Kingfisher Lower Radley courtesy of Mark Chivers.

Sonning Eye GPs: 18th August

Sonning Eye GPs
Common Sandpiper: At the triangle. 16:30.

Marek Walford

Pit 60: Sunday 18th August

Wheatear 1

Garsington: Kings Copse Park: 18th August

Garsington: Kings Copse Park
2 Raven: SP570021. 12:40.

Peter Law

Sarsgrove: 18th August

Sarsgrove
Redstart: Male (female also possibly still present). Elusive but very active when no disturbance. Emerged from cover and perched in sun. Lovely views. SP304251. 10:45.
2 Yellowhammer: m and f. SP304251. 10:45.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir: 18th August

Farmoor Reservoir
Yellow Wagtail 09:36.
2 Common Sandpiper
Shoveler 4
Wheatear

Mike Youngman

Lark Hill, Wantage: 17 August

1 Wheatear
On underground reservoir, despite 'works'

Otmoor rspb 17th August

Courtesy of Luke O'Byrne.

Black-tailed Godwit 1st screen c08:45 (per Luke O'Byrne)

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Sarsgrove: 17th August

Sarsgrove
2 Redstart: pair. Still present but elusive. Only breaking cover from hedge to catch insects then returning quickly. SP304251. 16:30.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir 17th August

Sanderling 2 (juv) 

Dunlin

(per Andy Hicks) 

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Red Kite Survey

A Swansea final year student is doing a Red Kite survey as part of conservation research for this species. It would be very helpful for conservation efforts if people could do this survey, it takes less than 5 minutes. 

To do the survey please click here.

Lollingdon: 16th Aug

2 Common Redstart
1 Lesser Whitethroat
2+ Spotted Flycatcher

Farmoor Reservoir 16th August

1030-1400 hrs

Sanderling 2 juveniles
Dunlin 3  all juveniles
Common Sandpiper 1

Common Swift 30+
Sand Martin 300+
House Martin 250+
Swallow 50+

Yellow legged Gull 2
Common Tern 1

: 16th August

Long Wittenham Weir
2 Reed Warbler: Feeding young well hidden in pipe reed. SU540939. 09:43.

John Taylor

Farmoor Reservoir 15th August

1500-1800 hrs

Sanderling 2

Juvenile Sanderling

Dunlin 7
Common Sandpiper 4

Black Tern 1
Common Tern 4
Yellow legged Gull 3
Northern Shoveler 1

Northern Wheatear 1

Farmoor Reservoir 15th August

Black Tern F2 17:20 (per Dai) 

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Otmoor rspb 15th August

Black-tailed Godwit 4 17:07 1st scn

Snipe 6

Little Egret 2

(per Terry Tossell) 

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Farmoor Reservoir: 09:30 - 13:00, 14th Aug

2 Sanderling (juv) by sailing club
5 Dunlin along F2 causeway
1 Northern Wheatear on causeway

Juvenile Sanderling

Sleepy Dunlin group

Northern Wheatear

Farmoor Reservoir 14th August

1415-1530 hrs

Sanderling 2  juveniles
Dunlin 9   2 adults / 7 juveniles
Common Sandpiper 4

Common Swift 9
House Martin 60+
Sand Martin 40+
Swallow 3

Common Tern 1

Juvenile Sanderlings

Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 14th August

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
Greenshank: Also 35 lapwing (incl leucistic bird) and a snipe flew through. 13:50.

Steve Holliday

: 3rd August

Hobby: hunting insects with, but ignoring, House Martins.

Sarsgrove: 13th August

Sarsgrove
2 Redstart: pair. Very elusive - male most active and still present at 19:00.
3 Raven: A pair circling and cronking overhead; a single bird much higher riding the thermals. 13:00.
5 Buzzard: 3 birds over the wood; 2 riding same thermal as the lone Raven. 13:00.
2 Red Kite 13:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Reservoir 13th August

Black Tern 8 midmorning (per Dai) 

Turnstone juv

Ringed Plover 

Dunlin 5

Common Sandpiper 

Peregrine 

Wheatear 

(per Ewan Urquhart) 

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: 13th August

Burnt Platt Wood
Raven: Good to see after couple of month's absence. SU692833. 11:59.

