RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk (Full day coach trip run by East Berks RSPB)
This impressive RSPB reserve has full facilities. The scrub, reedbeds and foreshore support many birds throughout the year; bearded tits and marsh harriers are resident, and autumn migrants should be present.
Pick-up at 7:00am in the lay-by on Braywick Road, Maidenhead outside Braywick Park (SL6 1BN, SU891799), where there is free parking.
The trip costs £18.00 per person.
Contact Ernie Allen (East Berks RSPB organiser) on 01628 625324.
Titchfield Haven, Hampshire (Mid-week walk - full day or morning only)
This wetland reserve has full facilities and attracts a good selection of species. As this mid-week walk is further away than usual the leader will make every effort to find lifts for those who need them. There is an entry fee of about £3.
Meet at 9:30am on Meon sea front near Stubbington (SU529024).
Contact: Ray Reedman (01189 864338)
Cornwall (Long weekend by private car)
Anything could turn up, but in the past we have found several rare and unusual species. We shall take most of the first day to drive down to the Penzance area stopping at good sites along the way then, after two days visiting a variety of habitats in the county, we shall stop off at interesting places on the way back.
Contact: Bill Nicoll (01344 455403) as soon as possible.
Borough Marsh, Charvil, Berkshire (Mid-week walk)
A pleasant area of fields and hedgerows by the Thames that should still have some late migrants, as well as resident species. There are no hides or facilities, but the Wee Waif hotel is very close to the start/end.
Meet in the lane to the north of the Wee Waif roundabout on the A4 west of Twyford (SU771757). There is also some parking space in Charvil Lane (B478).
Contact: Bill Nicoll (01344 455403)
Oare Marshes, near Faversham, Kent (short day)
This is a first class coastal wetland reserve managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. There are scarce bird species throughout the year, and in late October there should still be late migrants there as well as seabirds and residents. There are hides, but no toilets (the closest are in Faversham town centre).
Meet at reserve car park, 2 miles north of Faversham (TR013647) at 9.30am.
Contact: Ted Rogers (01344 883237)
Farlington Marshes, Hampshire (Whole day or morning only)
An area of grazing marsh in Langstone Harbour that attracts large wader flocks and wildfowl, and there could be raptors too. We may move to another location nearby in the afternoon for those who want to make a day of it. There are no hides or facilities at Farlington, but there are toilets nearby.
Meet at 8:30am at Farlington Marshes car park, north of Portsmouth (SU678044), off the large roundabout where the A2030 meets the A27.
Contact: Ray Reedman (01189 864338)
Staines Moor & Church Lammas, Spelthorne (Mid-week walk)
Despite its proximity to London this area of grazing marsh and gravel pits often has interesting birds, sometimes including water pipits.
Meet at Hythe End off the roundabout on the B376 near junction 13 of the M25 (TQ018726)
Contact: Ted Rogers (01344 883237) (Please note - change of leader)
Blashford Lakes (Hampshire WT) and New Forest (Full day)
Snow forced cancellation of last year’s trip. The reserve has trails and hides from which you should see a good mix of wintering species including wildfowl and finches. There are toilets at the information centre.
Meet at 9:15am at Blashford Lakes car park, Ellingham Drove, off the A338, about one mile north of Ringwood (SU151080).
Contact: Martin Sell (01189 471170)
Henley Road GPs, Caversham
These gravel pits are not open to the general public so some of them are undisturbed and they hold good numbers and variety of winter birds.
Meet in the lane south of the intersection of Caversham Heights Road and Henley Road (SU737754).
Contact: Hugh Netley (0118-946-1701)
Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire (Whole day by coach)
The floods beside the Great Ouse attract a wealth of wildfowl and there should be other scarce winter visitors too. There are facilities at the reserve centre, and 10 hides (the most distant situated 2 miles from the centre).
Coach will leave Reading University Main gate in Shinfield Road at 7:30 am and Braywick Road, Maidenhead (outside Braywick Park, SU891799) at 8:00 am. Cost will be about £20 (plus £3 for non-members of RSPB).
Contact: Ray Reedman (01189 864338)
Dinton Pastures Country Park (Mid-week walk – afternoon trip)
After a walk round the lakes to find wintering wildfowl, etc we shall view the reed-beds in the hope of spotting a wintering bittern.
