Otmoor update late April

Spotted Redshank

Information on what is happening on the moor has been filtering through to me from a variety of sources. With the bridleway and other public rights of way running around and through the reserve it is possible to see most of the fields, apart of course from the reedbed and lagoons that are only accessible via the permissive pass, which is closed.

Spring is upon us and its new arrivals continue to flood in. All of the regular warbler species have arrived and are singing, apart from Garden Warbler which has yet to be positively recorded. 

Gropper

Just as in other years there has been a Grasshopper Warbler behaving atypically and singing from the top of a bush in the open. A Sedge Warbler has taken up residence in a blackthorn along the bridleway. 

Confiding Sedgie

Just as last year it is once again belting out its song in the open until seemingly so overcome with its enthusiasm and passion it takes to the air flies up still singing and then parachutes down to the reeds on the other side of the ditch.

All the hirundines have been seen and the resident Swallows at Noke can be seen zipping across the fields near to the barns where they nest. There are new lambs gambolling in the fields and at the weekend the first Whinchat of the year was spotted in a tree near the balancing pond.

Distant Whinchat

Both Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers have been seen, two summer plumaged Spotted Redshanks were feeding in one of the Big Otmoor scrapes and were easily seen from the bridleway. Bitterns are still booming, and one was seen landing and then standing in the middle of Greenaway’s sky-pointing before sloping off into a ditch.

Swimming Spotted Redshank

A ring-tailed Harrier was seen over Greenaway’s last Saturday flushing up Snipe and Skylarks. Marsh Harriers can be seen over the whole of the moor being mobbed by parent Lapwings and Redshanks. 

vigilant Lapwing

On Sunday the first fluffy Lapwing chicks could be seen at the edge of one of the scrapes, always an encouraging sign. A pair of Ravens were pursued and harried by Lapwings as they passed over Big Otmoor.

Raven pursued by Lapwings

I will report what I hear from locals who are taking their exercise around the reserve and I can’t help but wonder what interesting and exciting  birds we might have missed. As I remarked last time I wrote it is sometimes reassuring to reflect that despite humanities trials and tribulations the world is still turning and nature is keeping calm and carrying on.

Red tailed Bumble Bee just getting on with it!     All pics (c) Bark