Another week has gone by and it's been pretty much the same birds in the same location thought that sadly is rather to be expected at this time of year. To be more specific, a few SHELDUCK, PINTAIL and GOOSANDER have been the main birds of note on the floods this week along with the usual Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Mallards. However, it's hasn't entirely been uninspiring and there are a few year ticks to report. First up Adrian Gray came up with two LITTLE EGRETS on the "Top Pond" on the 1st of the month. Secondly, also up in Wolvercote, Steve Goddard had a couple of RAVENS fly over "Wolvercote Lake" on the same day. Lastly, Liam Langley found the first OYSTERCATCHER of the year on the floods today.
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| Oystercatcher |
Talking of the year list, we've now nearly at the start of the spring migrant passage and we still have the following species outstanding: Kestrel, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Redpoll, Ruff, Siskin and Jack Snipe. The latter is unlikely now - it's not been wet enough for the pools to form in their usual location so we'll have to wait until autumn now.
The gull roost have been relatively modest though I must confess that I've not been visiting as often as I would like of late. Today was a bit better than usual though a couple of walkers did manage to put up half the flock this evening. Nevertheless we had the first adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL in a long while and a few COMMON GULLS signalling the start of the spring passage for this species. As we move into March things should start picking up with a passage of Mediterranean Gulls also to be expected as well as straggler large white-wingers moving back northwards. What's more the Common Gulls might just bring with them a Ring-billed Gull - one can always hope!
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