When I first found out about this little web site towards the end of 2006, I had every intention of keeping up a detailed account of what I saw whilst 'out and about' birdwatching in 2007. Well I've failed miserably this year but I have promised myself to try harder in 2008 
I'm also going to try and step away from my desk for some type of lunch break next year and that way, I can start recording the various species more accurately that are about the works area.
All in all, 2007 has been a very successful year for me with some 24 new species being seen. I set myself a target of 150 to see and todate, I'm at 154. It is with thanks that some of these go to the phone calls and text messages I get from fellow 'birders' who are about as silly O'clock and then spread the word. Thanks guys 
Joined the Oxford RSPB group from a trip down to Keyhaven and Pennison Marsh on Sunday. Had a great day out with the group finding some 81 different species. Think I only managed 52 but that did include 3 new ones for this year. Weather stayed dry right up until we had to catch the bus back but along the beach wall front, it was extremely breezy.
Photos to follow (if they don't have too much blur or shake on them).
Caravanning at our favourite site in this small Cambridgeshire village of Pidley
means that I’m spoilt for areas to visit. With not only having good surrounding
reserves and walks to go on, this wonderful site allows for me to walk their
land and report back my findings of their woodlands and farmland fields.
We always try and park along side the copse that runs to the entrance of the
site which then allows me to catch not only the dawn chorus but the eerie
sounds of the Tawny owl hunting during the night. I’ve never seen the Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker that David tells me they have but there must be at least
4 pairs each of breeding Green Woodpecker and Greater Spotted Woodpecker
– they are everywhere. The hedgerows always produce good sightings of
Yellowhammer with Buzzard often seen circling the woodlands where the
paintball games are held.
A trip to the Hanson-RSPB Wetlands Project at Needingworth produced a
flock of some 250 or more Golden Plover, which were disturbed on two
occasions first by a female Marsh Harrier then by a Hobby. Can’t be much
fun whilst trying to forage and stay alive at the same time but the aerial displays
that come from these strikes are truly spectacular to watch.
This site is relatively new which means the reedbeds and hedgerows are
still maturing into what is envisaging as being the biggest reedbed in the UK.
There are various sized pools of water surrounded by walkways which
eventually will lead to some 32km rights of way around the and through
the reserve. Some walk that will be!
A lonesome Wood Sandpiper could be seen one side of a pool whilst
Dunlin and Lapwing grouped together on another with several of the
Goldies amongst them. Another pool seemed to have the geese
congregating together and the sight of 12 Barnacle geese in amongst
Graylags and Canada, was good to see.
The Ouse Washes is another favourite place to visit whilst in the area
although it can be very hit and miss as to which species might be about.
This trip unfortunately was to be slim due to the high water levels still
being about from the May floods with the sight of migrating waders
were just not to be.
Heading back, I stopped off at Sutton Gault for a quick stroll but the
previous notification of Curlew Sandpiper and Pectrol Sandpiper on
one of the local web sites where not to be seen by myself. Mute swan,
Great Created Grebe and Heron were the most common seen but
several Ruff were feeding together along a pools edge almost out of
eye line.
I travelled to Whitwell near Rutland on Saturday 31st March to meet up with a group of fellow birding photographers/digiscopers for tution being provided by Nigel Blake, Paul Hackett and Andy Bright. What a lot there was to pick up from some very talented guys. What Paul and Andy don't know about the subject really isn't worth knowing about and the manner in which they wanted to help everyone was a joy to see. This must be one of those few hobbies whereby information shared is not a problem and everyone helps each other
up myself but with a combination of other settings often used independantly, certainly make the difference. If anyone has any fears of digiscoping, I'd say just practise and keep having a go. If you don't like the picture, hit the delete button - that's what it's there for.14th January
As the weather was the best it had been in a very long time, I decided to take a trip out to Otmoor RSBP reserve. Slightly surprised that there wasn't as much water about following all the recent rainfall but the birds didn't disappoint. A pair of Raven as I took the turn into Beckley village with a Buzzard being chased by Crows. The reserve did seem quite to start with but LBJs around and about the feeders as normal with a Kestrel feeding from its fresh catch in the field.
