The Highlights
It’s official, there is no longer a “safe” time to leave the county. The previous two months proved that and then some, whilst August compounded the message. August, of course is actually autumn, so the expectation of birds on the move is fairly high. But with the run of form the county has just experienced, one might safely assume that early - mid August was a safe bet for an excursion beyond the county’s borders - wrong! The 15th saw the first Oxon White-winged Black Tern in just under a decade, at the only site to have ever recorded the species - Farmoor. Another excellent find by Andy Last, this was always going to be an extremely popular bird. Time was of the essence, Terns have a habit of just powering through Farmoor (see last month’s Caspian Tern!), and so a quick reaction was required for such a great bird. Thankfully it stayed long enough for at least some folk to enjoy, including those year-listing this year. But within less than 90 minutes of being found it was gone, gathering height and departing SE much to the dismay of birders just arriving. To be fair the signs for such a record were all there, if only one knew how to interpret them. The best rarity year in recent memory, no records within the last decade and of course the secret ingredient of myself not being in the county!
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| White-winged Black Tern courtesy of Thomas Miller |
In all seriousness, with a run of records to the north of Oxon, including just over the border in Northants, it felt inevitable there’d be an Oxon record. Farmoor has a habit of “swallowing” great county birds before anyone gets chance to enjoy them, so thankfully at least a few birders got to see this once in a decade event! White-winged Black Tern is another one of those species that holds a special place in Oxon birding folklore. Part of the “Holy Trinity” record on Farmoor in 2011, where the site held Black Tern, White-Winged and American Black Tern in one three bird flock. A unique event in world birding, unlikely to be repeated anywhere in our lifetime. This was the county’s 15th record and White-winged Black Tern remains an exceptionally scarce and irregular visitor to Oxfordshire. Across all records between 1971 and 2026, White-winged Black Tern has averaged approximately one record every four years. However, the records were notably concentrated in a flurry between 1999 and 2011, when six were recorded. Since then, occurrences have become much more widely spaced, with just three records in the subsequent 15 years, including the latest in 2026. Let’s just hope it’s not another decade until the next record!
It’s not often that a single rarity spans two review periods, never mind warrant attention to get a second mention. The Long-tailed Shrike, though, with its continued presence, deserves its place here. Quite how many birders have made the journey to pay homage to this unlikeliest of rarities is unknown but given the amount of non-birders I have heard speaking about it, I can only imagine it’s in the low four figures! Certainly, most of the county has been two or three times, along with some very dedicated out of county birders. Having completed its moult, the individual is looking quite a bit smarter, if this was even possible, and presumably it shouldn’t be too long before its departing its little patch of the Cotswolds. Quite where it will go is difficult to guess, although the chances of it gracing another European countries borders seem relatively high, where I’m sure it will be equally as popular!
Above courtesy of Peter Milligan
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| The Long-tailed Shrike courtesy of Ewan Urquhart |
Waders
The waders are coming! August must be one of the most exciting months for birding, particularly if you have a thing for waders – and let’s be honest who doesn’t? Masses of high latitude breeding waders and their juveniles are moving southward and often the latter are extremely showy having never seen humans before. Adding to the ever-expanding year list, a juvenile Spotted Redshank was the clear highlight for the month. A less than annual species, 2025 saw no twitchable records, so an available bird at Pit 60 on the 22nd was a most welcome record. Unfortunately, it was gone by the next day and too often that would have been it for this species. A 2nd record came only a couple of days later however, this time from Farmoor on the 24th. Initially picked up with two Greenshank for company on the shores of F2, but quite quickly were kicked up and flying around before seeming to leave to the SW. Thankfully though, for at least for one dedicated year lister, it returned a short while later to rejoin the pair of Greenshank and spend the rest of the evening on site.
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| Spotted Redshank courtesy of Andy Last |
Another species that isn’t always annual, Curlew Sandpiper dropped into Farmoor on the 27th, during a classic migration day. Following what appeared to be a decent breeding year, expectations were running high for at least one or two Oxfordshire records. Those expectations were met in style, with the first Curlew Sandpiper topping an impressive 10-wader day at the site. Clearly, some big movements were taking place, with a further two Curlew Sandpipers passing through later that day. Those big movements included the first Knot of season, with a juvenile hanging around on site for the majority of the day.
