End of September

 

Cetti's Warbler (c) Bark

Autumn is coming up rapidly and the temperatures have taken a sharp dive. This weekend was very windy at the reserve and whenever the wind is in the east or the north there is less shelter available on the moor. The wind blows straight through the screens and straight into one’s face, wildfowl hunker down in the reedbed and around the edges while small passerines stay deep in cover.

Mallard coming in (c) Bark

As you might have gathered from that there were few highlights to report from the weekend. At the first screen amongst the Mallard, Shovellers and Gadwall there were seven Wigeon newly arrived. Just once or twice for the first time this season I heard their distinctive whistling calls, something that will soon merge into part of the familiar Otmoor winter soundscape.

Shoveller getting into fresh plumage (c) Bark

Many of the drake Gadwall are sporting their smart crisp grey breeding plumage, being one of the first duck species to come out of eclipse. The drakes are stretching their necks, bobbing and calling to attract and impress potential mates. Not too far behind them in terms of their moult are the Shovellers although they will probably need another month to achieve perfect colouring and tidiness.

Marsh Harrier over the reedbed (c) Bark

We only saw one Marsh Harrier over the reedbed, and we recognised it as the same moulting adult male that we have been watching over the past few weeks. A Bittern made a brief flight over the reeds relocating within the reedbed. Their appearances have been only sporadic over the last few months, but we assume that they have little need to move about much, as there are many secluded ditches and pools to feed at, within the reedbed complex.

Kestrel and Buzzard and corvid. (c) Bark

There are still a few warblers to be found if you have the patience to find and then go through a feeding flock. They include Sedge and Reed Warblers Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.

Late Sedge Warbler (c) Stephen Kill

In the case of the latter two species they could be birds that are staying or arriving for the winter rather than late leavers. There are many Goldfinches on and around the reserve at the moment, feeding principally on the seeding thistles.

Chiffchaffs can look fat and dumpy and at other times quite long bodied (c) Bark

There are good numbers of juvenile birds amongst them suggesting that they have had a very successful breeding season. The Linnet flock is building up too and will doubtless get even bigger once we start the winter feeding programme beside the hide.

Cetti's (c) Bark

It is difficult to estimate just how many Cetti’s Warblers there are on and around the reserve. At least a dozen would be a conservative estimate. They are difficult to pin down as they are mobile but can be relied on in certain specific places. As well as their more strident territorial call they also have a more muttered sub-song almost as if they are talking to themselves or practicing what they are going to say when they shout. Twice yesterday I was lucky enough to see one sitting out and calling in the open, needless to say they didn’t show for long.

Great white Egrets (c) Paul Wyeth

Two Great White Egrets spent a little while feeding in front of the first screen last week and there have been four or five Grey Herons scattered over the whole area. The Great Whites are becoming much more regular visitors now that they are established in the county.

Fallow Deer (c) Tom N-L

With Yellow -browed Warblers being seen at Farmoor and trapped at Faringdon, perhaps they could become the one hundred and forty forth species to be recorded down there this year. They will be worth listening and looking out for.

Clouded Yellow (c) Stephen Kill