Warburg Nature Reserve - North West of Henley on thames

[rolf]

Was working in Maidensgrove near Stonor and popped into this reserve yesterday for ten minuts, just enough time to look in the hide and spot Siskins, a Great spotted Woodpecker and a Treecreeper at fairly close quarters.

So I dropped back in this afternoon, no GSW or Treecreeper, but lots of other birds, all which were close enough for naked eye identification.

A highly recommended little reserve with a couple of small hides, the main one overlooking a little 10m diameter swampy pond, which is a magnet to small birds including Siskins, Redpolls, Bluetits, Great tits, Coal tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, a Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Wren and Great-spotted Woodpecker, all of which I saw in the last two visits.

Also a female Sparrowhawk dropped in to take on of the many small birds while I was there and a Pheasant passed by for a drink in the pond.

Warburg Reserve has a small visitor centre and public toilets, plus a small car park for fifteen or so vehicles.
Google Earth Location 51.585048, -0.961713

[Catherine]

What lovely photos, Rolf!

I particularly like the Redpoll and Siskin ones - and what a good photo you've got of that Goldcrest as well!

[rolf]

Thanks Catherine, the Goldcrest was more luck than judgement, as the little blighters move so quickly. Interesting that the hide windows are only a foot or so above the outside marsh, so you are looking up at everything.

The drive up to the reserve is three miles of single track road and a bit lumpy in places, but well worth the hassle.

[rolf]

Not much seen from the hide, just a few blue and great Tits, plus Siskin and Bullfinch, then a Wren on the pathway towards the hide. Surrounding area is beautiful, the other photos give an idea of what it's like.

[Catherine]

Looks really lovely in the low winter sun, Rolf!

Very interesting ruin there. Wonder what it was - a small chapel?

Favourites have to be the Wren and the Roe Deer - in either order!

[WD-40]

The ruin is the old St James's Church at Bix Bottom, Oxfordshire.

[Vastra]

Went to Warburg Reserve today and it was very quiet, no People or Birds, did get this tho, my best ever, shot of a Buzzard

[rolf]

That's a shame, although it was quite quiet the last time I went, worthwhile for the Buzzard picture alone though.

[Catherine]

Great shot, Philip!

This morning was a good time to see them here, very little wind and sunny with blue sky, but this afternoon grew cloudy - and colder - so they stopped cruising around in the thermals and went home, out of sight.