Barn Owl Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Mark Chivers.

Farmoor: 29th February

Mediterranean Gull; adult full summer plumage, early roost

Port Meadow: 29th February

Caspian Gull courtesy of Gnome.

1 Caspian Gull 2nd winter late afternoon amongst the roost
4 Ruff
3 Oystercatcher
2 Ringed Plover
3 Redshank
2 Shelduck
7 Pintail
150 Golden Plover

Adam Hartley

Ruff photo (c) Gnome

More on Port Meadow Birding

Otmoor RSPB: 29th February

2 Marsh Harrier
Short-eared Owl
Barn Owl
Peregrine
2+ Cetti's Warblers
7 Curlew
Woodcock

Didcot Landfill Caspian Gull 27th February

I've received the details of the colour-ringed Caspian Gull seen at Didcot on Saturday:
It was ringed as a nestling at Paczkow in south-west Poland on 25th May 2012 making the bird a 4th winter.
It was seen in Norfolk when it was 50 days old (14th July 2012) and at Albert Village, Leicestershire on 6th August 2015.

Farmoor 29th February

Bittern courtesy of Dai

Bittern showing occasionally on the Pinkhill
Reserve from the new hide.
Great Northern Diver 2 (both juvs).
Barn Owl 2
Water Rail (h)
Cetti's Warbler 2

(per Dai et al)

Farmoor Reservoir Pinkhill Reserve 28th February

Bittern Pinkhill please view at 720p or 1080p HD

(c) Andy Moore

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill: 28th February

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill
Bittern: Showed briefly. 16:30.

Jeremy Blakey

Port Meadow: 28th February

Port Meadow
2 Ringed Plover
5 Redshank
3 Oystercatcher
Ruff: reported by Cherry Robinson.
2 Shelduck
5 Pintail

Adam Hartley

Abingdon: Abingdon Marina: 28th February

Abingdon: Abingdon Marina
OTHER SPECIES: Black Swan seen on first pit after marina. 11:30.

Mark Russell

Otmoor 28th February

Mediterranean Gull (ad) Noke Sides briefly a.m
Bittern
Marsh Harrier 2
Dunlin
Curlew 8
Redshank 2
Brambling 2 (Wetlands Watch Hide)

(per Bark, Tezzer)

Farmoor 28th Feb

1 Bittern showing well at Pinkhill
2 Great Northern Diver
1 Shelduck
Goldeneye 3+
Barn Owl

Knollend Down: 28th February

Merlin (m)
4 Stonechat (1m3f)
3 Corn Bunting
c.250 Fieldfare (with a handful of Starling and Redwing)

Didcot Landfill: 27th Febraury

Only c.100 Gulls on site - no general access

Caspian Gull 1 4th w/ad. Yellow ringed (PKXS), presumed Polish origin. Awaiting details.
Y-l Gull 2nd w
GBbGull 6

Wantage: Market Square: 27th February

Wantage: Market Square
Peregrine 17:00.

Leo Bateman

Chipping Norton: 27th February

Chipping Norton
2 Raven: pair. SP303252. 11:00.

Steve Akers

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 27th February

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
2 Curlew: Flying over. 17:00.

John Gough

Sonning Eye GPs: 27th February

Sonning Eye GPs
2 Oystercatcher: On the bund. 17:44.

Marek Walford

Farmoor Reservoir 27th February

Great Northern Diver 2 (both juvs)
Bittern
Dunlin
Stonechat

(per Dave Lowe)


Bittern photo courtesy of Dave Lowe.

Standlake Area: 27th February

Pit 60

2 Goldeneye

2 Oystercatcher

4 Pochard

5 Pintail

1 Little Egret

3 Goosander

Pit 27

4 Red Crested Pochard

2 Goosander

Standlake

1 Blackcap (m)

2 Redpoll

1 Coal Tit

Redpoll

Redpoll

Redpoll

Otmoor RSPB 27th February

Marsh Harrier 2
Peregrine
Short-eared Owl
Dunlin
Bittern
Brambling (Wetlands Watch Hide)

(per Bark and the Massive)

Bittern and two Marsh Harriers courtesy of Oz

Port Meadow: 27th February

Port Meadow
2 Oystercatcher
Redshank
2 Shelduck
5 Pintail

D Moden

Henley Road GPs: 27th February

Henley Road GPs
2 Smew: rh. 10:51.

