Gone birding...
Ornisobscura has departed the blog field but continues undaunted as Ornisobscura on Flickr..enjoy
Grafham Water - 26 September 2013
Anticyclonic weather again mostly sunny with some cloud and a light south-easterly breeze.
Spent the 4 hours in the morning covering the dam and the area from the fishing lodge westwards...
A bit happening in the morning: 8 Grey Geese sp (not Greylags) which were probably White-fronts flew over south-eastwards distantly, 16 Yellow-legged Gulls were counted early morning; 16 Lapwings flew high south; 1 juvenile Turnstone circled over the Dam then flew off West; 4 Ringed Plovers flew north-west; 8 Swallows south; very few Meadow Pipits moving or grounded due to the easterly air-stream no doubt and 10 Chiffchaffs were counted.
A distant aythya duck with a very broad white band above the bill which was clearly not a Greater Scaup was too distant to get decent views so I decided on a return visit in the afternoon and spent a couple of hours looking for and viewing the bird from the Mander area albeit distantly again. In the end it turned out to be a very dark juvenile Tufted with an exceptionally large white patch above the bill. With a hint of a Tuft on the rear of the crown and finally a wing stretch revealing a typical Tufted wing pattern with white band on secondaries clearly extending onto the primaries it had to be a Tufted. Nevertheless a very odd looking bird.....
By way of compensation a Sooty Shearwater had been found by another birder off the dam so all was not lost.
Spent the 4 hours in the morning covering the dam and the area from the fishing lodge westwards...
A bit happening in the morning: 8 Grey Geese sp (not Greylags) which were probably White-fronts flew over south-eastwards distantly, 16 Yellow-legged Gulls were counted early morning; 16 Lapwings flew high south; 1 juvenile Turnstone circled over the Dam then flew off West; 4 Ringed Plovers flew north-west; 8 Swallows south; very few Meadow Pipits moving or grounded due to the easterly air-stream no doubt and 10 Chiffchaffs were counted.
A distant aythya duck with a very broad white band above the bill which was clearly not a Greater Scaup was too distant to get decent views so I decided on a return visit in the afternoon and spent a couple of hours looking for and viewing the bird from the Mander area albeit distantly again. In the end it turned out to be a very dark juvenile Tufted with an exceptionally large white patch above the bill. With a hint of a Tuft on the rear of the crown and finally a wing stretch revealing a typical Tufted wing pattern with white band on secondaries clearly extending onto the primaries it had to be a Tufted. Nevertheless a very odd looking bird.....
By way of compensation a Sooty Shearwater had been found by another birder off the dam so all was not lost.
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| A troublesome juvenile Tufted Duck - Grafham Water 26 September 2013 |
Grafham Water - 25 September 2013
After a few days birding on the Yorkshire coast it was back to Grafham for a few hours this morning mostly on the dam. Anticyclonic weather, initially misty and murky with a light south-easterly breeze weather which delivered a few minor goodies
2 juvenile Common Scoters were off the dam as was a juvenile female Scaup with the Tufteds; a juvenile Hobby flew south; 1 juvenile Little Stint was on the dam with 3 Dunlin; 1 Little Gull distantly in the middle of the reservoir; 6 Swallows though south low and fast; c. 220 Meadow Pipits through south-west; 1 Yellow Wagtail; and c.160 Linnets in the fields north of the dam.
2 juvenile Common Scoters were off the dam as was a juvenile female Scaup with the Tufteds; a juvenile Hobby flew south; 1 juvenile Little Stint was on the dam with 3 Dunlin; 1 Little Gull distantly in the middle of the reservoir; 6 Swallows though south low and fast; c. 220 Meadow Pipits through south-west; 1 Yellow Wagtail; and c.160 Linnets in the fields north of the dam.
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| Common Scoter - 2 juveniles in the murk off the dam |
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| Little Stint - juvenile Grafham Dam |
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| Dunlin and Little Stint Grafham Dam |
Grafham Water - 18 September 2013
A bright morning with a fresh westerly wind.A couple of hours watch from the dam early morning.
