One of the new species for Cholsey in 2023 found by Alan. Looking forward to 2024.
Sunday, 31 December 2023
Tuesday, 26 December 2023
Boxing Day
Cloudy, 10°, light SE.
A short drive down to Portland Bill for breakfast then a bit of birding.
3 Fieldfare in-off, a Redwing and 2 Stonechat in the Crown Fields, 4-5 Raven, 2 Buzzard, several Rock Pipit, a Shelduck flew east and an Oystercatcher over the Obs.
On the sea, a steady flow of Guillemot back and forth, 20+ Gannet, a handful of Common Scoter and a Diver (pos Black-throated).
A short drive down to Portland Bill for breakfast then a bit of birding.
3 Fieldfare in-off, a Redwing and 2 Stonechat in the Crown Fields, 4-5 Raven, 2 Buzzard, several Rock Pipit, a Shelduck flew east and an Oystercatcher over the Obs.
On the sea, a steady flow of Guillemot back and forth, 20+ Gannet, a handful of Common Scoter and a Diver (pos Black-throated).
A Ringed Plover heard flying over Rodwell @ 19:00.
Monday, 25 December 2023
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Sunday, 24 December 2023
Christmas Eve
Overcast, 12°, breezy WSW.
A very dull (weather wise) day around Portland Harbour: a selection species seen today were, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1-2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant, 16 Brent Geese, 3 Oystercatcher, c40 Mediterranean Gull, several Black-headed Gull, 3-4 Great Blackback Gull etc.
A very dull (weather wise) day around Portland Harbour: a selection species seen today were, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1-2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant, 16 Brent Geese, 3 Oystercatcher, c40 Mediterranean Gull, several Black-headed Gull, 3-4 Great Blackback Gull etc.
Poor photography today
Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Getting predictable
Mainly cloudy with the odd sunny spell, 10°, light W.
Bunk line: Still not a lot going on. lots of Fieldfare still present plus 50+ Redwing, several Song Thrush and Blackbird and 200+ Starling with the flocks and 2 Mistle Thrush in song.
A Chiffchaff and Goldcrest with a Tit flock and the odd Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on farmland and a Grey Wagtail near CSW.
The usual Gulls also present.
Bunk line: Still not a lot going on. lots of Fieldfare still present plus 50+ Redwing, several Song Thrush and Blackbird and 200+ Starling with the flocks and 2 Mistle Thrush in song.
A Chiffchaff and Goldcrest with a Tit flock and the odd Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on farmland and a Grey Wagtail near CSW.
The usual Gulls also present.
Muntjac feeding in the garden
Fieldfare
Tuesday, 19 December 2023
Otter or not?
A lot of debate online regarding this animal.
The photo was taken by Graeme Pryce at the Bullshole early one morning and forwarded to me as an Otter by Bryan Reagan.
Although not the best of photos it clearly shows a Mustelid Mammal of some description.
My first impression was a Mink, on size, colour and face shape but these could be due to light quality and photo clarity.
The animal in the foreground is a Husky dog.
As I was not 100% on ID I loaded it to a Mammal Society web page to see if anyone could conclusively ID the species.
Results so far are Otter or Cat (most votes so far), Mink, Rat and even Guinea Pig.
One comment possibly sums it up: “It's not possible to conclusively identify the animal from this photo. There's a hint of otter about it, but also a (slightly stronger) hint of domestic cat. When confronted with an inconclusive image like this, people tend to see what they want to see.”
Otter has been seen around the Bullshole area and also Mink and Domestic Cat. I do not go for Rat, so draw your own conclusions.
The photo was taken by Graeme Pryce at the Bullshole early one morning and forwarded to me as an Otter by Bryan Reagan.
Although not the best of photos it clearly shows a Mustelid Mammal of some description.
My first impression was a Mink, on size, colour and face shape but these could be due to light quality and photo clarity.
The animal in the foreground is a Husky dog.
As I was not 100% on ID I loaded it to a Mammal Society web page to see if anyone could conclusively ID the species.
Results so far are Otter or Cat (most votes so far), Mink, Rat and even Guinea Pig.
One comment possibly sums it up: “It's not possible to conclusively identify the animal from this photo. There's a hint of otter about it, but also a (slightly stronger) hint of domestic cat. When confronted with an inconclusive image like this, people tend to see what they want to see.”
