Worton: 30th June

Worton
Barn Owl: Hunting over fields next to Worton Park. 19:45.

Nick Suckling

Water Eaton: 30th June

Water Eaton
2 Grey Partridge 20:00.
2 Yellow Wagtail 20:00.
Little Owl 20:00.

Simon Myers

Appleford GP: 30th June

Great White Egret 1
Green Sandpiper 1

Stratfield Brake 30th June

Great white Egret on lake 10:26

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Cassington GPs: 30th June

Cassington GPs
White-fronted Goose: Plus a hybrid. 19:00.

Colin Teal

Otmoor: 29th June

Otmoor
10 Black-tailed Godwit: On Big Otmoor. 10:00.
10 Garganey: Adult and nine young from second screen. 10:00.
2 Little Ringed Plover 10:00.

Peter Alfrey

Common Tern at Otmoor rspb courtesy of Anna Lesniewska

 

Cassington GPs: 27th June

Cassington GPs
3 Oystercatcher: Flew over. 19:00.

Colin Teal

Blenheim: Queen Pool: 27th June

Blenheim: Queen Pool
Cattle Egret: On island. 14:50.

Colin Teal

 

Bittern Otmoor rspb courtesy of Anthony Morris.

Long Hanborough: 29th June

Long Hanborough
4 Raven: 2 adults and 2 young seen several times in the last few weeks, possibly nested in Pinsley woods. 20:51.

Emma Hollis

Standlake Pit 60: 29th June

Standlake Pit 60
Garganey: fem. Seen from north shore hide for about 10 minutes before swimming off to hide behind a small bush. 16:32.
2 Hobby 16:32.

Yacky Morris

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill: 29th June

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill
3 Quail: At least 3 singing, widely spread out nr Ridgeway & access land.
Spotted Flycatcher
Yellow Wagtail
4 Raven

Mark Merritt

Rushy Common: 27th June

Rushy Common
Cuckoo 19:30.

Richard Catling

Blenheim: Queen Pool: 28th June

Blenheim: Queen Pool
200 Sand Martin: At least 200 birds settling to roost in reeds on the edge of the lake. 20:45.
16 Little Egret: Roosting on island. 6 were already there, 10 more arrived as I watched. 20:45.
4 Egyptian Goose 20:45.
97 Mute Swan 20:45.
24 Tufted Duck 20:45.
30 Gadwall 20:45.

Bob Pomfret

Standlake Pit 60: 29th June

9 Black-tailed Godwit 

Garganey drake

Mick Cunningham

Blenheim: 28th June

Blenheim
2 Cattle Egret: On the island. 23:04.

David Doherty

Otmoor 28th June

Garganey with 9 ducklings

 Great to see these birds breeding on Otmoor.

Port Meadow 28th June

Black-tailed Godwit 2 reported.

Chimney: Chimney Meadows: 28th June

Chimney: Chimney Meadows
Grasshopper Warbler: Reeling close to Thames path. Also, lesser whitethroat, sedge warbler, Reed warbler, chiff blackcap common tern. 17:49.

Mick Cunningham

Milcombe: 27th June

Milcombe
250 Starling: Murmuration over houses. 21:30.

Mary Clifton

Farmoor 27th June

Sandwich Tern

Oystercatcher

Tufted Duck

Standlake Pit 60: 27th June

Standlake Pit 60
Caspian Gull: 5 cy. flew round for ages: eventually, landed on water but too brief to digiscope. Aged by dark streaks in prim covs and prim pattern, head and bill just about as adult. Are June records usual in Oxon? 18:40.

Rushy Common
Hobby: I didn't go in hide. Hobby perched on fencepost on pit shore - just about viewable through wicker holes (need to be bigger). Cuckoo singing across road from car park Cetti's Warbler ditto. 18:40.

Mick Cunningham

Thrupp nr Kidlington: 27th June

Thrupp nr Kidlington
6 Cattle Egret: 6 together in flight, then in field and bushes (with cattle) just past Annie's Tea rooms to NE of canal. SP482161. 14:00.

Simon Myers

Sarsgrove: 27th June

Sarsgrove
Little Egret: Flying over - possibly from Sarsgrove Brook - heading SE. First ever record in this location. 13:15.

