A blog to record sightings on and around Port Meadow in Oxford. Feel free to make comments with additional sightings (click on the comments link at the top of each entry) or alternatively e-mail them to: info"at"portmeadowbirding.com (replace the "at" with @). Also any Port Meadow bird photos are much appreciated and will be fully accredited.
Where appropriate in the blog, sighting sources are referenced (OOS = www.oos.org.uk, BG = www.birdguides.com, OXB = Oxon Birds yahoo news group WoM = word of mouth/private e-mail).
Overview
For information on access instructions and species that one might expect go to Background Info section.
Photos
All photo's are copyrighted. Contact details for the photographer can be found by clicking on the photo album link on the right-hand side and then selecting the appropriate album where the contact details will appear at the top of the page.
2010 Sightings Interesting sightings for 2010 so far include (presumed escapees in square brackets):
Waders: ruff, redshank, lapwing, golden plover, knot, dunlin, black-tailed godwit Water Fowl:wigeon, teal, shoveler, pintail, [bar-headed goose], shelduck, goosander, tufted duck, water rail, little grebe, gadwall, ruddy shelduck, barnacle goose Gulls/Terns: Mediterranean Gull, yellow-legged gull Misc. Others: kingfisher, white wagtail Birds of Prey:sparrowhawk, kestrel, peregrine, buzzard, red kite, barn owl Warblers: blackcap
2010 Year List Current Total 81: Mediterranean gull is the latest addition to the Port Meadow 2010 year list . NB I have included 1 "plastic" wild fowl in this list so purists should subtract 1 from this total. YouTube & Twitter Channels Some simple video clips of birds on Port Meadow can be seen at the Port Meadow Birding YouTube Channel. There is also a Twitter feed
Yet another late afternoon visit to the Meadow to check out the gull roost finally paid off in the form of a handsome adult summer plumaged MEDITERRANEAN GULL. Now is prime passage time for Med. gulls and they've been turning up each evening in the Farmoor roost so I have dutifully been checking the Meadow roost whenever possible in the hope that I might find one. Despite being asleep for much of the time the black hood of this handsome gull really stood out from the crowd of brown-hooded black-headed gulls. There were also still some larger gulls around and a few common gulls as well.
Also present were the four REDSHANK along the North Shore still and a single RUFF along the West Shore. Still at least 15 PINTAIL around and a number of gadwall. About 75 golden plover put in an appearance this evening.
An early afternoon visit to the Meadow today with nice sunshine but a rather chilly wind. Duck numbers are definitely starting to diminish now though some gadwall and a few PINTAIL were still notable. Four of the REDSHANKS were along the North Shore today. A pair of KITES were chasing each other high over the floods. I found a wagtail which looked like a possible candidate for a white wagtail though it's still rather early for them and I wasn't able to get a good look at it before some walkers flushed it.
I forgot to mention that on Sunday along the Mill Stream I briefly saw what might have been the water rail again in the same area as previously. I'll need to check it out again to get a better view.
A morning visit to the Meadow in bright sunshine but still cold after the overnight frost. The floods were still largely frozen and all the ducks were congregated in the unfrozen pools in the middle. Apart from the PINTAILS still there was nothing unusual and no garganey as yet. Duck numbers are definitely down on the peak counts from a few weeks ago though numbers do tend to fluctate. No waders to be seen and just a few loafing gulls. A noticeable increase in pied wagtails: we'll soon have to start looking for white's in amongst them as they should be appearing soon. Elsewhere in the county ringed plover and oystercatchers are now being seen so we can hope to see these species on the Meadow any day now.
A late afternoon visit to the Meadow with a rather chilly wind. A couple of the over-wintering REDSHANK were along the floods in amongst the usual ducks which still include nine PINTAIL. A relatively modest gull roost held nothing of interest. There were a dozen or so golden plover to the north of the floods and a few piedwagtails around the flood margins.
What a contrast with yesterday! A chilly easterly wind and overcast skies making for much less pleasant weather today. Once more I was out late afternoon and initially opted to check out the west side of the floods though this meant that I was in the full face of the wind and as I soon discovered, all the birds were sensibly over on the far side using the Burgress Field hedge to give them shelter! I'd been told that a couple of very early (about two or three weeks earlier than expected) WHITE WAGTAILS had been reported by a visiting Wiltshire birder yesterday so I had a look around though couldn't find them. There were a few golden plover huddled up in the wind and the usual ducks and a single male SHELDUCK. I soon decided to make my way over to the sheltered east side where conditions were much more pleasant. The knot appears to have gone finally as I've not seen it for a couple of days now. There are still some PINTAIL around and plenty of wigeon, teal and shoveler still. I forgot to mention that yesterday I found a YELLOW-LEGGED GULL in amongst the few large gulls that are still about. From its size and relatively "kind" demeanour it's probably a female.
The record video footage of the yellow-legged gull
A gloriously sunny spring day which warranted a couple of visits to the Meadow today. The first was a late morning run along the river from Wolvercote which found a group of seven REDSHANK along the shore. The second visit was a late afternoon one once more to rummage amongst the gulls. I decided today to stay later than usual to see if this made much of a difference to what turned up and I was rewarded with much greater numbers of birds but alas still nothing out of the ordinary. Indeed there were only a handful of large gulls about though plenty of black-headed gulls to compensate. Quite a few common gulls did turn up towards the end and they were closely scrutinised for ring-billed gulls though without success. Two SHELDUCK turned up rather late and there were still quite a few PINTAIL in amongst the usual ducks. There was a flock of at least 100 golden plover today congregating at the north west corner of the floods. To round off a pleasant afternoon the BARN OWL put in an appearance, flying over the floods and into Burgess Field at around 5:45pm.
A very brief late afternoon visit to the Meadow in glorious sunshine with a real sense of spring finally being around the corner. The Meadow is nicely flooded once more so I went along the west bank of the river. Just past the sailing club a kingfisher flew off, looking dazzling in the sunshine. There was a party of four SHELDUCK near the river upending to feed on the grass at the bottom of the floods. The five over-wintering REDSHANK were all present and correct along the river shoreline and the KNOT was still about, initially on a small island of grass with some of his lapwing friends before he moved to near the boats, allowing me to take a photo. There were at least 50 golden plover though it was difficult to count them as they were partially hidden in a dip at the far north end of the floods. Still plenty of PINTAIL about though the gull roost consisted of almost exclusively black-headed gulls.
Whilst dogs are not always my favourite animals on the Meadow (since a small minority of them run amuck chasing the birds), I thought that I'd draw people's attention to the following notice:
Threat to dogs and wildlife on Burgess Field: several cases of suspected poisoning have recently been reported: a dog has died after eating something harmful on Burgess Field, two foxes have been found dead, and several dogs have been very sick but have eventually recovered. It would seem wise to keep dogs on leads until the source of the problem has been identified and dealt with.
The last day of February turned out not to be as windy as forecast though, as is typical on a Sunday, the large numbers of people visiting the Meadow meant that the ducks were all out in the middle of the floods and many of the waders had moved somewhere quieter. The KNOT was still about on his own near the boats but there were hardly any lapwings and they may have taken the dunlin off with them. There were a couple of SHELDUCK about this morning. On Burgess Field the topped-up snipe pools produced a total of seven birds though unfortunately no jack snipe. The highlight of the morning was a brief drop-in of a flock of nine BARNACLE GEESE. They flew in and landed on the flood water near the south end. Unfortunately they didn't stay very long before taking off again flying low to the north so they may have come down again somewhere on the Hinterland. It's difficult to judge whether these birds might be wild or not: there is a flock of about this number of plastic birds that is seen from time to time at Farmoor for example but it is the time of year when wild birds are on the move so they could be genuine.
Also I had a report (Anwyn Grogan) of a BARN OWL being seen in Burgess Field on Friday.
This morning thankfully yesterday's wind had dropped though there were intermittent showers. The floods were looking a bit more empty this morning, probably because of the usual weekend dog walkers as well as rowers on the river. On the wader front part way along the West Shore the KNOT was still present with a new companion in the form of a single DUNLIN. There was no sign of the redshank (they could be on the river) though there were a couple of RUFF in amongst the duck along the North Shore. Four SHELDUCK today, about a dozen gadwall and 8+ PINTAIL present. About 75 or so golden plover were flying about overhead though I didn't see whether they landed or not. A common gull was reported (John Uren) in amongst the black-headed gulls though it didn't stay. It's getting to the time of year when one needs to sift through all the ducks for garganey and through the black-headed gulls for Med. gulls so plenty to look out for.
Addendum
Mary Gregory reported an impressive total of 7 SHELDUCK later on today as well as 4 snipe in Burgess Field.
Mary Gregory writes: Lapwing and golden plover gave their best show of the winter this afternoon, with c150 of each , flying together then separating into two flocks before landing and standing conspicuously on the Meadow in the bright sunshine. It was great to see the group of plover wheeling; it has been a scarce sight this winter.
Three shelduck were standing around.
Mid-morning run around the patch with the weather certainly much milder than recently. Basically the same birds as yesterday though I was able to get better counts of the waders: 4 RUFF, 5 REDSHANK (one along the river), 1 KNOT. There were still some golden plover about this morning and a SHELDUCK was a new addition. A skylark was singing in the Hinterland. Flushed a single snipe in Burgess Field pools.
A miserable cold day with intermittent snow/sleet/rain. A later afternoon visit to the Meadow found conditions rather gloomy and consequently it was difficult to see some of the birds in the distance. However it was possible to make out the still-present KNOT, several REDSHANK, at least 3 RUFF and about 50 goldenplover and a similar number of lapwing. On the duck front there were about a dozen gadwall about today as well as a similar number of PINTAILstill. The gull roost is getting smaller each day as many over-wintering gulls have now moved on. With March approaching one can console oneself with the possibility of oystercatchers, curlew, med. gulls, white wagtails and migrant plovers in the coming month.
