30th Nov 2025: Pink-footed Goose!!

Yesterday morning JFT found a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE in the cattle field! This is almost certainly the same one he saw a bit further south down the Cherwell valley last weekend. This incredible record is the first for the patch and a very good bird for the county. There was also a female Goldeneye on the reservoir and the pair of Stonechats.

Unfortunately, the Pink-footed Goose was not seen today around the reservoir or just north into the Cherwell valley. There was actually very few geese around at all and I expect they've moved to flooded areas down the valley. The Goldeneye was still on the reservoir and there was at least 3 Chiffchaffs on patch. I also noted at least four other Chiffchaffs near home and along the river up to the reservoir as well, so there's still a good number around passing through.

There was also a very intriguing record today from someone else looking for the goose, of 3 yellow-billed swans flying south towards Banbury. Unfortunately not seen well enough to identify but a good chance they flew over the patch.

Photos courtesy and copyright of JFT

23rd Nov 2025

Back to being fairly quiet again this week, with Shoveler, Yellow-legged Gull, Marsh Tit and the pair of Stonechats the highlights. 

16th Nov 2025: Little Gulls

It had been a fairly quiet couple of weeks, with an irregular pair of Wigeon and the Marsh Tit the only interest. Then today after a strong north-easterly there was suddenly a increase of activity and some good birds in the mix. 

As I was walking up and paying attention to a passerine flock along the river, I wasn't paying attention to the large number of gulls flying over... when JFT had a Little Gull go high east and a flock of 1 Gadwall and 3 Wigeon fly around. We met up at the top end and we had a Snipe and a group of 13 Lapwing over. As JFT was walking back to the car park I could see him waving his arms about and there was another Little Gull! This one dropped in for a very brief moment and also headed off east. I heard Golden Plover calling somewhere above but we couldn't pick it out. A Mediteranean Gull went through south with another load of gulls and 2 Wigeon got harrassed by a/the pair of Peregrines as they came through.

Courtesy and copyright of JFT

2nd Nov 2025

The highlight of the week was a Great White Egret that JFT saw drop in on Tuesday morning. It showed very nicely for him but unfortunately it didn't stay very long. 

The Cormorant numbers continued to rise through the week to an impressive 83 yesterday morning. 

Other bits seen this week were the Marsh Tit (singing), Blackcap and Chiffchaff, a Yellow-legged Gull, a few Redpolls, and the pair of Stonechats.

Egret pics courtesy and copyright of JFT