House Martins were present in numbers with c.600 over the dam and 300 elsewhere; Meadow Pipits were on the move with 16 south and c. 30 along the dam; 2 Yellow Wagtails south and 6 still on the dam; 2 Reed Buntings flew high south; 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Chiffchaffs were at the north end of the dam.
Later from home hirundines were on the move south-eastwards with c. 350 mostly House Martins with a few Sand Martins.
House Martins were present in numbers with c.600 over the dam and 300 elsewhere; Meadow Pipits were on the move with 16 south and c. 30 along the dam; 2 Yellow Wagtails south and 6 still on the dam; 2 Reed Buntings flew high south; 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Chiffchaffs were at the north end of the dam.
Later from home hirundines were on the move south-eastwards with c. 350 mostly House Martins with a few Sand Martins.
Grafham Water - 15 September 2013
A day of fresh south-westerlies with heavy rain showers..
Having noted groups of hirundines passing steadily through south-west over the house earlier in the day it was no surprise to find 1300+ (probably an underestimate) over the reservoir early afternoon along with c.700 Swallows; Meadow Pipits were still moving south-west late afternoon so there must have been quite a movement today (big numbers of House Martins were recorded passing south over Spurn and Gibralter Point today). Otherwise 18 Little Egrets, 1 adult Common Tern; 2 Common Sandpipers and a few Chiffchaffs were all that I could find on forays which were limited by the weather conditions.
Having noted groups of hirundines passing steadily through south-west over the house earlier in the day it was no surprise to find 1300+ (probably an underestimate) over the reservoir early afternoon along with c.700 Swallows; Meadow Pipits were still moving south-west late afternoon so there must have been quite a movement today (big numbers of House Martins were recorded passing south over Spurn and Gibralter Point today). Otherwise 18 Little Egrets, 1 adult Common Tern; 2 Common Sandpipers and a few Chiffchaffs were all that I could find on forays which were limited by the weather conditions.
Grafham Water - 13 September 2013
A very autumnal morning with westerly winds an rain initially becoming brighter though still quite warm at 16 degrees.
From 0700 covered the dam and walked from Hill Farm to Savages Spinney.
Being a transitional month September can produce avian variety particularly during spells of mild weather as summer visitors linger and mix with transient migrants and early incoming wintering birds, Grafham Water today was a fairly typical example of this albeit on a fairly modest scale.
14 Little Egrets; 3 Wigeon flew in from the north-east; an adult and 2 juvenile Hobbies lingered over Savages Spinney the juveniles still begging for food from the adult; 4 Common Buzzards; 1 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plovers on the dam; 1 Sanderling on the dam then flew off south-west; 4 Yellow-legged Gulls; 2 Grey wagtails and 6 Yellow Wagtails on the dam with 27 of the latter over high south-east; 1 Rock Pipit on the dam until flushed by an angler then flew off high west; Meadow Pipits were typically on the move with c.30 south-west, 8 south-east and 60 south; c.80 Swallows with several small groups arriving from the north-east swelling the number to c.140; c. 200 House Martins; a sprinkling of Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and a few Blackcaps.
A male White Admiral along the Oaks at the eastern end of Savages Spinney was quite late in the year.
From 0700 covered the dam and walked from Hill Farm to Savages Spinney.
Being a transitional month September can produce avian variety particularly during spells of mild weather as summer visitors linger and mix with transient migrants and early incoming wintering birds, Grafham Water today was a fairly typical example of this albeit on a fairly modest scale.
14 Little Egrets; 3 Wigeon flew in from the north-east; an adult and 2 juvenile Hobbies lingered over Savages Spinney the juveniles still begging for food from the adult; 4 Common Buzzards; 1 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plovers on the dam; 1 Sanderling on the dam then flew off south-west; 4 Yellow-legged Gulls; 2 Grey wagtails and 6 Yellow Wagtails on the dam with 27 of the latter over high south-east; 1 Rock Pipit on the dam until flushed by an angler then flew off high west; Meadow Pipits were typically on the move with c.30 south-west, 8 south-east and 60 south; c.80 Swallows with several small groups arriving from the north-east swelling the number to c.140; c. 200 House Martins; a sprinkling of Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and a few Blackcaps.
A male White Admiral along the Oaks at the eastern end of Savages Spinney was quite late in the year.
