Windsor Great Park, Berkshire

A good total of 22 members and friends enjoyed this mid-week walk around the Royal Park.  The weather was warm and sunny with a light breeze.  Although the volume of birds was not great, some good 'ticks' were obtained including raptors  Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel and Hobby.  A distant view of Stock Dove, noisy Ring-necked Parakeet, Skylark, Song and Mistle Thrush together with a glimpse of a Little Owl kept the Group interested. Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were amongst the birds seen in the woodland.  A group total or 42 species seen, with another 3 heard completed a pleasant morning's stroll.  

Keyhaven and Beaulieu Station, Hampshire

Despite torrential rain in the Maidenhead area, 7 members arrived in the Keyhaven car park to blue skies and sunshine. (Note - there are designated free parking areas over the bridge towards the marshes). A very pleasant walk along the Solent Way with marshland to the left and Poole Harbour to the right resulted in excellent views of Gannet; Canada and Barnacle Geese; Eider; Grey Plover; Black and Bar-tailed Godwit; Whimbrel;Turnstone; Sandwich, Common and Little Terns;Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Cetti's, Reed and Willow Warblers; Stonechat and Reed Bunting.  After lunch, Beaulieu Station was visited with the area adding Curlew; Green Woodpecker and House Martin to the Group list of 58 species. Heavy rain and hailstones accompanied the journey home. Keyhaven, in particular, deserves another all day visit.  

Otmoor RSPB Reserve, Oxon

The warmest day of the year, so far, encouraged 20 members and friends to visit this out-of-the-way, but significant, reserve in the Oxfordshire countryside..  Most birds seen were on nesting/feeding activities and the brilliant sunshine encouraged birdsong. Early views were had of Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler. The elusive Turtle Dove was followed by Bullfinch, Buzzard, Hobby, Red Kite, Kestrel and Common Tern.  In all, the Group total amounted to 34 species.

Dungeness RSPB Reserve, Kent

A good-sized group of 29 members and friends took the coach to this extensive RSPB site and were greeted with bright weather. The morning was spent on the reserve then moving on to the Dungeness lighthouse and power station area in the afternoon. The excellent group list of 83 species included: Gannet, Barnacle Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard, Ruddy Duck, Marsh and Hen Harrier, Hobby, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Greenshank, Common and Herring Gull, Sandwich, Arctic, Common, Little and Black Tern, Cuckoo, Swift, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Cetti's, Segde and Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Linnet and Reed Bunting. 

Wishmoor/Swinley Forest, Berks

Our first visit to this extensive site encouraged 13 members to travel from Maidenhead.  We were greeted by early views of Crossbill and Redpoll.  Progressing across the heathland and through the forest, Woodlark, an early Swallow, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Redstart, Stonechat, Nuthatch, Siskin and Reed Bunting were ticked. The Group total of 34 species was completed by Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.

Aston Rowant, Oxon

A beautiful morning enabled 15 members to enjoy a bracing walk across the chalk grasslands of the Chiltern Hills. An early Wheatear was seen together with Skylark, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Linnet and Bullfinch.  Soaring Red Kites and Buzzards made up the Group's total of 24 species for the morning. 

Shardeloes, nr Amersham, Bucks

An excellent Spring morning encouraged 20 members and friends to visit the Buckinghamshire countryside.  Walking on the South Bucks Way, alongside the River Misbourne and then scanning the lake, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and Kingfisher were identified.  Crossing the Lower Park, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were added to the list. A pair of Grey Wagtail were seen at the crossing of the river and Mop End Lane.  Continuing  to climb up the lane towards Mop End, a Jay was disturbed and a Skylark seen. Only the common birds were seen on the remainder of the circular walk.  A group total of 41 species was ticked.

Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, Herts

A delightful morning with a hint of Spring saw 22 members eventually start out on the walk after finding the car park closed for maintenance. Good views of Red-crested Pochard started the list well followed by Shoveler, Wigeon, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goosander and a distant Smew with displaying Greylag Geese, Canada Geese and Egyptian Geese.  Goldcrest, Siskin, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits with Treecreeper, Jay, Green Woodpecker and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen within the canopy.  Red Kite and Kestrel provided the raptor interest. Subdued Ring-necked Parakeet were possibly breeding and created interest at the end of the walk.  In all, 51 species were seen by the group in ideal conditions.

