May Review

Though not matching the previous month's variety and intensity, May in Oxfordshire produced more notable sightings and much of interest besides. A continued strong wader passage for our county was perhaps the dominant theme, while long-legged birds, wildfowl and passerines also featured prominently.

Wood Sandpiper, courtesy of Nick Truby ↑ and Ewan Urquhart ↓
Click on any image to enlarge

In what was a very showery month's early days, two less than annual waders were stand out occurrences. At the possibly transient wetland site of Graven Hill, Bicester a Wood Sandpiper attracted much attention. Though elusive and erratic in it's appearances, this bird offered exceptional, close picture opportunities for those who were in the right place at the right time. It remained there until 6th.

Spotted Redshank, courtesy of Steve Simnett

At RSPB Otmoor a lingering, summer plumaged Spotted Redshank from April was a second and equal contender to be our bird of the month. The very smart and popular visitor was viewed reliably on both Ashgrave and Big Otmoor to 3rd, before going on its way.

Nine foul weather Sanderling, courtesy of Peter Law

Meanwhile, at the "concrete wastes" of Farmoor Reservoir and other wetland locations, common wader species were encountered often for most of the month. Amongst those May is when northbound Sanderling in their attractive and variable summer plumage pass through our county. Records issued from Farmoor on multiple dates, with a best count of 10 in gale force winds on 21st. Passage Turnstone, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Grey and Ringed Plover, and Oystercatcher all featured variously there and elsewhere.

Dunlin and Turnstone, courtesy of Brian Walker

Turnstone, courtesy of Dave Murphy

More Sanderling, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Video courtesy of Badger

Appleford GPs was another centre for wader passage, the highlight being a lone Avocet there on 26th. Our patch workers at other wetland sites around the county remained diligent in submitting a volume of records that would be too great a task to summarise accurately herein. So please excuse the last two reviews' emphasis on our most watched sites.

Glossy Ibises at Radley GPs, courtesy of Badger

Glossy Ibis at Radley GPs, courtesy of Mark Chivers

The three Glossy Ibis reported from different places in April were seen again commuting between Radley GPs and south Abingdon through the first three days of May. The settled individual on Otmoor remained there throughout. Two Great White Egret visited Otmoor again from 21st, then on 29th the latest Cattle Egret for Oxon also turned up there. So over the end of month holiday weekend the RSPB reserve played host to three extra members of this group from its resident species.

Glossy Ibis on Otmoor, courtesy of Mark Chivers

In other long-legged news this review period:

• 5 Spoonbill that made a tour of Bucks and Berks on 14th just passed through Oxon airspace over Henley-on-Thames in the process
• A Bittern was spotted at LWV Pit 60, Standlake also on 14th
• Great White Egret were also logged at Burford (23rd) and Pit 60 (28th)
• The Otmoor Cranes were seen over Farmoor Reservoir and Port Meadow on different dates

Drake Garganey at Radley GPs, courtesy of Badger

Wildfowl news majored on Garganey that were observed in four locations. The pair at Graven Hill stayed until 6th, while another on Otmoor was last recorded on 21st. New records were a splendid drake at Radley GPs on 18th and two at Chiselhampton on 27th. Another item of note in this group was a male Long-tailed Duck cited retrospectively from the private site of Cassington GPs on 14th.

Spotted Flycatcher, courtesy of Nick Truby

Amongst seasonal passerines the first Spotted Flycatcher record of 2021 came from Grimsbury Reservoir, Banbury on 4th, quickly followed by two more in north Oxford a day later. Further sightings occurred throughout May. Also in north Oxon a Hoopoe was reported on RBA at Deddington on 9th.

Farmoor Gropper, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

All 10 regular spring Warblers continued to be reported widely around the county. Amongst those it is an especially good season for the iconic Grasshopper Warbler. As well as up to three birds reeling at each of RSPB Otmoor and Farmoor's Thames meadows, "Groppers" were logged at six other sites. Those were Sandford on Thames (1st & 3rd), LWV Pit 60 (2nd), Radley GPs (5th), Shutford sewage works (9th), Waterstock (9th) and Appleford GPs (2nd & 12th).

Ring Ouzel, courtesy of David Stracey

A late Ring Ouzel frequented Chinnor Cement Works for seven days between 12th and 18th. Seasonal Whinchat featured from five locations: Moreton golf course (8th), Port Meadow (9th), Lark Hill in Wantage (9th), Grimsbury Reservoir (9th) and Bicester Wetland Reserve (12th).

Whinchat, courtesy of Luke Marriner

Lastly, two popular late spring regulars that cannot go without mention are Cuckoo and Hobby. As in any year there were plenty of sightings of both again from around Oxfordshire.

Otmoor Cuckoo, courtesy of Peter Milligan

Hobby at Pit 60, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

As usual there will be no June review unless sufficient notable sightings should occur, then a combined two-month round up at the end of July. Until then and after such a plentiful passage season, your reviewer will be taking a welcome rest. Thank you once again to all who continue to contribute records herein.

Peter Law