Meet at 2.00pm Lavell’s Lake car park in Sandford Lane (SU786726). (Parking tickets £1 from the sailing club)
Contact: Fraser Cottington (07855 333616)
Isle of Sheppey, Kent (Whole day)
This is a first class area for birds, especially in winter. We should see a wide selection of waders, wildfowl and raptors, probably some owls and we have a chance of the scarcer winter passerines (e.g. snow bunting).
Meet at Leysdown sea front at the east end of the Isle of Sheppey (TR042700) at 9.00am.
Contact: Ted Rogers (01344 883237)
Dungeness RSPB (Full day coach trip)
A reserve worth visiting at any season; in winter there may be smew and other scarce ducks and grebes.
Pick-up at 07:00 am in the lay-by on Braywick Road, Maidenhead outside Braywick Park (SL6 1BN, SU891799), where there is free parking.
The trip costs £18.00 per person.
Contact Ernie Allen (East Berks RSPB organiser) on 01628 625324.
Churn, Berkshire (Mid-week walk)
This is a nice area of downland with other habitats. We should find buntings, partridges and perhaps a few raptors.
Meet near Churn Farm at the bottom of Boham’s Lane 4 miles south of Didcot (SU510833).
Contact: Martin Sell (01189 471170)
Winter Cranes & Bustards in Extremadura, Spain
Based for 5 nights at a delightful rural hotel near Trujillo: we will visit steppe, lakes, wetlands & mountains, including Monfrague Park. Around 100 species of birds should be seen, including both species of bustard, griffon and black vulture, azure winged magpie, hoopoe, and thousands of cranes, duck, larks & sparrows.
The cost will be about £510 per person sharing & £630 single occupancy, including return flights from Gatwick, transport in Spain by minibus & full board (excluding drinks). Group will be 7 people plus 2 leaders.
Contact: Ken White, as soon as possible, preferably by email (white.zoothera gmail.com) or by phone (01635 268442). Deposit £250 per person by September 1st 2012; balance by 10th January 2012.
North Norfolk (Weekend trip by private car)
We have visited Norfolk for the last 10 or more years and this county never disappoints. Last year the group species list reached 130, not a record, but was remarkable for the number of scarce birds we saw, including Lapland Bunting, Twite, Shore Lark and a flock of 21 Common Cranes.
Contact: Bill Nicoll (01344 455403) before Christmas (places are limited).
Tufted Ducks and their cousins – Find the ducks
Led by Ray Reedman at Dinton Pastures, Car Park Mohawk Way, Woodley, RG5 4UE at 10.00 – 12.00
Contact: Ray Reedman (01189 864338)
Twyford Gravel Pits (Mid-week walk)
Gravel pits with scrub and meadow that attract a variety of birds. Come prepared for muddy paths.
Meet (and park) in the Wagon & Horses pub on the A3032 Old Bath Road.
Contact: John Roberts (0118 9482137)
Hook with Warsash, Hampshire (Full day)
An area of estuarine marsh, grassland and woodland, rich in birds. The first spring visitors should be passing so we should see a good variety of species.
Meet in the public car park in Warsash village (SU489062) at 9:00 am
Contact: Bill Nicoll (01344 455403)
Andalucia, Spain
We shall visit a variety of habitats near the Straits of Gibraltar, concentrating on raptor migration, but we could see around 130 bird species including black stork, bee eater, red-rumped swallow and nine raptor species. Some non-birding activities will be possible, e.g. visit to Cordoba. The cost is likely to be about £600 per person sharing, including flights, transport in Spain and B&B. Final details will be confirmed when the number of participants is known. Contact the organiser, Ken White, as soon as possible, preferably by email (white.zoothera gmail.com) or by phone (01635 268442) because bookings will be made well in advance.
Spring Chorus in Reading – Find the singing birds
Led by Colin Wilson at Dinton Pastures, Car Park Mohawk Way, Woodley, RG5 4UE at 09.00 – 11.00
Contact: Colin Wilson (01252 837411)
New Forest, Hampshire (Full day)
An early morning visit in the spring should find plenty of birds in song including, with luck, redstart, firecrest, wood warbler and woodlark.
