Banbury Ornithological Society - 12 October 2026

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.

Get ready to discover the spectacular journeys and unimaginable surprises that science has so far revealed about lives of some of our treasured species. Expect Cuckoos, Swifts and more! You’ll see how current research into migration is impacting the world of conservation, and learn more about an upcoming project, the Bird Atlas 2027-31 (could be a game changer) and what you can do to get involved.

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.

Meetings

12 October 2026 - Indoor Meeting at 7.30pm

Sean Woodcock MP visits Balscote Quarry