Injured Gull Update
Talking of gulls, I rang up today to enquire about the injured gull that I took to St. Tiggywinkles. They have now decided that it's suffering from botulism which they are treating and it's making good progress. It's been allowed out onto the hospital pond each day to have a paddle around but is not yet fully water-proofed so after a while it starts to sink and has to be rescued! Sounds encouraging though.
I went on a late afternoon run around the patch today and conditions were great with bright sunshine and hardly a breath of wind so that the floods were mirror calm. The lone KNOT was still keeping company with his friends the lapwings, there were at least 4 REDSHANK dotted around the place and fresh in were 10 RUFF, feeding at the northern end of the floods. 10 PINTAIL and 2 gadwall were also of note in amongst the ducks.
Mary Gregory writes:
Yesterday afternoon a muntjac trotted ahead of me over the railway bridge to the Meadow. It seemed to intend to make its way to Burgess Field and was near the allotment gate when a jogger came along the track from the BF gate. Caught between the approaching jogger and me at the railway gate it rushed through the ditch with a considerable splash and raced right across the Meadow to disappear at Walton Well. It was probably the same buck as I saw a couple of days ago in the Trap Grounds, where there have been a number of sightings.
A cold, grey and rainy day today. A later afternoon visit to the Meadow in steady rain found the ducks relishing the damp conditions and they were feeding with great gusto further away from the shoreline than usual. There were at least ten PINTAIL about today. On the wader front there were at least 5 REDSHANK about accompanied by the single KNOT still and the three RUFF had returned as well though there was no sign of the godwit. There was a single SHELDUCK along the shoreline and a single SNIPE probing away. Once more a disappointingly modest gull roost with nothing of note.
Raining first thing though brightening up by mid morning. A mid morning run around the patch found lots of birds singing away in celebration of the milder weather and the fact that the morning rain had stopped. Dunnocks in particular seemed to be singing everywhere. Burgess Field had at least three singing male reed buntings and I also saw a female so they appear to have moved back there for the approaching spring. The green woodpecker was seen as usual though there were no snipe in the north-east corner which had no pools at all.
On the floods themselves the same birds were present as yesterday, namely the BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, 6 REDSHANK and the lone KNOT. However the ruff appeared to have moved on. Whilst I was there the godwit took a flight around the floods and I was thinking that it was going to leave but it came back down again. Still a few PINTAIL in amongst the ducks.
Little wind and a somewhat milder feel compared to recent days. A late afternoon visit to the Meadow found plenty of new waders so there appears to have been a recent mini influx . There were now 6 REDSHANK feeding along the West Shore so at least one new arrival to add to the over-wintering birds. The lone KNOT was still present settling down for the night in the company of 16 golden plover, the first of the latter species that have been seen on the Meadow for some time. In addition there were 3 RUFF (two males and a female) and a single BLACK-TAILED GODWIT all along the West Shore. Perhaps the milder weather is encouraging some waders to start making a gradual move north. A relatively modest gull roost held nothing of particular note. There were still half a dozen or so PINTAIL in amongst the usual ducks.
A very brief visit to the Meadow as the sun was starting to set found a much-welcomed milder feel to the weather. Four of the over-wintering REDSHANK were feeding along the North Shore and one of the KNOT had returned and was sleeping half way along the West Shore. PINTAIL were still about in the same numbers as before and there was a modest-sized gull roost which again held nothing of particular note though they made quite a spectacle as they flew up en masse before settlling down again. Just a few lapwing dotted about the place and still no golden plover.
I found myself with some time to kill whilst up in the Wolvercote area this morning so I thought that I'd check out the Wolvercote Common and bridge areas. At the Meadow pools near the railway there were 25 or so wigeon with a flock of black-headed gulls loafing about a little way in on the common. In the Gullet there were a handful of tufted ducks and a family of mute swans. Over by the bridge as well as the usual geese there was a hybrid goose that looked half canada but interestingly had yellow legs so I'm not sure what it was crossed with. There were also half a dozen goldfinches feeding noisily in the alder trees by the river.
I phoned up Tiggywinkles animal rescue centre today to enquire about progress with the injured lesser black-backed gull. The good news is that it's still alive, though the bad news is that it's not feeding (it has to be tube fed) and that it still won't stand on its legs at all. They don't yet know why it won't stand and are planning on doing some X-rays to see if they can find out. I'll ring them up again in a week's time to see how it's getting on.
A later afternoon visit to the Meadow found that the wind had dropped and it had got a bit warmer. The cloudy conditions made for a rather "flat" light which was ideal for gull watching and the gulls obliged by congregating rather close to the Burgess Field gate. There was nothing particularly noteworthy in amongst the relatively modest numbers but it's always fun to spend some time sifting through them all. Apart from that in amongst the large numbers of wigeon, teal and shoveler there were 13 PINTAIL, 6 gadwall and a single REDSHANK. Reasonable numbers of lapwings around but still no golden plover.
A run around the patch this morning found bright sunshine but a very chilly northerly breeze. Burgess Field NR was almost completely deserted with just a single green woodpecker the only sighting. I am a little concerned that I've not seen a reed bunting in Burgess Field at all so far this year. I'm guessing that they were displaced by the snow (I had three briefly in my garden for the first time ever) but they don't seem to have returned yet. Let's hope the warmer weather brings them back. On the Meadow itself there was nothing of particular note apart from 8 or so PINTAIL and a few loafing gulls and I couldn't even see the knot though I wasn't looking that carefully. In the "parklet" bounded by Walton Well Road, the railway and Rutherway (does this actually have a name?) there were quite a few birds with another green woodpecker, a flock of feeding tits and several finches including greenfinches, chaffinches and a single SISKIN.
A late afternoon visit today found a bit of actual sunshine which lit up the birds nicely as I viewed them from the west side of the floods. Three KNOT were still about feeding on the eastern shore of the southern end of the floods. All five of the over-wintering REDSHANK were also about though I noticed that one of them was limping quite badly. A few lapwings dotted about but still no golden plover. The usual ducks including a handful of PINTAIL still. A moderate gull roost with nothing unusual. Two SHELDUCK were reported this morning (Steve Goddard).
A brief afternoon's visit to the Meadow en famille found conditions to be overcast and grey but very calm giving the place a rather nice atmosphere. Plenty of birds to look at with the usual Sunday afternoon dog walkers having made sure that everything was out in the middle rather than on the flood shore-line. The usual ducks including the odd PINTAIL, a reasonable gathering of gulls starting to build up but nothing out of the ordinary. A few lapwings around but no obvious sign of the knot though without my scope I could easily have missed them.
A late afternoon visit found much milder conditions and the Meadow bathed in some sunshine for a change - I'd almost forgotten what that was like. The floods continue to shrink in size, a little too quickly for my liking and we'll need them to be topped up if they are going to last any decent length of time. The five KNOT were still present, hanging out with the lapwings near the Spit. The usual ducks were around including 9 PINTAIL (though an amazing 41 were reported on OOS by Norman Gregory which were seen in three groups at around 3pm). The gull roost was relatively modest tonight and held nothing of particular interest.
A morning visit to the Meadow in the drizzle found the floods have retreated away from the river to leave the "normal" flood size. There were good numbers of duck back on the water with large numbers of wigeon and teal, reasonable shoveler, 8 PINTAIL and a few gadwall. There were two SHELDUCK at the north end though no sign of their ruddy companion today. Along the river was a REDSHANK and just one remaining KNOT. There was also a good sized mixed flock of redwing and goldfinches in the trees bordering the allotments.
Whilst scanning the floods I noticed a lesser black-backed gull sitting half submerged in the water and clearly not very well. It was moving around but being submerged like that was going to get it rather cold and a few crows were starting to circle it with interest. Accordingly I went home and returned with a bag and my wellies and waded out to it. It seemed incapable of either flying or even standing so both it's legs might be broken though it's wings appeared to be ok. I took it to St. Tiggywingkles and will be able to report back in about a week or so. It was also ringed (Blue with organge letters CPK). I've submitted a report and will post any feedback to this blog.
Mary Gregory (private e-mail)
"I saw a RUDDY SHELDUCK on the north end of the flood around 3.30 this afternoon with a COMMON SHELDUCK. They flew round the Meadow to the north then settled again on the flood. I could see them again from the main track as I came back through Burgess Field."
After an over-night dusting of snow a mid-morning visit to the Meadow found much of the floods frozen over and what birds that were remaining were in the corner near the boats. Fortunately there were still five KNOT about and the bright sunshine offered better photographic opportunities. Apart from that there were some lapwings and black-headed gulls about with a few loafing larger gulls. A modest number of teal were still present standing on the ice near a patch of unfrozen water. A couple of great crested grebes were hunting away in the river.
Addendum (Mary Gregory)
The five KNOT were still around this afternoon. Plus I had a great view of a kingfisher perched on the hawthorn tree at the upriver end of the boardwalk. Otherwise much as usual - three REDSHANK (I saw the five yesterday), three cormorants, c110 teal but no other ducks, 50+ lapwings but no plover. I saw the DUNLIN yesterday but not today. The coots are on the river in big numbers; I counted 35 yesterday.
A short late afternoon visit found most of the floods frozen over though there were patches of free water still. Many of today's sightings are from other observers. The number of KNOT was reported now to have grown to 7 with 5 RUFF in attendance (Bob Burgess). In addition at least four of the REDSHANK and a little grebe were seen (Pete Styles). Five PINTAIL on the river seeking sanctuary from the frozen floods (Adrian Gray). Three SHELDUCK were in amongst the flock of teal. A relatively modest gull roost was very densely packed so the birds were rather difficult to see but one or two YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS were reported (James Grundy).