Marek Walford

Standlake 26th Febuary

Greenfinch

Chipping Norton: 26th February

25 Chaffinch: mixed flock with Yellowhammer in field near Boulters Barn.
25 Yellowhammer: SP294255. 12:00.
7 Yellowhammer: 4m; 3f. males
1 Raven
Peregrine flew right overhead and descended in long glide into valley and settled in wood.
SP303252. 11:00.

Steve Akers

Short-eared Owl Otmoor courtesy of Sharon Latham

Farmoor Reservoir 25th February

Great Northern Diver 2 (both juv)
Bittern nr Pinkhill again
Barn Owl
Little Owl
Stonechat 3 on Buckthorn Meadow

(per Dai)


Insomniac Birder Farmoor Birds



Bittern photo (c) Andy Moore

nr Cholsey 25th February

A329 sth of Cholsey
Grey Partridge: Exploded from grassy margin, as I watched the Golden Plov's. SU591857. 11:50.

Mike Amphlett

Otmoor Thursday 25 February a.m.

5 Curlew (north side of Greenaways)
1 Redshank (Big Otmoor)
4 Marsh Harrier (reedbeds)
1 Peregrine (reedbeds)
2 Stonechat (next to first screen)

Yellowhammer Otmoor RSPB courtesy of Tezzer

Port Meadow 25th February

Shelduck 2
Redshank 7
Dunlin
Pintail 5
Shoveler

(per Dave Doherty)

Grimsby Reservoir 24th February

2 Willow Tit, 30 Siskin in the Alders, 6 Treecreeper, 1 Goosander, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Curlew over.

Willow Tit

Willow Tit

Curlew over

Siskin

Treecreeper

Goosander

Grey Wagtail

Abingdon/Sutton Courtenay 24th February

1066 (north of B4016 between Sutton Courtenay and Drayton) SU489941
2 Green Sandpiper: Very active, feeding amongst
40+ Teal

Abingdon Marina
Gadwall 40+

Abingdon: Abingdon Sewage Farm
2 Chiffchaff: One quite yellowish by comparison

(per Gerry Quinn)

Redpoll Otmoor courtesy of Sharon Latham

Port Meadow: 24th February

Port Meadow
Ruff
2 Redshank
Dunlin
100 Golden Plover
200 Lapwing
15 Pintail
5 Goosander

Adam Hartley

Otmoor.A.M. 24th February.

8 Curlew
5 Stonechat
1 Brambling
3 Cetti's Warbler (H)
4 Water Rail (H)
1 Redshank
2 Raven (over)
1 Shelduck
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Marsh Harrier.
1 Bittern (per Robert Widdowson)

per PR & PG.

Bittern courtesy of Robert Widdowson

Grimsbury Reservoir: 24th February

Med Gull, adult at lunch time

(per JFT)

Buzzard Otmoor courtesy of Sharon Latham

Standlake Common : AM 24th Feb

Pit 60

3 Goosander
1 Little Egret
2 Goldeneye
4 Pochard
+200 Pintail
+1000 Lapwing

Pit 27

2 Oystercatcher
5 Goosander

Great Crested Grebe

Port Meadow: 23rd February

Port Meadow
15 Pintail
8 Goosander
40 Golden Plover
Lapwing: 200.

Adam Hartley

Otmoor RSPB 23rd February

Bittern in flight in front of the 1st screen 16:40
Marsh Harrier 2
Peregrine
Short-eared Owl 2
Barn Owl 2
Woodcock 2 (Morleys)
Starlings 80,000+ giving an excellent show this evening.

(per Terry Tossel, Peter Law and J.R)

Shortie photo courtesy of
John Reynolds.

Dorchester GPs 23rd February

Egyptian Goose courtesy of Thomas Stevenson

2 Egyptian Goose 08:50.
2 Shelduck
Oystercatcher 08:50.
Stonechat

(per Thomas Stevenson)

Stonechat courtesy of Thomas Stevenson 

Harwell Laboratory: Rutherford Laboratory: 23rd February

Harwell Laboratory: Rutherford Laboratory
Brambling: At least one in with Chaffinches.

