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.
14 April 2025 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
The Upper Ray: Wildflowers, Waders and Water - Chloe Bradford
Chloe Bradford, Reserves Officer for the Upper Ray, takes us on a tour of the sites and the many species they support, focusing on wildflowers and wading birds. Read more ...
12 May 2025 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
Uzbekistan: Birding the Silk Road in Central Asia - Alan Peter
A spectacular and little-visited country lying on the famous Silk Road that once connected the East with the West and one of the group of former Soviet republics which border it on three sides - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan while it’s southern border touches Afghanistan. Read more ...
Outdoor Meeting: 9 June 2025 @ 7pm
This meeting marks the start of our outdoor programme, events start at 7pm, and the venue and directions will be advertised here and in the monthly newsletters nearer the time.
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
The venue for this meeting will be advised nearer the time.
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 ...
Long Day Count: 3 or 4 May 2025
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 ...