I'd heard that the Starling roost was growing so that was really another reason why I wanted to get out before I missed the chance. What a spectacular display they put on. Must have been some 40,000 or so filled the sky from 16:40 until 17:10.
From the second screen at the end of the reserve Pintail, Shovlers, Widgeon and Teal going up on mass several times showing that the numbers are consistently high now.
The RSBP should be very proud of the repairs to the footpaths from the car park. The stroll now doesn't seem to be like the Marine yomp of last year and that's with the mud that is about. Well done 
7th January
The BOS carry out both a short and long day counts during the year. Our areas are well represented so we are able to see track how our own reserves are tracking along with the out lying areas.
We had high hopes of seeing good numbers duck species along the Valley with all the heavy rain and flood water that is currently about, but not a duck in sight. Heyho, that's birding for you. We did actually have a relatively good dry day with only a few light showers throughout the day.
Little Grebe - Wykham pool
Cormorant - Nell Bridge
Grey Heron - Nell Bridge
Mute Swan - Clifton
Canada Goose - Milcombe, Clifton
Mallard - Milcombe
Shoveler - Clifton
Tufted Duck - Wykham pool
Sparrowhawk - Milcombe
Buzzard - Milcombe
Kestrel - Milcombe
Pheasant - Milcombe
Moorhen - Milcombe
Coot - Wykham pool
Golden Plover - Nell Bridge, Clifton
Lapwing - Nell Bridge, Clifton
Black-headed Gull - Milcombe, Clifton
Common Gull - Milcombe, Clifton
Lesser-black Backed Gull - Milcombe, Clifton
Herring Gull - Milcombe, Clifton
Stock Dove - Milcombe
Wood Pigeon - Milcombe, Clifton
Collared Dove - Milcombe
Green Woodpecker - Milcombe
Great Spotted Woodpecker - Milcombe
Skylark - Milcombe
Meadow Pipit - Milcombe, Clifton
Pied Wagtail - Clifton
Wren - Milcombe, Clifton
Dunnock - Milcombe, Clifton
Robin - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Blackbird - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Fieldfare - Milcombe, Milton, Nell Bridge, Clifton
Song Thrush - Milcombe, Milton, Nell Bridge, Clifton
Redwing - Milcombe, Milton, Nell Bridge, Clifton
Mistle Thrush - Milcombe
Blackcap - Clifton
Goldcrest - Clifton, Barford
Long-tailed Tit - Milcombe
Marsh Tit - Milcombe
Coal Tit - Milcombe
Blue Tit - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Great Tit - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Treecreeper - Milcombe
Jay - Milcombe
Magpie - Milcombe, Milton
Jackdaw - Milcombe, Milton
Rook - Milcombe, Milton, Nell Bridge, Clifton
Crow - Milcombe, Milton, Nell Bridge, Clifton
Raven - Milcombe
Starling - Milcombe, Milton, Nell Bridge, Clifton
House Sparrow - Milcombe
Tree Sparrow - Milcombe
Chaffinch - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Greenfinch - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Goldfinch - Milcombe, Milton, Clifton
Linnet - Milcombe
Bullfinch - Milcombe, Clifton
Yellowhammer - Milcombe, Clifton
Reed Bunting - Milcombe
Happy New Year
If the sight of a coal tit back to the garden first this thing today is anything to go by, this will hopefully be a good year. Plenty of Starlings, Woodies and Collared doves about with the Blue tits competing with the house sparrows on the feeders whilst the little Dunnocks had the ground feeders to themselves.
A quick run out to Boddington Reservoir was the order of the day but only because gales and more rain was predicted. Works are still being carried out so half of the reservoir is fenced off. Not to worry, the field side produced large flocks of Redwing and Fieldfares that appeared ever active. A nice sight so early in the morning was the female Bullfinch quickly followed by Goldcrest. Along the side of the sailing club produced Pied wagtails. Robin, Blackbirds and Magpie whilst several Kestrel hunted to the right with Crow and Rook about the tree lines.
On the water itself was very little but 20 or so Great crested grebe was pleasing along with fair size numbers of Black headed gulls. A very graceful Heron went over whilst only one pair of Mallard could be seen.
