Meetings
Finding the Cricket Club Entrace
Coming off the Oxford Road (A4260) at the roundabout first follow the road sign to Bodicote, but do not take the next left towards Bodicote; follow the road into the new Davis Wilson Homes estate, Blackwell Drive. Immediately turn left off Blackwell Drive (before you get to the houses) - as if you are going into the new primary school car park - and then turn right onto the Cricket Club drive. View map.
Outdoor Meeting: 9 June 2025 @ 7pm
A visit to Grimsbury Reserve starting at 7pm from the car park, Spice Ball Park by the water works just by the Reservoir - OX16 3JJ
The BOS manages the site on behalf of Thames Water. We hope to find some birds and our guide for the evening, Reg, will also give us plenty of detail about the BOS's management plan for the site. You can either just go round the reservoir or continue on into the woodland – all is reasonably flat and easy walking with no stiles.
Outdoor Meeting: 14 July 2025 @ 7pm
Our hosts are David and Ann Andrews, at The Cartshed, Pomfret Castle, Banbury Road, Swerford, OX7 4AR where we will be shown around their small all-grass farm - 50 acres of grass, woods, lakes and ponds. Read more ...
Outdoor Meeting: 11 August 2025 @ 7pm
A leisurely walk led by Mike Lewis around Compton Verney - landscape created by Lancelot "Capability" Brown in the eighteenth century, comprising parkland, two large lakes and mature mixed woodland including some very large cedars around the mansion. Read more ...
8 September 2025 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
A Year in Reserve - Jon Mason
Jon is an amateur photographer who has completed his challenge to visit every BBOWT Nature Reserve in one year. He travelled to 83 sites across three counties to show how easy it is for local people to see incredible wildlife on their doorstep.
13 October 2025 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
"30 by 30" – Bringing our wildlife back - Ian Jelley, Director of Landscape Recovery, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth and 16% of all of our species are under threat from extinction as a result of human activity. So what can we do? The Wildlife Trusts believe in the science that demonstrates if 30% of the UK land and sea supports nature then our nature will recover. Read more ...
10 November 2025 - Indoor meeting at 7.30pm
Costa Rica: 12 Days, 5 Habitats and many miles - Gary Waite
Gary and Rachel present some of the fantastic birds they found during a hectic visit to Costa Rica a country recognised as one of the best locations for birdwatching that features on many bucket lists. A wide variety of habitats and exotic species were seen as they travelled about the country and investigated some of the birding hotspots.
8 December 2025 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
First we will hold the Banbury Ornithological Society's Annual General Meeting, quickly followed by the annual quiz - a great time to put formalities aside and enjoy a fun, convivial evening.
The BOS Curlew Recovery Project
UK currently holds approximately a quarter of the global Curlew population, with estimates for England of about 30,000 pairs. National monitoring data show that this population has been in long-term decline since the 1970s and has almost halved in the UK over the last 20 years. In lowland southern England, the population has declined to about 500 pairs, with many colonies on the verge of local extinction. Read more ...
Winter Random Square Survey: 22 or 23 November 2025
A survey where observers are each given a randomly selected 1km square and record all the species encountered and numbers of each for a minimum period of 2 hours between 9am and noon. Read more ...