March Review

Highlights

The most obvious highlight this month is the welcome return of our summer migrants. I am sure like everyone else; one can’t help but smile when you clap eyes on that first intrepid migratory bird - whether that be the golden eye ring of a Little Ringed Plover on your local gravel pit or the flash of white as a Wheatear flies across a random arable field in your village. Although meteorological Spring starts on the 1^st March and astronomical Spring started on the 20^th March, for many of us Spring will be when we see our first proper sub-Saharan migrant. With the influx of these migrants this month the county list stands at a respectable 149, with 15 species added in March.

Little Ringed Plover, Biscester Wetland Reserve, courtesy of Nick Truby

It seems that a lot of our migratory birds turn up earlier each year and that is somewhat borne out by the crude table below with birds arriving earlier in the last decade than in the last near quarter of a century. The perception though can be sometimes misleading, with our first Sand Martin of the year coming on the 23^rd February, essentially still winter, but then the next records not following for a further two weeks and all coming on the median arrival date since the turn of the century - the 15^th March. But its certainly true that species like Oystercatcher are shifting significantly with birds arriving nearly 2 weeks earlier than in previous years. Where they were more likely to arrive just before meteorological Spring, they are now returning to territories closer to mid-Winter. My assumption is that for most species this can only mean bad news in the long term for their populations but that is a somewhat bleak note to end on, so here is something brighter. Within days of reading this we should hopefully have the next tranche of spring migrants arriving in the county and putting more smiles on the faces of those who clock eyes on them!

The first Wheatear of the year on patch is always welcome, courtesy of Alan Dawson

 

Migrant arrival dates

Species	Median (since 2000)	Earliest	2024
Garganey	01-Apr	06-Mar (excludes over wintering birds)	17-Mar
Black-tailed Godwit	15-Mar	01-Jan	26-Feb
Oystercatcher	17-Feb	12-Jan	27-Jan
Sand Martin	15-Mar	02-Mar	23-Feb
Little-ringed Plover	14-Mar	02-Mar	09-Mar
Wheatear	17-Mar	19-Feb	15-Mar
White Wagtail	24-Mar	04-Mar	26-Mar
Willow Warbler	25-Mar	07-Mar	20-Mar
Osprey	01-Apr	18-Mar	22-Mar
Swallow	23-Mar	17-Feb	22-Mar
Sedge Warbler	04-Apr	05-Apr	23-Feb
Redstart	09-Apr	05-Apr	19-Mar
Ring Ouzel	31-Mar	01-Apr	15-Mar
House Martin	29-Mar	08-Mar	21-Mar
Grey Plover	05-Apr	10-Jan	14-Jan
Knot	27-Mar	07-Jan	08-Jan

 

Waders

The first of the scarcer waders passed through the county in the early part of the month when a trio of Avocet landed on Port Meadow on the 7^th. A classic rarity for the early part of March, the birds typically didn’t remain long and were gone by the afternoon. A second chance for local birders did arise though when a single turned up again on Port Meadow on the 20^th, although once again this was only a brief refuelling visit before it was gone. 

Courtesy of Russell O Allen.

On the last day of the month Otmoor got in on the action with a pair of Avocets spending the day on the Flood Field. The wintering Grey Plover remained throughout March turning up at both Port Meadow and Otmoor frequently showing the well-used and important commuting corridor between these two premier birding sites of Oxfordshire. Often in the company of several hundred Golden Plover it was last seen on Port Meadow on the 23^rd. 

One of the two Otmoor Avocet, courtesy of Pete Roby

2024’s first Little Ringed Plover came on the 9^th with a bird back on territory at Peep-o-Day Lane and was a little ahead of the median arrival date of the 14^th. The next birds arrived a bit closer to this date with a bird on Rushy Common on the 15^th and Otmoor on the 17^th. More birds piled in thereafter with another six sites hosting birds in the latter part of the month, with the highest count of five birds coming from Chinnor on the 29^th but with most sites hosting pairs. The Port Meadow/Otmoor commuter corridor also hosted a large flock of Black-tailed Godwit which presumably were using the site as staging grounds before heading off to breeding grounds. The first three birds arrived at Otmoor on the 2^nd before a flock of 55 were on Port Meadow on the 7^th which increased to a whopping 69 on the 8^th, with 51 seen at Otmoor the same and presumably part of the same flock. These birds continued to be seen at both sites throughout the month with the flock peaking at 80 birds on the 19^th. Days Lock hosted up to 10 birds between the 9^th and 10^th whilst Pit 60 and Rushy Common hosted 2-3 birds between the on the 9^th and 24^th respectively. 

