Guided bird-watching walk, May 2026

Ten supporters of Sustainable Blewbury met in Blewbury Village Hall car park at 9am on 2nd May. Conor Mackenzie, a new local resident and keen freelance ornithologist, was guiding us to Blewbury Nature Reserve. On the way, Conor pointed out the birds we could hear and see. First, there was a Blackcap singing loudly in the car park. A bit later, when we’d reached Quaker Wood, two very loud Egyptian Geese flew over.

Then Conor heard a Corn Bunting sitting on an electricity wire halfway down towards the Reserve. It was very hard to spot, but just about visible with his telescope. Corn Buntings have become very rare in this country, although they are around in South Oxfordshire. They are classified as a ‘red list’(endangered) species.

When we arrived at the Nature Reserve, it was looking glorious with the hawthorn in

blossom. We heard many more bird species, including Whitethroats and saw two males

having a loud territorial dispute. We also saw two beautiful Yellowhammers and heard some Linnets. The ‘bug’ hotel around the notice board was alive with bees; males buzzing around waiting for females to emerge from the bamboo canes. We also saw Brimstone, Peacock, and Orange-tip butterflies.

It was a fantastic morning. Conor was a font of knowledge and told us so much about the

birds we heard and saw. He recorded 36 species on the walk, although my hearing was not good enough to catch them all!

Do consider coming next year