and deteriorate very quickly.
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Juvenile Iceland Gull, 5th April. A familiar bird which roosted on 30th March and 1st April and has also been seen at Sutton Courtenay. It was most obliging this evening, being present for the last hour and a half of daylight.
3rd
Misty first thing, then sunny and warmish.
A first winter Caspian Gull roosted on F.2. this evening together with a first winter Little Gull. The Great Northern Diver arrived from Dix Pit early evening. A Grey Plover flew through at lunchtime. A Water Pipit briefly this morning. The first Yellow Wagtail of the spring, plus 1 White Wagtail and a male Wheatear
2nd
Sunny and warm
A Water Pipit, Rock Pipit & White Wagtail on the causeway this morning. The Great Northern Diver arrived on F.2. at 19.30.
1st
Bright and sunny first thing, cloudy and a light NE breeze later.
A juvenile Iceland Gull roosted on F.2. this evening along with the very vociferous juvenile Great Northern Diver.
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31st
Calm, sunshine with some cloud. Warmish.
There were 4 Common Scoter (2 drakes) on F.2 all day. Also 9 Little Gulls (8 adults, 1 1st winter) and an adult Kittiwake. The Great Northern Diver again roosted on F.2. An Oystercatcher on Shrike Meadow plus 2 Redshank and the Aythya Hybrid. 1+ Cetti's Warbler singing on Pinkhill.
30th
Bright and sunny first thing, then cloudy and rather chilly.
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A panoramic view of just a small segment of F2. At least 2,000 Black-headed Gulls were present late morning.
A juvenile Iceland Gull roosted on F.2. this evening.
Still a huge passage of Black-headed Gulls with c2,000 on F.2. by late morning. In amongst them were 2 first summer Mediterranean Gulls. Just 5 Common Gulls. The Great Northern Diver roosted on F.2. 3 Shelducks this morning. c200 Sand Martins and 8+ Swallows this evening. 30 Meadow Pipits near Shrike Meadow.
The Aythya Hybrid on Pinkhill displaying to a female Tufted Duck. 2 Little Egrets flew over.
24th
Sunny then cloudy later. Chilly NW wind.
An adult Kittiwake on F.2. this evening plus 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults, 1 second summer) and 1st w Little Gull. The Great Northern Diver roosted again. A reasonable passage of Sand Martins. 2 Redshank and the Aythya Hybrid.
23rd
Cool, mostly cloudy with a moderate SW wind.
4 Little Gulls (3 adults and 1 1stw). 2 Shelduck. A Cetti's Warbler singing briefly and 2 Redshank.
22nd
Sunny, but a bit chilly in the moderate NW wind.
A real Mediterranean Gull bonanza this evening with at least 6 birds in the roost, although I suspect there were more present. Five of them were adults, all in full summer plumage, plus a second summer. At least 2 of the adults were paired and indulged in some courtship display. Another 3 were resting to the east of the main body of birds but the highly distinctive call was heard on a number of occasions coming from other sections of the roost. Each spring the Mediterranean Gull passage seems to reach a peak and tonight seemed to have been the night. Plenty of Black-headed Gulls still throughout the day with a single first winter Little Gull mid afternoon.
21st
Sunny, very light variable breeze, warmish.
A good passage of Black-headed Gulls with birds moving through most of the day and many feeding off the large hatch of 'buzzers' on F.2. A group of 5 Little Gulls appeared mid morning and stayed for just a couple of hours, resting on F.2 and often hawking quite high above the water. There were 2+ Wheatears, the Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and single Redshank and Oystercatcher.
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Adult winter Little Gull on F.2.
20th
Sunny, calm and fairly warm.
2 juvenile Iceland Gulls roosted on F.2. this evening. A small passage of Little Gulls today with 7 adults on F.2. from late morning onwards, a week or so earlier than normal, but hardly surprising given that the weather has been more like mid April than mid March. The Little Ringed Plover, the Aythya Hybrid and 12+ Goldeneye. The Great Northern Diver arrived from Dix to roost early evening. Single Raven, Peregrine and Curlew also seen today. There were 20+ Pipstrelle bats feeding around the sailing club buildings at dusk.
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Adult winter Little Gull, 20th April. Most unusually all of today's birds were in virtually identical plumage.
19th
Misty start, then sunny with a cool ENE breeze.