Steve Akers

Standlake, pit 60: 27th June

Garganey 1m
LR Plover 1ad
Oystercatcher 5
Common Tern 4

 

Jay Lye Valley courtesy of Tony Gillie.

Farmoor Reservoir 27th June

Sandwich Tern F2 08:54 (per Dave Lowe).

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Radley Lakes 26th

Evening:

Cattle Egret roosting on island in Thrupp lake with 5 little egret.
Cuckoo.
Kingfisher.

Sent from my iPhone

Bicester Wetland Reserve 26th June

 3 Green Sandpiper Cattle Bridge Pool

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

 

Whitethroat Otmoor rspb courtesy of Lee Oliver.

Sonning Eye GPs: 25th June

Sonning Eye GPs
3 Raven 14:20.

Ralph Watts

Cornbury Park: 25th June

Cornbury Park
Mandarin Duck: f type. Flew up stream at entrance to park. SP356188. 16:32.

Mick Cunningham

Standlake Pit 60: 25th June

Standlake Pit 60
2 Hobby: At least one a 1s/2cy. Otherwise, nowt. 16:13.

Mick Cunningham

Cassington GP 23rd June

Cattle Egrets snacking on Damselflies, courtesy of Terry Godfrey

 

Chinnor: Cement Works: 25th June

Chinnor: Cement Works
2 Hobby: Hawking over The Ridgeway between lakes 2B and 3. 06:12.

Jez March

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course: 24th June

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course
9 Oystercatcher: Including 3 fully grown young. 16:58.

Luke Marriner

Young Oystercatcher courtesy of Luke Marriner

: 24th June

Burnt Platt Wood
Raven: SU6893. 17:06.

John Taylor

Rushy Common: 23rd June

Rushy Common
2 Cuckoo: Calling simultaneously and continuously for a good five minutes. 17:30.

Richard Catling

Rushy Common: 24th June

Rushy Common
Cuckoo 19:30.

Richard Catling

Appleford GP: 24th June

Green Sandpiper 2

Bicester Wetlands Reserve

Mediterranean Gull adult over the reserve 18:40 then flew S/W (per Justin Taylor).

Key holder reserve.

Oxford 24th June

Oxford: Hollywell Street
Oystercatcher: Flew south over Hollywell Street, calling. SP516065. 10:00.

Nicholas Boyd

 

Garden Warbler Otmoor courtesy of John Workman.

Shotover: Shotover Lake: 23rd June

Shotover: Shotover Lake
2 Spotted Flycatcher: pair. 09:30.

Anthony Cheke

Ewelme: 23rd June

Ewelme
2 Raven 14:00.

Ralph Watts

New Marston: New Marston Meadows: 23rd June

New Marston: New Marston Meadows
2 Common Tern 07:45.

Tom Evans

Ewelme: 23rd June

Ewelme
2 Buzzard: SU644901. 15:32.

Ralph Watts

East Oxford: 23 June

Peregrines: 1 adult male and 1 adult female together over Cowley Rd/East Oxford Community Centre, 10:20 am.

Tom Pizzari

South Leigh: 23rd June

South Leigh
Cuckoo 04:30.

Richard Catling

Leafield 22 June

Little Owl 2 

Otmoor: 22nd June

Someone's missing a goldfish

Eclipse male Garganey at the second screen

Glossy Ibis (per RBA)

East Oxford, 22nd June

1 Little egret flying over Cowley rd, heading toward city centre. 

Window tick!

Tom Pizzari 

Standlake Pit 60: 22nd June

Garganey: ad male. Moulting info eclipse so far from dapper. Also peregrine and a hobby. 14:02.

(Mick Cunningham)

Photo courtesy of Mick Cunningham.

: 22nd June

River thames upsteam of pinkhill lock
Golden Oriole: male. Spotted the very yellow backed bird as we passed on our narrowboat - did not see it from the front. It flew across the river into some trees. Am pretty sure it was a golden oriole as what else has such a vivid yellow back. SP440630. 13:29.

Mark Dornan

Otmoor: 21st June

Otmoor
Cattle Egret: Single bird in flight at back of Greenaways . 12:01.

Jeremy Dexter

: 19th June

Eastmanton Down
Yellow Wagtail: Over calling. SU335840.

Marek Walford

Standlake Pit 60: 20th June

Standlake Pit 60
Hobby: Plus cuckoo and 2 common terns. Otherwise, exceedingly dull ! 17:25.

