Lollingdon Hill

 Northern Wheatear 

Peep-o-day Lane Abingdon 9th April

No sign of the male Ring Ouzel by 10:25 (per Andy Last et al).

Willow Warbler 

Grey Partridge 2

Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 9th April

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
2 Green Sandpiper: Briefly on quarry wetland, left NW. Also 1 teal, 5 snipe and male yellow wagtail still present. 08:10.

Steve Holliday

Grimsbury Reservoir 

Redstart a.m only and no further sign by 11:30

Courtesy of Kyle Smith.

Emmington: 9th April

Emmington
2 Grey Partridge: SP739025. 09:49.
Black Redstart: male. SP739025. 09:49.

Jez March

Mere End Down: 9th April

 4 Wheatear, all male.

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 8th April

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
7 Redshank 14:00.
12 Shoveler: Six pairs. 14:00.
2 Little Egret 14:00.
4 Chiffchaff 14:00.
3 Marsh Harrier: Spectacular views soaring and gliding across the reserve. 14:00.

Steve Akers

Enslow: 8th April

Enslow
3 Cattle Egret: In field other side of Cherwell. 11:30.

Steve Akers

Chipping Norton: 8th April

Chipping Norton
Treecreeper: SP283268. 10:00.
2 Blackcap: pair. SP283268. 10:00.
3 Chiffchaff: SP283268. 10:00.
Goldcrest: All in close proximity and sometimes chasing other birds feeding in Hawthorne blossom. SP283268. 10:00.

Steve Akers

Peep-o-Day Lane Abingdon 8th April

Ring Ouzel

     Northern Wheatear

 

Port Meadow: 8th April

2 House Martin: flew north
5 Redshank
3 Little Ringed Plover

6 Oystercatcher
4 Shelduck

4 Gadwall
4 Pintail
2 Willow Warbler

1 White Wagtail
1 Raven

1 Lapwing

Adam Hartley, Phil Barnett, Will Long

Peep-o-day Lane Abingdon 8th April

Ring Ouzel just west of Peep-O-Day Lane in field with pylon (per Trudi Rowland).

Please do not enter the field.

Cassington: A40: 8th April

Cassington: A40
2 Willow Warbler: male. Two singing birds. SP442097. 11:45.

Allen Stevens

Stanton St John 8th April

Stanton St John
2 Wood Duck: Regular pair back down Mead Lane. SP593095. 10:51.
Swallow

David Brown

Enslow 8th April

2+ Cattle Egret again near bridge c10:12 (per Justin Taylor).

Stoke Row: 7th April

Stoke Row
2 Woodcock: Riding overhead in Burnt Platt Wood. 20:09.

John Taylor

Keen Edge Ferry: 7th April

Redstart 1m
Grey Partridge 1
(Between Shillingford & Wittenham)

Peep-o-day Lane Abingdon 7th April

Ring Ouzel m still present 17:00 just west of Peep-O-Day Lane in field with pylons in (per RBA).

Please keep out of field.

Compton Down 7th April

Curlew, Sky Larks 30+, Yellowhammers 8, Linnets 11, Red Legged Partridge 2, Kestrel, Buzzard - juvenile, Pied Wagtail. Distant shot of curlew.

Farmoor Reservoir: 7th April

Farmoor Reservoir
2 Arctic Tern: On F1. 14:30.
Great Northern Diver: F2 - western shore. 14:30.
Ringed Plover 14:30.

Jeremy Dexter

Fyfield Wick: 7th April

Fyfield Wick
Swallow: Flew west. My FOY. 17:04.

Mick Cunningham

Standlake Pit 60: 6th April

Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret: Late submission. A different bird from the one last week. This one less advanced into sum plum. 14:59.

Mick Cunningham

Stanton St. John: 7th April

Stanton St. John
Swallow: One back at regular nest site. 14:54.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: Male on feeder. 14:54.
4 Great Tit: Four on feeders. 14:54.
2 Blue Tit: Two on feeders. 14:54.
Raven: One over calling. 14:54.
2 Marsh Tit: On feeders. 14:54.
Coal Tit: On feeders. 14:54.
Nuthatch: on feeders. 14:54.
10 Woodpigeon 14:54.
4 Chaffinch 14:54.

