January 2026

January was the usual mix of one or two good bits on my patches as well as seeing most of the wintering wildfowl around the county.

The best at Blenheim this month was a second winter Caspian Gull that I saw on a couple of occasions. The adult that returned for a few years in succession hasn't done so now for a couple of winters so it was good to get another one through. The resident Lesser Black-backed Gulls quickly moved it on, however, not happy to share the lakes with any other large gulls. Caspian gulls often seem more playful and inquisitive than other gulls, and it's almost a useful aid to identification. This one was no different and at one point found a small plastic ball that it flew around with before dropping into the lake. An adult Yellow-legged Gull late in the month was the next best of the gulls this month. In general this winter there have been very few gulls at Blenheim with no real pre-roost gatherings at all.

The Crossbill flock seems to have reduced by about half from its peak a couple of months ago. They are still pretty reliable in the block of conifers near the Fisheries Cottage. Siskins have also been around that area regularly too. The Bramblings at Blenheim have been quite well spread with small numbers dotted around the sunflower patch and Beeches in Great Park.

Up to six Goosanders have been present during the month, spread out across the lakes, often giving some nice close views. Apart from that, in general there has been a clear out of ducks. Gadwall numbers have now greatly reduced to only a few birds, and no Wigeon or Pochard have visited for several weeks. There was also a short period where there weren't any Mute Swans on the main lakes which was quite unusual. A few have returned by the end of the month.

The heronry is now active once again. As often seems to be the case, almost overnight several pairs are back inspecting their nest platforms and preparing for another season. As with a few species, once in their breeding finery they are exquisite. Another bird in this category are Cormorants, with the breeding plumage adults looking incredible.

A few more images from the month at Blenheim...

Away from Blenheim, I managed to see the Brent Goose found along with mid-Cherwell Valley. That area has had a good run this winter with a couple of Brents, Whooper Swans and White-fronted geese. Up to 50 Pintail among the hundreds of Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal, along with a decent flock of Lapwing and smaller numbers of Golden Plover make for quite a spectacle.

A visit to Farmoor early in the month gave me cracking views of the long-staying Scaup and more distant views of the Common Scoter. Unfortunately for me the Long-tailed Duck at Pit 27 departed overnight and I spent a couple of fruitless hours staring distantly into a foggy lake over a fence. My wait for this duck on my county list continues.