Monday 21 August 2017

Otmoor and the Old Vic

Despite the failed Bird Fair mission still managed to get over to Otmoor and do some moth trapping this weekend and had some interesting activity at the Old Vicarage. Otmoor check list HERE.

Second calender year male Hen Harrier at Otmoor moulting to first adult plumage with retained juvenile feathers in secondaries, outer primaries and coverts. 
Looks like most of the tail is moulted with dark tips to the central retrices. 
Retained juvenile feathers on mantle and scapulars . This bird has been around since the winter (see picture below taken in January 2017 which is presumably the same bird). In this current transitional plumage it could potentially be mistaken at distance for one of the other male Harriers as it does show dark markings on the underparts (could suggest Monty's) and also restricted dark in wing (could suggest Pallid). 
Presumed same male Hen Harrier in juvenile plumage (January 2017)
 The Greenaway Cranes at Otmoor. Last year the breeding season pair left in mid-August so expecting them to depart soon 
 Quite an influx of Lapwing this week with over 140. Also 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Snipe and 1 Greenshank. Otmoor life list now on 117 (HERE)
 A few good moths this weekend including Poplar Hawkmoth and Dusky Thorn amongst the usual mix of Setaceous Hebrew Character, Brimstone, Agriphila geniculea, Agriphila straminella, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing and Common Wainscot. 
Agriphila selasella ??
Found this dead Bordered Beauty in the toilet at the Old Vic. 
Reeve's Muntjac feeding under the Apple tree in the Old Vic garden today! Also had at least two and most probably 3 Spotted Flycatchers in the garden. 

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