About the OOS
The Oxford Ornithological Society welcomes all who have an interest in birds and birdwatching in Oxfordshire, whether young or old, expert or novice. Activities are designed to cater for a range of interests and levels of experience.
Indoor meetings: These are held monthly except during the summer holiday period (see our Programme of Events). Before a talk from an invited speaker, there is news of any interesting local birds and members are brought up to date with local conservation issues. During the coffee break there are opportunities to meet and chat to other members. Attendance is free to members (non-members are asked to make a small donation).
Field outings: The OOS arranges outings to good birdwatching areas in most months. These are free, informal and sociable events and provide an excellent opportunity to practise and learn identification skills in the company of other members.
Records: The OOS supports the County Recorder and collates and maintains a computer database of bird sightings in the county, which are vetted by a Records Committee and form the basis of the Annual Report. Records are used to contribute to surveys, to inform conservation and management decisions, to support responses to planning applications, and so on. Records are periodically passed on to the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre.
Fieldwork and conservation: The OOS takes an active interest in local conservation issues, and has ties with the BTO, RSPB, the County Ecologist, BBOWT and other conservation bodies. We support and help to co-ordinate various bird monitoring schemes within the county.