Port Meadow Birding

                                                                www.PortMeadowBirding.com

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).



The Meadow floods on a rainy May afternoon. © Adam Hartley

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. Apologies for the poor quality of the Adam Hartley ones: they are mostly digiscoped record shots only.

2008 Sightings
Interesting sightings for 2008 so far include:
Waders: ruff, dunlin, redshank, greenshank, sanderling, turnstone, little stint, temminck's stint, oystercatcher, curlew, whimbrel, snipe, lapwing, golden plover, grey plover, ringed plover, little ringed plover, common sandpiper, wood sandpiper, green sandpiper, knot,  black-tailed godwit, little egret
Ducks/geese: garganey, ruddy shelduck, barnacle goose, egyptian goose
Gulls/Terns: mediterranean, iceland, little gull, yellow-legged, arctic tern, common tern
Misc others: yellow wagtail, blue-headed wagtail, white wagtail, common redstart, wheatear, spotted flycatcher, whinchat
Birds of prey: peregrine, barn owl, sparrowhawk, red kite, hobby, kestrel, buzzard
Burgess Field/Trap Grounds warblers: willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler, whitethroat, sedge warbler, grasshopper warbler, reed warbler, lesser whitethroat

For a summary of sightings in autumn/winter 2007 including some great photos of the PECTORAL SANDPIPERS click here

Bird of the Half Year Awards
Bird of the Jan-Jun period: Temminck's Stint
Bird of the second half of the year so far: Knot

2008 YEAR LIST TOTAL 132
Red knot was the latest addition to the Port Meadow year list . See if you can add some birds to the list from what you've already seen this year.

YouTube Channel
I'm experimenting with video at the moment and some simple video clips of birds on Port Meadow can be seen at our Port Meadow Birding YouTube Channel.

Adam Hartley

A brief late afternoon visit to the Meadow in calmer conditions after a rather wet morning.

30+ BLACK-TAILED GODWITS were still present on the west shore, along with 25 GOLDEN PLOVER and 4 RUFF. There were quite a few SNIPE about as well. A reasonably sized gull roost was gathering as I left, mostly black-headed gulls with some lesser black-backed as well.

A ruff in flight © Pete Styles

This morning, quite chilly still though no sign of the forecast rain so far.

There were quite a few birders down by Burgess Field gate this morning. We were entertained by the continuing presence of 30+ BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, many of which were feeding right by the ditch surrounding Burgess Field NR. The RUFF were still around with at least 4 birds spotted though as they were rather mobile and widely dispersed it wasn't easy to keep track of exact numbers. A few GOLDEN PLOVER were seen by one birder as he arrived and a lone bird was flying around and calling. Several SNIPE were dotted around Burgess Reach. A GREY WAGTAIL flew into the ditch area. A couple of buzzards were seen over Wytham wood in the distance and a kestrel flew over a couple of times. An unidentified wader flew over which gave us something to puzzle over.

Vis. mig: a few swallows and house martins around this morning and a couple of meadow pipits flying over.

Off-county news: the ferruginous duck is back at the Calvert BBOWT reserve in Bucks this morning.

A ruff on the shoreline © Pete Styles

A video of a godwit feeding at close quarters in rather windy conditions. For a high quality version click here and select "watch in high quality".

This morning a sunny but very cold with a chilly north-westerly wind whipping across the Meadow.

Most of the waders were down at the south end again near the boat moorings though a few were dotted about elsewhere. A total of about 30 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS still present, 5 mobile RUFF and 3 GOLDEN PLOVER flew in as I was leaving. By Burgess creek about half a dozen or so SNIPE in amongst the wigeon and teal.

In Burgess Field a STONECHAT was seen (WoM).

A Ruff on the floods © Adam Hartley

This morning sunny but cold.

The birds were divided into two camps this morning with about a dozen or so BLACK-TAILED GODWITS down on the west shore close to the boat moorings and the same number again up by Burgess Creek. There were at least 3 RUFF still present this morning and a few SNIPE but no sign of any golden plover nor yesterday's dunlin. Apart from that the usual birds present.

Off-county news: the Bucks ferruginous duck has this afternoon been relocated at Foxcote reservoir. Lots of Leach's storm petrels on the move today.

The light was excellent this morning and the birds were close so I was pleased with this digiscoped shot of a godwit © Adam Hartley

Preening Ruff Video. To view this in high quality click here and click on "watch in high quality".

This morning sunny but very windy with a strong north-westerly breeze.

In difficult viewing conditions this morning due to the wind: most of the waders were down at the southern end of the west shore close to the boat moorings. There were 30 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS with another one on its own close to Burgess Creeek; about 75 GOLDEN PLOVER and 5 RUFF. There was a single juvenile DUNLIN along the north shore. The number of lesser black-backed gulls increased to 16 this morning. Apart from that the usual ducks, lapwings and black-headed gulls.