A Little Ringed Plover was the highlight this morning. An adult Mediterranean Gull on F.2 late p.m. The Aythya Hybrid has reappeared on Pinkhill. 2 Little Egrets over Shrike Meadow plus 3 Red Kites.
18th
Sunny, calm & warm
20 Sand Martins first thing. The Great Northern Diver on F.2. this evening. At least 3 singing Chiffchaffs a pair of Shoveler and 2 Little Egrets on Pinkhill. An Oystercatcher flew over this evening. Unfortunately there was no repeat of yesterdays gull roost excitement.
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The barley bales were installed today. A very welcome sight. As in previous years they will hopefully be utilised as resting and roosting platforms for gulls, terns and waders.
17th
Sunny and spring like.
There were 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls in the roost on F.2. this evening plus a second winter Caspian Gull and 2 Mediterranean Gulls, (both summer plumaged adults). The second winter Caspian Gull was also present on Saturday. The reservoir has been deadly dull during the daytime over the last three weeks, with the gull roost providing the only excitement.
Mediterranean Gulls are present most evenings, more often than not beautiful full summer plumaged adults.
Otherwise one of the Great Northern Divers and the pair of Scaup are commuting between Dix Pit and the reservoir. A Short-eared Owl was on Shrike Meadow on Friday evening and up the 3 Barn Owls are being seen regularly. The first Sand Martins of the year have arrived over the last few days and one or two Little Egrets are in the Pinkhill/Shrike Meadow area. Several pairs of Black-headed Gulls are displaying around Pinkhill.
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1 of the 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls in the roost this evening
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Second winter Caspian Gull, 14th March. This bird was present for the last couple of hours of daylight on Saturday (and again on 17th). Quite a large individual, probably a male. Very white headed with quite a colourful bill. A very slender and attenuated gull. It had a classic wing pattern with a solid greater coverts bar, broad white tertial tips, a tiny mirror in P.10. and gleaming underwing coverts.
23rd
Cloudy and fairly mild.
The Bittern seen again in flight on Pinkhill today also a count of 39 Snipe on Shrike Meadow/Pinkhill. A 'redhead' Smew on F.2. late pm. The 2 Scaup, 3 Goosander and an adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost.
22nd
Mostly cloudy, light NW wind.
The juvenile Iceland Gull again in the roost on F.2. Also adult Mediterranean Gull and the 2 Scaup.
21st
Sunny and very mild.
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls in the roost. The 2 Scaup a Barn Owl on Shrike Meadow and a Peregrine over. A Brimstone butterfly.
20th
Sunny and quite mild.
A second winter Caspian Gull on F.1. this evening. The 2 Scaup also on F.1. c30 Goldeneye and 8 Pochard.
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Second winter Caspian Gull, F1, 20th February
19th
Mostly cloudy and quite mild.
The Great Northern Divers appear to have left at the weekend with one of them being seen at nearby Dix Pit on Saturday (ACH). That just leaves the 2 Scaup and a few Goldeneye. There were 100+ Lapwing over this morning and a few Meadow Pipits. The gull roost is very small, hardly surprising given that there are no birds at either Dix Pit or Sutton Courtenay.
13th
Sunny and chilly.
The 2 Great Northern Divers. The 2 Scaup and the Common Sandpiper. c 40 Goldeneye and 10 Pochard. Virtually no gull roost since a large part of Oxfordshire is now under water and the gulls are spread out all over the place!
11th
Some sunny spells, rain later, chilly.
A Bittern was seen briefly in flight at Pinkhill this afternoon (DJ). Also a Water Rail there and 3+ Barn Owls plus a few Redpolls. The 2 Great Northern Divers and the 2 Scaup. The Common Sandpiper has reappeared. 30 Skylarks over.
10th
Mostly sunny and calm, chilly.
The 2 Great Northern Divers and the 2 Scaup. c30 Goldeneye, 2 Redshank.
5th & 6th
Snow.
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The reservoir has been closed for the last two days due to the heavy snow. The virtually complete lack of disturbance has resulted in large numbers of gulls loafing on the causeway embankment, something you never normally see at Farmoor.
4th
Mainly sunny, light SE wind, chilly.
The juvenile Iceland Gull again in the roost on F.2 but not seen until 17.12 when the light was very poor. The usual adult Mediterranean Gull also.
The 2 Great Northern Divers and the 2 Scaup. c40 Meadow Pipits with many feeding along the shoreline.
3rd
A juvenile Iceland Gull roosted on F.2. plus the adult Mediterranean Gull.