Grafham Water 8th and 9th September 2013
More autumnal type weather on the 8th with fresh westerly winds and the odd shower. A late afternoon visit yielded 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls; 1 juvenile Common Tern; 1 Greenshank through west; an adult Mediterranean Gull off the lagoons, c. 30 Swallows and c.20 House Martins.
Rain in the early morning of the 9th cleared late morning thenreturning again lunchtime. A late morning visit delivered 3 Yellow-legged Gulls; 5 Ringed Plovers on the dam; 5 Greenshanks which circled over the dam during rain then flew off east; a juvenile Grasshopper Warbler was in low scrub near the fishing lodge, 1 Swift; c 120 House Martins; c. 80 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins a smattering of common warblers; Yellow Wagtails now down to just 7.
Rain in the early morning of the 9th cleared late morning thenreturning again lunchtime. A late morning visit delivered 3 Yellow-legged Gulls; 5 Ringed Plovers on the dam; 5 Greenshanks which circled over the dam during rain then flew off east; a juvenile Grasshopper Warbler was in low scrub near the fishing lodge, 1 Swift; c 120 House Martins; c. 80 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins a smattering of common warblers; Yellow Wagtails now down to just 7.
Grafham Water - 6 September 2013
A change in the weather with murky heavy cloud extending quite high, light rain and a light south-westerly wind, good conditions for movement. Three hours from 06.45 along the dam
At 09.20 a dark form juvenile Arctic Skua circled high over the middle of the reservoir then eventually drifted off south-west, though quite a large looking bird the tail points were in proportion and general plumage and structure were spot on for Arctic; then at 09.40 scanning high again two more juvenile Arctic Skuas appeared from the north both had intermediate plumage tones and again drifted off high south-west.
Otherwise: 8 yellow-legged Gulls; c. 40 Swallows; c. 30 House Martins; 1 juvenile Common Tern; 2 Common Sandpipers and c. 40 Yellow Wagtails (no cold toned variants today) and a Wheatear.
At 09.20 a dark form juvenile Arctic Skua circled high over the middle of the reservoir then eventually drifted off south-west, though quite a large looking bird the tail points were in proportion and general plumage and structure were spot on for Arctic; then at 09.40 scanning high again two more juvenile Arctic Skuas appeared from the north both had intermediate plumage tones and again drifted off high south-west.
Otherwise: 8 yellow-legged Gulls; c. 40 Swallows; c. 30 House Martins; 1 juvenile Common Tern; 2 Common Sandpipers and c. 40 Yellow Wagtails (no cold toned variants today) and a Wheatear.
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| Northern Wheatear - Grafham Water 6 September 2013 |
Grafham Water and Ouse Washes 3 September 2013
High pressure moving in from the south resulted in a sunny warm day with temperatures reaching 24 degrees winds were light south-westerly.
Three hours from 06.30 along the Grafham dam and adjacent areas:
8 Yellow-legged Gulls; just 2 Common Terns; 1 Dunlin; 1 juvenile Ringed Plover, c110 Yellow Wagtails along the dam and cropped grass areas included three paler variants with greyer mantles, white supercilia and covert bars were quite possibly Blue-headed Wagtails; c. 30 Swallows; Chiffchaffs were around in good numbers with fewer Willow Warblers and a juvenile Redstart was seen briefly at the south end of the dam.
Ouse Washes
Walked from Welches Dam to the railway bridge, the only decent area of water and mud fringe was in front of Stockdales hide where most of the birds were concentrated including c1500 Teal; 9 Garganey; 117 Ruffs, c. 80 Snipe; 2 Ringed Plovers; 12 Black-tailed Godwits; 1 splendid Spotted Redshank in full breeding garb; 4 Greenshanks; 6 Green Sandpipers and 1 juvenile Little Stint. Few passerines were logged with a Whinchat being noteworthy. A Jack Snipe which dropped in from high was pretty early though a small number have arrived on the east coast in recent days.
Clouded Yellow butterflies were on the move with 8 counted all moving south-west.