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| Curlew Sandpiper courtesy of Simon Myers |
Earlier in the month, with little water around the county, an early Wood Sandpiper found a pool at Groove Airfield the most suitable location for spending a few days as it was heading southwards. Offering some excellent viewing opportunities, it spent most of its time in the company of a Green Sandpiper from the 2nd to the 6th, before leaving for pastures new.
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| Wood Sandpiper courtesy of Brian Walker |
Turnstone had a decent showing this month, with at least seven records, all from Farmoor. The undoubted highlight a flock of 13 flying straight on the evening of the 11th, adding to the two that were already present first thing. Two – three birds were present from the 21st – 28th, and although these could have been the same birds, it seems highly likely there was some turnover of individuals as migration kicked into full gear.
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| Turnstones courtesy of Thomas Miller |
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| Turnstone courtesy of Ewan Urquhart |
Only one Sanderling this month, a single bird on the 11th again at Farmoor, in what is usually a stalwart of the early wader migration period. Hopefully more of these high arctic wanderers will appear over the next few weeks.
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| Sanderling courtesy of Steve Liptrot |
After several poor years for Ruff, at both ends of the migration periods, it was welcome to have at least six sites hosting individuals in August. The first individuals arrived at Otmoor on the 20th, with four present from the 1st screen. A single juvenile was also on Farmoor that day, with the following days seeing more birds arrive. Dix Pit had two birds on the 22nd, showing the remarkably low level this deep pit had fallen to over the summer heatwaves! Four birds were then at NCVW on the 23rd, with the four also at Dix Pit the following day. A single at Stratfield Brake on the 30th provided a red-letter day for a dedicated patch birder on this small urban site. Finally, with four present at Pit 60 on the 31st, given the proximity and consistency of number, it is possible the same four birds were touring some of the West Oxon pits. Whimbrel records were few and far between, with two records from Farmoor. Not surprising given the species presence for a more westerly path on return migration. One of these came on the classic day at the site on the 27th, followed by another on the 29th.
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| Ruff courtesy of Jeremy Dexter |
Greenshank were present on six sites, typically been easier to catch up with in autumn rather than spring. Radley GPs had the first bird of August on the 7th followed by several records from Farmoor from the 11th – 27th including a couple of duos. Otmoor had the highest count, with four here on the 19th, followed by singles at Dix Pit, NCVW and Days Lock in the latter half of the month.
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| Greenshank courtesy of Ewan Urquhart |
Black-tailed Godwit were equally sporadic but less widespread, with only three sites hosting birds this month. Otmoor had three birds on the 9th, with a single left over on the 10th, followed by two on the 19th. Farmoor saw several different individuals through the site between the 11th and 29th, including at least two showy individuals on the causeway. Ringed Plover were across four sites and consisted of at least 16 records this month. Farmoor saw a frequent turn over of birds throughout the month, making it hard to know how many individuals were involved. A max count of four was recorded towards the latter part of the month. Perhaps the most surprising record came from Oxon Golf Course, where two were observed passing through the site in inclement conditions- one of several good birds at this site. The more typical sites of Grimsbury Reservoir and Otmoor also reported birds this month.
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| Black-tailed Godwit courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
Dunlin were also only at three sites this month, with 10 separate days reporting individuals at Farmoor, with a max count of four on the 5th. Rushy Common and NCVW also reported individual birds across multiple days, again making it difficult to understand exactly how many birds moved through the county this month.
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| Dunlin courtesy of Nick Truby |
Little Ringed Plover were spread across five sites. With plenty of juveniles in amongst the records, it’s safe to say at least a few of these were not local birds. Otmoor had one from the 8th, whilst NCVW hosted up to five through the middle of the month – presumably local breeders. Farmoor and Ardley rounded off the month, with singles at both sites across multiple days. The scale of Green Sandpiper movement increases significantly in August, with a minimum of 13 sites recording the species. Bicester Wetlands maintained its status as an important staging site, with at least 10 here on the 7th; with eight still here on the 25th. Records were spread right across the county, in the west Cornwell Marsh and the far south at Henley Road GPs, more often than not involving only single individuals.
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| Green Sandpiper courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
Common Sandpiper also increased this month, also with a minimum of 13 sites hosting individuals. Farmoor saw the highest count eight on the 28th, with almost all over sites reporting just single individuals. As with Green Sandpiper, the species was spread right across the county.