A late afternoon visit to the Meadow found the four KNOT still present and feeding near Stint Corner. In addition seven RUFF and the single DUNLIN were reported in the morning (Wain Bull WoM) though not present when I was there. There seemed to be a lot fewer birds around than yesterday so some may have moved elsewhere (temporarily I hope). Three PINTAIL, a single REDSHANK and a few golden plover were also present about. There was a decent sized gull roost though the only bird of interest was a single adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL though gulls were still streaming in as I was leaving.
An excellent day on the Meadow today with the floods in perfect condition: when they are receding from their peak there is a period when there's just a narrow corridor of grass between the river and the flood water and at such times lots of the birds congregate in this area where they can be viewed from relatively close quarters from the west bank of the river. Today there were very good numbers and a wide variety of birds with the star of the show being four KNOT, together with a single DUNLIN and half a dozen RUFF and at least 300 lapwings. The latter were their usual skittish selves and kept going up for no apparent reason, taking the other waders with them which meant getting any decent photos of the birds was not that easy. On the one occasion when three buzzards were actually circling low overhead the lapwings chose to stay put - very contrary! Plenty of wigeon, teal and shoveler around. Also a SPARROWHAWK near the Aristotle Lane entrance and a single snipe in Burgess Field NR. Quite a few gulls also around as well. The Meadow really is on top form at present.
Addendum (Pete Styles):
Ten PINTAIL and two gadwall in amongst the ducks
A cold, windy and grey afternoon visit to the Meadow found plenty of gulls to look at. Nothing especially of note though I did count at least 16 greater black-backed gulls in amongst them. Many of the gulls were diving about just beneath the surface and retrieving various things from the bottom. I did wonder whether they were feeling some trapped fish swimming by beneath them and diving to try to catch them. There was also a great crested grebe on the floods (as opposed to the river where they usually are) which might lend weight to this theory. The usual ducks could just be made out in the distance from my viewing point on the west side of the river including at least a couple of PINTAIL. A distant wader turned out to be a RUFF though it was only identifiable once it flew to another spot on the floods. Good numbers of lapwings about. All the Meadow birds seemed rather flighty this afternoon so I don't know whether there was something (e.g. a peregrine) putting them up but I couldn't see anything in particular.
An afternoon visit to the Meadow found it rather cold today. On the Railway Field were a number of redwings and a pair of mistle thrushes and a fieldfare were on the Meadow near the Weir bridge. On the floods themselves the usual ducks were about though very distant including at least four PINTAILS. Plenty of lapwings at the north end of the floods. All five overwintering REDSHANK were about near Perch Corner. A dark-morph buzzard put up a lot of the black-headed gulls as it flew low over the floods. The gull roost was rather slow to get started but in the end there were a reasonable number though they were widely scattered over the very extensive flood waters. Quite a few greater black-backed gulls about and at least two YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS. The argenteus herring gulls are looking rather smart and many have lost their streaky heads now.
Having neglected the Meadow for a couple of days (being distracted by wild county geese elsewhere) I thought that I'd better have a look round so took a morning run around Burgess Field. The Meadow is still pretty flooded and the ducks are all dispersed mostly at the north end. The usual suspects present: wigeon and teal in good numbers, some shoveler and a few PINTAIL. A few gulls and lapwings resting on one of the small islands of grass. In Burgess Field a colourful jay was seen with an acorn in its mouth and some pheasants were heard calling from near the railway line.
A lunch-time run around the field found the floods somewhat reduced from the highs of two days ago with the north end now in line with the mound. In Burgess Field there were plenty of small birds around including several bullfinches. One green woodpecker was seen and a couple of snipe were flushed. At the north end of the floods the usual ducks were still about including reasonable numbers of PINTAIL. There were at least a couple of REDSHANKS along the river shore, and good numbers of lapwing and about 30 golden plover about. Just one TUFTED DUCK still about on the river.
A late-afternoon visit to the Meadow found the floods extending all the way up to the north end of Burgess Field and the birds were scattered along the north and east boundaries and consequently rather far away. In the end I elected to view from the west bank of the river near the poplar trees. From this vantage point the usual ducks and geese were found, the single REDSHANK still present, just four golden plover were about and a flock of TUFTED DUCK were twice seen to fly along the river. The gull roost was a relatively modest affair and the rather bright conditions meant that judging the subtle mantle tones was not very easy. This and the fact that many of the herring gulls are now becoming clean-headed meant that picking out YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS was not very easy but there was at least one definite and several other possibles. A few skylarks still moving overhead.
With the thaw well and truly with us a morning visit down to the Meadow found all the snow gone and the floods only part frozen. They were also increased back to their full extend by the swollen river. The ducks were most grateful to have their winter residence back and the wigeon were back in full number with good numbers of teal and shoveler as well. There were also 15 PINTAIL and a single gadwall. A single REDSHANK was seen in the distance though more could have been further along the river. A few lapwings were dotted about and quite a number of pied wagtails were feeding away on the remaining pieces of ice. A small number of black-headed gulls were also about. A few skylarks flying overhead. All in all, it was most gratifying to have the Meadow back to its proper winter state.
A first winter male pied wagtail feeding on the ice
Mary Gregory (private e-mail)
"The thaw is now bringing some open water on the boundary ditch between the Meadow and Burgess Field. On Friday afternoon this hosted seven teal and an eclipse male shoveler. The single REDSHANK was still at the centre gate. And many more wigeon were collecting in the Meadow, but still keeping to the river rather than the flood. A gull roost was assembling - several hundred black-headed and, separately, c 150 black- backs."
I took a lunch-time walk along the canal today to see what was about now that things were starting to thaw. It was pleasing to see plenty of small birds around such as wrens, dunnocks and tits with lots of redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds all busily feeding away. I was particularly looking for siskins and redpolls though all I found were loads of goldfinches and greenfinches. A singing male goldcrest and a treecreeper were welcome sightings as well.
An afternoon walk around the patch found a single wigeon hiding in the Mill Stream along with a couple of snipe on the shore. A greater-spotted woodpecker (patch year tick) was also seen in this area and a couple of cormorants were skulking about, looking very over-sized for the small width of the Mill Stream.
There was a single teal near the old weir and another snipe along the river shore line near the Perch. A single REDSHANK was feeding along the river near the sailing club and the usual flock of black-headedgulls contained a single adult common gull in amongst them. Incidentally all the gulls are looking particularly good when viewed against the snow-laden clouds at present: somehow the various tones of grey and white in the gulls are brought out by the sky colour and the common gull's darker grey wings looked very striking. Up by the poplars there were eight cormorants in their usual trees and the TUFTED DUCK count had gone up to 23 (21 males). There was a lone pair of wigeon along the river at this end. The kingfisher was seen on a number of occasions and at one point I saw two of them which is a first for me on the patch. A grey heron was seen and heard near the Weir Cottage as I returned.
From Mary Gregory
With the fresh snow the small birds in Burgess Field were keeping hunkered down. The trees at the bottom corner of the top section, however, produced two fieldfares with an aggressive crow in attendance. There is a small amount of open water at the middle gate and a REDSHANK was busying around; this is the first time I have seen one in that area. A green woodpecker flew noisily across at the main gate.
From Mary Gregory
The slight thaw seemed to make the Meadow lose its appeal. Curiously, the biggest count (apart from a small flock of gulls) was four REDSHANK. The TUFTED DUCK were down to 2 females, and there was a lone teal and a great crested grebe. No cormorants, no wigeon, no lapwings, no plover.
Mary Gregory (private e-mail)
My count today was much like yours yesterday: 5 REDSHANK, 8 cormorants, 1 lapwing, 14m + 3f TUFTEDDUCKS, 16 wigeon and a single teal on the river. There was a large flock of geese 70-80 near Wolvercote; I only saw them in the distance when a dog put them up. c130 gulls also on the river opposite Medley.
Lou Windle (private e-mail)
There's a male TUFTED DUCK down on the canal just near the entrance to Port Meadow, on Walton Well Road. there were also 3 Little Grebe at Fiddler's Island on Sunday, in the water adjacent to the Willow Walk.
A morning visit along the newly established route of the Mill Stream followed by the slog through the snow to opposite the poplars found that despite the snow the birds seemed a bit more perky. Perhaps it was the slightly milder temperatures but there were more small birds around in the form of a long-tailed tit, blue and great tits, goldfinches, greenfinches and chaffinches as well as a robin and a wren. Along the Mill Stream there were several teal tucked away behind the fallen trees in the river and a couple of snipe along the shoreline. A great-crested grebe in full summer plumage was feeding near to the weir. A duck and goose feeding session by the weir found the mallards, a young moorhen and a single mute swan all suitably grateful. A kingfisher was seen to speed away from the boats by the moorings. Along the river there was just one lapwing looking very weak and forlorn. New in were about 100 wigeon that were digging through the snow to get at the grass underneath. However they were rather flighty and the steady stream of Sunday walkers along the river bank meant that they kept getting disturbed. Near the poplars were a total of 12 males and 2 female TUFTED DUCKS and 4 REDSHANKS were variously seen along the shoreline. The cormorant count had now gone up to 10.
No visit by myself to the Meadow today though we have the following from OOS (Mary Gregory): TUFTED DUCK 12m 6f Buzzard 1 Cormorant 8
Clearly more tufted ducks are being driven to the open waters of the river as more and more still waters freeze over.
Also yesterday Mary saw 5 REDSHANKS rather than just the one that I saw.
From Roly Pitts private e-mail
There were a pair of SISKINS feeding in a tree on Rutherway and a female Blackcap in the bushes on the right just before the railway line on the way to Port Meadow.
Along Willow Walk alongside the Mill Stream into Port meadow this morning where there was a Widgeon, couple of Mute swans, some Greylags, Moorhen, a Coot, Great-Crested Grebe, couple of Teal, and I flushed a Snipe on the way into the meadow and when I returned that way.
