Who pinched all the birds

Monday 20 August 2012
I sometimes wonder why I carry on with the WeBS counts at Dorchester especially after a count like todays. Just 815 birds of 14 species, the best of the bad lot being a couple of Little Grebe.

All the local birding hotspots in an evening but no birds

Saturday 18 August 2012
A long but interesting day that started with moth trapping at Millbrook Mead, Benson (awaiting list) and ended with a balloon flight over Oxford to celebrate wifes birthday, though a year late!

Unfortunately not really stable enough or space enough for a scope otherwise I could have had a good evenings list! Apologies to any birders if we disturbed the birds!

Top - farmoor
Middle - Port Meadow
Lower - Otmoor

At last

Thursday 16 August 2012
I had just about given up hope of catching up with Brown Argos at The cress beds this year but this little beauty decided to pose for me today.

Sparrowhawk and Grey Heron were the only birds of note on the site today though I guess the Pheasant with three newly hatched young is worthy of note.  Very young Mallard and Moorhen chicks recently arrived which should provide food for the corvids! My local spy tells me there is a Green Sandpiper in the area so, hopefully, it will soon find the watercress beds.

Millbrook mead is looking good and I'm looking forward to moth trapping there friday/Saturday. As a taster this nettle-tap moth was flying around today.