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 93–115 of 174 species
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in late April, hunting dragonflies and swallows over wetlands and open country until autumn departure.
Apr–Oct
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages, often seen hawking insects over the Thames and its tributaries.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common year-round resident closely tied to human habitation, nesting in roof spaces and hedges. Colonial and noisy, found in towns and villages across the county.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old trees, and buildings across the county. Often seen in noisy flocks with Rooks.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident, frequently seen hovering over roadside verges and farmland. One of Oxfordshire's most visible birds of prey.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common gull across the county year-round, frequenting reservoirs, farmland and landfill sites. Numbers peak during passage and winter months.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An unobtrusive summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, best detected by its distinctive rattling song from April to July.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of open farmland, downland, and scrubby margins. Often seen in twittering flocks over Oxfordshire's arable fields.
Year-round
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Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
A relatively recent colonist now resident along Oxfordshire's rivers and gravel pits, having spread rapidly northward since the 1990s.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A year-round resident on ponds, canals, and slow rivers, often betrayed by its distinctive whinnying trill. Breeds on well-vegetated waterways.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted over Farmoor Reservoir in March and April among flocks of commoner gulls.
Mar–Apr
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and declining species in the county, occasionally noted around farmland and old buildings in summer. Once widespread, now a conservation concern.
Jun–Jul
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder from March to August, favouring gravel pits and bare ground near water for nesting.
Mar–Aug
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally stopping at reservoir edges and muddy scrapes in August and September on its southward migration.
Aug–Sep
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare and secretive passage visitor, very occasionally recorded in Oxfordshire. Dense conifer stands offer the best chance of an encounter.
Feb
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare and fleeting visitor, with records mainly in February. An exciting find on any Oxfordshire reservoir or gravel pit.
Feb
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Charming acrobatic flocks roam hedgerows and woodland edges throughout the year, often among the first birds to nest in late winter.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of gardens, parks, and farmland hedgerows. Its bold black-and-white plumage is unmistakable across the county.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and familiar on rivers, lakes, ponds and park lakes throughout the county year-round. Breeds widely across Oxfordshire.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but striking resident of wooded rivers and lakes, most likely seen spring to autumn on quiet stretches with overhanging trees.
Apr–Oct
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare and declining resident of mature deciduous woodland. Oxfordshire's ancient woods, such as Wytham, remain important strongholds.
Year-round
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
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare winter visitor to open farmland and downland, occasionally seen dashing low over fields in pursuit of small birds between October and February.
Oct–Feb