Black-tailed Godwits on Port Meadow courtesy of Ben Sheldon

Jack Snipe records came from three sites this month, with the single lingering bird at Bicester Wetlands still present on the 16^th. New records came from Peep-o-Day Lane on the 13^th and Iffley Meadows on the 27^th. The Ruff continued also at Otmoor this month with three still here on the 2^nd but only a single bird remaining by the 18^th. The first Ringed Plover of the spring season came from Otmoor on the 10^th with no other records coming this month. Dunlin continued to be present in large numbers with most birds keeping to Otmoor in March with the occasional foray to Port Meadow. The highest count came on the 9^th when 227 were present, although triple digit counts were made on two other occasions on the 2^nd (120) and 13^th (c.100). Port Meadow’s highest count was of 64 birds on the 2^nd, presumably a splinter group from the main flock at Otmoor. Smaller flocks were recorded at Port Meadow through the month, whilst Days Lock and Waterstock hosted three and one birds respectively and both on the 9^th.

Green Sandpiper were at a similar number of locations in the previous month with five sites hosting birds. Three of these sites hosted two birds – Peep -o-Day Lane (9^th), Ardley (4^th) and Curbridge (10^th). Whilst Bicester Wetlands and Chipping Norton hosted single birds. The Common Sandpiper continued its winter holiday at Farmoor and was recorded sporadically throughout the month between the 2^nd and 23^rd. Redshank, aside from Otmoor, were at three sites – Port Meadow (9^th), Rushy Common (10^th) and Peep-o-Day Lane (13^th).  Oystercatchers were on at least nine sites this month with many sites hosting breeding pairs, the highest counts came from Pit 60 where five were present on the 9^th whilst Peep-o-Day Lane hosted four birds on the 13^th.

Wildfowl etc

The most popular rarity of the month came in the form of summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe present at Thrupp Lake on the 14^th. A nice local find on one of our Patchwork Challenge patches, the bird stuck around until at least the 15^th and was also reported there on the 16^th. A Great Northern Diver reported from Farmoor on the 26^th was bit of a surprise after the long staying bird had departed last month, but with no confirmation of the record forthcoming the bird was possibly a short stayer.

 

The Black-necked Grebe courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Courtesy of Bryan Manston.

...and some video courtesy of Badger

The first Garganey of the spring arrived on Otmoor on the 16^th which is exactly the same date as last year. A pair were also on Peep-o-Day Lane on the 26^th but unlike last year this pair didn’t hang around long and were gone by the afternoon. The group of White-fronted Goose were still on Otmoor through the month, being reported sporadically. Whilst the long-staying pair of female Scaup were still on Farmoor until at least the 15^th, whilst a possible female was then present on Cassington GP’s on the 22^nd. Goosander were present on four sites this month with most of the records coming from Port Meadow, although the highest count came from Pit 60 where seven birds were recorded on the 9^th. The other two sites only recorded single birds – Radley GP’s and Days Lock on the 14^th and 25^th respectively. Port Meadow also produced the most records for Shelduck this month and also the highest count with 11 birds here on the 17^th. A further eight sites reported birds with most sites hosting multiple birds. 

Two Goosander on the Thames at Port Meadow courtesy of Russell O Allen

 

Goldeneye continued at least five sites, all in the west of the county. The highest count typically came from Dix Pit where 11 birds were present on the 16^th. Whilst Farmoor, Rushy Common, Pit 60 and Cassington GP’s all hosted between 1-3 birds. A high count of 128 Pochard from Otmoor om the 2^nd was a great count for the species, whilst Pit 60 continued to host an extraordinary number of Pintail with 646 birds here on the 9^th with Otmoor hosting 250 birds also on the 9^th. Red-crested Pochard were at several new sites this month, presumably with the wintering flocks of Dix Pit on the move. Radley (8^th), Rushy Common (10^th), Appleford (10^th) and Otmoor (17^th) all hosted 1-2 birds. The only Mandarin records came from Sonning Eye Common om the 19^th where a pair were present. 

