Birds in Oxfordshire
Explore 174 species found in this region.
Oxfordshire is home to a remarkably diverse range of birdlife, with 172 species recorded across the county's varied habitats. From the wetlands of the Thames Valley, which attract species such as Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail and Common Sandpiper, to the ancient woodlands sheltering Eurasian Woodcock and Mandarin Duck, the county offers excellent birding opportunities year-round. Notable sightings include scarcer visitors like the Bluethroat alongside familiar garden favourites such as the Great Tit and Magpie.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Avocet and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 174 species
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon breeding visitor to damp grasslands and farmland from February to August. A declining species of conservation concern.
Feb–Aug
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
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland understorey. Its shuffling gait and thin song are familiar across the county.
Year-round
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
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 Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, farms, and villages, its monotonous three-note call is a familiar sound across Oxfordshire.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A year-round resident of mature broadleaved woodland and larger gardens, often betrayed by its harsh screeching call. Plays a key role in oak regeneration by caching acorns.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon year-round resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland, often seen spiralling headfirst down tree trunks. Favours oak-rich sites like Wytham Woods.
Year-round
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Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeding visitor from February to August, nesting on gravel pits and river shingle. Increasingly recorded inland.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from autumn and frequenting alder and birch trees along rivers and in wet woodland.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and downland, delivering its soaring song flight over arable fields. Numbers have declined nationally but it remains widespread here.
Year-round
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
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
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Oxfordshire's most abundant residents, found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Its powerful song belies its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A familiar and common resident, often seen in lively flocks feeding on teasel and thistle heads along field margins and in Oxfordshire gardens.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common year-round resident of parkland, churchyards and garden lawns, often seen probing the ground for ants with its distinctive laughing call echoing across the county.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident, gathering in large roosts at Farmoor Reservoir and frequenting urban areas, landfill sites, and playing fields.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, singing throughout the year. Fiercely territorial in Oxfordshire's parks, hedgerows, and woodland.
Year-round
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC
A rare inland vagrant, occasionally appearing at reservoirs in late summer. Far more typical of rocky coasts, making any Oxfordshire record notable.
Aug–Sep
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A rare and rapidly declining summer visitor, arriving in May to breed in farmland hedgerows. One of the UK's most threatened birds.
May–Jul
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A winter thrush arriving from Scandinavia, feeding in noisy flocks on hedgerow berries and open farmland from October to early spring.
Oct–Apr
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare resident, scarce in Oxfordshire's coniferous and mixed woodland. Most likely encountered in mature plantations or churchyard yews.
Nov–Jun
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
Present year-round on gravel pits and reservoirs, this unassuming dabbling duck is uncommon but regular across the county.
Year-round