Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
Species
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). Male, summer plumage. Taken at Cley Marshes, Norfolk, on June 14th 2024.
Male, summer plumage. Taken at Cley Marshes, Norfolk, on June 14th 2024. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f8. Click image for larger version)
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). Male, winter plumage. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on January 29th 2025.
Male, winter plumage. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on January 29th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f/10. Click image for larger version)
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on January 29th 2025.
Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on January 29th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f/10. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 13½ - 15½ cm; WS: 24 cm

Sparrow-sized but slim and with a long, deeply notched tail, the summer male Reed Bunting has a black head, white collar and a drooping "moustache". Females and winter males have streaked heads. In flight the tail looks black with broad, white edges.

Reed Buntings are found in most of the British Isles, excluding the Scottish mountains.

They breed in tall rushes, reedbeds and shrubbery on wet ground at lake margins, as well as drier sites.

Over 50% of Reed Bunting chicks are not fathered by the pair male but are the result of an adulterous liaison, the highest recorded rate of any bird.

It is listed as Amber on the British list. There are about 250000 territories in the UK.

Sightings

16-Oct-2025 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
12-May-2025 : Otmoor, Oxon (h)
29-Apr-2025 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (h)
11-Apr-2025 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
04-Apr-2025 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
24-Mar-2025 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
29-Jan-2025 : Otmoor, Oxon (30+)

21-Jun-2024 : Parsonage Moor, Oxon (1)
15-Jun-2024 : Hickling Broad, Norfolk (h)
14-Jun-2024 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
14-Jun-2024 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (1)
13-Jun-2024 : Barnwell Country Park, Northants (h)
08-May-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
29-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
26-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
24-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
17-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
22-Mar-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

22-Jun-2023 : Steart Marshes, Somerset (2)
02-Jun-2023 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (h)
27-May-2023 : Barnwell Country Park, Northants (h)
19-May-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (h)
18-May-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
28-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
17-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
04-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
03-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
19-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
15-Feb-2023 : Aston, Oxon (3)
12-Feb-2023 : Aston, Oxon (1)
30-Jan-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)

24-Jun-2022 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (1f)
20-Jun-2022 : Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria (2)
16-Jun-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1)
10-Jun-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
02-Jun-2022 : Chimney Meadows, Oxon (3m,1f)
30-May-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
21-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
21-May-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (h)
08-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1)
08-May-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
04-May-2022 : Cors y Llyn NNR, Powys (1)
29-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
21-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
13-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2m)
05-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
28-Mar-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
23-Mar-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
23-Feb-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
11-Feb-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
08-Feb-2022 : Bury Down, Berks (1)
07-Feb-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon
02-Feb-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
05-Jan-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon

09-Dec-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
25-Nov-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
02-Nov-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
29-Sep-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
06-Sep-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
21-Jul-2021 : Banbury, Oxon (1)
15-Jun-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
13-Jun-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
07-Jun-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
23-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
19-May-2021 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (1)
11-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
09-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
05-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
30-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
29-Apr-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
28-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
25-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
22-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
20-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
18-Apr-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
14-Apr-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
13-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
08-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
04-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
01-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3m)
31-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
25-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (6+)
17-Mar-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
14-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
07-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (15+)
28-Feb-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
26-Feb-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
10-Feb-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
28-Jan-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
23-Jan-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (50+)
22-Jan-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1m)

15-Dec-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon
19-Nov-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
04-Nov-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon
16-Oct-2020 : Warham Greens, Norfolk (2)
11-Oct-2020 : Salthouse, Norfolk (3)
01-Oct-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
17-Jul-2020 : Banbury, Oxon (1)
13-Jul-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
12-Jul-2020 : Banbury, Oxon (2)
06-Jul-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
21-Jun-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
11-Jun-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
07-Jun-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
02-Jun-2020 : Culham, Oxon (1)
27-May-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
19-May-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2m,1f)
17-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
14-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
09-May-2020 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (1+)
08-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
02-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
26-Apr-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1m)
22-Mar-2020 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
03-Mar-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
27-Feb-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
19-Feb-2020 : Abingdon, Oxon (1f)
18-Feb-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
17-Feb-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
05-Feb-2020 : Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk (1)
04-Feb-2020 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (1)
12-Jan-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon
10-Jan-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
05-Jan-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
02-Jan-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
01-Jan-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

09-Dec-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
08-Dec-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
30-Nov-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
17-Nov-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
28-Jun-2019 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (h)
18-Jun-2019 : Abingdon, Oxon (3)
16-Jun-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
09-Jun-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (h)
03-Jun-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (h)
20-May-2019 : Balgarva, South Uist (1)
07-May-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (h)
01-May-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (h)
21-Apr-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
18-Apr-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon
17-Apr-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1m)
14-Apr-2019 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
10-Apr-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
07-Apr-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
03-Apr-2019 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
28-Mar-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
25-Mar-2019 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (1)
24-Mar-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (c20)
23-Mar-2019 : Standlake Common, Oxon (10+)
23-Mar-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (10)
21-Mar-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4+)
17-Mar-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (12+)
05-Mar-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
23-Feb-2019 : Standlake Common, Oxon (10)
17-Feb-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (10+)
11-Feb-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon
09-Feb-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
20-Jan-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
17-Jan-2019 : Slimbridge, Glos (2)
08-Jan-2019 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
03-Jan-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (50+)
02-Jan-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