David Brown

Neal's Shaw 7th April

Neal's Shaw
11 Brambling: Mixed flock foraging on edge of wood. SU6993. 10:27.

John Taylor

Balscote: Balscote Quarry: 7th April

Balscote: Balscote Quarry
Yellow Wagtail: Male still in field behind viewing area. 10:00.

Steve Holliday

Blenheim: Queen Pool: 7th April

Blenheim: Queen Pool
3 Cattle Egret: roosted on island. 07:00.
Mandarin Duck: male. 07:00.

Gareth Casburn

Port Meadow: 6th April

Port Meadow
3 Little Ringed Plover
5 Oystercatcher
2 Pintail
8 Shelduck

Ben Sheldon

Balscote Quarry Reserve 6th April

Yellow Wagtail m

Brambling 

(per Mike Pollard)

Grimsbury Reservoir:
House Martin 2 (per RBA).

Peep-o-day Lane Abingdon

Ring Ouzel still present 17:03 just west of Peep-O-Day Lane in the field with the pylon in.

2 Oystercatcher 

(per Halcyon Pope)

Farmoor Reservoir 6th April

Great Northern Diver 1

Common Redshank 1

Common Sandpiper 1

Sand Martin 400+  flying wnw between 0830-1000hrs

Swallow 20+         flying wnw between 0830-1000hrs 

White Wagtail 1m

Blenheim: Queen Pool: 6th April

Blenheim: Queen Pool
2 House Martin: at least 2 among approx 30 hirundines over the lake comprising mostly sand martins and half a dozen swallows. First this spring for me. 14:41.

Gareth Casburn

Culham

Little owl

Buscot Wick: Snowswick Lane: 6th April

Buscot Wick: Snowswick Lane
Cattle Egret: One still on Buscot Wick Farm with the cattle this morning. SU221977 still present 12:30.

(Ian Sherriffs, et al)

Bicester Wetland Reserve 6th April

 1 Jack Snipe
11 Snipe
1 Green Sandpiper

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

Radley Lakes 5th April

18:30-19:45

Ring-necked duck
2 blackcap
3 Cetti's warbler


Sent from my iPhone

Fyfield Wick: 5th April

Fyfield Wick
Blackcap: male. 1st returning bird singing in Laurel adjacent to my garden. 12:15.

Jed Cleeter

Cote: 5th April

Cote
2 Grey Partridge: m + f. Usual spot fields at start road to Buckland. 22:18.

Mick Cunningham

: 5th April

Near Middleton Stoney
2 Grey Partridge: Grid reference is fairly approximate. SP554232. 15:30.

Steve Goddard

Chinnor: Cement Works: 5th April

Chinnor: Cement Works
2 Little Ringed Plover: On island Lake 2b. 10:00.

David Stracey

Farmoor Reservoir 5th April

Great Northern Diver 1

Kingfisher 1

Water Rail 1

Peep-o-day Lane Abingdon 5th April

Ring Ouzel still present west of Peep-O-Day Lane 

in field with the pylon in 18:53 (per Mark Chivers).

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course: 5th April

Moreton nr Thame: Moreton Golf Course
House Martin: Through, FOY. 19:22.
Willow Warbler: Singing along track, FOY. 19:22.
4 Oystercatcher 19:22.
Peregrine: Male over

Thame: Cuttle Brook
2 Reed Bunting: Male and female present.

Luke Marriner

Chipping Norton: 5th April

Chipping Norton
300 Fieldfare: Large movement of Fieldfare through this evening - upwards of 300 birds in two separate flocks. SP283268. 17:50.
Sparrowhawk: male. Circling over. SP283268. 17:50.
14 Teal: Out feeding on the small lake - majority are drakes. SP283268. 17:50.
Little Grebe: First record here this year. SP283268. 17:50.

Steve Akers

Buscot 5th April

Cattle Egret still present at Buscot Wick Farm along Snowswick Lane in cattle field 17:15 

(per RBA).