John Taylor

: 12th August

Turville Heath
3 Spotted Flycatcher: m 1f. Plus juvenile - may have been more but hiding in firs. SU741910. 19:23.

Turville Heath
2 Iberian Chiffchaff: 2m. SU741910. 19:23.

John Taylor

Woodway: 11th August

Woodway
Yellow Wagtail: Possibly more than 1 as calls heard a few 100 yards apart, but only I bird- actually seen. 21:05.

Mick Cunningham

Waterstock: 11th August

Waterstock
Yellow Wagtail 07:30.
Common Sandpiper 07:30.
2 Spotted Flycatcher 07:30.

Nick Marriner

Waterstock: River Thame: 11th August

Waterstock: River Thame
2 Reed Warbler 07:30.
3 Raven 07:30.
2 Hobby 07:30.

Nick Marriner

Farmoor: 16:30 - 17:50, 11th Aug

Juvenile Turnstone on F2 causeway

Farmoor Reservoir: 11th August

Farmoor Reservoir
2 Turnstone 09:10.
6 Common Sandpiper 09:10.

Mike Youngman

Swerford Heath: 10th August

Swerford Heath
100 House Martin: 100+ adults and young birds hunting in two large groups over wheat fields and above trees beside B4031. SP397317. 18:00.

Steve Akers

Nether Worton: 10th August

Nether Worton
9 Spotted Flycatcher: Estimate 4 adults; 5 juveniles near the Church - adults feeding young birds. 16:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor, 10th August

09:00-12:00

Black Tern juv

Swift (50+0
Sand Martin (250+)
House Martin (25+)
Raven
Hobby
Kingfisher
Common Sandpiper (2)

Farmoor Reservoir: 10th August

Farmoor Reservoir
Hobby 14:24.

Mick Cunningham

Farmoor Reservoir 10th August

Black Tern juv c 09:40 (per Nick Truby) 

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Shrike Meadow - 9 August am

Finally!

Kingfisher (c) Stephen Burch

www.stephenburch.com

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I: 9th August

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor I
3 Yellow Wagtail: juvs.
3 Yellow-legged Gull: At least 3 adults.

Farmoor Reservoir: Farmoor II
3 Ringed Plover: on margin.
3 Common Sandpiper: on margin.
Dunlin: with the Ringed Plovers.

Anthony Cheke

Farmoor Res 9th August

Common Terns - flock of up to 20

Lollingdon: 9th Aug

1 Common Redstart.
3+ Spotted Flycatcher (1ad, 2 juv).
1 Willow Warbler
5 Swift (flyover)

Farmoor Reservoir 9th August

Whimbrel a.m
Sanderling
Dunlin
Ringed Plover

Wheatear 2

Common Tern c20

(per Ewan et al)

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Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill: 9th August

Cholsey: Lollingdon Hill
2 Spotted Flycatcher: 1m 1f. 14:03.

John Taylor

Bicester Wetland Reserve 9th August

1 adult Water Rail preening out in the open on main part of reserve, this is the third sighting since 3rd of August, also an advanced juvenile was noted by JFT on the 7th August. Suggesting probable breeding.
8 Green Sandpiper

Alan Peters
Key Holder Reserve  

Grimsbury Reservoir 9th August

2 Wheatear
3 Swifts
3 juv Grey Wagtail

Alan Peters

Otmoor: Roman Road: 8th August

Otmoor: Roman Road
Redstart: fem. 12:00.

Andy Coates

Farmoor Res 8th August

1830-1900hrs

Dunlin 3 all adults
Ringed Plover 2
Common Sandpiper 3

Bicester Wetland Reserve 8th August

8 Green Sandpiper

Alan Peters
key holder reserve

Farmoor Res 7th August

Dunlin 5
Ringed Plover 1
Kingfisher 1
Sparrowhawk 1

Yellow legged Gull 6
Common Tern 1

Chipping Norton: 7th August

Chipping Norton
Peregrine 20:00.

