Farmoor Reservoir 15th August 2012

I try to like Farmoor Reservoir, I really do but so often it is such a let down. It has all the charisma of a Motorway Service Station but still holds an ongoing attraction both to birds and birders. The hours wasted wandering its miles of soul-less concrete finding very little or nothing do not bear recounting and yet it does have its good days and good birds. I recall Bonaparte's, Sabine's and Franklin's Gulls, American and White winged Black Terns, a Long tailed Skua and even a male Surf Scoter amongst others occuring here but such times and birds are very much in the minority. 

I still go there every so often, ever hopeful, and let's face it if there are no birds it can be quite social as there is a good chance of meeting most of the other regular Oxonbirders at one time or another. I can only admire and wonder at the persistence of Dai and Nick Hallam who visit virtually on a daily basis.They are obviously made of stronger mental fortitude than myself. 

It's just all that concrete stretching for miles and miles. I pretend it is like the sea shore but of course it's not and never will be but irrefutably it does attract good birds. I had one of my optimistic and 'to hell with it' days today so made a visit after work in the early evening. A very strong easterly wind was blowing but the rain front had passed on and there was now bright sunshine. An obvious tight flock of seven Yellow Wagtails fed in the grass by the Thames Water Works and two Common Swifts passed over, high above me, tacking on the gusts of wind with others skimming the water. No sign of any Black Terns but there were up to five Common Terns in amongst the windsurfers and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was riding the surf with Black headed Gulls in a distant windblown corner of Farmoor One. Two Common Sandpipers decided the crashing surf was too much and flickered low over the waves to the more sheltered far side of the reservoir. 

Tripping lightly through the copious goose turds strewn on the path and circumventing the enormous flock of Canada and Greylag Geese on the grassy surrounds I counted the Canada Geese as I passed. Counting the Canada's is a regular occurrence at Farmoor as there is often little else to do and it uses a few more minutes before having to admit it is crap and retreating to Dix Pit to finish the day on a low. I amassed a total of 248 Canada's this time, well 247 to be precise as one was a hybrid. Where is DEFRA when you need them? Why do I get a frisson of excitement when I encounter one of the almost regular exotic goose species in with the garrulous Canada's and Greylags? This time it was a Bar-headed Goose and the nearest to Mongolia this one has ever been is probably the other side of Farmoor Two or an away day to Blenheim Park in Woodstock. Never mind it was nice to see it. 

I trudged onwards down the central causeway and then something happened, as occasionally it does, that made all the effort worthwhile. A juvenile Turnstone, ridiculously confiding and possibly never having seen a human until its arrival here, was feeding on the concrete at the water's edge of Farmoor Two, with another juvenile a few metres away. It looked up at me and then carried on about its business heedless of me trying to photograph it. I watched it pass a few feet beneath me and wondered at its travels. Had it come from Greenland or somewhere else far to the North? Flying with its colleague through night skies over foreign lands and trackless seas, unseen, to arrive in Oxford. 

Such an exiciting journey and place of birth compared to the mundane, concrete structure it was now gracing. Where would it be going on to? This is the charm of migrant birds especially waders. They bring a sense of unbounded, uncaring freedom and a wonderful mixture of mystery and hint of lands far away. For a few minutes I forgot all about my dismal surroundings, the problems of my human world, my worries and cares. Looking at my fellow but alien inhabitant of this planet I was in my mind transported as the romantic song goes to 'those far away places with strange sounding names' and briefly anything seemed possible.