Having spent a couple of days holed up at home due to the weather I was fast developing "cabin fever" and so decided that I should make a trek out to the Meadow. With everything covered in snow once more it was a case of expecting nothing more than subsistence birding but once again I was pleasantly surprised.
In view of the conditions I decided to concentrate on the areas of running water and so walked along the Mill Stream to Fiddler's Island and then up the river to the poplar trees. The Mill Stream held a total of two adult and 6 juvenile mute swans all looking decidedly hungry and making me regret not bringing some bread with me. There were also a couple of teal and a few of the feral greylag geese were also skulking along the bankside. A grey heron was seen flying over the neighbouring allotments. Along the Thames itself was a flock of 50 odd lapwings huddled against the wind and looking thoroughly dejected. There were also a similar number of black-headed gulls with a single first winter common gull in amongst them. Two snipe were seen flying over whilst I walked. Up near the poplars were a total of 9 male and 1 female TUFTED DUCK, 3 wigeon, 8 cormorants in the trees and a REDSHANK still along the shoreline. As I retraced my steps back home looking for my hat which I'd managed to lose somewhere along the way I flushed a red-head GOOSANDER close in to the river shore. Back along the Mill Stream a kingfisher darted away, as did a snipe from the bank and best of all a WATER RAIL was seen skulking along the far bank. These birds are so secretive that it's always great actually to see one anywhere let alone on the local patch. In years gone by they have been on the Trap Ground ponds though none was seen or heard last year. Despite having my hand-held camera with me I didn't manage a photo as it was just too quick at scurrying away into the undergrowth though I did manage to watch if for about a minute.
From Mary Gregory (private e-mail)
The action on Thursday was all on the river as I was walking along the tow path. Lots of lapwings with 8 golden plover close to the bank, with a single snipe right at the water's edge. Six cormorants were sitting in one of the poplar trees and one was on the river, and there were a group of TUFTED DUCK on the same stretch. Two long-tail tits passed over as I was crossing the Meadow, apparently on their way to Burgess Field.
With everything frozen and the prospect of snow on the way that evening, on my late afternoon visit to the Meadow I had little expectations other than for some "subsistence birding" where just to see a bird was to be considered a triumph. However I was pleasantly surprised at what turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable trip. As is usual when the floods are frozen, the first port of call was the Railway Field and this held eight golden plover, a few lapwings, four skylarks, one meadow pipit, a handful of redwings, one fieldfare and a mistle thrush.
The floods themselves were being skated over and walked upon so I elected to walk along the river to see if I could find any redshanks working their way along the river shore. There was a family of two adults and one juvenile mute swan opposite the sailing club. I seem to recall a swan family with three juveniles not long ago so unfortunately two of them may have perished. A couple of snipe flew over and down into the undergrowth on the opposite side of the river, probably flushed from the Hinterland by some dog walkers. A pair of kestrels were being rather vocal and were buzzing around the place, often perching in the trees along the river for a while before flying off. Just past Perch Corner I came across a black-headed gull with some head wounds, looking rather groggy. I don't know what might have attacked it but it was healthy enough to move out into the middle of the river as I approached so there was no chance of rescuing it. A bit further on there were a pair of REDSHANKS resting on the shore line. They were rather flighty and would move along the shore ahead of me, piping as they flew, before doubling back behind me again. Opposite the poplar trees there were a number of mallards and black-headed gulls and also a surprise male TUFTED DUCK, which is not at all common on the Meadow: for example, only one was seen for the whole of last year. In the distance at the north end of the frozen floods a small gull roost was starting to form but they soon flew off towards Farmoor. At this point the snow started to fall and it was time to make my way back again, once more disturbing the redshanks which flew away noisily.
From Steve Clark (private e-mail):
I visited the meadow at about 8:45-10:15 today. I thought you might like to know that there were c.450 Lapwing and c.20 GBBG. There were at least 3 Ruff and 3 Redshank. Loads of Wigeon and Teal and a few Shoeveler. One Shelduck. Mipits feeding on the ice. Burgess field was virtually birdless but 33 species in all.
From Adrian Gray (OxonBirds):
On a day when the Gullet was so frozen there were only four birds on it, was rather startled to realise that two were male Shoveler. Not hugely exotic, but was very startled this afternoon to find them on the other side of the road dabbling vigorously in the pond at the top end of Wolvercote Common. Other than the Widgeon who are regulars (and today were right up parallel to the road, despite all the people about, where I've only ever seen them before at dawn), very little that comes to the Gullet seems to cross the road and show in the ponds opposite, so I was quite surprised.
A sunny but frosty start to the day found me up early to look for yesterday's pink-footed geese. In fact as the floods were partially frozen there were less geese around than usual and they were just the usual feral greylags and canada's though the pink-foots were later found again in a field near Farmoor. I was able to make a more detailed count of the waders and there were a total of three REDSHANK and eight RUFF present. Lapwings were about in good numbers with several hundred being seen - they were as flighty as ever and kept rising up in large flocks before settling again. The usual wigeon, teal and shoveler still about and a reasonable number of gulls staying behind after the roost, mostly lesser black-backed. At least three cormorants about including one fishing by the old weir next to the bridge. It managed to catch quite a large chub from under the bridge which it proceeded to swallow with difficulty.
From Ian Curtis (e-mail)
there was a PEREGRINE on port meadow about 8.30 am. it was in one of the black poplars very briefly before flying off north. Also a pair of GOOSANDER.
A gloriously sunny but surprisingly cold start to the new year found the Meadow it full lake mode and plenty of birds. As usual under such conditions I viewed from the west bank of the river and this found some waders close in: 6 or 7 RUFF and 2 or 3 REDSHANK. Given these counts I am wondering if my very distant identifications of the waders that I saw yesterday were now correct! There were also plenty of lapwings around as well as the usual wigeon, teal and shoveler. I couldn't see any pintail though I didn't look very hard. A female SPARROWHAWK flew low over the river and a kingfisher shot upstream as well. Plenty of pied wagtails and meadow pipits to tick of for the ew year list and an assortment of gulls standing on a frozen portion of the ice, mostly lesser black-backed with a few herring gulls and greater black-backed gulls in amongst them. To the north of the floods were the usual vast hoards of geese including several BAR-HEADED GEESE in amongst them.
Stop Press:
I've been told by Farmoor regular Dai John that a flock of 19 probable PINK-FOOTED GEESE flew over the reservoir heading towards the Meadow so I'll endeavour to get down there first thing tomorrow to look for them.
Looking back on the year it's been a rather quiet one for the Meadow from a birding perspective. I've not actually been birding this patch for very long with 2008 being my first full year and I now realise that I was rather spoilt by the fact that the flood water never went away last year. This year was probably more normal in that respect with the floods pretty much drying up by May and before that being a shadow of their full winter size. What's more they didn't really return until November which meant six months in the birding wilderness. This meant of course that much of the key spring and autumn passage was missed and this is reflected in a lower patch year list total of 126 + 4 plastic water fowl compared to 140 the previous year. Still there were some good birds in the first half of the year with iceland gull, jack snipe, raven and short-eared owl all seen during the winter period and spring brought a spate of good county birds with avocet, bar-tailed godwit, osprey and little tern culminating of course with the all too brief spoonbill sighting which must be the bird of the year for the Meadow. It was a shame that the spoonbill couldn't have been enjoyed by other birders though there was one at Otmoor later in the year which stayed for several days.
The summer months, despite being dry from a flood perspective, did have a good crop of warblers with all ten of the basic warbler species at least being seen in the patch with a cetti's warbler staying around for several weeks. Given the lack of birds it was also a chance to get to grips with the excellent butterflies in Burgess Field NR. We did have a couple of lapwing chicks which managed to reach maturity which was great to watch. During this dry period I took to doing runs around the Hinterland and though I didn't manage to turn up anything too rare (I have always hoped for something like a Richard's pipit) I can relate a tale of one that got away during this period: during one of my runs I heard a call which I knew that I didn't know and so it must have been something pretty unusual. It only called a couple of times and I never actually saw the bird but I memorised it as "I told you so", fairly melodic whistly call,descending in tone. A couple of months later during an idle moment when I was going through my bird calls I came across something which seemed to match it pretty well: common rosefinch! Whether it indeed was one of course we'll never know but it is galling to think of what might have been.
WIth the return of the flood water finally the birding got back to the quality that I've come to know and love. Soon after the wigeon and teal returned there was a lovely adult caspian gull on the floods, which has to be the bird of the second half of the year. The usual black-tailed godwits, redshanks, ruff and dunlin were all seen as well as good numbers of ducks and geese. The top count of ruff on the Meadow was 48 which is a great number and we had the added bonus of a spotted redshank appearing in December for the second year running. Egyptian geese which are not that common on the Meadow were seen on a couple of occasions which was nice. When the floods are most extended this attracts a good gull roost and yellow-legged gulls were seen on most occasions. There were also some new plastic water fowl to add to the list including bar-headed goose and black swan as well as the return of "Barry" the barnacle goose and the resident plastic female ring-necked duck.
So all in all, a relatively quiet year compared to last year though it's always a pleasure to bird such a wonderful and varied patch and there is always the chance of something really good turning up. Let's seen what 2010 will bring.
A late afternoon visit down to the Meadow to end the year found the floods much extended by the recent rain and back to full-on lake mode. The usual duck suspects of wigeon, teal and shoveler were about feeding along the extensive shores of the floods. There were lots of lapwings about with a small number of goldenplover. There were a total of 7 REDSHANK dotted about in various locations with a couple of RUFF for good measure. A reasonable gull roost had at least a couple of YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS in amongst them. With the floods back to their largest size it should soon attract back really good numbers of over-wintering birds once more which should make for a great start to the new year.
All that remains is for me to wish a very Happy New Year and Good Birding to all readers of this blog.
Adam
As a round up of the year, here's a montage of some of the best birding throughout the county for the last year. I hope to do a review of Port Meadow for the year in the next day or two.