Otmoor - 5th April

Cattle Egret: Perched in an oak tree next to the bridleway before flying west towards Big Otmoor. 08:30 (per Steve Roby).

White Stork one of the Knepp reintroduction birds (still present but mobile)

Ringed Plover

Garganey (male)

14 Ruff

2 Dunlin

Little Ringed Plover

Great White Egret

2 Oystercatcher

Pintail

(per Isaac West)

2 Swallow: Two over Greenways. 17:45.
(per David Brown).

White Stolk courtesy of Lee Oliver.

Sonning Eye GPs: 5th April

Sonning Eye GPs
Raven 15:15.

Ralph Watts

Black-necked Grebe, Cassington GPs

Black-necked Grebe recently at Cassington GPs (not publicly accessible)
Courtesy of Terry Godfrey

Chipping Norton: 5th April

Chipping Norton
2 Blackcap: male and fem. Huge burst of song from the male - first of the year here. SP283268. 10:00.
Willow Warbler: In song - another first here for this year. SP283268. 10:00.
Reed Bunting: male. SP283268. 10:00.
6 Teal: On the small lake. SP283268. 10:00.
2 Mute Swan: SP283268. 10:00.
4 Chiffchaff: SP283268. 10:00.
Song Thrush: SP283268. 10:00.

Steve Akers

Ardley 5th April

Little ringed plover - 2

Wheatear - 2 males

Enslow

Cattle egret - 2

Fyfield Wick: 5th April

Fyfield Wick
2 White Wagtail: In fields associating with a flock of meadow pipits and fieldfares. 12:01.

Mick Cunningham

Farmoor Reservoir 5th April

Great northern Diver F2 10:23 (per RBA).

Fyfield: 5th April

Fyfield
6 Cattle Egret: At least 6 with large herd of cattle 1.5 miles north of Fyfield en route to Newbridge. Hard to count as egrets hidden by cattle. 10:38.

Mick Cunningham

Bicester Wetland Reserve 5th April

 3 Green Sandpiper
1 Cetti's Warbler
36 Teal
8 Gadwall

Alan Peters

Key Holder Reserve

New Marston: New Marston Meadows: 5th April

New Marston: New Marston Meadows
Willow Warbler: FOY.

Tom Evans

: 5th April

north cross valley way, ducklington.
Hobby: ? flying about feeding? on small insects? it looked quite small-was also present doing the same previous day at 2pm. SP367084. 10:15.

Otmoor: 4th April

White Stork: Showing very well on Noke sides this evening. Ring is white on blue - appears to be GB 1J. 18:24.

Jeremy Dexter

Bicester Wetland Reserve 4th April

Cattle Egret this evening (a reserve 1st), having previously on nearby Graven Hill flash with 2 Little Egrets.

: 4th April

Burnt Platt Wood
2 Raven: SU6993. 19:19.

John Taylor

Bicester Wetland Reserve Bicester 4th April

Cattle Egret still present 18:29 in trees by the works pool. Originally at Graven Hill with 

2 Little Egret (per John Friendship-Taylor).

Bicester Wetlands is a key holder reserve.

 

Water Rail Pinkhill Reserve courtesy of Anna Marlow.

Sonning Common 4th April

Widmore pond Sonning Common
2 Mandarin Duck: 1 male 1 fem. SU711806. 16:10.
OTHER SPECIES: 1 Muscovy Duck

Denise Harper

Blenheim: 4th April

Blenheim
2 Swallow 14:30.
7 Sand Martin 14:30.

Gareth Casburn

Farmoor Reservoir: 4th April

Farmoor Reservoir
2 Garganey 12:00.

Gareth Casburn

Peep-o-day Lane

Ring ouzel 

Abingdon 4th April

Ring Ouzel still present in the same field with the pylon in, west of Peep-O-Day Lane 12:13.

2 Oystercatcher 
2 Egyptian Goose 
Barnacle Goose 
Little Egret 

(per Yacky Morris, Conor MacKenzie, Justin Taylor,Wickens, Peter Law).

