Back in time – May 1974

As mentioned in my previous post I would mention the Roller that John saw, John has kindly sent me a couple of pics of the European Roller that was present on Aston Upthorpe Down from 23^rd to 27^th May 1974.

There have been three Oxfordshire records of Roller, the first in Balscot near Banbury in July 1869, the above is the second record and the third was in a garden for two days at Bruern on the 14^th to 16^th June 1977. It would be nice if another turned up in Oxfordshire in 2013! 

 Both pics © John Lucas

 

Back to the present day, it has been raining virtually all day so a time to stay in and catch up on things and watch the garden.

The garden has been quite busy all day with two Stock Dove present along with two ♂ Blackcap (one ringed on left leg and the other unringed), two Song Thrush and two Pheasant plus all the usual etc. Whilst tidying the garden yesterday I had a Raven as a “garden tick”, one flew over the garden calling, presumably the same one that Richard has had near his garden on Friday.

Could also see around thirty Black-headed Gull loafing on the playing field late afternoon and several Red Kite active over the garden and meadow this afternoon.