A late afternoon visit to the Meadow found most of the floods still frozen though now with some quite large open areas. The grass surrounding the floods were now noticably thawed and the ducks were back grazing in large numbers along the western shore, mostly the usual wigeon and teal though with at least 2 male PINTAIL in amongst them. There were a few shoveler about and a pair of gadwall in one of the open pools. On the wader front there were 3 REDSHANK along the near Stint Corner or along the North Shore. There was only a modest gull roost made up mostly of black-headed gulls but with a reasonable number of lesserblack-backed gulls as well. A single common gull and a couple of greater black-backed were also about and a few herring gulls, now starting to lose their streaky heads, thus making hunting for yellow legged and Caspian gulls much harder.
A very brief afternoon visit to the Meadow with bins only found much of the floods still frozen though there were a couple of large pools in the middle around which some gulls were congregating and another to the north to which the wigeon and teal had returned from their absence during the worst of the frozen weather. What were probably the three RUFF were still about on the far side of the floods amongst some lapwings.
An afternoon visit to the Meadow to inspect the state of the floods found them still to be frozen solid. What's more everyone and their dog were out walking so what was the nucleus of a modest gull roost was soon frightened off to Farmoor leaving the ice deserted except for a few crows. Instead the only bird action was the Railway Field with three RUFF, three golden plover and a handful of lapwing all working their way around the area. There was also a skylark and a meadow pipit as well as a couple of black-headed gulls in the same field.
A mid-day run around the patch found the floods completely frozen and people even skating on the ice. There was of course not a bird to be seen on the ice apart from half a dozen crows and a pied wagtail. Burgess Field NR had plenty of fieldfares and redwings and blackbirds feeding on the hawthorn berries. A couple of snipe were buzzing about in the Hinterland and along the river there were a total of four REDSHANK, confirming my theory that they are often to be found along here as opposed to on the floods. Unfortunately there was no sign of their spotty cousin. A buzzard was seen flying across the Meadow though that was the only raptor. A few of the teal had taken haven in the Mill Stream tributary by Fiddler's Island. Just as I was going up Walton Well Road I met a couple of birders (Pete and Wain) who were scanning the Railway Field where they'd found a single RUFF, a few lapwings and a couple of golden plover. They also reported a couple of kingfishers along the river.
Tom Wickens reported that the SPOTTED REDSHANK was still present first thing this morning feeding in the one remaining clear bit of water on the ice. However the Sunday dog walkers soon managed to flush all the birds on the Meadow. Let's hope it stays in the area and perhaps returns once things thaw out.
With the prospect of the floods still being frozen I almost didn't bother to venture out this afternoon and when I did arrive at first sight it just looked like a huddle of teal with even the wigeon having given up on the frozen wasteland that currently is the Meadow. As there was nothing else to look at I started to count exactly how many teal there were (it was that bad!) when suddenly I spotted a SPOTTED REDSHANK huddled up at the back of the group. There were half a dozen RUFF also there and some golden plover started to come in whilst I was watching so they probably totalled about a hundred birds by the time I left. There were a few dozen large gulls (a couple of greater black-backed gulls being the most intersting) standing in another group and a first winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL touched down very briefly to join them before all the gulls took off and headed over the hill towards Farmoor Reservoir for the roost.
Interestingly it was about this time last year (the 15th to the 21st December to be exact) that a spotted redshank turned up on the floods and one can speculate as to whether this might be the same bird. However with the floods completely frozen as they are it may struggle to find much to keep it here though along the river bank there may be sufficient mud to hold its interest.
Addendum:
I've been told by Stephen Burch that he saw a wader on Otmoor this morning which could very well have been a spotted redshank and if so then it may well have been the same bird.
A very cold and frozen day on which I elected to visit at around 3pm in the vain hope of some sort of gull roost. The floods were completely frozen apart from a couple of pools near the north end and all the ducks were crowded in on these two areas. In the more southerly pool they were even upending and feeding on the grass on the bottom of the water. Plenty of wigeon and teal with a few PINTAIL though the gadwall and shoveler had left. Still around 15 RUFF toughing it out and plenty of lapwings still about. The gull roost consisted of a few dozen birds standing around disconsolately on the ice though there were a couple of greater black-backed gulls in amongst them.
A bright but chilly and windy morning on the Meadow found the usual birds present: I counted a total of 35 RUFF but as they were moving around a fair bit I may have double-counted some of them. A single DUNLIN was in amongst the lapwings. Good numbers of wigeon and very good numbers of teal with some PINTAIL still about and Gadwall and shoveler also still present. A handful of loafing lesser and a single greaterblack-backed gulls on the North Shore.
A lunchtime run around the patch found not much new to report. A couple of snipe in Burgess Field NR and a couple more in the wet grass to the north of Stint Corner. 6 REDSHANK feeding along the river bank and probably 40+ RUFF dispersed in various locations around the floods and feeding away happily. 3 DUNLIN along the West Shore, about 150 golden plover and good numbers of lapwings too. Large numbers of ducks still about.
A rather misty start to the day though clearing up mid morning. After the recent flooding it almost seems rather strange to get back to the comparatively still water of the isolated flood water once more. All the ducks were in the middle of the water this morning, still in good numbers but not as large a count as recently. A single SHELDUCK was in amongst them this morning, making a welcome change. The large RUFF contingent is still present with 44 birds along the west shore of the South Channel with a single REDSHANK in amongst them though it soon flew off to the river bank where there could have been more. I couldn't see any dunlin in amongst the lapwing though it was hard to make out in the mist. Now that the waters have receded it's easier to make out the wagtails and pipits more easily and they are still as abundant as ever. I keep looking out for water pipits (or even something rarer) though still with no success.
A late afternoon visit to the Meadow found the flood levels much reduced again with a clear strip of land between the river and the floods. I suspect that it won't take much to raise the river level again but at present the floods are an isolated pocket of water once more. Bird numbers seemed reduced as well, certainly from the impressive counts that were reported yesterday though there were at least 35 RUFF still present, a couple of REDSHANK and several DUNLIN. Still plenty of ducks on the water and the geese grazing in the distance on the Hinterland. A single BLACK SWAN added a touch of the exotic and drew much comment from the passing Sunday dog walkers. There was a smaller though still reasonable gull roost though many of the birds took off and presumably headed for Farmoor at dusk so now that the waters have receded it may go back to being more of a pre-roost. Several YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS were picked out from the throng this evening.
The Meadow was fog-bound for much of the day so I elected for a later afternoon visit when the sun was briefly shining before setting. The water level was very slightly down on yesterday though the floods are still wonderfully extensive and the thousands of birds are relishing the habitat. The RUFF were still about and I managed a peak count of 28 this evening. Golden plover were finally back in numbers with a huge flock just past Perch Corner of at least a thousand birds and probably a lot more. The gull roost was slightly smaller tonight and contained the usual birds with four YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS found. Apart from that the usual geese (including Bernard) and ducks (including plenty of PINTAIL)were about and there could well have been other waders as I didn't spend a great deal of time looking for them. Still lots of redwings and fieldfares in the hawthorns along the river and a kestrel was seen flying off at dusk with a small rodent in it's claws. All in all it's currently a great place to go birding!
A glorious start to the day this morning with bright sunshine and little wind and just a slight nip in the air. Given the extended state of the floods I was mostly viewing from the west river bank to the North of the Perch Inn. The floods waters are now extending as far as Godstow Lock. There were plenty of birds to view from gulls and waders close to the shore through to the ducks and geese right in the distance. The highlight of the morning was a count of about 20 RUFF which were mostly located quite close to the river bank though there was a rather flighty flock of a dozen or so that kept buzzing around and doing a rather acrobatic tumbling action which I assume is some sort of evasive flight manoeuvre. There were three DUNLIN about, two asleep near the ruff and a third was seen in flight. A couple of REDSHANK were asleep further along the river bank. There were a couple of golden plover about this morning: it's nice to have at least some of them back. As far as the ducks and geese were concerned these were present in very large numbers. I did a brief tally of PINTAIL numbers and there were about 30 of them. "Bernard" the BAR-HEADED GOOSE was still about.
A morning run along the river found the Meadow as flooded as it's been so far. The only strip of land now visible along the river is the highest part opposite the Perch. Much of the Hinterland is now flooded and it does make finding a good viewing location rather difficult. As I only had my bins with me it was difficult to see much but I did notice a single DUNLIN along the shore in amongst the lapwings and black-headed gulls. There were the usual vast numbers of ducks and geese about though I didn't notice anything unusual. There were a pair of nice mistle thrushes feeding on berries near to Weir Cottage and I heard a third bird singing behind them.
Late afternoon update:
A return visit to check out the gull roost found wonderfully calm conditions and plenty of gulls. A good proportion of the birds were in the flooded area of the Hinterland and consequently were rather difficult to view but there were still plenty on the main lake to sort through. The highlight was a total count of six YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS. I also spotted a dozen or so golden plover along the flooded river shoreline to the north of "Perch Corner" (the corner of the river opposite the Perch Inn).
This particular yellow-legged gull seemed to have something wrong with one of its feet and can be seen to be paddling rather unevenly at the end of this sequence
The only news from the Meadow today is from Adrian Grey up in Wolvercote:
"There were five GOOSANDER - three males and two females - on the Gullet in Lower Wolvercote this morning, so they may be going there rather than Farmoor. It's alleged to be quite deep, so they might stay a while"
A morning run along the river bank found the floods once more extended and about as full as they've been so far this autumn.
