Meet 09.00 Village Car Park, The Street, Mortimer RG7 3SW (opposite the Horse & Groom) ///zips.famous.bucket (a walk of about 5 miles)

Peter has spent a year focused on his fairly unremarkable home village and found 86 bird species. Join a walk through Mortimer’s varied habitats to see what birds we can find on this rather in-between season Saturday morning.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Rail to Mortimer and twenty minute walk, or Reading buses 2 or 2a to Mortimer and a two minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing.

Meet 09.30 Hill Head Sailing Club Car Park, Cliff Road, Hill Head, PO14 3JT ///snore.quail.grand

By the middle of March, with most winter visitors already gone and most summer visitors yet to arrive, who knows what birds we will find? But there is always something worth seeing at this special reserve and anything could turn up.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Train to Fareham then bus route 21 to Hill Head and a ten minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing!

Meet 09.00 in the Sheffield Bottom Lock car park, Hangar Road, RG7 4AJ  ///hips.giant.shield. (a walk of about 4 miles).

A walk along the Kennet & Avon Canal tow path, providing limited views onto two water-bodies which hold important numbers of winter-visiting birds, including the occasional rarity.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Rail (or bus) to Theale then a ten minute walk. Alternatively ask about car sharing.

Meet 09.30 at Otmoor RSPB Reserve (approx. OX3 9TD) ///season.unrealistic.wolves)

An important RSPB reserve offering winter wildfowl, waders, raptors, flocks of Golden Plover and so much more.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Train to Oxford then two buses to reach the Abindon Arms and a thirty minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing!

Meet 09.00 in the Rowbarge pub car park, Station Road, Woolhampton, RG7 5SH ///frog.removals.recent (a walk of about 3 miles).

The site, owned by the Wasing Estate, comprises a group of former gravel pits surrounded by secondary woodland and meadows. The mix of habitats should lead to a good day-list with the chance of a rarity.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: By rail to Midgham, then three minutes walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing.

Established on the edge of the Severn Estuary, Slimbridge was Sir Peter Scott’s first reserve for the Wildfowl Trust. It remains an internationally important site for overwintering wildfowl including Bewick’s Swans.

The Slimbridge experience is unique. Rarities are frequent. The facilities and food are excellent. Booking details, pick-up locations and cost of a seat on the coach will be advised in the autumn – watch out for email announcement. (additional entry charge for those not members of WWT).

Meet 09:00 in car park on Lower Sandhurst Road, RG40 3TF ///broad.admit.sundial

Kick-start your 2026 year-list at this fascinating site on old gravel workings beside the wooded edges of the river Blackwater.  Owned by Finchampstead Parish Council and managed for wildlife by the Moor Green Lakes Group, the site holds many overwintering birds.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Train to Crowthorne then thirty minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing!

Meet 10.00 Ellingham Drove Car Park, BH24 3PJ
///tangible.occur.rides

A large reserve of woodland and flooded former gravel pits, managed by Hamphire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Blashford Lakes holds significant numbers of over-wintering birds.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Rail to Salisbury then bus X3 to Bournemouth, alighting at Ellingham Crossroads, three minute walk. Alternatively, ask about car-sharing!

Meet 09:30 at Butt Inn car park, Aldermaston Wharf, RG7 4LA ///trying.stuck.steadier. A circular walk of about 2.5 miles.

Our visit will take us beside the river, round the gravel pit, along Padworth Lane with views across the ‘floods’ and back along the tow path. On previous visits we have seen waterbirds including winter wildfowl, Goosander, Great White Egret and a very memorable Marsh Harrier!

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Rail or bus to Aldermaston then ten minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing!

Meet 10.00 Hill Head Sailing Club Car Park, PO14 3JT ///snore.quail.grand

Titchfield Haven is a delightful reserve at the mouth of the river Meon, with sea-watching from the sailing club and promenade and a series of scrapes and reedbeds holding a variety of waders,  waterbirds and raptors.

Please give the organiser at least three days’ notice if you wish to attend, including whether anyone under 18 will be present.

Public transport: Train to Fareham then bus route 21 to Hill Head and a ten minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing!