Highlights

With such a great start to 2025 it is not surprising that February was a somewhat quieter affair, mostly consisting of long-stayers. That being said, the first signs of the arrival of spring and a changing of the guard came throughout the month. After those first intrepid first arrivals in late January, the first half of February saw Oystercatchers arrive back on breeding grounds en masse in typical noisy and flashy fashion. The middle part of the month saw a couple more wader species arriving from wintering grounds, with the first Black-tailed Godwit returning on the 12th nearly three weeks earlier than the median arrival date. The arrival of the years first passerines though, not waders, typically heralds the arrival of spring for most birders and that came on the 24th with the seasons first Sand Martin. Part of a wider national arrival, these were the 2nd earliest birds ever recorded in the county (23rd February in 2023) and continues the general trend of earlier and earlier arrivals – median arrival dates changing from 13th March since 2000 to 6th March in last 5 years. What is even more remarkable is that with our latest ever record of Sand Martin coming from mid-November last year there has been only 101 days between the last departure and first arrival of the species – quite possibly a record on a per county basis.

Marsh Harrier & flushed Shoveler
Otmoor rspb courtesy of Mitch Harris

Outside of the arrival of spring, both meteorological and avian related, the major highlight this month came in the form the discovery of another Green-winged Teal present in the county along with the original found in January. With the drake present at Otmoor becoming increasingly difficult to locate, it was not surprising when its eventual departure came on the 2nd February. A brief period of absence though was soon broken when it was refound at Ardley ERF on the 6th, a remarkable record for a site that has only recently been birded regularly and already produced some very good records for Oxon. The following day the and the bird still present on site at first light, news of a drake at the nearby Aynho confused matters somewhat for a brief period of time. The closeness of the sites meant feasible the birds could be commuting between the two with the presence of two drakes unprecedented in Oxon. But with birders present on both sites later on the 7th this turned out to be the case! Both sites continued to host their respective birds simultaneously until at least the 9th but thereafter reports from Aynho became more sporadic with the last report coming on the 22nd. Ardley ERF, been the more easily birded and accessible site had reports almost daily throughout the month until the 28th. The status of the Green-winged Teal on the Oxon and British List remains uncertain over the next few years as the taxonomic bodies look to consolidate their lists into one universal list (https://www.birdguides.com/news/british-list-set-for-major-taxonomic-shake-up/) but thankfully, it remains in its current form and therefore firmly on the county year list, and whatever the Clements/IOC/BirdLife decide I am sure Green-winged Teal will remain very popular as and when it graces the county’s borders in the future.

The Ardley Green-winged Teal, above Ewan Urquhart and below Gareth Cashburn

Waders

The first signs of what will be hopefully be a busy spring period came with three new species of wader recorded from mid-February. The most notable of these was a Grey Plover on the 15th at Farmoor, a frustrating fly-over record an all too often occurrence for this species at that site. Although it is possible that this a wintering bird that has remained undetected in amongst the masses of Golden Plover across the county. Almost certainly new in from wintering grounds elsewhere though was the trio of Ruff over at Clifton on the 28th. A site that has proved fairly productive in recent years when the Cherwell bursts its banks and pulling in wildfowl and waders of varying rarity. Black-tailed Godwit was also recorded in the early part of the month with Port Meadow pulling in an early returner on the 12th, whilst the almost ever present floods at Peep-o-Day Lane also proved attractive to a passing bird on the 16th.

Asides from the above it was mostly business as usual on the wader front. Three sites hosted Dunlin this month, with at least some of the records presumably relating to birds on the move as opposed to wintering birds hanging on. Clifton had four along with the Ruff presumably all arriving together in a mixed species flock. Otmoor first hosted a couple birds on the 22nd which then increased to 14 by the 25th, which could very well be birds that have spent the winter on the vast habitat available or just as easily be new birds into the whilst Port Meadow hosted five birds on the 24th.

Green Sandpiper were present on at least four sites. Chipping Norton continued to host a single bird throughout February and Ardley ERF also continued to host up two birds. Bicester Wetlands sporadically reported a single bird whilst Peep-o-Day Lane also had a single bird on the 23rd. The wintering Common Sandpiper was still at Farmoor throughout the month and it is possible this birds 3rd winter at the site or at the very least this is the 3rd winter in which one has spent a winter on the expansive concrete bowl. Woodcock were also present at four sites this month, two of which were new – New Marston on the 1st and Waterstock on the 15th. Whilst Piddington and Chipping Norton continued to see birds sporadically through February.

The Farmoor Common Sandpiper courtesy of Ewan Urquahart

Wildfowl etc

Aside from the visitor from the other side of the Atlantic, there was plenty of action on the wildfowl front to keep folk busy. A Brent Goose made the briefest of visits to Churn on the 22nd having departed later that day and was the 2nd record of the year after a similarly brief bird at Dix Pit in January. The female Ring-necked Duck that has been around since December continued to be sporadic in its appearances, with only one report this month coming again from Lower Windrush Valley Pits on the 23rd, continuing to favour Pit 3 there.