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| Common Sandpiper courtesy of David Hastings |
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| Common Sandpiper courtesy of Michael Enticott |
Wildfowl, game etc
Ferruginous Duck has a somewhat chequered status within the UK. Most birders will know that the provenance of a fair chunk of the UK records, is at best questionable. This is not a uniquely species-specific issue, with so many species of wildfowl having dubious origins. Ferruginous Duck records are made even more tricky when you consider the risk of hybrids, a common occurrence in the species and with many records involving birds with some hybrid influence also. A female on Rushy Common, on 14th looked good for a pure bird but with potential suspect origins given the time of year. A male at Dix Pit only a few days later on the 16th only seemed to add to the uncertainty of both’s provenance, with its presence making the case for both wild and captive origins. In any case both birds remained on their respective sites until at least the 24th, when the female seemed to disappear. The male remained on Dix Pit until at least the 25th, with a steady stream of admirers in attendance. It was the males turn to disappear however, with the female seemingly taking his place on the 31st.
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| Ferruginous Ducks, male above courtesy of Jeremy Dexter and female below courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
The 21st saw the first Black-necked Grebe of the year, with a summer plumaged adult and juvenile on F2. Part of a broader post-breeding dispersal of birds across the country, this pair did not hang around long and were gone by the 22nd. Thankfully, the 27th saw another record when a juvenile appeared to drop out of the sky into Farmoor during the classic migration day there. It remained here until the 28th occasionally showing well along the causeway, offering some excellent viewing opportunities.
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| Black-necked Grebes courtesy of Jeremy Dexter |
Quail records were much reduced as expected, with most birds no longer singing and focussing on breeding. However, three were reporting singing around Charlbury on the 6th, whilst another was still singing at Churn on the 8th.
Pit 60 hosted the only Shelduck
records this month, with three here between the 29th and 31st.
Red-crested Pochard were on two sites, with eight at Pit 60 from
the 19th and 18 at Rushy Common on the 23rd. Mandarin
were also present at two sites, Henley Road GPs and Pit 60, with
the former hosting a sizeable count of 12 on the 22nd.
Herons, egrets etc
The Devon ringed White
Stork was still knocking around the Swinford Toll area, at least
until the 3rd. From there it then moved to fields between Botley and
Cumnor on the 4th. Although no further reports were
forthcoming, it clearly has spent quite the proportion of its stay out of sight
and could very well be still in the county.
Cattle Egret were spread across a minimum of 13 sites as the annual roving post-breeding flocks got going. The standout came from Otmoor where a huge flock of 69 were observed going into roost around the 1st screen. Quite where all these birds originate is still a mystery, but it’s a well established annual pattern of large numbers of birds turning up in the late summer before dispersing around the county. A small flock continues to remain loyal to the pastures running along the A34 with up to 10 there this month. Rushy Common hosted 14, including two juvs, early in the month, whilst nearby Pit 60 had 31 on the 15th. Blenheim still had some active nests in the middle part of the month, with five young birds still hanging around the colony. The remaining sites hosted smaller numbers, although all recorded multiple individuals.
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| Cattle Egret courtesy of Gareth Cashburn |
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| Cattle Egret roost Otmoor rspb courtesy of Jane Edwards |
Great White Egret were
still thinly spread across the county, with presumably a larger influx yet to
come from birds breeding to the south of us. Only five sites recorded birds
this month, a slight increase on the previous month. Bletchingdon Park had
three on the 22nd, whilst both Rushy Common and Otmoor had
two individuals on the 2nd and 14th respectively. Pit
60 and NCVW both had single birds sporadically reported throughout
the month.
Gulls and Terns
Movements of terns and gulls remained fairly muted this month, although there were some scattered records of scarcities to keep birders interested. The 26th and 27th saw a decent pulse of southward bound Black Tern, with Farmoor seeing five on the 26th followed by a cracking flock of 13 on Pit 60 the following day! Interestingly both sites then continued to host a single bird for the remainder of the month, with a juvenile at the latter site.
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| Black Tern, courtesy of Steve Burch above and Roger Wyatt below |
A Sandwich Tern through Oxon
Golf Course was an excellent find for site with only a few golf course
ponds. Part of wider movement of gulls and terns around the country and through
the county, the end of the month also saw two Little Gull records. The
first was at Sonning Eye GPs on the 25th, followed by stunning
juvenile at Farmoor on the 26th. It remained on site until at
least the following day, where it performed wonderfully by the causeway –
occasionally doing its best Phalarope impression! Caspian Gull was
entirely confined to Farmoor, again. Three records spanned the last week
of the month, including an adult on the 23rd. Also confined to Farmoor
were Mediterranean Gull, with two records of three birds in total. A
single adult on the 23rd was quickly followed by two on the 27th.
