Banbury Ornithological Society - A Study of Birds in the South Midlands

A Study of Birds in the South Midlands by A. Brownett (1974), is the second ten year report by the BOS covering the period 1962-1971. The report includes the full list of bird species seen in the BOS survey area along with a detailed listing of sightings within the report period. A summary of the breeding season surveys is presented, providing the results of the 13 species that were surveyed.

The report can be viewed and downloaded by selecting this link: A Study of Birds in the South Midlands.

The contents of the report include:

- Conservation

- The Birds of the BOS Area

- Historical and Classified Check-lists

- Systematic List

- Annual Breeding Season Survey

- Breeding Distribution

- Seasonal Distribution

- Tree Sparrows in Conygree Wood

Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury visited the BOS reserve at Balscote Quarry recently, to see conservation in action. Steve Holliday, one of the site wardens said, “Balscote may be a small site (6ha) but, through positive management, it holds Red List birds such as Lapwing and Yellowhammer, 24 species of butterfly and much more." We looked at the vital role volunteers play in habitat management on site and, in light of BOS data on local bird declines, how we can develop a more joined-up approach to nature conservation locally. We finished by discussing how new proposals in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill can benefit, not harm, biodiversity.

Two Islands - Handa, Scotland & The Farnes, Northumberland - Graham Lenton

Handa a beautiful island off the north-west coast of the Highlands of Scotland boasts up to 150,000 seabirds. Its location seems to have its own weather pattern and the island is uninhabited apart from a seasonal warden and reserve volunteers. It is accessed by a ten-minute ferry from the hamlet of Tarbet and its white sandy shores and clear blue waters make it appear almost tropical. The seabird colonies of puffin, guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake and fulmar are easily viewed from the top of the island where sea cliffs of the Torridonian Sandstone reach over 300ft (100metres). Other notable birds that breed on the island are great and arctic skua, stonechat, wheatear, cuckoo, twite, oystercatcher, arctic tern, common, herring and great black-backed gulls, shag, eider, red grouse, ringed plover, snipe, rock dove, meadow and rock pipit and reed bunting. Most of the divers can be seen flying or on the sea around the island and black guillemots are often seen in the bay. Read more ...

A Study of Birds in the South Midlands - 1962-1971

Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry

14 September 2026 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm