Mid September update

 

House Martin on Passage (c) bark

The summer has gone all too fast and we are now moving rapidly into Autumn. The moor is taking on the faded greens of early autumn and the Phragmites reeds are showing their bronzy tinged seed heads. Across the reserve hay has been cut and seeds have been harvested from the flower rich hay meadows on the MOD land surrounding the rifle range. This seed will later be spread onto other less botanically diverse parts on the reserve.

All Three Egret Species together (c) Bark

The bird news is all about Egrets, a lone Glossy Ibis and passage migrants. There are still a lot of Chiffchaffs flitting along the hedgerows and still a few late Reed and Sedge Warblers being seen in the ditches and on the edges of the reedbed.

Reed Warbler (c) Bark

Hidden Sedge Warbler (c) Bark

Very Yellow looking Chiffchaff (c) Bark

It is quite amazing how rapidly the population of Cattle Egrets has grown, from a handful just four years ago to over seventy seen coming in to roost on the 11^th September. They seem to become much more prevalent on the moor after mid-summer and they are a mix of adult and juvenile birds.

Cattle Egrets at the spit (c) Bark

They accompany the cattle that are grazed on our fields and take advantage of the abundant Grasshoppers and other invertebrates, as well as finding amphibians and some small fry in the shrinking pools and drying ditches.

Cattle Egrets coming from the roost first thing in the morning. (c) Mark Chivers

The willows out from both screens have become regular roost sights for all three species of Egret and of course the Glossy Ibis, that has been on and around the moor since late spring.

Very glossy Glossy Ibis (c) Bar

The Ibis has undergone a moult while it has been on the moor and is now looking very smart, its plumage iridescent, with shades of purple and green when seen in the sunshine.

Great egret at the first screen (c) Bark

The growth in the population of Great Egrets has also been a very rapid one with peak counts of up to ten on the moor over the last few weeks. One of the Great Egrets seen regularly since mid-summer was a rung individual ( red ring ADC ) and was identifiable as a female that was rung at the nest at the RSPB Ham Wall reserve in early June 2023. Earlier in the summer we did see a pair of Great Egrets picking up nest material on one of the reedbed Grey Heron nests and showing some display behaviour, we feel that it will not be long before this beautiful species joins our list of Otmoor breeders.

Young Bullfinch (c) bark

There are small flocks of young Goldfinches starting to feed on the teasels and other seeds heads that are abundant along the bridleway and in the carpark field. We are also seeing mixed tit flocks feeding along the hedgerows usually centred around a large family party of Long-tailed Tits.

Regular parties of hirundines are moving through(c) Bark

Passage birds are also appearing with Whinchats, Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts and an occasional Wheatear all being recorded.

Green Sandpiper second screen(c) Bark

Passage waders are stating to be seen at the second screen where the water levels are being dropped in order to carry out the biennial reed cut in January. Green and Common Sandpipers have been seen feeding on the freshly exposed mud and usually a few Snipe can be picked out amongst the reed stubble on the spit.

Southern Migrant Hawker (Hobby food) (c) Bark

There have been a number of Hobbies around the reedbed including one family party of two adults and two juveniles. They have been spending their time hunting the abundant dragonflies. The juveniles often pursuing the adults and calling to be fed.

Hobby eating dragonflies over the reedbed (c) JR

As we move further into autumn there will be lots to look for on and around the reserve, perhaps a Wryneck or a vagrant Shrike. We can anticipate the return of large numbers of wildfowl and must keep an ear and eye out for any signs of an irruption of Bearded Tits….they are long overdue.

Very diligent Great Crested Grebe that has singlehandedly raised this chick