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 139–161 of 174 species
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
An established but uncommon resident, part of the expanding feral population spreading from London into suburban parks and gardens across the county.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare following a national eradication programme. Occasional sightings likely involve lingering individuals at gravel pits.
Jun
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare summer vagrant, with most records in July and August. Provenance of individuals is often uncertain.
Jul–Aug
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
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
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor, breeding in colonies in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. Often the first hirundine to arrive, appearing from March.
Mar–Sep
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
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside vegetation along the Thames and at sites like Otmoor.
Apr–Sep
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
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
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A year-round resident of gardens, parks, and woodland, often heard smashing snails on stones. Declining nationally but still widespread here.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A stealthy resident raptor hunting small birds through woodland and gardens. Often detected by panicked alarm calls of its prey.
Year-round
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
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland and woodland edges year-round. Often nests in tree holes and old buildings.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident favouring heathland, rough grassland, and scrubby field margins. Often perches prominently on gorse or fence posts.
Aug–Jun
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
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
A quiet resident of mature deciduous woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Easily overlooked but present year-round.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found year-round on gravel pits, reservoirs and park lakes. Breeds readily across the county.
Year-round
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