Two digiscoped gloden plover © Adam Hartley

This morning overcast, windy and rainy.

As if to mark the sudden deterioration in the weather there were typical winter scenes with about 150 GOLDEN PLOVER on the Meadow this morning, mid way along the west shore. The large godwit numbers continue with 29 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS also along the west shore. 5 RUFF were also dotted about the place as were a few SNIPE. Apart from that the usual ducks and lapwings and black-headed gulls with 5 lesser black-backed also present.

Vis. mig.: a single willow/chaff briefly glimpsed along the hedge row.

A couple of wigeon (taken in sunnier conditions) © Adam Hartley

This morning much colder, initially overcast but with sunny intervals.

There was plenty of bird activity on the Meadow this morning with a flock of 50+ GOLDEN PLOVER flying around though later less than a dozen could be seen so they didn't all stay. At least 20 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS on the Meadow, mostly on the west shore though some close to Burgess Creek. 5 RUFF this morning, 4 along the north shore and one large pale male along the south shore. Plenty of SNIPE showing and the usual ducks.

Vis.mig: nothing of note this morning.

A godwit on the floods this morning © Adam Hartley

Below is a video recording of a feeding godwit. To view the high quality version click here and select "Watch In High Quality" at the bottom right of the videa screen.
 

This morning a thick mist first thing across the Meadow which burnt off later to reveal a hot and sunny day.

First thing in the mist a flock of about 30 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS (WoM) though these soon departed. Up to 8 GOLDEN PLOVER were seen and 4 RUFF. Masses of wigeon and plenty of teal with a few shoveler and gadwall interspersed.  A single LITTLE EGRET down by the boat moorings once more. There were unusually large numbers of canada geese at the north end of the floods so outsiders have obviously come to join the locals. Quite a few SNIPE around.

Vis. mig.: a few swallows and house martins over, with the usual meadow pipits flying over.

At Otmoor RSPB: a Richard's Pipit was seen near the Pill Ground today. It was mobile but vocal.

A digiscoped ruff in the morning mist © Adam Hartley

This morning first thing a thick mist over the Meadow. Once that had cleared it was a gloriously sunny morning.

A flock of a few BLACK-TAILED GODWITS was seen departing as I arrived with just one remained on the floods after that. The 4 RUFF still present and joined on the North Reach by 4 GOLDEN PLOVER. A LITTLE EGRET down by the boat moorings. Lots (30+) of SNIPE visible this morning.

Vis. mig.: a smart male blackcap by the Burgess Field gate and a couple of meadow pipits over.


The golden plover this morning © Adam Hartley

This morning calm but rather overcast though brightening up later.

This morning: a large contingent of yesterday's godwit flock was seen to fly off this morning (WoM) but there were still 8 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS down near Stint Corner and 2 other birds (persumably the original ones) down by the North Reach along with the 4 RUFF still. 2 SNIPE flew up from the grass. A RED KITE flew over putting up a large flock of wigeon. Increasing numbers of ducks now present. About 100 house martins flew over and fed for a while before moving on. More MEADOW PIPITS seen on the ground down by the south tail. A single willow/chaff calling in the hedges.

lunch-time update: the number of godwits has increased up to about 20. A few swallows briefly over the floods. A common buzzard flying low over Burgess Field.

late afternoon update: the number of godwits is now at 37 as more keep dropping in.

Off-county news: an amazing fall of mega rarities along the east coast yesterday and today.

Part of the godwit flock in flight © Pete Styles

This morning overcast but calm.

The receding of the flood waters was confirmed this morning with the first small wader for some time in the form of a juvenile DUNLIN near the north cove. There were also now 4 RUFF between Burgess Creek and the north cove and at least 3 SNIPE. The two juvenile BLACK-TAILED GODWITS still present on the spit at the junction of the west and south shores. A single sleeping LITTLE EGRET down by the south tail. Plenty of ducks about. On the vis. mig. front a couple of MEADOW PIPITS over and a singing chiffchaff.

Lunch-time update: a lovely flock of 40 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS feeding on the north shore close to stint corner this lunch-time. Also quite a few meadow pipits on the ground to the north of the floods.

Off county news: no sign of  the Calvert Ferruginous duck this morning.

This morning overcast but with only a gentle wind.

The floods look to have receded a bit from yesterday. Whether this is actually true or not is debatable but certainly the birds were a lot nearer than they have been of late. The two juvenile BLACK-TAILED GODWITS were still near the junction between the north shore and the west shore. The three RUFF were between Burgess Creek and the north cove. Plenty of lapwings with a few hidden SNIPE but no golden plover. Copious numbers of ducks, some of which are just starting to get their winter plumage though no sign of the pintail this morning. A few MEADOW PIPITS still going over but no warblers in the hedges this morning. a couple of kestrels also flew over.