Steve Akers

Lollingdon: 7th Aug

1 Common Redstart
2 Spotted Flycatcher
2 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Willow Warbler
Several Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

c80 Swallow, c40 House Martin and 4 Swift all south.

Bicester, 6th August

Common Redstart frequenting Ravencroft in Langford Village, feeding on grass verges and in trees. Found by Jon Holt in his garden earlier.

Farmoor Res 6th August

1145-1230hrs

Common Swift 7
Swallow 4
Sanderling 1 - per Dai
Common Sandpiper 7
Yellow legged Gull 10+ various ages
Common Tern 2

Stratfield Brake: 6th August

Stratfield Brake
Redstart: Female type. In field to left of path before reaching the lakes. 10:45.

Jeremy Dexter

: 6th August

Mongewell
3 Spotted Flycatcher: St John's Church ruins. SU610876. 14:19.

John Kearns

Bicester: 6th August

Bicester
Redstart: m. SP593215. 12:05.

Jon Holt

Otmoor Green Sandpipers

Courtesy of Norman Smith

Farmoor Shrike Meadow 5th August

Juvenile Kingfishers

Lollingdon Hill

1 Common Redstart
5+ Spotted Flycatcher
1 Yellow Wagtail (flyover)

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill: 5th August

Letcombe Bassett: Gramps Hill
3 Yellow Wagtail 19:41.

Brian Walker

Letcombe Bassett: 5th August

Letcombe Bassett
Wheatear: One on the Downs above the village. 19:39.
Spotted Flycatcher: One by cress beds. 19:39.

Brian Walker

Port Meadow: The Perch: 5th August

Port Meadow: The Perch
Barnacle Goose: Amongst a mixed flock of Greylag and Canada geese on river bank. I presume it is the same individual I saw near this location on 18 July. 16:53.

Andrew Siantonas

Enstone: 5th August

Enstone
Raven 13:00.

Steve Akers

Enstone: 5th August

Enstone
Raven 13:00.

Steve Akers

Otmoor August 5th am

Black-tailed Godwit 1 

Common Sandpiper 1

Snipe 16

Redshank 3 juveniles 

Common Tern 3 adults 1 well grown chick

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Green Sandpiper Pit 60 this evening.

Appleford: 4th August

Wood Sandpiper 1 juv unfortunately on a private Hanson site.

Farmoor Aug 4th (18:30-20:15)

Med Gull - 1 juv. Possibly a different individual as More advanced in moult than last nights bird?
Sanderling - 1 adult
Oystercatcher - 2
Common Gull - 1 juv
Swift - 4
(Turnstone - 1 as per Dai)

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Aston Rowant: Aston Rowant NNR: 4th August

Aston Rowant: Aston Rowant NNR
3 Spotted Flycatcher: 2 adults feeding juvenile. 11:00.

Jackie Newcombe

Upton House: 4th August

Upton House
Redstart 15:01.

Michael Hunt

Farmoor, Sunday 4th August

08-12:00

Sanderling

Dunlin

Greenshank
Common Sandpiper (3)
Oystercatcher (2)

Kingfisher (3)
Yellow Wagtail (6)
Swift (2)
House Martin (50+juvs)

[with The Early Birder]

Old Caley's Diary

: 4th August

RSPB Otmoor
Hobby: SP563130. 12:50.

RSPB Otmoor
Marsh Harrier: SP558138. 12:50.

Richard Teague

Chipping Norton: 3rd August

Chipping Norton
Peregrine 19:00.

Steve Akers

: 4th August

Salford
Spotted Flycatcher: In trees by tennis court near Church. SP286282. 10:20.

Salford
Hobby: SP286282. 10:20.

Steve Akers

Rushy Common Stanton Harcourt 4th August

Wood Sandpiper 12:27 from the hide 

(per SNT) 

Key holder reserve. 

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Rushy Common: 4th August

Wood Sandpiper, 1 from the hide

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Chipping Norton: 3rd August

Chipping Norton
Peregrine 19:00.

