Oxon Birding Weblog: February Evaluation

Highlights

With such a terrific begin to 2025 it isn’t shocking that February was a considerably quieter affair, largely consisting of long-stayers. That being stated, the primary indicators of the arrival of spring and a altering of the guard got here all through the month. After these first intrepid first arrivals in late January, the primary half of February noticed Oystercatchers arrive again on breeding grounds en masse in typical noisy and flashy vogue. The center a part of the month noticed a pair extra wader species arriving from wintering grounds, with the primary Black-tailed Godwit returning on the 12th almost three weeks sooner than the median arrival date. The arrival of the years first passerines although, not waders, usually heralds the arrival of spring for many birders and that got here on the 24th with the seasons first Sand Martin. A part of a wider nationwide arrival, these have been the twond earliest birds ever recorded within the county (23rd February in 2023) and continues the final development of earlier and earlier arrivals – median arrival dates altering from 13th March since 2000 to sixth March in final 5 years. What’s much more exceptional is that with our newest ever report of Sand Martin coming from mid-November final 12 months there was solely 101 days between the final departure and first arrival of the species – fairly presumably a report on a per county foundation.

Outdoors of the arrival of spring, each meteorological and avian associated, the key spotlight this month got here within the type the invention of one other Inexperienced-winged Teal current within the county together with the unique present in January. With the drake current at Otmoor turning into more and more tough to find, it was not shocking when its eventual departure got here on the twond February. A quick interval of absence although was quickly damaged when it was refound at Ardley ERF on the 6th, a exceptional report for a web site that has solely lately been birded often and already produced some superb information for Oxon. The next day the and the chook nonetheless current on web site at first gentle, information of a drake on the close by Aynho confused issues considerably for a short time period. The closeness of the websites meant possible the birds could possibly be commuting between the 2 with the presence of two drakes unprecedented in Oxon. However with birders current on each websites afterward the 7th this turned out to be the case! Each websites continued to host their respective birds concurrently till no less than the 9th however thereafter stories from Aynho turned extra sporadic with the final report approaching the 22nd. Ardley ERF, been the extra simply birded and accessible web site had stories virtually every day all through the month till the 28th. The standing of the Inexperienced-winged Teal on the Oxon and British Record stays unsure over the subsequent few years because the taxonomic our bodies look to consolidate their lists into one common listing (https://www.birdguides.com/information/british-list-set-for-major-taxonomic-shake-up/) however fortunately, it stays in its present type and due to this fact firmly on the county 12 months listing, and regardless of the Clements/IOC/BirdLife determine I’m certain Inexperienced-winged Teal will stay extremely popular as and when it graces the county’s borders sooner or later.

The Ardley Inexperienced-winged Teal, above Ewan Urquhart and beneath Gareth Cashburn

Waders

The primary indicators of what’s going to be hopefully be a busy spring interval got here with three new species of wader recorded from mid-February. Probably the most notable of those was a Gray Plover on the 15th at Farmoor, a irritating fly-over report an all too typically prevalence for this species at that web site. Though it’s potential that this a wintering chook that has remained undetected in amongst the lots of Golden Plover throughout the county. Virtually actually new in from wintering grounds elsewhere although was the trio of Ruff over at Clifton on the 28th. A web site that has proved pretty productive in recent times when the Cherwell bursts its banks and pulling in wildfowl and waders of various rarity. Black-tailed Godwit was additionally recorded within the early a part of the month with Port Meadow pulling in an early returner on the 12th, while the virtually ever current floods at Peep-o-Day Lane additionally proved engaging to a passing chook on the 16th.

Asides from the above it was largely enterprise as typical on the wader entrance. Three websites hosted Dunlin this month, with no less than a number of the information presumably referring to birds on the transfer versus wintering birds hanging on. Clifton had 4 together with the Ruff presumably all arriving collectively in a combined species flock. Otmoor first hosted a pair birds on the 22nd which then elevated to 14 by the 25th, which might very effectively be birds which have spent the winter on the huge habitat obtainable or simply as simply be new birds into the while Port Meadow hosted 5 birds on the 24th.

