It seems an age since I got over to RSPB Otmoor but last Wednesday presented the perfect opportunity.
The reserve is getting popular so it's very important that folks take a little care in the car park and actually park within the well-marked spaces - not overlapping adjacent spaces thereby preventing others from parking properly.
(Small rant over)
My day started around 10:30am. OK, others got to the reserve at 6:30am but that's not for me.
The winter-feeding programme is underway, so the bird feeders are attracting lots of our feathered friends - and a Sparrowhawk who enjoys the easy pickings.
You need to check out Facebook for that photo – see Birds and Wildlife in Oxfordshire.
There’s lots of other excellent photos there - taken on the Otmoor Reserve too.
(February sightings include Robin Redbreast, Chaffinch, Redwing, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting male and female, Linnet, Barn Owl, Kestrel, Red Kite, Curlew, Marsh Harriers, Long-tailed Tits, Hen Harrier, Song Thrush, Redwing, Cranes, Peregrine Falcon, Water Rails, Bittern (31st January))
Continuing to the Wetland Watch, the hide is pretty busy. Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, Robins, Yellowhammers, Goldfinches, Linnets – even the odd Moorhen.
Didn't photograph them all.
Setting off for screen one, I got hi-jacked by Long-Tailed Tits and then was stalked by a very vocal Robin.
Screen one is popular too. But, I continued to screen two – must do my regulation three miles or so while the weather holds.
Not a great deal of activity at screen two: a distant Marsh Harrier and a quartet of Pochard ducks going about their business.
Enjoyed coffee and sandwiches while of flight of geese passed overhead – sadly didn’t have the camera to hand.
Back to screen one – the field on the right is awash with Lapwing – who do their own version of the starling murmuration every now and again.
Shovelers, Great-Crested Grebe in winter garb, Cormorant too.
So back to the car park, stopping off at the bird feeders on the way.
There’s a Kestrel perching in the distance which is only visible as a silhouette to the naked eye. And it’s clouded over so tweaking the camera dials brings the Kestrel into view but the sky’s washed out.
Please forgive me for adding my own sky.
And just to complete my visit, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker put in an appearance.
As usual, Otmoor does not disappoint. I really must get over there a little more often.
Best wishes to all.