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.
| Sunday 3rd May 5am: Dawn Chorus Rushy Common. Meet in the Rushy Common car park off the Cogges to Stanton Harcourt Road before 5am. It will be very cold. Bring a torch and wellies. Map Ref: SP381073 Postcode: OX29 5AN Leader: Adrian State Sunday 17 May: 10.30am Bernwood Meadows. BBOWT traditional hay meadows brimming with wildflowers such as green-winged orchids and insects like the forester moth. There are footpaths throughout the reserve, largely flat, with some bumpy ground. 7 miles NE of Oxford, on the road between Stanton St John and Oakley. Park in a small car park. Map Ref: SP606 111 Post code OX33 1BJ What3Words: croutons.forkful.stay. If full, park at Bernwood Forest on Oakley Rd HP18 9UR a short walk away. Leaders Julia Reid /Brenda Betteridge Sunday May 31- 3rd June: The Wyre Forest. Leader: Peter Creed Wednesday 10th June 3.30pm: Long Mead Meadow, Eynsham. Guided walk with Catriona Bass. Park in the Playing Fields Car Park, OX29 4HG, 7 minutes’ walk to the entrance to Long Mead Meadows. The S1 and E1 buses from Witney stop at the Talbot Inn diagonally opposite the site. A map can be forwarded to those who wish to join the group. Map Ref: SP441088 Post code: OX29 4BZ. Car sharing is strongly advised. Numbers limited to 20. Saturday 20th June 2pm: Stonesfield Walk. A walk to find plants in woodland, lowland and calcareous grassland habitats. Fauna in the area includes the small blue butterfly, colonies of marbled white butterflies, and white-legged damselfly. The walk will be 2 -3 hours. Meet at the junction of Church and High Street in Stonesfield where there is a small car park at the northern entrance to the church. Map Ref: SP 394 171 Post code: OX29 8QU. What3Words :unrated.hope.number Leader: Craig Blackwell Sunday June 28th 9am: Moth Morning. Held in a private garden in Shilton. Chance to see a variety of moths collected overnight, including hawk moths. Refreshments afterwards. Details on application. May be rescheduled if weather is poor. Numbers limited to 15 so book early. Leader: Julian Howe Thursday 2nd July 11am: Daneway Banks. This Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Reserve is a prime example of limestone grassland with a rich flora and home to many species of butterflies including Large Blue. Option to visit nearby Siccaridge Wood Reserve after lunch. Park at Daneway Inn (limited, so car sharing advised), about half a mile west of Sapperton. Way-marked paths through reserve; steep slopes. Map Ref: SO936034. Post code: GL7 6LN Leader: Roger Newman Sunday 19th July, 9:30am. Pavement Plants. Following an interesting article in ‘British Wildlife’ magazine, in which researchers found a large variety of both indigenous and non-native plants in Shoreditch, London, we take an urban route, but in Witney to see what we can find. The walk will be about 2.5 hours. Meet outside Waitrose in Witney at 09.30. OX28 6AR Leader: Brenda Betteridge Thursday 23rd July 7.45pm: Glow worms. The walk will take about 2-3 hours, with some rough ground in the dark, so please BRING A TORCH and a stick if you have one. Meet in the lay-by on the far west of Stonesfield Common. From the B4022 Witney to Charlbury Road, turn right into Finstock towards Wilcote. Turn left down to Ashford Mill then left again. Continue up the hill and bear right over the railway bridge. The lay-by is about half a mile further on the right. Limited parking so please car share. Map Ref: SP388163 Leader: Sue Morton Sunday 9th August 10:30am: Kilkenny Glos Wildlife Trust. Unimproved limestone grassland, rich in wildflowers & possibly autumn gentians. Duke of Burgundy, small blue, kestrels and yellowhammers may be seen. Drive west on A40 then left onto A436. Take first left turn after the Kilkenny Inn then first left into the car park. Map Ref: SP004186 Post code: GL54 4LN What3Words: eager.hikes.sandwich. Leader: Julia Reid Thursday August 13th 12.00 for 12.30pm: Summer Lunch. Buffet lunch at The Maybush, £15 per head, paid in advance. A reminder from Maggie Collins will be sent out nearer the time. The Maybush , Abingdon Rd, Newbridge, Nr Witney. OX29 7QD Sunday 16th August 2pm: Chimney Meadows. A 2-3 hour walk through hay meadows and along the Thames path. Meet at Chimney Visitors Car Park on the left as you go in. Map Ref: SP354013 Postcode: OX18 2EH. What3Words: strutted.bloomers.owners Leader: Maggie Collins Sunday 6th September, 1:30 pm: Sydlings Copse. BBOWT Reserve.The circular walk of 0.75 miles includes woodland, heathland and a boggy area. Some steep slopes including 47 rough steps which can be slippery. Park in Taggs Gate in Barton (meet there at 1:30pm), turn left onto a footpath and walk 1.5 miles up to Sydlings Copse. Map Ref: SP555079 Postcode: OX3 9NW. Leader: Elaine Streane. Sunday 27th September 11am: Geology Walk Adderbury. The rusty red Jurassic ironstone which underlies Adderbury has had a huge impact on this charming village. This is seen in the building materials, in its past importance as a source of iron ore and in the fertile soils. Our easy walk will take us around the village in about two hours. Bring a hand lens if you have one. Meet outside The Coach and Horses (OX17 3ND) on Adderbury village green. There is plenty of room to park. Map Ref: SP474356. Post code: OX17 3ND. Leader: John Baker Friday 2nd October 7.15 for 7.30pm: Indoor Meeting. Mike Wallen: “The French Pyrenees – A Quest for the Most Beautiful Bird in Europe”. Sunday 18th October: Fungus Foray. Venue tbc. Leader Peter Creed |
WEST OXFORDSHIRE FIELD CLUB 