December Review

White-fronted Geese at Day's Lock, courtesy of Alan Dawson

The final month of this year, indeed decade in Oxfordshire offered a good variety of notable birds. Much of the interest could be termed "water related", which was hardly surprising given a conveyor belt of frontal systems that passed through the British Isles and continued flooding. Wildfowl, waders and gulls all featured widely, plus a few other stand-out items.

Slavonian Grebe, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart
click on any image to enlarge

December got off to a promising start with its early days producing a succession of good county records. The Slavonian Grebe that arrived at Farmoor Reservoir on the last day of November stayed on site for two more days. It was followed on 3rd by a second Knot of early winter and fifth for Farmoor in 2019, an unusually good total. The wintering female and first-winter Scaup remained there throughout, and the hybrid drake Scaup was also picked out on more occasions.

Another Farmoor Knot, courtesy of John Workman

Hybrid Greater / Lesser Scaup, courtesy of Peter Alfrey

Grimsbury Reservoir's as fine recent run of form continued when an adult Mediterrnean Gull flew through on the evening of 1st. And that site's first Goldeneye for three years were also noted on the opening day.

Otmoor Bittern, courtesy of Lee Oliver

Otmoor's November notables including two juvenile Hen Harrier not surprisingly stayed through December though perhaps were not reported quite so much. Bittern were as usual recorded regularly. A colour ringed Common Crane dropped in at the RSPB reserve on 8th, meaning that roving large item has been encountered in the county for a second successive winter.

Common Crane, courtesy of John Workman

Perhaps our birds of the month were three genuinely wild Russian White-fronted Geese that were discovered by the Thames in the Day's Lock area between Dorchester and Little Wittenham on 7th. They were our 200th and final species for Oxfordshire this year, sadly down again on 2018's total of 205. The visitors continued to associate with the local Greylag and Canada flocks until 13th at what in the past was a regular location for notable winter sightings, so it was good to see the place featuring again.

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Video courtesy of Badger

Well-watched areas to the west and north-west of Oxford produced more good sightings. Wintering Great White Egret maintained a presence at their usual sites, in which up to three individuals at times graced each of Blenheim Park, Dix Pit and LWV Pit 60.

Great White Egret at LWV Pit 60, courtesy of Jim Hutchins ↑
and Blenheim Park, courtesy of Julie Dickson ↓

A Marsh Harrier continued to be seen in the Standlake area, with two of those raptors present at Pit 60 on occasion. West Oxon Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl were also recorded in this review period. Amongst other birds of prey further afield, a Peregrine pair returned to Magdalen College Tower in Central Oxford, while more of those and Merlin were logged in different places around the county.

Otmoor Peregrine, courtesy of Nick Truby

The middle part of the month was otherwise rather less lively for notables, though the unrelenting rainfall and flooding meant more regular fayre was out there to be observed in abundance. Winter wildfowl and Plover continued to feature prominently, along with other waders in various places.

⦁ Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Dunlin, Ruff and Curlew on Otmoor

⦁ Green Sandpiper at Bicester Wetland Reserve and Ardley

⦁ Redshank and Golden Plover in Port Meadow

⦁ Woodcock at Boarstall and Waterstock

⦁ Ruff on floods near Cholsey

⦁ Common Sandpiper and Common Snipe at Farmoor

Lapwing and Dunlin over Otmoor, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Common Snipe, courtesy of John Workman

Small passerines did not feature strongly in this log for a second month running. Wintering Chiffchaff and Blackcap were noted here and there through December, and Stonechat continued to occur in good numbers, but less frequent Finch records were again at a premium. Another varsity Black Redstart was seen on the Radcliffe Camera on 30th.

Stonechat, courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

The Christmas holiday period locally reflected a generally quiet national picture. The stand out attraction was another Slavonian Grebe, or probably the earlier bird returning at Farmoor Reservoir, that offered close views and so drew its share of admirers. This time it stayed from 21st until month's end and must be a second contender for our bird of the month ... take your pick.

Slavonian Grebe, courtesy of Nick Truby
Video courtesy of Badger

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As the year drew to its close the first Smew of this winter, a red head arrived at Standlake GPs on 28th; when a Caspian Gull was noted on west Oxon floods for a third December occasion. Another "Casper" was found at Ardington, near Wantage a day later, while a second Mediterranean Gull for the month visited Farmoor briefly on 26th. The widespread flooding also served to encourage numbers of Shelduck to linger within the county, with good concentrations reported from Cholsey in the south-east and Cote in the west.

Caspian Gull at Cote, courtesy of Mick Cunningham

The new decade will mark Oxon Birding's 10th year as a county log. It remains to thank all the many field workers and photographers whose collective efforts make this such a well regarded resource, and to wish all our contributors and visitors a peaceful, prosperous and bird-filled 2020. Happy New Year everyone and good birding always.

Peter Law