Corn Bunting is typical of the species found here

Wednesday 8^th June, 2022

On a summer evening, this area of the Downs can reveal an assortment of buntings, finches and warblers, as well as game birds, raptors and a variety of other wildlife. Be prepared for a good walk.

Meet at 19.00 hrs at Starveall Farm (SU544 810, RG8 9TX, ///tequila.pounce.atlas)

A male Reed Bunting shows off his smart summer plumage, but his feeble song doesn’t match.

Saturday 21^st May, 2022

This site has an area of pools and islets that form a designated nature reserve, where a number of water birds will be breeding. The open grass areas, arable fields, and bushes which surround the site can hold a range of warblers, buntings, and others. The adjacent pools of Dorney Common, can produce an assortment of water birds. This is an easy walk, almost everywhere on good surfaces.

Meet at 10.00 a.m. at the car park (immediately left after bridge). (SU928 795, SL4 6QT, ///achieving.bother.basin)

Mistle Thrushes contribute to the spring soundscape and can often be seen here

Thursday 21^st April, 2022

Although Whiteknights Park today is abutted by suburban housing, and has been hugely developed, a great area remains a wildlife-friendly oasis, because of the presence of water, mature specimen trees, and wilder areas. A variety of breeding water birds can be seen quite close to, while the woodland and arboretum areas echo to a variety of song: in April thrushes, wrens, nuthatches and woodpeckers are all very evident, as are the newly arrived warblers. And there can be a few surprises too. This is an easy walk, but some paths can be muddy.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the Pepper Lane entrance (SU733 714, RG2 7DN, ///grand.admiral.racks)

It always seems odd to see a Heron in a tree, but here the heronry is quite a spectacle

Thursday, 10^th March, 2022

Cormorants and Herons breed here in good numbers and there is usually a rich range of other species present on the lake and in the surrounding trees.

Meet at 10.00 a.m. in the car park up lane past church (SU875 876, SL7 3RY, ///sundial.kickbacks.youthful)

Migrating Meadow Pipits are bright and fresh at this time of year

Wednesday 20^th October, 2021

The area has a good range of lowland habitats and is popular with passage and overwintering migrants.

The walk will cover approximately 7 kilometres and take about 3 hours.

It is mostly level ground but is likely to be very muddy and possibly wet in a few places.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. Please email the walk organiser before the event for details of the meeting point, which will be in the Coley area, approximately 2 km from Reading town centre.