Today Steve walked around reservoir and on to the Borrow Pit pool. On reservoir the gull numbers are picking up with lots of Black-headed Gull, eight Lesser Black-backs and the re was a 1st summer
Common Gull with them. There was also 1 Common Tern.
Saturday, 30 July 2016
30th July 2016
A fairly quiet end to the month really. I had a walk around on Friday mid-morning and the best I could find was a pair of Gadwalls in amongst the Mallards. A large white headed gull flew over that was either a Herring or Yellow-legged Gull but I didn't get enough detail to confirm species. In the evening John had a juvenile Common Gull.
Today Steve walked around reservoir and on to the Borrow Pit pool. On reservoir the gull numbers are picking up with lots of Black-headed Gull, eight Lesser Black-backs and the re was a 1st summer
Common Gull with them. There was also 1 Common Tern.
Today Steve walked around reservoir and on to the Borrow Pit pool. On reservoir the gull numbers are picking up with lots of Black-headed Gull, eight Lesser Black-backs and the re was a 1st summer
Common Gull with them. There was also 1 Common Tern.
Wednesday, 27 July 2016
27th July 2016
Another flurry of activity yesterday with slightly less today. Yesterday morning Mike had a single Common Sandpiper but by mid-day John had eight and they had been joined by a Dunlin. This seems to have coincided with a general wader movement throughout the area.
Yesterday evening John and Mike visited and all the waders were still present and they had a Yellow-legged Gull. It had a deformed beak so it will be easy to see if it remains here or if it gets seen in the wider area.
This morning Steve visited and there was only two Common Sandpipers remaining from yesterdays fall.
 |
| Courtesy and copyright of JFT |
 |
| Courtesy and copyright of JFT |
 |
| Above and below courtesy and copyright of Mike Pollard |
This morning Steve visited and there was only two Common Sandpipers remaining from yesterdays fall.
Sunday, 24 July 2016
24th July 2016
It seems that after a slow mid-summer break I now cannot find the time to update the blog regularly enough. As we see more birds in the Autumn I will try to keep up!
On Thursday 21st Steve had a Herring Gull and on Friday 22nd a Common Tern. Later on Friday evening John was out with our friend Dan and they saw a Willow Tit in the wood and a Common Sandpiper at the reservoir. Up around the Borrow Pit they also saw several Six Spot Burnett moths.
On Saturday 23rd I had a walk up from town through Spiceball Park. There were at least two Reed Warblers still singing in small reedbed in the river and two Kingfishers, one of which was later along the river by the reservoir. There was very little of note around the reservoir and wood, but I was happy to find at least one of the juvenile Sparrohawks still there.
This afternoon Tony Crisp had a Yellow-legged Gull at the reservoir sat on a buoy. It would seem they are well and truly back in the area and hopefully we see more like last year.
On Thursday 21st Steve had a Herring Gull and on Friday 22nd a Common Tern. Later on Friday evening John was out with our friend Dan and they saw a Willow Tit in the wood and a Common Sandpiper at the reservoir. Up around the Borrow Pit they also saw several Six Spot Burnett moths.
 |
| Both pictures courtesy and copyright of JFT |
On Saturday 23rd I had a walk up from town through Spiceball Park. There were at least two Reed Warblers still singing in small reedbed in the river and two Kingfishers, one of which was later along the river by the reservoir. There was very little of note around the reservoir and wood, but I was happy to find at least one of the juvenile Sparrohawks still there.
This afternoon Tony Crisp had a Yellow-legged Gull at the reservoir sat on a buoy. It would seem they are well and truly back in the area and hopefully we see more like last year.
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
20th Jul 2016: Yellow-legged Gulls
Things are starting to look up. There has been enough interesting things this week to enable me to do a mid-week update. To be honest I meant to do a post on Monday but work is so busy I completely forgot!
Steve Holliday had an adult Yellow-legged Gull on Monday morning. It flew off to the west. This is the time birds will really start coming in from the continent and we may see birds passing through but last year it was only when Lesser Black-backed Gulls started roosting in larger numbers that we regularly saw the Yellow-legs.
Tuesday John had an Oystercatcher at the reservoir and this morning Steve had a Lapwing briefly. So more waders are on the move. Steve saw another Yellow-legged Gull this evening too. So it may be worth watching the reservoir for birds moving through or coming in to bath.
Steve Holliday had an adult Yellow-legged Gull on Monday morning. It flew off to the west. This is the time birds will really start coming in from the continent and we may see birds passing through but last year it was only when Lesser Black-backed Gulls started roosting in larger numbers that we regularly saw the Yellow-legs.
Tuesday John had an Oystercatcher at the reservoir and this morning Steve had a Lapwing briefly. So more waders are on the move. Steve saw another Yellow-legged Gull this evening too. So it may be worth watching the reservoir for birds moving through or coming in to bath.
Sunday, 17 July 2016
17th Jul 2016
Monday morning Steve saw three Common Sandpipers, which was the peak for the week but there were generally one or two around all week. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew through in the evening but they didn't roost. A couple of them lingered to feed on a dead Pike though.
Tuesday lunchtime John had a very obliging Comma just inside the reservoir entrance. It could be used in a wildlife promo of the reservoir to help convince Thames Water not to keep mowing and cutting all the vegetation!
Wednesday evening there was little of note around and the reservoir was quite disturbed by other recreational activities.
Saturday morning there was the one Common Sandpiper and two Common Terns at the reservoir. The Sparowhawk chicks hadn't fledged but are branch walking and I could only see one but a second (or possibly an adult) called from a nearby tree. There was also a family group of Kestrels practising their flying skills on the southern edge of the wood by the cattle field. I don't think that they bred here but had possibly done so nearby. There was also a few new fresh Otter spraints along the river, one next to Signal Crayfish remains, so at least one is still active in the area.
On Sunday Tony Crisp had a Common Sandpiper at the Borrow Pit pool and saw several Six-spot Burnett moths. Something I haven't seen here before and possibly a new coloniser. Steve said the reservoir was quiet though with recreational disturbance again.
Tuesday lunchtime John had a very obliging Comma just inside the reservoir entrance. It could be used in a wildlife promo of the reservoir to help convince Thames Water not to keep mowing and cutting all the vegetation!
 |
| Both photos courtesy and copyright of JFT |
Wednesday evening there was little of note around and the reservoir was quite disturbed by other recreational activities.
Saturday morning there was the one Common Sandpiper and two Common Terns at the reservoir. The Sparowhawk chicks hadn't fledged but are branch walking and I could only see one but a second (or possibly an adult) called from a nearby tree. There was also a family group of Kestrels practising their flying skills on the southern edge of the wood by the cattle field. I don't think that they bred here but had possibly done so nearby. There was also a few new fresh Otter spraints along the river, one next to Signal Crayfish remains, so at least one is still active in the area.
On Sunday Tony Crisp had a Common Sandpiper at the Borrow Pit pool and saw several Six-spot Burnett moths. Something I haven't seen here before and possibly a new coloniser. Steve said the reservoir was quiet though with recreational disturbance again.
Sunday, 10 July 2016
10th Jul 2016: Tigers!
Still quiet in the summer doldrums!
News from Steve on Wednesday included a Common Sandpiper and there was two today, one at the reservoir and one at the Borrow Pit pool.
John found several Scarlet Tigers on Thursday and it is great to finally confirm this species live and present. They are in the area on the left inside the reservoir entrance but before the sailing club, where there is a lot of Comfrey and Nettle plants.
There has been a steady build up of Black-headed gulls over the last couple of weeks and on Friday evening there was 20 including four juveniles. The only other bird news of interest is of the Sparrowhawks. They are growing rapidly and they are even venturing away from the nest and walking out along the branches.
News from Steve on Wednesday included a Common Sandpiper and there was two today, one at the reservoir and one at the Borrow Pit pool.
John found several Scarlet Tigers on Thursday and it is great to finally confirm this species live and present. They are in the area on the left inside the reservoir entrance but before the sailing club, where there is a lot of Comfrey and Nettle plants.
 |
| Both photos courtesy and copyright of JFT |
There has been a steady build up of Black-headed gulls over the last couple of weeks and on Friday evening there was 20 including four juveniles. The only other bird news of interest is of the Sparrowhawks. They are growing rapidly and they are even venturing away from the nest and walking out along the branches.
Sunday, 3 July 2016
3rd Jul 2016
Another fairly quiet week overall but with a few highlights towards the end. John thought he had a Scarlet Tiger moth fly past him on Monday, but it was too quick to confirm. Following the dead one found last year it would be good if we could confirm presence of live ones.
On Thursday evening John and I had a walk around and although there was very few birds around we had a Marbled White and a few Ringlets, the first we have noted here this year. By Sunday there were several Marbled Whites around.
On Saturday I had a walk up the valley with the main intention of seeing Hobby, but didn't find one. I did finally mange to confirm three Sparrowhawk chicks in the nest though, which was very nice to see. Up at the Borrow Pit pool there was two Emperor Dragonflies, one of which was egg laying, and numerous Common Blue damselflies.
Sunday morning John and I were out early for the last of the breeding bird surveys in the Upper Cherwell Valley. Walking up past the reservoir there was a Common Sandpiper, our first wader returning on autumn migration. Later in the morning there were four Common Terns. Generally there has been two Common Terns around on and off, so I wonder if these extra birds are also on return migration already.
