31st Dec 2017: Last Knockings

It's the end of the year and, unfortunately, there hasn't been any big late surprises this year. The last couple of weeks has been fairly standard really. The odd Yellow-legged Gull sighting, a Willow Tit in the wood on and off and a Chiffchaff in the wood a couple of times were the more normal highlights. The Coot has stayed around to the end of the year too, which is really unusually long stay for a bird here.

John saw two Wigeon on the 14th and I had a Lapwing fly over on the 24th. Mike, Colin and Steve did the roost on the 27th and had a 1CY Great Black-backed Gull. Peregrine has been seen in town a few times recently, so could possibly be seen from the reservoir, and Red Kites continue to be a regular sighting over town and the reservoir.

I will be doing a full year round up some time soon, but for now here are John's photo highlights of the year.

Courtesy and copyright of JFT

12th Dec 2017

John: I managed to dodge the remnants of the snow today for a short walk around the reservoir, during my lunch break. It was nice to see some different wildfowl for a change with 4 Wigeon sat sleeping on the ice with a group of Mallards.

A vocal Mistle Thrush (a scarce bird here) was along the river, together with a couple of Fieldfare, while a calling Yellowhammer went over heading east.

It was pleasing to see the female Kestrel still in situ near the sailing club. I've watched it catching worms in the last week or so, however today, that was out of the question with the ground covered in frozen snow!

10th Dec 2017

On Monday John had two Red Kites over the reservoir . I have also been seeing at least one bird regularly over town. On Monday there was also a Peregrine and a second Winter Yellow-legged Gull. Yesterday morning, two Wigeon dropped in mid-morning. However, it was very quiet otherwise.

Courtesy and copyright of JFT

3rd Dec 2017

John had a pair of Raven over the reservoir on Monday and a single Yellow-legged Gull on Tuesday.  Another single Yellow-legged Gull on Thursday (the regular 4CY) and four Teal on Friday.

Yesterday morning I heard the Willow Tit in the wood, but couldn't see it, had a Snipe fly over the reservoir and saw one Yellow-legged Gull up at the Borrow Pit pool.

Courtesy and copyright of JFT

Colin was out today, 1300-1540, and saw:

 

Reservoir:

2 kingfishers on river adjacent to reservoir

1 snipe over (heard not seen)

8 cormorants

5 GC grebes

1 adult YL gull in roost – very smart bird

1 male goosander circled reservoir twice towards sunset, then disappeared off south. 

 

Upper Cherwell:

Male stonechat in meadow near M&S

Many large gulls inc at least 8 Herring type

3 Little grebe