Discover the rich birdlife of Berkshire’s varied habitats to the south and west of Reading. If you are new to birding or just want to discover some new places to watch birds, these guided walks are for you. These local sites contain a wide variety of resident birds, with a changing cast of migrant and passage birds producing seasonal variations and the occasional surprise. During the course of these walks, we should expect to encounter over 90 different bird species. To encourage a sustainable approach to birding, public transport routes have been used where possible.
Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars if you have them.
Contact the leader at least three days in advance to register your contact details and to be updated on any changes. We ask you not to turn up without prior booking.
People under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone authorised by them and their place must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
Walks led by Peter Driver (with other members of BOC covering if needed)
Email: peterdriver.art@gmail.com Mobile: 07585 112301
All walks start at 9.00am and finish by 12.30. You can download full details of the walks here.
| Date | Site | Joining instructions |
| Saturday 25 March | Padworth Lane Gravel Pit | Meet at the Butt Inn on the west side of Basingstoke Road, just south of the canal. RG7 4LA at 9:00 am.
what3words: blemishes.includes.troll” A circular walk of about 2.5 miles. Wellies advised |
| Saturday 15 April | Crookham Common/Greenham Common | Meet in the Old Thornford Road Car Park at 9.00am. what3words: nailed.feathers.ruling
(public transport to Thatcham station, 26 minute walk) A level walk of about 4.5 miles |
| Saturday 13 May | Fobney Island/Fobney Meadow | Meet in the Island Road Car Park At 9.00am. what3words: solar.sweat.runs
(Public transport: Reading Buses 50 Greenwave or 600, alight at Kennet Island turn, 10 minutes walk) A walk of about 3 miles |
| Saturday 10 June | Roundoak Piece/Fifty Acre Piece | Meet at the end of Silver Lane at 9.00am what3words: losses.heartache.drop
(public transport: Reading Buses 2 and 2a, alight at College Piece, 24 minute walk) A walk of about 3 miles |
| Saturday 15 July | Woolhampton Gravel Pit | Meet in the Rowbarge car park at 9.00am. what3words: regal.pulses.ties
(public transport: Midgham railway station, 5 minutes walk) A walk of about 3 miles |
| Saturday 23 September | Hosehill Lake LNR and Bottom Lane GP | Meet in the Fox & Hounds Car Park at 9.00am. what3words: dated.soaks.bump
(public transport: Theale railway station, 16 minutes walk) A walk of about 3 miles |
| Saturday 21 October | Padworth Lane Gravel Pit | Meet in the Aldermaston railway station car park (south) at 9.00am. what3words: rotate.river.formation (public transport via rail to Aldermaston) A circular walk of about 2 miles |
| Saturday 25 November | Searles Farm Lane Gravel Pit | Meet in the Cunning Man car park at 9.00am. what3words: fairly.clots.arrive
(public transport Reading Buses 2 and 2a alight at Cunning Man) A walk of about 4 miles |
| Saturday 9 December | Fobney Island/Fobney Meadow | Meet in the Island Road Car Park At 9.00am. what3words: solar.sweat.runs
(Public transport: Reading Buses 50-Greenwave or 600, alight at Kennet Island turn, 10 minutes walk) A walk of about 3 miles |