Many of you will know Farmoor Reservoir as a major county stopping-off point for migrating birds. Probably fewer people know that it’s also an important inland gull roost and the western perimeter has an enhanced environment of scrapes, bird seed strips and herbage that has been specially planted to attract and harbour all forms of wildlife.

Farmoor, pictured below, is also well known for its sailing and trout fishing and Matt Prior and his team of rangers are vigilant in their endeavours to ensure all these public interests co-exist peacefully alongside each other.

Visitors to the upcoming free Thames Water Dawn to Dusk Bioblitz on Sunday, September 16, will have an opportunity to see and take part in a host of wildlife events including pond dipping, badger watching, moth trapping, bird ringing display and a barbecue, among a list of other activities.

A Bioblitz is an attempt to record as many life form species in a given time and place as possible, so on hand will be specialist experts from local wildlife group the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust identifying the flora and fauna of the reservoir and the surrounding land, from dawn to dusk, and hopes are high for this rather special site to turn up both the unusual and the familiar.

Bird identification will be overseen by the Oxford Ornithological Society as our usual Autumn Farmoor Open Day has been arranged to coincide with the Bioblitz. We will be running our usual timed bird watching identification trips across the causeway led by two of Oxfordshire’s top birders Ian Lewington and Dai John who is a daily visitor to the reservoir and the spotter of many of the rare birds that drop into Farmoor en-route to foreign climes.

Ian and Dai will be sharing their extensive birding nous as they guide you over the causeway and into the hides situated on the far side close to the River Thames . The OOS will be displaying, along with others, in a marquee including the leading binocular and telescope company In Focus, giving visitors the chance to try out their products. We also have a bird feather identification competition with prizes for the top three contestants (in the event of a tie a draw will decide).

Blackwell’s, the Oxford book people, will be showing a wide range of relevant countryside titles and local world renowned bird artist and illustrator Ian Lewington is displaying a large range of wonderful bird prints.

We are finishing off what promises to be a most exciting and interesting day with an Ian Lewington-led gull roost watch.

Among the likely thousands of gulls resting on the reservoir for the night there will be a strong possibility of rarities turning up at this time of year. This event really does promise to be an occasion long remembered and I for one just can’t wait for Sunday the 16th to arrive, in fact dawn to dusk — it’s a must.