Juvenile Turnstone

Dragons and Damsels at Parsonage Moor 12 August 2012

So taken was I with this delightful little reserve that I returned today for another morning's dragonfly hunting with the camera. Like many of BBOWT's reserves it is discreetly tucked away, seemingly deserted and has its own intrinsic charm. I had it to myself until unexpectedly encountering Badger who had the same idea as myself. We were the only two people present for the entire morning and wandered undisturbed through the swampy ground serenaded by the rustling of reeds and the odd burst of Reed Warbler song. Unlike yesterday I came prepared with a pair of wellingtons which allowed me to penetrate deeper into the wetter parts of the reserve and thus to search more areas suitable for Keeled Skimmers. However the sun was reluctant to shine until late morning so for a couple of hours we saw very little apart from a few damselflies, a couple of Brown Hawkers and lots of reeds. Just as expectation was retreating into resignation a short rain shower arrived to be followed by clear skies and the sun shone. This was the magic moment. Suddenly 'dragons and damsels' were everywhere.We stood by the small acidic pond where we had seen the Keeled Skimmer yesterday and a pond that was apparently devoid of dragonflies and damselflies was suddenly  transformed. Keeled Skimmer? There he was together with a male Southern Damselfly, a Small Red Damselfly and many ovipositing Common Darters. Where had they all been hiding? The paired Darters were almost frantic in their egg laying, dipping down on the water in rapid succession as if they knew that they must take every opportunity to complete the process. A Brown Hawker swooped overhead, dark and menacing carrying off what looked like another smaller dragonfly. The Keeled Skimmer eventually disappeared and we retreated back to the boardwalk. Badger unfortunately had no wellingtons so had to take care where he trod and could not go onto the wetter parts of the reserve. I pioneered out on to the reserve following a small acidic stream with marshy surroundings whilst Badger remained high and dry on the boardwalk. I had visited this spot earlier and it was then completely devoid of insect life but now with the sun shining I found a male Keeled Skimmer, then another and another until there were up to five on this small stretch of marsh. The exclamations of rapture emanating from yours truly finally persuaded Badger to take the plunge metaphorically and he followed me into the swamp regardless of the consequences to view the skimmers. Try as we might we could not locate any females but that was just a trifle. Eventually the cloud moved over the sun, the dragonflies became still and the reserve sank back into a still and humid contemplation. What a lovely and rewarding way to spend a Sunday morning. 

Seen today:

Brown Hawker; Hawker sp.probably Migrant or Southern; Keeled Skimmer; Common Darter; Ruddy Darter; Southern Damselfly; Azure Damselfly; Blue tailed Damselfly; Common Blue Damselfly; Small Red Damselfly

A word of warning about the pub opposite the Car Park. The Merry Miller is very appealing but if you go in make sure you have lots of money. £6.50 for a lager shandy and two bags of crisps! Ouch!

Southern Damselfly

Blue Tailed Damselfly

Small Red Damselflies mating

Common Darters mating

Common Lizard

Keeled Skimmers

Azure Damselfly

Marsh Badger

Four wings instead of two 11 August 2012

Lets face it it's a dead time for birds although waders now appear to be moving through and are appearing at Port Meadow and Otmoor, when you can see them! I met up late with Badger who was recovering from one of his Stella Friday nights so it was a mid morning start at Otmoor as we meandered around looking for Dragonflies to video and photo. Mind you I had been up since five emptying my moth trap. Obsessive moi! Surely not! No helicopters but another good haul which kept me occupied for a couple of hours identifying them before heading for Otmoor. My wife bless her became very concerned about the cobwebs around the back door (we live in a very old house and spiders just love our architecture) through which the night's captives were released by yours truly, thinking they would get entangled and Incy would devour them. She attacked the webs with some gusto using an Ostrich feather duster we obtained in Zimbabwe some years ago to clear the way. I knew it would come in useful someday. Otmoor as far as dragonflies were concerned proved disappointing. We found a male Black tailed Skimmer which did pose for us but the two Emperors we found just cruised around and never came to rest. What superb insects they really are and very, very territorial. They even buzzed lumps of thistle down blowing across their chosen pond. I wandered off to walk along the Roman Road while Badger chased dragonflies along the bridleway towards Noke. In the sheltered parts of the Roman Road there was a good selection of the commoner butterflies Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Brimstone, Comma and Peacock but sadly no sign of any Brown Hairstreaks. Badger suggested we go and try to see Keeled Skimmers at Parsonage Moor - a BBOWT Reserve. After wandering around for a while we eventually found a male patrolling a tiny acidic pond. This quite made my day as I had never seen one before. There are other unusual dragons and damsels here and I am pretty certain I saw some Southern Damselflies in the same pond but by now the early start with the moths was having an effect and I was flagging badly. We called it a day and I headed home via the Merry Miller pub conveniently and very temptingly directly opposite the reserve car park. Only a shandy mind you. No Stella!

                           Some Dragonflies and Butterflies on Otmoor and Parsonage Moor

Peacock

                                                                

Comma

                                                             

Ruddy Darter male

                                                         

Black-tailed Skimmer male

                                                                                                

Black-tailed Skimmer male

                                                                   

Broad-bodied Chaser male

                                                                        

                                                                                

                                                                   

Keeled Skimmer male                                            

Common Fro

                                                                                        
                                                           
OK I just know you cannot wait any longer to hear what I caught in my moth trap so here it is:

Poplar Hawk Moth; Common Footman; Scarce Footman; Bird Cherry Ermine - its tiny!; Swallow Prominent; Large Yellow Underwing; Lesser Broad bordered Yellow Underwing; Autumnal Rustic; Common Rustic; Heart and Dart; Single Dotted Wave; Riband Wave; Cream Wave; Marbled Beauty; Marbled Green; Willow Beauty; Shaded Broad Bar; Common Carpet; Red Twin Spot Carpet; Large Twin spot Carpet; Purple Thorn; Early Thorn; Coronet or was it?; Yellowtail; Flame Shoulder and Spectacle. There were also loads of micro moths but life is just too short. Really!

