Banbury Ornithological Society - Pauline Flick Reserve

Location: SP323302 - access from the minor road B4026 to Great Rollright from Chipping Norton.

Postcode for SatNav: OX7 5RE What3Words: lilac.spun.cones

Please read the 2026 Risk Assessment before you visit the reserve

Open access to all members and the public.

The reserve comprises a half-mile stretch (approximately 2 ha) of disused railway line through limestone brash farmland close to Great Rollright.

There is a good variety of flora and certain areas are kept free of scrub to enable orchids and other plant species to flourish. These more open areas are also favoured by sun-loving reptiles, such as Common Lizard and Grass Snake. Glow-worm are present and a good number and range of butterflies. Hare, Weasel and Harvest Mouse are present.

Blackcap and Chiffchaff are present annually and occasionally other species of warbler. Farmland and woodland birds are present including Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Jay, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker.

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.

Migration Stations – Drew Lyness BTO

Drew Lyness is Development and Engagement Coordinator for BTO (focusing on England) as well as a freelance bird tour guide and a volunteer for the RSPB at Strumpshaw Fen Reserve in Norfolk – the county in which he lives - and also sits on the County Rarities Committee. He is an experienced speaker with a passion for science communication and birding. Read more ...

Reserves

Pauline Flick Reserve

Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry

12 October 2026 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm