Magpie (Pica pica). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on March 24th 2025. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on March 24th 2025. (© David Hastings) (1/1000th sec at f/11. Click image for larger version) Description L: 40 - 51 cm (incl. tail) The Magpie looks like a black-and-white bird from a distance, but when seen close-up the its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. It is found over most of the British Isles, except northern Scotland. It can be found in a range of habitats from city centres to lowland farmland to upland moors. Non-breeding birds gather together in flocks. There are about 600000 breeding territories in the UK. Sightings | 16-Oct-2025 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (1) | | 05-Oct-2025 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 06-Apr-2025 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 28-Mar-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 26-Mar-2025 | : | Sherborne, Gloucs | (2) | | 24-Mar-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Mar-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 29-Jan-2025 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jan-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | |
| | 18-Oct-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 11-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 04-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 22-Mar-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | |
| | 26-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 18-Aug-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 19-May-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 15-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 03-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 11-Mar-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 26-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 19-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 05-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 06-Jan-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 02-Jan-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | |
| | 26-Dec-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 08-Dec-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Dec-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 25-Nov-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 20-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 13-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 16-Oct-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 08-Oct-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 02-Sep-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 21-May-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 25-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 23-Apr-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 21-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 15-Apr-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 13-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 26-Mar-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 27-Feb-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 23-Feb-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 14-Feb-2022 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | | | 11-Feb-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 04-Feb-2022 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | | | 30-Jan-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 28-Jan-2022 | : | Abingdon STW, Oxon | | | 20-Jan-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 12-Jan-2022 | : | Abingdon STW, Oxon | | | 09-Jan-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 02-Jan-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Jan-2022 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (2) |
| | 09-Dec-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 25-Nov-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Nov-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Nov-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 14-Nov-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 07-Nov-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Nov-2021 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Nov-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Oct-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 11-Oct-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 04-Oct-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 15-Sep-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 03-Sep-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 27-Aug-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 20-Aug-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 09-Aug-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 22-May-2021 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (2) | | 15-May-2021 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (3) | | 10-May-2021 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (2) | | 22-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 18-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 17-Apr-2021 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 13-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 11-Apr-2021 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | | | 08-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 29-Mar-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2021 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) |
| | 31-Aug-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 29-Aug-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 25-May-2020 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | | | 22-Mar-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 20-Mar-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 14-Mar-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 08-Mar-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Mar-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 27-Feb-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 18-Feb-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Feb-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Feb-2020 | : | Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk | | | 03-Feb-2020 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (1) | | 27-Jan-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Jan-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 12-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Jan-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 08-Jan-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 05-Jan-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 01-Jan-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) |
| | 25-Dec-2019 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Dec-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 11-Dec-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 09-Dec-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 08-Dec-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Nov-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 07-Nov-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 03-Nov-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Sep-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 28-Jul-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 27-Jun-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 13-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 09-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 07-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 29-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 28-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 20-Apr-2019 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Apr-2019 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Apr-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 14-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 10-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 03-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 31-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (5) | | 28-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Mar-2019 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 23-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Mar-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Mar-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (5) | | 25-Feb-2019 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (2) | | 23-Feb-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 17-Feb-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 09-Feb-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 20-Jan-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 08-Jan-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Jan-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jan-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Jan-2019 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) |
| | 31-Dec-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (5) | | 22-Dec-2018 | : | Blewbury Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Dec-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Dec-2018 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (2) | | 09-Dec-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 30-Nov-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 22-Nov-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 16-Nov-2018 | : | Extremadura, Spain | | | 15-Nov-2018 | : | Extremadura, Spain | | | 13-Nov-2018 | : | Extremadura, Spain | | | 12-Nov-2018 | : | Extremadura, Spain | | | 11-Nov-2018 | : | Extremadura, Spain | | | 31-Oct-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Oct-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 10-Oct-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Sep-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 24-Sep-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 13-Sep-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 06-Sep-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Sep-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 30-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 28-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 25-Aug-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (3) | | 19-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 12-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 23-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | (h) | | 08-Jun-2018 | : | Barnwell Country Park, Northants | (1) | | 03-Jun-2018 | : | Stockbridge Down, Hants | (1) | | 02-Jun-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jun-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 24-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 22-May-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 20-May-2018 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 18-May-2018 | : | Barton Fields, Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 13-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 11-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 09-May-2018 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (4) | | 07-May-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 01-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 28-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Apr-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 19-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (3) | | 15-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Apr-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 03-Apr-2018 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 29-Mar-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 26-Mar-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Mar-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 21-Mar-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Mar-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 24-Feb-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (7) | | 23-Feb-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 15-Feb-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Feb-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 30-Jan-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 28-Jan-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 25-Jan-2018 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | | | 07-Jan-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 06-Jan-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2018 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (2) |
| | 23-Dec-2017 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (11) | | 07-Jun-2017 | : | Irinovac, Croatia | | | 22-Jan-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 20-Jan-2017 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jan-2017 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) |
| | 01-Jan-2016 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | (2) |
| | 23-Jul-2015 | : | Melnik, Bulgaria | | | 21-Jul-2015 | : | Melnik, Bulgaria | | | 09-Apr-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 22-Mar-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 11-Jan-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 18-Jun-2014 | : | nr Mirkovo, Bulgaria | | | 01-Feb-2014 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Jan-2014 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) |
| | 30-Nov-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Nov-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 19-May-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 14-Apr-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Mar-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 24-Mar-2013 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 13-Jan-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 09-Jan-2013 | : | Redbridge, Oxon | (2) |
| | 02-Jan-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 11-Jun-2006 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 28-Mar-2005 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
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