Mays and Greys.

Covered about six miles yesterday walking the backlands of Bampton eventually carrying on past Rushy Lock where a pair of Grey Wagtails are nesting in the weir and watched as they brought insects for their young brood. On the way back crossing the waterway that becomes the great brook noticed clouds of Mayfly as they danced over the water. Plenty of Banded Demoiselles around but only snapped females as the males were a bit more elusive, on the exposed earth where the sun was beating down Large Red Damselfly were sunning themselves and that gem of the butterfly world Small Copper took flight as I was about to press the shutter.
The Oxon Feather.

What no Elephants! What no Pit!

The elephant grass on the approach to the Baulking fullers earth pit has been cut and while no elephants were ever expected there it was expected to remain an improving wildlife resource but alas, alack and despair it now has been put up for sale with a strong possibility of planning being approached to turn it into a boating and water sports venue. If we allow this to happen it will be another nail in the coffin of Oxfordshires diminishing wildlife that is seeing our green belt and any other profitable opportunity for dangerous and greedy developers to cash in on going ahead.
The only chance of truly protecting this site is by purchase and to that end I personally will pledge £10,000 to start the ball rolling so if you really support our wildlife give up that trip abroad put off that new telescope and dig deep into your pockets and save this marvellous site from horrible wildlife oblivion. The Oxon Feather.

Annual General Messabout.

This Wednesday evening 7.30 pm its the OOS AGM and this is our last indoor meeting of the season so I suggest you get to Exeter Hall Kidlington and enjoy a talk by Ben Carpenteer and watch as the oxon feather fluffs his secretarial presentation. Its also a good time to let your committee know your thoughts and meet old birding buddies before we all go our own ways until we meet up again next season.
Exciting view of five screaming Swifts over Stanford in the Vale yesterday they have been late returning this year and my heart flew up to greet them after their long journey.
the oxon feather.

 everyone hates me apart from the feather.

 looks like its hatching a plan

 in better nick than some of the cars I've owned

 full moon hot sun been causing trouble ever since the world begun

 snow show from quite recently

Snitchers,Bitchers and Twitchers.

Yep! Happening this Saturday May 5th will be an Oxfordshire Bird Race where as in love and war nearly anything goes and coincidentally The Oxford Ornithological Society along with Thames Water Farmoor are holding an open day to once again celebrate the unique aspect of this huge concrete basin that sits alongside the River Thames and attracts many unusual birds as they use the Thames to navigate their skyward journeys across the heavens. Make a point of being there and enjoying guided walks across the causeway led by Ian Lewington and Dai John meet the Barn Owl men of Oxfordshire Pat Wixey and Albert Allen who will be displaying all thats interesting about this iconic bird. Come along and help us dithering amateurs identify Moths that will have been trapped overnight in Moth Traps placed within the Pinkhill reserve . Come and get close and friendly with the  bird ringing display being carried out by George Candelin. Our usual Oxford Ornithological Society display will be in operation hosted by myself (the oxon feather) and Alan Larkman.
The bird racers will doubtless be including Farmoor as they vie with each other for birding superiority and it could get nasty with possible fighting on the causeway and opposing team members being thrown into the reservoir - oh! the excitement mounts I can't wait for Saturday to arrive .
The Oxon Feather.