Balscote Quarry :: 25 October 2022

Reports had been coming in since the weekend that a Dartford warbler had been spotted at Balscote Quarry - a call had been heard that suggested a few days before but Iain Brown laid eyes on it for a definitive ID. Mike Pollard and Edwin Barson had both managed great photos of the bird and so I decided to take my lunch at the reserve and see if I could find it.

Overhead I had my first fieldfare of the autumn and in the hedge near the advertised spot goldcrests fed. I listened and watched eventually hearing a low partial sub-call from the bird but it took a moment to locate the bird low in a bush. It was difficult to get anything other than a record shot until it hopped forward, preened briefly, and turned to depart. Fortunately for me it didn't fly too far, landing on a small tree sapling and facing in my direction. I got s couple of photos, one out of focus and one which I was chuffed with.

The bird then alighted and flew behind and away. A short encounter but thrilling.

Year List:  224
BirdTrack Record:  https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46124395

Farmoor Reservoir : 23 October 2022

The morning started late and was accompanied by rain. I decided to take it easy and looked at some of the photos I'd taken the previous day when visiting WWT Slimbridge, then posting them on Twitter. By late morning I noted that there were reports that the yellow-browed warbler at Farmoor Reservoir was showing again and so had an early lunch and agreed with Charlotte we'd go for a walk at Farmoor - the forecast was for thundery showers but as we left it was really rather pleasant.

We arrived in the car park and could see that there were about a dozen people hanging around the start of the countryside walk so we went and joined them. They'd heard the bird quite recently but not had a good look - we waited and heard the bird behind us, scattering the watchers along the path. After a few minutes they started to come back together.

Charlotte was getting restless and said she'd go for a walk up to the water treatment works area and see if she could see the black redstart reported the previous day. Almost as soon as she'd gone, Bryan Manston got a call from Michael Enticott to say that he had been searching for the blackstart but been unable to locate it. Mmm, perhaps I'd need to go and catch up with Charlotte. We heard another call from the bush in front of us and occasionally saw movement. It didn't take too long before the YBW popped out enough to identify it and work along the edge of the bush - I raised the alarm and the group joined in the views, however brief. We watched and waited but could only ever get fleeting views.

I talked with Ewan Urquhart for a short while and before I left, I joined a few others looking at what appeared to be a willow warbler at the top of a tree - a late bird? I decided I'd need to catch up with Charlotte, finding her around the Visitors Centre - she'd not found the blackstart. We chatted for 5 minutes and then made our way along to the water treatment works finding Ewan sitting on the wall and contemplating. We made our way along the path, spotting handfuls of meadow pipits, a grey wagtail and a number of pied wagtails but before we reached the far end Charlotte called another passing bird and this time, I could see it was the black redstart. It disappeared between buildings but was only lost for a few minutes at which point I called Ewan over - we watched the bird work along the far buildings and then out of sight behind.

Rather than continue round F1 I suggested dropping into the cafe for a coffee and hot chocolate - this suggestion was well received. We sat and looked out over F2 from a bench, enjoying the calm. As time moved on, I convinced Charlotte that we should try and see the YBW before we left and when we arrived, both Bryan Manston and Michael Enticott were still there - we joined them and relayed that the black redstart was showing - they hadn't seen my update on the Oxon WhatsApp group. They departed and left us watching a spot where the warbler had shown well, but briefly, earlier. It was less than ten minutes when it reappeared on a tree directly in front of us an stopped long enough for me to get a snap, against the sky and in silhouette - it then moved into a hawthorn behind and flitted between the bushes, giving occasional views but at great distance. What a bird - new for the year for me too. We watched for another 5 - 10 minutes but decided the light was now failing and pulled stumps.

Year List:  224
BirdTrack Record:  https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46120415

WWT Slimbridge :: 22 October 2022

We had scheduled a visit to WWT Slimbridge to see if we could catch up with the collared pratincole, stopping for a roll and sausage at the Gloucester Services on the M5, and where I successfully split my coffee down my fleece - perhaps it wasn't going to be a good day. I was grateful to Kev as he'd seen the bird the previous day and was happy to return for seconds. At the services I went online and joined the WWT as we would be entering by the Member's entrance - there would be no issue with me using the membership again, here at Slimbridge but also across the other reserves. We arrived, parked up and passed through the gate offering our details to the staff on guard. We didn't hang around and made for the South Lake Discovery Hide; this is where the pratincole had been reported over the last few days. Passing through the reserve we had a fleeting glance of one of my favourites, a Cetti's warbler - we didn't stay to see if I could get a photo, we were on a mission.