Mick Cunningham

Blenheim: Combe Gate: 20th June

Blenheim: Combe Gate
Spotted Flycatcher: same location as pair 2 years ago. 16:40.

Anthony Cheke

Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 20th June

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
2 Green Sandpiper: First returning birds - seen by Iain Brown. 13:10.

Steve Holliday

Farmoor Reservoir: 20th June

Farmoor Reservoir
20 Sand Martin: Flying close and around central causeway, along with other 3 Hirundines. 10:30.

Mike Baker

Wantage 20th June

ROSE-COLOURED STARLING adult seen again this morning in garden on Truelocks Way (per RBA).

Wantage - 20th June

Great Bustard 1

On the King Alfred West's Playing Field (SU387878) 11:26 - 11:41 when it must have flown off.

Appeared to have a pink ring on the R leg and black on the L. I note that the long staying Letcombe Regis bird earlier this year also had a pink ring on its R leg, so it must be same bird. 

Stephen Burch

Great Bustard record shot (c) Stephen Burch

www.stephenburch.com

Wantage 20th June

At around midday a Great Bustard (presumably a release-scheme bird) was seen to walk up and down the King Alfred West's playing field to the west of Wantage before disappering.

per Steve Burch

 

Waterstock: River Thame: 20th June

Waterstock: River Thame
2 Spotted Flycatcher
Mandarin Duck

Also,
3 Lapwing
2 Kingfisher
Grey Wagtail
Gadwall
Goosander
10 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaff.
8 Sedge Warbler.
15 Reed Bunting.
Garden Warbler.
2 Reed Warbler.
25 Linnet
13 Whitethroat

Nick Marriner

Rushy Common: 19th June

Rushy Common
Cuckoo 19:30.

Richard Catling

Yelford: 19th June

Yelford
Lesser Whitethroat: rattling away in a hedge as a flock of Snow Geese flew over. 20:16.

Mick Cunningham

Otmoor 19th June

10:30-12:30am
5 Raven flew over greenaways kronking, heading SE
Drumming snipe
c20 plus little egret
Curlew




Sent from my iPhone

Blewbury

2 yellow wagtails
Hobby

Sent from my iPhone

: 19th June

Thames Path below Eynsham Lock
Cuckoo: Good view as it sat high in tree on river bank on opposite side of Thames Path. Flew off after several minutes across river. SP457097. 15:30.

Andrew Siantonas

Cutteslowe: 19th June

Cutteslowe
5 Raven: Flying east, low. SP506104. 11:55.

Nicholas Boyd

Charlton 19th June

Rose-coloured Starling (ad) still - on rooftop at E end of Truelocks Way, 11:18 but no further sign by

mid afternoon (et al).

Iffley Meadows, 12th June

Belated news of 2 cuckoos calling and flying after each other

Common tern 1

Reed warblers 3+ singing

Tom Pizzari

: 4th June

Quail: Heard. SU530819. 20:30.

Bicester Wetland Reserve 18th June

 11 Gadwall

2 Heron

1 Teal

30 House Martin and 20 Swallows feeding over Thames works

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

South Leigh: 17th June

South Leigh
Raven 16:45.

Richard Catling

Rushy Common: 17th June

Rushy Common
3 Cuckoo: 2 males calling, 1 seen flying around with female. 16:45.

Richard Catling

Hinksey Lake: 17th June

Hinksey Lake
Cuckoo: male. Singing west of the lake. 19:30.

Nicholas Boyd

Otmoor: 17th June

8 Shoveler chicks at second screen. (A further 4 juveniles at first screen)

The three Oystercatcher chicks still going strong on Big Otmoor.

Glossy Ibis at the second screen

Port Meadow: 17th June

Port Meadow
9 Egyptian Goose: 2 adults and 7 goslings on the river bank opposite the Perch then all swam downstream a little way before going back on to the bank. 15:00.

Andrew Siantonas

 

The Egyptian Goose family courtesy of Andrew Siantonas

 

South Leigh: 16th June

South Leigh
Cuckoo 17:01.

Richard Catling

Blenheim

Spotted Flycatcher

Ruddy Shelduck - 2

South Leigh: 16th June

South Leigh
Cuckoo 07:30.