The female Ring-necked Duck courtesy of Gareth Cashburn

Continuing the theme of brief and sporadic visitors, a drake Scaup was also at Lower Windrush Valley Pits (Pit 18) on the 16th. It seems likely that this might be the same bird which was at Farmoor and then at Hinksey Lake the previous month and has somehow gone undetected until now.

The drake Scaup courtresy of Ian Elkins

On the other hand White-fronted Goose were surprisingly widespread with seven sites recording birds this month. Ardley ERF had a lone bird on the 8th continuing the sites fine form in 2025 and found whilst birders were on site enjoying the Green-winged Teal. A mobile flock of six birds was also seen at several sites in the south of the county between the 8th and the 9th, with Cholsey, North Stoke and Moulsford all playing host to the birds. Otmoor and Standlake continued to host birds this month, with two of the three birds extending their long stay at the latter site until at least the 16th. Dix Pit then hosted five birds on the 23rd briefly before the birds departed having roosted there that evening.

The White-fronted Geese above & below courtesy of Alan Dawson

The wintering Great Northern Diver continued to find the sailing lake at Henley Road GPs to its liking, with it being present until at least the 5th of the month. Although it still has someway to beat the record stay of the 2021/22 wintering bird at Farmoor which stayed for nigh on 6 months between December 2021 and May 2022. Shelduck were regularly recorded in increasing numbers across the county. At Otmoor, a single bird was present on 2nd, whilst two were here on the 22nd. Port Meadow had the most birds this month, as it often does, with nine on the 3rd although this reduced to three by months end. Blenheim hosted two on 11th, while Hatford also held a pair on 13th. Further records included Waterstock (three on 15th), Clifton (five on 16th, two on 22nd), and East Hanney, where two were noted on 26th.

Egyptian Goose
Blenheim
Courtesy of Gareth Casburn

Goldeneye were noted at a couple of the usual sites in the west of the county. Tar Lakes held the most with seven here on 8th, with anywhere approaching a double figure count pretty notable these days. Two were also present on LWV Pit 3 on the 16th, with no birds reported away from the stronghold of the Standlake – Witney gravel pit corridor this species seems to favour over the winter period. Another species which favours this area albeit with an occasional jaunt to pastures new in the rest of the county, Red-crested Pochard were reported from two sites. One at Radley GPs was the only “extralimital” record for the county this month on the 15th. Whilst the main wintering flock of 30+ individuals were on LWV Pit 3 on the 23rd. One final notable bird for the wildfowl section of this review came in the form of a returning leucistic Pochard at Otmoor, affectionately known as “Luke”. He is now in his 10th year of wintering at Otmoor and certainly brings a smile to the local birders who have gotten used to seeing him every winter since 2015.

The return of "Luke" was much appreciated, courtesy of John Reynolds

Herons, egrets etc

Not much new to report this month, with most of the same species and numbers continuing to winter in the county. The overwintering Cattle Egret flock finally made an appearance this month with 40 at Kingston Bagpuize from the 17th, whilst presumably part of the same flock were also at their favoured site Wytham on the 23rd with 15 here. The flock seems to be ranging more than usual this winter, possibly due to Cattle being moved around more frequently as winter pasture is increasingly in short supply in these wetter winters we’re having. Single bird sightings also declined this month, possibly due to above or as we approach the breeding season the birds may be becoming increasingly colonial minded . Only Otmoor reported a lone bird, one on the 2nd

Otmoor rspb Cranes courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Above & below courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Great White Egret numbers also remained mostly in stasis, with a minimum of nine sites hosting between 1 – 3 birds in February. Dix Pit hosted the highest count with three here on 22nd. Otmoor, Blenheim and Appleford GPs all hosted two and possibly more birds sporadically throughout the month. Additional sightings came from Tar Lakes, Port Meadow, Play Hatch, Sonning Eye GPs, Peep-o-Day Lane and Henley Road GPs. The arrival of two Crane back to Otmoor last month was a much welcome event for the county, particularly after some sad news the last two breeding season relating to unsuccessful nesting or the death a well known individual. These two birds continued to put in appearances at Otmoor this month with both appearing unringed and probably the the 2nd pair which did the rounds last year without breeding. Fingers crossed for a successful year for Crane once again at the coutny’s premier birding site.

Also continuing its presence, albeit in a more unusual fashion to those above was the Great Bustard on the downs above Wantage. Continuing to associate with a small herd of Roe Deer as it has for the majority of its winter stay, it was only occasionally absent from its favoured field due to infrequent Detectorist rallies in the surround fields!

