Banbury Ornithological Society

The BOS has published annual reports since 1966. Each report summarises the activities of the society over the year and a review of the bird sightings.

A status update is provided for each of the reserves the society owns and manages. A detailed report on the ringing undertaken is provided along with results. Fieldwork activities, including a our summer and winter surveys, is summarised. A major part of the report is the Systematic List, which is an annual review of the sightings and status for each of the bird species on the list.

Each member of the BOS is supplied a printed copy of the Annual Report as part of their membership fee. Copies of the report are distributed to the county bird clubs and national ornithological organisations.

Digital copies of older reports are available for reading from the list presented below. Note that the reports from 1989-2002 have the membership list omitted since those reports also included the addresses of members.

Content may be reproduced in part as long as it is suitably credited to the society and, where relevant, the author of the material.

A combined list of contents has been compiled to make it easier to locate specific material: Contents of BOS Annual Reports.

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 ...

Annual Reports

Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry

Outdoor Meeting: 10 August 2026 @ 7pm