Wroxton College - Hawfinch encounter

Autumn 2017 will be remembered as the "Hawfinch Autumn" I'm sure.  A remarkable influx of birds from the continent has enabled many birders to find this giant finches on their local patch and there has already been some great blogging on the subject.  Having stumbled upon my first local hawfinches at Tadmarton Heath a week ago, when I just managed to see two birds as they flew off and away, I was determined to get a better view. 

Hawfinches are notoriously shy birds, sometimes frequenting tree tops and often first located by their call, a sharp clicking "pix!".  They used to breed in Banburyshire - the last recorded nest was found in 1987 - nowadays there are very scarce visitors and seen less than annually.

I have focused my effort at Wroxton College, just west of Banbury, because clumps of mature trees around the grounds of the college are one of the most likely places to attract any passing Hawfinches.  The college, very kindly, allow access to the grounds during daylight hours, and it is a nice place to walk and enjoy the autumn colours. This morning was my third attempt to find Hawfinches at the college and I arrived reasonably early just as sunlight was starting to create a wonderful glow across the autumn foliage. After about 40 minutes I reached the bottom end of the park, below the main lake.  Looking up into the treetops, there they were: two very large finches with huge bills, looking quite settled, they then started calling, giving me time to capture a few record shots.  They dropped down a little bit into slightly better light, then down further into a large yew tree.  More calling ensued, then a flock of five Hawfinches burst out of the Yew and immediately flew off, not to be seen again that morning!

Hawfinch high up in the tree top

Two Hawfinches

This Hawfinch dropped down into better light for a brief moment

back lit Beech leaves

Beech tree

leaves floating in the lake

Raven calling

Mute Swan family (7 cygnets raised on the lake)

Yew berries (which Jackdaws were feasting on... until I pointed my lens in their direction)

Female Goosander on the lake today, also a drake Teal and Kingfisher

Female Green Woodpecker

Elsewhere......

Tadmarton Heath: bird feeders are up and the wild bird strip is starting to ripen, though maybe a bit late this year to produce much food so we are adding some extra seed.

Coat Tit approaching the feeders.

Bird food crop maturing

Corn Marigold still in flower

Wardington:  Still lots of Buzzards hopping around looking for worms

Bicester Wetland Reserve: Cetti's Warbler still singing from the reedbed though hard to see, also an eastern-race Chiffchaff heard then seen at dusk, hopefully this will stick around and better views gained.  Plus the usual flock of Teal, a few Shoveler and 8 Wigeon.

Bicester Wetland at sunset