October Review

Highlights

October continued the county’s excellent run of rarities, with three standout highlights punctuating an otherwise fairly quiet month of birding. Remarkably, all three county rarities were found by the same observer, who, having already found a Marsh Sandpiper in August, is enjoying an outstanding 2025. As discussed in the previous review, the month began in spectacular fashion with a dawn raid on Otmoor, after news broke the previous evening of a 1^st winter Bluethroat at the 2^nd screen. The initial excitement being brilliantly captured on video during those first few moments before it was refound on the 1^st. With plenty of people making the journey on the first available day, any fears of a 1-day wonder were soon tempered when the bird remained in situ until the 7^th. Allowing those with limited availability and others who were out of county to pay homage to the first Bluethroat in Oxon in nearly four decades. With such recent form, most county birders could have quite happily finished the year feeling very pleased with 2025s offerings. 

The Bluethroat courtesy of Bryan Manston

 

The 22^nd October, however, produced another noteworthy county record, albeit not quite in the same league, when a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found on Pit 60—continuing the fine run of form this site has enjoyed in recent weeks. Possibly the long-staying individual from Northamptonshire relocating—being less than 50 miles as the bird flies—the news broke early enough for local birders to connect before sunset. Recent Pec Sands, particularly late autumn birds, have often been long-stayers - who can forget the Port Meadow bird in 2022 which showed within a couple feet at times and was remarkably approachable. Unfortunately, for those not quite quick off the mark, the 22^nd would be the only day this individual was present, despite the onslaught of inclement weather this bird clearly wanted to move whatever the weather and was gone by the 23^rd. 

The Pectoral Sandpiper courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Courtesy of Jed Cleeter

Having spent the morning dipping the above bird myself, I spent the rest of the day kicking myself for not reacting sooner and likely having missed the last decent bird of the autumn period. All was forgotten, however, when a pair of Twite were found at Farmoor, feeding in the short grass sward on F1. Notoriously one-day wonders, records of Twite are few and far between — the last being in 2011 — although Farmoor itself now boasts eight county records. This was very much a “twitch it immediately or miss it” kind of bird! Thankfully, despite the weather deteriorating into bleak rain showers (and a few brief scares), those who made the journey over to Farmoor were rewarded with excellent views of this county mega. Most surprising of all, the birds remained on site until the following morning — very much out of character compared with previous records.

The two Farmoor Twite courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

Records this century (with thanks to DL for pulling them together);

- 2000: Two at Bicester Wetlands on 20th February; the first county record since 1991.

- 2002: Two at Farmoor on 20th October, increasing to four there on the 24th, and then five at Otmoor on 26th October.

- 2004: Three at Churn on 2nd January; later, two at Farmoor on 25th October, with one remaining until the 27th.

- 2005: Seven at Farmoor on 20th February.

- 2007: Three at Farmoor on 29th January.

- 2011: A single bird at Farmoor on 5th November.

Looking at an eBird range map shows how truly  rare this species has become for inland birders in the last 10 years; 

Twite records over the past 10 years with this year in red

With the recent run of rarities and a few over expected annuals this month the County Year list has now reached 204, which is at least the standard expectation for the county in any given year. Although despite this, it seems unless we get another remarkable run of birds between now and the end of the year, this year will continue the trend of declining annual totals since the 2010s.

Courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Waders

Aside from the obvious highlight of Pectoral Sandpiper October has been a month of diminishing returns, with few records of any of the scarcer or expected waders. A Ruff at Cassington GPs on 2^nd seemed likely to be a leftover bird from the previous month, when there was two present. 2025 what has been quite a poor year for Ruff across the county with only a few records this autumn and very few in the spring, possibly an unfortunate sign of the times we live in with fewer and fewer birds. Also, at Cassington on the 2^nd was a rather late Greenshank with the major passage having already occurred during August and early September. A single Ringed Plover on the 1^st at Otmoor was the only record of the species this month, whilst there were eight records of Dunlin across two sites – Otmoor & Farmoor. Typically, Farmoor had the most records with six records between 1^st and the 23^rd with a max of three individuals here on two occasions. Otmoor had two records, both single individuals on the 22^nd and 30^th.