Meet Bolderwood car park (SU242086), 3 miles w. of Lyndhurst at 8:00am.
Contact: Martin Sell (01189 471170)
Searle’s Lane GPs (Mid-week walk)
This is the best area in the county to hear (and hopefully see) nightingales. There is also a heronry.
Meet at the Cunning Man pub, Burghfield (SU682708) with ample parking.
Contact: John Lerpiniere (0118 3751756)
Otmoor RSPB (Half or full day)
Grasshopper warbler, hobby and passage waders along with other species are possible at this fine site. We might move on to another location in the afternoon.
Meet at the reserve car park north of Beckley village (SP570126) at 9:00am
Contact: Bill Nicoll (01344 455403)
Portland, Dorset (Full day coach trip run by East Berks RSPB)
Probably the most active spring migration point on the south coast.
Pick-up at 7:00am in the lay-by on Braywick Road, Maidenhead outside Braywick Park (SL6 1BN, SU891799), where there is free parking.
The trip costs £18.00 per person.
Contact: Ernie Allen (East Berks RSPB organiser) on 01628 625324.
Basildon Park, Berkshire (Mid-week walk)
A nice area of parkland for a good range of woodland species.
Meet at National Trust car park (possible small charge) for non-NT members.
Contact: Renton Righelato (0787 981 2564).
Anglesey, Wales (Weekend trip by private car)
A chance to see lots of birds we don’t see in the south, including chough, puffin and black guillemot. We shall break the journeys there and back at interesting sites in search of dippers, flycatchers, warblers, etc.
Contact: Colin Wilson (01252 837411) before the end of March.
Seabird cruise from Poole, Dorset (Afternoon and evening)
To be confirmed when RSPB publish their schedule of cruises and is weather dependant on the day. The boat sails close to the seabird colonies of the Purbeck coast so you should get good views.
Contact: Ray Reedman (01189 864338).
Padworth Common (Evening trip: mid-week walk)
Come along for nightjars plus other crepuscular species.
Meet at Padworth Common (SU619647), 3 miles south of Aldermaston Wharf (A4/A340 junction) at 8:00 pm
Contact: John Roberts (0118 9482137)
Rutland Water BirdFair (Full day by coach)
This ever-popular event features everything about birds and birding - optics, travel, books, art, lectures and more. And good local birdwatching as well!
Coach will leave Newbury, the Wharf at 6.30am, Reading University main gate in Shinfield Road at 7:00am and Braywick Park entrance, Braywick Road, Maidenhead at 07:30am. Cost will be about £30 (including entry).
Contact: Ray Reedman (01189 864338)
Spain (Andalucia and Estremadura)
There may be further trips to Spain, to Andalucia in August/September 2012 and to Estremadura in February 2013, if there is sufficient interest. As these trips have to be organised months in advance, please contact the organiser as soon as possible to reserve a place.
Contact: Ken White, preferably by email (white.zoothera gmail.com) or by phone (01635 268 442).
All members are welcome, plus family and friends, where space allows. Always contact the named contact in advance, as arrangements are subject to change or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. Most trips are by private car, but lifts can sometimes be arranged if you ask. Bring food/drink for full day outings. There is sometimes a charge for parking or entry to reserves. Trips involve walks of various lengths, sometimes on footpaths, so please wear suitable clothing and footwear. For further information about field trips or mid-week walks talk to the named contact, or Bill Nicoll (01344 455403) and check the website.
Please telephone the leader as early as possible (e.g. at least 6 weeks in advance) so that suitable accommodation and transport can be arranged. Prices will be kept as low as practicable, the trip leaders can advise on likely costs.
These are usually morning walks on the third Thursday of the month, meeting at 10:00am, but some vary so please confirm details with the leader. Details will be announced at indoor meetings and in the club newsletter. For more information about mid-week walks contact Dot Lincoln (0118 942 7563) or John Roberts (0118 948 2137).
Please check with any of the following members for confirmation of events, trip leaders, meeting places or membership enquiries.
Ray Reedman 0118 986 4338
Dot Lincoln 0118 942 7563
John Roberts 0118 948 2137