Otmoor

27 Oct - A perfect, sunny, autumn day and the more enjoyable after the poor weather of recent weeks. I decided to head for Otmoor and it paid off - a seven-raptor day, the highlight being the long-staying male Hen Harrier - stunning - which performed well, mobbed by Sparrowhawks and Red kites - and a Peregrine see twice. Several Marsh Harriers, including juveniles, hunted the reedbed, and I had no less than four flight views of Bittern, alas, all too distant for photos. Best of all, an incredible flock of a thousand or so Golden Plover circled calling mournfully in the blue above, and eventually landed and bather nervously before flying off again (with a supporting cast of several hundred Lapwing!). A male Brambling at the feeders and a juvenile Whinchat along the bridleway were the icing on the cake. A really enjoyable few hours, and I'm still waiting for the Bittern and Kingfisher photos...... next time......