Coronet? Superbly camouflaged whatever it is
 The Stealth Fighter of moths

                                       

Yellowtail

                                                          

Early Thorn

                                                          

Purple Thorn

                                                       

Moths and more Moths 10 August 2012

It was such a nice night that I could not resist giving it another go despite my Robinson moth trap having an apparent irresistible attraction for low flying helicopters. Believe it or not they were back last night at exactly the same time. Maybe I should call up Brize and tell them when I have put the kettle on. This time I put the trap in a new location beside the mellow cotswold stone walls of our house. Next morning bright and early I was up and found myself confronted with a mega haul of moths that had been attracted into the trap plus many others nearby, superbly camouflaged against the walls of the house. Many of the moths I had never seen before. Nothing particularly unusual apart from the Black Arches which is said to be 'local' and to my mind is a very attractive moth. And don't you just love the names? There is something really quaint and old fashioned, almost Victorian about their names redolent of eccentric vicars and 'spinsters of this parish' very much in sharp contrast to the scientific and to my mind almost soul-less approach today. I wonder if I will ever encounter a  Green Silver-Spangled Shark or perhaps in homage to my Scots upbringing I should go in search of a Rannoch Sprawler? Although come to think of it that would also be a good pseudonym for a few of the opposite sex I met up with in the Highlands on a Friday night, in my youth! 

                                   Here is a selection of the best moths from last night.

                                                              Dark Arches

                                                         
                                                         Nut Tree Tussock

                                                               
                                                              Black Arches

                                                           
                                                          Swallow Prominent

                                                               
                                                               Flame Shoulder

                                                               
                                                            Sallow Kitten

                                                                   

                                                             Purple Thorn

                                                            Brimstone Moth 

                       not so well camouflaged against the wall but this was the exception

I must have caught over 50 moths last night. By far the most numerous was Lesser Broad bordered Yellow Underwing.  Being a novice it takes an age to identify many of the moths courtesy of the Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland superbly illustrated by Richard Lewington but I am slowly getting there. Micro moths seem to be for the hardcore. I don't think I will be going there!

Species caught last night were: Large Yellow Underwing; Lesser Broad bordered Yellow Underwing; Dark Arches; Black Arches; Purple Thorn; Common Wainscot; Poplar Hawk Moth; Swallow Prominent; Nut Tree Tussock; Large Twin Spot Carpet; Sallow Kitten; Marbled Beauty; Mottled Rustic; Brimstone Moth; Willow Beauty; Flame Shoulder; Iron Prominent; Dusky Sallow; Autumnal Rustic; Riband Wave and last but by no means least V Pug. No - that really is its name!

Things Flying at Night 08 August 2012

                                                         Clouded Border

Another marathon bout of Olympics watching came to an end and as dusk settled I ventured into the garden and turned on my version of the  Eddystone Lighthouse to hopefully attract another selection of moths. Blimey it is bright! As I  returned to the house with spots before my eyes I was delighted to be buzzed by a bat. Regrettably I have no idea of the species except it seemed mid size. Not exactly helpful but with no means of recourse to any equipment to identify the frequencies of its squeaks and even if I had, no idea how to use such things, we will have to leave it there. My delight was based more on the fact that after renovations to the house next to us I had not seen any bats for a very long while and feared the worse as I am sure they roosted in the chimney next door. Every summer for the last fifteen years at least we have had bats flying around our house and gardens at dusk but since the builders arrived next door there has been no sign of them until now. They are like old friends and somehow the world seems OK when they appear. Sentimental twaddle I know but it's little things like this that make all the difference sometimes in this restless world.

