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Oxfordshire

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis ©Malcolm Schuyl Website

The recording area of Oxfordshire (area 23 in the Watsonian system) is co-terminus with the ceremonial county of Oxfordshire (abbreviation Oxon) in central southern England. It borders Warwickshire to the north & northwest, Northamptonshire to the north & northeast, Buckinghamshire to the east, Berkshire to the south, Wiltshire to the southwest and Gloucestershire to the west. The county is largely rural, with an area of c.2,600 km2 (1,000 square miles) and a population of c.700.000. After Oxford, the county town, the largest settlements are Banbury and Abingdon-on-Thames. The part of the county south of the River Thames, largely corresponding to the Vale of White Horse district, was historically part of Berkshire.

Oxfordshire includes parts of three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the northwest lie the Cotswolds, to the south and southeast are the open chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs and wooded hills of the Chilterns. The north of the county contains the ironstone of the Cherwell uplands. Long-distance walks within the county include the Ridgeway National Trail, Macmillan Way, Oxfordshire Way and the D’Arcy Dalton Way.

The central part of Oxfordshire contains the River Thames with its flat floodplains; the river forms the historic county boundary with Berkshire. The Thames Path National Trail follows the river from upper estuary to a source. There are many smaller rivers that feed into the Thames such as the Thame, Windrush, Evenlode and Cherwell. Some of these rivers have trails running along their valleys. The Oxford Canal follows the Cherwell from Banbury to Kidlington. Gravel extraction has led to areas of lakes, some used for leisure but all having wildlife value. The largest area of water in the county is Farmoor Reservoir to the west of Oxford.

Oxfordshire contains a green belt area that fully envelops the city of Oxford and extends for some miles to protect surrounding towns and villages from inappropriate development and urban growth. Its border in the east extends to the Buckinghamshire county boundary, while part of its southern border is shared with the North Wessex Downs AONB.

Birding Oxfordshire

The land-locked and agricultural county of Oxfordshire is not the most prolific as far as rarities are concerned, but there are a number of active and prestigious birding organisations and individuals based in the county. So, it does have a few decent sites, especially with the fairly recent development of the RSPB reserve on Otmoor, a wetland to the northeast of Oxford with farmland, ditches, reedbeds and re-established marshland. It is also one of the places where Red Kites were first reintroduced to England around Watlington and the Chilterns. They now have a high density and in places many can be seen flowing the plough or flying the escarpments.

The county has two ornithological societies, the Oxford Ornithological Society and the Banbury Ornithological Society; the latter covering the north of the county. There are also RSPB Members Groups in Oxford and the Vale of the White Horse. Also based at the University of Oxford is the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, which has carried out research for many years in Wytham Woods.

Top Sites

Farmoor Reservoir
Website Satellite View
Located on the B4017 west of Oxford (fee payable for car park and day permit Although sometimes the machine doesn't work so its free!).
Port Meadow & Burgess Field etc.
Website Satellite View
Port Meadow is a large area of common grassland to the west of Oxford which is bordered by the Thames to the west, the railway line to the East and Wolvercote village to the north. Its main attraction from a birding point of view is when it floods in the winter. A large number of duck over-winter on the floods and depending on the amount of water present, at times there can be attractive mud flats which attract over-wintering and passage waders. To the north-east of the Meadow lies Burgess Field Nature Reserve, built on an old rubbish tip, which consists of scrub land and specially planted hedgerows. Car parking info: Walton Well Rd., Oxford - car park SP 502074. Binsey - The Perch, Binsey SP 493077 parking along Binsey Lane near Perch. Wolvercote - car park SP 487095. Aristotle Lane, Oxford SP 501078 little parking near - the Grid Reference is for end of approach on footpath over railway.
RSPB Otmoor
Website Satellite View
The reserve is north of Beckley village.

Contributors

Barry Hudson
| secretary@oos.org.uk
OSS Website

County Recorder

Ian Lewington
119 Brasenose Drive, Didcot, Oxon. OX11 7BP
lewbirder@btinternet.com
01235 819792

Number of Species

Number of bird species: 306

County Bird - Swift Apus apus […has been the Oxford Ornithological Society`s logo since it was founded in 1921]

