Down by the Seaside ................ coming soon!

Have not got out today as we need to catch up on domestic stuff as we are away tomorrow; however a few birders have been out locally and have seen the following that was logged on the Oxon Bird bLog.

Reed Warbler singing on Cholsey Marsh (per MA).

Cuckoo – Cholsey Marsh (per RW).

Whilst doing some gardening this afternoon there were a couple of Goldcrest in the hedgerow that borders the brook by the garden and a Coal Tit singing nearby.

 

                                           Some clues to tomorrows venue

 

Cuckoos

Cloudy, hazy, thundery, 14º, no wind!

A walk out to Lollingdon hill was cut short toady with the threat of a thunder storm looming over the downs and the fact I had no water proofs with me.

2 Cuckoo on the hill today, 1 by the pit on the north side and one in the fields below the hill also to the north, 2 Wheatear on the hill today, a Willow Warbler by the Manor house and one halfway between the village and Lollingdon. 2 Buzzard, a Red Kite and a Peregrine soaring overhead and a flyover Yellow Wagtail and another flyover Yellow Wagtail near the Bullshole.

A Lesser Whitethroat still out at Lollingdon, a Grey Heron and 2 Lapwing in a flooded area along with 2 Canada Geese.

A Sedge Warbler still singing along the brook out from the Bullshole and 8 Swallow overhead and the usual residents present.

A few butterflies in evidence today but soon disappeared when the rain came, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.

 Grey Heron

 Wheatear

Migrants are coming

Cloudy with hazy sun, some light rain, 16º, light NNE.

A walk out to Lollingdon and around the Lees on a rather dull day weather wise.

6 House Martin present over Church rd with 2 prospecting a nest site at Marymead.

A Muntjac Deer seen out past the Bullshole and a Sedge Warbler singing along the brook. A ♂ Peregrine overflew further out and a single Lapwing in the fields out at Lollingdon.

A Lesser Whitethroat singing just north of the hill and a Garden Warbler near the Manor house.

There were 4 Wheatear on the hill today along with several Linnet and 6 Swallows spent around 15 minutes feeding low over the hill before moving off north and around 10 more seen whilst out all heading in a northerly direction.

4 Willow Warblers also noted and 7 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap in total.

The usual Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers in the area and good numbers of Common Whitethroats around with 15 noted during the walk, the most abundant warbler noted.

Out towards the Lees saw another Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler and the Peregrine seen again.

5 Reed Bunting present in the long dyke and 4 Yellow Wagtail in the fields close by, the reedy ditch had a singing Reed Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler present.

2 Grey Partridge seen near Manor Farm and another Corn Bunting on the wires.

A few butterflies around today, Orange Tip, Brimstone & Small Tortoiseshell, also a couple of Large Red Damselflies.

 Common Whitethroat

 Yellow Wagtail

 Lapwing

Cuckoo at last!

Cloudy, light showers, 14º, light NNE.

 Bob Dryden had a Cuckoo at Cholsey Marsh this morning (Thanks).

Another Redstart on the hill today a ♀ on the western side of the hill in the lea of the wind, only seen briefly and seen to disappear in to the top field.

3 Wheatear, 1 Skylark and c30 Linnet feeding along the south face of the hill, some of the Linnet collecting wool from the fence and Hawthorns.

A Song Thrush singing on the north side and a single Swallow over, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap and 4 Common Whitethroat also noted.

A Willow Warbler singing near the garden this evening.

3 Starling feeding on suet balls in the garden yesterday. 6 Tufted Duck on a pond at Lollingdon on Friday (per TW).

 Common Whitethroat

 Wheatear & Rabbit (courtesy Loren)

Dawn on the Marsh

Overcast, 9º, no wind at dawn, rain at 07:30 (thundery).

A somewhat dull and chilly start on Cholsey marsh just before dawn with a couple of Sedge Warbler in song. 

As the day slowly broke more birds joined the chorus and we walked up to Bow Bridge and back to the southern edge of the marsh and noted the following either heard or seen:

Mute Swan – 2 adults

Greylag Goose – 4 flew upriver

Canada Goose – 20+ around

Mallard – 20+

Pheasant – 8

Little Grebe – 1

Great Crested Grebe – 2

Grey Heron – 1 flew downriver

Red Kite – 5

Buzzard – 2

Hobby – 1

Kestrel - 1

Moorhen

Coot

Wood Pigeon

Stock Dove – 6+

Tawny Owl – 2

Kingfisher – 2

Green Woodpecker – 1

Great-spotted Woodpecker – 3

Swallow – 3

Pied Wagtail – 2

Dunnock

Robin

Redstart - 1♂

Song Thrush – 3

Blackbird

Garden Warbler – 2

Blackcap – 5

Common Whitethroat – 9

Lesser Whitethroat – 2

Sedge Warbler - 20+

Grasshopper Warbler – 3

Reed Warbler – 2

Willow Warbler – 1

Chiffchaff – 6

Wren – 20+

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Treecreeper – 1

Magpie

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Chaffinch

Linnet

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Bullfinch – 6

Reed Bunting – 5

We left shortly after 07:20, got home and had a great cooked breakfast and watched the thundery weather. 

 Garden Warbler

 Sedge Warbler