20-Dec-2018 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
09-Dec-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
30-Nov-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3+)
22-Nov-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
31-Oct-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
20-Oct-2018 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
10-Oct-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
06-Sep-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
26-Jun-2018 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (4)
23-Jun-2018 : Meathop Moss, Cumbria (1)
20-Jun-2018 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
18-Jun-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
09-Jun-2018 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
08-Jun-2018 : Barnwell Country Park, Northants (h)
06-Jun-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon
02-Jun-2018 : Standlake Common, Oxon (h)
02-Jun-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (h)
22-May-2018 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1)
18-May-2018 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (h)
15-May-2018 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (3)
14-May-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
13-May-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
11-May-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
01-May-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (5+)
28-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4+)
25-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6+)
10-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
05-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
01-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
29-Mar-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
26-Mar-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon
25-Mar-2018 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4m,1f)
21-Mar-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2+)
04-Mar-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
23-Feb-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
15-Feb-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
30-Jan-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (30+)
06-Jan-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1f)

26-Dec-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
23-Dec-2017 : Lower Radley, Oxon (10+)
04-Dec-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
16-Nov-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
01-Nov-2017 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
30-Oct-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
09-Oct-2017 : West Walton, Norfolk (2+)
03-Oct-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
26-Aug-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
30-May-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon (3+)
06-May-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
02-May-2017 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (h)
29-Apr-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
13-Apr-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
02-Apr-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1m,1f)
25-Mar-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
19-Feb-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
04-Feb-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon
22-Jan-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (10+)
02-Jan-2017 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)

28-Dec-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon
13-Nov-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
23-Oct-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon
14-Aug-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
31-Jul-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
23-Jul-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
04-Jul-2016 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (1+)
02-Jul-2016 : Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria (1)
05-Jun-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
02-Jun-2016 : Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants (1m)
01-Jun-2016 : Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants (3)
22-May-2016 : Goring, Oxon (1m)
14-May-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (2+)
08-May-2016 : Whelford Pools, Glos (1h)
06-May-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
30-Apr-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon
23-Apr-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
19-Apr-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
17-Apr-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon
12-Apr-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
28-Mar-2016 : Barton Fields, Abingdon, Oxon (6)
27-Mar-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
25-Mar-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon
25-Mar-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6+)
13-Mar-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (30+)
23-Jan-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (24+)

29-Dec-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
20-Dec-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon
22-Nov-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon
27-Sep-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
13-Sep-2015 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
07-Sep-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
02-Aug-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (5)
21-Jun-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
01-Jun-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
10-May-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (6+)
04-May-2015 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (1)
28-Apr-2015 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
27-Apr-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
19-Apr-2015 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
12-Apr-2015 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
09-Apr-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (12+)
05-Apr-2015 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
22-Mar-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (60+)
08-Mar-2015 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1m)
22-Feb-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (30+)
01-Feb-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (30+)
11-Jan-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
10-Jan-2015 : Lower Radley, Oxon (2+)

06-Dec-2014 : Lower Radley, Oxon (3)
29-Nov-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
19-Oct-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (1f)
14-Sep-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
01-Jul-2014 : Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks
08-Jun-2014 : Parsonage Moor, Oxon (3)
25-May-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
24-May-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
27-Apr-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
17-Apr-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
12-Apr-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
24-Mar-2014 : Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon (1)
23-Mar-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1m)
15-Mar-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
09-Mar-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon
16-Feb-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
02-Feb-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
25-Jan-2014 : Abingdon STW, Oxon (2)
19-Jan-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon

29-Dec-2013 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2+)
27-Dec-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
15-Dec-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
30-Nov-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
06-Oct-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
25-Jun-2013 : Catfield Fen, Norfolk
25-Jun-2013 : Hickling Broad, Norfolk (1)
24-Jun-2013 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (2)
24-Jun-2013 : Salthouse, Norfolk (1)
22-Jun-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (2+)
25-May-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
25-May-2013 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1+)
19-May-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1+)
06-May-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
06-May-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
03-May-2013 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (2)
22-Apr-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
20-Apr-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
14-Apr-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (8)
07-Apr-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
31-Mar-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon
17-Feb-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon
16-Feb-2013 : Radley Lakes, Oxon
02-Feb-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon
27-Jan-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
20-Jan-2013 : Abingdon, Oxon (1f)
13-Jan-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (14+)

30-Dec-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (10)
10-Nov-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon
08-Sep-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon
27-Jun-2012 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
25-Jun-2012 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (3)
17-Jun-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
28-May-2012 : Hatchet Small Pond, Hants (2)
12-May-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
06-Apr-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (10)
24-Mar-2012 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (12)
11-Mar-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon
25-Feb-2012 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
19-Feb-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon
04-Feb-2012 : Abingdon, Oxon (1f)
02-Jan-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (12)

19-Nov-2011 : Otmoor, Oxon
15-May-2011 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon
02-May-2011 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
09-Apr-2011 : Otmoor, Oxon
19-Mar-2011 : Otmoor, Oxon
02-Jan-2011 : Otmoor, Oxon (5)

21-Jun-2010 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon
20-Jun-2010 : Chimney Meadows, Oxon (2)
13-Jun-2010 : Otmoor, Oxon
06-Jun-2010 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
09-May-2010 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

12-Apr-2009 : Otmoor, Oxon
22-Mar-2009 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

15-Jul-2008 : Otmoor, Oxon
20-Apr-2008 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

24-Dec-2007 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
01-Apr-2007 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
11-Mar-2007 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

11-Jun-2006 : Otmoor, Oxon
01-May-2006 : Otmoor, Oxon
01-May-2006 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
09-Apr-2006 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
26-Mar-2006 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

30-May-2005 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
10-Apr-2005 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
03-Apr-2005 : Otmoor, Oxon
28-Mar-2005 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
06-Feb-2005 : Abingdon, Oxon (1f)