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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20th
Mild with a light SW wind and sunny spells.
Pretty much the same birds: the 2 Great Northern Divers still on F.2. The 2 Scaup and the Aythya Hybrid on F.1. c45 Goldeneye and the Ruddy Duck. The Water Pipit in it's usual spot on the causeway with c 10 Meadow Pipits also feeding around the shoreline. The Common Sandpiper and 3 Redshank. A few Siskins over. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls in a rather pathetic gull roost, not surprising given the large amount of floodwater around.
11th
Mostly cloudy, a few bright spells. Cold.
2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Scaup, the Aythya Hybrid, 12 Pochard, 1 Ruddy Duck, 7 Dunlin, 5 Redshank and the Common Sandpiper. 2 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Siskins near Lower Whitley Farm.
Lesser Redpoll, 11th December. (photo © Adam Hartley)
10th
Sunshine with some cloud. Cold.
The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. The 2 Scaup on F.1. along with the Aythya Hybrid. The Water Pipit on the causeway and 10+ Meadow Pipits. 6 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper. 1 Stonechat and 2 Lesser Redpolls in alders near the sludge pits. 6 Goosander roosted on F.1.
Image:
Stonechat, 10th December. (photo © Dai John).
9th
Sunny spells, some cloud. Light NW wind. Vhilly.
The Red-crested Pochard still, now on F.1. 1 Shelduck, 492 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup, 2 Ruddy Duck, the Aythya Hybrid, 48 Goldeneye and 10 Pochard. 6 Goosander roosted on F.1. The 2 Great Northern Divers and the Water Pipit. A single Jack Snipe in the only un-frozen bit of Shrike Meadow with 1 or 2 Snipe. 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Redshank and the Common Sandpiper. 3+ Lesser Redpolls near Pinkhill.
8th
Mostly cloudy and dull, cold.
A Red-crested Pochard out in the middle of F.2, today. This species is a less than annual visitor and is much rarer than, say, Common Scoter. It was probably from the nearby LWVPits, a few of which are frozen. Also 8 Goosander, 2 Ruddy Duck, 6+ Teal Also 2 Green Sandpipers, 8 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper. The 2 Great Northern Divers and the 2 Scaup plus c40 Goldeneye. The Water Pipit and c 20 Meadow Pipits. 2 Lesser Redpolls and the Cetti's Warbler again on Pinkhill.
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Female Red-crested Pochard, 8th December.
6th
Bright & Sunny. Chilly.
An adult Caspian Gull roosted on F.1. this evening in company with an adult Mediterranean Gull and 8 Yellow-legged Gulls. The 2 Great Northern Divers showing very well just a few feet offshore in the SW corner of F.2. this evening. The 2 Scaup still on F.1. 6 Ruddy Ducks a drake Pintail and 3 Wigeon. 7 Ruff flew over Pinkhill. 6 Redshank and a single Common Sandpiper. The ever present Water Pipit still with a few Meadow Pipits. A Raven over Pinkhill.
28th
Early fog, dull and calm.
The Ruddy Duck re-appeared today! The 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Scaup, 1 Goosander, 43 Goldeneye. The Water Pipit still and 1 Common Sandpiper.
26th
Mostly cloudy, light SW breeze.
A Brent Goose on F.1. briefly late morning. The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. and the 2 Scaup on F.1. along with the Aythya Hybrid. The Water Pipit on the causeway, 3 Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper. A Cetti's Warbler was singing and was seen briefly on Pinkhill. Masses of Redwings & Fieldfares
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Redwing, 25th November.
25th
Bright & sunny, cold N. wind.
A Short-eared Owl flew high west over F.2. mid afternoon, the third record this autumn. The 2 Scaup and the Aythya Hybrid still in with 262 Tufted Duck on F.1 Also 30+ Goldeneye, 1 Pintail, 4 Pochard and 4 Wigeon. 1 Great Northern Diver still on F.2. 3 Redshank and a Raven over early afternoon.
Image:
First winter male Scaup, 25th November.
24th
Mainly cloudy with a few bright spells. Cold NE wind.