Off-county news
A rather nice adult drake ferruginous duck turned up at Calvert Jubillee BBOWT reserve in Bucks this lunch-time.





A few digiscoped record shots of the Calvert ferruginous duck © Adam Hartley

This morning still calm but overcast and rather cool.

A classic autumn scene on the Meadow this morning with lots of ducks scattered across the floods with a bit of a mist. As well as the usual ducks there was a PINTAIL along the north shore. Around the south shore there were 2 juvenile BLACK-TAILED GODWITS and in amongst the lapwings were 3 RUFF along the north shore. A few SNIPE heard and one seen. The MEADOW PIPIT passage continuing with a few more over.

This morning, another beautiful day with sunshine and no wind.

There were plenty of birds on the Meadow this morning and the waters seem to be receding enough now for the larger waders at least to be able to feed. The BLACK-TAILED GODWIT was still present along the north/west shore and was joined by a RUFF. Two more RUFF were along the north shore amongst the lapwings. There were also at least 8 SNIPE hidden amongst the grass. Plenty of the usual ducks though the tufted duck and pochard seem to have moved on.

There seemed to be a passage of MEADOW PIPITS over this morning with at least 6 birds going over in one's or two's.

Elsewhere: finally a honey buzzard for Oxon with one over Farmoor Reservoir just the other side of the hill from the Meadow this morning.

 A distant (200m) digiscoped record shot of the godwit and one of the ruff © Adam Hartley

This morning still calm, rather overcast to start with but brightening up later.

A brief visit to the Meadow this morning with bins only revealed a great increase in bird numbers with much of the water covered in ducks and geese. On the far west/south shore the BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (a juvenile I think) was still present. Along the north shore amongst the lapwings were about 20 GOLDEN PLOVER.  10 SNIPE flew up from the grass and zig-zagged away. A MEADOW PIPIT flew overhead in Burgess Field NR.

Early afternoon update: 6 lovely YELLOW WAGTAILS were along the east shore amongst the cattle. The godwit was still present though the golden plover had gone as had many of the ducks.

An obliging moorhen in the ditch by the Trap Grounds allotment gate © Adam Hartley

This morning still calm but rather overcast and slightly misty.

Just the "default" birds this morning though the TUFTED DUCK was still present. The SPARROWHAWK flew over putting up some of the duck. Still plenty of warblers in the hedges including a very tatty-looking blackcap and a singing chiffchaff.

Late afternoon update: at least 8 SNIPE on the north shore and a BLACK-TAILED GODWIT feeding on south shore. Based on the last two days it seems that currently late afternoon is a good time to see some waders which are presumably stopping off after a hard day's travel.

Autumn Mallards © Adam Hartley

This morning still calm and still but overcast once more.

Little has changed with the birds: still large numbers of wigeon, accompanied by teal, gadwall and shoveler. The female TUFTED DUCK still present and joined this morning by a male POCHARD. Once more no sign of the golden plover this morning though they may reappear at lunch time again. A MEADOW PIPIT was heard to fly over. A single SNIPE showed itself briefly in the flooded long grass before disappearing again.

Late afternoon update: at about 5:30 a male and a female RUFF were on the floods. They were rather flighty and at 6pm they flew off to the south east. Also a LITTLE EGRET down at the south end of the floods.

Digiscoped record shot of the two ruff, taken from about 200m in poor light. © Adam Hartley

This morning, the period of high pressure continues with once more not a breath of wind though rather overcast.

The dearth of waders continues with none seen at all. Plenty of wigeon with about 300 birds now present. Increasing numbers of gadwall, teal and shoveler also. The female TUFTED DUCK still present so she must be finding something to feed on. A couple of YELLOW WAGTAILS down with the cattle to the south end of the Meadow. A few warblers around in the hedges and just a few house martins around.

Elsewhere, on Farmoor a rather nice spotted redshank spent much of the day there yesterday.

Lunch-time update: the GOLDEN PLOVER (about 10) back on the floods. Also a kingfisher along the ditch outside Burgess Field NR.

Another good morning with the weather: perhaps we are going to get an Indian summer.

Once more a marked absence of waders with only a few SNIPE visible and no golden plover. Even more wigeon around than yesterday and reasonable numbers of gadwall, shoveler and teal as well. There was a single female TUFTED DUCK diving away in the middle. I'm not sure what fish are left there so it probably won't stay long. The birds were all put up as a female SPARROWHAWK flew low over towards Burgess Field NR, passing back again some five minutes later.

A nuthatch was calling from the hedgerow and there were a few willow/chaffs calling as well. A couple of MEADOW PIPITS flew overhead.
Two wigeon and a preening swan on the flooded grass © Adam Hartley

Misty first thing but brightening up to be another wonderful day.