Richard Catling

East Challow: 15th Jun

    Late return for the Spotted Flycatchers this year.

Otmoor rspb 15th June

 

Great white Egret today on Otmoor photos courtesy of Mitch Harris.

South Leigh: 15th June

South Leigh
Cuckoo 16:56.

Richard Catling

Berrick Salome 15th June

Photo courtesy of Ian Kirkwood

White-tailed Eagle (presumably from the reintroduction scheme) 

was amongst a large group of Red Kites that appeared to be mobbing it.

It appeared to head off from Berrick Salome towards Stadhampton/Chalgrove. Time about 12.30pm.

(per Ian Kirkwood).

Otmoor: Noke Farm: 15th June

Otmoor: Noke Farm
Grasshopper Warbler: reeling near pond on farm side of the bridleway. SP552130. 10:30.

Peter Law

Fyfield Wick: 14th June

Fyfield Wick
Cuckoo: male. Calling then flew over heading North towards Kingston Bagpuize calling in flight. 17:00.

Jed Cleeter

South Leigh: 14th June

South Leigh
Cuckoo 10:57.

Richard Catling

Otmoor rspb 11th June

Belated report of a Little Stint on Friday in an area with no general access (per rspb).

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Otmoor rspb 14th June

GLOSSY IBIS feeding at the 1st screen 07:52 (per Trisha & Dan Miller)

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Otmoor rspb 13th June

CATTLE EGRET 

Little Egret

Bittern

Marsh Harrier 

Cuckoo

(per Michael Enticott et al)

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Farmoor Reservoir: 12th June

Farmoor Reservoir
29 Snow Goose: Flew in from north, came down south of F2. 20:30.

Nicholas Boyd

Letcombe Regis: Blandys Farm: 10th June

Letcombe Regis: Blandys Farm
Yellow Wagtail
Raven
Hobby
5 Corn Bunting

Mark Merritt

Blenheim: 10th June

Blenheim
Cattle Egret 22:43.

David Doherty

: 10th June

Longworth
2 Spotted Flycatcher: 2 birds near Longworth Church. SU383995. 14:15.

Jed Cleeter

Chinnor: Cement Works: 10th June

Chinnor: Cement Works
2 Hobby: Hawking insects over the Ridgeway behind Lake 2b. 21:15.

David Stracey

Otmoor 10th June

Pair of Oystercatchers with three young on Big Otmoor

Enslow 10th June

2 Cattle Egret in the field by the river Cherwell at Enslow.
Seen from the track on the sharp bend on the main road, that leads to a massive Vodaphone dish.

Bletchingdon Park: 10th June

Bletchingdon Park
3 Common Crossbill: Calling in flight. 08:28.

David Watkinson

Chinnor: Cement Works: 9th June

Chinnor: Cement Works
2 Hobby: Hawking along tree line at rear of lake 2B. SU753998. 20:28.

Jez March

Appleford GP: 9th June

Turnstone 1

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 8th June

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
Glossy Ibis 17:00.
4 Redshank 17:00.
Oystercatcher 17:00.
2 Marsh Harrier: male and fem. 17:00.
3 Hobby 17:00.
2 Cuckoo 17:00.

Steve Akers

South Leigh: 9th June

South Leigh
Cuckoo 11:00.

Richard Catling

: 3rd June

Cholsey
Peregrine: Lingered for a few minutes, seemingly on the hunt. Stooped twice before heading off strongly in a southerly direction. SU586862. 10:55.

Mitchell Fraser-Jones

Chinnor: Chinnor Hill: 8th June

Chinnor: Chinnor Hill
Spotted Flycatcher: In recently cleared area south of the tumuli. SP767004. 09:30.
Hobby: Flew over heading East. SP767004. 09:30.

David Stracey

Enslow: 8th June

Enslow
Cattle Egret: Only one left, by pond between road bridge & erstwhile pub. Location also known as 'Gibraltar'. 15:30.

Anthony Cheke

Kirtlington: Golf Course: 8th June

Kirtlington: Golf Course
Cuckoo: Calling for past two days mainly from alongside the canal. 16:45.

Laurie Bryant

Carterton: 6th June

Carterton
Cuckoo: male. One calling there for 1st time in a long time per A friend of mine. 04:30.