Otter has been seen around the Bullshole area and also Mink and Domestic Cat. I do not go for Rat, so draw your own conclusions.
Monday, 18 December 2023
Still rather quiet
Overcast again, 12°, light S.
Bunk line covered in morning and afternoon (AD & PC) and Long Ditch covered (AD):
2 Stonechat, Long Ditch and not much else, Bunk: a Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, c500 Lesser Blackback Gull, (am sure there is a Caspian or Yellow-legged Gull in amongst but too distant without a scope), 50+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, incl the 2 regulars at CSW, Chiffchaff, 2+ Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Barn Owl plus the usual Thrushes.
Bunk line covered in morning and afternoon (AD & PC) and Long Ditch covered (AD):
2 Stonechat, Long Ditch and not much else, Bunk: a Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, c500 Lesser Blackback Gull, (am sure there is a Caspian or Yellow-legged Gull in amongst but too distant without a scope), 50+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, incl the 2 regulars at CSW, Chiffchaff, 2+ Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Barn Owl plus the usual Thrushes.
Black-headed Gull
Grey Heron
Friday, 15 December 2023
Still quiet
Overcast, 9°, light SW.
Lollingdon still very quiet.
Usual Fieldfare, Redwing and several Song Thrush mixed with the flocks. A flock of Linnet and Goldfinch and a couple of Corn Bunting feeding on the flooded field, c100 birds.
20+ Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay, and a Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and a Treecreeper with a Tit flock.
Lollingdon still very quiet.
Usual Fieldfare, Redwing and several Song Thrush mixed with the flocks. A flock of Linnet and Goldfinch and a couple of Corn Bunting feeding on the flooded field, c100 birds.
20+ Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay, and a Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and a Treecreeper with a Tit flock.
11 Yellowhammer and a Blue Tit
Thursday, 14 December 2023
Waxwing
Cloudy with a few rain showers, 8°, light SW.
Waxwings are an irruptive species in varying numbers that appear in the UK from Scandinavia through to eastern Russia.
This year has seen a moderate influx to our shores with sightings from Scotland and northern England and slowly moving south.
Over the last few weeks a few sightings have been in Oxfordshire and today 2 were seen briefly in a West End Garden before flying off. (Per Richard James).
Alan has since scoured the village but no luck on finding them.
The previous record in Cholsey was in February 2013 when 7 where seen.
Waxwings are an irruptive species in varying numbers that appear in the UK from Scandinavia through to eastern Russia.
This year has seen a moderate influx to our shores with sightings from Scotland and northern England and slowly moving south.
Over the last few weeks a few sightings have been in Oxfordshire and today 2 were seen briefly in a West End Garden before flying off. (Per Richard James).
Alan has since scoured the village but no luck on finding them.
The previous record in Cholsey was in February 2013 when 7 where seen.
This photo taken in Blewbury 2013.
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Cold & Damp
Overcast, 7°, breezy NNW.
So far December has been pretty quiet. Today both along Bunk line and still very soggy underfoot.
The usual abundance of Fieldfare and Redwing plus several flocks of Starling moving around.
Singles of Cormorant, Little Owl, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail and the usual 2 Herring Gull near CSW.
AD & PC.
So far December has been pretty quiet. Today both along Bunk line and still very soggy underfoot.
The usual abundance of Fieldfare and Redwing plus several flocks of Starling moving around.
Singles of Cormorant, Little Owl, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail and the usual 2 Herring Gull near CSW.
AD & PC.
Starling ↕
Monday, 11 December 2023
Cholsey Hill
Mainly cloudy, 10°, light S.
Cholsey Hill area. Golden Plover over, Fieldfare, Redwing, Little Owl and Reed Bunting. Per Alan.
Cholsey Hill area. Golden Plover over, Fieldfare, Redwing, Little Owl and Reed Bunting. Per Alan.
Friday, 8 December 2023
Soggy underfoot
Hazy sunshine, 10°, light SW.
A nice 1stw m Bullfinch seen on Lollingdon Hill today, only the 2nd sighting of this species in Cholsey this year.
Again a lot of Fieldfare and Redwing in the area plus at least 6 Mistle Thrush. A scattering of Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Skylark plus a couple of Siskin over and 2 Raven.
2 Little Egret a couple of days ago near the flooded field.
Garden very busy this week with Coal, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Great-spotted Woodpecker all visiting.
