Water Rail Pinkhill Reserve at Farmoor Reservoir courtesy of J.R.

Chipping Norton: 30th November

Chipping Norton
Peregrine: ad male. 09:00.

Steve Akers

Fifield 30th November

Northern Wheatear 1f  been present for 3 days now

Kingston Bagpuize: 30th November

Kingston Bagpuize
Merlin: fem. Flew South @10:50 carrying prey dropping down lower.
4 Hawfinch: 1 NW @07:41, 1 @08:23 & 2@08:55 landed in trees behind Hinds Head Pub.

Jed Cleeter

Otmoor rspb. 30th. November.

Marsh Harrier.
2. Raven.
Mixed flocks of Redwing and Field Fare.
Peregrine.
2.Marsh Tit.
Coal Tit.
Brambling.  Reported on feeders.

Redwing.

Marsh Harrier.

Barnard Gate: 30th November

Barnard Gate
From 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 in freezing conditions
9 Hawfinch: Briefly in the trees behind the gatehouse.
Marsh Tit
2 Nuthatch
Fieldfare

Adam Hartley

Kingston Bagpuize: 29th November

Kingston Bagpuize
4 Hawfinch: Singles West @07:40, 08:00 (with 15 Redwing), 08:40 & North @12:55.

Jed Cleeter

Chipping Norton: 29th November

Chipping Norton
68 Golden Plover: In dip of large field W of CN. 09:30.

Steve Akers

Standlake Common: 29th November

10:00

Pit 38 Great White Egret

Pit 28 At least 78 Red Crested Pochard

Oxford 29th November

Peregrine Magdalen College (per Tommaso Pizzari).

Chipping Norton: 28th November

Chipping Norton
Peregrine 12:00.

Steve Akers

Sarsgrove: 28th November

Sarsgrove
2 Raven: Pair flying W along valley calling constantly to each other. 09:00.
120 Fieldfare 09:00.
Sparrowhawk: f. 09:00.

Steve Akers

Kingston Bagpuize: 28th November

Kingston Bagpuize
Brambling: Flew low west calling @14:55.
Peregrine: fem. Flying slowly North at height before a spectacular stoop out of sight.

Jed Cleeter

Glyme Valley, Woodstock. 28th. November.

Great White Egret.  At least one bird still  present.
2. Little Egret.
3. Grey Heron.
2. Kingfisher.
Sparrowhawk.

Great White Egret

Port Meadow: 28th November

Port Meadow
Black-tailed Godwit
29 Lapwing

Adam Hartley

Barnard Gate 27th November

Hawfinch photo and video courtesy of Eddie McLaughlin

Hawfinch 2 near the gatehouse c12:00 (per Eddie McLaughlin)

Chipping Norton: 27th November

Chipping Norton
200 Golden Plover: Flock of at least 200 golden plover still present circling high over fields W of CN. 09:00.

Steve Akers

Kingston Bagpuize: 27th November

Kingston Bagpuize
Hawfinch: Flew SE @08:24.
27 Lapwing: Flew South early am.

Jed Cleeter

Jay Radley courtesy of Mark Chivers.

Otmoor.A.M. 27th November.

3 Marsh Harrier
2 Bittern
1 Peregrine
1 Kingfisher.

Kestrel Otmoor RSPB courtesy of Nick Truby.

Letcombe Bassett: 26th November

26th November

Letcombe Bassett
220 Golden Plover: Feeding on ploughed field with 250 Lapwing.

Fyfield
Barn Owl: Sitting on roadside hedge on Appleton road. 17:25.

Jed Cleeter

Lockinge: 26th November

Lockinge
Brambling: Over calling with Goldfinches.

Leo Bateman

Standlake Pit 60: 26th November

Standlake Pit 60
38 Red-crested Pochard 11:10.

Antony Collieu

Worminghall: 26th November

Worminghall
2 Hawfinch: At least 2 seen every weekend for last few weeks flying around the village.

Peter Alfrey

Sarsgrove: 26th November

Sarsgrove
241 Golden Plover: larger flock now settled feeding in corner of large pasture field near Sarsbank equestrian farm.

Steve Akers

Kingston Bagpuize: 26th November

Kingston Bagpuize
Hawfinch: Flew low South. 09:15.

Jed Cleeter

: 25th November

Shipton Barrow
Raven: SP267155. 14:00.

Steve Akers

Otmoor RSPB 25th November

Merlin on Greenaways c15:45 (Per PAUL WREN)
Bittern
Hen Harrier (2ym)
Marsh Harrier
Jack Snipe 2
Stonechat

(per Tezzer, Paul Greenaway, The Roby’s, Luke O'Byrne)

Newbridge: 25th November

Newbridge
Barn Owl: Crossed the A415 by the Rose Revived Pub. 16:20.

