☁ Thursday 29th June 2017 ~ My annual visit to RSPB Otmoor in Oxfordshire today, mainly to catch up with the resident
Turtle Doves.
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| Obliging Turtle Dove |
An overcast and chilly day with occasional drizzle but immediately upon arrival in the car park the wonderful sound of a purring
Turtle Dove! However, I never quite managed to make contact with this particular individual, too far off but I was confident I'd find one along the track near the bridge and feeding areas.
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| Turtle Dove ~ A closer view! |
I took the visitor trail towards the feeders before heading west, finishing up at the 'Wetlands Watch Lookout'. Although a little chilly and dank at times it was an enjoyable walk with
Little Egret,
Greenshank,
Redshank,
Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier,
Common Buzzard and a trio of
Red Kites, but the highlight had to be a drumming
Common Snipe overhead. Plenty of young warblers as you'd expect, plus the odd flyby
Common Tern but it wasn't until I made the return trip until I finally connected with my
Turtle Dove! I watched a single bird fly in, which obligingly landed on top of a telegraph pole to pose for photos! Heading back to the car park a reeling
Grasshopper Warbler to end an enjoyable visit!
