February Review & News

Early season waders on Oxon floods, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

The last month of another Oxfordshire winter generated its share of new notables with much of the interest surrounding wildfowl and waders. A number of headline birds from January also lingered.

Our birds of the month were the season's first party of five drake and a redhead Smew that visited Standlake GPs over the weekend of 13 / 14th, stopping off at Baulking Pit in south Oxon on their way. At a private site (pit 28) with very restricted viewing from surrounding rights of way, single birds were then reported up to a week later. More sightings of the iconic Sawbills came on 13th from Dix Pit (drake) and 17th from Farmoor Reservoir (three redhead), then a pair settled at Henley Road GPs after 25th.

Smew and Red-crested Pochard at Standlake GPs, courtesy of Badger

Video courtesy of Badger

On 21st the fifth Ring-necked Duck county record for this winter came from the first screen at Otmoor. The long-staying pair at Radley GPs remained in place throughout the month. The three Scaup also stayed loyal to Farmoor, and there were two other sightings at Dix Pit on 7 and 18th.

Otmoor Ring-necked Duck, courtesy of Nick Truby
Click on any image to enlarge

The White-fronted Goose flock at RSPB Otmoor contracted greatly after the early days of February. But Oxon stragglers continued to be logged there as well as at Waterstock (14th) and Standlake GPs (21st). Another joined the feral Greylag flock at Farmoor from 17th onward.

Farmoor White-fronted Goose, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Early returning waders featured consistently in this log and with extensive flooding across the county non-regular locations accounted for some of the better records. Amongst several commoner species the stand-out item was a Spotted Redshank on the Cherwell floods at Water Eaton on 11 and 12th, that being an infrequent item in our county.

Video courtesy of Isaac West

Oystercatcher at Moreton golf course, courtesy of Luke Marriner

Ringed Plover at Water Eaton, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Three Grey Plover were also noted at Water Eaton around the same time, following on from Otmoor sightings on 4 and 7th This was a good month for seasonal Jack Snipe that were seen in eight different places, while Woodcock were recorded at eight more.

Cattle Egret at Letcombe Regis, courtesy of Steve Burch

Amongst lingering items the Cattle Egret at Letcombe Regis stayed until 7th and the Great Bustard was reported there again near month's end. Away from Otmoor Hen Harrier were logged at Water Eaton on 9 and 12th, and Buckland on 13th. Caspian Gulls continued to fascinate our larid experts in the county roosts, and in amongst them Mediterranean Gull were picked out on Port Meadow on 11th and 21st. The Farmoor roost included a Med Gull on 25th and one also visited Thrupp Lake, Radley on 27th.

Port Meadow Mediterranean Gull, courtesy of Giles Moon

February's most notable new passerine was another garden item, a Black Redstart at Wolvercote on 21st. Common Crossbill produced 20-plus counts at both Buckland Warren and Bagley Wood on 6th. A day later 30 more were found in Tubney Wood, and another 20 at the Cornbury estate on 27th. Oxon's excellent Brambling winter continued with records posted herein from 11 different locations.

Black Redstart (fem type), courtesy of Matthew Lloyd

Lastly, three Common Crane from the Somerset Levels release scheme were seen regularly around RSPB Otmoor throughout this review period. But their early return there in at times very cold conditions possibly contributed to the much loved visitors roaming more widely. An individual identified as Otmoor's "Maple Glory" visited Standlake GPs on 14th, while two birds were noted flying along the Thames at Farmoor and another near Chipping Norton, both on 26th.

 

Common Cranes over Otmoor, courtesy of Nick Truby

With this dourest of winters now drawing to it's close, the first incoming Hirundines, Wheatear and Garganey have already been recorded nationally. Hopefully we will all have more new season arrivals to enjoy in the weeks that lie ahead.

Peter Law

 

Standlake Common Nature Reserve (Pit 60)

 
We would like to share a polite reminder that Standlake Common nature reserve is privately owned and not open to the public. Please do not enter the reserve to walk or view birds. The bird hides at the site remain closed but we will re-open as soon as we are able to. Key holders will be informed by email in advance. We appreciate your support with this.

Lucy Kennery

Lower Windrush Valley Project Manager

Visit the project website: oxfordshire.gov.uk/lowerwindrushvalleyproject