Global Bird Fair is the annual jamboree of all-things birding. The site, on the edge of Rutland Water, provides food and drink outlets and several large marquees where you can peruse the latest optics, photographic equipment, birding holidays, conservation organisations, wildlife art, ringing demos, talks, panel discussions and more.  It’s an early start and a long day trip but worth the effort.

Depart 07.00 from University Car Park 1a (weekend parking charge applies).  We will travel in a hired minibus (driven by a BOC member) for which there will be a charge.

Attendees will also need to buy their own tickets for Global Bird Fair in advance.

Meet 09.00 Padworth Common Car Park, RG7 4JB ///curving.starch.diver
A BBOWT reserve with mixed woodland. We will also make an incursion into Hampshire to enjoy the heathland and pond on Burnt Common.

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

Public transport: not really feasible on a Saturday, ask about car-sharing.

Meet 7.00pm at the North end of Churn Road, Compton. Grid Reference: SU 507 821 ///grub.jotting.strikers

A summer evening walk on the Downs can provide encounters with a number of local specialist birds (a walk of about 3 miles)

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

Public transport: From Newbury railway station, bus route 6 to West Ilsley, alight at Newbury Lane and walk of about 40 minutes. Alternatively ask about car-sharing!

Meet 09.00 Fleet Pond Car Park, Fleet Pond Drive, GU51 2RT ///pencil.prop.drawn
Parking is also available at Fleet Station (a charge applies) for those that don’t want to drive along the bumpy track.

One of the gems of north-east Hampshire, Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve has a large lake surrounded by reedbeds, wet woodland, scrub and areas of heathland. Accordingly, expect a wide variety of species.

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 Fleet (via Basingstoke), then a five minute walk.

Meet 9.00pm. Contact the organiser for location and other details. Location will be decided nearer the time, when the birds are back and we know where they’re showing best. We’ll also hope to see roding Woodcock.

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

Meet 09.30, Nature Discovery Centre car park, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU. ///demand.foal.chemistry (parking charge c£3).

An opportunity to see and hear warblers and other wetland and woodland specialists at this site with extensive reedbeds and varied habitats.

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

Public transport: Reading bus route 1 (Jet Black) to Newbury, alighting at Bourne Road, Thatcham, ten minute walk. Alternatively ask about car-sharing.

Meet 06:00 at Dinton Activity Centre car park, Sandford Lane, SU786725, RG10 0SU or ///dragon.dash.spicy   (Parking charge applies).

Get your ears tuned-in, with expert tips on what to listen for to identify birds by song and call.

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

Public transport not feasible that early on a Sunday. Ask about car-sharing.

A weekend exploring some of Kent’s best birding sites. To reserve a place and for full details of costs and accommodation (in Ashford).

Meet 09.00 Combe Gibbet Car Park, Inkpen RG17 9EL ///landowner.trespass.ogre (a walk of about 3 miles)

A fairly level walk along the chalk ridge above Inkpen, giving magnificent views over West Berkshire and Wiltshire.  We will be hoping to find some passage birds and summer migrants arriving on this elevated site.

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 Newbury, bus route 3 to Hungerford, alight at Rolf’s farm, then a thirty-five minute walk. Alternatively, ask about car-sharing!

We will be releasing details of a few extra trips for early 2027, once they’re all planned – including this one. Details will be sent by email to BOC members in the autumn and the webpage will be updated asap.