March 2022 Review

Headline bird

There was no standout rarity in Oxon this month, making the choice of headline bird for March a little more difficult. One of the highlights of this month though has certainly been the influx of Garganey, with records from seven different sites across the county. Always one of the most sought-after finds on patch in March/April, a spring male Garganey is not to be missed. Compared to 2021 (when the first record of the year was not until the 1^st of April), Garganey appeared a lot earlier in the county this year, with the first sighting coming from Otmoor, with a pair present on the 5^th. This sighting likely referred to a pair just passing through, since the next sighting at Otmoor wasn’t until the 21^st, when a single male was seen, with probably the same individual seen again on the 23^rd. A pair was then seen on the 26^th, before 3 were then seen together on the 28^th, comprising 2 males and 1 female. The pair was seen again on the 29^th. 

Male & female Garganey Pinkhill courtesy of Nick Truby,

At Farmoor, a pair arrived on the 20^th, remaining for some time, affording excellent views from the hide at Pinkhill and Shrike Meadow. The same day, 3 were found at Peep-o-Day Lane, comprising 2 males and 1 female. They remained until the 21^st, with just a single male left on the 22^nd. On the 21^st, a pair were found at Port Meadow, though did not linger any more than a day. On the 24^th, a pair were seen on the river at Chislehampton. The most remarkable record of the month though came from Allen Pit, when an incredible 9 Garganey were found on the 25^th, comprising 5 males and 4 females. Finally, a male was seen at Pit 60 on the 29^th.

Courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Courtesy of Badger

Waders

The start of spring wader passage in March saw lots of returning waders passing through the county. The wader highlight of the month was an Avocet found at Farmoor on the 7^th, showing very nicely on the causeway. 

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

The same day, the first Black-tailed Godwits were seen at Port Meadow, with 4 present. On the 15^th, a flock of 11 was seen, with 3 present the following day. There were then 4 on the 17^th and 3 on the 20^th. Finally, a single remained from the 21^st to the 24^th. At Otmoor, there were 2 on the 10^th, 14 on the 13^th and 14^th, 3 on the 17^th, and 1 on the 20^th. The only other record came from Appleford with a single on the 12^th. 2 Ruff were at Otmoor on the 13^th, with singles reported on the 17^th, 19^th and 28^th. A group of 6 were also seen on the 29^th. At Port Meadow, there was a single on the 5^th, with a pair from the 21^st to the 23^rd, before 1 remained until the 28^th.

Farmoor hosted the only Greenshank of the month with 1 on the 21^st and 24^th. Most records of Redshank came from Port Meadow and Otmoor, with maximum counts of 5 on the 5^th and 10 on the 3^rd, respectively. There were singles at Farmoor on the 7^th, 19^th, 22^nd, 28^th and 29^th. There was also one at Balscote Quarry on the 19^th and 2 at Appleford on the 14^th and 27^th. Up to 3 Curlew were reported from Otmoor this month, with a single also at Balscote Quarry on the 14^th. At Port Meadow, 5 were seen on the 24^th and 1 the next day.

There were a vast amount of Oystercatcher records this month with sightings emerging from 13 different sites. Notably, there were 6 at Otmoor on the 17^th, 6 at Port Meadow on the 30^th, 6 at Moreton on the 22^nd and 29^th, and 5 at Appleford on the 26^th. There were singles of Dunlin recorded at Port Meadow throughout the month, with 3 on the 5^th and 23^rd, and 2 on the 20^th. Similarly, there were records at Otmoor throughout, with a peak count of 40 on the 6^th. Singles were at Farmoor on the 11^th, 13^th and 28^th, with 2 there on the 17^th and 22^nd. The only other record came from Pit 60, with 1 on the 25^th.

There was only one sighting of Ringed Plover this month with 2 at Port Meadow on the 1^st. Little Ringed Plover were recorded from 11 different sites, with the first of the year coming from Grimsbury Reservoir on the 11^th and the highest count of 5 from Port Meadow on the 31^st. A single Common Sandpiper was seen at Farmoor throughout the month, with the only other record coming from Otmoor with 2 on the 10^th. Green Sandpiper were recorded from 9 different sites, with the peak count of 8 coming from Bicester Wetland reserve on the 30^th.

Courtesy of Jessica Crumpton

A few Woodcock lingered into March with singles at Churn on the 17^th, Kirtlington on the 23^rd, and Emmington and Warburg on the 26^th. The only Jack Snipe was at Waterstock on the 13^th.

Gulls

The week beginning the 21^st saw a mini-influx of Little Gull inland nationally. This was replicated in Oxon, starting off with a single at Farmoor on the 21^st. On the 22^nd, there was 1 at Pit 60. Then on the 23^rd, 6 were found at Radley and 30 at Farmoor. On the 24^th, there were 2 at Farmoor. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in the Port Meadow roost on the 2^nd and 6^th. On the 14^th, a 2nd summer was in the roost, before being seen again on the 15^th, 18^th and 21^st. Possibly the same 2nd summer individual was seen during the day at Radley on the 19^th, 21^st and 26^th. On the 22^nd, there was a 1st winter in the Port Meadow roost. Finally, on the 30^th, an adult was at Farmoor. There was a 2nd winter Caspian Gull seen at Port Meadow on the 3^rd, with another reported on the 27^th. There was also a 2nd winter at Chinnor on the 4^th, a 1st winter at Farmoor on the 15^th, and a 2nd winter at Appleford on the 15^th. On the 20^th, there was also 1 at Pit 60.

