Wagtails & Pipits in Oxfordshire

5 species matching this filter.

All birds in OxfordshireView family page

Oxfordshire's varied landscape of river valleys, water meadows, and open farmland provides excellent habitat for wagtails and pipits. Five species from this family have been recorded in the county, including the striking Yellow Wagtail, which favours the Thames floodplain during summer, and the elegant Grey Wagtail, often spotted along fast-flowing streams and weirs. Meadow Pipits are widespread on rougher grasslands, while Tree Pipits and Rock Pipits occur as scarcer visitors.

Meadow Pipit
Meadow PipitSmallest · 14cm
to
Grey Wagtail
Grey WagtailLargest · 20cm
Ranges from the Meadow Pipit (14cm) to the Grey Wagtail (20cm)2 year-round residents
Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident found along streams, weirs, and rivers such as the Thames and Cherwell. Bobs its long tail while foraging on rocks.

Year-round

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

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

An uncommon resident of rough grassland and open farmland, more conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted by birds from higher ground.

Year-round

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

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

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

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

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

An uncommon summer breeder of damp meadows and arable farmland, arriving in April. Has declined significantly and is now largely confined to favoured lowland sites.

Apr–Sep

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

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