Not much change in the birds. About a dozen or so GOLDEN PLOVER, 17 SNIPE, and lots of lapwings. At least 100 wigeon, together with plenty of teal, gadwall and shoveler. Quite a few mute swans about. At least 10 MEADOW PIPITS flew over and more were heard but not seen. The greenshank wasn't seen so perhaps has finally departed.

WoM: in the afternoon a female TUFTED DUCK was present.

A digiscoped distant teal in the grass © Adam Hartley

For once a good start to the day: no wind, warm with blue skies!

There's not been much change in the bird life on the Meadow for several days now: to the north of the floods in the flooded grass the single GREENSHANK still, 14 or 15 GOLDEN PLOVER, plenty of lapwings and the usual ducks. A single SNIPE was also spotted though there could be many more hidden away. A cormorant flew in, landed on the water and had a couple of dives before deciding that the Meadow wasn't really a good spot for fishing and flying off again.  Two GREEN SANDPIPERS were reported (WoM) as having flown over earlier. A LITTLE EGRET on the west shore briefly.

Quite a few warblers in the surrounding hedges with a rather shabby blackcap being seen and a singing chiffchaff heard as well as plenty of "hueeting" willow/chaffs.

Still waiting for something really interesting to turn up on the Meadow this autumn. Elsewhere today another grey phalarope at Farmoor, a bar-tailed godwit at Wilstone reservoir in Herts, a huge movement of honey buzzards mainly down the east coast, and wrynecks still turning up everywhere except Oxon!

A digiscoped couple of distant wigeon © Adam Hartley

This morning overcast, calm and a bit nippy which lead to rather misty conditions on the Meadow.

Peering through the mist this morning revealed just the one GREENSHANK present along the north shore together with a dozen GOLDEN PLOVER. Apart from that it was the usual "background" autumn birds with plenty of lapwings, starlings, pied wagtails , wood pigeons and crows feeding in the grass. There are increasing numbers of wigeon, teal, gadwall and shoveler now present. The gulls consisting of black-headed gulls plus a few lesser black-backed.

No sign of any snipe, dunlin or ringed plover for the last few days: they are either too well hidden or the changed conditions with the lack of mud has lead them to go elsewhere.

Three herons © Peter Styles

This morning overcast with persistent drizzle though brightening up for brief periods.

Due to the weather, I didn't get out to the Meadow until late morning. The birds were very flighty for some reason and kept on being spooked, flying around for a while before settling once more. This did mean that I was able to get a better idea of what was around and it's pretty much the same birds as usual: the single GREENSHANK, just a pair of GOLDEN PLOVER and lots of lapwings and the usual ducks. No sign of any of yesterday's interesting birds so it may be that as there is no decent mud the waders are not lingering at present.

The cattle were down by the south tail this morning and a single YELLOW WAGTAIL was spotted flying amongst them.

There were at least 100 lapwings on the Meadow today © Adam Hartley

Evening update: a second greenshank was also present.


An amazing sunset on the Meadow this evening.

This morning starting sunny with blue skies though clouding over later.

The floods have once more extended and the river is right at the top of the bank. The waders were again  hard to see but a walk along the west shore by the river and scanning north revealed a KNOT on the north shore, well hidden and sleeping in the grass, in the company of 11 GOLDEN PLOVER and a single DULIN. The GREENSHANK was still present between Burgess creek and the north cove and the usual ducks were around.

Also in Burgess Field another great WHEATEAR (WoM - see yesterday's photo).

Private e-mail: today late afternoon on Port Meadow floods: 10 REDSHANK, 1 LITTLE EGRET

Reported on OOS: 1 RUFF

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a shot of the knot but here is a distant view of some of the accompanying golden plover © Adam Hartley

This morning overcast with persistent rain.

A later update than usual due to having to wait for the rain to ease a bit. The floods have once more increased in size and the river is closer to bursting its banks. The flood waters have now reached some comparatively long grass to the north and the birds are very difficult to see. 3 DUNLIN were spotted flying around but when they landed they were completely hidden from view so who knows what else might be lurking in there. The single GREENSHANK was tall enough still to be visible and there was a flock of 11 GOLDEN PLOVER just beyond the floods. The usual ducks still present. A lovely WHEATEAR was along the bank down by the south channel near the south tail.

A wheatear (though in Burgess Field taken the next day) © Pete Styles

This morning a comparatively pleasant start to the day with little wind and patches of blue sky.

The floods have increased in size once more to the point where it is more reminiscent of winter than early autumn. To add to this there were plenty of "winter" birds around, though not yet in their full winter numbers: good numbers of teal, gadwall, shoveler and wigeon swimming around on the water or grazing on the flooded grass. In addition there was the first proper flock of GOLDEN PLOVER with 9 birds along the north shore line. 4 DUNLIN were glimpsed creeping around in the flooded grass and a single RINGED PLOVER was seen flying. There were plenty of SNIPE around a just a single GREENSHANK was seen wading through the grass.  In the current conditions there is no mud for waders at all but birds can easily be missed in the long flooded grass.