Jed Cleeter

Barnard Gate: 25th November

Hawfinch courtesy of Badger please view at 1080p HD

Hawfinch 12+ viewed from road and from outside the gatehouse 08:30-10:30.

Courtesy of Badger

Courtesy of Badger

Hawfinch feeding on hornbeam seeds courtesy of Jeremy Dexter 

Chipping Norton: 25th November

Chipping Norton
121 Golden Plover: Vocal flock came in over first field at Sarsgrove and have settled in traditional feeding spot in very large field W of CN - easily viewable from minor road between B4450 and A361 - in dip close to hedge line. SP304256. 09:30.

Steve Akers

Farmoor, 25th November

08:30 - 10:30am

2 GBBG
1 Common Gull
2 Wigeon
4 Pochard (seen by Dai)
2 Goldeneye
1 Redshank
1 Water Rail
1 Barn Owl (seen by Dai)
1 Rock Pipit
2 Meadow Pipit
10 Siskin

George Best and Dai

Kingston Bagpuize: 25th November

Kingston Bagpuize
3 Hawfinch: NE @07:36 & 08:04 and S @08:26.

Jed Cleeter

Otmoor: 24th November

Otmoor
Merlin 15:00.

Mike Prentice

Otmoor. PM.

Marsh Harrier at dusk.

Stonechat.

Buzzard.

 Bittern.
3. Marsh Harrier.
Sparrowhawk.
Kingfisher.
Hen Harrier.  (m.)
2. Stonechat.

Farmoor Res 24th November

1000-1200hrs

Common Goldeneye 6 2m4f
Little Grebe 17
Grey Wagtail 1
Meadow Pipit 2

Kingston Bagpuize: 24th November

Kingston Bagpuize
3 Hawfinch: 2 North @07:22 and 1 East @10:46.

Jed Cleeter

Bicester Wetland Reserve 24th November

1 Cetti's Warbler (present for 5 weeks now)
1 Water Rail
6 Mute Swan
1 Little |Grebe
45 Teal
12 Gadwall
5 Shoveler

Key holder reserve
Alan Peters

Barnard Gate 24th November

6 Hawfinches, 07:30-08:00  (per Owen Cranshaw)

Otmoor.A.M. 24th November.

2 Marsh Harrier
1 Bittern
1 Brambling (by cattle pens)
1 Hen Harrier (male)
2 Stonechat
20+ Snipe
1 Peregrine.

Radley Fieldfare

Courtesy of John Workman

Cavell Road, Oxford 24th November

Hawfinch  one warming up in the sun along with the usual common garden birds. 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

Oxon/Berks nr South Stoke 24th November

Hawfinch 8-10 in trees by the side of the A4074 just south of the South Stoke turn c07:45 (per Mark Chivers)

Otmoor dusk 23rd November

3 Sparrowhawks
1 Merlin
3 Marsh Harriers
2 Peregrines
1 Kestrel
2 Woodcock
Starlings

Kingston Bagpuize: 23rd November

Kingston Bagpuize
3 Hawfinch: 1Flew South @07:32 & 2 NE @08:46.
3 Brambling: Flew SW low & calling @07:30.
Raven: High NW early am.

Jed Cleeter

Oxford 23rd November

Peregrine Falcon on the tower of Magdalen College 08:40 (per Tommaso Pizzari)

Both photos courtesy of Tommaso Pizzari

Standlake Pit 60: 23rd November

10:00-11:45
Great White Egret
Goldeneye (♀)
Yellow Legged Gull

Female Kestrel Otmoor RSPB

Courtesy of Norman Smith.

: 23rd November

Nettlebed Estate
Brambling: m. SU712845. 11:45.

Peter Law

Barnard Gate: 23rd November

Hawfinch courtesy of Mick Cunningham

25 Hawfinch: Closer,if less frequent (?), views can be had from start off cycle track just after exit from A40. Check tops of mature trees in grounds of property with "keep out" signs. Birds being seen single track road were also using this garden.

Mick Cunningham

Cholsey: 23rd Nov

3 Hawfinch briefly in the garden trees, then flew off south.

60+ Golden Plover, Cholsey Hill.

Woodstock Water Meadows 23rd November

No sign of any Great White Egrets at 10:00 a.m., but 3 Grey Herons in the field

Gnome & Phil Barnett

Barnard Gate, 23rd November

Please note that a scope is recommend for viewing as the birds are rather distant

 25 Hawfinch: At least 25 birds viewed from gap obstructed by log. 07:30. (Thomas Miller)
10+ Hawfinch (possibly higher number, but mobile) 0900 hrs (George Best)
10+ Hawfinch 12:00 p.m (Gnome et al.)
 
