Indoor meetings are held on the first Friday of each month from October to May in the Methodist Church, Witney. Please use the rear entrance from Woolgate (Waitrose) car park in Witan Way.
A printable version of the programme can be downloaded here. Please note that there are occasional ‘pop-up’ walks which are not in the printed programme. Details will be emailed to members and added to this page.
Talks and outdoor meetings are free to members and £3 for visitors. Please note that booking is required for some events where numbers are limited.
For more information on outdoor meetings, to indicate that you will be coming, or to book if required, please email julia_d_reid@yahoo.com or use the form on the Contact Us page.
Map references in red link to interactive OS maps.
| Friday 3rd May 7:15 for 7:30pm |
| INDOOR MEETING |
| Adrian State Barn Owls |
| and ANNUAL PLANT SALE in aid of Club funds |
| Please bring plants to sell |
| Sunday 5th May 4am |
| DAWN CHORUS Rushy Common |
| Worth the early start once a year to hear the birds wake up! Hope to hear 40 to 50 species. |
| Meet at Rushy Common carpark off the Cogges – Stanton Harcourt road. It can be very cold at 4am on a Spring morning so wrap up well! Bring a torch and wellies if it has been wet. Possibility of visit to the hide afterwards. |
| Map Ref SP381073 OX29 5AN |
| Leader Adrian State |
| Friday 17th to Monday 20th May 2024 |
| Weekend trip to the Elan Valley Mid Wales |
| Guided birdwatching and general natural history interest. Ancient Oak Woodland at RSPB Carngaffalt Summer migrants, dippers, wood warblers and more… |
| Grid ref: SN936652 |
| Contact John Cobb for more information. jcobb927 (at) gmail.com |
| Monday 3 June 10am |
| Visit to Gibson’s Organic Fruit Farm |
| For the last few years the owner, Miles Gibson, has been focusing on nature recovery/conservation interventions and has begun to see a positive impact for flora and fauna. Mid-June last year there was a surfeit of pyramidal orchids, all of which sprang up naturally through grassland management. |
| The Stables, Westwell, near Burford |
| Map Ref SP222099 OX184JT |
| Sunday 9 June 10am |
| HACKPEN HILL AND CROWHOLE BOTTOM |
| Visit hopefully timed to coincide with flowering of Early Gentian for which site is SAC. Rich chalk grassland flora including common and fragrant orchids; very good for invertebrates including butterflies. |
| 500m level walk to site which has steep slopes and uneven ground – wear appropriate footwear; no shade. |
| Meet at small car park at Sparsholt Firs where Ridgeway crosses B4001 Wantage – Lambourn road at top of Sincombe Hill. |
| Map Ref SU34388508 frizz.dish.kidney |
| Leader Kathy Warden |
| Saturday 15 June 8 – 10pm |
| Nightjars at Greenham Common |
| A walk to see/hear nightjars and possibly woodcock |
| Travel through Newbury on the A339 after crossing the Kennet & Avon Canal, turn left at 3rd roundabout and head for Greenham on Pinchington Lane. Cross the 2nd mini roundabout (Tesco’s on the right), over the 3rd mini roundabout (Hansoms Drive on left). The Pyle Hill car park is in the trees on the right opposite the top of Greenham Rd. NB A warm dry evening is required so the date may be changed at short notice. |
| Map Ref SU484653 RG19 8BX |
| Sunday 23 June 6pm |
| PLANT WALK AT CHADLINGTON |
| Walk of about 2.5 miles north along Green Lane to look for calcareous grassland plants; option of longer circular walk. |
| Park where track starts by bowls club. |
| Map Ref SP332222 |
| Leader Brenda Betteridge |
| Sunday 7 July 9am – 12 noon |
| MOTH MORNING |
| Meet the moths from three overnight traps set up in garden in Shelton. |
| The event will be rescheduled if overnight weather forecast is poor. |
| Numbers limited to 15; please book with Julia Reid. julia_d_reid@yahoo.com Directions will be emailed to people coming. |