The 2 Great Northern Divers and the 2 Scaup. c25 Goldeneye, hardly any Tufted Ducks.4 Redshank and 2 Dunlin.
30th
Grey and cold, light SE wind.
The 2 regular Mediterranean Gulls (adult & second winter) roosted on F.2. The 2 Great Northern Divers and the pair of Scaup again showing very well on F.1. 32 Goldeneye and 5 Gadwall. The Barn Owl hunting on Pinkhill, plus 2 Stonechats.
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The smaller and more elusive of the 2 Great Northern Divers, this one generally comes closer to the shore only in the late afternoon. The average 'dive time' for the Farmoor birds is c70 seconds. However the species can stay submerged for much longer, apparently up to eight minutes in exceptional circumstances!
29th
Cloudy and cold with a light SE wind.
A little bit of excitement this evening with 2 Egyptian Geese spotted by DJ flying over F.2. Luckily they landed, but for just a mere five minutes or so before heading off SE. Otherwise the 2 Great Northern Divers, the 2 Scaup, the Common Sandpiper in its usual spot by the bus shelter pontoon. 1 Redshank.
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One of the 2 Egyptian Geese, F.2. 29th January.
28th
Dull, misty, calm and bleak.
The adult Mediterranean Gull roosted on F.2. Just 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. Tufted Duck numbers continue to decrease daily with just 26 left! The 2 Great Northern Divers and the pair of Scaup still. 2 Redshank and the Common Sandpiper.
26th
Sunny and calm.
A second winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost. A Red Kite over. The 2 Great Northern Divers and 2 Scaup. 2 Redshank and the Common Sandpiper.
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Actually quite a rare event to witness one of the Great Northern Divers in flight.
25th
Cloudy and chilly. Light SSW wind.
The regular adult Mediterranean Gull arrived nice and early as usual into the F.1. roost. The 2 Great Northern Divers still, with the smaller bird making an excursion to F.1. for the day, but joining the other to roost as usual in the centre of F.2. The 2 Scaup and 8 Teal briefly. The 3 Redshank and the Common Sandpiper. 10 Meadow Pipits.
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Roosting Gulls, 25th January. The bulk of the Herring Gulls that roost at Farmoor are of the large 'Northern' population: L.a.argentatus (centre bird). They are generally big and brutish, a shade darker and with reduced black in the wingtip. They make the British race: L.a.argenteus (front bird) look positively meek in comparison.
24th
Mostly sunny, calm and cold.
There were 2 Mediterranean Gulls in the roost: the regular adult and a second winter, plus 3+ Yellow-legged Gulls. The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. and the 2 Scaup on F.1. Generally very low numbers of birds: Just 53 Tufted Duck (even the hybrid has gone!), 23 Goldeneye, 35 Mallard, 2 Pochard and 2 Gadwall. Coot numbers drastically reduced as are Great Crested Grebes. Still up to 8 Little Grebes. The Common Sandpiper and 3 Redshank. Very quiet around the Pinkhill/Shrike Meadow Reserve.
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Second winter Mediterranean Gull, F1 roost. 24th January.
23rd
Mostly sunny, moderate WNW wind. Chilly.
The adult Kittiwake roosted on F.2. this afternoon. The 2 Great Northern Divers also on F.2. The 2 Scaup on F.1 also 1 Pochard and 12 Goldeneye. The Common Sandpiper favouring the boat pontoon near the 'bus shelter'. 3 Redshank and a single Dunlin. Just a few Meadow Pipits around the shoreline.
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Adult Kittiwake F.2 roost, 23rd January. Presumably yesterdays bird.
22nd
Sunny, showers, light SW wind.
An adult Kittiwake flew into F.1. this afternoon. The 2 Great Northern Divers and the 2 Scaup. Tufted Duck numbers reduced even further with just 45 this afternoon. c20 Goldeneye. 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank and the Common Sandpiper.
21st
Sunny, chilly.
The adult Mediterranean Gull and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost. The 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Scaup, 3 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and the Common Sandpiper.
20th
Mainly sunny with a few showers late afternoon.
The main interest today proved to be the gull roost with a 3rd winter Caspian Gull on F.2. and the adult Mediterranean Gull present for it's ninth evening. Otherwise the same old familiar faces, the 2 Great Northern Divers (calling to each other this evening), the 2 Scaup, the Common Sandpiper, 1+ Jack Snipe on Shrike Meadow and a single Dunlin.