The 2 Great Northern Divers still on F.2 all day. The 2 Scaup with the Tufted Ducks and the Hybrid on F.1. The Water Pipit on the causeway together with a few Meadow Pipits.
Image:
First winter female Scaup, 24th November.
23rd
Mostly cloudy, chilly, rain in evening.
Two very unobliging Scaup spent most of the day asleep on F.1. The Common Scoter still plus the Aythya hybrid and 35+ Goldeneye. Both Great Northern Divers remain on F.2. The Water Pipit showing well along the causeway.
21st
Mostly sunny, chilly NW wind.
A very wintery feel with lots of Redwings and Fieldfares around. The 2 Great Northern Divers remain the focus of attention, still showing very well in the SW corner of F.2. The Common Scoter present for it's third day. A few Redpolls near Pinkhill. The resident Aythya Hybrid on F.2 and Goldeneye numbers up to 38
19th
Mostly sunny.
A Common Scoter on F.2 this evening and an adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost. plus the 2 Great Northern Divers still. The Water Pipit on the causeway and c20 Meadow Pipits. 35 Goldeneye and a single Pochard
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Common Scoter, 19th November.
18th
Mostly cloudy with a few sunny spells.
The 2 Great Northern Divers still on F.2. The Water Pipit on the causeway. The Aythya Hybrid on F.1. 2 White-fronted Geese flew over mid morning. Still 3 Brambling near Shrike Meadow.
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The majority of Cormorants at Farmoor are of the continental race: P.c. sinensis, like the individual above. A few are of the North Atlantic race: P.c.carbo others are unspecified and are presumably hybrids.
17th
Cloudy and dull with some rain. Rather mild.
The Great Northern Divers were showing exceptionally well this afternoon close to the SW shore of F.2. A Short-eared Owl near Lower Whitley Farm might just possibly be the same bird that was seen on two dates last month. The Water Pipit near the 'bus shelter'. A Green Sandpiper along the same stretch of shoreline, also a Common Sandpiper and Dunlin. 10+ Redpolls near Pinkhill.
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Great Northern Divers, 17th November. Unfortunately the light was hopeless for decent pictures, but these two shots illustrate how distinctly different the birds are.
14th
Sunny first thing, cloudy later. light SW breeze. Mild.
The 2 Great Northern Divers all day on F.2. The Water Pipit in it's usual spot on the causeway. The Aythya Hybrid in amongst the 218 Tufted Duck & 20 Goldeneye. c30 Meadow Pipits. 10+ Redpoll. 15 Linnets frequenting the causeway.
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The two Great Northern Divers spend most of the time out in the middle of F.2. and generally keep apart. They occasionally meet up and at such times can be quite vocal. There is quite an obvious size difference.
13th
Wet & Horrible.
The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. all day. The Water Pipit on the causeway. The Aythya Hybrid still on F.1.
12th
Mostly sunny.
The 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2. all day. The Water Pipit and Rock Pipit on the causeway. A Merlin near the waterworks mid afternoon. The hybrid duck still in with the 150+ Tufted Ducks and 20+ Goldeneye. Just 6 Wigeon. 3 Brambling near Shrike Meadow. 1 Common Sandpiper.
11th Bright & sunny. Chilly, light SW wind.
The 2 Great Northern Divers still all day, although rather difficult to pick up in the choppy water. The Water Pipit on the causeway along with a Rock Pipit. 2 Pintail on F.1.
10th Heavy rain for much of the day.
There were 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2 all day. The Water Pipit on the causeway and the Aythya Hybrid still in with the Tufted Ducks. Goldeneye numbers increasing with 18 birds today.
The past 8 days have been quite eventful. The highlight undoubtably being the Great Grey Shrike present on 5th and 6th. It frequented the bushes bordering the service road along the eastern side of the slurry pits. Also a Purple Sandpiper for one day only on the 5th. The Grey Phalarope stayed until 4th. A flock of 19 Common Scoter arrived on F.2 at 10.48 on 2/11, but stayed for just half an hour. A Great Northern Diver on F.2 from 4th onwards. The Water Pipit has been ever present along with 1 or 2 Rock Pipits.
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Juvenile Great Northern Diver, 10th November. One of two present on F.2. today. Farmoor hasn't had an overwintering GND for some years, hopefully these two will stay for a while.........
