May Review & Highlights

The Highlights

Not to be outdone by the previous two months May delivered on the unexpected and continued the fine form of 2026. For inland birders, Black Kite remains one of the few species that combines considerable rarity value with genuine potential for occurrence. It also provides a bit of an identification headache for rarity committees, being one of the most claimed species without accompanying evidence whilst also being easily confusable with other species for even those semi-familiar. So, it is unsurprising that there are many claims for Black Kite in the county but only three accepted records. 

With that in mind, any sensible observer of potential Black Kite will treat identification with caution. Thankfully, the county’s fourth record had two excellent Oxon birders to hand and, what appears a requirement these days, an out of county birder present. An unusual looking raptor spotted from the 1^st screen on the 8^th, already nearly a distant dot at this point, at least showed enough of the required features to warrant further scrutiny. Thankfully some decent record shots clinched the identification, although the news was still initially put out as probable. Enter, the out of county birder, who had independently seen the bird in question and actually had decent views to boot. Unfortunately, as with all previous records this bird remained completely untwitchable, having been observed to circle high and depart north. 

Black Kite courtesy of Thomas Miller

The previous three records are spread across the last three decades. The first county record was in 1996 - an adult drifting over the Ridgeway in late August. An interesting point in time where Red Kite had re-established in Chilterns but still only numbered around 40 pairs. The second record came the following year, a spring bird heading SE over Witney. 2015 saw the first photographic record in the county, a bird flying over fields and briefly resting on a hedgerow before being mobbed by crows. It is interesting to note that the 2026 record is the only one involving multiple observers. With four records and only six observers in total, is there any other rarity that has a lower observer-to-record ratio?

That wasn’t all May had to offer though; another rare raptor graced the county albeit just as brief and with even less observers. A Red-footed Falcon over Rushy Common on the 31^st was the fourth record in the last 6 years. Interestingly this bird looked remarkably similar to the very pale 2CY female which delighted many birders in 2025. Unfortunately, unlike that bird, this one did not hang around and was gone almost immediately, with only the finder being lucky enough to have seen it. The last time Oxon saw both of these species in the same year was exactly 30 years ago, with the 1^st county record of Black Kite and the 3^rd record of the Red-footed Falcon in 1996. 

Red-footed Falcon courtesy of Ben Hall

2026 has already delivered some excellent rarities, particularly given how blessed we were in 2025. The county year list now stands at 190, and with autumn still to come, there is every chance of another surprise or two to excite county birders.

We will be taking our customary break during June and July, with the next edition of the review appearing in early August.

Happy birding!

Waders

The Black-winged Stilt, so popular the previous month was still present into May but only just, continuing to delight birders at Otmoor until the 1^st. Also still present was the accompanying Wood Sandpiper which was here until at least the 2^nd, although it is possible that the record a week later was the same individual hanging on. Either way this individual was here until the 14^th and for the most part showed well but distant throughout its duration. Avocet, an unreliable annual at best, gave county birders a 2^nd crack when a pair turned up at Otmoor on the 14^th. Any hope of an extended stay however was soon dashed when they were gone the following day, clearly a pair in a hurry. 

Black-winged Stilt courtesy of Thomas Miller

Surely the standout bird of the month in this group though, was the male Ruff in its absolute breeding best plumage at NCVW. Recent years have seen a sharp decline in spring and autumn birds, so to have an individual looking so resplendent is an absolute treat. The bird was present only on the 29^th, and hopefully it was not too late to find itself a mate, it certainly looked the part! Also at NCVW on the 29^th was the only Black-tailed Godwit record this month, whilst a pair of Bar-tailed Godwit were reported over Farmoor on the 1^st. A lone Grey Plover was also over Farmoor on the 1^st, with either the same bird or a different individual reported the following day. 

Ruff courtesy of Thomas Miller

The county also had its first Turnstone of the year this month, a typically showy individual in fine summer plumage at Farmoor on the 19^th. Whimbrel were confined to the first half of the month with four records from three sites.  Venn Mill, a reasonably reliable site for the species site given its small size, had one on the 7^th with nearby NCVW hosting one on the 8^th. Otmoor saw a single bird on the 9^th with a small party of four here on 11^th.  

