Iceland Gull, Appleford, Oxfordshire

There is a series of tips and pools near Didcot power station that often have unusual gulls. Iceland, Caspian and Glaucous Gulls are often reported. At present, there is a 1st Winter Iceland Gull that loafs in a field between the village of Appleford and the main road towards Wallingford.

I parked near a gap in the hedgerow where the flock was easily observed although fairly distant in the middle of the field. Most of the gulls were lying down in growing crops so it took a few minutes to scan through the flock but eventually found it. Soon after, a herring gull waddled past that prompted the Iceland gull to stand, stretch its wings and give nice views. Watched it for a while longer until 4 more birders arrived and pointed out its location to them.

First winter Iceland Gull

Two lifers in 2 days - I am on a (small) role.

Iceland Gull UK lifer 273

Oxfordshire Oriental Turtle Dove

This 'mega' was found a couple of weeks ago in the garden of a birder living in Chipping Norten. The garden cannot be viewed from the street so the owner kindly agreed (and encouraged) birders to view it through the kitchen window. The day after it being reported, 100s of people were queuing up the street ; there have been only 5 or 6 other cases reported in Uk to date.

I had to pick up some tiles from Stow with my mother, so used the opportunity to see the dove. There were about 8 birders present when I arrived , and Steve welcomed me in and pointed out a maple tree in which the bird was sitting. Not a great view but hoped it would come nearer for a photo and closer examination. However, the neighbour came out to hand some washing, and the dove flew away. Other species present were brambling, bullfinch, blackcap and long tailed tits.

Would have liked to stay for longer but mum was waiting in the car. Better views would have been good, but still great to catch up with this very rare visitor to Oxfordshire.

UK lifer 272

Vive La Wallcreeper

My French mate Seb lives in the Rhone Valley about 2 hours drive from Les Baux. So, as I was visiting for a few days, arranged to pop down to Les Baux (and Mount Ventoux) in search of Wallcreepers, alpine accentors, Eagle Owls, Citril Finch and others. Seb's brother joined us although neither of them are birders (as with many French people a good bird is one made into Pate).

Got to Les Baux at midday, parked near the main village car park, and immediately found 2 alpine accentor which were very tame, allowing views down to 2 feet. I suddenly heard a song from a nearby pine tree that I recognised as a firecrest. The bird then showed well but flew off before I could get a photo.

alpine accentor in car park at Les Baux

We walked around the narrow cobbled streets for a while but it was bitterly cold with a strong wind funnelling through the streets. Decided to go for lunch of Pate baguettes to warm up before exploring the cliffs for wallcreepers. We parked next to the La Village sign on the straight road leading from the town towards arles, then took the path past the statue. This leads you around the base of the cliffs on which the town is built. Despite carefully scanning the cliff face all the way around the plateau, we failed to find any wallcreepers, although Sardinian Warblers were calling from the shrubs. However, as we started to retrace our steps the sun emerged and I had a hunch that they may like the West cliffs facing the sun. Sure enough, we finally found 2 Wallcreepers and a Blue Rock Thrush. Even Seb and Bro were exited to see them. Just beside the path, a ladder snake was taking a break from hibernation to bask in the sun (although it was still very cold). Walking back to the car, we noticed a Black Redstart and a Peregrine Falcon that flew along the cliff and up over the village.

Wallcreeper on cliff face to West of Les Baux

Ladder snake

Next stop was the nearby Mount Craume with the possibility of Citril Finches and Bonelli's Eagles. The walk is gently uphill for a few kilometres to a radar station with a few along a valley that is good for Bonelli's. However, the woods were very quiet and the valley empty. On the way back, I did see another Firecrest and a Crested Tit (only my second ever) and managed to get attacked by a dog. My French friends joked that it was because I smell of Roast Beef.

We then checked into the hotel in Saint Remy de Provence, before driving back to the site near Les Baux that is good for Eagle Owls at dusk. Waited until it was dark with no luck although it was very cold and the strong wind prevented us from hearing the owls calling.

The following morning, we drove north to Mount Ventoux, the slopes of which were shrouded in mist. This soon cleared as we ventured higher leaving clear skies and beautiful views. Stopped at Chateau Reynaus above the snow line where Citril Finches and even Snow Finches can be found. However, the cafe is closed on a Tuesday and the birds absent apart from a pair of Common Crossbill. Cars are not allowed to the top so we parked and continued up towards the summit on foot. Birds were few although I managed to find several alpine accentors, more crossbills, coal tits, and a crested tit. Several small finches flew over and out of sight although their flight calls suggested they were siskins and not citril finches. We then drove to the other side of the mountain near the Mount Serinin junction in search of citril finches and Snow finches but with no luck, before heading back to Bro's place for delicious home made sausages from a pig they had recently slaughtered.

Female Common Crossbill

The only other bird of note was a Great White Egret during a walk in a nature reserve next to the Rhone. The area has promise with nesting Bee Eaters and Black Woodpeckers. Perhaps a return visit in the Spring is called for, with a detour to the Carmague and La Crau.