Banbury Ornithological Society - Grimsbury Woodland Reserve

Location: SP461425 - Access from A422 and parking at Spiceball Park by Water Works.

Postcode for SatNav: OX16 3JJ

Please read the Risk Assessment before you visit the reserve

A district Wildlife Site

Managed by the BOS on behalf of Thames Water

3.5ha site of Scots Pine and Alder, originally planted by the Forestry Commission, laterly enhanced by areas of varied shrubs planted by the BOS.

A mixture of birds has been recorded from the site, including wintering Siskin and Lesser Redpolls and warblers in the summer.

The site is adjacent to Grimsbury Reservoir which is a popular dog walking area. BOS requests that dog walkers keep their dogs on short leads should they enter the woodland, particularly during the breeding season.

Anyone wanting to help maintain this reserve should contact Reg Tipping for dates of work parties.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

Reserves

Grimsbury Woodland Reserve

The BOS Curlew Recovery Project

8 December 2025 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm

Winter Random Square Survey: 22 or 23 November 2025