| Thursday 11 July 7:30 pm |
| GLOW-WORMS |
| Walk of 2 – 3 miles around Swinbrook near Buford followed by a hunt for glow-worms; possibility of bats. Those not wishing to walk meet in Swinbrook churchyard at 10.30pm. Park near phone box or grass area behind church |
| Park near phone box or grass area behind church. |
| Map Ref SP280121 OX18 4DY |
| Leader Sue Morton |
| Thursday 18 July 11am |
| Daneway Banks |
| This Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reserve is a prime example of limestone grassland with a rich flora and is home to many species of butterflies including Large Blue. |
| Way-marked path through reserve; steep slopes. |
| Option to visit Siccaridge Wood reserve after lunch. |
| Park at the Daneway Inn (limited parking so car sharing advised), about half a mile west of Sapperton |
| Map Ref SO936034 GL7 6LN |
| Leader Roger Newman |
| Thursday 8th August 2pm |
| WHITECROSS GREEN WOOD |
| A 2.5 mile walk in an ancient woodland five miles south of Bicester. Hope to see many butterflies, even Purple Emperors. Mainly flat, bumpy paths. Parking available. Details nearer the time. |
| Map Ref SP600150 OX5 2RF |
| Saturday 10 August 12:30 for 1pm |
| SUMMER LUNCH PARTY AT SHILTON |
| £16 per person |
| Please book with Maggie Collins by 20 July. |
| Numbers limited to 40 |
| Sunday 25th August 11am |
| BBOWT PARSONAGE MOOR RESERVE |
| Fen with rich flora, including uncommon rushes and mosses, and insectivorous species such as Butterwort; Grass of Parnassus should be in flower. Good for insects, including soldier flies such as the Clubbed General and Silver Colonel. |
| Park at Dry Sandford Pit reserve car park, walk west to Cothill village and take the footpath on the right (String Lane), opposite the Merry Miller pub for 0.25 miles. Can be wet underfoot; wellies advised. |
| Map ref: SU461997 OX13 6JW |
| Leader Peter Creed |
| Sunday 15th September 2pm |
| ASTHALL CIRCULAR WALK |
| Walk of about two miles to look for autumn gentians and other plants, insects and birds. The gentian site is very steep but not obligatory. Otherwise footpaths and some minor road. Park by side of road under avenue of trees leading to Asthall Manor. |
| Map Ref SP287112 OX18 4HW |
| Leader Maggie Collins |
| Thursday 26th September 11am and 3pm |
| FOREST OF DEAN |
| 11am RSPB NAGSHEAD RESERVE |
| Mature woodland with a variety of birds and wildlife. Toilets available; no café. |
| Map ref: SO606084 GL15 4LA |
| 3pm BEAVERS |
| Visit the beaver enclosure and see the dams. |
| Take A4136 from Cinderford down to Brierley. Second right at bottom of the hill to The Pludds, follow for about half a mile to the first pull-in on the left with metal barrier. Drive a further 200m on forest track. Park at entrance to the enclosure.Wellies recommended. |
| Map Ref SO612153 Click here for detailed map. |
| Leader Kate Wollen |
| Friday 4 October 7:15 for 7:30pm |
| FIRST WINTER INDOOR MEETING |
| Lesley Wright Otters in England |
| Sunday 13 October 10:30am |
| KINGSWOOD BRAKE |
| Circular walk of about two miles through woods and open fields for fungi and other wildlife. From the T-junction from Finstock to Charlbury, (B4022), turn right onto B4437 for 3.2 miles towards Woodstock. There is a small lane on the left with a small green footpath sign on the right. Parking for 4-5 cars max so car sharing essential. |
| Map Ref SP408195 OX20 1HN |
| Leader Julia Reid |
| Friday1 November 7:15 for 7:30pm |
| INDOOR MEETING |
| Nick Johnson The flora and fauna of Rwanda |
| Sunday 3 – Monday 4 November |
| FUNGUS FORAY MALVERN HILLS Hope to see many colourful Waxcaps and other fungi |
| Overnight in Great Malvern or nearby |
| Leader Peter Creed |
| Details to follow – please let John Cobb know if you are interested |
WEST OXFORDSHIRE FIELD CLUB 