Three hours from 06.30 along the Grafham dam and adjacent areas:
8 Yellow-legged Gulls; just 2 Common Terns; 1 Dunlin; 1 juvenile Ringed Plover, c110 Yellow Wagtails along the dam and cropped grass areas included three paler variants with greyer mantles, white supercilia and covert bars were quite possibly Blue-headed Wagtails; c. 30 Swallows; Chiffchaffs were around in good numbers with fewer Willow Warblers and a juvenile Redstart was seen briefly at the south end of the dam.
Ouse Washes
Walked from Welches Dam to the railway bridge, the only decent area of water and mud fringe was in front of Stockdales hide where most of the birds were concentrated including c1500 Teal; 9 Garganey; 117 Ruffs, c. 80 Snipe; 2 Ringed Plovers; 12 Black-tailed Godwits; 1 splendid Spotted Redshank in full breeding garb; 4 Greenshanks; 6 Green Sandpipers and 1 juvenile Little Stint. Few passerines were logged with a Whinchat being noteworthy. A Jack Snipe which dropped in from high was pretty early though a small number have arrived on the east coast in recent days.
Clouded Yellow butterflies were on the move with 8 counted all moving south-west.
Grafham Water - 27 August 2013
Initially cloudy then clearing to become sunny with a light NW breeze.
An early morning visit to the dam for a couple of hours with a follow up visit to the lagoons at lunchtime.
6 Yellow-Legged Gulls (3 adults and 3 juveniles) were on the dam; c.30 Common Terns; 1 juvenile Greenshank at the lagoons; 1 Dunlin on the dam; 4 Common Sandpipers; c. 60 Yellow Wagtails on or near the dam included one variant - a very pale washed out bird with pale grey mantle and pure white supercilium; c. 70 Pied Wagtails feeding along the dam; good numbers of Chiffchaffs at the lagoons with c.20 counted; 3 Whinchats were on or near the dam early morning; 1 Wheatear on the dam; c. 80 Swallows; a juvenile Redsart in scrub at the north end of the dam and 6 Crossbills flew over NW.
An early morning visit to the dam for a couple of hours with a follow up visit to the lagoons at lunchtime.
6 Yellow-Legged Gulls (3 adults and 3 juveniles) were on the dam; c.30 Common Terns; 1 juvenile Greenshank at the lagoons; 1 Dunlin on the dam; 4 Common Sandpipers; c. 60 Yellow Wagtails on or near the dam included one variant - a very pale washed out bird with pale grey mantle and pure white supercilium; c. 70 Pied Wagtails feeding along the dam; good numbers of Chiffchaffs at the lagoons with c.20 counted; 3 Whinchats were on or near the dam early morning; 1 Wheatear on the dam; c. 80 Swallows; a juvenile Redsart in scrub at the north end of the dam and 6 Crossbills flew over NW.
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| Whinchat - first winter - Grafham Water 27 August 2013 |
Grafham Water - 26 August 2013
A couple of hours watch from the lodge and Church Hill cove areas from 1600 hrs. A sunny evening with a brisk WNW breeze.
c. 40 Common Terns still, c.250 GBB Gulls and c.20 Yellow-legged Gulls had assembled in a pre-roost gathering. A single adult Sandwich Terns flew along the north shore.
c. 40 Common Terns still, c.250 GBB Gulls and c.20 Yellow-legged Gulls had assembled in a pre-roost gathering. A single adult Sandwich Terns flew along the north shore.
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| Yellow-legged Gull - adult - a slightly atypical variant Grafham Water - August 2013 |
Grafham Water - 24 August 2013
A muggy and warm morning with a fresh northerly wind and rain, good conditions for wader and tern movement.
Spent 06.45 to 10.30 covering the dam and fishing lodge areas.
Whimbrel were on the move - 4 were on the dam early morning until pushed off then eventually flew out SW at about 10.00, 6 flew SW at 07.30, a flock of c.18 SW at 09.55 and finally 3 SW at 10.10; 10 Ringed Plovers flew SW and 1 NW; 2 Greenshanks dropped onto the dam briefly before heading off SW; the juvenile Ruff was still on the dam; 2 Snipe flew over and 6 Common Sandpipers were counted.