The waders were back in their hot spot opposite the house boat with 2 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, 2 RUFF and 4 DUNLIN in amongst the lapwings. Much further along the river a single REDSHANK was seen. A female GOOSANDER flew south low over the flood water and may be hiding out on the river or its tributaries near by. The two BLACK SWANS were still on the floods this morning and a kingfisher whizzed by once again. A reasonable number of lesser and one or two greater black-backed gulls still about on the floods. There was a family of two adult and four juvenile mute swans on the floods as well as the usual hoards of geese. In the distance 10 golden plover flew over and there was a huge (several thousand strong) flock of something which was probably starlings which were doing the "large flock moving like a creature" thing that starling roost flocks do. It's a shame it wasn't nearer.
Late afternoon Update:
A return visit found the flood levels noticably higher than this morning with most of the narrow strip of grass by the river opposite the boat club now having disappeared. There were now 3 godwits present though I didn't see any other waders though they could well have been elsewhere. A modest gull roost still found 4 adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS together with quite a reasonable number of greater black-backed gulls and three common gulls. The kingfisher was once again seen flying around close to the river bank.
This morning starting bright and sunny though clouding over later.
The flood waters had gone down noticably with the channel through to the river having disappeared and the strip of land between the river and the floods was noticably wider. The receding water appears to have taken some of the waders with it, with no sign of the godwits nor the ruff. However the four DUNLIN were still present resting quietly opposite the house boat. A single REDSHANK was feeding along the river bank and more could have been further along the river though there was no sign of them on the floods. A kingfisher was once again seen near the moored boat and there were once more plenty of winter thrushes about. A party of five GOOSANDER flew over heading north west (possibly making their way to Farmoor). Occasionally when the floods are big enough this species does drop in though they never stay long as I guess the water is too shallow A chiffchaff was reported near the weir. Plenty of ducks still including the PINTAIL.
A mid morning run along the west bank of the river found the edges of the floods still frozen but everything bathed in glorious sunshine. All the duck were out in the middle where it was just shallow enough for them to upend themselves and grab the grass on the bottom. The usual suspects, including the PINTAIL, were all there. The current wader hotspot seems to be opposite the house boat where there was a flock of about 250 lapwings with 4 DUNLIN in amongst them. Also there were 5 REDSHANKS feeding away so perhaps I was mistaken yesterday to say that there was only one remaining but they can often go AWOL for a while (often along the river bank). Two of the BLACK-TAILED GODWITS were still there and a single RUFF flew in to join the party whilst I was there. A sprinkling of loafing black-headed gulls with a single lesser black-backed gull completed the picture. All this within a comparatively narrow area which can conveniently be viewed from the top of the arched footbridge near the boat yard. Further along the river the huge number of geese were still doing their thing along the bank and in the Hinterland. Various thrushes were feeding in the hawthorn near the moored boat. I forgot to mention that yesterday I got great views of a kingfisher at this location: it paused just long enough for me to get my camera gear ready before darting off before I could take a shot.
This morning raining first thing but then brightening up with some sunny intervals though rather breezy.
The Meadow was on top form this morning when I visited. I started off viewing from the east side of the floods before moving over to the west bank of the river which actually turned out to be a much better viewing location. There were three BLACK-TAILED GODWITS feeding in the floods near the house boat. In amongst a rather large but flighty flock of lapwings there were some other waders which turned out to be 5 DUNLIN and about 12 RUFF. I couldn't relocate the ruff later so they may have moved on. Just a single REDSHANK remained from yesterdays five, feeding along the grass near the sailing club. The usual large numbers of ducks including 16 PINTAIL today. Barry the BARNACLE GOOSE was back as was Bernard the BAR-HEADED GOOSE in amongst the huge flocks of geese. The one bird which is notable by its absence is golden plover which I've not seen there for some time though they could be coming in to roost later on and they might have moved further north up the Meadow.
Late afternoon update:
Back to the Meadow to check out the gull roost. Viewing once again from the west bank of the river, conditions were very nice with a bit of late afternoon sun illuminating the roost with a warm golden light. Perhaps three thousand birds present with the highlight being a single adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. A few greater black-backed gulls and common gulls also providing a bit of interest.
A lunch-time run around the patch found the floods extended once more with just a thin strip of land between the river and the floods now. Plenty of birds around though without my scope I was somewhat limited in what I could see as everything is very far away now. Lots of lapwings about and huge numbers of geese, mainly the feral grey lags and canadas with at least one bar-headed still present. They made a wonderful sight grazing on the boggy Hinterland and honking away. The usual ducks are all spread out along the North Shore though I didn't really look at them in too much detail. There were now 5 REDSHANK with their melancholy piping calls just adding to the wonderful atmosphere. Plenty of loafing gulls about as well.
In Burgess Field a glimpse of a bullfinch disappearing into a hedgerow, plenty of thrushes of all types in the NE corner again and a lovely treecreeper creeping up one of the trees: actually my first personal sighting of this species on the patch this year.
It was very much a case of visit interruptus yesterday with two trips two the Meadow broken off for something else. Firstly, Farmoor regular Tom Wickens was down on the Meadow in the morning where he'd found four REDSHANK and now two BAR-HEADED GEESE as well as about a dozen PINTAIL still. At that point he got a call saying that there was a shag at Farmoor and he had to break off to race up there. Later that afternoon I was there for the gull roost and just starting my first scan through when I got a call saying that there was a black-throated diver at Farmoor so I too had to break off to get there. All I can say was that the floods were slightly more extended and there were loads of birds around to be scanned through.
For those who are interested, my non-Meadow birding exploits can be followed on my personal blog.
The only news today was from photographer Pete Styles who reported that he didn't see any of the waders nor the Egyptian geese though a cormorant was by the river and the BAR-HEADED GOOSE still present. I'll have to think of a name for him though "Barry" which be the most obvious is already taken. Perhaps I should rename the barnacle goose to "Barny" or something. In Burgess Field he reported winter thrushes in the NE corner and a SPARROWHAWK overhead.
Addendum:
Julian Mole reports that he saw some golden plover in flight and 3 REDSHANK as well as plenty of the usual birds.
Early morning rain gave way to sunny intervals this morning down on the Meadow. The floods have actually receded slightly since I was last there on Friday and the channel of water from the river to the floods has now disappeared though I imagine it won't take much rain to bring it back. The floods do still to all intents and purposes look like a lake and the birding is top quality at present with plenty to look through. Unfortunately yesterday's godwit and dunlin were nowhere to be seen though the three REDSHANKS were still about. The usual wigeon, teal, shoveler and gadwall in good numbers and a dozen or so PINTAIL still present. Lots of geese along the North Shore including the BAR-HEADED GOOSE still in amongst the very large canada goose flock. Three EGYPTIAN GEESE arrived in the middle on the lake and worked their way over to the bank near the house boat. Gulls seemed to be arriving throughout the time I was there and settling on the water so there were several hundred by the time I left with a greater black-backed gull being the most interesting. Plenty of redwings and fieldfares buzzing around in the surrounding trees and the usual plethora of piedwagtails and meadow pipits though with the increase in floods I expect the linnets have been pushed north into the Hinterland.
Late Afternoon Update:
A brief return to look at the gull roost found a pair of BLACK-TAILED GODWITS at the North Shore. Let's hope they stick around for a bit. There were at least a couple of thousand gulls in the roost though nothing of particular note.
I wasn't able to get down to the Meadow but fortunately young birder James Grundy did. He reported the following:
1 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT
3 REDSHANK
1 DUNLIN
1 CASPIAN GULL (looked like the same bird as recently)
Several greater black-backed gulls
1 YELLOW-LEGGED GULL
1 bar headed goose
After a rainy start this morning the sun came out but it was windy and cold. It makes one realise how spoilt we've been temperature-wise recently with the unseasonally warm weather that we've been having now that we are reverting to more usual levels.
The floods had extended even further since yesterday and the Meadow is now to all intents and purposes in "Lake Mode" where there is just one huge expanse of water. In such circumstances there is usually a narrow raised strip of land between the lake and the river and this is currently the case. This strip can often be a productive area to look and this morning the REDSHANK was still present working its way along this area in the company of some loafing black-headed gulls and a flock of lapwings and two lesser black-backed gulls. The rest of the birds were mostly at the north end spread along the shore line though there was a good flock of teal in the middle diving to feed on the just submerged grass. All the feral geese and also the much increased canada goose flock (now numbering several hundred) were along the shore so it was "goose city" out there. In amongst them I saw a BAR-HEADED GOOSE (obviously an escapee) though I couldn't relocated it once they were all disturbed. All the ducks were about in good numbers. In amongst the wigeon there are now good numbers of shoveler about and the PINTAILS and gadwall are still present.
When in lake mode there is a chance of some diving ducks being lured in, thinking that the water is in fact deeper that it actually is though they don't usually stay too long. Lake Mode is often very good for the evening gull roost with sometimes many thousands of birds present. The river has not really burst its banks yet, it's more a case of having seeped over at the edges so I'm not sure how many fish will be trapped there yet. With a bit more rain the flooding process will be more thorough and should populate the floods with some fish which, unfortunately for them, once the waters recede will end up being picked off by herons and egrets.
This morning the wind had eased but it felt distinctly colder though with some sunny intervals. The flood waters have extended again and there is even now a water channel from the river opposite the house boat onto the floods. These extended floods are great for attracting birds and the gull roosts should be much better now but it does mean that the birds are generally further away and harder to see and photograph (am I never satisfied?). Still the Meadow does seem to be back in its stride with the full compliment of winter water fowl now present: as well as large number of wigeon and teal there were a dozen or so PINTAIL back again, increased shoveler numbers and some 15 gadwall fresh in this morning. The large contingent of canada geese were still grazing in the Hinterland and Barry the plastic barnacle goose was back in amongst them. Good numbers of black headed gulls with a couple of lesser black-backed thrown in for good measure. Our first REDSHANK since the floods were re-created was present along the North Reach which seems to be a popular location for this species. All in all one can confidently say that the Meadow is now fully back in business!
