31 May 2026

 I had a quick walk around the Red course early this morning.  I was surprised to come across a couple of noisy Oystercatchers on the banks of the reservoir.  I'm not sure if they are going to stay and breed.  Whilst primarily a shorebird there are a few pairs nesting in Oxfordshire.  I last saw one at Frilford in June 2023.

Oystercatchers [Reservoir]

I also ventured into Two Pine Fen to have a look at the Orchids.  My botanical expertise does not extend to reliably separate the Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchids from Southern Marsh Orchids, but I think that this one may be one of the rarer Narrow-leaved.

Narrow-leaved Marsh-Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteineri [16th Red]

9 June 2024

 

Lots of sunshine in the early morning this weekend.  It was nice to see that the Spotted Flycatchers have returned.  There are usually three or four pairs that nest on the estate.  Today I saw a pair behind the 10th tee on the Blue and to the right of the 9th fairway.

Spotted Flycatcher [10th Blue]

There was a Herring Gull on the 11th fairway on the Blue.  I don't see them very often at Frilford, more usual are Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls.  They are large gulls with a light grey back and black wingtips, more usually seen steeling your fish and chips at the seaside.

Herring Gull [11th Blue]

In Two Pine Fen, some of the rarer flowers are starting to appear.   These Meadow Thistles are dotted about but easy to see.   Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchids grow in the middle and stout footwear is required to visit.  I can also see a lot of Marsh Helleborine coming into bud.

Meadow Thistle Cirsium dissectum [16th Red]

Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteinerioides [16th Red]

Another of Frilford's rare flowers, the Maiden Pink, is in flower to the right of the 10th tee green.

Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides [10th Green]

There is also a nice display of Southern March Orchids to the left of the 3rd fairway on the Green.

Southern Marsh Orchids Dactylorhiza praetermissa [3rd Green]

27 May 2023

 

Spent a fair amout of time at Frilford in the sunshine today.  There was plenty of birdsong.  I saw or heard five species of warbler - Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden Warbler.  Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were singing in the same tree on the right of the 13th Red.

Garden Warbler [13th Red]

Whitethroat [13th Red]

Chiffchaff [8th Blue]

The pond was busy with birds on the 3rd Blue.  Moorhen, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe were on the water, with a Grey Heron standing watch.

Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Moorhen [4th Blue]

It was good to see a pair of Spotted Flycatchers back on the 8th Blue and a Hobby flying past swiftly as well.

Spotted Flycatcher [8th Blue]

Near the 1st tee on the Red there were two Collard Doves on the telegraph wires.  They are common everywhere else, but I don't see them at Frilford very often.

Collard Dove [1st Red]

More species of Orchid are starting to appear.  There is a good patch of Common Twayblade to the left of the 3rd fairway on the Green and some Southern Marsh Orchids nearby.

Common Twayblade [3rd Green]

Southern Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa [3rd Green]

In Two-pine Fen one Early Purple Orchid is still out and the Common Spotted Orchids are just coming into flower.  There are also a lot of Marsh Orchids.  These are very difficult to differentiate, but I think that this photo is a Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid.

Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteineri [16th Red]

Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula [16th Red]

Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii [16th Red]

There are also plenty of insects about at the moment.  Lots of Mayflies around the third on the Blue and a few beautiful Demoiselles near the stream.

Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo [3rd Blue]

19 June 2022

I had a walk around the reservoir this morning and came across a Redshank stopping by.  It was rather distant, but you can see the orange legs that explain its name.  

Redshank [Reservoir]

Somewhat closer were a few sparrows and finches feeding in the grass and occasionally perching on the barbed wire.

House Sparrow [Reservoir]

Greenfinch [Reservoir]

Goldfinches [Reservoir]

Whilst overhead House Martins, Swifts and a few Swallows were feeding on the flies.

House Martin [Reservoir]

Swift [Reservoir]

In the week I joined the Oxford Flora Group, who were surveying Two Pine Fen.  I discovered that the orchids I had previously identified as Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid, were actually Common Spotted.  We only managed to find this rather sorry specimen.

Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteinerioides [16th Red]

Virtually next to this were a couple of Early Marsh Orchids, which to me were pretty much indistinguishable, however, to those more expert have a slightly different flower shape.  I suspect that the orchids that I identified as Southern Marsh on the 9th Red are also Early Marsh.  It emphasised to me that the Dactylorhiza orchids require an expert to separate and are more of a continuum than a set of distinct species.

Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata [16th Red]

30 June 2021

I had a productive stroll around parts of the Green and Red courses today.  The highlight was finding a Bee Orchid just off the path 10 yards in front of the 16th tee Red.  I know that they have been recorded on the course in the past, but this is the first one that I have found.  The lip of the flower mimics a female bee so that when a male attempts to mate with it, pollen is transferred, with the bee left frustrated.  However, the correct species of bee doesn't occur in the UK, so most are self-pollinating.

Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera [16th Red]

Five yards away is another uncommon orchid, Marsh Helleborine, which grows in reasonable numbers in Two-pine Fen.

Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris [4th Green]

And two yards away looks like another candidate for Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid.  There are actually six species of orchid in this very small area - I do wonder whether it should have a bit more protection.

Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteineri [16th Red] 

Also in Two-pine Fen, the tall yellow spikes of Agrimony are prominent at the moment.

Agrimony Pucciniastrum agrimoniae [16th Red]

On the Green course, the Maiden Pink has plenty of flowers now.

Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides [10th Red]

Other new plants from today include:

Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea [5th Red]

Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris [7th Green]

Restharrow Ononis repens [14th Red]

Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus [15th Red]

Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris [4th Red]

Harebell Campanula rotundifolia [4th Red]

There were a lot of young birds on the 13th Red this morning, in particular Blue Tits and Great Tits - attracting the attentions of this male Sparrowhawk.

Sparrowhawk [13th Red]

At the top of one of the trees by the 13th tee there was a Spotted Flycatcher.  I have seen these on the 14th Green in previous years, so it is good to see one on the course this year.  Twenty years ago they were generally fairly common in Britain, but I only see one occasionally nowadays.  I managed to get a very distant shot - hopefully I will get some better views as the summer progresses.

Spotted Flycatcher [13th Red]

More obliging, behind the 4th tee on the Red a Willow Warbler was finding rich pickings among the ferns.

Willow Warbler [Tubney Range]

There were also good numbers of butterflies on the edge of the range, including two new ones for the year.

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae [Tubney range]

Marbled White Melanargia galathea [Tubney range]