Good numbers of terns were present with 16 Black Terns off Marlow early morning then swirled off high west and later 11 Black Terns perhaps part of the same flock were off the lodge; 4 Arctic Terns (1 ad, 3 juveniles) lingered and 4 adults flew straight through south at 08.15; c. 50 Common Terns; 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults and 1 juvenile).
Notable passerines were limited to a Whinchat at the Yacht Club, c.60 Swallows at the dam and c.80 House Martins over the Yacht Club.
Later at home 2 adult Sandwich Terns flew south-west along the Great Ouse and 7 Common Terns flew straight through south.
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| Whimbrel over Grafham Water in the murk - 24 August 2013 |
Grafham Water - 23 August 2013
A cool morning initially then warmer and sunny with a light easterly breeze.
Covered the dam and fishing lodge areas 07.45-1100 hrs
An Osprey flew in over the dam from the east at 08.25, continued to the west end of the reservoir lingered for a while then flew off high west; the easterlies had brought in 2 adult Black Terns which were off the dam at 09.20 and then flew south; c 40 Common Terns; 3 juvenile Arctic Terns were off the lodge; just 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were noted; the juvenile male Ruff was on the dam still in company with an adult Ringed Plover; c. 25 Yellow Wagtails were all typical flavissima types; c. 30 Swallows were feeding near the north end of the dam and 15 drifted slowly high south; a female White Wagtail had joined the Pied flock on the dam and an early autumn flock of Linnets were also in this area; Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats and Blackcaps were also very evident and obviously now passing through.
Covered the dam and fishing lodge areas 07.45-1100 hrs
An Osprey flew in over the dam from the east at 08.25, continued to the west end of the reservoir lingered for a while then flew off high west; the easterlies had brought in 2 adult Black Terns which were off the dam at 09.20 and then flew south; c 40 Common Terns; 3 juvenile Arctic Terns were off the lodge; just 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were noted; the juvenile male Ruff was on the dam still in company with an adult Ringed Plover; c. 25 Yellow Wagtails were all typical flavissima types; c. 30 Swallows were feeding near the north end of the dam and 15 drifted slowly high south; a female White Wagtail had joined the Pied flock on the dam and an early autumn flock of Linnets were also in this area; Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats and Blackcaps were also very evident and obviously now passing through.
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| Ruff a juvenile male - Grafham Dam 23 August 2013 |
Balcony Watch Little Paxton. - 16 August 2013
A cooler morning with rain showers and a fresh SW wind.
A group of c150 mixed Swallows and House Martins moved south-west at 08.10 just prior to a rain shower and encouraged me to keep looking skyward, the movement of mainly Swallows and Martins continued all morning albeit in smaller numbers the total by midday reaching 760 Swallows, 410 House Martins and c35 House Martins. A single Green Sandpiper added a dash of excitement and an influx of Chiffchaffs was evident judging by the number of calling birds.
A group of c150 mixed Swallows and House Martins moved south-west at 08.10 just prior to a rain shower and encouraged me to keep looking skyward, the movement of mainly Swallows and Martins continued all morning albeit in smaller numbers the total by midday reaching 760 Swallows, 410 House Martins and c35 House Martins. A single Green Sandpiper added a dash of excitement and an influx of Chiffchaffs was evident judging by the number of calling birds.
Grafham Water - 15 August 2013
After early morning rain had cleared a visit to the dam, Hill Farm, lagoons and fishing lodge areas for a few hours.
The rain had dropped in a few waders mostly on the dam:1 juvenile Ruff; 1 Sanderling; 8 Ringed Plovers (2 ads and 6 juveniles); 1 Little Ringed Plover over south; 8 Common Sandpipers were counted. Common Terns had increased to c.120 including several family groups and 2 juvenile Arctic Terns were at the south end of the dam. 1 Turrtle Dove flew through south; c.30 Swallows and c. 20 House Martins were at the north end of the dam where a nice small group of warblers were gorging on windblown insects included 2 Garden Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat. c. 25 Yellow Wagtails were on the Marlow cropped grass including the 4 odd looking juveniles noted on 14th; 1 Wheatear in the north fields. Few large gulls were present today but did include 6 Yellow Legs and an odd bird that I couldn't quite work out pictured below. The aberrant Red Crested Pochard was again in Dudney Creek.
