30th
Welney WWT made up for yesterday's disaster with a dainty Wood Sandpiper which was backed up by a supporting cast of c.8 Little Ringed Plovers (including at least 2 juveniles), 4 Black-tailed Godwits in fiery summer plumage and a Green Sandpiper.
29th
A crazy twitch to Pott Row this evening failed to produce the hoped-for Bee-eater.
28th
The moth trap this morning produced about 130 individuals of 43 species with the main highlight being a Beautiful Hook-tip, which is neither a true hook-tip nor particularly beautiful, but a first for Denver nonetheless.
26th
It is great to be back in Norfolk again watching the pair of Spotted Flycatchers hunting and visiting the nest.
25th
Determined to see the Marsh Warbler I made an early morning start and had about an hour at Otmoor. It was cloudier so there weren't so many insects about, but I had time to look around more, picking up Cetti's and Grasshopper Warbler, two Turtle Doves, a Hobby and a Redshank. The Marsh Warbler also showed briefly, but was putting a lot more effort into singing than when I heard it yesterday, imitating many species I knew and many I didn't!
A Common Tern was fishing on the river between Magdalene bridge and the boat houses.
24th
I underestimated how far it was to Otmoor (45 minutes by bike, plus 20 for me getting lost!), so sadly only had 5mins listening to the Marsh Warbler before leaving. However, I did see a Red Kite, Buzzard, and several Bullfinch on the way. Otmoor itself was buzzing with insects, including Brown Hawker, Beautiful Demoiselle, plenty of Five-spot Burnets and a Marbled White. Definitely a reserve worth visiting again.
This evening two Common Terns flew over St Peter's - probably the last highlight from my room.
20th
It was great to see a Moorhen with chicks whilst punting between Magdalene and Christchurch today, and slightly worrying to find another using rubbish to build its nest with.
18th
No interesting bird news today, although a Lancaster bomber flew over, twice, more than making up for it.
13th
I was treated to two Red Kites today, one of which dropped spectacularly out of the sky and reappeared holding something in its talons!
12th
Watching the Magpie family makes me glad I'm not a parent! Elsewhere around St Peter's, the calls of young Jackdaws continue to have me subconsciously scanning the skies for Chough.
A Common Pug flew into my room this evening.
8th
A Lime Hawkmoth was sadly found dead outside the Zoology department this morning.
7th
I have two weeks of solid revision ahead of me, so bird news is likely to be thin on the ground. However, I thought you might be interested to know that, whilst revising population cycles today, I read that there is a periodical cycle of the larch bud moth (bear with me here!) with peaks about every 10 years. These result in widespread and devastating defoliation of larch, vastly reducing their seed crop. Now here's the interesting bit - larch is the staple diet of Two-barred Crossbills. Every seasoned birder knows that Two-barred Crossbills irrupt periodically, and a food shortage seems to me like a very likely cause of this phenomenon... so next time there is an explosion of larch bud moths in Scandinavia, be ready in the autumn!
3rd
A newly-fledged Jackdaw was on the lawn in St Peter's main quad this morning, and I think I have located a Blackbird nest, although the bush its in is too thick to be sure!
1st
A Buzzard drifted past St Peter's today, being mobbed by a Carrion Crow. I think this may be the first record from college.