Jed Cleeter

Enslow Tues 8th June

 3 CATTLE EGRET still present at 12.50

Cement Works 8th June

Osprey courtesy of Jez March

2 Little Ringed Plover: Lake 2B. SU748994. 06:56.
Spotted Flycatcher: In trees at West end of lake 2B. SU748994. 06:56.
Osprey: Seen leaving the quarry from the West end of Lake 2B flying west towards Aston Rowant. SU748994. 06:56.

Jez March

Otmoor: 7th June

Otmoor
2 Garganey 18:30.
Glossy Ibis 18:30.
Grasshopper Warbler 18:30.
4 Cuckoo 18:30.
Black-tailed Godwit 18:30.

Peter Alfrey

White Horse Hill: 7th June

White Horse Hill
2 Stonechat: juv. Along the Ridegway. 16:30.
Corn Bunting: ad male. 16:30.

Steve Akers

South Leigh: 7th June

South Leigh
2 Yellow Wagtail 19:15.

Richard Catling

Otmoor: 7th June

Otmoor
Cuckoo: "20 Cetti's" birder had 3 altogether. 17:42.
Hobby: hunting over Greenaways. 17:42.

Anthony Cheke

Otmoor rspb 6th June

Courtesy of Tezzer

SPOONBILL high over the reserve going S/W and possibly landed 18:30 (per Terry Sherlock)

Osprey from the 2nd screen c08:28

Short-eared Owl flew over Greenaways c11:00

Glossy Ibis 

Great white Egret

Crane

(per Bark et al).

Probable Whimbrel male (per Mark Lymer)

Enslow: 6th June

Enslow
9 Cattle Egret: Total of 9 birds. 7 flew off up river towards Shipton upon Cherwell soon after arrival, but 2 remained in long grass far side of the river Cherwell. 20:36.

Jon Prowse

Enslow 6th June

Courtesy of Paul Wyeth

CATTLE EGRET c8 still present late afternoon in the field behind the Cherwell and the pond adjacent to and visible from the A4095. SP478185 (per Mark Chivers, Graeme Porter, Paul Wyeth). 

Courtesy of Paul Wyeth

Courtesy of Paul Wyeth

Shifford: 5th June

Shifford
2 Yellow Wagtail: Breeding pair seemed to be ferrying food from muckheap Joined by bright yellow male yellow hammer. 11:19.

Mick Cunningham

: 6th June

9 Cattle Egret: Total of 9 birds. 7 flew off up river towards Shipton upon Cherwell soon after arrival, but 2 remained in long grass far side of the river Cherwell. 20:36.

South Park, Oxford, 5th June

Peregrine, heading toward city centre, carrying prey. 

Tom Pizzari

: 5th June

Between Stanford in the Vale + Hatford
Grey Partridge: Very near the footpath, in the long grass in the new strip of woodland. I've not heard them here before. SU332942. 18:40.

JB Woodford

Otmoor rspb 5th June

Courtesy of John Workman

Osprey flew over the southern reedbed c15:40 (per Andrew Martin).

Courtesy of John Workman

Courtesy of John Workman

Courtesy of John Workman

Sonning Eye GPs: 5th June

Sonning Eye GPs
Raven 16:40.

Ralph Watts

Port Meadow, 5th June

2 shelducks 

By the river:
2 little egrets
2+ common terns
Egyptian goose, pair with 7 chicks 

Tom Pizzari

Wytham Field Station, 5th June

CATTLE EGRET, 1 in breeding plumage flushed by a tractor in the meadows in front of the University Field Station. 

Kingfisher, 1 flying carrying a small fish
Common terns 2+ by King's Lock

Tom Pizzari

Fyfield Wick 5th June

Courtesy of Jed Cleeter

SPOONBILL 2 flying high north over 14:30 (per Jed Cleeter).

Oxford 31st May

Belated report of a probable Nightjar over the Magdalen College lawns on Monday evening
(per Max Buckley).

Blenhiem Park 4th June

 CATTLE EGRET 3 photographed on the island yesterday but no sign today.

Standlake Pit 60: 5th June

Standlake Pit 60
Cuckoo: Heard but not seen. 14:21.

Yacky Morris

Enslow 5th June

Courtesy of Derek Woodard taken 4/6

7 Cattle Egret again between Bunkers Hill and Enslow adjacent to the pool off of the A4095. 

Feeding at the edge of the pond where three were spooked by a hunting Stoat; along the bank of the Cherwell where observed one swallowing a frog; one sat in tree preening. They then flew into field the other side of the Cherwell to feed. Still present at 10.30.

