February Review

The last month of winter was to some extent a matter of "as you were" in Oxfordshire, with much of the interest being a continuation of January's county bird news. But despite my wondering at first exactly how a round-up might be put together for this February, a certain amount nonetheless stood out as I read through the records. Then things rather picked up with more good sightings and pictures towards month's end.

The top new headliners were red-head Smew. One that arrived on 2nd at Henley Road GPs in the far south-east remained at what is a difficult to view site throughout the review period. But sightings must always have been distant since no pictures were forthcoming. A second bird at an even less accessible, private GP site west of Oxford was watched there distantly at intervals from a public right of way near Worton, and filmed by an authorised patch worker.

Whooper Swans, courtesy of Barry Hudson

A pair of Whooper Swan found at Kelmscot near Faringdon on the last day of January, missing inclusion in that review, chose to move across the county border with Wilts in the new month. Also remaining elusive was west Oxford's Rose-coloured Starling, that though reported once in Botley via RBA on 8th failed to produce any anticipated public performance.

Short-eared Owl, courtesy of Ian Marriott

It was a good month for Short-eared Owl with a long stayer tracked just west of Oxford between 3rd and 23rd; plus reports of up to five on the Downs above East Hendred from mid-month and others at Baulking (24th), and Otmoor (25th) where Barn Owl were also photographed. Amongst less frequent raptors Merlin were noted at Otmoor on 13th and Lollingdon Hill (15th), while Peregrine records continued to flow from various sites including a pair hunting over Oxford's South Park on 7th.

Otmoor Barn Owl, courtesy of Terry Sherlock

Caspian Gull still frequented the Port Meadow roost regularly through the month, with three individuals present on 9th. The first-winter Mediterranean Gull was recorded again there on 5th and 6th, then a smart adult on 25th. The floods also hosted a regular early-spring visitor, Shelduck a number of times peaking at 10 birds present on 18th.

Caspian Gulls (adult above and 2w below), courtesy of Thomas Miller

Adult Mediterranean Gull on Port Meadow, courtesy of Gnome

Port Meadow was moreover a favoured location for new season waders, with Oystercatcher and Redshank both moving through consistently during February. A temporarily stranded Knot was an added item at Wolvercote on 2nd. Other Oystercatcher records came from LWV Standlake and Rushey Commons several times, Sonning Eye (17th), east Oxford (21st) and Otmoor (28th). Green Sandpiper were logged at Henley Road GPs (3rd), Rushey Common (16th) and from Worton (25th); while Bicester Wetland Reserve's first of the year dropped in on 18th, remaining till month's end.

Curlew at Grimsbury Reservoir, courtesy of John Friendship-Taylor

Possibly our most evocative returning waders were the Curlew that breed at select sites in Oxfordshire. The fluting calls of these true harbingers of spring announced their arrival of a sudden from 20th at LWV Pit 60; then Otmoor, Balscote Quarry and Grimsbury Reservoir all on 21st, and another in Port Meadow on 26th. On the last day of February 23 Curlew were counted at one breeding site, Otmoor.

Black Redstart, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

In the early days of the month the Black Redstart at Christ Church, Oxford continued to attract attention, as did the pair of Ring-necked Parakeet in New Marston Meadows. The first of those was last reported on 10th, while the latter are still in situ having been observed prospecting nest holes.

Ring-necked Parakeet, courtesy of Jim Hutchins

February is reputedly the best time for encountering Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. One was both heard and seen at Letcombe Regis on 17th, but despite searching there was no further sight or sound of another heard in the University Parks, a once classic site at the end of January.

Common Crossbills at Shotover, courtesy of Pete Roby

To round off an exceptional winter for Common Crossbill in our county, new sightings came from Ardington (3rd), Wychwood (20th), an impressive 15 at the Shotover estate on 26th and another 9 over Headington on 28th. Best counts of other less frequent finches were 8+ Brambling at Ardington (3rd), 20+ Siskin in Blenheim Park (11th) and 15 Redpoll at BBOWT's Warburg reserve near Henley (16th), as winter played out it's final chapters. The great and gregarious flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare that fill our cold-season countryside will likewise soon be gone.

Fieldfare, courtesy of John Workman

So it has turned out to be a reasonably interesting round-up after all in what is often a low-key birding month. Hopefully there will be still more to talk about in March as the first new migrants of another passage season arrive and the smell of county list additions could be in the air.

Peter Law