We arrived at the hide and found it busy, especially on the righthand side - we joined the group and found they were on the bird, and it was perched on a small island out in front. We could see the bird through our bins and Kev's scope - after a short while, a space at the windows came free and I joined Neil Cowley, tracking the bird as it started to fly around the lake. It was a nightmare photographing against the sky, the bird in silhouette or the photos with significant noise. Still, I spent an hour or so watching the bird flying and returning to the small island - taking photos and hoping against hope that something would come out. Our friends Dylan Parry-Davies and Sue Toon arrived and set up to view the bird with us. Dylan is a specialist at videos through his scope and I looked forward to see what he would post later on Twitter. My photos would be challenging but I hoped to get something with the bird in flight.

It was amazing how the light disturbed our attempts at photographs but gave great views through the scope. I kept trying regardless.

Out on the water there were large numbers of black-tailed godwits and lapwings, and a couple of avocets. There was only one star though. I'd been in place for a while and felt that I should give up my space to allow someone else to have views and a chance of photos - I met with Kev, Dylan and Sue outside the hide where they were watching goldfinches and siskins feeding in the trees. We all made for the Zeiss Hide and climbed to the upper deck and looked out over the reeds and fields to the river beyond. The first bird Dylan pulled out was a little stint, out in the distance so small against the handful of lapwings, then another with a sizeable flock of dunlin - black-tailed godwit fed far to our right. A water rail called but didn't show and a marsh harrier sat on the edge of the water feeding on some prey; we couldn't see what.

One of the other birders mentioned that there were white-fronted geese visible from the left end and when viewing 14 of these were could also see seven ruff in the same field. Back in front a peregrine sat on a post, just visible over the brow of the slope far over towards the river. Having got our fill we all left, Dylan and Sue heading for the cafe and Kev and I further down the track. We eventually got closer to the white-fronted geese seeing first 10 depart then another 14. There were a few mipits feeding in the field too, with now 36 ruff visible.

On our journey we bumped into Penny (Pagan Birder) and Ann. We stopped and chatted for a short while, relaying that a firecrest has been spotted with the tits and goldcrest near the gate to Kingfisher hide - we hadn't found it. It was time for a coffee and cake.

After our break we made our way down to the Estuary Hide, stopping to see redshank and lapwings along the way. In the part sunshine the colours of the lapwing were at their best - I couldn't resist a photo.

We reached the Estuary Hide and surveyed the area spotting a couple of snow goose (one blue morph), barnacle geese and the peregrine still sitting on the post. A single black-tailed godwit fed in the pool to our right and a curlew out in the river.

It was getting late and we'd soon need to make for home as Kev was going out in the evening - just time to drop into the South Lake Discovery Hide again on the way to the car. There were numbers still in the hide and I had another go at some flight shots with no better outcome - I was relatively pleased with the shot of the bird resting in the grass between the two bodies of water. I had managed to get to a window thanks to Alan McCluskie giving up his spot for me. We would meet him again for a chat on our way out - we'd previously bumped into him at RSPB Otmoor when viewing the short-eared owls recently.

Another tremendous day out with a lifer and a year tick.

Year List:  223
BirdTrack Record:  https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46116133

Awre, Gloucestershire :: 15 October 2022

Leaving RSPB Otmoor on Friday evening, Kevin Heath and I agreed to touch base in a couple of hours and decide where to bird on Saturday. Between times Kev had talked to his sister @hobbylovinglife (and her partner in crime Dean Reeves @worlebirder) and found out that they planned to try for the Richard's pipit reported over the last couple of days on the edge of the river at Awre, Gloucestershire. It sounded like a good idea, and I'd been hoping to meet Karen and Dean for some time – the pipit would also be a lifer for both of us.

Conditions were fine for the journey down but as we arrived and started putting on our boots the rain started to fall - this is when I discovered that I hadn't got my rain cover for my camera and lens and hoped it wouldn't be torrential. The rain fell steadily for 10-15 minutes and we saw flocks of linnet, some stonechats, starlings and goldfinches on the way down to the water's edge – the rain eased off slowly. We paused occasionally, scanning the hedges and fields for signs of pipits but none could be found. We climbed up onto the footpath and immediately I saw three cranes out in the river - we stopped for a look, noting two adults and a juvenile. As we watched, a kingfisher flew by and appeared to land over the brow and just out of view - Karen and I moved round to see if we could improve our line of sight but we couldn't relocate it - perhaps it hadn't stopped after all.

