Had a really enjoyable family holiday on the Isle of Wight 11/09 - 15/09. Not for birding, but took the binos and camera along. I did come across a few nice bits including great views of Med Gulls and Sandwich Terns, Tree Pipit, Hobby, Wheatear, Spot Fly, good numbers of Yellow Wags and some common wader species.
I've been keeping fairly regular tabs on Ardley ERF lagoon near Bicester in recent weeks, with the consistent low water levels looking very promising for passage waders.
August had already produced a real local scarcity in the shape of a Spotted Redshank, so hopes were high more interest, during what has been thus far, a good autumn for passage waders nationally.
On 06/09, a quick look on the way back from work delivered the goods. A quick scan revealed nothing massively new, however walking further down the path and another scan later and there, amongst a handful of Green Sands was a crisp, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper. Really nice for the regular effort to pay off!
Other than that, during September the site has produced regular double-figure counts of Green Sands, up to 2 Ruff, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and a number of Common Sand and Snipe. Away from the waders, best has been a juvenile Caspian Gull on the quarry, as well as Stonechat and Peregrine among other things.
A couple of very decent patch birds appeared at Grimsbury Res, right at the end of August and beginning of September.
The standout of the two was the unexpected arrival of an immature drake Ferruginous Duck, discovered by Gareth B on the morning of 02/09. Luckily I was free before work to shoot up and take a look and in fact I also popped back later for better views.
Not a bird I expected on patch but welcome none the less. There were no rings or sign of captivity. Subsequent scrutiny of photos, in fact showed that it appeared to have been the same bird present for some while at Daventry Res - not too far away as the Fudge Duck flies. It was not seen there on 02/09, however reappeared the following day, by which time there was no sign at Grimsbury. So, it appears to have taken a day trip and decided the grass isn't always greener and shot straight back!!
Something a little more expected was a Great White Egret that appeared on 01/09 and stayed put for quite a few days, feeding with up to 5 Little Egrets in the build up of weed at the northern end of the res. Having had a couple of of flyovers, it was well overdue to see one on the deck!
Other bits and pieces through September at Grimsbury included Spotted Fly, Whinchat, a run of Wigeon, Teal, a couple of Pochard.