East Oxford, 4th April

Osprey - low over Princes St, heading NW. 11:50am

Tom Pizzari

Farmoor Reservoir 4th April

Great northern Diver 

Goosander f

Golden Plover 12

House Martin 2

Sand Martin 150+

Swallow 15+

(per Ewan Urquhart et al) 10:38

Fyfield Wick: 4th April

Fyfield Wick
Willow Warbler: male. FOY singing in Laurel adjacent to my garden. 08:00.
2 Chiffchaff: male. Both singing. 08:00.
75 Fieldfare: Approx Flew South East. 08:00.

Jed Cleeter

Abingdon 3rd April

Peep-o-day Lane 16:30-19:00

1 Ring Ouzel male still present 18:50

2 little ringed plover

1 green sandpiper

10 Snipe

Little egret

Courtesy of Andy Last.

Above & below courtesy of Conor MacKenzie.

Rouzel west of Peep-O-Day Lane in the field

with the pylon in.

Northmoor 3rd April

14 Snipe 19:03.

Mick Cunningham

Buscot 3rd April

Cattle Egret still in cattle field just N/E of Buscot Wick Farm 14:45 (per RBA).

Otmoor rspb 3rd April

Escaped White Stork ringed (per RBA).

Short-eared Owl 

Shelduck 2

Ruff 7 Big Otmoor 

Dunlin

Little-ringed Plover 2

Crane 

Garganey 2

(per Bark, Luke O'Byrne)

Port Meadow 3rd April

Little-ringed Plover 4

Redshank 

Oystercatcher 5

Egyptian Goose 3

Pintail 4

Shelduck 8

Brambling 4

Swallow 1 north

Siberian Chiffchaff 

(M.L et al)

Yellow Wagtail reported yesterday.

Peep-o-day Lane

Little ringed plover - 2

Green sandpiper - 4 possibly 5

Swallow

Sonning Eye GPs: 3rd April

Sonning Eye GPs
Oystercatcher 14:09.

Marek Walford

Cassington: 3rd April

Cassington
Possible White Stork: Flew over no idea if it is one though. 13:46.

Yacky Morris

Henley Road GPs: 3rd April

Scaup: drk. Garden centre pit. 13:28.
Mandarin Duck: drk. Over the water ski lake, calling.

Brambling: male

Marek Walford

Farmoor Reservoir 3rd April

Great northern Diver still present 12:15 

(per Ewan Urquhart).

Willow Warbler 08:40 Pinkhill

(per Colm O Caomhanaigh)

South Hinksey: 3rd April

South Hinksey
Blackcap: male. Seen singing in the hedge rows around South Hinksey electric road. 11:58.

Pete Knevett

Appleford GPs 3rd April

Shelduck 2 (per Brian Wyatt).

Henley-on-Thames: 3rd April

Henley-on-Thames
2 Mandarin Duck: 1m 1f. 09:53.
Egyptian Goose 09:53.

John Taylor

Radley GP: 3rd April

Radley GP
Ring-necked Duck: drk. On Thrupp Lake. 09:24.
Sand Martin: FOY. 09:24.

Ian Elkins

Standlake Pit 60: 2nd April

Standlake Pit 60
Great White Egret: First for a while. Now in sum plum. 21:57.
Kingfisher 21:57.
7 Goosander: 4f 3m. 21:57.
6 Goldeneye: Along with shovelers, teal, wigeon and a R C Pochard. Not much change on duck record s. 21:57.
2 Lesser Black-backed Gull: ad. Been here since 30th March. Seem to be paired up on island as if on territory. 21:57.

Mick Cunningham

Port Meadow 2nd April

Garganey drake still present 6pm opposite Burgess Field gate

Little-ringed Plover 7

Siberian Chiffchaff 

White Wagtail 3

Redshank
Oystercatcher 7

Egyptian Goose 3

(per Steve Lavington, Gnome, Andy Gosler, Matthew Southwell, Mary MacDougall)

Buscot Wick: 2nd April

Cattle Egret One in with cattle herd on Buscot Wick Farm. 16:59.

Ian Sherriffs

Kestrel Boundary Brook Headington courtesy of Tony Gillie.

