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.
The birding has certainly picked up a bit around here, with waders now very much on the move, returning from their northern breeding grounds.
Star of the show has been the unexpected appearance of a moulting adult Spotted Redshank at the Ardley ERF lagoon on the evening of 08/08 - found by Oxon birder Gareth Casburn. A cracking little find and a local tick for me too - get in!
Pretty much at peak Green Sand passage now, seeing an amazing 25 between Bicester Wetland (13) and Ardley ERF lagoon (12), on the evening of 04/08. A nice Greenshank a local first of the year, also lingering at ERF - currently looking excellent for waders.
Best bird recently was a flyover Whimbrel at Grimsbury Res on 31/07, alerting Gareth and I as it called overhead. My 3rd on patch and 2nd this year - even better for Gareth, a treasured patch tick!
Now is an excellent time to pick up juvenile Med Gulls as they disperse post-fledging. At least 3 were picked up at Grimsbury Res on 29/07 and so I popped over after work for a look and pick up another local year tick. Managed to see 2 of them, with some nice views right over my head at times. Such smart bird with their scalloped mantle.
Away from the birds, as the scorching weather continues, the garden and lured in another Hummingbird Hawkmoth, as well as Painted Lady and a couple of Common Blues - all scarce visitors to our garden.
June and July is always a great time to visit the local woods and enjoy a great selection of butterflies.
Managed only a small handful of visits to Bucknell & Whistley Woods this year, but did manage to see most of the specialities, including a few Purple Emperors, Silver-Washed Fritillaries, White Admirals, Wood White, Purple Hairstreak and several Painted Ladies.
I've been keeping a consistent eye on the garden during this relentless period of dry weather. Probably the scarcest thing I saw unfortunately gave me the slip, as a very likely Brown Argus dropped in on my lawn for about 5 seconds before scooting off over the fence. A garden first that got away!
Recorded both Essex and Small Skippers, plus another couple of brief 'small skipper' sightings, zipping straight through.
Several other common species too with particularly good numbers of Gatekeepers. It seems a great year for them - they're everywhere!
