The end of October

 

Chiffy (c) Bark

Over the last few weeks, we have had more arrivals on the moor, some of them expected and some of them less regular. The year-list now stands at a very respectable one hundred and fifty species after the most recent additions.

Goldeneye (c) JR

It has been a very wet stormy period and the disturbed weather has scattered birds across the country and disrupted migration patterns. The inclement conditions have sometimes made getting out and looking for birds difficult, either because of rain or at other times the strong winds have meant that small passerines have kept hunkered down in the bushes. There have been occasional breaks in the wilder weather, and we have enjoyed one or two perfect autumn days.

Signs of Autumn Gales

Water levels across the reserve and the adjacent fields have started to go up again and this has led to a steady rise in the number of wildfowl present. Many of the wigeon and Teal are spending time on the Flood Field and the partially flooded MOD fields. At the first screen there are significant numbers of Gadwall and Shovellers, along with a smattering of the other species. We are seeing Pintail regularly flying between Big Otmoor and the Flood. Two weeks ago, we were surprised to find a female Goldeneye in front of the second screen, it did not stay long however, but it was the first that has been recorded on the moor for over eight years.

Snipe on Greenaway's (c) Tom N-L

The large numbers of birds using the flood field can really only be seen and appreciated when they are flushed en masse by Peregrines. There are two that are being seen regularly across the area, Marsh Harriers are also hunting across the same fields but only seem to flush Snipe, Lapwings and Golden Plovers and not the ducks. 

Pied Wagtail by the cattle pens (c) JR

A male Merlin is frequenting the reserve and the adjoining fields. On a walk out to the Pill last weekend we came upon a flock of well over thirty Meadow Pipits, so there is no shortage of its’ favourite prey species.

Stonechat at the Pill (c) Bark

 There have been intermittent reports of a Ring-tailed Harrier, but they probably refer to birds that were moving through rather than over wintering with us. We have identified a minimum of four regular Marsh Harriers, male and female adults and two juveniles.

Marsh Harrier (c) Bark

There was a report from a reliable observer of a probable Glossy Ibis seen descending at the back of Greenways onto the Flood Field beyond. Further searches were unable to locate it but there are so many flooded ditches, pools and suitable muddy feeding areas across the whole area that it might very well be re-found and confirmed in the next few weeks.

Fieldfare (c) Bark

There are a number of different pairs of Stonechats present across the whole moor they seem to have adopted quite large winter territories and so are difficult to pin down but careful scanning across Greenaway’s will often reveal them clinging to a tall bullrush or sedge. They are sometimes being seen around the cattle pens and also in the vicinity of July’s meadow.

Wren (c) JR

Fieldfares and Redwings are feeding on the haws in the hedgerows and a quiet patient wait inside the second screen can often be rewarded by close views of these stunning thrushes, as they move along the hedgerows in noisy garrulous groups.

Superb flight sequence of Filedfares  (c) JR

Other mixed flocks of tits, often with one or two overwintering Chiffchaffs attached, can be seen well in the same place.

Chiffchaff (c) Bark

During this week, a Water Pipit was seen alongside the stone track across Greenaway’s by the reserve warden. It flew across towards the first set of scrapes next to the bridleway where it could be seen amongst the tussocks.

Water Pipit (c) Fergus Mosey

Bitterns too are being seen on and over Greenaways with increasing regularity. Only this week a Short-eared Owl was seen over this field at dusk, a sign of things to come?

We will be starting the winter feeding programme for seed eaters soon and the area near the hide will be worth watching as we have already seen one fine male Brambling in the area and Redpolls too are continuing to be spotted around the reserve.

Brambling (c) Bark

Finally, a salutary lesson for myself and a couple of my regular birding friends. Two weeks ago, we had walked up the eastern edge of Ashgrave beside the wood to have a look at the area of scrub that is developing there. From high up the hill we saw four Egrets fly in and land at one of the many distant scrapes near the bottom of this massive field. “Look Little Egrets “…… a quick look though the scope “ No they’ve got yellow bills…..they’re Cattle Egrets!”  Across the field their size was indeterminate, and they were partially hidden. We set off to get closer if we could and then they flew across towards some cattle where we thought they might settle. They didn’t and kept going  over towards the Closes and then away eastwards. We were all absolutely convinced that they were Cattle Egrets…..but of course the weren’t.

Four Great White Egrets (c) Bark

They were Great white Egrets which only emerged when we had a proper look at the pictures we had taken as record shots as they flew away. Oops! I had already put the news of four Cattle Egrets on Otmoor out. It is still a great record but goes to show how important scale is. With nothing beside them to show how tall they were, but grasses and sedge and their legs hidden by a fold in the ground it was an easy mistake to make, at least that’s my excuse! As well as the fact that we had already decided what they were and then went along with our original wrong idea.

Starlings over the reeds (c)Bark