Otmoor sightings 17th april

The highlight of the day was a fantastic female Marsh Harrier floating over the tree line over the far side of Greenaways (Seen from the 1st screen). It was being mobbed by three Red Kites, before it disappeared over the flood field.
More migrants news..  Two Little Stints were reported today on one of the scrapes on Greenaways the same person also reported seeing two Wheatears along the path to the 1st screen. Four Blackcaps, several Willow Warblers and three Whitethroats in and around the car park area. Four Chiffchaffs were calling along Otmoor lane and a further six on the reserve. Five Sedge Warblers singing and two Reed Warblers.
seen today. Eight Swallows and four Sand Martins over big Otmoor and a further five Swallows over Greenaways.
A pair of Bullfinches was sharing the same bush as a Whitethroat and two Blackcaps in  the carpark
A Snipe was again drumming over Greenaways and another over big Otmoor.
In front of the first screen, two Great crested Grebes were displaying to each other in a fascinating head shaking ritual, until they were interrupted by the arrival of two very noisy Canada Geese. A pair of Red Legged Partridge were in Otmoor Lane.
Around the bridge by the hide Water Rails were heard calling to each other from the same area as yesterday, with two calling from different locations at the same time.
A Barn Owl was hunting at the end of the path past the hide.
Red Kites are prowling the skies just about everywhere on the reserve. At least eight over Otmoor today with five flying together over Greenaways.

Other species sightings..

First Butterfly of the year on Otmoor today. A superb Peacock Butterfly was battling the very strong wind along the bridleway. Hares were seen on Ashgrave, Big Otmoor and Greenaways. A Muntjac deer was in the field west of the path to the 2nd screen.
Lots of Frogs and toads can be seen on the paths and in the ditches alongside the bridleway.

Photos from today..

Singing Sedge Warbler.

Chiffchaff.

A little beauty.  Blue tit

Red Kite.

Great Crested Grebe Display.



Todays list of species...

Mute Swan, Greylag, Canada, Mallard, Shoveller, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Tufted, Pochard, GC Grebe, Little egret, Grey Heron, Water Rail, Coot, Moorhen, Redshank, Curlew, Snipe, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Red Legged Partridge, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Barn Owl, Rook, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Pheasant, LBB Gull, BH Gull, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Starling, Robin, Wren, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, LT Tit, Goldcrest, Swallow, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler.

Total 60