Also,
Redpoll
Siskin
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
2 Red Kites
Redwings

Otmoor.A.M. 23rd. November.

1 Peregrine (f)
1 Bittern
2 Marsh Harrier (fem & imm.)
1 Stonechat
Lots of Goldies in the distance.

Port Meadow: 23rd November

Port Meadow
Probable 6 Pink-footed Goose: Flew low over the houses in south easterly direction whilst calling. 07:00.

Adam Hartley

Sarsgrove: 22nd November

Sarsgrove
Raven 08:00.

Steve Akers

Chinnor: Cement Works: 22nd November

Chinnor: Cement Works
Peregrine 13:00.

Nick Marriner

Kingston Bagpuize: 22nd November

Kingston Bagpuize
2 Hawfinch: Flew South @07:40. 07:40.

Jed Cleeter

Barnard Gate: 22nd November

Barnard Gate
10 Hawfinch: Quick visit. Ewan already in situ. He'd had 7. 7 flew out of view then 3 seen to land. Scope views.

Mick Cunningham

Otmoor rspb. 22nd. November.

2. Marsh Harrier.  (m. and f.)
Bittern.  Ashgrave.
Hen Harrier.  (m.)  Noke Side onto Big Otmoor.
Much increased numbers of Field Fare.
1000+. Golden Plover.
200+.  Lapwing.

Per.  P.G.  T.S.

Shoveler.

Marsh Harrier.  (f.)

Woodstock Glyme Meadows 22nd November

Great White Egret 2
Little Egret 7
Kingfisher 2
Cetti's Warbler

(per Dave Doherty)

Standlake pit 60: 22nd November

09:00 Great White Egret again

Barnard Gate 22nd November

Hawfinch 13+ but mobile 10:47
5 c10:00 viewed from minor road near log (per Jon Prowse)

Farmoor Reservoir 21st November

Goldeneye 9 (2f) per Barry Neale
Aythya hybrid possibly Greater x Lesser Scaup or Scaup x Tufted Duck reportedly still present.

Female Goldeneye courtesy of Barry Neale

Goldeneye courtesy of Barry Neale

Kingston Bagpuize: 21st November

Kingston Bagpuize
Green Sandpiper: Flew low SSW. 08:54.

Jed Cleeter

Kingston Bagpuize: 21st November

Kingston Bagpuize
5 Hawfinch: Singles SW @07:50 & 08:10, East @10:15, South @12:28 & West @14:10.
5 Brambling: 2 SW with Redwings @07:48, 1 South @08:07 & 2 SW calling @10:14.

Jed Cleeter

Grimsbury Reservoir 21st November

1w Kittiwake at 08:35am for 5 minutes before drifting off with LBBGs.
Also at least 3 Yellow Legged Gulls about today, amongst large numbers of gulls around the reservoir

Famoor 21st Nov

Rock Pipit

Glyme Valley, Woodstock. 21st. November.

2. Great White Egret.
5. Little Egret.
2. Grey Heron.
2. Kingfisher.

Barnard Gate. 21st. November.

Hawfinch again present. 8. viewed from the gap obstructed by log during brief visit.



Walk up single track road (marked by arrow) to view line of tall trees on the left
Best viewed from the gap in hedge barricaded with the tree trunk.

Grimsbury Reservoir 21st November

Kittiwake 1w briefly (per RBA)

Otmoor: WeBS: 20/11

Bittern- 2

Black-headed gull- 9

Canada goose- 473

Coot- 8

Cormorant- 5

Grey heron- 4

Greylag goose- 303

Lapwing- 11

Lesser black-back gull- 2

Mallard- 237

Moorhen- 2

Mute swan- 11

Shoveler- 116

Snipe- 33

Teal- 97

Wigeon- 109

Buzzard- 1

Kestrel- 4

Marsh harrier- 3

Merlin- 1

Red kite- 3 

Presumed hybrid Lesser x Greater Scaup Farmoor Reservoir

There has been much speculation over the identification of the Farmoor Aythya which was first discovered on the 17th, photographed and initially identified as a Greater Scaup.

After much conjecture and the emergence of some clearer photos, it was thought to be showing more characteristics of Lesser Scaup, but over time it soon became apparent that several of these features were not right for Lesser Scaup, and although some could possibly be found within normal variations others could not.

The first discrepancy that was noted was the overall size of the bird which was noticeably bigger
than the accompanying Tufted Ducks, which can be seen in the video clip and grabs below.
Lesser Scaup are generally considered smaller than Tufted Ducks but the Farmoor bird was not,
(this was even more apparent in flight next to a Tufted Duck).

Video clip of the Aythya hybrid with Tufted Duck and Coot.

Size difference comparable in these video grabs. 

