Grimsbury Reservoir: little ringed plover, swifts and more

A quick post to show a few recent photos from Banbury's reservoir taken in the early morning.  When you think this is a concrete lined lake, well used by fishermen and dog walkers, it actually attracts quite a few birds.  The advantage is that many of the birds have got quite used to people and I can sneak up on them with my camera without causing alarm.  Many birds pass though, only staying for a few minutes, hours or perhaps a couple of days at most.  There is always at least one grey heron.

this juvenile lesser black-backed gull just couldn't balance on the buoy

adult lesser black-backed gull showing how to do it!

fly-though hobby

my swift photos are gradually getting better

a small gathering of sand martins (nearest bird) and swallows on the barbed wire fence that surrounds the reservoir

sand martin close up with swallow to the right

beautiful back-lit juvenile little ringed plover

two blackcaps having a break from eating elderberries

Other birds around the past couple of days include garden warbler, chiffchaff, willow warbler and sparrowhawk. 

If you continue past the reservoir to the canal and follow the tow path under the M40 you will reach the new flood defences, including a small lake that also attract waterbirds  - on Tuesday there were four little grebes and a common sandpiper.