Events
All events are open to everyone, you do not need to be a member of the RSPB or have any great knowledge of birds or nature. We would nonetheless encourage joining the Oxford Local Group RSPB.
Our events will be subject to any COVID restrictions that are in place at the time. Any changes to the program will be notified to Local Group Members via email and updated on this website.
Talks take place in the Hall at Sandhills School. If this is not possible, due to COVID restrictions, we will endeavour to give the talk over the Internet using Zoom.
All birding trips must be booked in advance with Reg Cox as there may be late changes due to unfavourable weather or lack of numbers. All car trips will meet up at the destination. If individuals feel comfortable about sharing a car with others then this may be possible to arrange.
December 2021
Thu2
Online Talk via Zoom. Bee-eaters, Ospreys, Red Kites and Cuckoos by Ivor Porter.
Location: In your home online via Zoom.
The "Winter Warmer" social evening planned for this date has been CANCELLED.
Ivor's love for the natural world was sparked when he was a teenager watching black and white wildlife televisions programmes during the 1950's. He is an experienced photographer who has travelled to many destinations in pursuit of wildlife and a very active member of the Oxford Photographic Society.
In addition to the talk David Wilding (RSPB Otmoor Site Manager) will give a short brief on the once-in-a-lifetime chance to expand the Otmoor reserve by buying neighbouring farmland.
Time: 7.30pm for 7.45pm start
Price: FREE. Zoom link details will be sent out by email to all members a few days before the event. Non-members should contact Paddy Gallagher.
Telephone: 01608811568
E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.co.uk
Thu16
Car Trip to Bury Down, Berkshire
Location: Meet on site at 9.30am. Details given when booking.
A morning walk along the Ridgeway Path to look for corn bunting, yellowhammer, stonechat, flocks of winter thrushes and with a little luck over wintering short-eared owls.
There are no facilities on site.
It is essential to book as numbers may be limited and changes may be made at short notice.
Time: Meet on site at 9.30am. Details given when booking.
Price: Free
Booking essential
Telephone: 01865761402 07983536790
E-mail: reg.cox@btinternet.com
January 2022
Thu13
Illustrated Talk - Birds and Wildlife of Bhutan by Richard Baines
Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Oxford
Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)
Restricted to foreign visitors until recently, Bhutan is a paradise for birders and photographers. There are over 670 bird species with many more yet to be discovered. Richard's talk is based on his recent trip and features a range of speciality birds and culture.
Time: 7.45pm
Price: Entrance fee £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members.
Telephone: 01608811568
E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.co.uk
Sun16
Coach Trip to Slimbridge WWT
Location: Coach leaves the Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston - just off the Oxford northern by-pass at 8am
Postcode: OX3 0NQ (Google map)
Always a good trip in winter to see a range of wild geese, hundreds of Bewick swans, several raptor species, a good selection of waders and wildfowl, plus a very good chance of common cranes.
There are many hides on site, a large visitor centre and restaurant.
An entrance charge applies for non-members of WWT.
Time: Coach leaves at 8am
Price: Cost of coach about £20 depending on numbers. Plus entrance fee for WWT non-members - about £11 for over 65's
Booking essential
Telephone: 01865761402 07983536790
E-mail: reg.cox@btinternet.com
February 2022
Thu3
Illustrated Talk - Unnatural Selection by Katrina Van Grouw
Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Oxford
Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)
Katrina is a former curator of ornithological collections at the Natural History Museum, Tring, and author of "The Unfeathered Bird" on which she spoke to us previously. She returns to introduce her new book, an exploration through stunning illustrations of evolution at the hand of man.
Time: 7.45pm
Price: Entrance fee £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members.
Telephone: 01608811568
E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.co.uk
Wed9
Car Trip to the Standlake Area
Location: Meet on site at 9.30am. Details given when booking.
Spend the morning looking around the local lakes at Rushy Common and Standlake Common. As in the past there is always a chance of finding unusual species like great white egret, bittern or jack snipe.
There are 3 hides but no other facilities on site.
It is essential to book as numbers may be limited and changes may be made at short notice.
Time: Meet on site at 9.30am. Details given when booking.
Price: Free
Booking essential
Telephone: 01865761402 07983536790
E-mail: reg.cox@btinternet.com
March 2022
Thu3
Illustrated Talk - Birds of Sri Lanka by Jonathan Forgham
Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Oxford
Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)
A primary school teacher for 30 years, Jonathan has been a keen birdwatcher since his early years. He now leads trips to Sri Lanka which boasts 216 species of resident birds with another 220 species arriving over winter. Sri Lanka is the "tear drop" shaped island found off the southern coast of the Indian Subcontinent and for a small island has a rich bird fauna, with many passionate bird watchers ranking it among their favourite destinations.
Time: 7.45pm
Price: Entrance fee £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members.
Telephone: 01608811568
E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.co.uk
Sun13
Car Trip to the Forest of Dean Area
Location: Meet on site at 9.30am. Details given when booking.
A day out visiting a variety of sites in the area to look for rarities that often show up during the winter months. We will start at the New Fancy viewpoint to look for displaying goshawks over the forest. From there we will visit a couple of sites for possible hawfinch and mandarin duck and then seek out other unusual birds that have been reported in the area.
It is essential to book as numbers may be limited and changes may be made at short notice.
Time: Meet on site at 9.30am. Details given when booking.
Price: Free
Booking essential
Telephone: 01865761402 07983536790
E-mail: reg.cox@btinternet.com