Inexperienced Sandpiper have been current on no less than 4 websites. Chipping Norton continued to host a single chook all through February and Ardley ERF additionally continued to host up two birds. Bicester Wetlands sporadically reported a single chook while Peep-o-Day Lane additionally had a single chook on the 23rd. The wintering Widespread Sandpiper was nonetheless at Farmoor all through the month and it’s potential this birds 3rd winter on the web site or on the very least that is the threerd winter by which one has spent a winter on the expansive concrete bowl. Woodcock have been additionally current at 4 websites this month, two of which have been new – New Marston on the 1st and Waterstock on the 15th. While Piddington and Chipping Norton continued to see birds sporadically by way of February.

The Farmoor Widespread Sandpiper courtesy of Ewan Urquahart

Wildfowl and so on

Other than the customer from the opposite facet of the Atlantic, there was loads of motion on the wildfowl entrance to maintain people busy. A Brent Goose made the briefest of visits to Churn on the 22nd having departed later that day and was the twond report of the 12 months after a equally temporary chook at Dix Pit in January. The feminine Ring-necked Duck that has been round since December continued to be sporadic in its appearances, with just one report this month coming once more from Decrease Windrush Valley Pits on the 23rd, persevering with to favour Pit 3 there. 

The feminine Ring-necked Duck courtesy of Gareth Cashburn

Persevering with the theme of temporary and sporadic guests, a drake Scaup was additionally at Decrease Windrush Valley Pits (Pit 18) on the 16th. It appears seemingly that this may be the identical chook which was at Farmoor after which at Hinksey Lake the earlier month and has by some means gone undetected till now.

The drake Scaup courtresy of Ian Elkins

Alternatively White-fronted Goose have been surprisingly widespread with seven websites recording birds this month. Ardley ERF had a lone chook on the 8th persevering with the websites effective type in 2025 and located while birders have been on web site having fun with the Inexperienced-winged Teal. A cell flock of six birds was additionally seen at a number of websites within the south of the county between the 8th and the 9th, with Cholsey, North Stoke and Moulsford all taking part in host to the birds. Otmoor and Standlake continued to host birds this month, with two of the three birds extending their lengthy keep on the latter web site till no less than the 16th. Dix Pit then hosted 5 birds on the 23rd briefly earlier than the birds departed having roosted there that night.

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

The wintering Nice Northern Diver continued to search out the crusing lake at Henley Highway GPs to its liking, with it being current till no less than the 5th of the month. Though it nonetheless has someway to beat the report keep of the 2021/22 wintering chook at Farmoor which stayed for nigh on 6 months between December 2021 and Could 2022. Shelduck have been often recorded in rising numbers throughout the county. At Otmoor, a single chook was current on 2nd, while two have been right here on the 22nd. Port Meadow had probably the most birds this month, because it typically does, with 9 on the threerd though this decreased to 3 by months finish. Blenheim hosted two on eleventh, whereas Hatford additionally held a pair on thirteenth. Additional information included Waterstock (three on fifteenth), Clifton (5 on sixteenth, two on twenty second), and East Hanney, the place two have been famous on twenty sixth.

Egyptian Goose Blenheim Courtesy of Gareth Casburn

Goldeneye have been famous at a few the same old websites within the west of the county. Tar Lakes held probably the most with seven right here on 8th, with wherever approaching a double determine rely fairly notable lately. Two have been additionally current on LWV Pit 3 on the 16th, with no birds reported away from the stronghold of the Standlake – Witney gravel pit hall this species appears to favour over the winter interval. One other species which favours this space albeit with an occasional jaunt to pastures new in the remainder of the county, Crimson-crested Pochard have been reported from two websites. One at Radley GPs was the one “extralimital” report for the county this month on the 15th. While the principle wintering flock of 30+ people have been on LWV Pit 3 on the 23rd. One ultimate notable chook for the wildfowl part of this evaluation got here within the type of a returning leucistic Pochard at Otmoor, affectionately generally known as “Luke”. He’s now in his 10th 12 months of wintering at Otmoor and positively brings a smile to the native birders who’ve gotten used to seeing him each winter since 2015.