A nice 1stw m Bullfinch seen on Lollingdon Hill today, only the 2nd sighting of this species in Cholsey this year.
Again a lot of Fieldfare and Redwing in the area plus at least 6 Mistle Thrush. A scattering of Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Skylark plus a couple of Siskin over and 2 Raven.
2 Little Egret a couple of days ago near the flooded field.
Garden very busy this week with Coal, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Great-spotted Woodpecker all visiting.
Reed Bunting
Yellowhammer
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Fog & Sunshine
Foggy, clearing by 13:00, 4°, very light SE.
Bunk area fairly quiet today apart from the hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing present feeding on Hawthorn berries, plus a good number of Blackbird.
A few small flocks of Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Skylark scattered around.
Singles of Raven and Grey Wagtail.
Cholsey Hill area, c50 Golden Plover, c100 Lapwing, a Little Egret and several Meadow Pipit, Per Alan.
Bunk area fairly quiet today apart from the hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing present feeding on Hawthorn berries, plus a good number of Blackbird.
A few small flocks of Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Skylark scattered around.
Singles of Raven and Grey Wagtail.
Cholsey Hill area, c50 Golden Plover, c100 Lapwing, a Little Egret and several Meadow Pipit, Per Alan.
Robin
A trio of Collared Dove
A very vocal Rook
Jackdaw
Blackbird
Friday, 1 December 2023
A Frosty start to December
Mainly overcast, 3°, light NNE.
Apart from the hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing along the Bunk area today and with a good number of Blackbird there was little else to shout about.
A Raven over and several Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 20+ Skylark, the usual 2 Herring Gull, 20+ Lesser Blackback Gull and 50+ Black-headed Gull.
AD & PC.
Apart from the hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing along the Bunk area today and with a good number of Blackbird there was little else to shout about.
A Raven over and several Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 20+ Skylark, the usual 2 Herring Gull, 20+ Lesser Blackback Gull and 50+ Black-headed Gull.
AD & PC.
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Redshanks
Sunny spells, 4°, light NE.
Lollingdon was a bit of a washout today. Probably due to someone parked up in a pickup in the middle of the south side of the hill sporting a high-powered air rifle.
Taking the odd shot at a target he had place approx. 20m in front of the vehicle.
Subsequently there was not a single bird on the hill!
Nearby, plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing and an increased number of Blackbird.
A single Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk noted.
Alan along the Bunk line/Cholsey Hill area: Golden Plover heard calling but not seen, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting.
Also a Redshank in the area on floods with 2 Common Snipe and 2 more Redshank nearby.
Lollingdon was a bit of a washout today. Probably due to someone parked up in a pickup in the middle of the south side of the hill sporting a high-powered air rifle.
Taking the odd shot at a target he had place approx. 20m in front of the vehicle.
Subsequently there was not a single bird on the hill!
Nearby, plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing and an increased number of Blackbird.
A single Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk noted.
Alan along the Bunk line/Cholsey Hill area: Golden Plover heard calling but not seen, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting.
Also a Redshank in the area on floods with 2 Common Snipe and 2 more Redshank nearby.
Redshank courtesy Alan ↕
Grey Wagtail
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
A bit flat at the moment
Partially sunny, 6°, light NW.
Everywhere a bit samey at the moment, just a few snippets. A Raven heard calling over Church Road. 2 Stonechat out along the “Long Ditch”. Per Alan, and several Meadow Pipit, Lollingdon Hill. Per Andy King.
Everywhere a bit samey at the moment, just a few snippets. A Raven heard calling over Church Road. 2 Stonechat out along the “Long Ditch”. Per Alan, and several Meadow Pipit, Lollingdon Hill. Per Andy King.
Friday, 24 November 2023
A little bit chilly
Cloud and rain clearing then sunny spells, 9°, breezy NNW.
Lollingdon fairly quiet apart from the hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing around.
Around 12 Yellowhammer, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest on the Hill.
Alan out along the river and Bunk Line with similar results. A Treecreeper and Little Egret to add and c50 Lapwing over Cholsey Hill.
Lollingdon fairly quiet apart from the hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing around.
Around 12 Yellowhammer, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest on the Hill.
Alan out along the river and Bunk Line with similar results. A Treecreeper and Little Egret to add and c50 Lapwing over Cholsey Hill.