31st
Mostly sunny. Light NNE. Chilly.
The Grey Phalarope again all day along the southern shore of F.2. The Water Pipit also frequenting the same area. The first Goldeneye of the winter with 2 drakes and 5 ducks on F.1. 6 Wigeon also there and 123 Tufted Duck with the ever present hybrid amongst them. 6+ Little Grebes dotted around the reservoir. Still a few Meadow Pipits. A completely juvenile plumaged Common Gull in the roost had no doubt come from a very long way north.
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Drake Tufted Duck, with the Aythya hybrid alongside. 31st October.
30th
Mostly cloudy, light NE wind. Cold.
The third Grey Phalarope of the year was a nice surprise at lunchtime, frequenting the S.W. corner of F.2. it remained there until dusk. 2008 has been an exceptional year for this species with a succession of Atlantic depressions forcing birds onto western coasts and occasionally inland. Three in one Autumn at Farmoor is certainly a record. The Water Pipit still along the causeway and Meadow Pipits increasing with c30+ birds today. A first winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost. The Aythya Hybrid still and 2 Pochards on F.1.
Image:
Grey Phalarope, 30th October. Being that much later in the year this bird has a much more advanced moult and has a rather different appearance to those seen last month.
29th
Bright & sunny, cloudy later, light SW breeze. Chilly.
There was a juvenile Arctic Tern on F.2 this evening. It made a few circuits of the gull roost before flying off west. This is an incredibly late date for this species in Oxon, the previous latest being 8th October 2001. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the roost. The Water Pipit remains on the causeway. The Aythya Hybrid still in with the Tufted Ducks. c25 Meadow Pipits.
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Aythya Hybrid, 29th October. This very familiar bird has been returning for a few years. It is superficially very like a Scaup and is a presumed hybrid between that and Tufted Duck.
28th
Bright & sunny morning, rain later, chilly.
There were 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls in the roost. A Jack Snipe and 2 Stonechats on Shrike Meadow. The Aythya Hybrid on F.1.
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Female Kingfisher, 28th October. (Photo © Dai John).
27th
Bright & Sunny, light SW breeze.
There were 2 Great Northern Divers on F.2 first thing but they clearly didn't think much of their surroundings and quickly departed. The adult Mediterranean Gull again in the roost. A single Dunlin on the causeway. The Aythya Hybrid and 2 Gadwall. A single Chiffchaff and c25+ Meadow Pipits.
24th
Bright & sunny.
A Water Pipit on the causeway today. It's tempting to assume this is the same bird returning each year. Certainly a Water Pipit has arrived in mid to late October over the last few years with arrival dates being: 22nd, 2005. 18th, 2006 and 27th, 2007. Otherwise just a few Meadow Pipits, the hybrid duck and an adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost.
Image:
Water Pipit, 24th October.
22nd
Bright & sunny, light W wind.
An adult Mediterranean Gull on F.1 this morning was easily the best bird of the day. The Aythya hybrid in with the Tufted Ducks. 2 Chiffchaffs with one bird singing briefly. A small flock of Golden Plover flew through. c20 Meadow Pipits. 8 Teal on Pinkhill. A first winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost with a few argentatus Herring Gulls beginning to appear.
NB A word of thanks to the volunteers who turned out on Sunday. Two out of the three islands have now been cleared of vegetation.
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Adult Mediterranean Gull, F.1. 22nd October.
21st
Bright and sunny, light W wind.
Two Whooper Swans were on F.2 at lunchtime. They moved to F.1. in the afternoon and remained there until 17.15 when they flew to fields alongside Pinkhill Lock. Otherwise just the Aythea Hybrid in with the Tufted Ducks a single Rock Pipit, and a few Skylarks and Redpolls passing through.
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Whooper Swans, 21st October. These splendid wild swans were a fine sight....and sound. They were very vocal, and their whooping calls could be heard from some distance.
18th. Mostly cloudy with a few sunny spells, light SW breeze.