There are plenty of lapwings on the Meadow at present © Adam Hartley

Once more overcast, with scattered showers and a bit breezy.

The continuing rain has now completely covered the mud and is even flooding the grass areas again so the birds are having to adapt to the changing situation. There is also an ominous finger of water from the river pushing its way on to the Meadow so we could have a fresh flooding soon. From a birding perspective we don't want it to flood too much as when it is in lake mode it far less attractive to passing waders.

There was more of a sense of movement with lots of birds flying around including some unidentified distant waders. On the floods at least 2 of the GREENSHANKS were still present, with 3 RINGED PLOVER and 5 DUNLIN along the north channel. Several SNIPE relishing the flooded grass and a large number of teal, gadwall and wigeon.

The black-headed gulls very much at home on the floods at present © Adam Hartley

This morning grey and overcast still.

The recent rain has topped up the floods nicely with all the dried mud being resubmerged. On the bird front it was another case of business as usual: the 3 GREENSHANKS still present, 9 RINGED PLOVER and 5 DUNLIN down in the south channel. At least 7 SNIPE hidden in the flooded grass though there were almost certainly a lot more about.  In amongst the usual black-headed gulls were a flock of 15 COMMON TERNS. No sign of the garganey though plenty of teal, gadwall and wigeon. The LITTLE EGRET back in the Burgess Field ditch.

A ringed plover this morning © Adam Hartley

This morning once more grey and drizzly.

The Meadow continues its quiet patch at present with the same birds as the last few days: the 3 GREENSHANKS, 10 RINGED PLOVER and 4 DUNLIN and a few SNIPE. The usual winter ducks now present: teal, shoveler, gadwall and wigeon though still in small numbers.

There were large numbers of swallows and a few house and sand martins hawking low over the fields and floods this morning, especially following the cattle as they moved about displacing flies.

Farmoor Phalarope
Somewhat off-topic but nearby at Farmoor reservoir a juvenile grey phalarope was found this morning and showed extremely well all day at the north west corner of F2.

The Farmoor grey phalarope, photographed (poorly) in very difficult conditions at lunch time when it was bobbing up and down in the waves © Adam Hartley



Come the evening, the bird was on the causeway shoreline and much more confiding © Pete Styles

This morning starting grey and rainy though brightening up later.

The continued rain has meant that the birds are feeding with renewed vigour on the recently flooded grass. There were lots of teal (c 30) and SNIPE (20+ ) feeding between Burgess creek and the north cove. The GREENSHANKS were still present, 2 DUNLIN and 3 RINGED PLOVER.


Preening snipe (taken in sunnier conditions) © Adam Hartley

This morning overcast and cool.

The same birds as recently still present: the 2 GARGANEY still by the mouth of Burgess creek, at least 3 GREENSHANKS present (perhaps yesterday's incomers have scared off our resident bird), 8 RINGED PLOVER and several SNIPE. There were about a dozen wigeon feeding on the grass on the south shore.

Two of the ringed plovers © Adam Hartley

This morning, first thing grey and drizzly though brightening up later.

The recent rain has somewhat rejuvenated the floods with the birds seemingly feeding more actively than of late. In terms of the birds present, very similar to yesterday: the two GARGANEY near the mouth of Burgess creek once more with lots of teal and shoveler about, and a few gadwall and wigeon. There were 8 RINGED PLOVER and the single DUNLIN still along the west shore of the Burgess channel. Quite a few (8+) SNIPE about this morning, no doubt attracted to the recently flooded grass. The long-staying GREENSHANK was still present. Then a flock of three more greenshanks flew in to the southern end of the floods and a fascinating calling dialogue ensued between the newcomers and our "resident" one. Eventually the two groups got together in the north channel. It will be interesting to see whether these new birds stay or if they continue on their journey, possibly taking "our" bird with them.

One of the two garganey, still present this morning © Adam Hartley

This morning a beautiful early autumn day with bright sunshine and little wind, a very pleasant contrast from yesterday.

On the floods this morning, the GREENSHANK still present and as mobile as ever. 10 RINGED PLOVER in the Burgess channel accompanied by 1 DUNLIN. 3 SNIPE flew off from near the north cove. 2 GARGANEY were in the upper Burgess channel. Apart from that the usual ducks and black-headed gulls.

In Burgess Field this morning a beautiful SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (WoM).

The two garganey on the floods this morning © Adam Hartley

The spotted flycatcher in Burgess Field © Peter Styles

A very misty start to the day first thing with visibility so poor that hardly anything could be seen. I was just able to make out the LITTLE EGRET (in the ditch still), the GREENSHANK and several SNIPE as well as some shoveler and teal but plenty more could well have been out there hidden in the mist.

The poor conditions meant that there were quite a few grounded warblers along the hedge bordering the Trap Ground allotments and Burgess Field NR. Several willow/chaffs and sedge warblers were spotted. Along the track back to Walton Well road the first of the season's meadow pipits was seen.

