Walked to Wallingford along the Thames path yesterday (15th), Cholsey marsh was quiet, the odd Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap heard, 2 Sand Martin flew down river and a Kingfisher heard. The Mute Swans near the marsh are down to 2 cygnets, which means 2 have gone missing whereas the ones near Wallingford still have 4 cygnets!
Another Kingfisher seen near the Oxford University boathouse in Wallingford and a Pied Wagtail feeding along the bank.
3 different Black-headed Gulls along the river, these should become more frequently seen now as some have left their breeding sites and are feeding along the river.
3 Kestrels hunting in various spots and approx 6 Great-crested Grebe on the river including 2 juvenile birds.
4 Green Woodpeckers seen/heard and 2 largish (c30 to 40 birds) Tit flocks seen, predominantly Long-tailed.
There has been some Wader movement in the county recently (Black-tailed Godwits in particular) and with the 2 Sand Martins moving downriver probably heralds the beginnings of return migration. There has also been a trickle of Sand Martins and Swifts flying out to sea at Portland, Dorset.
Quite a few Dragonflies today, majority were Brown Hawkers (c8), also a couple of Blue Hawkers, a Common Darter, a Four-spot Chaser, a Blue Emperor and a smallish Hawker unidentified. Common Bluets and Banded Demoiselles.
9 species of Butterfly seen.
16th July
Today has been quite wet with light to heavy rain this morning. We need it! Brightened up later.
A couple of Mallards have turned up in the garden, an adult female and 2 juveniles, no sign of the adult male(s) as yet.
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