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Lovers of 'pin-sharp' DSLR photos look away now! This is a good old fashioned 'video-grab' and worth it's weight in gold. This fabulous 3rd winter Caspian Gull arrived into the F.2 roost quite late. After savouring the bird for a while, it was filmed in near darkness at a range of about 150 metres. Even on this most dreadful of 'record-shots' the distinctive cachinnans 'jizz' is evident, most notably the head and bill structure. Some plumage features are also just about visible, the most obvious being the distinctive neck shawl of dense streaking.
19th
Mostly cloudy with a few bright spells. light SW wind, chilly.
The adult Mediterranean Gull on F.1 late p.m. The 2 Great Northern Divers, the 2 Scaup showing very well on F.1. 2 Dunlin, the Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank, (one of these was colour-ringed at Beacon Pond, Kilnsea, E. Yorkshire at the end of last year. per D. Turner). 5+ Siskins near Pinkhill.
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There is a regular flock of Linnets around the reservoir and they often feed along the causeway, but are generally very flighty.
18th
Mostly sunny with a moderate SW wind. Chilly.
A case of more birdwatchers than birds. The ever present 2 Great Northern Divers, although often difficult to pick out in the choppy water. The 2 Scaup continuing to show well in the lee of the wind on F.1. c25 Goldeneye. 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank.
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One of today's Redshank (photo © George Brooks - at just 12 years old clearly an up & coming photographer). A colour ringed bird, details of which have been sent to the BTO........
16th
A few sunny spells, otherwise cloudy, light SW wind. Fairly mild.
Thank goodness for the long staying 2 Great Northern Divers and the pair of Scaup!! Pretty deadly otherwise with the highlight being the regular adult Mediterranean Gull. There were 2 Wigeon on F.2. but the Tufted Duck numbers have plummeted to only around 100 birds. 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost. The Common Sandpiper and a single Redshank. The regular Barn Owl hunting at dusk over the rough grassland north of F.1.
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Juvenile Great Northern Diver (photo © Stephen Burch). This is the larger of the two and the one that is generally encountered close in shore.
15th
Cloudy. light SW wind.
The 2 Great Northern Divers and the pair of Scaup. Tufted Duck numbers have plummeted, although the Aythya Hybrid is still with them. The Common Sandpiper and 1 Redshank. 2 Meadow Pipits, 1+ Stonechat. The adult Mediterranean Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost.
13th
Dry, sunny spells, milder.
The adult Mediterranean Gull again on F.1 this afternoon A Jack Snipe on Shrike Meadow. The 2 Great Northern Divers and the pair of Scaup. 4 Goosander, the Aythya Hybrid, Common Sandpiper and 3 Meadow Pipits, but we seem to have lost the Water Pipit. 5 adult Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost.
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Adult Mediterranean Gull, 13th January. One of the first birds coming in to the roost for the past few afternoons.
12th
Dull, wet and windy.
Things are more or less back to normal after the cold spell. A lot of the displaced wildfowl has moved back to the quickly thawing gravel pits. The adult Mediterranean Gull was again on F. 1 late p.m. Still 5 Ruddy Ducks and c 60 Pochard. The original Aythya Hybrid remains as do the pair of Scaup. The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2 as usual plus 2 Dunlin and the wintering Common Sandpiper. 8 Siskin on Pinkhill.
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The female Scaup is also starting to look much more impressive and is spending less time asleep! ( a 'videograb', the only photographic option in today's gloom).
11th
Moderate SW wind. Less cold. A dramatic overnight change in the weather.
The adult Mediterranean Gull again on F.1. late p.m. The 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Scaup, 6 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Aythya Hybrids and c 150 Wigeon. 2 Dunlin, the Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank. Just one or two Meadow Pipits.
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More ducks. The male Scaup is starting to look a little more colourful. Plus one of the 6 Ruddy Ducks on F.2 today.
9th
Misty, grey and very cold
Persistent mist and fog rendered the reservoir virtually unbirdable for a good part of the day. Conditions improved a little late pm when at least one Great Northern Diver was revealed. Also a couple of Ruddy Ducks and 11 Shoveler. The Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 2 Redshank.
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The area around the reservoir is firmly in the grip of winter with the ground frozen. There is however a lot of Mole activity. At least 3 Stonechats, several Fieldfares, quite a few Robins and even a couple of Common Snipe are feeding around the freshly dug earth.