One of the two Farmoor Scaup courtesy of John Workman

 

Herons, egrets etc

Things remained much as they have been for several months with both Cattle Egret and Great White Egret widespread. The major difference been the recording of two White Stork flying over Henley-on-Thames on the 27^th. Presumably these were the two Knepp Estate birds (colour-ringed reintroduction project) that spent a couple of days in Buckinghamshire and surrounding counties and were also seen over Reading two days later. Presumably these birds are now heading back to Knepp in Sussex to breed again.

Cattle Egret records remained fairly static with the same birds been recorded repeatedly at sites that have hosted birds over the winter. Eight sites hosted birds including Peep-o-Day Lane and Radley GP’s where birds from the former appeared to be roosting at the latter and probably also commuting between here and Day’s Lock. Bicester Wetlands, Aynho, Witney Lake also hosted single birds this month. Wytham hosted the large flock at the beginning of the month where 23 birds were present on the 2^nd before presumably dispersing to sites mentioned above. Otmoor recorded up to 10 birds this month, whilst a nice promising sign of things to come came in the form 12 birds returning to the breeding site at Blenheim albeit briefly. It seems that the Grey Heron and Little Egret have moved quickly to breed on the island at Blenheim and the competition for space might be strong at the site this year so fingers crossed for another successful breeding year. 

 

BWR NT

Great White Egret continued to be recorded from many sites, although down from the previous month with water levels receding, with at least 12 sites reported birds. The highest count came from Pit 60 where five birds were recorded, whilst a summer plumaged bird was just to the north at Blenheim and presumably it’s only a matter of time before we have our first breeding record in the county?

Gulls and Terns

With our first Common Tern due any day now (median arrival 3^rd April) and Sandwich and Arctic Tern due to follow in a couple weeks we have make do with the usual suspects this month. Caspian Gull were recorded at only two sites this month – Port Meadow and Appleford. Two 1^st winter birds were seen frequently at the Port Meadow roost at both ends of the month whilst 1+ were reported at Appleford on the 7^th.

Mediterranean Gull were recorded from three sites and probably related to two birds. A single summer plumaged bird was on Radley GP’s on the 1^st whilst possibly the same bird was frequently recorded at Port Meadow from the 2^nd until the 27^th. A lone 1^st winter bird was also recorded at Dix Pit on the 11^th. 

Radley Mediterranean Gull courtesy of Ian Elkins

 

Passerines

Somewhat overshadowed by the beginning of the spring migration, the Waxwing invasion continued to simmer across the county with three sites reporting birds in March. Sonning Common had 20 birds feeding in a private garden on the 4^th but were not seen subsequently. Whilst the birds that frequented the gardens of north Abingdon returned again on the 6^th and surprisingly again on the 22^nd after long periods of absence, presumably feeding up across the town before their long journey back to northern Europe. A single bird was also reported from Long Hanborough on the 6^th but not seen subsequently. The standout for the month came in the form of Ring Ouzel right at the death with a stunning male seen at Aston Upthorpe on the 30^th, a classic site for the species right on que. Unfortunately despite other people present on site the bird went to ground and remained elusive, although a report did filter through from the afternoon but whether this was from the morning or later in the day wasn’t clear. 

Probably my most eagerly anticipated returning spring migrant, the first Wheatear made landfall in the county on the 15^th and was typically on the downs at Scary Hill. Subsequent sightings also came from the downs at Lollingdon Hill and Sparsholt Firs both on the 16^th. Thereafter though birds began to be reported at a wider range of sites with a further seven sites reporting birds – Sutton Courtenay, Days Lock, White Horse Hill, Ardley, Sarsgrove, Cholsey, Blewbury and Shennington. The 24^th of the month saw a big fall of birds with the highest count coming from White Horse Hill where 10 birds were recorded, followed closely by Sarsgrove and Shennington which saw eight birds each! The first Redstart also made an appearance at the very end of the month, again in classic form on the downs. This bird was a little early though with the classic arrival not been for another week or so. Whilst another female bird was present on Otmoor on the 31^st

