Oxfordshire weekend

I visited Otmoor this morning for the first time since restrictions. 77 species in less than a two mile walk (Ebird list here). There's not too many places I visit with that density of species and I only covered a fraction of the site. Highlights included the Cranes, a male Garganey, a third-summer Yellow-legged Gull, Marsh Harrier, at least 3 Cuckoos, Curlew, Redshanks and Oystercatchers and a booming Bittern.

In the afternoon went with the family to Aston Rowant for a walk. Had Firecrest and Marsh Tit in the woods.

The mothing has picked up both at Beddington in the week and back at the Old Vic. The cold north east wind and then the frosty nights have finally abated with warmer days and milder evenings. Things are set to improve as this week goes on.

Common Cranes (photo added on 030620 due to sensitivity issues at time due to breeding) 

 Red Kite at Aston Rowant. It was here in the Chilterns that Red Kites were re-introduced into England. There's been a large influx of Red Kites to the South Coast recently. I was wondering if the reduced traffic flow had created food shortages (of road kills) for them so birds were going on longer range hunting flights (in addition to second calender year birds on the usual walkabouts) and were concentrating on the coast. There's been a report locally of a Red Kite stealing food from a toddler too .There was a movement of 300+ in Cornwall last week which is unprecedented for that part of the country. As there are several Black Kites in the country too, presumably there is also an element of continental migrants moving in too. 

 Male Wheatear at Otmoor 

Early Purple Orchid at Aston Rowant  

 The first Burnished Brass of the year at Beddington

 Light Brocade at Beddington

 Rustic Shoulder-knot at Beddington

 Brown Rustic at the Old Vic

Dark Brocade at the Old Vic (I think- awaiting confirmation). No- it's a Large Nutmeg- still a first for site. Thanks Dave Wilton for id.

 View from Aston Rowant looking north (above and below). The Cretaceous chalk looks north over progressively older rocks, so its literally looking back in time. The oldest rocks of North Oxfordshire are lower Jurrasic (about 200 mya). The chalk was laid down as recently as 65 mya.