The long-staying greenshank (taken yesterday) © Steve Burch

This morning once more cloudy, muggy and still though brightening up later.

This morning at around 9am the north end of the floods were deserted and the gulls were at their reserve location a hundred yards or so to the north so I presume that the birds had been scared away for some reason. There were only a couple of RINGED PLOVER present on the north spit with 8 more down in the south channel together with a single DUNLIN. The GREENSHANK was still present though mobile. 2 COMMON SANDPIPERS were apparently also present (WoM).

All the cattle and horses were down near the south tail and several YELLOW WAGTAILS were flying in and out amongst them.

From private e-mails:
First thing in the morning: 3 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 2 moulting GOLDEN PLOVER. The RUFF was seen briefly as well.

The greenshank still present © Steve Bell

This morning, once more grey and overcast but little wind and quite warm.

The floods are looking rather in need of a top up with large areas of exposed mud which has now dried up and presumably holds little value for the birds in terms of feeding. The GREENSHANK still present though the ruff appears to have moved on. There were a total of 15 RINGED PLOVER around this morning: 2 feeding by stint corner with a single DUNLIN and a very nervous flock of 13 down in the south tail that wouldn't stay still for more than a few minutes before flying off again. The single LITTLE EGRET still feeding in the Burgess Field NR ditch and a large number of grey herons around still. Lots of duck around again today including a few wigeon.

Reader Comment: Lunchtime: 1 Greenshank, 21 teal, 1 Little Egret and a rather distant HOBBY.

One of the many black-headed gulls around on the Meadow at present © Adam Hartley

This morning once more grey and overcast though with little wind.

The same birds as for the last few days: the long-staying GREENSHANK and RUFF still present. 8 RINGED PLOVER, 1 DUNLIN and 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER on the floods though very mobile. A COMMON SANDPIPER near the north cove and a single SNIPE down in the south channel. A LITTLE EGRET in the Burgess Field ditch and at least 10 grey herons.

Lunchtime update: a cracking WHINCHAT in Burgess Field NR. It was towards the north end of the NR sitting on a hawthorn bush, making occasional forays out to snatch passing flies. Also a YELLOW WAGTAIL by the boat moorings on the Meadow.

Also reported (WoM): a BLACK-TAILED GODWIT and a flock of 7 snipe.

One of the many herons on the floods © Norman Gregory

This morning once more overcast, breezy and cool.

There was not much of interest on the floods which have receded a fair bit recently and perhaps could do with a top up. The GREENSHANK and RUFF were still present and there were 4 RINGED PLOVER and 2 DUNLIN down in stint corner. Plenty of ducks around again and the gadwall males are now looking rather smart in their full plumage. A possible garganey flew off as I arrived but I didn't get a good enough look at it.

Lunchtime update: a lovely WHEATEAR on the track between the southern end of the floods and the Walton Well road gate, also 2 ringed plover, 1 dunlin & a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER at stint corner.


The long-staying greenshank on the floods © Adam Hartley

This morning overcast but with little wind.

The long-staying GREENSHANK still present in the south channel and the RUFF in the Burgess channel, north of the creek. 3 RINGED PLOVER and 2 DUNLIN near stint corner, together with a YELLOW WAGTAIL. A LITTLE EGRET in the Burgess Field NR ditch before moving to the floods. Again a good selection of ducks including a GARGANEY, probably a male coming out of eclipse and starting to get its head markings again. A few SNIPE dotted about the place and the single COMMON SANDPIPER once more in the north cove.

Lunchtime update: a couple of kite flyers had scared all the birds away from the floods. However a rather nice WHEATEAR was right down by the southern tail.

A dunlin on the mud flats © Adam Hartley

This morning cloudy and cool.

The GREENSHANK and the RUFF were both still present this morning. 3 RINGED PLOVER and 2 DUNLIN tucked away down in stint corner. 8 or so SNIPE feeding on the mud near Burgess creek. 2 COMMON SANDPIPERS near the north cove, a LITTLE EGRET flew over and a kingfisher hunting in the Burgess Field NR ditch.

Lots of ducks this morning with at least 50 gadwall, perhaps around 15 shoveler, 6 or so widgeon and 20+ teal.

Lunchtime update: a BLACK-TAILED GODWIT was present in the Burgess channel and a WHIMBREL landed briefly in the south channel before a lapwing chased it off and it flew away to the south.

The greenshank still on the floods this morning © Adam Hartley

This morning, starting off drizzly but brightening up.

On a very brief visit to the Meadow this morning (bins only): the GREENSHANK and the RUFF still present and the COMMON SANDPIPER in the north cove. A few SNIPE were also seen though the godwits have moved on.

A brace of snipe  © Adam Hartley

This morning a perfect early autumn day with bright sunshine and no wind.

