29 July 2022

I played the front nine of the Blue this evening.  Other than the poor quality of my golf, the most notable things were the influx of flies which, in turn, brought an influx of gulls.  Looking closely, there were actually four species of gull on the fairways:

The most numerous are Black-headed Gulls.  There is a resident flock that is usually on the Blue and Red course fairways at this time of year.  There was a mixture of ages and plumages with young birds accompanying the adults and sub-adults.

Black-headed Gulls [8th Blue]

Lesser Black-backed Gulls are much larger and have dark wings.  They fly over in large numbers going to and from Farmoor where several thousand roost, but I only see them occasionally on the fairways at Frilford.  Today there were twenty or so feeding with the Black-headed Gulls.

Lesser Black-backed Gull [4th and 8th Blue]

Likewise Herring Gulls often fly over.  Today one was feeding with the other gulls near the 4th green.  These are large gulls - they are the one most likely to steal your ice-cream at the beach - and have light grey wings with a black wingtip.

Herring Gull [4th Blue]

Most unusual was a Common Gull which was in amongst the Black-headed Gulls.  These are slightly larger than a Black-headed gull but daintier than Herring Gulls which they resemble.  They are not as common as their name suggests, but do call in occasionally - there was one on the reservoir in January 2021.  

Common Gull [4th Blue]

23 July 2022

 

Had a quick walk around the front nine of the Blue first thing this morning.  On the 6th you can find Pennyroyal, which is a type of mint and grows just behind the pond.  It is a rare plant in Britain, although it is quite widespread in Europe and Asia.

Pennyroyal Mentha Pulegium [6th Blue]

There are lots of Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers with young around the course at the moment.  These two Green Woodpeckers were part of a family group on the 8th.

Green Woodpeckers [8th Blue]

This juvenile Great Spotted was on the back tee on the 8th.

Great Spotted Woodpecker [8th Blue]

High above the 8th I could just about make out the characteristic silhouette of a Peregrine.   I see them from time to time, usually high on the thermals

Peregrine [8th Blue]

There are quite a lot of birds around the reservoir at the moment.  Swallows, Sand Martins and Swifts all hunting flies and a flock of Linnets and Greenfinches are feeding on the seeds.

Sand Martin [Reservoir]

16 July 2022

 

I have been away for a couple of weeks and was it is noticeable how much the course has dried out in that time.  The watered areas around the tees and greens stand out rather like oases against the brown fairways and rough.

It was nice to see that on both the 3rd and 6th on the Blue, the nesting Little Grebes have both successfully raised chicks.  I think that this fish was donated to the youngster by its more proficient fishing parent.

Little Grebes, juvenile and adult [6th Blue]

I have seen Spotted Flycatchers on the Blue, Red and Green courses.  The family nesting by the 4th Blue look to have raised a second brood.  

The badgers seem to be quite active on the Blue course and are causing the Greenkeepers a headache by digging for grubs on the fairways. The electric fence and night patrols are likely to be restarting soon to limit the damage.

Badger damage on the 18th Blue

This Grey Heron took up a rather bizarre posture by the 1st on the Blue - most likely trying to keep cool by opening its wings and puffing out its neck feathers.

Grey Heron [1st Blue]

The big fish in the ponds on the 1st and 3rd Blue are likely to be attracting the attention of the Otters again soon.  This Carp must have been at least a couple of pounds.

Common Carp  [3rd Blue]