Otter: River Thames at Shillingford

Otter in the Thames at Shillingford very elusive, but what a fantastic sight.

Appeal for Mistletoe records

For the last couple of years I have been undertaking a mistletoe survey of southern Oxfordshire and I have got to a point where I am finding it difficult to record mistletoe in new locations. Therefore I am seeking to add more records to the map.

To this end I have produced a blog which provides a form in which you can enter mistletoe sightings http://oxfordshiremistletoe.blogspot.co.uk

The blog also provides more information about the survey, and where mistletoe has thus far been recorded.

Headline results of the survey are:

-          Approximately 913 trees have been noted to support mistletoe in Oxfordshire;

-          A total of 3316 ‘clumps’ have been noted;

-          The host tree species has been noted for 766 trees, with the host species including Lime, Poplar, Apple, Hawthorn, False-acacia and Rowan.

Many thanks,

Ben

Otters near Abingdon: 21th Jan

Whilst undertaking my regular bird walk I saw something moving in the River Thames- an otter! It then hauled itself onto the river bank and was swiftly followed by another otter. They then stayed on the bank for a few minutes before re-entering the water and headed in the direction of Abingdon.

 (Apologies for poor quality; my compact camera couldn't quite cope with the gloom this morning)

Standlake 17th January

Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) in full bloom.

Olive earth-tongue

A rare fungus has been found in Oxfordshire not seen since 1958.

Article featured in the Oxford Times.

Olive Earth-tongue

Otmoor 1st January.

Yellow Fieldcap.

Red Campion.

Hawthorn (sprouting).

Greater Water Parsnip.