The Great Bustard, courtesy of Steve Burch

Gulls and Terns

Another case of Groundhog Day for this grouping in the monthly review, with little to no change since last month. That being said, interesting news did come in the early part of the month when a Kittiwake flew through site in neighbouring Bucks and along the border with Oxon, almost certainly crossing into Oxon airspace. Unfortunately, it was not picked up transiting any other sites. The three sites which have regularly recording Caspian Gull this winter continued to this month also – Port Meadow, Farmoor and Ardley ERF. Up to two 2nd winter birds continued to be in the roost at Port Meadow throughout the month, with at least one of those birds possibly in the Farmoor roost during the month. Ardley ERF also continued to record 1-2 adults mostly in the late afternoons as birds stop by en route to roosting elsewhere in the county.

Mediterranean Gull followed a similar pattern, with the same adult being recorded from Farmoor and Port Meadow roosts on single occasions this month. It did manage to make a brief excursion to Peep-o-Day Lane however, present on the 23rd but not again thereafter.

Intriguing news also came early in the m

Passerines

The big news from this group in February, was obviously the welcome arrival of our first spring migrants in the form of two Sand Martin over Port Meadow on the 24th. This was followed up by another two or possibly even the same two then over Farmoor the following day. Clearly these were the first few pioneering birds which will eventually make way for the deluge that is to come, and the next week or two will see the even more arrive along with our first Wheatear and Swallow as well as Garganey and Little Ringed Plover!

Other than that, as with most of the other groups things remained unchanged in February. The pair of Bearded Tit continued their habit of disappearing for long periods of time only to reappear as nothing had happened- presumably enjoying the abundance of suitable and in disturbed habitat. The only report came from the 2nd. Both Black Redstart remained in their winter urban homes, with the male at Christchurch present until at least the 9th and the female type still enjoying the new housing estate in Chinnor for much of February.

Hawfinch were present at three sites this month. Great Tew, the most reliable of these sites, had up to three birds from the 1st right through to the end of the month albeit sporadically reported. Stratford Brake also hosted a single bird briefly on 14th, much to the delight of the local birder there whilst in Woodstock one birder went even better and had a bird in their garden on 15th. 3 Birds were seen in a cemetry in the town at the end of the month

Woodstock Hawfinch courtesy of Thomas Miller

Raptors

The 2nd calendar female Hen Harrier continued its winter spent at Otmoor, although it remained anything but reliable. Occasionally coming into roost but also spending much of its day out of site and away from birders keen to try their luck with this rather stunning individual. Proof of the birds mobility came from one report of a ringtail over the m40 near Fencott, which was almost certainly this bird. No sign or reports of the male which has spent most of the winter on the downs, although with so few birders and so much habitat available you’d be unsurprised if it was still making the most of the winter up there.

The far ranging Otmoor ringtail
Courtesy of Dave Murphy

Courtesy of Dave Murphy

The only report of a Merlin this month came from Waterstock, a private site that is providing very productive for the birder who surveys it producing some very nice records over the autumn and winter period.

Photo of the month

This frost covered Barn Owl photo by Jason Hornblow was a unanimous for POTM,
and was a contribution to World Wildlife Day. See more of Jasons superb photography
http://jchphoto.co.uk/

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight
Aston eyot	Ben Sheldon
Ardley ERF	Gareth Casburn	54	50
Dix pit	Simon Bradfield
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	54	52
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	45	46
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	97	87
Sutton Courtenay	Conor MacKenzie	85	79
Radley GP’s	Ian Elkins	83	80
Freeland	Glen Pascoe
South Hinksey	Alex Figueiredo	52	50
Cholsey	Alan Dawson	82	78

Oxon Big Year 2025

For the Oxon Big Year, January got everything off to a flying start although this was largely due to all birds being new but was also down to some very good birds being present so early in the year -particularly species that weren’t seen in 2024. Bewick’s Swan in particular was a very good bird and one I will almost certainly regret not going for, but in my defence it was before I decided I was doing a Big Year and I had just spent more hours than I care to disclose trying to see the Bearded Tit which weee much more local! The beauty of a Big Year, although some may say curse, is that they all count the same though and the nature of birding means you will miss birds but it does mean you spend more time looking for birds you’d otherwise not think twice about in a normal year. Do you, for example, drop everything to twitch an early “hill” (look it up) of Ruff in the far north of the county, just in case we have a bad autumn for the species? Do you spend several hours looking for Brambling in a poor irruption year or gamble and wait until the autumn/winter period again? Some species are easy obviously and “should” require little effort but it does make you think much more carefully about this scarcer somewhat overlooked species that are nice if you bump into on a lovely autumn day at Farmoor but aren’t typically something you’d make much effort for.

February was, thankfully, fairly quiet with no real new birds in – unless of course your in the mood for twitching Ruff in Banbury. I say thankfully because two of us were away for large parts of February and although I was in Kenya I can tell you confidently my mood would have changed with the news of a county mega! With spring now on the horizon, the period in which lots of manic dropping of plans/work/insert other non birding related activity will begin. For all those brilliant county birders who we all rely on for sightings up and down the county, I thank you in advance for your all hard work and effort of which this Big Year would not be possible, see you out in the field!