 

Holton 2nd April

Holton
2 Mandarin Duck: male and fem. In flight over - disturbed by bird scaring device in nearby field. SP595074. 09:17.

Jan Marlowe

Above & below courtesy of Jan Marlowe.

Appleford GPs 2nd April

Ring-necked Duck f again on the 1st riverside Pit 14:28
Little-ringed Plover 2 m/f
Green Sandpiper 

Milcombe: 2nd April

Milcombe
Stock Dove 2 14:12.

Mary Clifton

Radley GP: 2nd April

Radley GP
2 Swallow: Presumably FOY. 13:00.

Ian Elkins

Buckland Warren: 2nd April

Buckland Warren
2 Brambling
Siskin
Raven

Mark Merritt

Enslow 2nd April

Cattle Egrets 2 again on river behind the pond near bridge 11:18 (per Mark Chivers).

Burnt Platt Wood 2nd April

6 Brambling: 4f 2m. SU6883. 11:19.
Woodcock: SU6883. 11:19.

John Taylor

Ardley ERF Lagoon: 2nd April

L.R.P courtesy of Justin Taylor.

Peregrine 10:00.
Wheatear: male. 10:00.
Fieldfare 10:00.

Gareth Casburn

Farmoor Reservoir 2nd April

Great northern Diver 

Redshank

Sand Martin 

Swallow 

(per Ewan Urquhart).

Standlake Pit 60: 1st April

Standlake Pit 60
Goosander: male. 16:15.
2 Oystercatcher: Very vocal. 16:15.

Allen Stevens

Blowingstone Hill: 1st April

Redstart (m)

Raven

Farmoor - 1st April

1st winter Kittiwake. 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls - F.1.

March 2022 Review

Headline bird

There was no standout rarity in Oxon this month, making the choice of headline bird for March a little more difficult. One of the highlights of this month though has certainly been the influx of Garganey, with records from seven different sites across the county. Always one of the most sought-after finds on patch in March/April, a spring male Garganey is not to be missed. Compared to 2021 (when the first record of the year was not until the 1^st of April), Garganey appeared a lot earlier in the county this year, with the first sighting coming from Otmoor, with a pair present on the 5^th. This sighting likely referred to a pair just passing through, since the next sighting at Otmoor wasn’t until the 21^st, when a single male was seen, with probably the same individual seen again on the 23^rd. A pair was then seen on the 26^th, before 3 were then seen together on the 28^th, comprising 2 males and 1 female. The pair was seen again on the 29^th. 

Male & female Garganey Pinkhill courtesy of Nick Truby,

At Farmoor, a pair arrived on the 20^th, remaining for some time, affording excellent views from the hide at Pinkhill and Shrike Meadow. The same day, 3 were found at Peep-o-Day Lane, comprising 2 males and 1 female. They remained until the 21^st, with just a single male left on the 22^nd. On the 21^st, a pair were found at Port Meadow, though did not linger any more than a day. On the 24^th, a pair were seen on the river at Chislehampton. The most remarkable record of the month though came from Allen Pit, when an incredible 9 Garganey were found on the 25^th, comprising 5 males and 4 females. Finally, a male was seen at Pit 60 on the 29^th.

Courtesy of Ewan Urquhart

Courtesy of Badger

Waders

The start of spring wader passage in March saw lots of returning waders passing through the county. The wader highlight of the month was an Avocet found at Farmoor on the 7^th, showing very nicely on the causeway. 

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

The same day, the first Black-tailed Godwits were seen at Port Meadow, with 4 present. On the 15^th, a flock of 11 was seen, with 3 present the following day. There were then 4 on the 17^th and 3 on the 20^th. Finally, a single remained from the 21^st to the 24^th. At Otmoor, there were 2 on the 10^th, 14 on the 13^th and 14^th, 3 on the 17^th, and 1 on the 20^th. The only other record came from Appleford with a single on the 12^th. 2 Ruff were at Otmoor on the 13^th, with singles reported on the 17^th, 19^th and 28^th. A group of 6 were also seen on the 29^th. At Port Meadow, there was a single on the 5^th, with a pair from the 21^st to the 23^rd, before 1 remained until the 28^th.

