Short-eared Owls sometimes hunt by day near the Ridgeway in winter

Thursday 14^th February 2019

The walk will take in a stretch of the Ridgeway and its surrounds. At this time of year we may expect flocks of winter thrushes, finches and buntings. If we are lucky, the odd owl, shrike or raptor may show. A pub lunch is optional.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the Bury Down car park near West Ilsley off the A34. (SU478841/ OX12 8QX nearest)

The strange environment of Dungeness attracts many surprises

Sunday 3rd February 2019

Dungeness is a site famed for its huge variety. In winter there will raptors and owls in the gravel wilderness; Bearded Tits in the reed-beds; scarce grebes and rare ducks such as Smew in the pools; and assorted sea-birds off-shore. With luck you might find Black Redstarts, which are resident at the power station.  This is a site that never disappoints.

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

Gulls are never easy: a Ring-billed Gull is hidden in this flock (the one asleep near the front) 

Thursday 24^th January 2019

This site has woodland and lakes, and plenty of hides, where a wide variety of birds can be found. It is a very good place to look out for Bramblings, Water Rails, Bitterns and Great Egrets. The gull roost has contained a number of rare and scarce species in recent years and is always worth close scrutiny, as the above photo shows.

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

Wild Pintails line up for the floodlit feed

Saturday 12^th January 2019

The Slimbridge experience is unique, with an extensive collection of wetland birds surrounded by a patchwork of water, marsh and fields, where thousands of wild birds gather. Rarities are frequent. The facilities and food are excellent. (N.B. Additional entry charge for those not members of WWT: concessions available: see their website).

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

Smew are occasional visitors to this site

Thursday 3^rd January 2019

Open your year-lists with a walk around one of the richest winter sites in the area. There is always an assortment of gulls and wildfowl, including Goosanders, as well as the chance of owls, raptors, winter thrushes and finches.

Meet at 10.a.m. at Moor Green car park off Lower Sandhurst Road (SU805 628 / RG40 3TJ)

Red-crested Pochards sometimes visit

Tues 18^th  December 2018

 The walk will check out the birds on and around the lakes. At this season there should be plenty to see. Following the walk there will be a special Christmas lunch at the Fox and Hounds. Join in either or both of these events as suits you.

Meet for the walk (no need to book) at 10 a.m. at the Fox and Hounds car park (SU649698 / RG7 4BD)                                   

N.B. BOOKING FOR LUNCH IS ESSENTIAL: menu and all details from the organiser 

Slavonian Grebes are often seen here in winter

Saturday 8^th December 2019

Pagham Harbour is a winter paradise for huge numbers of birds. The birds at Ferry Pools can now be viewed from a magnificent new hide, while the low-tide harbour mud and gullies host many species of wader, wildfowl and gull, which in turn attract raptors such as Peregrine and Merlin. Off-shore at Church Norton there are often divers, sea ducks and grebes.

Meet at 9.30 a.m. at the Ferry Pools RSPB centre, Selsey Rd (SZ856966 /PO20 7NE) 

Winter Chiffchaffs are often found here, some with characteristics of the northern races 

Thurs 22^nd November

A nature reserve is built into the Thames flood relief channel and attracts a wide selection of wetland and farmland birds. Neighbouring Dorney Common can also hold some interesting birds.

Meet at 10 a.m at the Dorney Wetlands car park beside the B3026 Lake End Road north of Dorney village (SU928795/SL46QS nearest ).

The setting of the reserve reminds us that it has been regenerated from an industrial past

Saturday 10^th November 2018.          

This Thames-side reserve is something of an oasis in an area surrounded by the London sprawl, with marsh, pools and scrub which attract wildfowl, waders, gulls and passerines, including rarities. It is surprisingly close, via the M25.

Meet at 9.30 a.m. at the reserve  car park at New Tank Hill Rd (TQ547787/RM19 1SZ)

Grey Wagtail at Southcote Lock

Thursday October 25th, 2018

This is a 4m (7K) return walk which follows the River Kennet through the Fobney Island reserve to Fobney Meadow.

There will be a wide variety of birds in the very varied habitats of this area.

Meet at 10 a.m. at Circuit Lane, Southcote. Parking is limited (alt. no 25 bus). (SU692717/RG30 3HH)