After enjoying the company of Badger at Baulking Pit along with other Oxon birding stalwarts, when true to form I arrived several minutes too late to view the Great Grey Shrike that was a really good find the previous evening but unfortunately has not been seen since. I have been daily visiting the pit and surrounding environs in the hope of again locating the GGS with a complete lack of success, although, as this is a bird with a very large winter territory i remain hopeful that it is still in the area. This evening 1st December once again no Shrike but a rather elegant Great White Egret was showing well and I guess this is probably the bird that has been recorded at both Dix Pit and Pit 60.
Other birds noted were Wigeon, one Snipe, Fieldfare , Redwing, five Kestrel. A large dog Fox approached me but turned tail (brush) and scampered away before I was able to get a photo. Out beating the other day over Hanney fields I saw three Woodcock and three Jays. Roe Deer have been relatively numerous with a count of fifteen seen recently and also eight Buzzard who have looked forlorn on post and tree sitting hungrily waiting for the frost to lift and get airborne using thermal uplift.
The Feather.
A few Starlings were in with the Winter Thrushes.
Distant Buzzard worming.