Farmoor hosted the only Greenshank of the month with 1 on the 21^st and 24^th. Most records of Redshank came from Port Meadow and Otmoor, with maximum counts of 5 on the 5^th and 10 on the 3^rd, respectively. There were singles at Farmoor on the 7^th, 19^th, 22^nd, 28^th and 29^th. There was also one at Balscote Quarry on the 19^th and 2 at Appleford on the 14^th and 27^th. Up to 3 Curlew were reported from Otmoor this month, with a single also at Balscote Quarry on the 14^th. At Port Meadow, 5 were seen on the 24^th and 1 the next day.

There were a vast amount of Oystercatcher records this month with sightings emerging from 13 different sites. Notably, there were 6 at Otmoor on the 17^th, 6 at Port Meadow on the 30^th, 6 at Moreton on the 22^nd and 29^th, and 5 at Appleford on the 26^th. There were singles of Dunlin recorded at Port Meadow throughout the month, with 3 on the 5^th and 23^rd, and 2 on the 20^th. Similarly, there were records at Otmoor throughout, with a peak count of 40 on the 6^th. Singles were at Farmoor on the 11^th, 13^th and 28^th, with 2 there on the 17^th and 22^nd. The only other record came from Pit 60, with 1 on the 25^th.

There was only one sighting of Ringed Plover this month with 2 at Port Meadow on the 1^st. Little Ringed Plover were recorded from 11 different sites, with the first of the year coming from Grimsbury Reservoir on the 11^th and the highest count of 5 from Port Meadow on the 31^st. A single Common Sandpiper was seen at Farmoor throughout the month, with the only other record coming from Otmoor with 2 on the 10^th. Green Sandpiper were recorded from 9 different sites, with the peak count of 8 coming from Bicester Wetland reserve on the 30^th.

Courtesy of Jessica Crumpton

A few Woodcock lingered into March with singles at Churn on the 17^th, Kirtlington on the 23^rd, and Emmington and Warburg on the 26^th. The only Jack Snipe was at Waterstock on the 13^th.

Gulls

The week beginning the 21^st saw a mini-influx of Little Gull inland nationally. This was replicated in Oxon, starting off with a single at Farmoor on the 21^st. On the 22^nd, there was 1 at Pit 60. Then on the 23^rd, 6 were found at Radley and 30 at Farmoor. On the 24^th, there were 2 at Farmoor. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in the Port Meadow roost on the 2^nd and 6^th. On the 14^th, a 2nd summer was in the roost, before being seen again on the 15^th, 18^th and 21^st. Possibly the same 2nd summer individual was seen during the day at Radley on the 19^th, 21^st and 26^th. On the 22^nd, there was a 1st winter in the Port Meadow roost. Finally, on the 30^th, an adult was at Farmoor. There was a 2nd winter Caspian Gull seen at Port Meadow on the 3^rd, with another reported on the 27^th. There was also a 2nd winter at Chinnor on the 4^th, a 1st winter at Farmoor on the 15^th, and a 2nd winter at Appleford on the 15^th. On the 20^th, there was also 1 at Pit 60.

Caspian Gull courtesy of Thomas Miller

Courtesy of Gnome

Wildfowl, grebes, divers etc

The Ferruginous Duck remained at Allen Pit until the 9^th. The Great Northern Diver continued to remain at Farmoor. Similarly, the male Ring-necked Duck at Radley and the female at Appleford were present throughout the month. There was a Black-necked Grebe at Cassington on the 30^th. A flock of Common Scoter were sound recorded on nocmig on the 30^th.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Goosander were seen at 7 different sites, with the highest count of 19 coming from Pit 60 on the 16^th. Goldeneye were recorded throughout the month at Farmoor, with a peak count of 8 on the 12^th. There were also 10 at Cassington on the 30^th.

There were 2 Mandarin at Blenheim on the 1^st and 23^rd, with 3 on the 14^th. There were also singles from Allen Pit on the 18^th and Otmoor on the 23^rd. A pair was seen at Sonning Common on the 21^st and at Sonning Eye GPs on the 29^th and 30^th. There were 2 Red-crested Pochard at Farmoor from the 25^th to 28^th.