The rain had dropped in a few waders mostly on the dam:1 juvenile Ruff; 1 Sanderling; 8 Ringed Plovers (2 ads and 6 juveniles); 1 Little Ringed Plover over south; 8 Common Sandpipers were counted. Common Terns had increased to c.120 including several family groups and 2 juvenile Arctic Terns were at the south end of the dam. 1 Turrtle Dove flew through south; c.30 Swallows and c. 20 House Martins were at the north end of the dam where a nice small group of warblers were gorging on windblown insects included 2 Garden Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat. c. 25 Yellow Wagtails were on the Marlow cropped grass including the 4 odd looking juveniles noted on 14th; 1 Wheatear in the north fields. Few large gulls were present today but did include 6 Yellow Legs and an odd bird that I couldn't quite work out pictured below. The aberrant Red Crested Pochard was again in Dudney Creek.
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| Sanderling - Grafham Dam 15 August 2013 - a presumed first-summer bird judging by the covert and tertial fringing and the extent of moult to non-breeding plumage. |
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Sanderling - Grafham Dam 15 August 2013 - note how pale the legs appear in this photo due to the angle and light.
 Larid Sp - Grafham Dam - 15 August 2013 |
Grafham Water - 14 August 2013
Cooler overnight with clear skies with a light WNW breeze.
Covered the dam area and briefly the lagoons and fishing lodge areas.
c.50 yellow Wagtails were near the north end of the dam and included 4 juveniles with colder greyer tones to the head and mantle with whiter underparts, supercilium and wing bars well within the range of flava, given the variable genetics of this species group they might well have been variant flavissima.
c. 80 Pied Wagtails were on the dam; 4 Common Sandpipers; c 42 Little Egrets; c.40 Common Terns; 6 elegant juvenile Common Gulls on the dam were the first to pass through; 12 Yellow-legged Gulls including 6 juveniles; the Danish colour ringed GBB Gull was present again and from nearer home a colour ringed Black-headed Gull had been ringed at Milton just north of Cambridge; a very pale male Red-crested Pochard was in Dudney Creek; 4 Green Sandpipers were at the lagoons; and c.40 Swallows and c.20 House Martins were near the dam.
Covered the dam area and briefly the lagoons and fishing lodge areas.
c.50 yellow Wagtails were near the north end of the dam and included 4 juveniles with colder greyer tones to the head and mantle with whiter underparts, supercilium and wing bars well within the range of flava, given the variable genetics of this species group they might well have been variant flavissima.
c. 80 Pied Wagtails were on the dam; 4 Common Sandpipers; c 42 Little Egrets; c.40 Common Terns; 6 elegant juvenile Common Gulls on the dam were the first to pass through; 12 Yellow-legged Gulls including 6 juveniles; the Danish colour ringed GBB Gull was present again and from nearer home a colour ringed Black-headed Gull had been ringed at Milton just north of Cambridge; a very pale male Red-crested Pochard was in Dudney Creek; 4 Green Sandpipers were at the lagoons; and c.40 Swallows and c.20 House Martins were near the dam.
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| Bullfinch - male ground feeding - Grafham Water 14 August 2013 |
Grafham Water - 9 August 2013
A long morning from 07.15 covering the dam and adjacent areas, the lagoons and the fishing lodges area. A nice morning with south-westerly winds after rain and 17 degrees.
A sprinkling of waders were on the move; 14 Oystercatchers flew through mostly south (big numbers were moving south past east coast watch-points in the last couple of days); 2 Ringed Plovers flew south; 4 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 8 Green Sandpipers, and 2 Dunlin were on the lagoons; 1 Avocet was initially on the dam then re-located to Gaynes Cove; 8 Common Sandpipers. 16 Yellow-legged Gulls were counted including 3 juveniles; a single adult Arctic Tern was among 48 Common Terns including 18 juveniles. c120 Pied wagtails were on the dam and 40 Yellow Wagtails were on the dam and the favoured cropped grass adjacent to the Marlow car park; c60 Swallows and just 6 Swifts were present. 35 Little Egrets were counted and a lone adult Hobby flew south over the dam.