Late September and the first part of this month have been deadly dull, hence the lack of updates to this site. The most notable birds over the last couple of days being a Short-eared Owl seen hunting over the 'set-aside' behind Lower Whitley Farm. This bird has also been seen nearby at Buckthorn Meadow. A Ruddy Duck and the returning Aythya Hybrid are competing for the dubious distinction of the most interesting duck at the reservoir. There are few wintering Little Grebes. An adult and first winter Mediterranean Gull have been roosting regularly on F.1. One or 2 Rock Pipits have been seen around the causeway area. Redwings and Fieldfares are arriving in numbers this weekend together with a few Siskins and Skylarks. There are no waders of note.
NB A work party will be making an attempt to clear the vegetation from the islands on Pinkhill this Sunday 19th October from c10.30. and any extra help would be welcome.
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Ruddy Duck. Now a very rare bird in the county, this duck has been visiting Farmoor intermittently since late September.
23rd.
Mostly cloudy, light NE breeze, showers.
The adult Little Gull still. 2 Mediterranean Gulls, both first winters, one was on F.1. this morning with a different bird in the roost. The Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper.
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Mediterranean Gull, 23rd September. Gulls are generally impossible to sex, but this extremely petite and small-billed bird is almost certainly a female.
22nd
A fresher day with a light NE wind and a few showers.
A Little Stint on the causeway fleetingly this evening, but appeared to fly off. The adult Little Gull and a single Black Tern. The Turnstone, 4+ Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and the Common Sandpiper.
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Adult Great-Black-backed Gull, 22nd September. This bird arrived about two weeks ago, the same time that an adult GBBG has turned up over the last few years. It is quite probably the same individual.
21st,
Calm and very warm with just a slight ENE breeze by evening.
Another amazingly calm morning with barely a leaf moving on the tree tops. Unfortunately there was little moving on the bird front either, with just 2 Redshank being the only new arrivals. The adult Little Gull still and just one of the Black Terns remaining. The single Turnstone with Ringed Plovers down to 6 in company with the 2 Dunlin. There were just a few Meadow Pipits passing over in the morning.
Image:
Redshank, 21st September.
20th
The 'Indian Summer' continues, warm & sunny, v. light E breeze.
The bird of the day, the week, and in all probability, the autumn, was the long awaited and eagerly anticipated Honey Buzzard. It was a dark morph juvenile and was well watched by Farmoor stalwarts Dai John & Tom Wickens as it flew slowly SW at around 9.15 this morning. The first record for Farmoor and the second species to tick off from the "Predicted Additions List" this year! Also today: 1 adult Little Gull flying around above the roost on F.2 this evening. 2 Black Terns, 1 juvenile Common Tern, 1 Turnstone, 1 Oystercatcher, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin. An obvious passage of Meadow Pipits flying over plus c20 feeding below the west bank of F.1. A Spotted Flycatcher in the car park.
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Juvenile Dunlin, 20th September. Although a waders bill looks very rigid, it can in fact be incredibly 'flexi-bill'!!
19th
Calm, sunny, warm.
The reservoir is sitting beneath the centre of a large high pressure system and it feels pretty static birdwise also. The only obviously new addition was a juvenile Common Tern early morning, otherwise just the leftovers from the previous few days: the 2 Black Terns, 1 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper. The Wheatear still on the causeway and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
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This juvenile Hobby was hawking above Pinkhill yesterday. (photo © Kevin Henshaw).
18th
Plenty of hazy sunshine. Warmish. Calm.
A Knot on the causeway this evening. 2 Black Terns on F.2. all day. An Osprey fishing in F.2. late afternoon. 1 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper. The Wheatear still on the causeway.
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Because of the very calm weather a large percentage of the reservoir shoreline is now covered in a rather foul smelling algae, but this Knot seemed to be feeding quite happily amongst it.
17th
Very light E breeze, watery sunshine, warmish.
2 Black Terns on F.2. this morning. 1 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper a single Wheatear and just 1 Yellow Wagtail.
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This rather dapper juvenile Lesser-Black-backed Gull was photographed on the causeway on Monday. It was ringed as a nestling in July at Amrum, Nordfriesland, a small island off the western seaboard of Germany. A good percentage of the gulls in the roost come from much further afield.
16th
Cloudy with weak sunshine, virtually no wind.
