20th Feb 2016

Back from my travels this week I was keen to get out early on the patch and see what I had been missing out on, but unfortunately it wasn't a lot. It was the first time I had managed to get up into the Cherwell Valley for a couple of weeks too, so that did add some further interest.

The reservoir was particularly quiet with only a single redhead Goosander of note that was present on my way out, so must have come in at some point while I was up the valley. At the back of the wood there was a flock of c.30 Siskins feeding in the Alders by the river. I had a really good look through them for redpolls but couldn't find any. I did see a Willow Tit briefly foraging high in the trees though.

Walking up into the river valley Reed Buntings were singing and a few Meadow Pipits flitted along overhead. Scanning the rough field the other side of the river I watched a Fox that was stalking something and then sat out in the open for a short while and a Roe Deer was foraging at the far end. A few Herring Gulls drifted over and a Buzzard perched up in a tall Oak to survey the land. A Little Grebe was on the Borrow Pit pool and three Teal flew along the river. All in all a reasonable mix of birds but nothing too exciting.