Ducks, Geese & Swans in Oxfordshire

28 species matching this filter.

All birds in OxfordshireView family page

Oxfordshire's rivers, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits provide outstanding habitat for ducks, geese and swans, with 28 species recorded across the county. The Thames and its tributaries, along with key sites such as Farmoor Reservoir and the Otmoor wetlands, attract a wonderful diversity of wildfowl throughout the year. Notable species range from resident Greylag Geese and Gadwall to winter visitors such as Eurasian Wigeon, Goldeneye and Greater White-fronted Goose, while more unusual sightings include Barnacle Goose and the striking Egyptian Goose.

Ruddy Duck
Ruddy DuckSmallest · 35cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Ruddy Duck (35cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)16 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 28 species

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

An uncommon resident found on gravel pits and river meadows. Some birds may be feral, but wild arrivals boost numbers in winter.

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black Swan

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare vagrant, likely of captive origin, occasionally turning up on lakes and rivers. Records are very sporadic.

May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common and conspicuous resident of parks, gravel pits, and the Thames corridor, often seen grazing on playing fields.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to rivers and reservoirs, mainly from autumn through to spring. Also known as Goosander in Britain.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare passage visitor, sometimes seen on Farmoor Reservoir in small numbers during autumn or midwinter movements.

Sep–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

An uncommon resident, occasionally seen on gravel pits and larger water bodies. Scarcer inland than on the coast.

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, now breeding at several sites along the Thames and at gravel pits across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Uncommon but present most of the year on flooded meadows and reservoirs. Winter flocks gather on the Thames floodplain.

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

Present year-round on gravel pits and reservoirs, this unassuming dabbling duck is uncommon but regular across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Garganey

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare breeding summer visitor to wetlands and gravel pits, arriving in March and departing by September. A prized find for local birders.

Mar–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Goldeneye

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

A rare winter visitor to gravel pits and reservoirs from November to April. Small numbers favour deeper, open water bodies.

Nov–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater Scaup

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits from November to March, far scarcer inland than on the coast.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter visitor to the Thames valley floodplains, occasionally grazing wet meadows from December to April.

Dec–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A common resident found on lakes, rivers, and farmland year-round. Feral populations mix with genuinely wild birds in winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare and fleeting visitor, with records mainly in February. An exciting find on any Oxfordshire reservoir or gravel pit.

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Abundant and familiar on rivers, lakes, ponds and park lakes throughout the county year-round. Breeds widely across Oxfordshire.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but striking resident of wooded rivers and lakes, most likely seen spring to autumn on quiet stretches with overhanging trees.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar year-round resident, gracing the Thames and its tributaries, Oxford's college ponds, and gravel pit lakes across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An uncommon winter visitor and scarce breeder, favouring flooded meadows and reservoir margins. Numbers peak from autumn to early spring.

Sep–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Present year-round on lakes and reservoirs, with numbers boosted in winter. Favours shallow, muddy-edged waterbodies for feeding.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon resident on deeper lakes and gravel pits, with numbers declining nationally. Winter flocks form at key sites.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufinaLC

A rare year-round resident, likely originating from feral populations. Occasionally seen on larger gravel pits and lakes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisLC

Now extremely rare following a national eradication programme. Occasional sightings likely involve lingering individuals at gravel pits.

Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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