Otmoor sightings 6th & 7th May

Two Turtle Doves have been reported. so it is good to know that at least a few have survived the French guns once more. A Short Eared Owl was seen in the Car park field along with a Barn Owl. Hobbies are seen just about anywhere on the reserve from mid morning onwards. At least two Cuckoos were calling both on Monday and Tuesday. The two Whimbrel were still present on Ashgrave, on the grassy bank beneath Noke wood. Twelve Little Egrets were seen including six flying together. Lots of Warblers with Sedge being the most common along the bridleway and the path to the screens. Two Garden Warblers were along the same bridleway just before the bench. Grasshopper Warblers were reeling away in the Carpark field with at least three heard. Grass Snakes were seen both days as was a Roe Deer on closes field. A fox was hunting on Ashgrave over near the Shangri la pool. Trying unsuccessfully to creep up on the Geese. Wheatears were again seen out from the hide with four females on Monday and a Female and a male on Tuesday. currently there are nine species of Warbler to be found on the reserve they include Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers. Snipe can be seen and heard drumming over Closes, Greenaways and Big Otmoor. A Curlew was over the far side of Greenaways on Tuesday. At last a few Waders are appearing. Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, and Greenshank were also seen on Tuesday (Ashgrave ). One or two Wigeon and Teal are still around and the Gargany has been seen again out in front of the first screen. Shoveller, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted and Mallard are all present. Two common Terns were on the Tern raft at the second screen on Monday. Three Terns were seen in total. Lots of Orange tip Butterflies on the wing and the first Comma put in an appearance on Tuesday. Green Woodpeckers and Jays were observed both days.
I will just take this opportunity to thank Peter Barker and Joe Harris for the Dawn chorus walk on Saturday. Their knowledge and patience was greatly appreciated. It was great fun and i thoroughly enjoyed it.

Photos from Monday and Tuesday.

Four Little Egrets

Six Little Egrets

Hobby.

Common Terns on the raft.

Green Woodpecker stirring up the insects.

Green Woodpecker in flight.






The Green Rocket

Gadwall performing an aerial dance



Blue Tit in the sun. Below Blue Tit in the shade.









Goldfinch looking very smart in his summer plumage.

Whitethroat.



Sedge Warbler

Snipe Drumming.

A brace of Whimbrel



Whimbrel flight



Greylag.



Coot.





Comma.

And finally three stunning photos from Pat Galka taken at Otmoor on Tuesday. Of a Barn Owl, a Cuckoo and a very soggy Warbler. (Thanks Pat. Absolutely fantastic)