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 47–69 of 71 species
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in January. Primarily a coastal species, making any inland Oxfordshire record notable.
Jan
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
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare resident of arable farmland and field margins. Numbers have declined significantly, making sightings increasingly noteworthy.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, briefly passing through Oxfordshire's hills and open ground in April en route to upland breeding sites.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare breeder on bare shingle and gravel pit margins. Also seen on passage in late summer and autumn.
Apr–Oct
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally recorded at reservoirs and gravel pits in March and October. An unusual inland record for this typically coastal species.
Oct–Mar
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare following a national eradication programme. Occasional sightings likely involve lingering individuals at gravel pits.
Jun
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins and gravel pits in May and again in late summer.
May–Sep
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Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare passage and winter visitor to muddy scrapes and flooded fields, occasionally appearing at Otmoor or Farmoor in spring and autumn.
Aug–Apr
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare inland passage migrant, occasionally turning up at Farmoor Reservoir or gravel pits in May and late summer, far from its usual coastal haunts.
May–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen hunting low over open fields and marshes at Otmoor in spring and autumn.
Oct–Apr
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and prized winter visitor, occasionally appearing on reservoirs and gravel pits during cold spells in February.
Feb
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescensLC
Rarely recorded, with sightings likely involving feral or escaped birds. Occasionally joins flocks of wild geese on farmland and floodplains.
Aug–May
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours churchyards, woodland edges and old orchards, sallying out from exposed perches to catch insects.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, very occasionally recorded at wetland sites in April. A smart wader and a county highlight.
Apr
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A nocturnal resident of mature woodland and large gardens, more often heard than seen. Its hooting call carries far on still nights.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare passage migrant recorded mainly in August, pausing briefly in open scrubby habitats on its southward migration to Africa.
Aug
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on flooded fields and reservoirs in the Thames Valley during January and December.
Dec–Jan
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded on larger water bodies in November. A notable inland record for the county.
Nov
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare passage visitor to open downland and ploughed fields in spring and autumn. Does not typically breed in the county but passes through on migration.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, briefly passing through in April. Listen for its distinctive seven-note whistling call overhead.
Apr
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A scarce passage migrant seen briefly in spring and autumn, favouring rough grassland and scrubby field edges on migration.
Apr–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at muddy margins of gravel pits and reservoirs in August on southward migration.
Aug