The Spotted Redshank was still present this morning, feeding on the west bank of F1. Other waders today were 3 juvenile Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin. There were 15 Black Terns on F.2. all day. A single Wheatear along the causeway. A first winter Mediterranean Gull roosted on F.1 together with a leucistic Black-headed Gull.
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Juvenile Spotted Redshank, 16th September. A better picture of this charismatic wader. This species is rarer at Farmoor than Grey Phalarope and is without doubt "Wader Of The Month", so far........
15th
Mostly cloudy with some weak sunshine. V. light SE breeze, warmish.
A juvenile Spotted Redshank was a very welcome addition to the Farmoor year list and a really quality bird in an autumn of generally poor wader passage. It was present for much of the day but was very flighty, especially during the evening. Otherwise pretty quiet with yesterdays juvenile Black Tern still on F.1. A single Dunlin and Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpipers. 1 Wheatear and just a single Yellow Wagtail. A small passage of Meadow Pipits over the last couple of days with single birds moving through, but none lingering as yet.
Image:
Juvenile Spotted Redshank, 15th September.
14th
Calm and warm, light ESE breeze
The reservoir was well watched with today being the OOS Open Day. Top of the list were the 5 Little Stints that arrived late afternoon, but they stayed only very briefly. A single juvenile Black Tern and a juvenile Peregrine were other highlights. Hobbies were noted on several occasions, and every Common Buzzard was scrutinized. Lots of birds around the bushes with 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Redstart, 14 Siskin 4+ Lesser Whitethroats and lots of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. Adult & First winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost.
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Juvenile Peregrine, 14th September. (photo: © Ian Lewington.)
13th
Calm, sunny and warm!!!
Calm and settled conditions prevailed throughout the day and it was something of a surprise to get a call from Dave Lowe saying there was a Grey Phalarope on F.2. It was spending more time 'offshore' than last weeks bird, probably deliberately to avoid the algal bloom around the reservoir shore. It was a slightly less colourful bird and not as far advanced in moult. It was present until early afternoon at least. Also today, 5 Black Terns, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpipers. A single juvenile Common Tern this evening. 2 Wheatears and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
Image:
The autumns second Grey Phalarope, 13th September.
12th,
Cloudy with showers. Rain in the evening.
2 Black Terns. 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin. 2 Wheatears. 3 Yellow Wagtails.
11th
A few heavy showers, some sunshine. Light SW wind.
The juvenile Caspian Gull reappeared this morning. It was on the causeway briefly, then flew to F.2. and settled with just a handful of large gulls in the centre of the reservoir until 08.45 when it flew west. Also this morning 18 Black Terns. 1 Wheatear
10th.
Sunny spells, Moderate SSW wind.
4 Black Terns (3 juvs, 1 ad) this morning. 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin. 1 Swift.
9th
Yet another miserable day, lots of rain, light SE wind.
There were 10 Black Terns on F.2. all day and 6 Common Terns early morning only. 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin. Plenty of hirundines with 2+ Hobbies hunting them at regular intervals. I Wheatear a Little Egret on Pinkhill. A first winter Mediterranean Gull roosted on F.1.
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Another photograph of Saturdays juvenile Arctic Tern. Whilst the spring passage of this species through Farmoor is often spectacular, in autumn it is usually restricted to just a handful of birds. In fact in most years just one or two individuals are recorded, usually juveniles. This species generally takes a more coastal route on autumn migration.
8th
Mostly cloudy, fairly calm.
The Grey Phalarope present all day on the north shore of the causeway. The Osprey made several visits this morning. 2 juvenile Black Terns on F.1. A juvenile Arctic Tern flew into F.1 early evening. 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 5 Common Sandpipers. 1 Wheatear. A Hobby at dusk over the sailing club.
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The Grey Phalarope is completely oblivious to people and will pass within inches of observers. It is feeding well and seems perfectly healthy.
7th
Light NW wind, mostly cloudy.
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Juvenile Caspian Gull, F.1. roost, 7th September. This bird shows the classic cachinnans upperwing and nice white underwing.
