Page 7 - Out Birding August 2022

Distant Curlew and Skylark could be heard and we got good views of Meadow Pipit. As we were leaving a lovely female Wheatear graced our path.
I think everyone had a lovely varied day but we missed Richard. Ann
RSPB Otmoor 30/04/2022
Nine members met on a fine sunny spring morning for a visit to RSPB Otmoor that would be dominated by warblers and Hobby. In the car park, singing warblers filled the air park: Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow, Cetti’s and Grasshopper Warblers. Moving onto the reserve, we scanned the field next to the car park but failed to catch sight of the Grasshopper Warbler still reeling away, but in a hawthorn bush, we heard a Garden Warbler which did eventually show itself.
Walking up the path to the bridleway, the bushes alongside held Sedge Warblers, and scanning the marshy field, Lapwings were sitting on nests and there was also a pair
of Oystercatchers. Along the bridleway, Red Kites were circling over the marsh, drawing up Lapwings when they got too close to a nest. We saw a Marsh Harrier and the first Hobby of the day, circling high up, and managed to spot a Curlew amongst the grass and reeds. From the trees, on the other side of the path, a newly arrived Cuckoo gave brief bursts of song but remained hidden. In the reeds alongside the path, Reed Warblers were singing to claim their territory.
Nearing the path to the hide, a Cetti’s Warbler was belting out his song and was sur- prisingly showing itself, allowing glimpses as it moved through a bush. It then flew across the path together with several of its friends, giving a view of a small flock of these secretive birds. From the hide, we had sightings of a few Redshank, while
a Yellowhammer fed on the path outside.
We next walked to the first screen, which was the territory for Lesser Whitethroats. They were rattling out their song from the thick scrub and occasionally giving a brief sighting. Scanning the pool at the first screen gave us a good flock of Gadwall and a few Tufted Ducks and Shovelers, but not much else so we walked on to the second screen.
There didn’t look to be much here at first, but while watching the Common Tern inspecting their raft, a beautiful male Garganey in his fine breeding plumage drifted into view. There was also two Pochard, one of which was a very pale, cream coloured leuchistic individual which has been around here for some years and is known as ‘Luke’ by the local birders. Looking to the skies, two Shelduck flew over, while in the distance over the reed beds we picked up a Crane being harassed by Crows and Red Kites. This gave good if distant views as it drifted over before dropping into the reeds. A pair of Buzzards were also seen as well as Hobbies hawking for dragonflies which were flying on this now warm day.
It was time to retrace our steps and we soon noticed lots of Hobby demonstrating their aerial skills. They were flying at lower levels now to catch the emerging dragonflies and we could see some with prey in their talons and eating it as they glided around. At one point, we counted nine in the sky at the same time. One individual gave us superb close views of his aerial skills as he circled round us several times at low altitude. This was a fitting climax to an excellent day’s birding.
We ended the day having seen or heard 59 species, including 10 species of warblers, It
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