Mid-autumn Update

Once again my intention of posting more regularly has come to naught and I find myself doing an update in mid October. Still, at least there is something to post about thanks in no small part to the reformation of the floods surprisingly early on in the autumn. In addition we've had some good birds reported, going someway to make up for what has been a relatively poor year on the year list front compared to the two previous record breaking ones.

In early September, before the floods reformed, there were a couple of Redstart recorded in Burgess Field. A Cattle Egret was knocking about the Meadow and up to two Great White Egrets were being seen, often in Wolvercote Lakes. 

A Great White Egret with a Tench at Wolvercote Lakes

We didn't exactly have a classic Yellow Wagtail autumn but on the few occasions when they were reported there were good numbers with a peak count of 50+. Other records included a Redshank, a Snipe and a Hobby over. During a rare break from the rain at least 4 Willow Emeralds were recorded on the main pond in the Trap Grounds on one visit. 

Trap Grounds Willow Emerald

The highlight of the month were a couple of fly-over Tree Pipits seen and heard up in Wolvercote. It's good to get these on the year list as they are a less than annual scarcity on the patch.

By October the floods had formed again. Indeed at one point we were back into full on Lake Mode again though they subsided surprisingly quickly. The extended floods offered the opportunity for some early season gulling which produced a 2cy Baltic Gull. This is a proper rarity that Thomas Miller found though unfortunately it didn't stay long enough for anyone else to see it. In addition there was also a 1cy Caspian Gull seen. However, it is too early for much in the way of gulling and as the floods receded so too did the gull numbers.

The Baltic Gull courtesy of Thomas Miller

There were some good passerines to be had. A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard to call twice near the allotments though unfortunately was never seen. This is the fourth one to be found in the county this autumn. Who would have thought that I'd be writing that? Back in 2013 when one was found down by the Walton Well Rd car park that was only the 6th for the county and now they are basically annual!

A ringed Blackcap with no cap!

Apart from these highlights, waterfowl numbers are generally increasing. We've had up to 300 Barnacle Geese as well as the usual Canada Geese and Greylags. Wigeon, Teal and Shoveller are all assembling in increasing numbers as the days go by. The feral Ross's Goose has been knocking around the Meadow on and off for the last few days as well. Also, a Stonechat has been lingering at the southern end of the floods in the scrub area there for the last week or so. Redwing flocks are being seen flying overhead and the days are drawing in. With winter approaching we are getting into the prime time for Port Meadow birding when bird numbers are at their highest.