Steve Akers

Farmoor Aug 3 (18:30-20:30)

Med Gull - 1 juv appeared to roost on F2
Dunlin - 1 ad and 1 juv
Common sand - 3
Gadwall - 1
Yellow legged Gull - approx 30 of various ages including several juv
Common Gull - 1 (2CY)
Yellow wag - 1


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Sonning Eye GPs: 4th August

Sonning Eye GPs
Yellow-legged Gull: juv. 10:10.

Marek Walford

Ewelme: Cress beds: 3rd August

Ewelme: Cress beds
2 Raven 22:25.

Thomas Stevenson

Otmoor 3rd August

7 Snipe
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Little Egret
2 Common Tern
1 Raven

Andy Last

Sonning Eye GPs: 3rd August

Sonning Eye GPs
Yellow-legged Gull: juv. 11:00.

Marek Walford

Farmoor 2nd August

Juvenile Kingfisher

Farmoor Aug 2nd (6-8pm)

Med Gull - 1 juv. Briefly on F1 then later refound on causeway and F2
Yellow wag - 2
Yellow Legged Gull - 10+

Sent from my iPhone

Otmoor: Friday 2nd August

Otmoor 16:30-19:00
3 Green Sandpiper
1 Common Sandpiper
230 Lapwing
6 Common Snipe
1 Little Egret
1 Curlew
2 Common Tern

Fringford: 1st August

Fringford
Spotted Flycatcher: SP608278. 21:09.

Phil Tizzard

Chinnor: Cement Works: 1st August

Chinnor: Cement Works
2 Common Sandpiper 18:45.

Mark Mckeown

Lockinge 1st August

Cuckoo (juv)
2 Raven
Grey Wagtail
1+ Spot Fly

All around pool to north of Lockinge Lake. Ravens have bred close to Ardington this summer, raising one juvenile.

Oxford: Christchurch Meadow: 1st August

Oxford: Christchurch Meadow
2 Ring-necked Parakeet: Ring-necked parakeets spotted in Christchurch Meadow in the evening. Looked liked an adult male & female 07:00.

Anna Sremcevic

Farmoor - 31st July

Wood Sandpiper 1 landed on the causeway for 20 seconds after sunset before towering off west
Redshank 1
Turnstone 2
Dunlin 1
Y l Gull 24

June / July Review

Black-tailed Godwit over Otmoor, courtesy of Norman Smith

These usually quieter birding months of mid-summer lived up to their reputation in 2019, with no real county "headliners" being recorded. Much of the interest for this review period surrounded waders, while breeding and passage passerines also featured and some large, long-legged birds made news of their own.

Prominent amongst visiting waders were Black-tailed Godwit. That smart species in its rust-brown summer plumage paid little regard to the "birding doldrums" as these months are sometimes termed, being recorded at several sites. Movement continued through June, with two "Blackwits" visiting Otmoor on 20th, seven there on 30th, and a single at LWV Pit 60, Standlake on 26th.

Black-tailed Godwits at Farmoor, courtesy of Dai John (above)
and Jeremy Dexter (below)

In early July there were more sightings with two at Pit 60 on 1st then again on 11th, and five at Farmoor (2nd). Otmoor hosted an impressive 24 of these birds on 18th July, then three more on 21st.

Farmoor Avocets, courtesy of Dai John
click on any image to enlarge

But June's birds of the month had to be the three Avocet that visited Farmoor Reservoir on 3rd, being seen in flight over F2 then settling by the causeway before all too quickly moving on. Sanderling were still heading north in the first week of June, their attractive breeding plumage being a sought after sighting for county birders in any early summer.

Farmoor Sanderlings, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Little Ringed Plover enjoyed a good Oxon season. This rather charming little wader was reported fairly regularly from LWV Pit 60, Chinnor Cement Works and Farmoor Reservoir. Hopefully breeding might have taken place at two of those sites.

