Banbury Ornithological Society - The New Birds of the Banbury Area

The New Birds of the Banbury Area by T.G. Easterbrook is the fourth decennial (10 year) report by the BOS, covering the years 1982-1994. The report includes the full list of bird species seen in the BOS survey area up to 1994. The report features coloured charts of species distribution, abundance and habitat usage, generated from the computerised records that started back in 1976. This was a significant technical achievement at this time by a small society and shows the benefits of the digital management of bird records.

The report can be viewed and downloaded by selecting this link: The New Birds of the Banbury Area. Note that there is an 1 page addendum at the end of the report with details of species that were omitted from the Systematic List section due to a publishing issue.

The contents of the report include:

- Systematic List: a review of each species in the period 1982-1994

- Fieldwork undertaken by the BOS during the period

- Analysis of Random Square Surveys from 1975-1993

- Review of the Annual Breeding Season Survey results from 1962-1993

- Habitat changes in the decade, including the results of the BOS land use survey (Domesday Survey)

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.

The Gambia - Richard Hall

Richard has visited The Gambia a couple of times and will explore the different habitats and regions of The Gambia as well as giving us some ideas of what birds are likely to be seen.

The Long Day Count is carried out by teams of observers in each of the twelve 10km squares recording the number of bird species seen during a maximum of 12 daylight hours on the second Sunday in May each year. Read more ...

The New Birds of the Banbury Area - 1982-1994

Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry

13 April 2026 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm

Long Day Count: 2 or 3 May 2026