We looked up where the pin had been dropped and pushed on, seeing a couple of birders ahead and in the rough location. We stopped to watch some birds around some fencing and scrub noting reed bunting, stonechat, robin and wrens. As we walked on a pipit took to the wing, flying away and towards where the birders were standing. As it flew the pipit displayed some very unusual acrobatics as it appeared to feed on flying insects. The behaviour wasn't at all like usual mipit sightings / behaviour, and more like descriptions given in previous sightings of the Richard's pipit.

We gradually moved along the track, stopping regularly to view the hedges and grassy fields and to talk with one of the birders who was leaving in our direction - he reported that they had heard what they believed to be the target bird but had assumed it was coming from the bird they had seen us following. Stonechats, reed buntings and mipits were all showing but nothing resembling the Richard's pipit. A lone swallow flew along the grass field and away into the distance.

We reached the area where the pin had been dropped on Birdguides - we had heard that the bird had been feeding in the area between a large bramble bush and reeds on the riverbank. We set ourselves up, watching and listening - numbers of skylark joined the species already noted - we heard brief calls a couple of times which appeared to be the target bird but couldn't lock onto it for a confirmatory sighting. After some time, we decided to try a bit further down the field and towards a stubble field - Dean had plucked out a late whinchat along the hedge between the field behind and that beyond.

We scanned the stubble field and found a single redwing feeding with tits, a robin and a couple of blackbirds. In the hedge, on the stubble field ,and in a tree, the whinchat flitted about.

The wind was picking up and we could find only mipits so returned to the main area of interest - some skylarks and mipits went over and we began to wonder whether we'd get a good look at the target bird.

A pipit with what appeared to be a longer tail and darker flank went over and I snapped some more record shots - we reviewed the photos, but the side views were dark against the sky and the wing shots not conclusive on the back of the camera - very frustrating!

Later we were able to extract the photos and modify the light, finding that we had indeed captured a photo of our target bird and achieved a positive ID for Richard's pipit. Despite spending a significant time afterwards, we wouldn't get any repeat or better views.

The rain came again, followed by more wind, then sunshine - a continual change in conditions and not conducive to seeing any bird flights - the birds would likely be hunkered down. A rainbow appeared and looked attractive against the distant hills.

As the tide went out again, curlew started to return to the water's edge. We could see dunlin out in the exposed riverbed, and a flock of circa 100 black-tailed godwit spun around the opposite bank. Kestrels and buzzards cruised at distance.

We discussed what to do next, but I had to be back in Banbury as I was going out early evening - so we reluctantly left with only the briefest of views of the target bird. The sun appeared briefly, and I snapped a couple of the species showing along the hedgerow - the wind was picking up again and made it difficult on the return journey.

We climbed the last slope and reached the cars bidding farewell to Karen and Dean, happy with our day's birding, but slightly disappointed by our views - conditions hadn't been conducive but we had added another lifer.

Year List:  221
BirdTrack Record:  https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46085316

RSPB Otmoor :: 14 October 2022

Back for seconds at RSPB Otmoor - the short-eared owls had been performing beautifully through the week and so I packed up work early on Friday and made for the bridleway. As I approached the best area you could see birders already stretched out along the fence line, and it hadn't yet broken 4.00pm. As I reached the bench, I found Anne Truby @dottydotterel and Adrian Sparrrowhawk sitting and chatting - Nick Truby @old_caley was a bit further along. After a short chat I moved along to talk with Nick who relayed that a bittern had flown past and dropped into the reeds in front - everyone was now waiting to see if would depart and give an opportunity for some photos - after all, most of the birders there were armed to the teeth ...

While I was waiting I saw Michael Enticott ahead and strolled on to chat with him - I hadn't seen him since Sunday! While I was chatting, I could see Kevin Heath @kev07713 arrive with Karen @karenheath62 - they stopped to talk with Nick. Louise Donovan @louisedo113 arrived and set up ready in the peg next to us - she had a couple of setups and was ready for all situations. We chatted and then without warning the bittern arose from the reeds and made a circuit of the reed bed, dropping back in. Kev and Karen came along and said that Nick had some good shots, and it was a shame it hadn't come down closer to us. I had photos and hoped that something would be possible - I'd had decent views but just a little more distant than the group to our right.

It wasn't more than a few minutes and up the bittern went again this time flying straight for the group to our right, making a circuit of the reeds again, and then straight past us. There was a rattling of automatic fire as the bittern did us all proud and gave as good views as anyone could ever hope for, and in decent light. The bird reached the far side of the next major reedbed and dropped from sight.