Pagham Harbour, West Sussex

A numbing east wind greeted the 26 members and friends as they left the warm confines of the coach. A scan of the Ferry pool produced Redshank, Shelduck, Teal and Wigeon.  Soon large flocks of Brent Geese came into sight and careful observation produced Pale-bellied and Black Brant.  With low tide, Pintail, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Grey and Ringed Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Common and Jack Snipe, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Little Egret and Turnstone were ticked. Sea-watching in difficult conditions produced Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser with good views of Mediterranean Gulls on the beach.  Raptors seen included Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon.  The walk back to the car park, in a rare sunny spell, was rewarded with stunning views of very large flocks of Brent Geese returning to the mud flats. Over hot chocolate in the Visitors' Centre, the group total of 78 species was calculated, an excellent result considering the Arctic conditions.  Snow flurries started as we boarded the coach and heavier falls must have tracked us on the journey home.  Monday morning saw thick snow over most of the country.    

Little Marlow Gravel Pits, Bucks

Despite car park opposition from a large family reunion, 37 members and friends met on a cold and overcast morning.  The river produced Egyptian, Canada and Graylag Geese, with a possible siting of Tree Sparrows from the footpath. The lake held Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Kingfisher.  The spit was very empty with Lapwing, the usual Gulls and Ruddy Shelduck.  The woods and fields gave Buzzard, Kestrel, Red Kite, Stock Dove, Ring-necked Parakeet, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing, Jay, House Sparrow and Siskin.  The Group species total added up to 58, not too bad considering the unwelcoming local climate.

Moor Green Lakes, Eversley, Berks

18 members and friends left the car park with the security codes for the two site hides, kindly provided by the Moor Green Lakes Group. We were fortunate to have a very cold but sunny day in contrast to the recent weather conditions.  Colebrook Lake North produced Great-crested and Little Grebe with Canada and Egyptian Geese.  The hide was soon visited by a very tame Robin attempting to take up residency. Ducks seen included Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye with a Sparrowhawk on flypass.  The path along the Blackwater River gave us Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Redwing, Goldcrest, Jay, Goldfinch and Siskin.  Our first visit to this reserve resulted in a total of 47 species, a good return for such a cold day.

Farlington Marshes/Langstone Harbour, Hampshire

Only 7 members managed the 80 mile drive from Maidenhead to be greeted by a very cold, windy, but bright outlook.  It was high tide so most of the mud flats were submerged.  Wildfowl seen included Canada and Brent Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler. Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone were the waders observed. Welcome 'ticks' were Osprey, Tawny Owl, Skylark, Stonechat and Cetti's Warbler. The group total reached 44 species which might have been greater if the tide tables had been studied!  

Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, Skegness, Lincs

A group of 25 stayed for the weekend at the very comfortable 'Wash Study Centre'.  Between the superb meals some birdwatching was attempted! Some 87 species were recorded including: Wildfowl - Mute and Whooper Swan, Pink-footed and Brent Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, Scaup, Scoter. Raptors: Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon.   Waders: Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden and Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderlin, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank and Turnstone. Others: Barn and Short-eared Owls, Water Pipit, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Brambling, Siskin, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. A highlight was a very close view of a Weasel, scavenging in the front garden and visciously chasing off a Pied Wagtail and a Magpie! The breeze was south-easterly and the locals were blaming this for the lack of migrants seen on the Reserve. Over the weekend the birding was very hard. 

Farmoor Reservoirs, Oxford

A heavy mist prevented the 11 members from serious bird observations initially and it was only after 10.30am that a light breeze improved the visibility.  30 species were seen including 4 Common Snipe and a Kingfisher.

Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, Norfolk

24 members and friends left Maidenhead on a dry but murky morning arriving in Norfolk to sunny intervals. The clouds gradually disappeared leaving us in near perfect, calm birdwatching conditions. Initial good views of Hobby and Marsh Harrier led to later sightings of Peregrine Falcon, Sparrowhawk and Honey Buzzard. Sea watching produced Pomarine, Actic and Great Skua, Sandwich and Common Tern, Red-throated Diver, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Eider and Common Scoter. The lagoons provided a good range including Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden and Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Spoonbill. Good views of Whinchat, Common Redstart, Bearded Tit, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler added to the Group's total of 95 species for the day.  A warm and sunny drive home gave many the opportunity to catch up with some  well-earned sleep.      

