Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians

Look closely, and you may be lucky enough to spot a passing muntjac deer or a grass snake slithering off into the grass. Aston’s Eyot is home to a range of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

It can be hard to see vertebrates on the eyot, but being patient and quiet may increase your chances. Deer, badgers, and frogs and toads are all common on the eyot. Below, you’ll see a long list of confirmed species that have been spotted on the eyot. If you’d like to contribute to our observations, then please email us at info@friendsofastonseyot.org.

Aston’s Eyot mammal list

• Roe Deer – resident, up to 8 on Long Meadow, most often seen on Aston’s Eyot in winter; commute to and from Christ Church Meadow by swimming across Cherwell; first noted about 1999. 
• Muntjac Deer – resident, and regularly seen and heard; in 2026 at least 16 adults on Aston’s Eyot; young ones seen regularly with adults; first appeared in the late 1980s; give birth at all seasons. 
• Rabbit – now rare resident, much fewer than in the 1980s due to expansion of nettles and large numbers of dogs, foxes, badgers etc. Not now seen since 2024
• Brown Hare – last recorded ca.2000; unlikely to return. 
• Fox – resident, best seen early in the morning. 
• Domestic Cat – Occasionally seen; appear to be local moggies exploring, not feral animals. 
• Stoat – not seen recently. 
• Weasel – not seen after 2005 until reappeared in 2012, occasionally seen since. 
• Otter – increasingly frequent on and around the Thames and Cherwell; 1-2 sightings per year on AE or nearby. 
• American Mink – resident, infrequently seen; not recorded recently. 
• Badger – resident since c.2005, up to 20 live on AE and others now live in surrounding gardens.
• Hedgehog – recorded ca.2000, not reported recently; some in Iffley Fields gardens. 
• Common Shrew – common resident, though not often seen. 
• Pygmy Shrew – recorded ca.2000, not reported recently, but probably still there. 
• Mole – active mole-hills are abundant on the eyot. 
• Bank Vole – abundant resident, though not often seen. 
• Short-tailed Vole – recent skulls found in February 2012 confirm continued presence; seen occasionally. 
• Water Vole – occurred in the past (1980s); one seen November 2020 (and March 2022 near Iffley Lock). 
• Wood Mouse – very common on Aston’s Eyot, often caught on camera traps at night. 
• Brown Rat – resident, breeds; rarely seen in daylight, but regularly caught on camera traps. 
• Grey Squirrel – Numerous resident, breeds on Aston’s Eyot. 
• Noctule – heard with bat detectors over the Thames  in September 2011 and subsequently. 
• Common Pipistrelle – common resident, identified with bat detector. 
• Soprano Pipistrelle – common resident, identified with bat detector. 
• Daubenton’s Bat – seen over the Thames in September 2011, 2014.

Aston’s Eyot reptile list

• Slow Worm – one seen 2011; known to be eaten by badgers. 
• Grass Snake – resident, only occasionally seen; adults recorded most years, young only in 2012. 
• Adder – reported early 2000s, not recently confirmed and considered extinct in Oxfordshire. 
• Red-eared Slider – released / escaped individuals of this American terrapin turn up around Oxford and can live for many years; one in the Cherwell in 2012 is the only record for Aston’s Eyot.

Aston’s Eyot amphibian list

• Common Frog – common resident, breeds in ditches on Aston’s Eyot, but less abundant since 2020. 
• Common Toad – resident, breeds on Aston’s Eyot, but less abundant in recent years. 
• Smooth Newt – resident in parts of the ditch and ponds in small numbers; adults & tadpoles recorded by pond dipping. 
• Great Crested Newt  – confirmed breeding on Long Meadow in 2016, but ponds here now dry out too soon in the season for long term survival.

(lists last revised March 2026)