Bird-wise, things pretty similar to yesterday: 22 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS remained mostly hanging out near stint corner. The GREENSHANK was feeding initially in the south channel before moving close to the north cove. The RUFF was still present near the north cove as well. There were about a dozen or so SNIPE feeding close to Burgess creek. Also present were 4 RINGED PLOVER and a couple of DUNLIN in the north channel as well as a single COMMON SANDPIPER . One LITTLE EGRET present on the north shore.

One of the many snipe feeding by Burgess Creek © Adam Hartley


The greenshank, which has been present for some time now © Adam Hartley

This morning overcast but no wind.

Not surprisingly, the birds present this morning were similar to those of last night: the GREENSHANK still around, the 9 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS still in the north channel, 10 or so RINGED PLOVER and 5 DUNLIN. There were 10 or so SNIPE dotted around the place. A single RUFF was feeding in the south end of the Burgess channel and a COMMON SANDPIPER was flitting from shore to shore. A LITTLE EGRET in the ditch bordering the Burgess Field NR, accompanied by several grey herons. A calling GOLDEN PLOVER flew overhead though did not land.


Digiscoped photo of the ruff this morning © Adam Hartley

In the late afternoon the flock of black-tailed godwits had grown to 26 feeding near the south tail. Also a GREEN SANDPIPER heard calling in flight.

An evening visit to the Meadow today in pleasant conditions.

3 GREEN SANDPIPERS flew overhead calling as I walked towards the north channel. A single GREENSHANK in the channel together with 9 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, 11 RINGED PLOVER and 6 DUNLIN. A single COMMON SANDPIPER along the north shore line.


Digiscoped shot of some of the dunlin & a ringed plover taken in rather poor evening light © Adam Hartley

This morning still overcast though much calmer.

There was a bit more of interest on the Meadow this morning. In the south channel there were now 5 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS. Between the Burgess creek and the north cove a single GREENSHANK was briefly present and in the north cove a COMMON SANDPIPER. There were a total of 7 RINGED PLOVER and 3 juvenile DUNLIN in the north channel and 10+ SNIPE dotted around the place. A single LITTLE EGRET was in the ditch that runs along the boundary with Burgess Field NR and there were quite a few grey herons around.

On the water fowl front, the usual ducks: teal, widgeon, shoveler, gadwall and a single GARGANEY feeding in the flooded grass on the west side of the Burgess channel.


A grey heron, taken in better lighting conditions © Adam Hartley

A grey, cool and windy start to the day though not initially raining.

Things have quietened down again with not much about this morning. No sign of the wood sandpiper (3 days seems to be their limit when they appear on the Meadow) nor the greenshank. The 3 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS still present in the south channel. About 6 RINGED PLOVER and just 2 DUNLIN and a single COMMON SANDPIPER present around the north cove or opposite on the spit. Numerous lapwings and just 3 SNIPE spotted though of course there could be more. A few juvenile lesser black-backed gulls present amongst the numerous black-headed gulls with a few COMMON TERNS still about.. Several widgeon spotted amongst the usual shoveler, teal and gadwall this morning.



One of many lapwings, taken recently in sunnier conditions © Adam Hartley

This morning grey, overcast, misty and drizzly. Classic autumn in fact! Later on brightening up.

In poor viewing conditions first thing this morning: the WOOD SANDPIPER still present near the north cove together with a rather plump juvenile DUNLIN that gave me a while of puzzlement and a single GREENSHANK. 4 more greenshanks then flew in to the west shore opposite Burgess creek. 6 RINGED PLOVER on the west shore opposite Burgess creek. Plenty (15+) of SNIPE around in various places. 3 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS in the south channel.

Quite a few shoveler, gadwall and teal around though they weren't checked for hidden garganey. Lots of swallows, house and sand martins around hawking very low over the water.

Back late afternoon: now 14 ringed plover and 4+ dunlin, including the fat juvenile still, the wood sand still present, just the one greenshank, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and the 3 blackwits still.

An adult and a juvenile dunlin, taken a few days ago © Pete Styles

This morning sunny intervals and a gentle breeze. A large number of waders of all types this morning:

All from private text:

the WOOD SANDPIPER still, 
1 GREEN SANDPIPER,
2 COMMON SANDPIPER
3 GREENSHANK
7+ DUNLIN
5+ RINGED PLOVER
3 GOLDEN PLOVER
2 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT
20+ SNIPE

 

Digiscoped shot of the wood sandpiper © Adam Hartley

The weather this morning cooler and cloudier.

Things were rather quiet on the Meadow: 6 RINGED PLOVER and 7 or so DUNLIN hanging out between the north cove and Burgess creek. 8+ SNIPE dotted around the place. A HOBBY was seen flying over the Walton Well road railway bridge. A single LITTLE EGRET was about.  A YELLOW WAGTAIL was seen down by the south tail (WoM).

