Banbury Ornithological Society - Bicester Wetland Reserve

Location: SP578211 - Access to BOS keyholder members. For details please contact a committee member or Reserve Warden This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PostCode for SatNav: OX25 2NY

Please read the Risk Assessment before you visit the reserve

Disturbance to the reserve is kept to a minimum by viewing from 2 tower hides or or the fenced paths.

Bicester Wetland Reserve is managed by the BOS on behalf of Thames Water.

This is a member-only site due to the hazardous nature of the site, heavy moving equipment and hazardous areas. Reserve manager Alan Peters instructs members on the safety features on the site, viewing from two hides. The site can be locked at any time by Thames Water, therefore keys are vital.

Created in 1999, Bicester Wetland Reserve was the result of an agreement between the BOS and Thames Water. The 7ha site was previously used for the disposal of sewage sludge from the nearby sewage treatment works. Channels and scrapes were excavated with supporting bunds and water control mechanisms.

Ten species of warbler have been recorded here of which nine have bred on the reserve. Other breeding species include Little Grebe, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting. Water Rail and Barn Owl have also bred in some years.

Green Sandpiper is recorded in all months except May, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper are regular passage migrants, with winter months hosting large numbers of Common Snipe and a few Jack Snipe - in all 22 species of wader have occurred.

Teal is the most numerous wintering duck with counts exceeding 400 birds with smaller numbers of Gadwall and Shoveler. Little Egret is now a common sight and Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis are rare visitors.

Since regular recording started in 1999 150 bird species have been logged.

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.

A walk round Farnborough Lakes and Woodland

Take Main Street into Farnborough from the A423 – the Southam to Banbury road - where Rachel and Gary will meet us at the Village Hall, (post code: OX17 1ED) where there is parking for about 10 cars. Please car share where possible and park responsibly in the village if the car park is full.

The walk from the Village Hall is less than half a mile downhill to the lakes. Those who would prefer a shorter walk or to avoid walking back up the hill later may like to park in the National Trust carpark at the bottom of the hill by the side of the lakes. Wait there for the main group to join you. Read more ...

Reserves

Bicester Wetland Reserve

Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry

Outdoor Meeting: 10 August 2026 @ 7pm