A sprinkling of waders were on the move; 14 Oystercatchers flew through mostly south (big numbers were moving south past east coast watch-points in the last couple of days); 2 Ringed Plovers flew south; 4 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 8 Green Sandpipers, and 2 Dunlin were on the lagoons; 1 Avocet was initially on the dam then re-located to Gaynes Cove; 8 Common Sandpipers. 16 Yellow-legged Gulls were counted including 3 juveniles; a single adult Arctic Tern was among 48 Common Terns including 18 juveniles. c120 Pied wagtails were on the dam and 40 Yellow Wagtails were on the dam and the favoured cropped grass adjacent to the Marlow car park; c60 Swallows and just 6 Swifts were present. 35 Little Egrets were counted and a lone adult Hobby flew south over the dam.
Grafham Water - 7 August 2013
A nice morning with a fresh east-north-easterly breeze and sunny with some cloud.
Nothing as exciting as a flock of 22 Whimbrel which flew down the Ouse valley calling over the house at 20.50 hrs on 3rd of August looking for somewhere to roost but...
23 Little Egrets were counted, Common Sandpipers had increased to 4, a Dunlin and 7 Green Sandpipers, 11 Yellow-legged Gulls and 96 Common Terns; most frustratingly I heard a Spotted Redshank call several times above the dam but never got on to it, presumably it was a high flying bird that came down a little for a look, realised the limitations of the dam wall as feeding habitat and then headed off....
Nothing as exciting as a flock of 22 Whimbrel which flew down the Ouse valley calling over the house at 20.50 hrs on 3rd of August looking for somewhere to roost but...
23 Little Egrets were counted, Common Sandpipers had increased to 4, a Dunlin and 7 Green Sandpipers, 11 Yellow-legged Gulls and 96 Common Terns; most frustratingly I heard a Spotted Redshank call several times above the dam but never got on to it, presumably it was a high flying bird that came down a little for a look, realised the limitations of the dam wall as feeding habitat and then headed off....
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| Juvenile Common Tern - Grafham Water August 2013 |
Grafham Water - 31 July 2013
Following 4 Whimbrel which flew south over the house on evening of the 28th, the trickle of autumn waders continued today at Grafham, a summer plumage Turnstone was on the dam with a schinzii race Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper; a Green Sandpiper was at the south end of the dam and 5 were on the lagoons as was a single Snipe; a Turtle Dove which purred briefly at the lagoons was a pleasant and increasingly rare treat; 14 Sand Martins flew purposefully south; 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtails and c. 40 juvenile Pied Wagtails were on the dam and 3 Crossbills flew south-west over the lagoons.
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| Common Sandpiper - Grafham Water - July 2013 |
Grafham Water - 19 July 2013
A bright sunny warm morning with an easterly breeze.
After several fairly uneventful July visits a little more interest today was provided by a Black-necked Grebe in non breeding plumage off the dam.
Otherwise there were 14 Yellow-legged Gulls, a 4th calendar year colour ringed Great Black Backed Gull that had been ringed as a juvenile at Katholm in Denmark and having previously been seen in Oxfordshire in 2010; a very sickly looking adult Common Gull was on the dam; 43 Common Terns were counted though there were only 2 juveniles; 16 Lapwings flew high west; 5 Green Sandpipers were on the lagoons; 8 Little Egrets were off the Plummer car park; a male Peregrine flew over high eastwards; a juvenile Grey Wagtail was on the dam and the only Yellow Wagtail seen was an adult female also on the dam.
After several fairly uneventful July visits a little more interest today was provided by a Black-necked Grebe in non breeding plumage off the dam.
Otherwise there were 14 Yellow-legged Gulls, a 4th calendar year colour ringed Great Black Backed Gull that had been ringed as a juvenile at Katholm in Denmark and having previously been seen in Oxfordshire in 2010; a very sickly looking adult Common Gull was on the dam; 43 Common Terns were counted though there were only 2 juveniles; 16 Lapwings flew high west; 5 Green Sandpipers were on the lagoons; 8 Little Egrets were off the Plummer car park; a male Peregrine flew over high eastwards; a juvenile Grey Wagtail was on the dam and the only Yellow Wagtail seen was an adult female also on the dam.
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| Black-necked Grebe - Grafham Water - July 2013 |
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