Port Meadow Lesser Yellowlegs

I have seen Lesser Yellowlegs in Canada, Cuba and Suffolk but still decided to check out the Port Meadow bird which I have read is the fourth record for Oxfordshire. When I arrived at the meadow only a single birder was present although this number had swelled to around 10 when I left about 30 minutes later. The yellowleg was very active, feeding amongst Teal, a Ruff and a Redshank. Two american birders arrived (perhaps came in with the Yellowlegs) but were more interested in the ruff and Redshank which were lifers for them. There was also a flock of Golden Plover, a Little Stint, couple of Dunlin and a Snipe. Oxfordshire has been almost rarity-free in 2010 so this was a welcome arrival.

In bad light and distant, this was the best I could manage. I think I need to start digiscoping.


Lesser Yellowlegs taken in Ontario, July 2008.

Morning at Otmoor

Since last time I was at Otmoor RSPB reserve they have built a hide overlooking ashgrave field. From this I watched 2 hobbies chasing dragonfly around the pools and another sat on a fence post for at least 2 hours. Other birds seen from the hide were wigeon, teal, a little egret, Red kite, lapwing, female stonechat, single Raven. Walked along the screen walk to the 1st screen (flying snipe, kingfisher) then the 2nd (very quiet apart from 3 squabbling herons). Several cettis were heard singing from both the bridleway and the screen walk. 2 Great spotted woodeckers, a jay, flocks of skylarks and hirundines flying over were also seen. One coal tit was at the feeders and a male stonechat was on the path back to the car park.

Weekend in Lincolnshire

Last week was great for birding in Lincolnshire with a large number of migrants and a few rarities. I'd been keeping an eye on this county because I had planned a weekends birding at Gibraltar Point and Frampton Marsh with Jenx. We left Wantage on Saturday morning at 5.30 am and arrived at the Beach Car park at Gibraltar Point where Chris (a local birder I had met last year in Cuba) was waiting for us. First thing to do was scan the shrubs for migrants but the place seemed quiet, apart from flocks of skylarks, pipits and a few thrushes. Later in the day, we did find a stunning female brambling though. We also observed a female merlin perched out in the salt marsh and a superb ring tailed hen harrier. Spent some time at the ringing station where they had just released a firecrest, but they only had a few robins when we were there. Chris told me in Ernest that they were ringing a red-breasted flycatcher but when I looked it was just a robin ; I was the victim of a cruel jibe. Most birders we chatted to commented that it was a very quiet day. Despite this, the Point is a lovely place to bird and can be super given the right weather conditions at this time of year.

As evening approached, we decided to try Frieston Marsh. From the screen overlooking the reservoir we saw a single little stint and 2 bar tailed godwits then walked to the shelter overlooking the salt marsh and tidal mud flats. In front of us was a huge number of waders, ducks and geese with several grey seals further out loafing on a sand bank. Saw another female merlin and a female (again) marsh harrier. The light was starting to fade so we took a walk back around the lake to the car park. Great views of a kingfisher, sparrowhawk and pintails were a nice end to the day. Chris drove back to Lincoln and Jenx and I stayed the night at the Red Lion pub in Wainfleet. Was amazed how much cheaper the meals were compared to pub meals in Oxfordshire. On Sunday, we planned to spend half a day at Frampton Marsh, then drive back to Didcot for Jenx's train to Wales. It was again a bit quiet but managed 2 Grey Partridge in the fields outside the reserve, 4 little stint, 2 ruff, several snipe, 2 knot and black tailed godwit. Stopped in the visitor center for a coffee and watched a group of tree sparrows on the feeders. Heavy traffic on the M40 resulted in Jenx just arriving at the train station with minutes to spare. Had a very enjoyable weekends birding despite the lack of migrants or rarities.

Tree sparrows are common at Frampton Marsh