8th
Grey, gloomy and cold.
The 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Scaup. 10 Ruddy Duck, 75+ Goldeneye, masses of Tufted Duck 2 Aythya Hybrids, 200+ Wigeon, 20 Shoveler. The Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin and 2 Redshank. 8 Goosander.
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Kingfisher on the causeway. (photo: © Mike Flemming).
7th
Cloudy, calm and very cold.
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Quite large areas of both stages of the reservoir are starting to freeze. The place is filling up with wildfowl and there was an impressive count of 985 Tufted Duck, and in amongst them yet another Aythya Hybrid making a trio of birds on F.2 today. Also 140 Pochard, c200 Wigeon, 60 Goldeneye, 6 Ruddy Duck 50 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Teal and 8 Goosander. The 2 Scaup and the 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin.
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The third Aythya Hybrid of the winter. This one is quite a good 'Lesser Scaup look-alike'
6th
Glaringly bright and very cold.
A 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was seen briefly early afternoon at Pinkhill (SG). This is a real Farmoor 'Mega' and the first record for at least 25 years. Hopefully it might still be in the area......
The adult Mediterranean Gull was on F.2 briefly mid morning then flew north. It reappeared on F.1. mid afternoon. The 2 Great Northern Divers showing extremely well. The 2 Scaup, c60 Goldeneye, the 2 Aythya Hybrids, c80 Pochard, 4 Teal, 7 Ruddy Duck and 120 Wigeon in the fields alongside the Thames. The wintering Common Sandpiper continues to show really well and allows a close approach, in stark contrast to the usual skittish behaviour of the species. 2 Redshank and c100 Golden Plover flew over. An absolutely vast gull roost that really looked as if it should have held something more exciting that just a handful of Yellow-legged Gulls.
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The 'new' Aythya Hybrid, 6th January. Quite a striking bird. The dark charcoal grey mantle is actually very finely vermiculated.
5th
A few snow flurries, sunny spells, light NE wind. Cold
A first winter Caspian Gull roosted on F.2 in company with an adult Mediterranean Gull and c6 Yellow-legged Gulls. 3 Red-crested Pochard on F.1 with the 2 Scaup, 2 Aythya Hybrids, 50+ Goldeneye and c80 Pochard. The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. at dusk. These birds can be incredibly elusive and there is a suggestion that one or both might sometimes visit the river to feed. They are very occasionally seen in flight. The Common Sandpiper still plus 4 Golden Plover and a single Dunlin. A Red Kite over mid afternoon.
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Male and female Red-crested Pochard, 5th January. This species is quite common at the nearby LWV gravel pits, but reluctantly visits Farmoor when it's regular haunts are disturbed or frozen.
4th
Cloudy, grey and very cold
With the temperature barely above freezing all day the reservoir was pretty bleak, but there was some evidence of a hard weather movement. The Smew paid another visit, having presumably been frozen out of Dix Pit. There was a new Aythya Hybrid, quite different to the regular bird still present. c80 Pochard, c450 Tufted Duck, 40+ Goldeneye, 4 Pintail, 3 Shoveler 10 Goosander and 4 Ruddy Duck. The 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Scaup and the Water Pipit. 3 Stonechats and a few Redpolls. A Peregrine made a fleeting visit late morning. 3 Black-tailed Godwits, the Common Sandpiper and single Redshank. c10 Yellow-legged Gulls
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Aythya Hybrid, 4th January. A new hybrid to ponder. Clearly a Tufted Duck with perhaps some Pochard influence......
3rd
Sunny, calm & cold
The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. The 2 Scaup on F.1. 3 Pintail, 5 Wigeon. The Water Pipit on the causeway. 8 Goosander at dusk. 6+ Yellow-legged Gulls.
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Marsh Tit (photo © Kevin Henshaw).
2nd
Cloudy, light NE wind, cold.
Another decent sized gull roost with a second winter Mediterranean Gull and c10 Yellow-legged Gulls. The 2 Great Northern Divers, the 2 Scaup, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and the Aythya hybrid.
1st
Cloudy, calm, cold.
An excellent start to the year with an adult Kumlien's Gull on F.2 this afternoon. Part of a massive gull roost which also included at least 15 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Otherwise the same old birds from last year: 2 Great Northern Divers, the 2 Scaup, the Water Pipit and the Common Sandpiper. Also single Redshank and a fly over Curlew
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