RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk (Full day coach outing sharing with East Berks RSPB)
One of Britain's finest reserves with a diversity of habitats is always a popular destination for birdwatchers.
Mid-week walk - Titchfield Haven, Hampshire (Full day)
See the lagoons with waders, gulls, ducks and the occasional Marsh Harrier from the comfort of several hides. Well worth a visit. There is a good visitor centre with shop and cafe if it rains.
Long weekend in Kent
A three day visit will let us get to places that are too far to reach easily in a day from Berkshire. We may visit St Margaret's Bay, Grove Ferry, North Foreland or Pegwell Bay; we should have plenty of opportunity to see autumn birds and justify a weekend here.
Mid-week walk - Greenham Common, Berkshire
A large heathland reserve that usually holds some interesting resident and passage birds. Golden Plover, Woodlark, and winter thrushes are a strong possibility as well as a few visiting waders in the small wet area.
Bird ringing demonstration at Padworth Common, Berkshire.
(Postponed from 1st November.) Following on from Mark Grantham's talk on 100 years of Bird Ringing on 14 October there is a chance to see ringing in action at Padworth Common. The demonstration will take place adjacent to the car park at Padworth Common on Sunday 8th November and will run from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m., drop in for a few minutes or longer and see how it is done. Ringing is weather dependent so won't be possible if it is raining or very windy. For further information contact Tim Ball at tim.ball rbringing.co.uk
Pagham Harbour NNR, East Sussex (Full day)
The winter arrivals of flocks of waders and Brent Geese as well as possible sightings of Peregrine Falcon or Merlin makes this an exciting place to visit.
Mid-week walk - Little Marlow Gravel Pit, Buckinghamshire
Winter ducks and thrushes are of interest here at this time and there is still plenty to see around the woodland edges.
Beddington Sewage Treatment Works
We should find a good selection including waders, gulls, finches and pipits. A major Tree Sparrow population is resident here.
Mid-week walk - Moor Green Lakes
followed by Christmas lunch. Take a walk around the lakes and new gravel workings before Christmas lunch at The Greyhound in Finchampstead. Click here for details.
Runnymede (Morning only)
An area of wet meadows, reedbed, mature woodland and riverside should provide a good mix of species.
Mid-week walk - Twyford Gravel Pits
A winter's walk around here can provide possible sightings of Smew and other wintering ducks.
Blashford Lakes, Hampshire (Full day)
An exciting reserve in the south (near Ringwood) with lots of hides where close up views can be obtained of scarcer wintering woodland birds, ducks, waders and possibly a Bittern.
RSPB Elmley, Isle of Sheppey, Kent (Full day coach outing sharing with East Berks RSPB)
There is always loads to see here especially water wildfowl and the possibility of wintering owls and birds of prey.
North Norfolk weekend trip
The weather may be unpredictable but the bird totals are usually very good. Enjoy walks through the marshes and visits to top RSPB reserve(s) and a host of other good birding sites. A very popular trip!
Bury Down, Berkshire (afternoon only)
Look for downland buntings and game birds with the possibility of winter raptors.
Barnes WWT (Full day)
This is a great opportunity to visit this London Wetland site. See winter ducks, waders and the occasional bird of prey. Bitterns occasionally make an appearance. Facilities there include a shop, cafeteria and lots of hides that command superb views of the area.
Mid-week walk - Windsor Great Park
There is a wide range of good habitat in the public areas of the park. Expect a good range of winter birds of field and woodland.
Farlington Marshes, Hampshire (Full day)
Large numbers of waders, wildfowl, and occasionally birds of prey can be seen here along with spring passerines. Bearded Tits and Water Rail can be found in the reedbeds.
Mid-week walk - Searle's Lane Gravel Pits
The best site in Berks for Nightingales that are best seen before the leaves fully open; other warblers will be arriving, the heronry will be busy and various other water birds can be seen.
Christchurch Harbour and Hengistbury Head, Hampshire (Full day)
Waders, some in breeding plumage can be the stars of the day here but a scarce passerine or a passing skua is a real possibility too.
RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk (Full day coach outing sharing with East Berks RSPB)
Perhaps the UK's best reserve! A great day out with a vast choice of habitats - sea, lagoons, woodlands and great facilities too.
New Forest (Acre's Down and Bolderwood), Hampshire (Full day)
Woodland birds, perhaps including Wood Warbler or Redstart, should still be singing in the forest, and raptors such as Honey Buzzard and Goshawk are sometimes seen in the area. Crossbill can be found in the conifers, with a bit of luck.
Mid-week walk - Padworth Lane Gravel Pit
A good area very close to Reading with gravel pit and scrub habitats, and a good range of species.
Spring weekend in Yorkshire
Visit the seabird colony at Bempton Cliifs to see breeding Puffins and Gannets, and hope to find upland species such as grouse, Ring Ouzel, Dipper and Pied Flycatcher in the Pennines.
Berkshire Downs (Evening walk)
This is a very pleasant place for a walk. Downland species to be seen could include Corn Buntings and Turtle Dove, plus a variety of warblers.
Mid-week walk - Nightjars (Evening walk)
Look for roding Woodcock and churring Nightjars at dusk, with the possibility of a few heathland species as well. Bring a torch because the return trip will be in the dark.
Bird Fair at Rutland Water (Full day coach trip)
This has become a fixture in the club calendar because it is such a popular and enjoyable day. A full tour of the Birdfair, which includes optics, talks, holidays, art, books and more, can last all day or you can find some excellent birdwatching from the hides (Tree Sparrow and Osprey are very possible). For more information try http://www.birdfair.org.uk/. A price of £27 will cover the transport and a day ticket to the fair. Coach leaves Newbury (Wharf) at 6.30am, Reading University (main gate in Shinfield Road) at 7.00am and Bray Wick, Maidenhead (Hibbert Road) at 7.20am. Contact: Ray Reedman 0118 986 4338
All members, their friends/family are welcome, especially beginners. Please telephone the named leader if you want to come, otherwise you may not be aware of any change of plan. Most outings are by private car and lifts can often be arranged if you ask in advance. Please bring food and drink for full day outings. When visiting reserves there is sometimes a charge for non-members. Most trips involve walks of varying lengths on footpaths so please bring suitable footwear.
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.
A programme of half day trips will be arranged, normally on the morning of the third Thursday of the month. Details will be announced at indoor meetings and in the club newsletter. Contact Dot Lincoln for more information.
Please check with any of the following members for confirmation of events, trip leaders, meeting places or membership enquiries.
Ray Reedman 0118 986 4338
Ruth Angus 0118 989 4928
Dot Lincoln 0118 942 7563 (Membership Sec.)