Wheatear Sparsholt Firs courtesy of Geoff Dymott

 After a very early record on the 23^rd the next records of Sand Martin were much more in line with the typical arrival time with two records on the 15^th at Balscote Quarry and Farmoor. Seven sites then recorded small flocks of birds from the 19^th to the 24^th peaking at 30 birds over Peep-o-Day Lane on the 23^rd. The first Swallow was also bang on time with the first bird coming on the 22^nd (median 23^rd) and came from Wytham, this was followed by singles and pairs at five more sites between the 23^rd and 26^th. The first House Martin, however, was a little early coming almost a week before the typical arrival time with a single bird over South Leigh on the 21^st. The next record came a few days later from Blenheim on the 25^th, also a single bird and in the company of a small flock of Sand Martin.

House Martin courtesy of Gareth Casburn.

Another species which seems to arrive earlier each year, the first singing Willow Warbler was heard at Warneford Meadow and Farmoor on the 20^th, with more birds at more sites following shortly behind – Radley (22^nd), Otmoor (23^rd), Marston Meadows (23^rd), Grimsbury (24^th), Port Meadow (27^th) and Peep-o-Day Lane (29^th). Not typically on the radar until early April the season’s first Sedge Warbler came on the 26^th from Farmoor and presumably was from Pinkhill Reserve or somewhere else along the Thames stretch. Grimsbury Reservoir also got its fair share of the migrant action hosted the year’s first Rock Pipit on the 13^th as well as the first White Wagtail of the spring on the 26^th. A further 3 of these continental wagtails were seen at Rushy Common on the 31st. A female Black Redstart was in an Eynsham garden on the 15^th, a record made even more interesting since the same garden also hosted a male in the autumn of 2021, whilst a 2^nd bird was in Bodicote briefly on the 30^th. Another intriguing record came from Lye Valley on the 16^th with the report of a Mealy Redpoll, although the information came from the birding services and confirmation of the record was not forthcoming. 

Eynsham, Nick Tasker

The wintering pair of Siberian Chiffchaff continued to be occasionally reported from Port Meadow through March with the ringed individual most reported but both were seen on the 8^th. The last record came on the 10^th, presumably the birds now having moved on from the site. Brambling also continued to linger on in the county with mostly singles and pairs observed across four sites, including some cracking males coming into summer plumage. Whilst the lone record of Crossbill came from Cowleaze Wood on the 3^rd with four birds here.

A Brambling at Balscote Quarry courtesy of Wally Warburton

 

Raptors

The latter part of the month also saw the first Osprey records of 2024, with birds typically been brief fly through records. The first came from Otmoor with a bird circling there on the 22^nd whilst a 2^nd bird was also observed circling Farmoor on the 24^th. The wintering Hen Harrier continued at Otmoor through the whole month, although the ring tailed bird was only reported sporadically. 

Hunting Otmoor Marsh Harrier courtesy of Malcolm Bowey

 

Short-eared Owl also continued to be reported from various sites with the most birds typically coming from the downs, with four birds seen on the 17^th. Single birds were reported at Otmoor from the 1^st – 24^th, Kidlington and Middle Barton both on the 9^th and Banbury on the 24^th. A lovely male Merlin was reported twice on Otmoor this month with records coming on the 2^nd and again on 20^th.

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight
Aston eyot	Ben Sheldon	59	59	Reed Bunting (Patch tick)
Ardley ERF	Gareth Casburn	64	66
Dix pit	Simon Bradfield	58	53
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	70	73
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	58	57
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	125	105
Sutton Courtenay	Conor MacKenzie	106	96	Red-crested Pochard (2nd Patch record), Great Egret, Jack Snipe (Patch tick)
Radley GP’s	Ian Elkins	96	86	Cattle Egret, Marsh Harrier and Black-necked Grebe
Freeland	Glen Pascoe	64	63
South Hinksey	Alex Figueiredo	50	49
Cholsey	Alan Dawson	93	87