Red Kite above escarpment
Walks/Outings
WEDNESDAY MORNING OUTING to Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon
Aston Rowant
Despite warnings of snow on the Chilterns, 12 people met up in the car park in Cowleaze Woods, serenaded by Chiffchaffs. Initially there was quite a thick patchy mist but this gradually burnt off to reveal blue skies. Taking the path through the woods, we picked up Chaffinch, a noisy Nuthatch, Wood Pigeon, Red Kite, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit. The sound of birdsong along the open stretch where we had hoped to see Crossbill and Redpoll was suddenly interrupted by seven large dogs barking and yapping continuously which unfortunately flushed everything - the one ‘dog walker’ eventually moved on with her noisy entourage and we were left in peace. Several Redpoll were seen but no Crossbill and this was the case as we carried on around the wood. Good views of Chiffchaff, Goldfinch and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were had before we turned left to go along the edge of the Wormley Estate and here we heard and most of us saw a Marsh Tit perched up before flying off.
Further along as we came to a cluster of fir trees, expecting to see maybe just Goldcrests, to our amazement,3, possibly 4 Firecrests were flitting amongst the branches and then 2 came down onto some loose cut branches about 2 metres in front of us – see photos- giving us amazing ID views. Breathtaking. Even more satisfying was that the entire group saw them so close up.
Heading on towards the fields,and passing through the gate, a quick scan of the fields below revealed a Red Legged Partridge, 2 Mallard, a Mistle Thrush, Dunnock and a Pheasant. A brisk walk took us back to the car park, where some stripped off layers as by now it was quite warm, before setting off in search of the Ring Ouzel on the other side of the road. Red Kites soared overhead as some leant on the gate to scan the hillside bushes whilst some moved further down to where they had been seen in previous years. A phone call from the ‘top’ lot had the others puffing up the hill to try and catch sight of the Ring Ouzel flying away over the hedge. 4 of the Group had 2 positive sightings and despite walking over the fields at the top, it remained elusive, not to be seen again.
The final sightings of the morning were of 4 Bullfinches on the return to the car park, adding a splash of colour to the brown bushes and twigs. After a very satisfactory morning’s birding – thanks to Jacqui Green for leading – the majority of the group retired to the local hostelry for a delicious lunch.
Click here for a map. (SU726957).
Click here for information about Aston Rowant NNR.
Click here for list of birds seen