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| Little Gull Farmoor courtesy of Conor Mackenzie |
Passerines
A twitchable Wryneck is always a popular bird, and it has been some time since the county has had one. Too often in recent years Wryneck have been single observer records, often only reported long after the bird has departed. So, when news dropped of a bird feeding along one of the tracks at Farmoor, inevitably a decent crowd assembled to relocate it. Unfortunately, with lots of habitat available, it proved extremely elusive. In two hours is showed very briefly once before not being seen again. Hopefully, at some point we will get another bird like the Lark Hill individual from 2021 which showed incredibly reliably for the during of its three week stay.
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| Wryneck courtesy of Richard Tyler |
The first of years Tree Pipit came early, with two records on the 3rd – Churn Hill and Waterstock both getting in on the action early. Churn Hill and the surrounding downland continued to records birds sporadically, albeit in the later half of the month, with records on 24th, 28th and 30th. Letcombe Basset also had a single record on the 23rd, whilst Oxon Golf Course continued its fine form with a record on the 29th. Whinchat were recorded on a minimum of seven sites this month. Multiple sites recorded multiples for a change, with Otmoor, Oxon Golf Course and Eastleach Downs (of shrike fame) all reporting four birds at different points in the month. Cornwell Marsh, Churn and Ardley also recorded individuals this month.
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| Whinchat Ardley courtesy of Gareth Casburn |
Redstart were very widespread and common throughout the month, with at least 16 sites reporting birds up and down the county. Multiple sites recorded 4+ individuals, including the Oxon Downs, Eastleach Downs and Didcot. It was clear even at sites that reported single birds, there was a high turnover of individuals. Highlighted by sites like Woodstock which had four different individuals across the first week of August, whilst Churn Hill seemed to have different birds almost daily. Records continued to come even until the end of the month, with Letcombe Regis, Letcombe Basset and Days Lock reporting birds into the very last days of the month.
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| Redstart courtesy of Geoff Dymott |
Wheatear were a little more thinly spread, with at least nine sites recording individuals. Most of these were expected sites, with downland sites accounting for five of the nine sites. The highest count came from Eastleach Downs which had three on the 13th. Farmoor had its first bird of the autumn for a few days from the 24th, whilst Oxon Golf Course was the only other site to report more than one individual during the course of the same visit. Finally, some epic Yellow Wagtail roost counts were recorded this month. The best of these came from Otmoor where a mega flock of 320 came into roost on the 24th. Given this was probably an underestimate, you can only imagine the noise of such a large gathering and it’s tantalising to think what may have been lurking in amongst that number. More modest counts, but still of interest m, A more modest count came from South Stoke, although with a flock c.70 it is a notable observation all the same! In the south of the county, Hawfinch continued to visit the now much depleted woodland pond, at the start of the month, including one of this years offspring.
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| Young Hawfinch Above & Below courtesy of Mark Jefford |
Raptors
A quiet period for raptors, with
little movement noted. An unusually early Merlin over the causeway at
Farmoor was notable for two reasons. Firstly, the earliness of the record, 14th
August, and the difficulty of catching up with this species at Farmoor. Some
excellent photos of the encounter are below. Further records followed, albeit
at more expected time and place. Cholsey on the 26th followed by
Balscote Quarry on the 30th.
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| Merlin courtesy of Thomas Miller |
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| Short-eared Owl courtesy of Roger Wyatt |
A Short-eared Owl was present on the Oxon Downs for brief period at the end of the month, whilst dispersing Marsh Harrier were noted across eight sites, including three birds at Childrey Field on the 30th
Patchwork
challenge
|
Patch |
Birder |
Points |
Species |
Highlight |
|
Grimsbury reservoir |
Gareth
Blockley |
110 |
105 |
|
|
Lye valley |
Tom Bedford |
88 |
84 |
4th patch and first ever autumn record of
Cuckoo; Yellow Wagtail. |
|
River Thames |
Geoff Wyatt |
147 |
126 |
Greenshank & Redstart |
|
Blewbury Chalkpit |
Conor
MacKenzie |
106 |
93 |
Tree Pipit – several birds |
|
Radley GP’s |
Ian Elkins |
111 |
104 |
Greenshank &
Green Sandpiper |
|
Port Meadow |
Thomas Miller |
137 |
116 |
|
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| Autumnal Wheatear courtesy of Ewan Urquhart |
