Back to OXON

Sunday 25 October 2015

My Battle Farm survey this morning with 318 birds of 28 species. Nothing special but flights of geese (Canada and Greylag) of note as was good numbers of Starling. No warblers so guess I'll have to wait for any overwinterers now.

Quick look round Ewelme this afternoon with another new site bird. This was well down on my "expected" list but even if a bit "plastic" still good to add Mandarin to my all time list for the Watercress Beds.

Butterflies today

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Beautiful sunny day in Devon with lots of Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Cirl Buntings and Blackcaps etc. but butterflies were the stars with Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White, Speckled Wood and Wall, though the latter had such little wings left it could hardly fly.

Twitching?

Monday 19 October 2015

Although I was never much of a twitcher I decided, many years ago to limit distances I would travel to see a bird to 20 miles. This beauty, an Isabelline Shrike, was well within that limit as I am on holiday at Torcross Devon. Pity about the telegraph wires and having the bright sky as background but fot my first new bird for absolutely ages who is complaining?

Species No 72 for Ewelme

Thursday 15 October 2015

Somehow I managed to miss Fieldfare at the cress beds during the early part of the year but a single one turned up today following a small group of Redwings yesterday. No sign of warblers today but they could still be around.

Fieldfare doing its best to hide in the apple tree

What season is it?

Tuesday 13 October 2015

I think the Sparrows are confused as this material appeared sticking out of one of the nest boxes today.

Still around

Sunday 11 October 2015

Blackcap and Chiffchaff still at the Cress beds but still no Water Rail. First night for ages without a moth in the overnight trap but Hedgehog still visiting nightly for dried mealworms and water.

Gone or just keeping their heads down?

Saturday 10 October 2015

No sign of Blackcaps or Chiffchaffs at Ewelme this morning but I could easily have missed them in the chill of early morning. The other odd thing - I don't think I have ever walked the cress beds seeing just two species of finches and missing out on Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. The two I did see - Redpoll (3) and Bullfinch. Photos would have been better if I had a bit more light!

Same as

Friday 9 October 2015

No change at the cress beds today though always brings a smile to my face when the kingfisher flashes past. Still no Water Rail yet! A few flowers still in bloom - Meadow Cranesbill, Comfrey and White Deadnettle. 

Strength to strength

Thursday 8 October 2015

A Common Redpoll today on the watercress beds which takes the year's total up to 71 - 6 more that 2014! Still Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs around and a fine looking Red Kite with prey but not sure what.

Warblers

Wednesday 7 October 2015

Numbers seem to be down unless they were hiding in bushes but still Blackcap and Chiffchaff around. As I failed miserably to photograph any birds here are a few of Autumn colours and sheep in the adjacent, Ewelme Trust field which seemed interested in my presence.

Two new moths for the year in the garden, bringing the total up to 140 species. Bordered Beauty and Rush Veneer (a migrant - but how a tiny thing like this can fly all that way is beyond me).