Events

Coach Trip to London WWT (Barnes)

Location: Coach leaves at 8.30am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Large hides and scenic walkways set amongst lakes and meadows provide close views of overwintering wildfowl, waders and wintering woodland birds. On our last visit here we saw bittern, redpolls and rose-ringed parakeets.
On site there is a visitor centre and café serving snacks and hot food.
An entry charge of around £11 is payable for non WWT members.

Time: Coach leaves at 8.30am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Price: About £20 depending on numbers.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865723868

E-mail: anne@anclark.force9.co.uk

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - Rushy Common

Location: The Rushy Common nature reserve is located on Cogges Lane, a single-track road that runs from Witney to Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire. Ordnance Survey grid reference is SP 381 074.
Postcode: OX29 6UJ (Google map)

Come and join us as we throw open the doors of the hide at Rushy Common Nature Reserve to participate in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

With volunteers from the RSPB Oxford Local Group we’ll be counting the total number of each species we see for one hour. The data will help identify not only the species using the site but will help establish trends and determine just how the birds and other wildlife are doing. You’ll also be able to learn more about the Lower Windrush Valley Project (Oxfordshire County Council) and be able to pick up some much sought-after RSPB Pin Badges!

Time: 12.00 - 1.30 pm

Price:

E-mail: lwvp@oxfordshire.gov.uk

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - Rushy Common

Location: The Rushy Common nature reserve is located on Cogges Lane, a single-track road that runs from Witney to Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire. Ordnance Survey grid reference is SP 381 074.
Postcode: OX29 6UJ (Google map)

Come and join us as we throw open the doors of the hide at Rushy Common Nature Reserve to participate in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

With volunteers from the RSPB Oxford Local Group we’ll be counting the total number of each species we see for one hour. The data will help identify not only the species using the site but will help establish trends and determine just how the birds and other wildlife are doing. You’ll also be able to learn more about the Lower Windrush Valley Project (Oxfordshire County Council) and be able to pick up some much sought-after RSPB Pin Badges!

Time: 12.00 - 1.30 pm

Price:

E-mail: lwvp@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Illustrated Talk - Undiscovered Norfolk by Chris Ward.

Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Headington, Oxford.

Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)

Chris is a keen photographer and past group leader at North Bucks RSPB. He will take us to an area famous for its wildlife and will be exploring its mammals, birds, insects and plants.
This should be of great interest to those going on the group holiday to Norfolk in May.

Time: 7.45pm

Price: £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members and children.

Telephone: 01608811568

E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.com

Car Sharing Trip to Dorney Wetlands, Berks/Bucks border.

Location: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

This is a morning trip to a new site for the group. Dorney Wetlands was formed around the Jubilee River which was created in the 1990s as a flood alleviation scheme for the River Thames around Windsor. The site has a good variety of habitats (meadow, reedbeds, shrubs etc.) and attracts a wide range of winter birds.
There are viewing screens but no hides. There are no facilities on site but toilets are available at a nearby pub.

Time: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Price: Petrol costs are shared by car occupants.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865723868

E-mail: anne@anclark.force9.co.uk

Illustrated Talk - Inspired by Birds by Peter Holden

Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Headington, Oxford.

Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)

Peter started working for the RSPB in 1969, developed the Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979, has written a number of books on nature and in 2009 was awarded the MBE. He has spoken to us a few times in the past on a variety of subjects.
In this talk we learn something about the way birds were viewed by past generations. Throughout history humans have included birds in their art - from Roman mosaics to the music of Sibelius, from medieval manuscripts to the art of John James Audubon and Sir Peter Scott. Through their eyes and ears we can get an impression of the environment at the time and how people viewed the natural world in general, birds in particular.

Time: 7.45pm

Price: £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members and children.

Telephone: 01608811568

E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.com

Car Sharing Trip to Gloucester and Forest of Dean Area.

Location: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

A day out visiting a variety of sites in the area to look for rarities that often show up during the winter months. Also at this time of year there is a good chance to see goshawks displaying over the forest. This trip was cancelled last year because of snow and ice so let's hope for better conditions this year.