Useful Reading

Birds of Oxfordshire

| Edited by JW Brucker, AG Gosler & AR Heryet | Pisces Publications | 1992 | Hardback | 284 pages | ISBN: 9780950824598 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of the Heart of England

| (A 60-Year Study of Birds in the Banbury Area, covering North Oxfordshire, South Northamptonshire and South Warwickshire 1952-2011) | Edited by Trevor Easterbrook | Liverpool University Press | 2013 | Hardback | 202 pages, 70 colour photos, 30 colour illustrations, colour distribution maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781846318856 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire & Oxfordshire

| By Brian Clews, Andrew Herget & Paul Trodd | Christopher Helm | 2002 | Paperback | 320 pages, 69 maps, 30 line drawings | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780713640021 Buy this book from NHBS.com

Museums & Universities

Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
Webpage
The Edward Grey Institute is part of the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford. Founded in 1937, it conducts research into the behaviour, ecology, evolution and conservation of birds, with a strong emphasis on understanding organisms in their natural environments.
Oxford Navigation Group
Website
Our group's research focuses on behavioural and ecological aspects of animal navigation and spatial cognition, using a number of different species and a variety of state-of-the-art sensor technologies. We study the contribution of individual cognitive capabilities and navigational strategies, and of the ecological, sensory, and social environments to animal movement...
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Website
The zoological collections are of great historical importance, with unique material, including the most complete remains of the extinct dodo. Other collections include those of Charles Darwin, amassed during his voyage on The Beagle, and those of Thomas Bell and William Burchell, prolific natural historians in their own right.

Organisations

BBONT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust)
Website
BBOWT is the only voluntary organisation in the region concerned with all aspects of nature conservation.
Banbury Ornithological Society
Website
Founded in 1952, the Banbury Ornithological Society (BOS) studies the bird life in the twelve 10km squares surrounding Banbury which includes parts of Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
Earth Trust
Website
At Earth Trust we believe that the best way to look after the places we love is to change the way we live. We provide special, life changing experiences and reconnect people to the natural world. The Earth Trust is all about people and the way we feel, think and act towards the environment.
Lower Windrush Valley Project
Information
The Lower Windrush Valley is found to the south east of Witney in West Oxfordshire and is an area that has been extensively modified by mineral extraction over the last 60 years. The Lower Windrush Valley Project was launched in 2001 and works closely with mineral operators, landowners and the local community to co-ordinate a range of environmental initiatives throughout the valley…
Oxford Ornithological Society
Website
The Oxford Ornithological Society welcomes all who have an interest in birds and birdwatching in Oxfordshire, whether young or old, expert or novice. Activities are designed to cater for a range of interests and levels of experience.
RSPB Oxford Local Group
Webpage
The group's aim is to support actively the work of the RSPB in the local community and to involve RSPB members and the wider public in the Society's conservation, public affairs, education, fundraising and other activities. We have regular monthly indoor meetings locally throughout the year and day-trips far and near to sites of interest to birders.

Reserves

Abbreviations Key

*BBONT Reserves
Information Satellite View
LNR Burgess Field Nature Reserve
Webpage Satellite View
Burgess Field is a reclaimed landfill site and home to a nature reserve. It is located at the eastern edge of Port Meadow, just north of the entrance from Aristotle Lane.
LNR Farmoor Reservoir
Webpage Satellite View
Situated three miles west of Oxford City and lying alongside the River Thames, the Reservoir is ideally situated to attract migrating, wintering and breeding birds. Although surrounded by a concrete embankment the shoreline and wavewall can still hold good numbers of waders, wagtails & pipits etc. There is a large gull roost from late July through to mid April. The Pinkhill Reserve was established in 1990 and this has added to the species diversity of the area…
LNR Hartslock Nature Reserve
Website Satellite View
The reserve is a beautiful south facing, unimproved chalk downland hill with stunning views over the river Thames and the Goring Gap region. The grassland is surrounded by ancient hedges and mixed Yew woodland and, although it is only small (11-acres or 4.4 hectares), it is home to a very wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are extremely rare. For this reason the government has designated it and the surrounding area a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI) and the whole Goring Gap region is an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB).
LNR Little Wittenham Nature Reserve
Webpage Satellite View
Sitting within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Little Wittenham Nature Reserve is the jewel in the crown of Earth Trust at Little Wittenham. The site has been designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), reflecting its international importance for wildlife. The nature reserve is particularly important for the great crested newt. This seldom seen amphibian uses the many ponds on the nature reserve to breed but it spends the majority of time in the surrounding woodland.
LNR Rushy Common Nature Reserve (& Tar Lakes)
Brochure PDF Satellite View
Rushy Common Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and so public access is not permitted across the reserve. However, the bird hide on the southern shore offers good views across the site and is accessible to wheelchair users. Keys for the hide can be purchased from the project office (contact details opposite) and enable you to visit this and other hides in the Lower Windrush Valley at any time…
LNR Standlake Common Nature Reserve
Brochure Satellite View
Standlake Common Nature Reserve is a tranquil place to relax and watch wildlife, situated on the Windrush Path, between Standlake and Newbridge. It used to be a typical arable field but when when Oxfordshire County Council granted permission in the 1990's to extract gravel from this area of farmland between Standlake and Newbridge it provided the opportunity to create a new nature reserve next to the River Thames…
LNR Warburg Nature Reserve
Webpage Satellite View
A hidden wildlife gem nestling in the Chilterns hills, rich in wildlife that will lift your spirits whatever the season. The flower-rich grasslands in the valley bottom give way to extensive woodlands rising up the valley sides.
NNR Aston Rowant
Information Satellite View
The reserve’s diverse habitats support a variety of bird life including large flocks of finches and winter visitors such as fieldfare and redwing. Red kite, wheatear, whitethroat and blackcap can also be seen.
NNR Chimney Meadows
Information Satellite View
Chimney Meadows National Nature Reserve, located in the floodplain of the River Thames, has a spectacular display of wild flowers during the summer months and often provides a safe haven for breeding curlew.
NNR Cothill
Information Satellite View
Cothill NNR is known for its fens and their rich invertebrate life, but in addition the site also has open water, reedbeds and oak and alder woodland.
NNR Wychwood
Information Satellite View
Wychwood is one of the largest areas of ancient semi-natural broadleaved woodland in Oxfordshire.
RSPB Otmoor
Webpage Satellite View
Otmoor is a magical nature reserve of wet meadows and reedbeds. It is a haven in winter for thousands of ducks, such as teals and wigeons, and in spring and summer for breeding wading birds, such as lapwings and redshanks. The reedbed hosts a spectacular starling roost during the winter months.