Steve Akers

Courtesy of Derek Woodard taken 4/6

Courtesy of Derek Woodard taken 4/6

New Marston: New Marston Meadows: 4th June

4th June

New Marston: New Marston Meadows
9 Ring-necked Parakeet: Biggest flock for a few weeks. Only one occupied nest located so far, suspected to be one or two others.

5th June
Cuckoo: Hedges near Parson's Pleasure. First of year for this site.

Tom Evans

Enslow 5th June

Cattle Egret 2+ still present 10:21 between Bunkers Hill and Enslow adjacent to the pool off of the A4095 (per RBA).

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Enslow: 4th June

Courtesy of Badger.

15 CATTLE EGRET- Behind the small pond (near the sharp bend on A4095) in trees along the river Cherwell and also in the field beyond - (grid ref SP 47910 18382 - Gibraltar Hill) c10 still present 16:45

then flew S/W at 19:50 (per Derek Woodard).

Chinnor: Cement Works: 3rd June

Chinnor: Cement Works
2 Little Ringed Plover: Flew West from Lake 2B. SU750996. 20:00.

Jez March

Farmoor Reservoir: 4th June

Farmoor Reservoir
Greenshank: In flight, calling. 09:15.

Jeremy Blakey

Otmoor: 4th June

Otmoor
3 Great White Egret: On big Otmoor. 10:20.

Luke Marriner

Souldern Wharf nr Bicester 4th June

Great white Egret flew north over Souldern Wharf 07:43 (M.P).

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Cassington GPs: 3rd June

Cassington GPs
Red-crested Pochard: m. 18:30.

Colin Teal

Cassington GPs: 2nd June

Cassington GPs
Cuckoo 17:40.

Colin Teal

Cassington GPs: 1st June

Cassington GPs
Great White Egret: In breeding plumage. 20:00.

Colin Teal

Otmoor rspb 3rd June

Great White Egret 3 on Big Otmoor (per rspb)

Chipping Norton: 2nd June

Chipping Norton
11 Little Egret: Eleven in flight SW of Churchill heading ESE (possibly to Otmoor?) - highly unusual to see a flock of this size in this location. SP268228. 18:00.

Steve Akers

Blenheim: Queen Elizabeth Island: 3rd June

Blenheim: Queen Elizabeth Island
2 Great White Egret: One seen clearly flying. SP439165.

David Preston

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake: 2nd June

Radley GP: Thrupp Lake
Black-headed Gull: Juveniles around breeding islands and a few on water. No count made. Singing Cetti's Warbler at two sites this Spring around the wider area, including this evening at 5.30pm. SU517975. 20:00.

Ian Smith

Devil’s Punchbowl 2nd June

4+ Quail, one seen in flight 

4 Yellow Wagtail

Willow Warbler

: 31st May

Wychwood Forest
2 Spotted Flycatcher: SP325182.

Wychwood Forest
3 Spotted Flycatcher: 2 m singing. SP336178.

Gareth Blockley

Appleford: Appleford GP: 1st June

Appleford: Appleford GP
5 Ringed Plover 20:00.

Thomas Miller

Fyfield Wick: 1st June

Fyfield Wick
Spotted Flycatcher: male. Singing on the Ariel of our cottage. 1st sighting here this year. 18:10.

Jed Cleeter

Holton: 1st June

Holton
Golden Oriole: Bird flew over A40 towards a large group of Poplar trees. Sorry I can't be more specific but I was doing 70mph on the A40 and it caught my eye as it coasted over in silhouette fairly high towards the poplars. 100% this species. I was driving towards Oxford and the bird flew left to right over A40. 16:55.

Jed Cleeter

Standlake: 1st June

Standlake
Lesser Whitethroat: m. Still singing along the straight mile. 18:09.
Cuckoo: m. Singing straight mile broad Bridges. I assume there's one Male ranging from east end of village to western edge: could be wrong. 18:09.

Mick Cunningham

Wantage: 1st June

Wantage
Spotted Flycatcher: SU395880. 14:00.

Leo Bateman

Otmoor: 31st May

Otmoor
Pintail 14:27.

Yacky Morris

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