Caspian Gull courtesy of Thomas Miller

Courtesy of Gnome

Wildfowl, grebes, divers etc

The Ferruginous Duck remained at Allen Pit until the 9^th. The Great Northern Diver continued to remain at Farmoor. Similarly, the male Ring-necked Duck at Radley and the female at Appleford were present throughout the month. There was a Black-necked Grebe at Cassington on the 30^th. A flock of Common Scoter were sound recorded on nocmig on the 30^th.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Goosander were seen at 7 different sites, with the highest count of 19 coming from Pit 60 on the 16^th. Goldeneye were recorded throughout the month at Farmoor, with a peak count of 8 on the 12^th. There were also 10 at Cassington on the 30^th.

There were 2 Mandarin at Blenheim on the 1^st and 23^rd, with 3 on the 14^th. There were also singles from Allen Pit on the 18^th and Otmoor on the 23^rd. A pair was seen at Sonning Common on the 21^st and at Sonning Eye GPs on the 29^th and 30^th. There were 2 Red-crested Pochard at Farmoor from the 25^th to 28^th.

Egrets, herons etc

There was a Glossy Ibis at Woodeaton on the 2^nd. 3 Cattle Egret were recorded from Wytham on the 7^th and 8^th, with 2 there on the 22^nd. One was at Harwell from the 9^th to the 16^th, and 2 were at Enslow from the 18^th until at least the 29^th. The Enslow pair are thought to have been roosting at Blenheim, seen on the 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd. There were 9 at Pit 27 on the 21^st, with at least 8 on the 24^th. Finally, there were 2 at Enstone on the 22^nd. Great White Egret were recorded from 8 different sites, most notably flying over the Lye Valley in Headington on the 5^th. Up to 4 Crane were seen at Otmoor throughout the month.

Courtesy of Stephen Burch

Passerines

There were 2 Hawfinch at Ardington on the 4^th. Singles of Rock Pipit were recorded at Farmoor on the 6^th, 7^th, 15^th, and 17^th. A Black Redstart was in Wolvercote on the 12^th  with a second bird reported in Long Hanborough on the 13th.From the 6^th until at least the end of the month, a Siberian Chiffchaff was showing well at Port Meadow, and often heard in song.

Courtesy of Gnome

The first returning Wheatear were seen on the 13^th, with 2 present at Port Meadow. The next day, there was 1 remaining. On the 15^th, 4 were at White Horse Hill and on the 17^th, 2 were at Churn. There were then singles from Stonesfield on the 26^th, Moreton on the 29^th and Otmoor on the 31^st. 

Wheatear Moreton courtesy of Luke Marriner.

White Wagtail Moreton courtesy of Luke Marriner.

Port Meadow hosted individual White Wagtails on the 14^th and 31^st. There was also 1 at Grimsbury on the 22^nd and 3 at Moreton on the 22^nd. The first returning Willow Warbler was at Dorchester on the 21^st, with the next arrivals at Farmoor on the 22^nd and Otmoor on the 23^rd.

Willow Warbler Dorchester courtesy of Geoff Wyatt. 

Remarkably, Brambling were seen at 21 different sites in the county this month, with the highest count of 41 coming from Balscote Quarry on the 20^th. Stonechat were recorded from 5 sites.

Raptors

The first Osprey of the year was seen at Farmoor on the 28^th. The ringtail Hen Harrier continued at Otmoor, though remained elusive, seen on the 6^th, 10^th and 29^th. There was also a male at Devil’s Punchbowl on the 7^th. Singles of Merlin were seen at Otmoor and Fyfield Wick on the 9^th, and Churn on the 17^th. Peregrine were recorded from 8 different sites. Up to 2 Short-eared Owl were seen at Otmoor during the month, with 2 also at Devil’s Punchbowl on the 24th. 4 Marsh Harrier were at Otmoor throughout.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Hirundines

The first returning Sand Martin were seen on the 12^th, with 4 at Pit 27 and 3 at Otmoor. There were also 3 at Farmoor the next day. The first Swallow were on the 27^th, with 2 at Farmoor. There were also 2 there on the 29^th. The same day, there were 3 at Port Meadow and 1 at Moreton. 

Headington Tawny Owl.

Peter Barker was sent a photo of a Tawny Owl sat outside of his house by a member of his local neighbourhood WhatsApp group who, was returning home on his bike late one evening, and spotted this fabulous Tawny Owl *

Peter subsequently checked footage from a security camera which had not only caught the owl but the neighbour. 

Courtesy of Peter Barker.

*Unfortunately and despite rigorous checks with Oxford City Council, we were unable to confirm whether the owl did in fact have a permit.