Sightings, News & Forums

Oxon Bird News
News
@oxonbirdnews
Oxon Birding
News & Sightings
To submit sightings to this blog if you are not an authorised contributor please use the Going Birding service.To Submit Photos or Video to this blog please email jasoncppk 'at' yahoo.co.uk or adamchartley 'at' gmail.com
Thames Valley Bird Forum
Forum
Local forum for anyone with an interest in birds and wildlife

Places to Stay

Bird in Hand
Accommodation
Whether you are looking for a relaxing few days away or a convenient stop-over, The Bird in Hand offers a friendly and informal atmosphere in which to unwind from the rigours of life. Situated amid the rolling countryside of West Oxfordshire, fifteen miles west of the city centre, the inn is ideally located for visiting the Dreaming Spires, Blenheim Palace, Stratford or touring the nearby villages of the Cotswolds.
Bruern Holiday Cottages
Accommodation
Cottages to rent in the Home Counties and Cotswolds
Cottages in the Cotswolds
Accommodation
A superb range of accommodation throughout the Cotswolds

Oxfordshire

Birding Oxfordshire

Farmoor Reservoir

Port Meadow & Burgess Field etc.

RSPB Otmoor

Barry Hudson

Ian Lewington

Number of bird species: 306

Birds of Oxfordshire

Birds of the Heart of England

Where to Watch Birds in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire & Oxfordshire

Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology

Oxford Navigation Group

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History

BBONT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust)

Banbury Ornithological Society

Earth Trust

Lower Windrush Valley Project

Oxford Ornithological Society

RSPB Oxford Local Group

*BBONT Reserves

LNR Burgess Field Nature Reserve

LNR Farmoor Reservoir

LNR Hartslock Nature Reserve

LNR Little Wittenham Nature Reserve

LNR Rushy Common Nature Reserve (& Tar Lakes)

LNR Standlake Common Nature Reserve

LNR Warburg Nature Reserve

NNR Aston Rowant

NNR Chimney Meadows

NNR Cothill

NNR Wychwood

RSPB Otmoor

Oxon Bird News

Oxon Birding

Thames Valley Bird Forum

Bird in Hand

Bruern Holiday Cottages

Cottages in the Cotswolds

Stepehn Burch's Birding Website

Adam Hartley - Gnome's Birding Diary

Adam Hartley - Port Meadow Birding

Birding in the Slow Lane

Black Audi Birding

Grimsbury Birds

Mark Chivers - The Early Birder

Old Caley's Diary

Otmoor Birding

Oxfordshire Wildlife

Oxon Birding

Paul Chandler - Cholsey Wildlife

Peter Law - Ramblings and Scribblings

Stephen Burch - The Tall Birder

Wayne Bull's Wildlife Blog

Artist - Ian Lewington

Photographer - Jarmo Holopainen

Photographer - Nigel Forrow