The Grey Phalarope all day on the northern side of the causeway, usually showing to a few feet and occasionally moving a few yards 'offshore'. It's becoming a candidate for the most photographed Grey Phalarope of all time! The juvenile Caspian Gull arrived into the F.1. roost at 19.05 and gave pretty good views from the eastern shore. The leucistic House Martin still around late morning at least. Just 3 Black Terns (1 adult and 2 juveniles) on F.1 all day. Also 5 juvenile Common Terns. A male Redstart and 2 Yellow Wagtails. 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin. A Hobby over the sludge pits at dusk.
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This Osprey has been visiting the reservoir over the last few days to feast on the easy pickings provided by Thames Water Fisheries!
6th
Light SSE wind, heavy, sometimes torrential showers.
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Bird of the day was this juvenile Caspian Gull, present on F.1 from about 17.45 until dusk. It spent a short while feeding on a dead fish and resting on the wave wall before roosting. This is the first time a juvenile has been seen in Oxon and the earliest autumn date for the species in the county. It was successfully 'twitched' from Didcot by the other local gull enthusiast!
Another exciting and eventful day. The Grey Phalarope was along the causeway throughout and showing to just a few feet at times, rendering those big expensive telephoto lenses redundant! A juvenile Caspian Gull roosted on F.1. An intermediate morph Arctic Skua was spotted by Dai John as it flew south at 16.00. forced down to the reservoir by heavy rain. The 7 Black Terns logged up their 6th day in residence. A juvenile Arctic Tern was in company with a juvenile Common Tern on F.2 for much of the morning with a further 26 Common Terns flying in around lunchtime. What was probably yesterdays Osprey put in three appearances during the afternoon, finally catching a fish at 17.30. The Green Sandpiper still around plus 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpipers and a single Dunlin. Fewer hirundines than the previous couple of days but still 2+ Hobbies, 2 Wheatears and 3 Yellow Wagtails.
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Juvenile Arctic Tern, 6th September. Surely one of the most impressive looking Terns, especially in this plumage.
5th
Cloudy with heavy showers, moderate SE wind.
Image:
Leucistic House Martin, 5th September.
It wasn't that much of a surprise to see a Grey Phalarope had found it's way to Farmoor today, given that several birds had been seen at various locations nearby. Initially rather flighty, it eventually settled down into the NW corner of F.2. occasionally moving a little further down the causeway. It was typically confiding. An Osprey arrived at about 15.45, circled F.2 a couple of times, caught a large trout and flew west. The same 7 Black Terns present all day. 27 Common Terns flew in at 8am but most had gone by late pm. Another flock of 68 arrived in heavy rain at 18.45 and roosted on the barley bales.There were masses of hirundines again during the morning. The large percentage being House Martins but also many Swallows and Sand Martins. The leucistic House Martin was again in amongst them. Hobbies have been taking advantage of the easy pickings with two birds successfully hunting together during the morning, and another late afternoon. The Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers and 3 Ringed Plovers. A first winter Mediterranean Gull roosted on F.1.
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Juv/first winter Grey Phalarope, 5th September.
4th
Cloudy with heavy showers, light SW wind.
The 7 Black Terns (5 adults & 2 juveniles) still finding Farmoor to their liking and again present all day on F.1. A large passage of House Martins with up to 500 birds feeding over both sections including 1 leucistic bird: creamy white overall but with a typical gleaming white rump. The Green Sandpiper on F.1. early morning with 4 Common Sandpipers. 4 Ringed Plovers and 9 Dunlin on the causeway. 4 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Hobby.
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The reservoir is generally pretty quiet but 'brown seagulls' are always good value. This juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull is just beginning it's moult into first winter plumage.
3rd
Sunny/cloudy, a few showers, moderate W wind.
The 7 Black Terns still all day. 1 adult Arctic Tern passed through mid day. 1 juvenile Common Tern. A first winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost. A female Ruddy Duck on F.1. 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers. 3 Wheatears
2nd
Some sunny spells. Moderate SW wind, thundery showers in evening.
7 Black Terns (5 ads, 2 juvs) on F.2. all day. 1 Common Tern. The Green Sandpiper still on Pinkhill, 4 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers. 2 Wheatears. 2 first winter Mediterranean Gulls in the roost.
