Less than 7 miles outside Oxford, Otmoor Reserve is a haven for wildlife and a great place for a family walk and bird spotting, in particular famed for it’s amazing displays of starling murmurations.
The RSPB took over Otmoor in 1997 and have transformed 400 acres into floodplain grazing marsh, reedbeds and hedgerows. Home to a huge variety of of birds, animals and insects. Uninterrupted vast skies are the backdrop for tumbling displays of lapwings in spring and vast winter flocks in winter. Listen out for a bittem booming and in summer wild flower meadows attract humming insects. On a warm day you may even spot a basking grass snake or common lizard.
Family Walk at Otmoor Reserve
The 1.5m visitor trail leads you through the heart of the reserve to two viewing areas with an incredible amount of wildlife along the way. The trail is flat and definitely not suited to a pushchair in winter (it might be doable with an off road buggy in the summer if it’s been dry but I couldn’t guaranteed it)
The first part of the trail is hard packed and pretty easy going. Not far from the car park I spotted a little area that had been set up with bird feeders. It’s close to the path so ideal for young kids who might to have the patience for viewing quietly from the bird hides. There were lots of pheasants on the ground too picking up fallen bird seed.
First impressions is how peaceful and tranquil Otmoor Reserve is and then you realise just how noisy it is. The sound of so many different birds is really quite stunning. If you spot a free bench, sit down, close your eyes and let it all wash over you.
I visited in January and the path soon got VERY muddy and would be hard work for little toddler legs to make the whole trip. I definitely recommend welly boots. In the summer I can imagine it’s a wonderfully grassy strip to race up.
The trail leads you to two viewing areas. The first on the left is the Wetlands Watch. Through the doorway you’ll find a dry comfortable spot for bird watching. There are viewing windows and slim ones which you can open as well as chairs. There are also a number of information boards up which include which birds to spot that month.
Opposite the wetland watch you’ll spot signs for the starling murmuration viewing point. There’s a viewing platform and open hide with wonderful views out across the reserve.
Otmoor Starling Murmurations
Otmoor Reserve is a popular spot to see starling murmurations. The best time to see this amazing spectacle of nature is in the early evening, just before dusk. Starling murmurations usually take place in the winter, starting in November and going through to January.
Not long after leaving the carpark you’ll start to see starling signposts, just follow these and they’ll take you all the way to the hide and viewing platform.
Have a look at this video of the starling murmurations at Otmoor captured for the BBC.
Where is Otmoor Reserve?
Not far outside Oxford, Otmoor is off the B4027, which links the A34 and the A40. The reserve is 10 minutes from these main roads. After entering Beckley, take Otmoor Lane next to the Abingdon Arms and follow to end of the lane. It’s a single track lane with a few passing points. Otmoor Reserve postcode is OX3 9TD.
How Much is Otmoor Reserve?
There’s no entry fee to visit Otmoor Reserve, however if you arrive by car, there’s an honesty box to donate £2. Parking is free for RSPB members.
Otmoor Reserve Parking
The car park is small and visitor numbers can be high, particularly at weekends and in the winter when the chance of seeing starling murmurations are high. There are signs on the lane leading down to the car park requesting that you don’t park on the banks. It’s only a single lane so be prepared to turn around at the car park and return another day if it’s full.