Once the gun smoke had cleared, we all congratulated each other on our photos and discussed about how lucky we had been to have shared the encounter. It took a little while longer but eventually the short-eared owl made an appearance along the left hedge line and over into Big Otmoor - well that wasn't long and a complete contrast to the views we'd just had. In five minutes time though, we had another sighting and this time over to our right - the same bird? For long periods it hunted far out in front to our right but gradually made circuits getting closer and closer.

Soon enough the bird made a pass along the closest reed line to our right giving tremendous views. A video posted on Twitter by Rob Cadd showed the pass beautifully. For me I rattled off a few photos and was pleased to have upgraded the photos (better light) from Sunday.

On the next pass the owl dropped into the grass and sat as it had done just a few days before, scanning the line of birders and listening to the sound of shutters firing.

We continued to be treated to good views and an occasional sighting on both owls together, rising a bit higher as they were joined by a crow. The bird dropped occasionally near the track across Greenaways and sat viewing the birding collective.

In front a kestrel dropped and caught a vole, taking it to a muddy area out in front of us and proceeded to feed on it. All very gruesome through Kev's scope - I took some photos but couldn't capture the scene or the prey.

The light started to fade, and we found ourselves one of the last groups hanging on in there. A barn owl hunted on the far hedge line but never closed for good views. We made our way back to the car glowing with the success of the visit and the views afforded by the bittern and shorties.

Year List:  220
BirdTrack Record:  https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46083921

RSPB Otmoor :: 09 October 2022

My wife and I had been out for an early Sunday lunch with good friends, arriving home mid-afternoon. We'd only just sat down with a cup of coffee when I received a WhatsApp message from Kevin Heath to say that he was on his way down to RSPB Otmoor and that he'd stop off and pick me up if I was free - our other friend Adrian Sparrowhawk was apparently already there. We hadn't got anything planned and so I jumped at the chance - a couple of short-eared owls had been seen the previous day, and conditions were favourable with only the lightest of a breeze. Within 15 minutes I was in his car and heading for the reserve.

The car park was busy but not full and it didn't take us long to park up and get on our way down to the bridleway. We stopped to scan The Closes seeing mostly lapwing and greylag geese - a kestrel flew along the side of the leftmost hedge and then dropped onto a fence - too far for a photo in any case. We pushed on.

We got to the bridleway and planned to make for the area around the bench, expecting Adrian to be there already. We stopped in front of the cattle pens to see if we could see anything from there - just a marsh harrier flypast, and at distance. We pushed on and Kev sent Adrian a message to say we were on the bridleway, and he replied to say that a short-eared owl was showing on Greenaways but about halfway between the bench and the gate to First Screen. We scanned in that direction, and I picked out the bird near the far hedge - I took a couple of photos for the record but hoped it would hunt there for a while yet and I'd be afforded an upgrade ...

We reached a stretch where a number of birders were already in position finding Adrian at the far end - Kev set up his scope and we watched as the shorty continued to hunt, at least for a couple of minutes - then it dropped from view behind the reeds.

It was around ten minutes before it showed again by which time a couple of barn owls had started hunting at the very back of Greenaways - we could watch them but, given the light and distance, not even I attempted to take any photos. The shorty eventually took to the wing and made a quick circuit and once again dropped into the grass, but this time in view. It could be seen through the scope, and I attempted a couple of record shots.

Luke O'Byrne appeared - he was the guy who had posted some photos from distance the evening before. The bird stayed put for a considerable time during which Adrian made his exit as he had to help a friend move some motorbikes. To our left and high in the sky another shorty was to be seen cruising with one, but occasionally a handful, of crows. I was tempted to go and see where it landed as it went out of view but I had a bird already in front of me and so I stayed put.

Michael Enticott appeared, summoned by messages to let him and Bryan Manston know the owls were showing - Bryan had suggested Michael go ahead and he'd catch up, which he did a few minutes later. The Greenaways bird decided to fly and perch on a wooden structure on the far hedge line - we all hoped to see the bird come back our way but when it did fly it dropped back into the grass and out of view. We wouldn’t be able to upgrade our photos. While we waited and the others departed one by one, we were entertained by multiple kestrels hunting over the reserve. A flock of golden plovers also passed at distance. Over Big Otmoor the other shorty was still cruising with random crows.

With the light almost gone we decided to pack up having enjoyed the great views we were given by the owls. There was a significant gathering of starlings and expect that this will be growing in coming weeks and likely to start attracting raptors - hopefully at some point we will get views of hen harrier - fingers crossed.

Year List:  220
BirdTrack Record:  https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46070130