Things were livened up when a WOOD SANDPIPER flew in (spotted by a fellow birder) and showed well on Burgess channel initially before moving over towards the north cove.



The wood sandpiper © Adam Hartley

First thing this morning a very autumnal feel with a deep mist covering the floods on the Meadow. However the sun soon burnt this off to leave a beautiful sunny, calm start to the day.

Bird wise things have quietened down over the last few days. There were 6 RINGED PLOVER along the north channel and 8 or so DUNLIN. A single bobbing COMMON SANDPIPER was exploring the shore line. The SNIPE were more visible this morning with at least 9 showing opposite the north cove. A couple of REDSHANK were also present.

On the duck front, a GARGANEY was the star of the show. There were about 8 gadwall, a similar number of teal and about a dozen shoveler also present. A single LITTLE EGRET turned up in Burgess channel before moving down to the south tail.

Digiscoped record shot of the garganey. You can see the white marks at the lores and under the chin and just make out the eye stripe. © Adam Hartley

One of my better digiscoping efforts! © Adam Hartley

After more overnight rain, this morning started off bright and sunny. The flood waters have increased in size over the last couple of days through all this rain.

The 5 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS were still present this morning in the south channel. There were a total of about 14 RINGED PLOVER along the north channel and 7 DUNLIN. There were a couple of COMMON SANDPIPERS dotted about and at least 7 well-hidden SNIPE. A couple of ducks flew in briefly that looked suspiciously like a pair of GARGANEY though they soon flew off in the company of 5 TEAL. There were also at least 8 GADWALL about.

Apart from that, the usual COMMON TERNS still present and plenty of lapwings. No little egrets present.

This morning sunny but breezy with a bit of an autumnal feel to it.

Yesterday's rain meant that the floods had been topped up again and a lot of the mud has now been re-covered. Along the north shore between the north cove and Burgess creek were a GREENSHANK and a REDSHANK. At north cove were two COMMON SANDPIPERS with another along the north shore. Along the north or south shore lines were a total of 9 RINGED PLOVER and at least 5 DUNLIN. There were 5 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS (islandica) in Burgess channel. 5 SNIPE were seen hidden in the flooded grass though there could well have been more. There was a single juvenile LITTLE RINGED PLOVER down in the south tail.

From Blog Comment:
Lunchtime: 5 Black-tailed Godwits still, 7 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 TEAL and 1 GARGANEY.


Digiscoped record shot of greenshank © Adam Hartley

Raining heavily first thing, then brightening up though breezy.

The recent rain has topped up the floods nicely which were looking somewhat lack-lustre. Present this morning were: 10 RINGED PLOVER along the north channel, accompanied by 9 DUNLIN. Along the west shore a single REDSHANK and a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER with a second bird on the north channel. 4 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS flew in and landed close to Burgess Creek. There were 3 COMMON SANDPIPERS dotted about the place and just a single LITTLE EGRET. The COMMON TERNS still present with several juveniles amongst them.


juvenile islandica black-tailed godwit © Ian Lewington (digiscoped with a Nikon Coolpix)

From blog comments:

Good collection of waders at lunchtime: 1-2 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, just 2 Little Egret & 6 Teal.

From OOS:

Black-tailed Godwit          3 juv    
Dunlin                                  11   
Ringed Plover                     12  
Common Sandpiper         3   
Common Redshank         1 juv  
Yellow Wagtail                    1  


3 juvenile islandica black-tailed godwits © Ian Lewington (Canon DSLR)

From private e-mails:

Dunlin 10-11 (Ads & juv)
Ringed Plover 11 (Ads & juv)
Golden Plover (1 in summer pl – departed abruptly early on)
Redshank 1
Little Egret – only 2 seen
Yellow Wagtail – at least 2

Note - the lesser whitethroat is the first sighting for Port Meadow that I know of for this year; it's not a breeding warbler in Burgess Field NR.

Ringed Plover © Steve Burch

From OOS:

Common Snipe      5   
Garganey                  1

From private e-mail:

 

Digiscoped redshank © Ian Lewington (digiscoped video still)

From OXB:

Female Garganey, 8 Little Egrets, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Ringed Plover (7 ad/1juv), 9 Dunlin (8 ad/1 juv), 6 Common Snipe.

From OOS:

Little Egret          6   
Grey Heron         2   
Gadwall               5   
Teal(*)                      5   
Ringed Plover    2   
Dunlin                  2   
Green Sandpiper           4   
Common Snipe            20   
Common Sandpiper       7  

Grey Heron                       6   

(*) Note, the entry said "green-winged teal" but I am assuming that this should have been Eurasian Teal.


The black-tailed godwits from yesterday © Peter Styles

From OOS:

Black-tailed Godwit   19  
Green Sandpiper        3   
Dunlin                          10  
Ringed Plover             3