The return of “Luke” was a lot appreciated, courtesy of John Reynolds

Herons, egrets and so on

Not a lot new to report this month, with many of the similar species and numbers persevering with to winter within the county. The overwintering Cattle Egret flock lastly made an look this month with 40 at Kingston Bagpuize from the 17th, while presumably a part of the identical flock have been additionally at their favoured web site Wytham on the 23rd with 15 right here. The flock appears to be ranging greater than typical this winter, presumably resulting from Cattle being moved round extra often as winter pasture is more and more in brief provide in these wetter winters we’re having. Single chook sightings additionally declined this month, presumably resulting from above or as we method the breeding season the birds could also be turning into more and more colonial minded . Solely Otmoor reported a lone chook, one on the twond

Otmoor rspb Cranes courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Above & beneath courtesy of Roger Wyatt

Nice White Egret numbers additionally remained largely in stasis, with a minimal of 9 websites internet hosting between 1 – 3 birds in February. Dix Pit hosted the very best rely with three right here on 22nd. Otmoor, Blenheim and Appleford GPs all hosted two and presumably extra birds sporadically all through the month. Further sightings got here from Tar Lakes, Port Meadow, Play Hatch, Sonning Eye GPs, Peep-o-Day Lane and Henley Highway GPs. The arrival of two Crane again to Otmoor final month was a a lot welcome occasion for the county, notably after some unhappy information the final two breeding season referring to unsuccessful nesting or the dying a well-known particular person. These two birds continued to place in appearances at Otmoor this month with each showing unringed and possibly the the twond pair which did the rounds final 12 months with out breeding. Fingers crossed for a profitable 12 months for Crane as soon as once more on the coutny’s premier birding web site.

Additionally persevering with its presence, albeit in a extra uncommon vogue to these above was the Nice Bustard on the downs above Wantage. Persevering with to affiliate with a small herd of Roe Deer because it has for almost all of its winter keep, it was solely sometimes absent from its favoured area resulting from rare Detectorist rallies within the encompass fields!

The Nice Bustard, courtesy of Steve Burch

Gulls and Terns

One other case of  Groundhog Day for this grouping within the month-to-month evaluation, with little to no change since final month. That being stated, fascinating information did come within the early a part of the month when a Kittiwake flew by way of  web site in neighbouring Bucks and alongside the border with Oxon, virtually actually crossing into Oxon airspace. Sadly, it was not picked up transiting every other websites. The three websites which have often recording Caspian Gull this winter continued to this month additionally – Port Meadow, Farmoor and Ardley ERF. As much as two 2nd winter birds continued to be within the roost at Port Meadow all through the month, with no less than a kind of birds presumably within the Farmoor roost in the course of the month. Ardley ERF additionally continued to report 1-2 adults largely within the late afternoons as birds cease by en path to roosting elsewhere within the county.

Mediterranean Gull adopted the same sample, with the identical grownup being recorded from Farmoor and Port Meadow roosts on single events this month. It did handle to make a short tour to Peep-o-Day Lane nevertheless, current on the 23rd however not once more thereafter.

Intriguing information additionally got here early within the m

Passerines

The massive information from this group in February, was clearly the welcome arrival of our first spring migrants within the type of two Sand Martin over Port Meadow on the 24th. This was adopted up by one other two or presumably even the identical two then over Farmoor the next day. Clearly these have been the primary few pioneering birds which is able to finally make means for the deluge that’s to come back, and the subsequent week or two will see the much more arrive together with our first Wheatear and Swallow in addition to Garganey and Little Ringed Plover!

