February 2022 Review

Headline bird

The clear choice for headline bird this month was a drake Ferruginous Duck found at Allen Pit in Dorchester on the 8^th. Although often distant, it remained until at least the end of the month, allowing many to connect with it. The last individual recorded in the county was a drake at Otmoor in 2013.

Interestingly, a hybrid Ferruginous-type duck also spent most of the month at Otmoor, though the actual parentage of the individual is very much unknown.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Courtesy of Jordan Yates

Waders

February saw some early waders beginning to return to the county, with Oystercatcher being recorded as having returned to 9 different sites. There was a single Redshank at Port Meadow from the 1^st to the 14^th, then joined by a second for the remainder of the month. One was also at Otmoor on the 3^rd and 2 were present on the 25^th. The first Curlew returned to Pit 60 on the 5^th, then Waterstock on the 19^th, and by the 25^th, there were as many as 19 at Otmoor. A single Black-tailed Godwit was at Port Meadow on the 2^nd, 8^th,, 9^th, 28^th and 31st. 

There were 2 Green Sandpiper at Bicester on the 4^th, with a single there on the 14^th and then 4 on the 28^th. The only record of Common Sandpiper this month came from 1 at Farmoor on the 10^th. There were individuals of Dunlin at Port Meadow on the 8^th and 25^th, and Farmoor on the 20^th.

The highest count of Woodcock came from Boarstall with 7 on the 1^st. There was also 1 at Chipping Norton on 10^th, 1 at Moreton on the 22^nd, and 3 at Chimney Meadows on the 25^th. Singles of Jack Snipe were observed at Balscote Quarry on the 11^th and Bicester on the 16^th and 28^th.

Returning Curlew at Otmoor, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Gulls

There were two instances of Kittiwakes recorded as having been blown inland by the strong winds, with 1 at Shipton-on-Cherwell on the 21^st and 1 at Chimney Meadows on the 25^th. Sadly, the former died soon after being found. A first winter Caspian Gull was seen at Port Meadow on the 8^th and 17^th, with an adult also present on the 15^th. The only other record this month came from Appleford with an adult on the 19^th. There were singles of Mediterranean Gull at Radley on the 9^th and 16^th, and at Port Meadow on the 15^th, 21^st, and 26^th.

Adult Caspian Gull courtesy of Thomas Miller

Wildfowl, grebes, divers etc

The Great Northern Diver at Farmoor continued throughout the month. There was a drake Ring-necked Duck at Otmoor on the 12^th. From the 13^th until at least the 20^th, there was then a drake at Radley. The female continued at Appleford, and was joined by a drake on the 22^nd, before both remaining until at least the end of the month. Up to 2 drake Scaup were present at Sonning Eye GPs throughout the month, with single females also at Farmoor from the 2^nd to the 6^th and Dix Pit on the 16^th, 24^th, and 25^th. There was a Garganey seen at Pit 60 a few times on the 8th, 12^th, and 13^th.

Goosander were recorded from 7 different sites this month. There was a Mandarin at Bicester on the 2^nd and 2 at Blenheim on the 8^th.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Egrets, herons etc

A Glossy Ibis landed briefly at Port Meadow on the evening of the 10^th. The next day, presumably the same individual was seen at the first screen at Otmoor. There was also 2 reported from Ambrosden on the 10^th. 3 Cattle Egret were recorded at Wytham on the 3^rd, with 8 at Newbridge that same day. On the 16^th, there were then 7 at Newbridge. At Standlake, there were 8 seen on the 12^th and 13^th, with 7 on the 17^th. The peak count of Great White Egret this month came from Blenheim, with 5 on the 17^th. Records also emerged from 8 other sites. At least 2 Crane were recorded as having returned to Otmoor.

Courtesy of Debbie Cowee

Passerines

It was an excellent month for Hawfinch records, with the most impressive total coming from Great Tew, with as many as 25 present on the 3^rd. There were also up to 5 at Ardington, 11 at Cornbury, 3 at Swerford, and 1 at Wychwood. A single Crossbill was recorded with 1 at Banbury on the 24^th. A Black Redstart was seen in a garden in West Oxfordshire on the 16^th. There was a Firecrest at Path Hill on the 3^rd. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was also reported from Oxford on the 15^th. The peak count of Brambling this month came from Whitchurch Hill, with 40 seen on the 7^th. There were also records from 15 other sites. Stonechat were seen at 9 different sites in the county.

Courtesy of Nick Truby

Nuthatch courtesy of Jessica Crumpton

Raptors

A Hen Harrier was seen sporadically at Otmoor during the month, with sightings on the 12^th, 16^th, 22^nd, and 25^th. There were up to 4 Marsh Harrier recorded from Otmoor, with records also coming from Pit 60, with 2 on the 17^th, and singles at Chimney Meadows on the 25^th and Cassington on the 27^th. There was a Short-eared Owl at Devil’s Punchbowl on the 22^nd. There were just two records of Merlin, with individuals at East Hendred on the 7^th and Marston Meadows on the 13^th. Peregrine were impressively recorded from 11 different sites this month.

Hen Harrier, courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Bird Bingo App

Bird Bingo started as a way for half a dozen birders from various parts of the UK to stay connected during the pandemic.  In short, it is a slow play, family-friendly game where you watch out for birds during your daily life.  Gamifying bird watching seemed like a good way to appeal to younger members of the family, and who doesn't have room for another list!

So what is involved?  Well, each day 6 birds are chosen at random from your completely customisable list of birds (plus 12 random birds for your weekly list).  Each bird you are asked to look out for has a 'difficulty' rating from 1 to 5, which is based on how many times each species has been reported.  This translates into the number of mixed seeds you earn for spotting each bird.  Different birds earn you different types of seeds, all of which can be spent on in game rewards.  Oh, and you can win badges too.

The game currently includes 117 different UK species with a few lumps for convenience.  The list will continue to grow, but it is unlikely we will add anywhere near the 600+ species on the current BOU list.

The game is available online at biryanitoken.co.uk/birdbingo or if you are an android user, you can get it on the Google Play store.  If you want to play Bird Bingo with other people, you can link your accounts to share in each other's birding successes and see who is the day or week's best birder.