A Song Thrush singing at dusk in the Brook Meadow.
Tawny Owl calling from garden @ 22:00.
Goldfinch courtesy Alan
Little Egret courtesy Alan
Treecreeper courtesy Alan
Yellowhammer
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
Loads of Thrushes and little else
Overcast with some light rain, 9°, light N.
A trek along the Bunk line this afternoon turned up a Little Egret and c 20 Pied Wagtail out with the cattle.
A lot of Fieldfare and Redwing, just about every hedgerow had good numbers present plus numbers feeding in fields. Alan had a lot this morning along the Bunk and also along the river area, maybe an influx from further north?
Little else other than a Little Owl calling, 2 Herring Gull and a few Meadow Pipit.
A trek along the Bunk line this afternoon turned up a Little Egret and c 20 Pied Wagtail out with the cattle.
A lot of Fieldfare and Redwing, just about every hedgerow had good numbers present plus numbers feeding in fields. Alan had a lot this morning along the Bunk and also along the river area, maybe an influx from further north?
Little else other than a Little Owl calling, 2 Herring Gull and a few Meadow Pipit.
One of the Pied Wagtail feeding alongside cattle
Little Egret
2 Herring Gull and 3 Magpie
Monday, 20 November 2023
A bit samey
Few sunny spells, 11°, light WNW.
Lollingdon Hill was very quiet, just a few Yellowhammer and Fieldfare present. Nearby was a lot busier with good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starling. A Blackcap and Goldcrest mixed in with a Tit flock, c 50 Linnet and a scattering of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail etc.
Alan reported that the river area was very quiet and some Siskin over Church Road. Per RB.
Dragonflies: 2 Common Darter.
Butterflies: a single Red Admiral.
Lollingdon Hill was very quiet, just a few Yellowhammer and Fieldfare present. Nearby was a lot busier with good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starling. A Blackcap and Goldcrest mixed in with a Tit flock, c 50 Linnet and a scattering of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail etc.
Alan reported that the river area was very quiet and some Siskin over Church Road. Per RB.
Dragonflies: 2 Common Darter.
Butterflies: a single Red Admiral.
Goldcrest
Friday, 17 November 2023
Thrushes everywhere
Sunny spells, 10°, light SSW.
Although still fairly quiet I managed a total of just under 60 species in 4.5 hours from the garden and out along the Bunk line today.
Many Fieldfare and Redwing (500+ birds), 100+ Starling, a couple of small Siskin flocks overhead, 43 Lapwing, a Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 3 Gull species, etc, etc.
Tony W found our first Bullfinch of the year yesterday near Bow Bridge. A bit concerning that no breeding sites found this year and yesterday’s bird was maybe a transient individual.
Dragonflies: 2 Common Darter.
Although still fairly quiet I managed a total of just under 60 species in 4.5 hours from the garden and out along the Bunk line today.
Many Fieldfare and Redwing (500+ birds), 100+ Starling, a couple of small Siskin flocks overhead, 43 Lapwing, a Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 3 Gull species, etc, etc.
Tony W found our first Bullfinch of the year yesterday near Bow Bridge. A bit concerning that no breeding sites found this year and yesterday’s bird was maybe a transient individual.
Dragonflies: 2 Common Darter.
One of the Starling flocks feeding near the Cattle
A few of the many Fieldfare
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Slow times
Sunny periods, 11°, breezy W.
The slow times are persisting with little or no movement. Lollingdon was quieter than usual. A scattering of Fieldfare and Redwing, a few Siskin overhead, several Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Yellowhammer and a Little Owl and a Tawny Owl heard but little else noted.
Alan fared little better along the Bunk and River. Green Sandpiper still present, Water Rail, a Grey Wagtail, a Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Siskin over, several Fieldfare and Redwing.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: 15+ Common Darter Lollingdon and 20+ Cholsey Meadows.
The slow times are persisting with little or no movement. Lollingdon was quieter than usual. A scattering of Fieldfare and Redwing, a few Siskin overhead, several Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Yellowhammer and a Little Owl and a Tawny Owl heard but little else noted.
Alan fared little better along the Bunk and River. Green Sandpiper still present, Water Rail, a Grey Wagtail, a Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Siskin over, several Fieldfare and Redwing.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: 15+ Common Darter Lollingdon and 20+ Cholsey Meadows.
Common Darter courtesy Alan
Common Darter ↕
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