February Review

One of two groups of Whooper Swan in Oxon this month ⓒ and courtesy of Jim Hutchins

February in Oxfordshire is not known for producing many headline birds, but this month still offered a selection of highlights. As at times gruelling mild, wet and windy weather predominated, much of the news concerned lingerers from earlier in the winter though with some exceptions.

As this review period opened Dix Pit became the main focus for Oxon birders, since Scaup, Garganey and Smew were all to be found there. The three Scaup present included an additional adult drake. By mid-month those wintering wildfowl were possibly being sought out rather less, though more records of the Scaup and Smew issued from Dix right through the month.

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Video courtesy of Badger

Garganey (left), courtesy of Nick Truby
click on any image to enlarge

A drake Common Scoter visited Farmoor Reservoir briefly on 5th. Pictures also emerged of a male Aythya hybrid Scaup viewed at Otmoor on the final day of January. But dramatic storms on the weekends of 8/9th and 15/16th appeared to blow more wildfowl out of the county than new birds of any kind in.

Hybrid drake Scaup, courtesy of Terry Sherlock

Some other long staying notables extended their time with us. The two roving Whooper Swan that spent much of January around Dorchester-upon-Thames moved early in February to nearby Benson, where they remained until relocating again to Warborough on 27th. In the west of the county a second group of five Whoopers settled in fields between Old Shifford and Cote, being observed there regularly from 8th onward.

Whooper Swans at Benson, courtesy of Alan Dawson

Ring-tailed Hen Harrier sightings as well as excellent images of them still came out of RSPB Otmoor. There were more records from the Downs and on 7th an individual was also seen over Weston-on-the Green near Bicester. Marsh Harrier too remained a feature on Otmoor and in the Standlake area. Peregrine were noted in assorted locations county-wide, and Merlin at Otmoor on 14 & 26th.

Otmoor Hen Harrier, courtesy of Terry Sherlock ↑ and John Reynolds ↓

A further ongoing attraction was Caspian Gull in Port Meadow, where there was a peak count of four individuals in the roost on 12th. Full detail of these sightings may be found on the dedicated site blog. Two more "Caspers" were logged at Appleford GPs on 7th. Another larid of note was a Mediterranean Gull that passed through Farmoor Reservoir on 5th.

3w Caspian Gull ↑ in Port Meadow and adult ↓ at Appleford,
courtesy of Thomas Miller

Amongst this month's most popular and well watched birds were Barn Owl. Three individuals hunting through the afternoon by the Thames at Farmoor and others on Otmoor offered exceptional picture opportunities, while more were reported in daylight quite widely. But observers and photographers were also aware that water-logging of prey habitat would be making food difficult for their subjects to find at present. Let's wish the hard pressed Owls well in these soggiest of times.

Barn Owl at Pinkhill Lock, courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Early passage waders were recorded consistently in small numbers right through this month, with Oystercatcher, Ruff, Dunlin, Redshank, Green and Common Sandpiper, and Curlew all represented in various places. The stand out occurrence in this group was another stray Knot perhaps refuelling at Farmoor Reservoir for just one day on 24th. That was the sixth individual to visit the site in the last 12 months.

Knot, courtesy of Terry Sherlock

Moving on to Passerines, where winter Finches were concerned a decent Siskin record in this season at last arose when around 20 were viewed at Dix Pit on 2nd. But the only February Brambling sighting herein was at Sonning Eye on 1st, while Redpoll and Crossbill were not reported at all. Some early Chiffchaff and Blackcap were seen and heard here and there.

Siskin, courtesy of Nick Truby

This review's novelty item is a hybrid Egret that can be found somewhere in Chinnor, though there appears to be no consensus as to what the locally known bird's parentage might be. Meanwhile more familiar Great White Egrets continued to winter and be reported consistently at their usual sites west of Oxford. Lastly, a flyover Common Crane was reported at Buscot Wick in the far south-west of Oxon on 24th.

Mystery Egret, courtesy of Jez March

This is necessarily a briefer than usual round-up in the series. Here's hoping rather more new and notable bird life might enliven our county as March and the spring passage season progress.

Peter Law