 |
| Wigeon back in good numbers (c) Bark |
We have finally had some decent rain and at last there are
pools starting to form in the middle of the scrapes that have been dry for too
long. Last weekend the rain was kind enough to fall mostly at night and on both
Saturday and Sunday mornings we enjoyed periods of crisp bright sunshine with
clear washed skies, worthy of the finest Turner watercolours. There are still
leaves clinging to the oak trees. They are all shades of gold and bronze and
they blaze out when lit by the low sun, especially so after a shower when they
are set against the inky blue clouds of the departing rain, sometimes
embellished with a rainbow.
 |
| Otmoor Rainbow (c) Bark |
The Starling roost has continued to grow in number and has
built up rapidly to numbers in excess of fifty thousand. The numbers are
spectacular but there is no guarantee that they will perform their swirling
murmuration display. More often than not they go straight down into the reeds
to roost covering the reeds like a black oily tide and constantly chattering to
each other. We still have not been able to determine the factors that produce a
spectacular roost it must be related to wind, temperature and weather but we
have yet to understand it.
 |
| Distant Harrier (c) Tezzer |
Such large numbers are naturally attracting more and more
raptors to what must be a predictable food source. The latest addition has been
a Ring-Tailed Hen Harrier that has started to frequent the roost on the lookout
for its evening meal. We are hoping that the splendid male that left us last
April, will have evaded the gamekeepers and will make it back to overwinter
again on the moor.
 |
| Last Sprigs male (c) Tezzer |
During the past week two Peregrines are also haunting the
roost, as well as two pairs of Sparrowhawks and the resident Marsh Harriers. We
have noticed that first thing in the morning there are always one or two Red
Kites patrolling low over and around the reedbed. With such large numbers of
starlings it is inevitable that there will be sick, ailing or injured
individuals left behind when the flocks depart at dawn, we assume that the
Kites are seeking out such casualties.
 |
| Peregrine (c) Tezzer |
On Sunday morning one of the Peregrines was perched up in a
dead Oaktree on the far side of Noke Sides judging by its size we estimated it
was a male. This has often been a popular lookout for Peregrines as it offers
panoramic views over the areas where Lapwings, Golden Plover and Woodpigeons
feed.
 |
| Lapwings and Golden Plover on Noke Sides (c) Bark |
Last week a Peregrine was seen to stoop at dusk on a bat, probably a
noctule, it was unsuccessful, but this was a behaviour never previously seen by
the observers.
During the past week two Otters were seen on the bank to the
right of the second screen. It was the first otter sighting for some time, the
animals concerned might be a male and female or perhaps more likely a female
and cub, there was a marked difference in size between the them. On Saturday
morning on the southern lagoon we noticed that the ducks were very restless and
easily spooked, moving out away from the edges en masse and occasionally
flying. After watching for a while I just glimpsed an otter diving and later on
swimming swiftly along the reedy margin on the far side of the water.
 |
| Roe deer (c) JR |
I was
also lucky enough last weekend to have a spectacular view of four Roe Deer
running past me rather than the normal view of a deer running away from me. We
were able to see them with all four legs off the ground like fairground horses
and admire their athleticism at close hand.
For the first time this winter there were Lapwing flocks of
several hundred birds both over and on big Otmoor. Duck numbers too are
starting to rise again with many more Shovellers and more Wigeon present.
 |
| Wigeon at the first screen (c) Bark |
Bitterns are being seen frequently over and on the reedbed
we certainly saw three different individuals on Saturday morning from the first
screen. People watching at the second screen saw an individual climb up the
reeds on the northern edge of the lagoon and stand in the sunshine for a while.
On Sunday we came upon a Bittern stalking through a patch of sedge it saw us
and before slinking away drew itself up to its full height making it easier to
see rather than hiding it. It’s a technique that really only works in tall
reeds!
 |
| Peering Bittern (c) Tezzer |
Just as I am about to post this blog I have heard of a
Glossy Ibis flying over the second screen. It may very well stay in the area
just as the previous bird did, the Otmoor basin is a very secluded and
extensive area. It is a very welcome addition to this years’ more modest list.
 |
| Fieldfare (c) Oz |