Turnstone courtesy of Max Buckley

Sanderling migration got well under way this month with a near constant presence at Farmoor throughout May. With so many records and at least 14 days reporting birds, it’s impossible to know how many individuals were involved but clearly there was large turnover of northbound birds. Most records were of singles and pairs, but the highest count came on the 22^nd where five were present. Birds were still moving through until the 31^st, presumably birds bound for even further north of the Arctic Circle. Greenshank were present on at three sites, including a long-staying bird on Otmoor until at least the 15^th. Farmoor had a fly through on the 3^rd whilst Venn Mill hosted an individual for two days – 8^th – 9^th.  

Sanderling courtesy of Brian Walker

Dunlin also continued to move through the county in good numbers, with four sites hosting birds. Most of these came from Farmoor, with stronger movements clearly noted during the middle of the month. The largest flock was of nine on the 13^th, whilst on the same day a flock of seven mixed with a single Sanderling and two Ringed Plover also moved through. Grimsbury Reservoir and NCVW both hosted birds on the 4^th and 23^rd respectively, whilst the most unusual record came Bicester Wetlands Reserve on the 12^th. Ringed Plover was a little wider spread with at least five sites hosting birds. NCVW saw the highest count with 11 on the 21^st, with Ardley ERF not far behind with a decent count of seven on 17^th. Venn Mill, Otmoor and Farmoor were the other three sites to host birds in modest numbers, although the latter site saw the most records between the 8^th and 25^th. 

 

Dunlin courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Little Ringed Plover were reported on at least six sites, with no successful breeding confirmed just yet. Ardley continues to host a healthy population, with a minimum of five birds here on 1^st. Farmoor continued to play host to occasional bird, 1^st and 8^th, presumably failed breeders from somewhere or other. Interestingly Otmoor also had five birds at one point this month, although there’s no indication whether these were breeders or just birds passing through. Finally, the last flurry of Common Sandpiper recorded were multiple birds at Farmoor from the first until at least the 9^th, whilst Cornwall Marsh had a single bird on the 12^th. 

Wildfowl & Game Birds etc

The first Quail of the season came from a fairly surprising location, with singing bird at Otmoor on the 14^th. Although not always audible, it was around long enough for most interested birders to connect. A more expected location however came the following day with a singing bird on the Blewbury Downs on the 15^th. A further record at White Horse Hill on the 29^th maybe points to a possible “Quail Year”, particularly with so many records across the country. Otherwise, there was very little to note for this group around the county, with focus turning mostly to scarce breeders. 

Shelduck continued at three sites, all of which have regularly hosted birds over the last few weeks. Hatford continued to host up to four birds, whilst nearby Tar Lakes and Rushy Common both saw pairs – maybe the same individuals. Red-crested Pochard were on two sites, Blenheim on the 4^th and Rushy Common on 9^th. A surprise followed on Blenheim when the pair were joined by a single quite grown chick on the 29^th. Mandarin were surprisingly widespread this month with four sites hosting birds from the far north of the county right down to the far south. Otmoor continued to host its drake from the previous month, whilst a family party six young and two adults were at Middleton Stoney on the 29^th were the most “interesting” records. Sonning Eye GPs and Cornwell Marsh were the other two sites hosting individuals this month, on the 4^th and 24^th respectively. 

 

Red-crested Pochard family courtesy of Gareth Cashburn

Herons, egrets etc

The trio of Glossy Ibis continued to find Otmoor to their liking, with all three present for the majority of May. Whether this extended visit will result in any significant breeding attempts remains to be seen, but the summer should be interesting to watch how things progress. The White Stork saga continued into May, with up to three birds at Otmoor on the 6^th, at least one of which was colour ringed. A single colour ringed bird remained here and was reported on and off until the 24^th. Farringdon saw one bird on the 7^th, quite possibly one of the trio relocating and heading back towards Cotswold Wildlife Park? At the end of the month a bird was reported flying high above Letcombe Basset on the 29^th, ending what has probably been a record spring for this species in the county. 

Glossy Ibis courtesy of Nick Truby

Cattle Egretcontinued to do Cattle Egret things this month, present in the usual spots. Blenheim has at least two nests in amongst the mixed colony here, whilst breeding plumaged birds were noted at both Chimney Meadows and Otmoor – something which continues to intrigue, with a minimum of eight at the latter. Birds were also noted at a further five sites, with Clifton Pool see the most with five on the 16^th. Great White Egret were much reduced this month with only three records at three sites – Farmoor, Pit 60 and NCVW. 

