Whinchats and a few more waders

29 August - A morning visit to Otmoor, and at least 2 Whinchats still present from the weekend - viewable from the hide, and at times fairly distant, feeding along the fenceline (1 - male, 2 - juv). Few other birds in evidence in a fresh NW wind, though 4 species of raptor seen - 2 Red Kites, 3 Buzzards, a female Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrels.
At Farmoor, a quick circuit of the reservoir produced 6 Ringed Plovers (adults and at least 2 juveniles, 3-7), a Dunlin (8) and 6 Common Sandpipers. An Osprey had flown through at 8.30am and headed south. 20+ Yellow Wagtails were still present and at least 1 Swift was with the hirundines. Photos JM.

Farmoor waders

28 August - No sign of the Curlew Sandpiper at Farmoor, but compensation in the form of a Greenshank (1,2) and 4 Dunlin (3,4) together with 5 Common Sandpipers, a juvenile Black Tern and a juvenile Arctic Tern. Also seen - Common Tern, 5+ Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swifts, and 100s of Hirundines. Photos JM.

Garden tick - Cuckoo !

27 August - Late afternoon, a juvenile Cuckoo appeared and flew along the hedge outside the lounge window and the sat on fenceposts nearby for 5-10 mins - the photo was taken through the window, so is a reasonable result. Red-brown colouration with heavy barring.

Waders at Leighton Moss

22 Aug - A brief look at the Eric Morecambe pools at Leighton Moss in the evening was fairly productive, with 2 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank being seen among 50+ Redshank (photos 1-4, JM). Also present - 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff and 50+ Lapwings. 5 Little Egrets were also on the pools.

Red Kites, Hobbies, Grass Snake.......and Swifts

19 Aug - A trip to Thursley Common (1) in Surrey in sunny weather, mainly for dragonflies but a few birds seen - a total of 5 Red Kites en route (1 over j14 of M4, 2 north of Basingstoke, 1 at Hungerford and 1 in Wiltshire at Chilton Foliat). Thursley itself produced 2 Hobbies feeding on insects and giving a close flyby, photo (2) taken with 200mm lens - also a couple of Stonechats and a swimming Grass Snake (3).
In the evening 2 late Swifts were over the garden.

Woodchat Shrike at Chipping Sodbury

13 Aug - An afternoon visit to Sodbury Common and good views of the 1st-summer female Woodchat Shrike that has been present for a couple of weeks now. It was feeding along the hedgerows, perching up in the late afternoon sunshine and was fairly approachable. Photos JM.
In the evening, 2 migrant Swifts flew south over the garden.

Last Swifts ?

12 Aug - Only one Swift over the garden at dusk last night, in unsettled weather, and one seen over Calne briefly this afternoon - maybe the last ones this year ? I took the photo earlier in the summer over the house.

Red Kites

5 Aug - Probably the quietest time of year for birding, through high summer, but 2 Red Kites seen at Aston Rowant NNR in the Chilterns while on a butterfly trip. Record shot taken with 200mm lens. The bird is moulting, with a ragged tail.
Only 2 Swifts over the house this evening - juveniles? their flight seemed a little clumsy. They will be leaving any day now. A sign of autumn along with the darker evenings.