A crisp Dinton morning 

Thursday 2nd January, 2020

This will be a chance to get the year-list under way, with a walk around one of the most varied sites in the area. There will be an assortment of wildfowl and other water birds, with such as winter thrushes, finches and other passerines. An optional pub lunch is also proposed.

Meet at Lavell’s car park (charges apply) at 10 a.m.

Thursday 7th May, 2020

We hope to encounter three or four species during this walk

Meet at 20.30 at the entrance to the Harris Garden (behind School of Biological Sciences) (SU 737714/ RG6 6UR) Parking is available in that area

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Black-tailed Godwits at Oare Marshes

Saturday 25th January, 2020

There are several excellent birding sites in north Kent with Cliffe Pools, Shellness and Oare Marshes perhaps the best known, providing habitat for wintering ducks, geese, waders and birds of prey. The leader will decide the actual itinerary closer to the date. Wrap up warm for this one!

Meeting Arrangements: Contact leader in advance for details of meeting time and place.

Arne’s heath and woodland with Poole Harbour beyond

Sunday 9^th February, 2020

Arne has extensive areas of both heathland and wetland, with views over Poole Harbour. In February there could be all sorts of waders, grebes, divers and wildfowl in the harbour or in the marshland areas, and such as Spoonbills are possible. Raptors are possible and you will be fairly sure to see herds of the local Sitka deer.

Meet at 7 a.m. at Braywick Park (Braywick Sports Ground) Braywick Rd Maidenhead (SU892798 / SL6 1DX)

OR at 7.30 a.m. Whiteknights Park Whiteknights Park, Shinfield Road main entrance (SU728719 / RG6 6UR)

Winter Dunlin feed in Pagham Harbour at low tide

Sunday 15th March, 2020

At low tide, Pagham Harbour is an area of mud and gullies that attracts large numbers of wintering waders and ducks, and often raptors attracted by the rich pickings: Peregrines and Merlins are regular. Sea ducks, divers and  and grebes will be found offshore from the extensive shingle beaches. With favourable weather conditions we may even see some early spring migrants in the scrub behind the shore or in the trees and meadows at Church Norton. This wonderful site is usually full of surprises.

Meet at 9:00 at the Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre (SZ856966/PO20 7NE)

Water Pipit can often be seen on the margins of Ibsley Water

Thursday 20th February, 2020

Postponed to Thursday 27th February, 2020 due to bad forecast

There is always a lot to see at this site. Woodland birds abound, with the likes of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll possible at the feeders at Woodland Hide. Some of the lakes are frequented by such as Bitterns and Great Egrets, while others host an assortment of wildfowl and waders. Rarer gull species are a frequent feature of this trip. Water Rails often show up in the wet gullies and ditches.

Meet 10 a.m. at the visitor centre  (SU150080/ BH24 3PJ nearest)

N.B. There are toilets, but no catering facilities.

Woodlark can often be seen at this time of year

Tuesday 7th April, 2020

At this time of year this heathland habitat may reveal a variety of passage birds, which stop to refuel on their way to their breeding areas.  One year some of us had Wheatear and Ring Ouzel in the same scope view as a pair of Dartford Warblers, and later found a Blue-headed Wagtail among Yellow Wagtails in among the cattle. A memorable morning indeed! There should be Stonechats, Linnets and Woodlarks and maybe a few early warblers around the margins.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the central control tower car park  (SU498651/ RG19 8DB)

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This gorgeous drake Garganey was close to the Causeway

Sunday 26th April, 2020

Most winter birds will have disappeared, but at this time of year a great many passage birds drop in to refuel on water-borne food and round the margins. There could be as assortment of terns and waders, assorted wagtails, hirundines and swifts, and even Osprey. The nearby riverside habitat usually produces a good range of warblers and the odd chat. Much depends on the weather. The early start is essential if we are going to get the best out of the day, as passage birds often move on by midday.

Meet at the reservoir car park at 8.30 a.m. (SP451060 / 0X29LU nearest. N.B. There will be a small parking charge, circa £2) 

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This Bittern was one of six seen within a few minutes from Bittern Hide

Saturday 16^th May, 2020

This is a fascinating time of year at the RSPB’s flagship reserve. There are myriad breeding waders, such as Oystercatchers, Redshanks and Avocets, as well as numerous gulls.  Bitterns are plentiful and visible, Sand Martins are numerous in the nesting bank, and there may even be the odd Stone-curlew nesting on the heath. It is probably the best season to visit the reserve.

Meet at 7 a.m. at Braywick Park (Braywick Sports Ground) Braywick Rd Maidenhead (SU892798 / SL6 1DX)

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Seen form the board-walk, the bog with the heath beyond

Thurs 11th June 2020

This site contains extensive heathland and a large area of bog, making it one of the most interesting sites for a range of birds, plants and insects. There is a possibility of finding such as Redstart, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Dartford Warbler, Cuckoo and Hobby, but there should also be plenty of dragonfly and butterfly interest, as well as some curious plants.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the car park to east of Thursley Road (south of Elstead) (SU900415 /GU8 6LW)

N.B. There are no facilities at this site.

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