It was pleasing to hear that the Gropper from earlier in the week was still reeling away. Warblers were, as a whole were in pretty decent numbers, with 9 species between us. Sedge Warblers & Whitethroat were particularly numerous and was nice to hear several Reed Warbler on Gareth's section, a bird never in big numbers here. There was little else of note other than the usual handful of Yellow Wags around the Borrow Pit.
We finished about half 9 and with the sun still shining, it was time to have a look for some butterflies for pretty much the first time this year. I was keen to see some Green Hairstreaks and so I headed a short way along the M40 to Ardley Quarry, a short way into Oxon. Now I've tried seeing hairstreaks here before and always failed. However I knew they were in there somewhere!
Thankfully, I was in luck! After a short while of snooping around, I came across a pair of Green Hairstreaks chasing each other around a hazel bush. Eventually, after what seemed like an age, they landed and showed very nicely indeed! I ended up finding another 1-2 elsewhere too after that, however they failed to settle for long.
Ardley is a lovely little site and is also very good for Grizzled Skippers. On this occasion numbers were certainly in double figures, possibly as many as 15.
Also seen were 2-3 Holly Blue, my first Small Copper of 2016, as well as a handful of more common species.
After quite a while spent wandering round, the clouds slowly blotted out the sun and so I decided to leave for Otmoor, a cracking place to visit at this time of year.
I didn't look all around the reserve as I normally would, with the 5am start slowly catching up with me! Instead, I had a walk along the bridleway which to be fair, proved perfectly worthwhile. Almost immediately, I caught sight of a Turtle Dove in flight and I was soon hearing it purring away in the nearby hedgerow. It then relocated to a telegraph pole and later nearby wires where it contently sat purring away giving some lovely views. So pleasing to see them again this year. I have to say I would rather find my own somewhere closer to home but sadly struggling to make that happen!
Along with the Turtle Dove soundtrack, was the awesome sight of a scattering of hunting Hobby! Numbers were very decent indeed and a scan overhead and out over Greenaways, revealed at least 15! They were a pleasure to watch, swooping after insects either high up or low over a nearby dyke.
Having had my falcon fix, it was time to leave for home. Before I did, it was cool to hear not one, but TWO Turtle Dove purring close to the car park. A purrrrrrfect way to end a great day in the sun!
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