 

In the absence of any decent wader photos this month, here's another of the Pectoral Sandpiper

The first Jack Snipe of the season appeared in the latter part of the month, with individuals recorded at three sites. Both Otmoor and Pit 60 hosted unusually showy birds, a welcome contrast to the species’ typical behaviour of remaining hidden until almost trodden on before flushing a short distance. The Otmoor bird was present on the 25^th, while the Pit 60 individual was seen on the 19^thand 24^th. The most intriguing sighting, however, came from Weston-on-the-Green on the 25^th, where one fortunate observer found a Jack Snipe at the bottom of their garden! Green Sandpiper were reported from five sites this month, with most records coming from the early part of the October. Bicester Wetlands had the highest count, as it often does, with six here on 8^th, closely followed by Cromwell Marsh which had four on 14^th. The remaining sites had singles or doubles with the last record coming from Cromwell Marsh on the 28^th.

Above and below courtesy of Pete Roby

Common Sandpipers were recorded at four sites this month, with the majority of sightings from Farmoor. Early-month records at Farmoor, Pit 60, and Ardley likely referred to lingering passage birds, while later sightings at Farmoor probably involved a wintering individual—marking at least the fifth consecutive year the site has hosted one. Otherwise, it was a relatively quiet month, though there were a few semi-notable records: a flyover Curlew over Oxford on the 21st, Redshank at Pit 60 and NCVW on the 3rd and 5th respectively, and a flock of over 300 Golden Plover at Ardley—the largest reported so far this season

Wildfowl, game etc

The standout record this month came from Stratfield Brake when a group of four Whooper Swan dropped into this semi-urban site. A cracking patch record for the birders here, in what is essentially a large pond surrounded by parkland and the A34. Remarkably the birds remained on site for much of the day, even with increasing human presence, allowing for some real close-up views of a species often seen at distance in the county. 

Courtesy of Gareth Casburn

Courtesy of Badger

A lone Black-necked Grebe on Farmoor on the 6^th was the second record for both the county and the site in 2025, allowing those that the missed the first a welcome second chance. Surprisingly, this one, like the earlier record turned out to be a one-day wonder and had gone the following day – presumably disturbance playing a factor in its abrupt departure. 

Black-necked Greve courtesy of Dave Murphy

Unfortunately, that was mostly it for their group, although with November on the horizon we should hopefully find ourselves staring down our scopes at rare duck or even a diver at some point. Shelduck were present on Otmoor and Ardley on the 18^th and 26^th respectively, whilst the first Goldeneye of the season was on Grimsbury Reservoir 15^th – 16^th. There were two sites hosting Goosander this month, with a whopping 13 on Port Meadow on the 27^th – with only two adults as part of this large group. Whilst three on Otmoor on the 23^rd was a fairly unusual record for the site and the birds were not subsequently reported. 

Goosander courtesy of Mark Hoskins

Goosander Otmoor rspb courtesy of Paul wilkinson

Herons, egrets etc

Glossy Ibis continued to feature in the county this month, with records from two sites. At Cassington GPs, a single bird was noted on the 2^nd and 6^th, while most reports came from Otmoor. A single individual was present there on the 5^th and 19^th, presumably the same bird that has lingered in the county through much of the summer. However, on the 21^st, a flock of five was seen from the second screen—an occurrence that, in any year other than 2025, would have been remarkable, if not for the flock of 24 over Buscot earlier in the year. Even so, this was the largest group to actually settle within the county, remaining until at least the 27^th, though reduced to three by the 30^th.