Time: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Price: Petrol costs are shared by car occupants.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865723868

E-mail: anne@anclark.force9.co.uk

Illustrated Talk - Wild New Forest by Marcus Ward.

Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Headington, Oxford.

Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)

Marcus has been studying rare breeding birds of the New Forest since moving to the area in 2003. His main study species are the scarce breeding woodland birds of the New Forest, in particular Hawfinch, Firecrest and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, although he will include other species like Woodlark, Dartford Warbler & Nightjar in his presentation. He is also involved in survey work on other fauna of the New Forest and will talk about some of these.

Time: 7.45pm

Price: £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members and children.

Telephone: 01608811568

E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.com

Coach Trip to Rutland Water.

Location: Coach leaves at 7.45am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Always a good destination at any of time of the year but in April the breeding ospreys should be back and claiming one of the nesting platforms. The habitat of lagoons edged with reeds, scrub and woodland attracts a wide variety of birds.
There are many hides on site and a visitor centre with a drinks machine and toilets.
An entry charge of £4 is required.

Time: Coach leaves at 7.45am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Price: About £23 depending on numbers.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865723868

E-mail: anne@anclark.force9.co.uk

Illustrated Talk - Cuckoos versus Hosts - an Evolutionary Arms Race by Nick Davies

Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Headington, Oxford.

Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)

Nick was professor of behavioural ecology at the University of Cambridge and is the author of "Cuckoo: Cheating by Nature". The cuckoo is nature's most famous cheat, manipulating and deceiving other species into raising their young. Nick exposes them as some of the most cunning and inventive creatures in the natural world.

Time: 7.45pm

Price: £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members and children.

Telephone: 01608811568

E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.com

Car Sharing Trip to Wyre Forest, Worcestershire.

Location: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

A full day trip to a lovely area of ancient woodland where pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and tree pipit all breed, as also does dipper, grey wagtail and kingfisher along the stream. Depending upon the weather there is a good chance of seeing other wildlife, particularly early butterflies.

A fair amount of walking is required on paths that could be a little muddy.
There are no facilities on site.


PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A SATURDAY TRIP.

Time: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Price: Petrol costs are shared by car occupants.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865723868

E-mail: anne@anclark.force9.co.uk

Group Holiday to Old Hunstanton, Norfolk.

Location: Car sharing from Oxford. Leaving around 8am.

A four day trip to visit Snettisham, Titchwell, Cley and other coastal sites in one of the country's top birding areas. A great variety of birds to see at this time of year with migration in full swing and some early breeding taking place. We stay at the Caley Hall Hotel which has served us well many times in the past.
Further information and cost from Reg Cox.

Time: Car sharing from Oxford. Leaving around 8am.

Price: Further information and cost from Reg Cox.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865761402

E-mail: reg.cox@btinternet.com

Car Sharing Trip to Frensham Common, Surrey.

Location: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

This will be our very first trip to the common. The extensive heathland is a SSSI that supports a wealth of wildlife including reed warblers, hobby, cuckoo, redstart, woodlark, nightjar and tree pipit. Twenty five species of butterfly have been recorded on the common along with twenty species of dragonfly. There is also a chance of seeing some reptiles as all six native species are resident - snakes, lizards and slow-worm.
The site has a small café with toilets.
We would expect to be back in Oxford by 4pm.

Time: Cars leave at 8am from Sports & Leisure Centre, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, OX3 0NQ - just off the Oxford northern by-pass.

Price: Petrol costs are shared by car occupants.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01865723868

E-mail: anne@anclark.force9.co.uk

Illustrated Talk - Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia by Graham Lenton.

Location: Sandhills School, Terrett Avenue, Headington, Oxford.

Postcode: OX3 8FN (Google map)

Graham is an ecologist and science lecturer who will take us on a trip to the last remaining wildlife refuge in the world with its wonderful scenery, marine mammals and, of course, penguins.

Time: 7.45pm

Price: £3 (£2 for full time students). FREE to Oxford Local Group members and children.

Telephone: 01608811568

E-mail: paddygallagher@hotmail.com