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Willow Warbler, trying hard to look like something much rarer! 2nd September.
1st
Bright & sunny first thing, then cloudy with freshening SSW wind.
The Shag still. 9 Black Terns ( 7 adults, 2 juvs). 12 Common Terns. 11 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers and the Green Sandpiper still on Pinkhill. 3 Wheatears, 5 Yellow Wagtails. 2 first winter Mediterranean Gulls in the roost.
31st
Gloomy. Showers in evening.
A single adult Black Tern. The Shag on F. 1. 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper. 1 Redstart and 2 Wheatears
30th
Very warm, plenty of sunshine, light SE wind.
Another big tern day. There were c100 Black Terns on F.2. They were present from early morning onwards. There may have been a few birds departing and others perhaps arriving and there were still c80 birds by dusk. All but two were adults. A Sandwich Tern briefly. A few Common Terns also passed through, with 9 at around 10.15 and another 5 around lunchtime, with 3 early afternoon. The Shag still on F.2. 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers and 3+ Common Sandpipers. The Green Sandpiper on Pinkhill and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost.
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Juvenile Black Tern, 30th August. This birds immaculate fresh plumage was in stark contrast to the rather raggedy moth-eaten appearance of some of the adults!
29th
Warm, muggy and calm.
The Shag still, feeding in front of the sailing club on F.2. this morning. A juv/1stw Mediterranean Gull on the barley bales at 10 am along with masses of Black-headed Gulls, feeding on the abundant hatch of flies. 18 Sanderling briefly, 4 Ringed Plover, 6 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper. & 1 Oystercatcher. A Green Sandpiper and a Little Egret on Pinkhill. A massive gull roost on both reservoirs which held at least 2 juv/1st winter Mediterranean Gulls, 50+ Yellow Legged Gulls and who knows what else..........
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This group of 18 juvenile Sanderling made several circuits of the reservoir this morning desperately looking for a bit of 'wader friendly' shoreline. They gave up after about three minutes and departed.
28th
Mostly cloudy, warmish, light W wind.
The Shag still, on F.1 this morning and seemingly quite happy fishing in amongst the Tufted Ducks and Coots along the west shore. A Redstart near the picnic site. 1 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers. 3 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails.
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Whitethroat, 28th August. It's pretty quiet up on the reservoir but there are plenty of birds in the bushes & trees around the perimeter.
27th
Mostly cloudy, warmish, moderate SW wind.
The Shag still present all day. 2 Mediterranean Gulls (Juvenile & 1st winter) in the roost. 3 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails. At least 3 Spotted Flycatchers several Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats & Willow Warblers.
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Spotted Flycatcher, 27th August. This species has been recorded quite frequently this month. Spending long periods motionless, it makes an excellent subject for the rather old fashioned art of "digi-scoping".
24th.
Mostly cloudy, light W wind.
There has been a notable influx of Shags to many inland waters over the past few days, with multiple records from some reservoirs. All appear to have been juveniles. It's hard to understand why a primarily coastal species should turn up inland in such numbers, the cause most likely being perhaps a sudden food shortage or adverse weather. Farmoor was overdue a bird and Dai John found one this morning at the top of the causeway. Otherwise a fairly quiet day. There were 2 moulting juvenile Mediterranean Gulls in the roost.
An Osprey flew over the reservoir mid afternoon on Saturday and may well have been the same bird seen the previous day.
Image:
Juvenile Shag, 24th August (photo © Dai John).
Image:
Osprey flying over the causeway, 23rd August. (Photo © Mike Flemming).
22nd
Light NW wind, cloudy with some sunny spells. Warm.
An Osprey early afternoon, successfully caught a fish in F.2. At least 6 Mediterranean Gulls roosted, all moulting juveniles. 2 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers and a single Ringed Plover. 1+ Spotted Flycatcher between Pinkhill and Shrike Meadow. A Wheatear on the causeway.
Image:
Juvenile Ringed Plover, 22nd August.
21st
Light W wind, some sunshine.