The breeding bird survey was fairly standard but it was good to see so many juveniles, especially Whitethroats. We also had Reed and Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting juveniles. Possibly the best finds of the morning were not birds though. John found a single Pyramidal Orchid and 18 Bee Orchids and I saw a Common Lizard.
On Thursday evening John and I had a walk around and although there was very few birds around we had a Marbled White and a few Ringlets, the first we have noted here this year. By Sunday there were several Marbled Whites around.
On Saturday I had a walk up the valley with the main intention of seeing Hobby, but didn't find one. I did finally mange to confirm three Sparrowhawk chicks in the nest though, which was very nice to see. Up at the Borrow Pit pool there was two Emperor Dragonflies, one of which was egg laying, and numerous Common Blue damselflies.
Sunday morning John and I were out early for the last of the breeding bird surveys in the Upper Cherwell Valley. Walking up past the reservoir there was a Common Sandpiper, our first wader returning on autumn migration. Later in the morning there were four Common Terns. Generally there has been two Common Terns around on and off, so I wonder if these extra birds are also on return migration already.
The breeding bird survey was fairly standard but it was good to see so many juveniles, especially Whitethroats. We also had Reed and Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting juveniles. Possibly the best finds of the morning were not birds though. John found a single Pyramidal Orchid and 18 Bee Orchids and I saw a Common Lizard.
Sunday, 26 June 2016
26th June 2016
It has been reasonably quiet so this is just a brief round of of the end of the week.
Thu 23rd: Steve had Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern at the reservoir.
Sat 25th: Mark had a Hobby hawking dragonflies over the Borrow Pit pool.
Today I had a Willow Tit in the wood with a foraging flock of tits, warblers and Treecreepers. A Common Tern was at the reservoir but flew away over the river, one was later at the Borrow Pit pool and then one was back at the reservoir. There was a recently fledged Moorhen chick along the river and three fledged Crows. There was also at least two Yellow Wagtails at the Borrow Pit but I didn't see the Channel Wagtail.
Thu 23rd: Steve had Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern at the reservoir.
Sat 25th: Mark had a Hobby hawking dragonflies over the Borrow Pit pool.
Today I had a Willow Tit in the wood with a foraging flock of tits, warblers and Treecreepers. A Common Tern was at the reservoir but flew away over the river, one was later at the Borrow Pit pool and then one was back at the reservoir. There was a recently fledged Moorhen chick along the river and three fledged Crows. There was also at least two Yellow Wagtails at the Borrow Pit but I didn't see the Channel Wagtail.
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
21st Jun 2016
John had been out at lunch time and saw a Little Ringed Plover at the reservoir. Why these plovers are still turning up here is a bit of a mystery, but they must be breeding somewhere nearby. Where, is another question...
We haven't seen each other since our trip to Poland so planned a walk after work. The reservoir was quiet, as expected. The wood was a little more active but with only the Sparrowhawks heard calling, and not seen, of any note. So we venture on to the Upper Cherwell Valley.
At the Borrow Pit poll we found a Gadwall in heavy moult and a Little Grebe, which we haven't had as many sightings of this year as last year. There are still some Tufted Ducks here too. The Channel Wagtail was still at the far end with at least one other Yellow Wagtail. Around the pool we searched for inverts and saw several Common Blue and a few Blue-tailed Damselflies. A single Black-tailed Skimmer flew out of the grass not to be seen again. There was also two Meadow Brown and single Common Blue butterflies.
We haven't seen each other since our trip to Poland so planned a walk after work. The reservoir was quiet, as expected. The wood was a little more active but with only the Sparrowhawks heard calling, and not seen, of any note. So we venture on to the Upper Cherwell Valley.
At the Borrow Pit poll we found a Gadwall in heavy moult and a Little Grebe, which we haven't had as many sightings of this year as last year. There are still some Tufted Ducks here too. The Channel Wagtail was still at the far end with at least one other Yellow Wagtail. Around the pool we searched for inverts and saw several Common Blue and a few Blue-tailed Damselflies. A single Black-tailed Skimmer flew out of the grass not to be seen again. There was also two Meadow Brown and single Common Blue butterflies.
Sunday, 19 June 2016
19th Jun 2016
I was out both days this weekend for general ambles and to familiarise myself with the current goings on around the reservoir. Two Common Terns were present Saturday and three this morning. I assume these must be failed or non-breeders that have settled here for the rest of the summer.
I checked the Sparrowhawk nest both days but didn't see any activity. Wrens and more Blackcaps have fledged in the wood. Around the Borrow Pit pool Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings are busy feeding chicks either about to fledge or that have recently fledged and the Coots have nine chicks recently hatched.