Apart from that, as with many of the different teams issues remained unchanged in February. The pair of Bearded Tit continued their behavior of disappearing for lengthy intervals of time solely to reappear as nothing had happened- presumably having fun with the abundance of appropriate and in disturbed habitat. The one report got here from the twond. Each Black Redstart remained of their winter city houses, with the male at Christchurch current till no less than the 9th and the feminine sort nonetheless having fun with the brand new housing property in Chinnor for a lot of February.

Hawfinch have been current at three websites this month. Nice Tew, probably the most dependable of those websites, had as much as three birds from the 1st proper by way of to the tip of the month albeit sporadically reported. Stratford Brake additionally hosted a single chook briefly on 14th, a lot to the delight of the native birder there while in Woodstock one birder went even higher and had a chook of their backyard on 15th. 3 Birds have been seen in a cemetry within the city on the finish of the month

Woodstock Hawfinch courtesy of Thomas Miller

Raptors

The twond calendar feminine Hen Harrier continued its winter spent at Otmoor, though it remained something however dependable. Sometimes coming into roost but additionally spending a lot of its time out of web site and away from birders eager to attempt their luck with this moderately beautiful particular person. Proof of the birds mobility got here from one report of a ringtail over the m40 close to Fencott, which was virtually actually this chook. No signal or stories of the male which has spent many of the winter on the downs, though with so few birders and a lot habitat obtainable you’d be unsurprised if it was nonetheless benefiting from the winter up there.

The far ranging Otmoor ringtail Courtesy of Dave Murphy

Courtesy of Dave Murphy

The one report of a Merlin this month got here from Waterstock, a personal web site that’s offering very productive for the birder who surveys it producing some very good information over the autumn and winter interval.

 Photograph of the month

This frost coated Barn Owl photograph by Jason Hornblow was a unanimous for POTM, 
and was a contribution to World Wildlife Day. See extra of Jasons excellent images
http://jchphoto.co.uk/ 

 

 

Patchwork problem

Patch	Birder	Factors	Species	Spotlight
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 Huge 12 months 2025

For the Oxon Huge 12 months, January obtained all the pieces off to a flying begin though this was largely resulting from all birds being new however was additionally all the way down to some superb birds being current so early within the 12 months -particularly species that weren’t seen in 2024. Bewick’s Swan  particularly was an excellent chook and one I’ll virtually actually remorse not going for, however in my defence it was earlier than I made a decision I used to be doing a Huge 12 months and I had simply spent extra hours than I care to reveal attempting to see the Bearded Tit which weee way more native! The fantastic thing about a Huge 12 months, though some might say curse, is that all of them rely the identical although and the character of birding means you’ll miss birds nevertheless it does imply you spend extra time in search of birds you’d in any other case not suppose twice about in a standard 12 months. Do you, for instance, drop all the pieces to twitch an early “hill” (look it up) of Ruff within the far north of the county, simply in case now we have a nasty autumn for the species? Do you spend a number of hours in search of Brambling in a poor irruption 12 months or gamble and wait till the autumn/winter interval once more? Some species are simple clearly and “ought to” require little effort nevertheless it does make you suppose way more rigorously about this scarcer considerably ignored species which are good when you stumble upon on a stunning autumn day at Farmoor however aren’t usually one thing you’d make a lot effort for.

February was, fortunately, pretty quiet with no actual new birds in – until in fact your within the temper for twitching Ruff in Banbury. I say fortunately as a result of two of us have been away for giant elements of February and though I used to be in Kenya I can inform you confidently my temper would have modified with the information of a county mega! With spring now on the horizon, the interval by which numerous manic dropping of plans/work/insert different non birding associated exercise will start. For all these sensible county birders who all of us depend on for sightings up and down the county, I thanks upfront in your all laborious work and energy of which this Huge 12 months wouldn’t be potential, see you out within the area!

Title	Whole
Ben Sheldon	129
Thomas Miller	125
Neil Hayward	112
Conor MacKenzie	125

 

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