MINIBUS TRIP TO RSPB OTMOOR - SUNDAY APRIL 13TH 2008
Sunday, 13 April 2008
15 keen birdwatchers set course for our 2nd visit to Otmoor; this being timed to coincide with the arrival of Grasshopper Warbler and Yellow Wagtail. Unfortunately, probably because of the run of cold unsettled weather, neither species had been recorded. Luckily, on the day, the forecast showers skirted the reserve, allowing the group a leisurely 6 hours to cover the 3mile "there and back" walk. Migrants that had arrived included several singing Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, and Blackcaps, plus a single Sedge Warbler, the latter spending most of its time hidden in the reeds, only allowing brief glimpses to some of us. Perhaps one of the most surprising birds was the overflying Woodlark spotted by Tony before we had even left the car park! Another statistic that surely doesn't occur often was the appearance of 5 raptor species, but not one thrush, unless you count the unseen singing Blackbird. Neil was deputed to scan the open skies for birds of prey and called in Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, a well fed female Peregrine and several Buzzards, leaving Tony to add a distant red Kite. The work the Society is doing to improve breeding conditions for waders is obviously to the liking of Lapwings, many of which were displaying. Redshanks were also present, but were rather more difficult to see, and the pair of Little Ringed Plovers known to be here were not found. A bonus however was the 150+ Golden Plovers, most of which were in breeding plumage, that made several flypasts before settling "invisibly" in a field. Wildfowl were represented by Mallard, a pair of Gadwall, 4 Greylags and several pairs of Pochard, Shoveler and Tufted Duck.
On leaving the Reserve, a pair of Green Woodpeckers flew across Otmoor Lane, ending an enjoyable outing.
Other species seen : - GC Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Teal, Red Legged Partridge, Pheasant, Coot, Moorhen, BH Gull, LBB Gull(1 overflight), Woodpigeon, Skylark, Sand Martin(3), Swallow(6), House Martin (1), Meadow Pipit (1 overflight), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat,
Blue Tit, Great Tit, LTTit, Starling (3 only), Jay, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Chaffinch, Greenfinch (1 on feeders), Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch (1 calling in flight), Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting (many). (59 species + Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail all heard only.)
NB It was decided to time the next visit for the last week in April to try again for the hoped-for species.
Reported by Steve Oakes