Secondly the vermiculation on the back appear to be too fine for Lesser Scaup with the base
colour of the back too dark, it should appear whiter, also the vermiculations should become
coarser towards the tail which doesn't happen on the Farmoor bird.

But the main concern was shown within the wing bars, with the the Farmoor bird containing white on the outer webs of the primaries to p6 which rarely occurs on Lesser Scaup (see photo below) but is consistent with the wing pattern of Greater Scaup.

The Farmoor Aythya with comparison Lesser Scaup wing courtesy of Ian Lewington.

Greater Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Hybrid Lesser x Greater Scaup have previously been documented in North America and in

the U.K it is also worth considering Scaup x Tufted Duck. 

With thanks to Ian Lewington, & Roger Wyatt.

Photos courtesy of Terry Sherlock & Ewan Urquhart.

Sarsgrove: 20th November

Sarsgrove
Peregrine: Flew straight over me at tree top height heading NE. 09:00.

Steve Akers

Fyfield Wick: 20th November

Fyfield Wick
2 Raven 16:00.

Jed Cleeter

Lambourn: Red Barn: 20th November

Lambourn: Red Barn
Hawfinch: Flew West @13:05.
45 Corn Bunting: 45+ in 3 different flocks.
2 Raven

Letcombe Bassett
14 Golden Plover: With Lapwing on ploughed field.
55 Lapwing: With Golden Plover on ploughed field.

Jed Cleeter

Seven Barrows: 20th November

Seven Barrows
Merlin: fem. Put up Chaffinch flock before landing on roadside Bush.

Jed Cleeter

Farmoor Reservoir 20th November

Aythya hybrid (probably Lesser x Greater Scaup) still present 12:37 on F2 off western bank.

More identification details to follow.

Barnard Gate 29th November

Hawfinch 30+ by 09:20 (per Colin and Graham)
Just a few more seen in murky conditions late morning (per Jeremy D & Gnome)
29 reported at 1.30 pm (per RBA)


Walk up single track road (marked by arrow) to view line of tall trees on the left
Best viewed from the gap in hedge barricaded with the tree trunk.

Woodstock 29th November

Great White Egret 1+ Glyme Meadows NR c11:10 (per Dave Doherty).

Farmoor Reservoir 20th November

Lesser Scaup or hybrid still 10:10 off the western bank of F2.

Over Norton: Over Norton Park: 19th November

Over Norton: Over Norton Park
Brambling: In copse where Little Bunting seen earlier this year. 15:30.
200 Golden Plover: At least 200 circling high overhead in two v-line formations of c 100 birds and the flew N. 15:30.

Steve Akers

Barnard Gate 19th November

14+ Hawfinch c12:20-13:00 (Andy Last,Ewan Urquhart,Wreny,Badger)
Up to 9 Hawfinch from the minor track looking west (11am) 

(Keith Clack and Dave Lowe)

Sent from my iPhone

Betterton: 19th November

Betterton
Hawfinch: From the car parking area. Also a very fleeting glimpse of what was likely a further 6-7 birds in flight. 10:45.

Leo Bateman

Woodstock: Glyme valley: 19th November

Woodstock: Glyme valley
2 Great White Egret: very active but didn't seem to be travelling far. 07:30.
2 Kingfisher: At least two on the water meadows close to Black Prince pub. 07:30.

Bob Pomfret

Farmoor Reservoir 19th November

LESSER SCAUP (drk) 16:07 in N/W corner of F1.
There is some speculation that this Bird may be a hybrid.

Common Scoter 2 (f)
Goldeneye 7
Goosander 2

courtesy of Thomas Miller

Courtesy of David Hastingse birdimages.net

Waterstock: 18th November

Waterstock
3 Hawfinch: Flew from copse by Mill. 10:00.

Nick Marriner

Blenheim Eatate 18th November

Hawfinch 1+ at Glyme Bridge in trees by road between bridge and cattle grid (per RBA).

Farmoor Reservoir 18th November

LESSER SCAUP (re-identified from photos) still at Farmoor Reservoir today.

All photos courtesy of Thomas Miller.

Woodstock Glyme Valley 18th November

Great White Egret 2 15:45
Little Egret 2
Grey Heron 8
Kingfisher 1+

(Tezzer, Badger)

Over Norton 18th November

Brambling 80 at Over Norton Park (per R. Broughton)

Standlake Pit 60: 18th November

Great White Egret along north shore 14:44
Dunlin: Flew west. 14:47.
Redshank
Goosander: male. Flew in from WSW @ 15.50 pm. Used to ignore these in Yorkshire. Patch tick! ;.
127 Teal: Only half counted until something unseen flushed everything from N shore.

Mick Cunningham

Barnard Gate: 18th Nov.

     










At least 14 Hawfinches (Mark Merritt)
A flock of 7 seen again c14:45 (Tezzer, Badger)