March Review

Little Ringed Plover at Chinnor Cement Works, courtesy of David Stracey

The past month in Oxfordshire produced little in the way of headline birds, so this review will focus largely on arrivals and some lingerers as spring passage clicked into gear. The classic early season migrants were all represented in good numbers around the county, with plenty to keep our patch workers occupied as we move forward once more from winter.

Spring Chiffchaff in Cholsey, courtesy of Alan Dawson

As March opened, record breaking mild weather that had brought the first hirundines to Great Britain in late February soon yielded to cold and windy north-westerly conditions. This put migration largely on hold until mid-month, but Sand Martin made it to Oxfordshire before the change with an initial 10 birds seen at Standlake GPs on 2nd. Subsequent records through the month came from that complex, Farmoor Reservoir, Cassington GPs, Grimsbury Reservoir, Otmoor and Port Meadow; with many more over the last weekend.

Sand Martin, courtesy of Nick Truby

The year's earliest Little Ringed Plover arrived at Grimsbury Reservoir on 12th, also before the freezing gales abated. Thereafter individuals were seen again at that site on 20th & 22nd; while between those same dates, Port Meadow, Bicester Wetland Reserve and Chinnor Cement Works also hosted LRP. Otmoor and LWV Pit 60 got in on the act on 24th, then to month's end records continued from various of these and other sites.

Little Ringed Plover at Grimsbury Reservoir, courtesy of John Friendship-Taylor

Hirundine and passerine arrivals not surprisingly picked up once more clement weather set in. The first Barn Swallow sighting submitted in this log came from Otmoor on 17th, by which time Common Chiffchaff were also being seen and heard at various sites. Singing Blackcap were noted at Standlake GPs on 22nd & 23rd, then more widely to month's end.

Wheatear at Lollingdon Hill, courtesy of Alan Dawson

Meanwhile Northern Wheatear made its 2019 Oxon patch debut on 18th when two birds passed through Lark Hill, Wantage. The next sighting came from in-form Grimsbury Reservoir on 22nd, after which passage birds occurred frequently across the county and especially at southern downland locations. The first Rock Pipit of spring visited Farmoor Reservoir on 27th.

Garganey pair at Otmoor, courtesy of Terry Sherlock

Most of these staple March migrants arrived earlier than in 2018, and the same was true of Britain's only summer visiting duck, Garganey. During a national influx a displaying pair was viewed on the lagoon at Otmoor on the afternoon and evening of 29th, but in the morning they had moved on. Then a drake visited Port Meadow as briefly on 31st, where and when the year's first Osprey also flew over. 

Farmoor Dunlin, courtesy of Barry Neale and
Oystercatcher, courtesy of Christopher Knight

Otmoor Redshank, courtesy of Andy Last

Wader passage built up through the month with Oystercatcher and Redshank again the most frequent sightings. But Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Green and Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit all featured from a number of places. Perhaps the stand-out sighting was an Avocet at Farmoor Reservoir on 22nd. As one observer commented it is quite unusual to see one swimming and feeding in the middle of F2.

Avocet, courtesy of Dai John

This was a good month for Mediterranean Gull of various ages in the county. A different adult from that seen in February was photographed in the Port Meadow roost on 4th. A 2w roosted at Baulking Pit on 17th, then a 1w was observed at Farmoor between 19th and 23rd. Even Otmoor joined in this Med-fest, producing a 2w on 23rd then an adult the next day. A first Little Gull of 2019 visited Farmoor on 24th, along with two more Meds. It is not clear how many individuals accounted for the Med Gull sightings.

Mediterranean Gulls - adult (above) in Port Meadow, courtesy of Thomas Miller -
and 1w at Farmoor (below) courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

 

On 13th the resident Peregrine at LWV Pit 60 was observed feeding on a Greylag Goose corpse. This gave rise to discussion herein as to whether that most dashing of raptors is capable of bringing down such hefty prey, and the consensus is that yes they can. The deceased in question was thought to be an injured bird that had been present at the site for some time, but this episode was impressive nonetheless.

Peregrine at Standlake Common (LWV Pit 60), courtesy of Jim Hutchins

The first half of March's wintry weather perhaps contributed to some wildfowl remaining with us through much of the month. The red-head Smew at Henley Road GPs was viewed several times until 11th though always distantly, while that at Cassington GPs was reported again on 23rd. Also in the south-east, a pod of Mandarin featured regularly at Sonning Eye GPs.

Whooper Swan at Borrow Pit, courtesy of John Friendship-Taylor

The Whooper Swans that have strayed on occasion into south-west Oxon did so again on 17th at Kencot, and news of another from the upper Cherwell Valley near Banbury broke in the last week of this month. But it will soon be time to say goodbye again to more frequent winter favourites such as Goosander and Goldeneye, that deserve inclusion here before they depart.

Goosander and Goldeneye (fem) at Pit 60 still, courtesy of Jim Hutchins

 

Also lingering a little longer were some passerines. After featuring in most of these reviews through the winter, Common Crossbill continued to be located at more east-Oxon sites: Cowleaze Wood (1st), then both Henley Rugby Club and Stonor Park (9th). Brambling too staged a last seasonal hurrah with a good sized group at Henley Road GPs on 23rd standing out amongst some late March sightings.

Common Crossbill at Cowleaze Wood, courtesy of Steve Roby

Lastly, Kingfisher is always a very popular subject with photographers but has yet to feature in my monthly reviews, being neither seasonal nor scarce. But one individual this month at Farmoor provided some especially fine and natural picture opportunities, so Voila!

Kingfisher, courtesy of Andy Last

With the advent of English summer time the peak spring passage period is now just around the corner. Many more waders, Warblers, Terns and other regular migrants will soon be contributing to one of the more exciting times of the Oxon birding calendar through April and into May. Dare I wish that a next county mega might be in there amongst them? Keep searching everyone!

Peter Law

Abingdon Swift Project

Swift numbers decreased by 51% from 1995 to 2015. One reason for this decline is a lack of available nest sites in the roof spaces of modern houses.

Over two years, Gavin Bennett recruited 19 householders in the Abingdon area, who put up a total of 56 Swift nest boxes.  Gavin has moved away from the area and Abingdon Naturalists Society has enthusiastically taken on his project.

Swifts have already nested in some of the boxes and others have entered nest boxes scoping sites for next year’s breeding season.  Swifts reach breeding age at about four years, but young non-breeding birds will visit boxes, and it is likely that they will nest in the boxes, prospected in the previous year.  Swifts need to be encouraged to visit the boxes and the participating householders have all played Swift calls on MP3 players to attract the birds.

If you are interested in putting up Swift nest boxes on your house, please contact:

David Guyoncourt       david.guyoncourt@ntlworld.com

Or Sally Gillard                  sally.gillard17@gmail.com 

Records submitted via Going Birding

When submitting records via Going Birding please leave the 'Post to Oxon Birding Blog' box as you find it (either ticked or unticked) as there is a built-in filter automatically to forward species that may be of interest to the wider birding community. Many thanks!