One of the Otmoor Glossy Ibis courtesy of Brian Daniels

Cattle Egret were largely in the same the position they have been for much of the year, with a flock of 20-30 doing the rounds in the various fields surrounding Wytham and the A34. A lone juvenile was still hanging around the natal colony at Blenheim until at least the 8^th, Farmoor and Pit 60 were the only sites with additional records of birds away from the classic sites. Great White Egret were present on at least seven sites, with Pit 60 continuing to be the premier site for post-breeding birds leaving the Somerset Levels. After last months record count of 26 here, the numbers didn’t quite reach that level again but 22 was an extremely impressive figure, nonetheless. This included another colour-ringed bird from the Somerset Levels ringed in the nest on 9^th and has been seen in Oxon twice between 29^th June and 11^th October. 

One of the Somerset Levels birds Pit 60 courtesy of Steve Burch

Gulls and Terns

Probably one of the more unlikely sightings this month, even when taking into account the highlights section, a Sandwich Tern transiting over Churn on the 24^th is a pretty remarkable record. An adult Little Gull was recorded going between two sites this month. First observed on Pit 60 on the 4^th – 5^th, it was then on Blenheim on the 6^th, before heading back to Pit 60 on the 11^th. It was finally recorded on Blenheim on the 12^th before presumably leaving the county altogether. 

Little Gull courtesy of Steve Liptrot

Only two sites had Caspian Gull this month, with Farmoor continuing to host a single bird on the 2^nd and 13^th. Henley Road GPs, not one of the typical haunts for this species, also had a single bird present on the 13^th. A lone adult Mediterranean Gull in one of the fields surrounding Farmoor on the 8^th, rounded of this group in what will likely continue to be a quiet group well into the spring now.

Passerines

The 2^nd Yellow-browed Warbler of the year was much more forthcoming than the first record, at least allowing someone over than the finder to catch up with it. A probable calling bird in Oxford University Parks turned out to be spot on after a follow up, calling occasionally but unfortunately unseen. A small, assembled crowd the following day unfortunately could not relocate this once county mega but with so many records in recent years, you can well imagine this will not be the last of the year. An unconfirmed report of a Water Pipit at Buscot Wick on the 10^th is at least worth of mention here, given it coincided with a national influx that same week. A much more solid record however came from Otmoor, with an individual frequenting the exposed muddy areas between screen 1 and 2 on the 30^th but proved flighty and difficult for much of the following days. It has long been suspected that Otmoor must host a wintering bird or two if not annually, at least regularly, given the sites expansive and suitable habitat. With this individual continuing presence well into November, this at least adds some weight behind that theory. 

The Otmoor Water Pipit courtesy of Peter Milligan

Courtesy of Peter Milligan

Rock Pipit had a great showing in the county this month, with a near omnipresence on Farmoor between 1^st – 24^th October. It is extremely difficult to know how many birds were involved with anywhere between 1 – 5 present from the 1^st until 13^th, but a large movement of birds was confirmed with a huge 15 then present on the 14^th, easily a county record! Grimsbury Reservoir also got in on the action, first with two on 14^th followed by five on the 15^th, almost more remarkable given the size of the site, with two still present the following day. 

Farmoor Rock Pipit courtesy of Brian Walker

A late Tree Pipit went over the downs on the 6^th but didn’t appear to be stopping which is no surprise given the lateness of the record. Also fairly late, was the presence of two Ring Ouzel in the county both in quite unusual locations. The first was frequenting a garden in Woodcote for a few days from the 17^th, whilst the second was in a open section of Wytham Woods on the 20^th and 21^st.  

 

Ring Ouzel courtesy of Martin Dudley

Our first wintering Black Redstart records came from classic county sites, namely Farmoor and Chinnor. Farmoor had the first with a female-type hanging around the sewage treatment plant from the 29^th. The Chinnor bird, also a female-type, was present from the 30^th and looks set to winter there on the new housing estate as individuals have for at least the last few winters. 

Farmoor Black Redstart courtesy of Jeremy Dexter

 Hawfinch continued at Warburg, although only the female remained of the family group that had been on site for the previous couple months. The last report came on the 9^th. Flyover and vis-mig records came from two sites, Fyfield Wick on the 29^th with two birds and a single bird over Chalgrove also on the 29^th. Whinchat records came from three sites - Otmoor on the 1^st, two at NCVW on the 5^th and a quite late record from Cromwell Marsh on the 19^th. 

