Members are encouraged to submit records of the birds they have seen on a monthly basis to the BOS Bird Recorder. The BOS has been recording sightings since 1952, with all records from 1982 being recorded on a database. The BOS uses the database for its own research and for assisting with local planning. We also forward the data to the county recorders and to the BTO.

A summary of the monthly records to date are shown on this page: Monthly Records Summary

Submission Procedure

We ask members to submit records electronically using a specially formatted Microsoft Excel spreadsheet which lists all of the fields to be recorded. If you do not have Microsoft Office, you can use the free (open source) LibreOffice package: LibreOffice.

Records must only be submitted for the area around Banbury that is covered by the BOS. This is a set of twelve 10km squares, as shown in this map - BOS area map.

To understand which species records the BOS asks for and the specific details, please read The BOS Guide for Observers (updated January 2021). This document contains a list of all of the species from the Systematic List and when to submit records for each species.

If you feel you would like more information on record submission or would like to learn a bit more about the species and habitats in the square in which you live, or regularly visit, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Committee who will provide you with the appropriate contact information.

A detailed guide is supplied which explains how to use the Microsoft Excel workbook to record your sightings. Click this link to download: Guide for Entering Records.

Records are entered into the Excel workbook and then emailed to the BOS Bird Recorder at the end of every month.

The Excel workbook is supplied below in two versions. Click the link to download to your computer.

1.  “BOS Records Input 2021” – for Microsoft Excel 2007 or later

2.  “BOS Records Input 2021 Excel 2003” – for Microsoft Excel 2003 or earlier

If you submit a record for a bird listed as A* or A**, then you must also submit a completed Species Acceptance Form, otherwise the Committee reserve the right to reject your record. Use this Microsoft Word form:    “Species Acceptance Form”.

There are two maps which will help you locate the places where you found your birds and also where the BOS recommended sites are located:

A) “BOS Area with Parishes” – a PDF document with a detailed map of the BOS area along with the names and boundaries of all of the parishes.

B) “BOS Sites” – a PDF document with a detailed map of the BOS area showing the location of the sites mentioned in the Guide to Observers and within the Excel programs. Note that the sites are only shown with a location accuracy of 1km – please speak to one of the BOS committee if you need to find out further details about the exact location. 

This may sound rather complicated, but you do not need to be an experienced bird watcher to start helping with this valuable work - it is fun learning new skills.  You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be directly contributing to our records which are used to support conservation initiatives as well as furthering information about the distribution and abundance of birds in the BOS area.  This, in turn, contributes to the national picture too.