A fantastic year with a total of 113 species recorded during
2014 at Grimsbury Reservoir, the Woodland Nature Reserve and Upper Cherwell
Valley. This number is down to a few extra dedicated observers and some luck, with
several cracking new species that haven’t been recorded here before.
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| Goosanders |
The year started well with up to 4 Goosanders seen regularly
and several dabbling duck species using the reservoir and flooded fields. A
pair of Stonechats wintered in the river valley which they haven’t done for a
few years. A Green Sandpiper, fairly uncommon to the area, and up to 20 Snipe using
the flooded fields. The ringed Mute Swan (BAP) was still present up until
spring at least. A ringed Lesser Redpoll was of interest, but of course the
ring details could not be read. A splendid summer plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull
was seen one evening in March with a pre-roost gathering of Black-headed gulls.
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| Mediterranean Gull |
Spring came along with Chiffchaff singing on 11th
March. Soon followed by the hirundines and other warblers and wagtails. Several
White Wagtails were recorded and the first Yellow Wagtail on 2nd
April following strong southerly winds. Sparrowhawks danced over the woodland
and probably bred there or nearby as juveniles were present later in the
summer.
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| Yellow Wagtail |
Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Common Tern
and Swift all joined the list of birds recorded on their passage north. A
rather unusual sighting was a Green Sandpiper at the reservoir, a habitat I
wouldn’t expect that species to use.
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| Dunlin |
Summer tends to be rather quiet here but a chance to record
the species that have stayed to breed. Amongst the breeders this year was Grey
Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Starling and Stock Doves. Two pairs
of Curlew were present in the Upper Cherwell Valley and may have bred. Coots and
Little Grebe made use of the new pool and although now almost resident there,
there was only one sighting of each at the reservoir. Little Ringed Plovers
bred at a site nearby and a juvenile stayed at the reservoir for quite some time
at the end of the summer. A Little Egret was in the area July to September
entertaining people as it stalked the shallow reservoir edges.
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| The hirundines |
Lots of Dragonflies and Damselflies were recorded this year,
mostly at the new pool, and I hope to make more effort to record them from now
on.
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| Beautiful Demoiselle (from 2008) |
Autumn is a great time for bird watching and this year was
quite special. Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts, Whinchats and a Tree Pipit were
all recorded during their journey to warmer wintering destinations. Willow Tit
is also being recorded after an absence of nearly two years and were present
till the end of the year.
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| Redstart - courtesy and copyright of Mike Pollard |
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| Willow Tit - courtesy and copyright of Andrew Last |
It is often the time when more waders stop to fuel up too. Two
Greenshank were seen flying around the reservoir but they didn’t land, though
they must have found somewhere settle as they were heard over the two following
days too. A Grey Plover flew over early one September morning. More Dunlin were
recorded and a peak of 8 common Sandpipers was pretty good. A Ruff stopped in
for a few days, often in the company of a Dunlin.
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| Ruff |
A juvenile Black Tern was around for a few days and was seen
heading off high to the south west. Several more Mediterranean Gulls were seen,
making it a really good year for them, and Yellow-legged Gulls were around till
early winter.
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| Black Tern |
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| Mediterranean Gull - courtesy and copyright of Mike Pollard |
An outstanding find was of 2 Great Skuas flying through in
October. Conditions were perfect for them to turn up inland and almost
predictable, but to actually see them is another thing. My choice for bird of
the year! On the same day a Little Gull was also recorded in the gull roost.
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| Great Skua - courtesy and copyright of Mike Pollard |
Winter came along and Goldeneye, Mandarin and Little Owl were
added to the year list. A Black-headed Gull ringed in Denmark was seen. Barn
Owls are now regular in the river valley and even a Short-eared Owl on one
evening. A Black Redstart took a liking to the water treatment works and was
often seen fly-catching from the high structures. A Water Rail was seen along
the river and wintering Chiffchaffs (including a Siberian Chiffchaff) were in
the woodland with the roaming feeding party.
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| Black Redstart |
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| Siberian Chiffchaff |
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