Warburg Hawfinch courtesy of CJ Kearns

Wheatear were present on two sites, Woodstock on the 2^nd and for a few days at Letcombe Basset between the 5^th and 8^th, both records constituting quite late records but no indication that these birds were from lands of the extreme north. Crossbill records continued to pour in from around the county, with three large flocks making up most of the records submitted, c.60 at Cowleaze Woods been the largest of these. Interesting records also came from Grimsbury Reservoir and Farmoor this month, whilst Lye Valley also had a flock of four over on the 30^th. The latter been only the 3^rd record for this site, and the 2^nd this year, which gives a good indication of the relative abundance of the species across the county.

Crossbill courtesy of Debbie Cummins

The last of the hirundines on the 4^th was soon followed by the first arrival of winter thrushes on 6^th, with Redwing noted on their nocturnal migration across the country. The first Fieldfare followed the next week on the 15^th, along with the first Brambling which was at Blenheim also on the 15^th. 

Blenheim Brambling courtesy of Gareth Casburn

 

Raptors

An Osprey over Otmoor on the 1^st day was a nice bonus bird for the assembled birders there paying homage to first Bluethroat in nearly four decades. An intriguing and late record followed at the towards the end of the month, with a bird over Farmoor on the 21^st – potentially the latest record for the county and a painful one for those of us that have managed to miss every single record in this brilliant year for the species. A first Short-eared Owl of the winter was also on Otmoor from the the 1^st, although recorded the following day, no subsequent records have come from here, so it is possible the bird has moved on.

Other notable records for the period include a lone Merlin hunting at Cromwell Marsh on the 23^rd and a Marsh Harrier hunting over Stratfield Brake on the 30^th.

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight
Aston eyot	Ben Sheldon
Ardley ERF	Gareth Casburn	118	107
Dix pit	Simon Bradfield
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	117	107	Rock Pipit
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	78	76	Crossbill
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	144	125	Glossy Ibis
Sutton Courtenay	Conor MacKenzie	127	112
Radley GP’s	Ian Elkins	109	102
Freeland	Glen Pascoe
South Hinksey	Alex Figueiredo	81	76	Black Tern

 

Oxon Big Year 2025

 

Name	Total
Ben Sheldon	192
Thomas Miller	186
Neil Hayward	160
Conor MacKenzie	189
Simon Myers	181
Peerawat Chiaranunt	177

The Otmoor Starling Winter Roost.

During starling murmuration season, increased visitor numbers put a strain on our carparking facilities, access roads and neighbouring villages. Please drive slowly through Beckley and along Otmoor Lane and consider car-sharing if possible. Please use the designated carpark and do not block gateways or entrances. If you can, come early in the week, avoiding weekends and Fridays. We suggest getting to a viewing point an hour before sunset. There is a 45-minute walk from the carpark. 

Thank you

The RSPB Otmoor Team

Kingfisher courtesy of Stephen Burch

Restricted Access to Dix Pit Stanton Harcourt

I know it’s not the most popular location compared to otmoor etc but access for dix pit lake has recently been revoked and entrances now have barbed wire over them 😢.

I know a couple of the members on here like to walk this route around the lake, capture images of the wildlife and even use this footpath to access other hides such as tar lake or pit 60 in standlake.

With ever more development in the area such as industrial estates, solar farms and housing we are losing access to more and more green space and wildlife habitat is being lost. 

Some of the local villagers from Stanton harcourt (I live in the village too) are trying to appeal this restriction, I’m sharing this on their behalf. if you would like to contribute then please fill out this form if you have any evidence that you use this route or capture images of wildlife there. 

Many thanks

James Pettipher 

The Appeal against Restrictions

Courtesy of James Pettipher

Access now blocked via the northern track.
#2 on map. Photo courtesy of James Pettipher.