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 70–92 of 174 species
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, skulking in dense undergrowth in mature woodland. Best detected by its rich, even warbling song.
Apr–Sep
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
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare and remarkable breeder, reflecting the species' recent expansion into southern England. Found at wetland sites from spring to autumn.
Mar–Sep
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, resident in coniferous and mixed woodland. Numbers swell in autumn with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to ploughed fields and wet grassland, forming flocks from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
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
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
An elusive summer breeder with a distinctive reeling song, found in rough grassland and scrubby wetland margins from April to July.
Apr–Jul
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
Present year-round but uncommon, frequenting reservoir roosts and landfill sites. Numbers peak in winter at gatherings like those at Farmoor.
Year-round
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Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident along the Thames and at gravel pits and reservoirs. Often seen perched with wings outstretched on waterside structures.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common and elegant resident of larger lakes and gravel pits, performing its elaborate courtship display from early spring.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of mature woodland, parks, and large gardens. Its loud drumming in spring echoes through Oxfordshire's ancient woodlands.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A bold and familiar garden visitor year-round, readily using nest boxes in Oxfordshire's parks, woodlands, and hedgerows.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly regular sight at gravel pits and wetland reserves, part of a dramatic national range expansion in recent years.
Year-round
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
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
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare but regular wader along muddy streams and watercress beds, most often seen on autumn passage and in winter at sites like Farmoor and the Cherwell valley.
Jul–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident, though numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis. Frequents gardens, hedgerows, and farmland across the county.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare breeding-season visitor, most likely seen on passage at gravel pits and reservoirs between April and September, often calling its distinctive ringing whistle.
Apr–Sep
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common and familiar resident, nesting in heronries near rivers and lakes. Frequently seen standing motionless beside the Thames and its tributaries.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining resident of arable farmland and field margins. Once widespread, now scarce across the county.
Year-round
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
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
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare winter visitor to open farmland and marshes, occasionally seen quartering fields at Otmoor and other low-lying areas.
Dec–Mar