Once back indoors I retreated to my computer on the top floor and about thirty minutes later was distracted by a large helicopter approaching low, in the still of the night. This is not so unusual as being relatively near Brize Norton we occasionally get them flying low at night presumably using up the vast amounts of tax payers money available to them, on night training flights. However I was more than concerned when the bloody thing started to hover over the house. This was at eleven at night. Oh no! I knew that moth light was bright but I had by the sounds of things attracted much more than a moth to my dazzling bulb, situated plumb centre on the lawn and presumably visible from outer space let alone earthly skies. Mind you they could hardly miss it as they sounded virtually to be on the roof, so low were they. Thankfully after five minutes they moved off. I wonder if they saw the light and were examining it through whatever devilish, high powered, night vision optical equipment they had on board? I wonder if they thought it might be an Improvised Illuminating Device? Well they would be correct on that score. Perhaps the pilot was a moth enthusiast? I like to think he was curious as to my equipment and probably needed to satisfy himself that I was using only the best - a Robinson - and then flew off satisfied and re-assured. I in turn headed for bed incurring a severe bout of wrath of wife about the helicopter. Apparently it was my fault. 

Next morning up at around seven and down into the garden to examine the night's captives. Lots of new species but as I was examining the moths a strange call came from the skies. I knew it but just could not place it. It was a wader call and it called constantly as it approached. Sounded a bit like a Green Sandpiper but not quite right and then suddenly it dawned on me - a Wood Sandpiper! Amazing! It came over the house heading west and was gone. My 86th bird species seen in and over our garden. 

I think I will give the moth trap a rest tonight. Maybe tomorrow? Perhaps I will attract a Hercules next time? Ever the optimist.

Moth Olympics 04/05 August 2012

                                                       Poplar Hawkmoths
                                           note how the one on the left is very worn

Along with countless millions I watched the TV yesterday evening enthralled as Team GB finally 'brought home the bacon' with three Gold medals in the Olympic Arena. After watching all the celebrations, interviews and endless analysis  it was almost midnight before I stirred from the couch. Inspired by the athletes efforts and with a surge of optimism I decided to expend a little energy of my own by setting up the moth trap in a corner of the garden. Better late than never. The light glowed pink, then white and finally as it got into its stride illuminated a disturbingly large area of my end of the village. I had earlier pre-warned my neighbour about what was going on and not to panic although suggesting maybe some blackout curtains would be handy. Doubly inspired by the athletes I also resolved to go for an early morning run the next day which handily meant I would be able to retrieve the moth trap first thing from the predicted rain and deal with the occupants on my return without disturbing my wife. I am new to moth trapping and unashamedly get great delight from the simple pleasure of looking in the trap to see what has been caught. Hawkmoths always give me a huge amount of pleasure and I struck gold three times this morning with a trio of Poplar Hawkmoths. Alright so they are common but I have only seen one once before in my garden when I trapped one a few weeks ago so I was delighted to see three of them together.

Other contestants found in the trap this morning were as follows:

Scalloped Oak; Dark Arches; Large Yellow Underwing; Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing; Common Footman; Pale Prominent; Common Rustic; Lesser Common Rustic; Common Carpet; Mullein Wave and Marbled Beauty

Port Meadow Oxford 4th August 2012

The historic and ancient area called Port Meadow situated within the boundaries of Oxford and readily accessible from a number of points provides an ideal opportunity when conditions are right for a veritable bonanza of waders and ducks. 

Today was just such a day with the meadow's floods providing ideal conditions to attract waders. Fortunately the forecast rain stayed away and a light, warm wind and sunny conditions greeted me on my arrival this morning. Common Sandpipers seemed to be everywhere along the edge of the floods and the count slowly rose to an astonishing twelve with one of the birds appearing to have a broken wing. 

Early on three Greenshank, as always very flighty and highly strung flew around the flood and eventually departed high to the North but there was still much to see. A Wood Sandpiper not that common in Oxfordshire appeared and disappeared amongst the tussocks and moulted gull feathers at the water's edge and three Green Sandpipers joined it later that morning. Five summer plumage adult Dunlin fed further up the flood mingling with the gulls, a  juvenile Common Redshank lingered nearby and a flock of Lapwing sheltered in the long grass. Could there be anything else? Well yes - a Ringed Plover skulked amongst the cattle churned mud and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover also tried to make itself invisible on the far shore. 

The meadow was alive with Pied Wagtails and feeding with them was a White Wagtail, so clean looking compared to its British cousins. A juvenile Yellow Wagtail, calling loudly, flew up from the reeds and joined the cattle. Swallows, House and Sand Martins skimmed the water. All this in one morning almost within sight and sound of the city centre.

Idyllic yes, almost unique yes, but now threatened because the floods are meant to be bad news for Creeping Marsh-wort, a rare plant that allegedly only grows here. The whole area must be drained. Surely there can be some form of compromise? 

If not then Oxford will lose this prime birding spot and we will just be left with horses, cattle, joggers, Creeping Marsh-wort and no birds. Is that really right?