There were a lot of damsel and dragonfly exuviae around the Borrow Pit on Saturday, but in the dull overcast conditions I failed to see any on the wing. I didn't see any butterflies on either day, which I found slightly odd. Sunday morning though Clive had Emperor and Four-spotted Chasers flying around. This had also attracted a foraging Hobby to the area.
I checked the Sparrowhawk nest both days but didn't see any activity. Wrens and more Blackcaps have fledged in the wood. Around the Borrow Pit pool Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings are busy feeding chicks either about to fledge or that have recently fledged and the Coots have nine chicks recently hatched.
There were a lot of damsel and dragonfly exuviae around the Borrow Pit on Saturday, but in the dull overcast conditions I failed to see any on the wing. I didn't see any butterflies on either day, which I found slightly odd. Sunday morning though Clive had Emperor and Four-spotted Chasers flying around. This had also attracted a foraging Hobby to the area.
 |
| Orange Tip butterfly caterpillar |
Thursday, 16 June 2016
16th Jun 2016
On Tuesday 14th John was out at lunch time and had two Common Terns and a Little Ringed Plover.
Today I had an opportunity to visit in the morning, the first time I have been in nearly two weeks! As I walked up a Common Tern flew off and two people walking ahead of me disturbed an Oystercatcher, which flew off north east. In the wood there was a bird moving around on the Sparrowhawk nest but I couldn't see if it was an adult or a well developed chick. Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Blackcaps are fledging and the Whitethroats along the western path were very approachable. There was also fresh Otter spraint under the railway bridge so they are still active in the area.
Today I had an opportunity to visit in the morning, the first time I have been in nearly two weeks! As I walked up a Common Tern flew off and two people walking ahead of me disturbed an Oystercatcher, which flew off north east. In the wood there was a bird moving around on the Sparrowhawk nest but I couldn't see if it was an adult or a well developed chick. Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Blackcaps are fledging and the Whitethroats along the western path were very approachable. There was also fresh Otter spraint under the railway bridge so they are still active in the area.
Monday, 13 June 2016
13th June 2016
The quiet spell continues. Mark had two Common Terns this afternoon but there was nothing else of note.
There appear to be waders and gulls moving around the country again already so hopefully we will start seeing something more interesting soon.
There appear to be waders and gulls moving around the country again already so hopefully we will start seeing something more interesting soon.
Thursday, 9 June 2016
09th June 2016
Colin visited on Sunday 5th and had a few interesting sightings. Following on from the late Common Sandpiper there was a late Little Ring Plover that flew north. There were two Yellow Wagtails in the cattle field and the Channel Wagtail was still up by the Borrow Pit pool. It was with a female Yellow Wagtail, which it appears to be paired up with. An unusual sighting for the Borrow Pit was a Great Crested Grebe, which neither of us have recorded there before.
John visited today and had two Common Terns but not a lot else.
 |
| Courtesy and copyright of John Friendship-Taylor |
Monday, 6 June 2016
06th Jun 2016
Just a quick post as I'm playing catch up from my week away. There was not a lot of news from Grimsbury, but a few bits of interest are below.
29th May - Steve had a Red Kite over south. I wonder if it is the same bird that we had on the 28th?
30th May - Colin had a Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler and two Sedge Warblers singing and Whitethroats feeding chicks.
04th June - Tony Crisp had the Channel Wagtail still by the Borrow Pit pool. It will be very interesting to see if this bird has paired up with a female and breeds successfully.
There seems to be a few Lesser Black-backs in the area with sporadic sightings at the reservoir. Most are immature birds but some are adults. They may just be non breeding individuals but I have been wondering if they might breed somewhere in town.
29th May - Steve had a Red Kite over south. I wonder if it is the same bird that we had on the 28th?
30th May - Colin had a Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler and two Sedge Warblers singing and Whitethroats feeding chicks.
04th June - Tony Crisp had the Channel Wagtail still by the Borrow Pit pool. It will be very interesting to see if this bird has paired up with a female and breeds successfully.
There seems to be a few Lesser Black-backs in the area with sporadic sightings at the reservoir. Most are immature birds but some are adults. They may just be non breeding individuals but I have been wondering if they might breed somewhere in town.
Friday, 3 June 2016
3rd June 2016: juvenile grey wagtails and swifts
Mike here, just keeping the blog ticking over until Gareth returns from the opposite end of the EU. A few of us have been out and about over the past few days but not too much to get excited about. Colin reports the appearance of Chiffchaff fledglings near the wood. This morning there were two or three juvenile grey wagtails feeding along the reservoir shoreline. Good to see, as not long ago I watched one of the fledglings from the "pipe nest" near the entrance to the reservoir being gobbled up by a Crow. This morning there were also about forty or so swifts flying low over the reservoir and around the trees, desperately trying to feed in the continued very cool conditions, plus a few house martins and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull. Probably won't be too long now before we see the return of the Yellow-legged Gulls.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)