A reliable area for Tree Sparrow, breeding Curlew and Turtle Dove with a chance in season of Common and Green Sandpipers, Redstart, Whinchat and Wheatear. A selection of riparian species can be seen at any time. The meadows are little given to flooding which can attract wildfowl and wader concentrations further downstream.

From A420: Leave A420 at Buckland, turning right (signposted Bampton). After 3 km park in lay-by on right hand side over the narrow Tadpole Bridge. For patrons, The Trout public house offers alternative parking.

The hourly Stagecoach service 66 to Swindon (among others) stops on the A420 at Buckland Turn between Oxford and Faringdon.

The birds described below can be seen by following the Thames Path west (upstream) to Rushey Lock (1.5 km) and beyond. A fisherman's path (used by dogwalkers but not a right of way) offers an alternative return to Tadpole Bridge. Footpaths from Rushey Lock and Old Man's Bridge (SP299002) provide opportunities for an extended circular walk, for example via Carswell Marsh (SU324989) south of the Thames or the fringes of RAF Bampton Castle (SP13008) through green lanes north of the river.

First explore Tadpole Bridge and the Trout Inn, particularly for Tree Sparrow, which nest in both structures. They can be found in all months but numbers peak after the breeding season. The Thames Path to Rushey Lock follows a tarmac gated road. In spring and summer, look down into the reeds to locate singing and nesting Reed Warblers. Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat frequent the bushes. The reeling of Grasshopper Warbler may be heard from meadows approaching the lock (but not in 1999). Tree Sparrow also breed at Rushey Lock, where on crossing the Thames you may see a Kingfisher or Grey Wagtail. If returning from the lock by the fisherman's path you may see a Willow Tit or in the breeding season hear the 'purring' of a Turtle Dove or perhaps even see one. If you continue west along the Thames Path you will be accompanied between February and July by the 'bubbling' calls of Curlew from the hay and grazing meadows to either side. Little Owls breed in the pollarded willows along the banks. Occasional autumn Redstarts were seen prior to 1999, but records in April and regular sightings of up to 12 individuals (but typically 3-6) in July and August 1999 suggest a good breeding season to the north and west. Other autumn migrants are regular Yellow Wagtail and occasional Wheatear. You may locate Common Sandpipers on the banks of the Thames in spring and autumn, and possibly also Green Sandpiper. In winter Common Snipe may be flushed from the restricted marsh vegetation along the river banks and several hundred Fieldfare may be present in the fields and hedges. Buzzard are seen throughout the year, though you are perhaps more likely to see one in the more heavily wooded area near the A420.

Goosander (January 1999); Whinchat (September 1998 and August 1999); Siskin (March 1999).

Following the Thames east from Tadpole Bridge brings you to Chimney Meadows (a BBOWT-managed reserve, but viewable only from the path). In contrast to the section of the Thames Path described above parts of this section can be very wet underfoot or overgrown. The area described can also be accessed from Radcot Bridge (SU286995) which has extensive riverside public car parking, and from where the Thames Path to Kelmscott and Buscot can also be explored. A visit to Badbury Hill and Buscot Lake to the west of Faringdon will produce a selection of the commoner woodland species.