Mark Merritt

Otmoor WeBS totals 22/2

Black-headed gull- 39

Canada goose- 278

Coot- 165

Cormorant- 1

Curlew- 2

Gadwall- 50

Golden plover- 3797

Great crested grebe- 2

Grey heron- 4

Greylag goose- 197

Lapwing- 4771

Little grebe- 1

Mallard- 140

Moorhen- 19

Mute swan- 10

Oystercatcher- 1

Pintail- 100

Pochard- 10

Shelduck- 2

Shoveler- 87

Snipe- 3

Teal- 729

Tufted duck- 27

Water rail- 1

Wigeon- 1201

Also seen today include:

1 Bittern

3 Curlew

1 Redshank

1 Peregrine

Both male and female Marsh harrier

Short-eared owl

Bicester Wetland Reserve

20 Snipe
5 Green Sandpiper (good winter count)
1 Little Egret
5 Heron
150 Teal
7 Shoveler
8 Gadwall

3 Roe Deer
key holder reserve

River Thames: Rushey Lock to Old Mans Bridge: 22nd February

River Thames: Rushey Lock to Old Mans Bridge
2 Curlew 08:00.

Colin Vickers

Otmoor.A.M. 22nd February.

Distant Shortie on the Closes.

2 Marsh Harrier
1 Barn Owl
1 Short-eared Owl Closes & Ashgrave 17:10-17:25
1 Peregrine (F)
1 Sparrowhawk (F)
c3000 Golden Plover
Curlew (H)
3 Water Rail
1 Bittern (reported)
4 Stonechat


Starlings filmed yesterday (21st) by Roger S.

Farmoor Res 22nd February

Great northern Diver 2 (both juvs) F1
Goldeneye 8
Curlew
Barn Owl
Little Owl

(per Dai)

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill: 21st February

Farmoor Reservoir: Pinkhill
Bittern 12:46.

Andy Moore

Shenington: 21st February

Shenington
Corn Bunting: Airfield.
2 Stonechat: Airfield.
300 Golden Plover: c.300 to north over Sugarswell Business Park / Upton Estate area.

Gareth Blockley

Otmoor 21st PM

In addition to post below:

3 Curlew on Big Otmoor
2 Stonechat
Skylark

Also, an interesting pale grey golden plover in the flock on big otmoor. I think it's just a pale Goldie, but could be worth a better look in less windy conditions. The flock flushed after a few minutes and i couldn't relocate it though.

Returning Curlew courtesy of Tezzer

Standlake pit 60, 21st February pm

Little Egret 3
Goosander m
Green Woodpecker 2

Clackers & Mrs Clackers

Otmoor RSPB 21st February

Marsh Harrier 2
Peregrine 2
Curlew
Golden Plover c3000
Pintail 30+
Stock Dove 19
Brambling 2 still yesterday from Wetlands Watch Hide

(per The Otmoor Massive featuring Bark)

Weekend highlights this week on Otmoor Birding

Mute Swan courtship courtesy of Nick Truby 

Standlake, 20th Feb

White-fronted Goose, 1ad in fields by Thames beyond pits 60 & 38

Curlew 2, pit 60

Oystercatcher 2, pit 60

Pintail 282, most on pit 60

Goosander 7, pits 27-28

RC Pochard 27, ditto

Little Egret 3

Siskin 1

Farmoor 20th Feb

Great northern Diver courtesy of Nick Truby

2 Great Northern Divers (heard calling briefly)
Barn Owl over shrike meadow
Stonechat
Little Owl
c6 Goldeneye

Barn Owl courtesy of Nick Truby

Henley Road GPs: 20th February

Henley Road GPs
Smew: drk. 16:03.

Marek Walford

Cormorant Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of Nick Truby

Otmoor: 20th February

Otmoor
2 Curlew: one flew over the first screen and a pair later seen on Greenways so possibly 3.

Jackie Newcombe

Rushey Common main lake, 20th February

Red Crested Pochard 12m 11f
Lapwings  at least 282
Goldeneye 2m 2f
Oystercatcher 5
Greenshank

Clackers & Ade State

Grimsbury Reservoir: 20th February

Grimsbury Reservoir
Willow Tit

Gareth Blockley

: 19th February

crowsley
Grey Partridge: heard. SU726796. 15:00.

Hugh Netley

Chipping Norton: 18th February

Chipping Norton
Raven: very high - soaring, gliding then tumbling - flying W - watched for prolonged period. SP303252. 10:30.

Steve Akers

Stanton St. John: 19th February

Stanton St. John
2 Grey Partridge 07:30.

