Thursday 18 January 2024

Farmoor Reservoir 18th January


A Marsh Harrier seen on a morning walk today was the first I've seen here in 2024. Also present was the long staying Great Northern Diver. Ducks seen today included Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted. Pintail, Wigeon and the long staying Scaup. A flyover Cattle Egret and a single Knot were noteworthy.



Friday 5 January 2024

Farmoor 5th January 2024


A  Short eared Owl that was seen with two friend Dave and Phil this morning was the first I have seen here since 2020.

Thursday 4 January 2024

Farmoor 2023 ( Birding with my dog Billy )

                                                                                 
Whooper Swans
                                                                               
Great Northern Diver

  
Knot


2023 been a good year at Farmoor for Billy and I, starting in the Spring with two new birds for Billy's Farmoor Life List. The long staying Lesser Scaup and a self found Temminck's Stint. Also noteworthy was a high count of 170+ Arctic Terns seen in April. Summer highlights included a summer plumage Knot on the 25th July and two Sandwich Terns on the 14th August. Autumn records included a record count of seven Curlew Sandpipers on the 9th September. Also seen in September with Billy included a Drake Common Scoter on the 20th and five Adult Whooper Swans present on the 26th. Other good birds seen in this period included a Grey Phalarope on the 23rd September and a record count of nine Great White Egrets. November  produced a late Sand Martin seen with two fiends briefly on the 14th and a Slavonian Grebe on the 18th. The year ended on a high with a Great Northern Diver found on the 11th December. All in all a good year. 
Slavonian Grebe

                                                                                  
Common Scoter


                                                                                   

Temminck's Stint

Billy's Farmoor Life List stands at 194 seen in nine years

Mandarin Duck


Thursday 14 December 2023

Farmoor 13th December

Great Northern Diver that was first seen on the 11th December. Photos taken on the 13th December.



Monday 20 November 2023

Farmoor 18th November




A Slavonian Grebe that was found at 11: 30 am was still present late afternoon.
 

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Farmoor 14th November.

A late Sand Martin seen from the causeway hide late morning was a surprise for me and two other birders who were present. Otherwise very quiet with a few Siskin and twelve Egyptian Geese.






Tuesday 26 September 2023

Farmoor update







Good period for waders over the last week or so with the Highlight being a Grey Phalarope which was  first seen early Saturday morning. Other waders seen included at least five Knot with a group of three being the maximum count. Two sighting of Curlew Sandpipers bringing the total seen this month to nine. Other wader sighting included Turnstone, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Snipe. Little Gulls seen two days on the trot. Drake Common Scoter present for three days was the first I've seen here this year. Great White Egret see on Shrike Meadow most days. Five Whooper Swans present on F2 mid morning today was a surprise due to the early date.



Wednesday 20 September 2023

Farmoor Reservoir 20th September

 A Common Scoter found at 12:10 today on F2 was the first I've seen here this year.


Monday 18 September 2023

Farmoor Reservoir 18th September

Waders seen today included two Knot, three Dunlin and seven Ringed plover.


Sunday 10 September 2023

Seven Curlew Sandpipers seen briefly on a late afternoon visit yesterday was a record count for me. Otherwise very quiet.

Rare birds at Farmoor