Egrets, herons etc

There was a Glossy Ibis at Woodeaton on the 2^nd. 3 Cattle Egret were recorded from Wytham on the 7^th and 8^th, with 2 there on the 22^nd. One was at Harwell from the 9^th to the 16^th, and 2 were at Enslow from the 18^th until at least the 29^th. The Enslow pair are thought to have been roosting at Blenheim, seen on the 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd. There were 9 at Pit 27 on the 21^st, with at least 8 on the 24^th. Finally, there were 2 at Enstone on the 22^nd. Great White Egret were recorded from 8 different sites, most notably flying over the Lye Valley in Headington on the 5^th. Up to 4 Crane were seen at Otmoor throughout the month.

Courtesy of Stephen Burch

Passerines

There were 2 Hawfinch at Ardington on the 4^th. Singles of Rock Pipit were recorded at Farmoor on the 6^th, 7^th, 15^th, and 17^th. A Black Redstart was in Wolvercote on the 12^th  with a second bird reported in Long Hanborough on the 13th.From the 6^th until at least the end of the month, a Siberian Chiffchaff was showing well at Port Meadow, and often heard in song.

Courtesy of Gnome

The first returning Wheatear were seen on the 13^th, with 2 present at Port Meadow. The next day, there was 1 remaining. On the 15^th, 4 were at White Horse Hill and on the 17^th, 2 were at Churn. There were then singles from Stonesfield on the 26^th, Moreton on the 29^th and Otmoor on the 31^st. 

Wheatear Moreton courtesy of Luke Marriner.

White Wagtail Moreton courtesy of Luke Marriner.

Port Meadow hosted individual White Wagtails on the 14^th and 31^st. There was also 1 at Grimsbury on the 22^nd and 3 at Moreton on the 22^nd. The first returning Willow Warbler was at Dorchester on the 21^st, with the next arrivals at Farmoor on the 22^nd and Otmoor on the 23^rd.

Willow Warbler Dorchester courtesy of Geoff Wyatt. 

Remarkably, Brambling were seen at 21 different sites in the county this month, with the highest count of 41 coming from Balscote Quarry on the 20^th. Stonechat were recorded from 5 sites.

Raptors

The first Osprey of the year was seen at Farmoor on the 28^th. The ringtail Hen Harrier continued at Otmoor, though remained elusive, seen on the 6^th, 10^th and 29^th. There was also a male at Devil’s Punchbowl on the 7^th. Singles of Merlin were seen at Otmoor and Fyfield Wick on the 9^th, and Churn on the 17^th. Peregrine were recorded from 8 different sites. Up to 2 Short-eared Owl were seen at Otmoor during the month, with 2 also at Devil’s Punchbowl on the 24th. 4 Marsh Harrier were at Otmoor throughout.

Courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Hirundines

The first returning Sand Martin were seen on the 12^th, with 4 at Pit 27 and 3 at Otmoor. There were also 3 at Farmoor the next day. The first Swallow were on the 27^th, with 2 at Farmoor. There were also 2 there on the 29^th. The same day, there were 3 at Port Meadow and 1 at Moreton. 

Headington Tawny Owl.

Peter Barker was sent a photo of a Tawny Owl sat outside of his house by a member of his local neighbourhood WhatsApp group who, was returning home on his bike late one evening, and spotted this fabulous Tawny Owl *

Peter subsequently checked footage from a security camera which had not only caught the owl but the neighbour. 

Courtesy of Peter Barker.

*Unfortunately and despite rigorous checks with Oxford City Council, we were unable to confirm whether the owl did in fact have a permit.

 

Otmoor: RSPB reserve: 1st April

Otmoor: RSPB reserve
2 Little Ringed Plover: Big Otmoor. 15:07.
Dunlin: Big Otmoor. 15:07.
2 Oystercatcher: On Big Otmoor 6 Ruff and a pair of Garganey also reported there. 15:07.

Steve Roby

Peep-o-day Lane

Redshank

Green sandpiper - 2

Oystercatcher - 3

Barnacle goose - 4