Colin Oram

Farmoor 18th February

Great Northern Divers still present.
Little Owl 2
Barn Owl  1
Merlin 1 Female

Otmoor PM 18th February

2 Short eared Owls
1 Tawny Owl
c50,000 Starlings in roost (Hedge in Closes!)
1 Woodcock
2 Brambling from hide

Otmoor.A.M. 18th February.

3 Shelduck
2 Marsh Harrier
1 Peregrine (with prey)
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Stonechat
6+ Bullfinch.

Chipping Norton: 17th February

Chipping Norton
Blackcap: f. SP308267. 14:00.
3 Siskin: m. SP308267. 14:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir 17th February

2 Great Northern Diver 14:30 F2

John Gough

Sonning Eye GPs: 17th February

Sonning Eye GPs
4 Egyptian Goose 10:00.

Hugh Netley

Henley Road GPs: 17th February

Henley Road GPs
Caspian Gull: 3w. from hide. 11:00.
Red-breasted Merganser: f. 11:00.

Hugh Netley

Henley Road GPs 17th February

Red-breasted Merganser (f) still 11:00
still on pit to the right of the entrance road (per Peter Law, Hugh Netley)

Smew 3 (1drk) drk. near the heronry 11:40 (per Richard Marsh)
Bittern flew in to reeds along edge of pit to right of entrance road c09:10.

Port Meadow: 16th February

Port Meadow
Goosander: 10m, 7f. 17:30.

Steve Goddard

Great crested Grebe Radley GPs courtesy of Sharon Latham

Ewelme Cress Beds 16th February

Mandarin (drk)
Little Egret
Water Rail

(per Tom Stevenson)

Sonning Eye GPs 16th February

Glaucous Gull (imm) came it to roost c17:40

Henley Road GPs
Red-breasted Merganser
Smew 3 (1drk)

Shiplake College
Ring-necked Parakeet

(per The Wickster)

Blewbury: 16th February

Blewbury
Water Rail: On The Cleve, in the centre of Blewbury. 10:30.

Gerry Quinn

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 16th February

2 Marsh Harrier 10:45.
4 Pintail: 2m 2f. 12:30.
13 Yellowhammer

Michael Hunt

Boars Hill: 16th February

Boars Hill
3 Bullfinch: 2 males and 1 female together feeding. 14:30.

Mark Russell

Farmoor Reservoir 16th February

Great Northern Diver 11:00 F2
2 Goosander: 1 Male, 1 Female. 11:30 on river Thames

Stephen Lockey

Pair of Goosander courtesy of Stephen Lockey

Chipping Norton: 16th February

Chipping Norton
2 Siskin: m & f - probable pair. on feeders back garden 41, The Leys - first record this winter. SP308267. 11:00.

Steve Akers

North Hinksey 15th February

Short-eared Owl yesterday west of Oxford at
North Hinksey (per RBA)

Farmoor Reservoir 15th February

Great Northern Diver F1 10:00.
Goosander: male. F1 15:00.
Goldeneye 4
Kingfisher

(per John Gough)

Kingfisher Farmoor courtesy of Mike Kosniowski

Buckland 15th February

Marsh Harrier flew over A420 between Buckland and the B.P garage c14:45.

(per Jon Prowse)

Otmoor.A.M. 15th February.

1 Peregrine (imm)
1 Marsh Harrier
1 Marsh Tit
1 Shelduck
1 Grey Wagtail.

Male & Female Gadwall Radley GPs courtesy of Sharon Latham

Rushey Common 14th February

Red-crested Pochard 23
Egyptian Geese 3
Oystercatcher 3

(per Dave Doherty)

Dix Pit
Goldeneye 3
Low numbers of wildfowl
(per Badger)

Pit 60
Pintail c140
Goosander several
Access only to North hide due to flooding
(per SNT)

Farmoor Reservoir 14th February

Great Northern Diver courtesy of Mike Kosniowski

2 Great Northern Diver (one bird north end of F1)
4 Goldeneye
1 Kingfisher
2 Grey Wagtail

(per Mike Youngman and Mike Kosniowski)

Goldeneye courtesy of Mike Kosniowski

Stanford in the Vale: 14th February

An unexpected Marsh Harrier

One of 3 pairs of Grey Partridge

2 Barn Owls

Handfuls of Fieldfare, Mipit, Skylark & Yellowhammer.