Rare Birds in Oxfordshire
71 species matching this filter.
Oxfordshire may be a landlocked county, but its diverse habitats — from the Thames floodplain and gravel pit lakes to ancient woodlands and open farmland — attract a surprising variety of rare bird species. With 71 rare species recorded, patient observers may encounter anything from the elusive Eurasian Bittern lurking in reedbeds to passage waders such as Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit stopping off at reservoirs and wetlands. Winter visitors like Brambling, Goldeneye, and Common Scoter add further excitement for birders willing to brave the colder months.
Showing 1–23 of 71 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at gravel pits and reservoirs during spring and autumn migration.
Apr–Sep
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at gravel pits and shallow scrapes in March.
Mar
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare spring passage migrant, very occasionally recorded at reservoir edges and flooded fields, usually in April.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A scarce but resident owl of open farmland, occasionally glimpsed hunting at dusk along field margins and river valleys.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor in late autumn, sometimes lingering around industrial buildings and urban sites. One of the county's more sought-after winter records.
Nov–Dec
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare vagrant, likely of captive origin, occasionally turning up on lakes and rivers. Records are very sporadic.
May
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen dipping gracefully over Farmoor Reservoir or gravel pits in May and early autumn.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on reservoirs or gravel pits in August, typically in non-breeding plumage.
Aug
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Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare breeding wader found at wetland reserves like Otmoor, with scattered records from spring through autumn and occasional winter sightings.
Mar–Dec
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecicaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in October at wetland sites. A scarce and prized find for Oxfordshire birders.
Oct
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Mar
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly established resident, reflecting a recent northward range expansion. Favours pastures with livestock in the wider Thames Valley.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasingly recorded breeder, part of the species' gradual recolonisation of England. Found on secluded wetlands.
Feb–Sep
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to larger water bodies, occasionally recorded at Farmoor Reservoir in late autumn and early winter.
Nov–Jan
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
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and secretive summer visitor, more often heard than seen calling from cereal fields in June and July.
Jun–Jul
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up in birch and alder woodland. Most likely seen in irruption years from autumn through early spring.
Sep–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, occasionally seen in mature parkland and woodland edges. Does not regularly breed in the county.
Apr–Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor, sometimes seen on Farmoor Reservoir in small numbers during autumn or midwinter movements.
Sep–Jan
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland. Once widespread, now confined to a few traditional cereal-growing areas in the county.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare wader seen at muddy reservoir edges and gravel pits, mostly on passage. Small numbers may linger through winter at favoured sites.
Jul–May
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive resident of extensive reedbeds, most associated with Otmoor RSPB reserve. Booming males may be heard in spring.
Feb–Nov
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to woodland and hedgerows, most likely encountered during cold winter months when continental birds arrive.
Nov–Mar