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 September 2026 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
Two Islands - Handa, Scotland & The Farnes, Northumberland - Graham Lenton
Handa a beautiful island off the north-west coast of the Highlands of Scotland boasts up to 150,000 seabirds. Its location seems to have its own weather pattern and the island is uninhabited apart from a seasonal warden and reserve volunteers. It is accessed by a ten-minute ferry from the hamlet of Tarbet and its white sandy shores and clear blue waters make it appear almost tropical. The seabird colonies of puffin, guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake and fulmar are easily viewed from the top of the island where sea cliffs of the Torridonian Sandstone reach over 300ft (100metres). Other notable birds that breed on the island are great and arctic skua, stonechat, wheatear, cuckoo, twite, oystercatcher, arctic tern, common, herring and great black-backed gulls, shag, eider, red grouse, ringed plover, snipe, rock dove, meadow and rock pipit and reed bunting. Most of the divers can be seen flying or on the sea around the island and black guillemots are often seen in the bay. Read more ...
12 October 2026 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm
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 ...
9 November 2026 - Indoor meeting at 7.30pm
The Goshawk and its return to the Cotswolds - Dr Richard Tyler
The Northern Goshawk, a large but elusive raptor, has returned to the Cotswolds in recent years there now being a substantial breeding population. Read more ...
14 December 2026 - 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.
Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry
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.