Little Ringed Plover at LWV Pit 60 (above), courtesy of Steve Burch
and Chinnor Cement Works (below), courtesy of Mark Mallinson

 

Early July is usually when Green Sandpiper numbers begin to build. A first record from their main county stronghold, Bicester Wetland Reserve came as early as June 26th, then numbers grew through July to a peak of 10 birds by 24th. Common Sandpiper including juveniles were also logged at a number of sites through this review period, with a best count of six at Rushey Common on 27th.

Green Sandpipers at BWR, courtesy of Nick Truby

Juvenile Common Sandpiper at Pit 60, courtesy of Jim Hutchins

As July moved towards its close Farmoor watchers began to gather to monitor the new return passage season. Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Turnstone were all amongst the other more regular waders recorded to month's end. To round things off nicely a Knot dropped in on 31st, then very briefly at dusk a Wood Sandpiper (see post above). The first Black Tern of late summer, a juvenile flew through the reservoir briefly on the morning of 27th. Meanwhile, what are thought to be locally bred juvenile Curlew were frequenting RSPB Otmoor at this time.

Turnstone at Farmoor Reservoir, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Juvenile Curlew on Otmoor, courtesy of Peter Barker

Sadly, Otmoor's annual summer pair of release scheme Common Crane failed to raise any young again in 2019. Things appeared to progress well for more than 30 days after the birds' arrival this year, before the worst was realised. The reasons for this are not fully understood, but surely the much loved visitors must enjoy better breeding fortune in the not too distant future.

Otmoor's pair of Common Crane, courtesy of Peter Barker

Another large, long-legged item, Great White Egret returned to the county at one of its more regular sites, LWV Pit 60 on 13 & 14th July. Last year they had an exceptional autumn in our midst and we will all be hoping for more of the same in the months ahead.

Great White Egret at Pit 60, with Little Egret (right) and Grey Heron,
courtesy of Steve Liptrot

Amongst other more notable sightings, Quail were heard from no less than five locations: at Sydlings Copse, near Beckley (6th June), Otmoor (27th & 2nd July), then Lowbury Hill (8th), Chadlington (16th) and the Devil's Punchbowl area of the Downs (27 & 28th). Three Garganey visited Port Meadow on 9th June. Mediterranean Gull were logged at Farmoor Reservoir on 4th June then near Otmoor a day later, and a juvenile was seen at Farmoor on 30th. Yellow-legged Gull returned to Farmoor through July being the first large Gull to do so each year.

Yellow-legged Gull at Farmoor, courtesy of Nick Truby

A Little Owl has been observed at a site near Cholsey in south-east Oxon over recent months, and at this quiet time is worthy of mention. Barn Owl was also reported herein during the review period. Where raptors were concerned, Hobby and Peregrine each produced a number of records across the county. And Ring-necked Parakeet continued to announce themselves in Marston Ferry Meadows and over Oxford city centre.

Little Owl, courtesy of Paul Chandler, and
Barn Owl, courtesy of Brian Walker

The North American House Finch is a popular cage bird, indicated here by a blue ring. This novelty item was visiting a garden in the north of the county in the latter part of July.

House Finch, courtesy of Anthony Fowler

Of the more usual July passerines, Spotted Flycatcher was reported from three different sites between 12th and 28th. The earliest southbound Redstart was seen at Lollingdon Hill, near Cholsey on 8th, together with a Whinchat; then three more of the former at Otmoor a day later. Two further "Fire Flirts" passed through the first of those sites on 15th, then more were seen on the Downs and at Lollingdon again from 27th to 31st.

Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart, courtesy of Paul Chandler

For a second consecutive year a juvenile Stonechat was observed at the RSPB Otmoor reserve on 20th July, suggesting that breeding is taking place in the wider Otmoor basin. And more Redstart continued to be recorded in the vicinity until month's end as late summer passage progressed, with a best count of at least 11 in family parties on 21st

Juvenile Stonechat at Otmoor, courtesy of Peter Barker

Lastly, on 24th June an unseasonal Siskin was spotted in flight over the Oxford crematorium along the road from Risinghurst to Otmoor. But I amongst others of the Oxon birders gathered there wondered if this calling bird might be a Stoneshank. So long old buddy, Paul Greenaway you will be missed.

Peter Law