Wintering Teal

Thursday 4^th January 2018

Walk off the Christmas pud, get your year-list off to a good start, or just come to enjoy some fresh air and the company. The birds will always be in good supply at this season on this rich site.

Meet at 10 a.m. at Lavell’s Lake car park, Sanford Lane (SU786727 / RG10 OSU) (Parking permits from machine in opposite CP)

Small birds, such as this female Reed Bunting, are easily spotted at this season

Tues 19^th  December 2017

The walk will check out the birds on and around the lakes. At this season there should be plenty to see, both in the bushes and on the water. Nearby Main Pit may even hold something scarce or rare.

Following the walk there will be a special Christmas lunch at the Fox and Hounds, where we can enjoy the chance to socialise with both active and ‘retired’ members.

Booking is essential for the meal, but not for the walk. Menu, time etc. are obtainable from Carole White (contact details above).

Join in either or both of these events, as suits you.

Meet for the walk at 10 a.m. at the Fox and Hounds car park (SU649698 / RG7 4BD)                                   

Short-eared Owl sit among the ant-hills and are often on the wing

Sunday 12^th November 2017

There will be large flocks of Brent Geese, ducks and waders at this site. Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits are probable. Short-eared Owls are fairly reliable and there is a good chance too of raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin. Spoonbills are also possible. At low tide there are acres of mud to check, but as the tide rises there may be several species of grebe to seek out.

There are no hides or facilities at Farlington, but there are toilets nearby.

Meet at 8:30am at Farlington Marshes car park (SU678044) (PO6 1UN is nearest, but is north of the A27. N.B.The car park is accessed just after the traffic lights on the slip road from the A27 to the A2030 (south): it is via a sharp left under a yellow bar: park as far down the track as you can. 

An assortment of gulls, waders and wildfowl is pretty-well guaranteed on the spit

Thursday 23^rd November 2017

This site contains a variety of water birds and is surrounded by a dense band of trees and scrub which attract a wide range of other species. There is always something odd or interesting here. If the weather has been wet, it can be quite muddy underfoot.

Meet at 10 a.m. near the church in Church Lane at Little Marlow (SU874878/ SL93RZ)

The view looking north from the Meon Hide

Thursday 21st Sept 2017

(Entry charge £4/£4.25)

There is always a chance of seeing something of interest on the sea here: skuas, auks, divers, grebes and sea-ducks are not unlikely, so the meeting time allows an hour for that before the reserve opens. Seasonal movement through the reserve can bring anything from a rare tern to an Osprey, and this is the best time of year to see Bearded Tits. This site has always been a trap for rarities (Siberian Stonechat, Greater Yellowlegs and Penduline Tits in recent years) so it may yet hold a real surprise. There are seven good hides to visit and a good café on site, so you’ll wonder where the time went.

Meet at 8.30 a.m. on  the Meon sea front (near Hill Head/Stubbington)  (SU529024/ PO14 4HN)

Gulls and terns feeding at ‘the Patch’

Sunday 22^nd October 2017

Cost £21

This area is a migration hotspot. Our day will include visits to the RSPB reserve, where the expanses of gravel are interspersed with large areas of scrub and pools. There will be a mix of departing birds with resident species like Tree Sparrow, as well as newly-arrived winter visitors. This is a hot spot for rarities.  After lunch there will be a chance to sea-watch for passing skuas and auks, and to search for the odd scarce species among the clouds of gulls over ‘the Patch’ (the up-welling cooling waters of the power station). Marine mammals are not unlikely.   You might also want to explore the shingle hinterland further and seek out the odd Black Redstart, or just relax with refreshments at the café or the local pub. We will aim to be back at about 7.30 p.m.

Depart 7.00 a.m. Whiteknights Park, Shinfield Road main entrance (SU728719 / RG6 6UR)

Pick up at 7.30 a.m. at Finchampstead Village Hall (SU792632/RG40 4JT)

Looking east over Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island

Saturday, 9^th September 2017

Cost £20

Arne is a heathland reserve which abuts the marshes and gullies of Poole Harbour. There is every chance of Dartford Warbler, Hobby and passage migrants, as well as a variety of waders etc. At this time the Sika Deer herds are at their prime.

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

Pick up also arranged at 7.30 a.m. at Whiteknights Park, U0R, Reading  (SU728719 / RG6 6UR)

Sunday 9th April: CANCELLED

Projecting into the English Channel close to the narrowest crossing, Dungeness is a migratory hot-spot. At this season there will be a lot of incoming birds, as well as movement of sea-birds along the coast. The reserve has a mix of pools and vast areas of shingle and scrub, while the shore provides superb sea-viewing. Almost anything can turn up and rarities are highly likely. Highly recommended

Depart Finchampstead Memorial Hall at 7.30 am. A PICK-UP AT WHITEKNIGHTS MAIN ENTRANCE AT 7. A.M. MAY BE ARRANGED IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT DEMAND

Normal comfort stops on way there and back. Return circa 7 p.m.

Cost £17 per person