Otmoor

Sunny, 22º, light winds.

Loren had never been to Otmoor and as it was a lovely sunny day we decided to pay a visit. 

We arrived around 14:00 and were immediately aware of a Willow Warbler singing around the car park area and further up the track a Turtle Dove “purring”.

In all at least 2 Turtle Dove present and possibly a third seen later further on.

Plenty of Reed Warbler on the reserve, several Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Bullfinch noted and at least 2 Cuckoo heard.

Lapwing present in good numbers also Redshank frequent, 3 Oystercatcher, 8 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, a pair of Mute Swan with 8 young, Mallard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck.

A single Common Tern, a Hobby, 2 Red Kite and a Buzzard, Great-crested Grebes, Little Grebes and a Cormorant, the odd Swallow and Swift overhead and several other species present.

Lots of Damselflies, several Dragonflies, Ladybirds, Bees, Ants, Bugs, Beetles, Butterflies and Moths!

[On the way home we decided to stop for a McDonalds, it was late, we were hungry!!!...................and our visit reminded me of why I had not eaten a McDonalds for a few years.................it was crap. I have not had a meal like that probably since I last had a McD’s...........served with a smile..................not! Bland, tasteless and just bloody rubbish..................and the chocolate shake was without doubt the worst I had ever had! The “restaurant” was grubby. We shall not make that mistake again!]

Anyway apart from that the day was great and Otmoor proved its worth :).

 Turtle Dove

 Red Kite being mobbed by a hoard of Lapwing

 Broad-bodied Chaser

 Lapwing

 Common Tern

 Hairy Dragonfly

 Little Egret

 Azure Damselfly (Loren)

 Wasp Beetle (Loren)

 Blood Vein Moth (Loren)

 10-spot Ladybird ? (Loren)

 Reed Bunting carrying food (Loren)