First Two Weeks of March

Glossy Ibis (c) Bark

There is an old saying that: “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”. We can only hope that this adage will hold true this year. We have experienced a very stormy start to the month and a softer, warmer and more lamb like second half would be most welcome.

Little Grebes (c) Tom N-L

Water levels across the moor have gone down considerably and are currently at their optimum levels for the time of year and the start of the breeding season. It has become slightly warmer again after another cold snap at the start of the month, but nights can still be frosty.

There are still some Redwings feeding on the paths. (c) Bark

The seasonal comings and goings have continued and gained pace, despite the vagaries of the weather. Redshank numbers have gone up dramatically and there are pairs displaying and calling across all of the main fields.

Heron Nest building (c) Bark

The resident Lapwings too are getting on with the business of reproduction, there are still overwintering Lapwing flocks, but their numbers are gradually reducing.

Goldies (c) Bark

The number of Golden Plovers on site has also shrunk considerably, despite this there are still almost a thousand, mostly hunkered down on the Flood Field or Big Otmoor and only really showing themselves when flushed by one or other of the raptors frequenting the moor.

Greenaway's Curlew (c) Bark

Curlews are pairing up and beginning to display and adopt territories across the whole moor.

The Closes, Big Otmoor and The Flood Field are proving to be very attractive to passage waders. There have been up to twenty-seven Black-tailed Godwits present many of them moulting into their smart brick red breeding plumage.

Blue Tit gathering reed mace ? (c) Tom N-L

The Lapwing and Golden Plover flocks often include a sprinkling of Dunlin flying amongst them when they flush in response to a real or an imagined threat. Careful scoping will often reveal them, feeding amongst the larger birds busily picking up scraps from amongst the tussocks or along the water’s edge. There have also been up to fourteen Ruff feeding out on The Closes and Big Otmoor.

Courting Gadwall Tom N-L

Pintail Pair Big Otmoor (c) Tom N-L

Many of the ducks are pairing up and those yet to acquire mates are pursuing females in gangs. The Pochard Drakes have developed deep rusty red heads in which their bright vermillion eyes glow.

Female Pochard (c) JR

Pairs that have adopted a nest site are very reluctant to leave it and there was such a pair in the ditch alongside the bridleway last weekend. The female almost melted away into the dead reeds lining the ditch, while the male paddled off, reluctant to take wing.

and again (c) Bark

A Water Pipit is still present and was seen on the weekend before last from the second screen. It was feeding in amongst the reed stubble. It is probably the same individual that was photographed in the late autumn beside the stone track and seen in a similar area after the New Year.

Water Pipit courtesy of Dave Lowe

Chiffy in the Roman Road (c) Bark

In the hedgerow survey that we started last week it was notable just how many Chiffchaffs we picked up, one or two of them are now singing actively. We were also finding and hearing Cetti’s in places that we have not heard them before and are increasing our estimates of just how many we now have on Otmoor.

B.H.G. at the first screen (c) Bark

The Black -headed Gulls are starting to pair up and there were up to fifteen individuals on and over the lagoon in front of the first screen. They were characteristically very noisy as they displayed and paired up.

Dramatic Marsh Harrier food pass over the reedbed (c) Dan and Tricia Miller

If they behave as they did in the last couple of years their numbers will increase rapidly over the next few weeks. They will move onto Big Otmoor to nest where they can be safe from mammalian predators and their numbers will help to deter avian predation.

Glossy over (c) Tezzer

We have had three exciting new additions to the year-list, which now stands at one hundred and ten species. A Little Gull was seen at the second screen last weekend, it is the first one on the moor since 2018. A Little Owl has been heard calling and we failed to record this species at all last year.

Glossy Ibis (c) Bark

Glossy Ibis by Badger.

Finally, a Glossy Ibis was seen last Friday in flight and it would appear to have taken up temporary residence in one of the remoter corners of the reserve, although it can be seen from the public right of way on the northern side of the moor. It might well be the same individual that was photographed towards the end of last year. There have been enough flooded fields around the moor for it feed on over the last couple of months!

Shouting Wren (c) JR

Perhaps by next weekend we will have recorded our first Wheatears and Sand Martins of the year.

Red Kite behind the first screen (c) Bark