Late afternoon update:
A late afternoon visit to check out the gull roost found a modestly sized roost of perhaps a thousand birds of which the vast majority were black-headed gulls but there were perhaps one hundred or so larger gulls of which the most interesting was an adult greater black-backed gull. There was also a single common gull.
After very stormy conditions overnight the Meadow was this morning bathed in bright sunshine though still very windy. The floods had been topped up even more and there is now a finger of river water stretching out over the bank at the lowest lying area though the rest of the bank is still holding. Plenty of birds around though nothing particularly unusual. Good numbers of gulls but no sign of the Caspian this morning, nor yesterday's oystercatcher nor pintails. Plenty of wigeon and teal and Shoveler numbers have now increased to a dozen but there are no gadwall as yet.
Lunch-time update:
A run around the patch produced a few fieldfare and redwings and a couple of snipe at the north end of Burgess Field NR. Loads of pipits and wagtails along the North Shore, a large starling flock feeding on the sodden ground and a pair of skylarks. The river is overspilling its banks in two places at present: opposite Medley sailing club and opposite the house boat. It's not going to take much more before we have a proper flood and so ensuring Meadow birding is properly set for the rest of the winter.
A later afternoon return to the Meadow to check out the state of the gull pre-roost found the wind much increased which made viewing conditions much harder. However there were plenty of gulls by way of compensation for the conditions with at least 500 birds present though they were rather mobile and flighty. The vast majority were of course black headed gulls, followed by lesser black-backed gulls and then herring gulls but the star of the show was a wonderful adult CASPIAN GULL which gave good close views for about ten minutes before flying off, presumably to roost at Farmoor.
The adult Caspian Gull
A wider shot which allows comparison of the bill and mantle colour with a neighbouring herring gull.
The underwing shot here shows rather a lot of P10 black so is at the end of the acceptable range for a Caspian.
This morning windy, overcast and drizzly. The floods have increased in size once again and are now looking quite reasonable in size. The birds certainly seem to be relishing it and there were good numbers of them to look through this morning. Along the South Channel there were the now usual loafing gulls with perhaps up to 100 black-headed gulls with 16 lesser black-backed gulls and one herring gull. There were also good numbers of lapwing there. In the North Channel there were very good numbers of wild fowl with estimates of 450 wigeon and 150 teal. New in today were also the first PINTAIL of the season with 9 males and 2 females present. There were also 5 shoveler (3 males) to round of an interesting variety of duck. To cap it all there was a single OYSTERCATCHER near Stint Corner hidden in amongst the foliage and the masses of ducks. To the north the large canada goose flock was still present though I couldn't see Barry in amongst them this morning. Plenty of meadowpipits, starlings, linnets and wagtails still about.
This morning a steady downpour gradually gave way to windy but sunnier conditions. The overnight rain had topped the floods up nicely and the river from a distance looked a bit closer to flooding. The birds appeared to be relishing the damp conditions with lots of feeding going on amongst the usual residents. The black-headed gulls and lapwings were loafing down the west side of the South Channel and the mallards, wigeon and teal, noticeably increased in numbers, were at Burgess Creek and the North Channel. There were even a couple of grey herons along the North Channel though there certainly won't be any fish in the water so it would have to be earth worms that they are looking for. The usual smaller birds were still about: starlings, meadow pipits, linnets, pied wagtails and this morning there were quite a few chaffinches around the Trap Ground Creek area.
One of the most exciting events on the Meadow is when the large feral geese flock suddenly take flight en masse and fly straight towards you and I was fortunate enough to have this happen this morning: one has to hold one's nerve and keep still and they part around you but it's quite thrilling to have 200 heavy geese charging straight at you! Talking of geese, new in there were at least 180 canada geese in a large flock to the north of the floods and in amongst them was our old favourite "Barry" the barnacle goose, unfortunately rather "plastic" but nice to see nonetheless. On the way back a grey wagtail was heard but not seen by the Walton Well Road car park.
Now that the floods are back we're really just waiting for something interesting to drop in, whether this be a late migrant or overwintering wader or perhaps an interesting duck or swan. Still there are at least plenty of birds to look at and sort through on the Meadow these days.
Today overcast and turning rainy later but remarkably warm for the time of year. A morning run around the Meadow found things pretty much the same as in recent days. The duck flock, still mostly wigeon with some teal were still hanging out near the Trap Ground allotment area. The black-headed gulls with one lesserblack-backed gull were in the South Channel together with some lapwings and fourteen golden plover. A good sized linnet flock was buzzing around and still plenty of meadow pipits, pied wagtails and a few skylarks. One snipe was flushed from the Hinterland and a grey wagtail flew over. A few redwings could be heard calling from within the allotments. A fleeting glimpse of a bullfinch was had within Burgess Field NR.
No visits to the Meadow today. However this morning Farmoor regular Dai John saw two divers fly over Wytham Hill and one of them came down on the reservoir and was identified as a GREAT NORTHERNDIVER which stayed for a good part of the day there. The other bird was not identified and flew back over the hill. This is relevant to this blog as the Meadow is the other side of Wytham hill from the reservoir so the diver would have technically been visible from the Meadow and may well have actually flown over it. A bit tenuous I know but in the present circumstances one needs to clutch at all the straws that come our way.
A couple of days to report on: yesterday there were a moderate number of wigeon and teal about when I visited in the morning but a dog chased them away and the vast majority left and were not seen again that day. There was not much else of note except that an evening stroll along the river (which is rising nicely but still needs a couple of feet before we get a proper flood) found very large numbers (70+) of pied wagtails congregating together. This lead me to wonder where they might roost as this species is well known for coming together in large numbers for their evening roost. Just a single golden plover was seen in the evening.
Today on a wind-swept Meadow I found about 300 wigeon about and much closer in near the Trap Grounds Creek but with only a handful of teal in amongst them. Clearly both species come and go; I wonder where they are when not on the Meadow. There were two or three lesser black-backed gulls in amongst the black-headed flock on the Meadow. The usual grassland birds (linnets, mipits and wagtails) still around together with a couple of skylarks. Burgess Field was quiet except for a skulking redwing at the north end.
A later afternoon visit to the Meadow today in order to see what sort of gull pre-roost there might be. The answer was that there was a modest one with about 50 black-headed gulls, a dozen or so lesser black-backed gulls and a few herring gulls. However the birds were flushed by someone walking too close to them and they all departed over the hill for Farmoor. I think that the floods are a bit too small in size at present to allow plenty of room for the birds without getting flushed by dog walkers etc. There was a steady stream of gulls all heading west to Farmoor going over but not much else to report on with the strong wind probably putting off many birds.
What a difference a day makes! Today, in the morning at least, weather conditions were perfect with not a cloud in the sky, brilliant sunshine and very little wind. Conditions were ideal for photography and I was hoping to get some close-up shots of the ducks but they'd been pushed to the far reaches by another photographer who only had an SLR. The wigeon and teal seem happily ensconced in their winter residence though there were only a few golden plover about this morning. Now that there's some water there are reasonable gull numbers starting to appear and whilst they were all black-headed gulls this morning there were several lesser black-backed gulls present yesterday that I forgot to mention. We might even start getting a decent gull pre-roost in the evening now. The grass was absolutely full of meadow pipits though try as I might I couldn't find any rarer pipits: a water pipit was found on Otmoor yesterday and would be most welcome to grace the Meadow floods. Some chaffinches and greenfinches bathing and drinking near Burgess Field and lots of starlings, linnets and piedwagtails enjoying the abundant food in the rain-soaked grass. With reasonable flood waters about now we can start to hope for wintering dunlin, ruff and redshank to put in an appearance.
A wild and woolly day today with rain and very strong winds. A late morning visit to the Meadow found that the rain flood waters have now extended so that even down to the South Tail there is some flood water and birds were plentiful everywhere. It was the same birds as yesterday but somehow it felt like the Meadow was back to what it should be, what with the extensive floods, the wind and rain and the piping wigeon and teal grazing away, plentiful snipe probing the newly softened mud, the hunkered down golden plover and lapwings. The large feral goose flock were all on the floods and only served to add to the wonderful autumnal tableau. There were plenty of meadow pipits, piedwagtails, starlings and linnets around and one somehow gets the sense that something much more interesting could turn up in amongst them or along the flood shore line any day now.
With persistent rain from yesterday afternoon onwards the Meadow water has been topped up yet again and are now looking almost worthy of the name floods. The North Channel now stretches basically its full length and there is a reasonable pool near the allotments. In recognition of its status as now officially flooded, the wigeon and teal were finally back in good numbers with about 200 of each along the North Reach. There were also good numbers of mallards around on the grass as well. Golden plover numbers have increased again with two flocks: one in the North Channel and one in the South with the combined total making about 550 birds. There were about 30 or 40 black-headed gulls loafing in the North Channel. Starlings were also present in large numbers with probably in excess of 200 around. The usual meadow pipits, linnets and piedwagtails were liberally sprinkled across the Meadow and a few snipe were buzzing around, no doubt relishing the return to more snipe-favourable conditions.
Burgess Field NR also had good numbers of birds with large numbers (c. 50) of goldfinches along the hedgerow with lots of chaffinches as well. There were also lots of redwings and fieldfares in the north west corner and one snipe flushed from the snipe field.
A lunch-time run around the patch found a little sunshine trying to break through the thick blanket of cloud briefly. There were still some small pools of water along the north channel and a little near the Trap Ground allotments and there was plenty of bird life to go with it. There were a pair of EGYPTIAN GEESE (a very welcome patch year tick in these lean times) on the grass near the North Channel though they later made their way over to the boat moorings and the river. On the floods themselves there were two groups of goldenplover totalling at least 300 birds. There were also about 30 or 40 black-headed gulls, a similar number of lapwing and a single winter-plumaged DUNLIN though there was no sign of the ruff. Lots of linnets, meadowpipits and pied wagtails as usual and a single stock dove in amongst the wood pigeon on the grass. One snipe was flushed from the Hinterland area.