Cattle Egret courtesy of Peter Milligan

 

Bittern & Marsh Harrier
Otmoor rspb courtesy of Sue Carruthers

Gulls and Terns

Little Tern is not an easy species for Oxfordshire, with it being less than annual. So, after the pair of birds at Baulking in April it wasn’t expected that local birders would get another shot. Thankfully a report on BirdGuides on the 1^st at Farmoor turned out to be bang on the money, with a bird showing well across both basins. It remained on site for the rest of the day, allowing plenty of observers to connect. 

Little Tern courtesy of Dave Murphy

 

A flock of 23 Black Tern was a major highlight of the spring and great way to see out the spring movements of terns. Initially a flock of eight on the 2^nd, before a further 15 joined the party only a few minutes later. Inclement weather meant they did not hang around very long though and all was said and done within only five or six minutes, one of those blink and you miss it sightings! 

Black Tern courtesy of Ben Sheldon

Arctic Tern continued to disappoint most county birders, with several fly through and/or brief records through the middle of May. A lone bird through Farmoor on the 13^th at least stayed long enough for some amazing shots to be taken. A pair of birds reported on the 19^th were not at all forthcoming for anyone checking out the report.

Arctic Tern courtesy of Roger Wyatt

A pair of Mediterranean Gull on Port Meadow in their stunning summer plumage was a bit of a surprise on the 23^rd. With very few decent Black-headed Gull colonies in the county any chance of an extended stay was soon dashed unfortunately. 

Mediterranean Gull courtesy of Thomas Miller

Passerines

A very quiet month in terms of mass migration of passerines, with most of the birds of interest passing through the county in April. Unfortunately, though, May did see another untwitchable Hoopoe, the 3^rd in the last 12 months and 2^nd this year! News had initially come via the bird services on 17^th May and as often with these records treated with a small degree of scepticism. By chance though, one of the county regulars knew the observer and had managed to confirm the record with an excellent photo. Unfortunately, having seemingly been present for several days the information came too late for any mass twitch to ensue, although a good effort was made by a few people to relocate it over the following days.

Hoopoe courtesy of John Baker

Courtesy of John Baker

Courtesy of Wayne Bull

Some belated news of the returning Hawfinch pair at Warburg was a welcome surprise, and clearly these individuals are well established now. Hopefully the summer will provide some evidence of successful breeding for a 2^nd season.

Whinchat had all but disappeared by the first week of May with two individuals at Grimsbury Reservoir on the 4^th the only record of the month. Similarly Wheatear were much reduced, with no records after the 7^th and only three records across three sites. Lark Hill had one on the 1^st, whilst Cote hosted one on the 4^th. Juniper Valley was the final site with a male here on the 7^th. Finally, our first record of the year of Spotted Flycatcher came much later than expected, a single individual at Blenheim on the 12^th. 

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy of Nick Truby

 

Raptors

The Osprey mystery continued in the early part of May with a single record over Rushy Common on the 3^rd. Whether this was the same individual that appeared to be kicking around the county in April remains to be seen, but it certainly seems birds hanging around well into the breeding season appears to be coming an annual occurrence. 

Osprey courtesy of Max Buckley

That only left a high count of 12 Hobby at Otmoor on the 3^rd and out of bounds Marsh Harrier at Cornwell Marsh as any real records worth highlighting this month, with most the action for this group confined to the highlights section of the review. 

Hobby courtesy of Nick Truby

Patchwork challenge

Patch	Birder	Points	Species	Highlight
Grimsbury reservoir	Gareth Blockley	105	101	Cuckoo
Lye valley	Tom Bedford	84	80	Second-ever spring record of Spotted Flycatcher
River Thames	Geoff Wyatt	143	122	Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Caspian Gull, Shelduck, White-fronted Geese.
Blewbury Chalkpit	Conor MacKenzie	101	90	Reed Warbler (!) – mad record of singing bird in scrub in Chalkpit. Curlew – another unexpected bird for the site. Egyptian Goose – three over the downs
Radley GP’s	Ian Elkins	104	97
Port Meadow	Thomas Miller	137	116

Otmoor Cuckoo courtesy of Anna Marlow