The first opportunity for the masses to twitch the 1st winter Oriental Turtle Dove (race orientalis) that was re-discovered over wintering in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, turned out to be a total embarrassment for anyone who considers themselves to be a “Birder”. I’ve never seen such pathetic and selfish behaviour from what appeared to be a minority of people. There was blatant disregard for Private Property as hordes of people climbed over a gate, that clearly stated PRIVATE LAND, to trespass in a field, just to look at the Dove which was in any case several hundred yards away. If this is what British Twitching is now turning out to be, then I can only see doom on the horizon. That horrid word “Suppression” will eventually rule the day and come back to haunt the majority of Birders who do behave themselves.
In the poring rain and very overcast conditions, the Oriental Turtle Dove did eventually show itself albeit amongst the branches of a distant Ash Tree. Thankfully, there were a number of birders who shared their scopes and allowed many people, me being one of them, to have a half decent view of this attractive bird. Unfortunately for me, a photograph of this stunning dove was never on the cards.
I guess like a few people in the masses, an armchair tick in the waiting!!
We eventually left The Leys and decided to go for the nearby American Wigeon at Stanton Harcourt, Rushy Common Gravel Pits. A little less chaotic here and the bird showed well but distant, amongst the large flock of European Wigeon. Also 2 “Redhead “ Smew and a 2nd winter Caspian Gull briefly. I managed a few digiscope record shots.
The Year List moves on to 141.