There were 5 Mediterranean Gulls in the F.1. roost this evening, all moulting juveniles. The juvenile Black Tern all day with 3 Common Terns. 5 Sanderling still plus 7 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpipers and a single Ringed Plover
Image:
The resident adult Yellow-legged Gull, 21st August.
20th
Cloudy, moderate S wind, showers.
A juvenile Black Tern on F.1. together with 3 juv and 1 adult Common Tern. 8 Sanderling (7 juveniles & 1 adult) on the causeway plus 5 Dunlin, 8 Common Sandpipers and a juvenile Ringed Plover. 4 Wheatears along the west bank of F2. The adult Yellow-legged Gull still in residence and many birds roosting with 88 counted one evening last week. Juvenile Mediterranean Gulls are in the roost each night at the moment with up 4 being seen regularly. A pair of Tufted Ducks hatched 3 young on the old tern raft.
Image:
Wheatear, 20th August.
Image:
7 juvenile & 1 adult Sanderling, 20th August.
2nd
Showers, sunny spells, light w. wind.
A Little Tern on F.1. first thing. Otherwise pretty quiet, but still plenty of Common Sandpipers with c15 around the reservoir. An adult & juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 6+ juvenile Common Gulls in the roost.
Image:
Image:
Juvenile Common Gulls, F.1. Common Gulls in this plumage are pretty rare in Oxon, occasionally being outnumbered by juvenile Med' Gulls at this time of year!
1st
Sunny first thing, moderate w. wind.
2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, the albino Black-headed Gull and lots of Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost. c15 Common Sandpipers on F.1.
31st
Rather gloomy. warm, a few showers, light SE wind.
Up to 60 Black Terns present all day. They spent the entire time feeding over F.1. and resting on the barley bales. With the exception of one juvenile, all were moulting adults. Also 20 Common Sandpipers first thing this morning, 2 Green Sandpipers and a single Oystercatcher. Just one juvenile Mediterranean Gull in the roost, an albino Black-headed Gull and 50+ Yellow-legged Gulls. The water levels on both sides of the reservoir are exceptionally high and as a result not very attractive to waders. Most of the Common Sandpipers were disturbed and had moved on by 9am when the first walkers and fishermen arrived.
Image:
Adult Black Tern, F.1. 31st July.
Image:
53 Black Terns, 31st July. The terns periodically formed a tight flock and circled high over the reservoir before returning to feed.
28th
Very warm & muggy, a few thundery showers.
The Mediterranean Gull season is well underway with 4 juveniles and a first summer in the roost on F.1. Also c30 Yellow-legged Gulls and a single Common Sandpiper.
Image:
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 28th July. Although juv' Med Gulls are highly distinctive, there is a considerable variation in plumage at this age. The scapulars of this bird are very different to the one photographed by Ian Lewington on 22nd ( see below).
27th
Very warm & sunny.
The Redstart still near Shrike Meadow today. Yellow-legged Gulls continue to increase with 70+ counted this evening. Also a first summer Mediterranean Gull, 10+ Common Gulls, including two juveniles and an albino Black-headed Gull. A Ruff briefly at lunchtime plus 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin and a flyover Golden Plover.
Image:
Redstart, Shrike Meadow, 27th July (photo © Dai John).
26th
Warm and sunny.
A bit more of an autumnal feel over the last week. Yellow-legged Gulls are increasing with several birds present during the day and up to 50+ in the roost. There were 3 moulting adult Black Terns on F.2 yesterday afternoon. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was around F.1 on 22nd, perhaps the same bird seen near the rafts on 14th. A Redstart today in the hedge near Shrike Meadow, and a Turnstone on 24th. The 2 juvenile Common Terns have successfully fledged from the new tern rafts.
Image:
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 22nd July. (photo: © Ian Lewington).
16th.
Cloudy with some sunny spells, light NW wind.
A surprising passage of waders this evening with 21 Redshank and c25 Dunlin on the causeway. 2 Curlew flew over early am. Also 3 Common Sandpipers. 8 Common Terns with two young on the new tern raft. At least 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. Plenty of juvenile Black-headed Gulls hanging around the reservoir with the first juvenile Mediterranean Gull of the year loitering near the rafts on Monday.
Image:
16 of this evenings 21 Redshank, all were adults.
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