In Burgess Field there was a flock of 12 fieldfare feeding in the hedgerow. Despite the terrain looking ideal for this winter visitor, they are not actually seen that often within the patch except as flyovers. At the north end of the nature reserve was a lovely male stonechat and three snipe were flushed from the boggy grass area.
An e-mail on this subject by Keith Dancey taken from OxonBirds:
I have live in Wolvercote for well over thirty years, and in that time I have found it rare for the Meadow to hold flood water around the Aristotle Lane entrance beyond the winter months. It normally floods once (maybe, twice) a year during winter, and the low-lying fingers of Meadow opposite Medley trap the river water and fish. These fingers do not drain back into the main course of the river because of higher ground between them and the river. Hence, the "floods" ability to persist beyond the river being in spate. These fingers of low-lying ground do not form any significant catchment area, however, so it is even rarer for them to "pool" significantly from mere heavy or persistent rain. I have known several years when the river has never burst it banks, not even in winter, and the Meadow has not held any significant standing water at all in those periods. Up until recently, the "normal" course of events is for a varying degree of flooding to occur, usually but not always, in winter, and for that flooding to disappear by summer. Also, up until recently, those winter floods regularly froze, allowing local people to ice skate on the Meadow. Not every flood reaches Wolvercote Common, in the north, however. That is fairly rare. Up until recently, then, the Meadow is normally bone dry in summer, including even the "seasonal pools" alongside Godstow Road. I can remember when these pools always dried out in summer.
In the summer of 1976 I walked across the Thames at Godstow Bridge, barely getting the soles of my sandals damp. The River was just one or two feet wide and easily jumped. In those days - before the Law insisted on manned supervision - there was a thriving river bathing place, complete with changing huts, below the bridge (all gone now, along with Longbridge, Tumbling Bay, Parson's Pleasure...) In that
summer, all the canal locks were sealed shut.
I think, if you inspect the vegetation, you will not find a great deal of the typical wetland grasses of semi-permanent wetland, testifying to the seasonal nature of the Meadow's past flooding. However, our climate is changing, and the pattern of flooding on the Meadow has recently changed dramatically. I would say that since the "Great Flood" of 2007, the Godstow Road pools have never dried out, and the fingers of low-lying Meadow remained completely flooded, for the first time ever, for more than two full years. Since then, wetland grasses have started to appear. But will they last? It is interesting to note that the "Great Flood" was a July event; not a typical winter flood. Climatalogically speaking, July is unique in that, over recorded history, it holds the thirty-year average for both the driest and wettest month! However, those changes in climate were not being driven by the same forces which are beginning to play havoc now. In the last three years, local birders have "benefitted" from the Port Meadow floods, but it remains to be seen whether these will continue on quite the same scale. Wetland birds, and birders, may be disappointed.
Unfortunately with all the birding excitment in the county in the last few days (rose-coloured starling, black redstart, snow bunting, slavonian grebe and red-breasted merganser) I've been a bit neglectful of the Meadow. I hope to get back out there in the next day or two.
From private e-mail (MBG):
"The single RUFF was still in the North Channel yesterday afternoon (Monday); three cormorants were in one of the poplar trees."
A run around the patch on a glorious morning with bright sunshine and a bit of a nip in the air found lots of interesting bird life. The small pools of water on the flood area are still there and along the South Channel there was a resting flock of 70 odd lapwing with a sleeping male RUFF in amongst them. Later a couple of dog walkers went through the flock and the birds re-located to the North Channel. There were the usual linnets buzzing around and a flock of 30 odd black-headed gulls in the North Channel. In amongst the pied wagtails was a single GREY WAGTAIL near Burgess Field NR gate. A flock of 60 odd sky larks flew over to the west which was highly unusual. There were also quite a few around the flood area. A single snipe was flushed from the Hinterland.
In Burgess Field NR there was plenty of bird activity along the hedgerows with a noticable increase in greenfinches in amongst the goldfinches and chaffinches. There were several bullfinches along the north end as well as quite a few meadow pipits. A single snipe was flushed from one of the north fields.
Today there were some very large numbers (e.g. 25,000+) of wood pigeons recorded in vis. mig. sessions in neighbouring counties from elevated view points. Whilst the Meadow is anything but elevated, this morning I happened to look out of my window and in 5 minutes I saw three flocks, totally about 150 birds flying rapidly south, following the line of the canal (and therefore in Port Meadow patch air space!).
A brief late afternoon visit found the same birds as usual and the modest flood water still in place. It was interesting to watch a golden plover flock come in to roost: the flock made a number of rapid passes over the area, initially from a reasonable height and then gradually getting lower and lower with each pass until they are only a dozen feet or so of the ground before eventually decide to land. They made an impressive sight in the evening sunlight flashing alternately gold and white as they twisted and turned.
The adult summer plumaged Med. Gull. The striking black of the hood really stood out from the surrounding black-headed gulls © Adam Hartley
A common gull in amongst the loafing black-headed gulls this afternoon © Adam Hartley
The male shelduck © Adam Hartley
Yet another knot photo: he was rather distant but nicely lit by the pre-spring sunset © Adam Hartley
Not one of my best photographic efforts! A videograb record shot of the knot (on the left) and the dunlin accompanied by some lapwing © Adam Hartley
Gadwall © Adam Hartley
A videograb record shot taken in the pouring rain of four of the redshank and the knot (right-hand most bird) © Adam Hartley
The golden plover and the knot, taken yesterday so unfortunately the light's not very good © Adam Hartley
A videograb of the black-tailed godwit © Adam Hartley
Black-headed gulls © Adam Hartley
Some of the gull flock this evening © Adam Hartley
The three knot yesterday evening © Adam Hartley
The five knot (all asleep) lined up in front of the lapwings © Adam Hartley
As I found him, half submerged on the floods...
...and in my bag ready to be taken home © Adam Hartley
The five knot, conveniently briefly all in one place for a photo © Adam Hartley
One of the knot © Adam Hartley
The moon rising over part of the gull roost © Adam Hartley
One of the four knot standing next to a ruff © Adam Hartley
A neat line-up of a dunlin, a knot and a ruff © Adam Hartley
A better view of the dunlin though the knot and ruff are tucked up in this one © Adam Hartley
Some black-headed gulls on the floods - taken a couple of days ago when there was more light © Adam Hartley
One of the five over-wintering redshanks © Adam Hartley
Two of the tufted duck from last week when everything was still frozen. The four birds that were seen today were all males however © Adam Hartley
A first winter male pied wagtail feeding on the ice
One of the cormorants in the "cormorant tree" © Adam Hartley
Some of the cormorants in their regular tree © 
The great-crested grebe with it's crests once more on show © Adam Hartley
Siskin © Roly Pitts ( e-mail: 
The arctic conditions on the Meadow at present © Adam Hartley
This coot was much more obliging than the water rail but is not quite as exciting! © Adam Hartley
A digiscoped video grab of the one of the redshanks © Adam Hartley
One of the three redshank currently present © Adam Hartley
A lapwing along the narrow strip of land between the river and the floods © 
The Siberian bar-tailed godwit © Adam Hartley
The wonderful little tern that spent and afternoon on the Meadow © Adam Hartley
The splendid adult Caspian Gull © Adam Hartley
The December spotted redshank © Adam Hartley
There were quite a few meadow pipits and also pied wagtails feeding on the ice today © Adam Hartley
A videograb record shot of one of the three ruff © Adam Hartley
A fieldfare © 
... and a close-up videograb © Adam Hartley
A pair of PINTAIL on the ice © Adam Hartley
A videograb of this morning's shelduck taken at a distance through the mist © Adam Hartley
A couple of yellow-legged gulls together in the roost © Adam Hartley
The black swan at sunset © Adam Hartley
A view of the extensive floods, packed with birds © Adam Hartley
Some black-headed gulls bathed in the light of the setting sun © Adam Hartley
Some of the ruff on the floods this morning © Adam Hartley
Two black-tailed godwits in the usual wader hot spot © Adam Hartley
Two of the dunlin with a lapwing © Adam Hartley
One of the five redshank © Adam Hartley
The three black-tailed godwits © Adam Hartley
...and again, showing off their striking wing pattern © Adam Hartley
A feeding song thrush in Burgess Field © 
"Bernard" (?) the bar-headed goose © 
A videograb of the Egyptian Geese taken across from the other side of the "lake". © Adam Hartley
One of the many black-headed gulls on the Meadow at present © Adam Hartley
This morning's redshank. Given the distance and the strong wind I opted for a videograb record shot though there was reasonable light this morning. © Adam Hartley
A wider shot which allows comparison of the bill and mantle colour with a neighbouring herring gull.
The underwing shot here shows rather a lot of P10 black so is at the end of the acceptable range for a Caspian.
This was taken a couple of days agao when the ducks were all resting whereas today they were all very actively grazing on the grass or swimming around in the flood water © Adam Hartley
An archive photo of Barry the (plastic) Barnacle Goose © Adam Hartley
The lesser black-backed gull, taken yesterday in sunnier conditions © Adam Hartley
Any excuse to show my one good Great Northern Diver photo! Taken at Farmoor © Adam Hartley
A rather wind-swept pied wagtail © Adam Hartley
Gulls on the Meadow (taken from our archive of photos). © Adam Hartley
One of a huge number of meadow pipits about on the floods this morning. © Adam Hartley
Meadow scene. Á lá "Where's Wally" If you look carefully you should be able to spot a golden plover and a snipe in amongst the teal and wigeon in this rather wind and rain blurred photo. © Adam Hartley
A teal © 
An Egyptian goose (taken at the Thames at Goring earlier this year) © Adam Hartley
This ruff photo was taken earlier in the year when there was proper flood water but the plumage is identical to today's bird so I thought that I would include it again. © Adam Hartley