31 December 2020

 

Had a walk around the front nine of the Blue, followed by the front nine of the Red this morning in the mist.  Highlights were a flock of around 20 very obliging Crossbills in the small pines to the right of the 4th hole.  This is the first time that I have seen them for a month or so - they are obviously finding plenty to eat around the course still.

Crossbill [4th Red]

Crossbill [4th Red]

I managed to get some video of this male grappling with a pine cone - listen out for their distinctive loud calls. 

Elsewhere there were plenty of birds about, including:

Tufted Ducks, coot and little grebes (3) on the reservoir.  

A pair of Red-legged Partridges on the chipping area.

A Treecreeper in the small copse between the 1st and 2nd of the Red.

Moorhen [9th Red]

Tufted Ducks [Reservoir]

Coot [Reservoir]

Treecreeper [2nd Red]

30 December 2020

 

Had a quick walk around the frosty Red and Blue courses this morning, followed by 9 holes on the Blue this afternoon.

Highlights included:

Large numbers of small finches feeding in the trees around the 1st on the Blue.  I estimate 100+ Siskins and 50+ Redpolls.  

Lots of Redwings feeding around the 1st and 2nd of the Blue.

Sparrowhawk on the 13th of the Blue.

Redwings [2nd Blue]

Redwing [5th Red]

Siskins [1st Blue]

Sparrowhawk [13th Blue]

Buzzard [13th Red]

Robin [clubhouse]

27 December 2020

 Had a quick walk around the flooded Blue front nine before playing the Green course.  

A lot of water about on the first two holes of the Blue:

Brook on the 1st Blue

Brook on the 2nd Blue

On the walk back across from to the 1st tee of the Green I briefly saw a Merlin, flying over the small copse to the left of the 1st on the Blue, the first time that I have seen this small falcon at Frilford.  I managed to grap a quick record shot.

Merlin [1st Blue]

Elsewhere I saw the two Red-legged Partridges on the 2nd on the Green and a large number of Red Kites over the road on the Green.

Red Kite [11th Green]

26 December 2020

 Had a quick walk around the first few holes on the Blue whilst they are out of action.   Grey wagtail in the marshy area on the left of the third.

Grey Wagtail [3rd Blue]

24 December 2020

Just called in briefly at the club - a pair of Red-legged Partridges were eating the grass seed on the first tee of the Green course.

Red-legged Partridge [1st Green]

Red-legged Partridge [1st Green]

Brief video:

19 December 2020

 Had a rather soggy 9 holes on the Blue course.  Nothing of particular note around today but managed to take a few photos in between bad golf shots.

Carrion crow [9th Blue]

Grey squirrel [9th Blue]

Long-tailed tit [1st Blue]

13/14 December 2020

 Managed to fit in a couple of 9 holes early evening over the weekend.  Highlights included:

Normal Redpoll flock (around 40 birds) feeding in birch tree on the 12th on the Red.

Crossbills (around 10) flying over 12th on the Red.

Raven croaking in the large tree next to the clubhouse.

Pair of pheasants in the late evening sunshine.

Pheasant - 9th Blue

1 December 2020

 Last day of lockdown.  The course was looking in excellent condition on a sunny, frost morning.  I had a brief walk around the far end of the Red course.

Was fortunate enough to get views of a stoat first thing, just on the edge of the 12th fairway.

Stoat [12th Red]

Stoat [12th Red]

Not far along on the 12th was the usual flock of Redpolls.  I reckon there to be 30-40.  They fly around the top of the birch trees in particular, feeding on the seeds.  They are difficult to spot and are well-camouflaged among the leaves.

Lesser Redpolls [12th Red]

Lesser Redpoll [12th Red]

Elsewhere large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares feeding on the berries, a party of 6 wrens in the scrub by the 15th and a buzzard in the trees behind the 13th.

Wren [15th Red]

Buzzard [13th Red]

26 November 2020

 Frosty morning.  Had a quick wander round the Red.

Lots of birds about this morning:

Fieldfares and Redwings feeding on berries on the 12th, 13th, 15th.

Jays and Magpies in the trees on the 12th.

Blue Tits and Great Tits on the feeders on the 13th.

Flock of around 30 Redpolls between the 13th and 15th

Chaffinch and Nuthatch by the 1st.

Sparrowhawk on the 12th.

Chaffinch [1st Red]

Jay [12th Red]

22 November 2020

 Misty morning that cleared to bright sunshine.  Had a walk round most of the three courses.

Plenty of small bird around.  Saw the flock of Crossbills (around 30) again flying around the 16th Green on the Blue and also flying across the 14th on the Red - but didn't manage to spot any settle.

Pair of Grey Wagtails on the boggy area to the left of the 14th on the Red.  Also on the 14th on the Red the bird feeders seem to be getting plenty of custom from Great Tits and Blue Tits.

Great Tit [14th Red]

Robin [15th Red]

Muntjac Deer [15th Red]

Blackbird [15th Green]

Raven [14th Red]

Redwing [15th Red]

Hedge Sparrow [1st Red]

Still the odd bit of colour as well:

Red Campion Silene Dioica [15th Red]

17 November 2020

 Had a quick walk around the top end of the Red course this morning.  A few different fungi around to photograph and the odd flower, but not too much else.

Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare [5th Red]

Birch Polypore Piptoporus betulinus [16th Red]

Oxford Ragwort Senecio squalidus [6th Red]

15 November 2020

Sunny day, so had a long walk around all 3 courses.  I started on the green course where I had some nice views of an unusually pale buzzard:

Buzzard [9th Green]

Buzzard [9th Green]

Elsewhere, there were a few birds about, but mostly flying over in the blustery conditions.  Including a Cormorant flying over the 15th on the Red and 3 Ravens at various points on the Red and the usual large flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws on the Blue and Red.

Raven [8th Red]

Jackdaw [3rd Red]

It the trees to the left of the 4th and 5th fairways on the Blue course I counted 45 Red Kites.  An impressive number given that in 1990 this figure was about the same as the UK population.

Red Kite [4th Blue]

There were a few birds on the reservoir.  A group of Tufted Ducks, a couple of Mallard, a flock of Black-headed Gulls and two Little Grebes.

Little Grebe [reservoir]

Good numbers of Redwings, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes and the odd Song Thrush feeding on berries at various parts of the course, in particular on the Red course on the 14th, 15th. 

Song Thrush [16th Red]

Pied Wagtail [14th Red]

I have added set up a couple of feeders behind the 13th/14th on the Red, so keep an eye open for small birds on these.

There are also quite a few fungi about.  Small clusters of Shaggy Inkcaps are visible about the course including by the practice net.  I found another on the 6th on the Red.  

Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus [6th Red]

Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus [6th Red]

Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria [6th Red]

Horse Mushroom Agaricus arvensis [14th Red]