Otmoor etc

Did a couple of sessions at Otmoor over last couple of days. Ebird list here. Highlight was the American Wigeon found by the site warden Fergus yesterday (perhaps the same bird found by Thomas Miller at Port Meadow a few weeks ago) and also a family party of Common Cranes (presumably last year's birds that successfully bred and have now returned). Also good numbers of Curlews and also Oystercatchers, Redshanks and Dunlins in addition to the thousands of Lapwings and Golden Plovers (three to four thousand of each).  

Meanwhile back at the Old Vic there has been a slow but steady few additions to the moth year list.

Two adults and an immature (left) Common Crane

Male American Wigeon - very nice indeed. Another one to add to my collection of awful photos of inland American ducks. 

Lapwings, Golden Plover and Marsh Harrier 

Pochard- good numbers of Pochards from the second screen 

Hebrew Character and Chestnut (The Old Vicarage) 

Common Flat-body

Oak Beauty

Small Brindled Beauty

Grey-shoulder Knot

Boxing Hares (above and below). What with the mild and sunny conditions recently, moths, boxing hares and returning waterbirds I think it is fair to say that Spring (Very Early Spring) has commenced