Chobham Common, Surrey

12 members and friends met at 8.00pm on this large lowland heath site. (An earlier 'reccy' by 4 of the group resulted in good views of Dartford Warbler). A walk into the valley produced Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Lapwing and Meadow Pipit.  Woodcock were seen on their twilight roding flights whilst Nightjar were clearly heard 'churring' as the light diminished.  A group total of 24 species were identified during this pleasant evening stroll.

Berkshire Downs, Berks

A bright morning encouraged 26 members and friends to visit this remote area on the Downs.  An immediate possible distant sighting of Stone Curlew got the trip off to a good start.  A walk along the Ridgeway and surrounding area produced Red Kite, Kestrel, Red-legged and Grey Partridge, Skylark, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, and Corn Bunting.  40 species were 'ticked' during this dry and sunny outing

Minsmere RSPB reserve
Suffolk

38 members and friends travelled by coach to Minsmere on a beautiful spring day.  The weather attracted many visitors and at one point, it appeared that there were more humans than birds! The trip started well with good views of Sand Martins nesting in the sand bank followed shortly by a Bittern flying low across a reed bed, a ‘lifer’ for some viewers. Warblers were singing and displaying well including Cetti’s, Sedge, Reed, Willow, Garden, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. Sandwich, Common, Little and Black Terns had arrived along with a Mediterranean Gull.  Raptors included Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel and Hobby. Amongst waders were Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Sandpiper and Turnstone. At the end of a very productive day, the Group count amounted to 102 species.

Blackwater Valley
Surrey/Hants

Despite travel directions which, if followed, required some off-roading, 15 members met in the car park on a very sunny morning!  Good views were soon had of a pair of nesting Blackcap and a single Chiffchaff. Early migrants in the form of Swallow and Common Tern were then seen over the lakes with Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting in the reed beds.  The woodland produced Nuthatch and Jay with Buzzard and Kestrel overhead. A Group total of 38 species was rather low and might have been improved if the walk was taken a little later in the year.

Paxton Pits
Cambs

A beautiful, sunny morning met the 10 members and friends at the Visitor’s Centre.  We were very fortunate in having Ann and Bob Scott to kindly act as guides and to show us the site ‘hot-spots’. On the waters were seen Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Red-crested Pochard and Redshank. Early Sand Martins were seen with Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.  At lunchtime at bat was seen flying across the car park, but not identified.  49 species were seen in total and it was generally agreed that a visit, perhaps, two or three weeks later would have been more productive.  However, a good day out at a still-developing site with excellent facilities. 

Burnham Beeches 
Bucks

Our second mid-week walk attracted 21 members and friends to this very windy and initially overcast ancient woodland site. A few metres from the car park, good views were had of Goldcrest and Coal Tit. On the Upper and Middle Ponds were Mandarin Ducks with a female wrestling to swallow a large frog, eventually giving up in disgust. Treecreeper and Nuthatch followed as we crossed Lord Mayors Drive into Sevenways Plain, Mendelssohns Slope and New Coppice. Welcome hot drinks were then purchased at the café, where a Group total of 28 species was calculated. The morning ended brightly with a welcome appearance from the sun.

Bury Down
Oxon

Two Police cars were present when the Group met on the Ridgeway at Bury Down. We did not discover which of our attending 24 members they were investigating! The weather remained blustery but dry. Yellowhammer provided a good start to the walk near the car park, with Linnet and frequent Corn Bunting added quickly. A convenient dog walker flushed two Short-eared Owls, a targeted species, and good views were had. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were then seen with Stonechat finding it very difficult to perch securely in the strong wind. In all, 26 species were seen, a reasonable count in this virtually treeless habitat.

Elmley Marshes RSPB reserve
North Kent

Despite a very cold, windy and overcast day, 34 members and friends travelled by coach to this wild and remote grazing marsh. A Little Owl was sheltering a few metres from the car park near to a good number of Lapwing and Golden Plover. Raptors seen on the walk included Marsh and Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Kestrel. Views over the River Swale included Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Knot, Dunlin, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone and Green Sandpiper. Duck counts included Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler with Bewick’s Swan nearby. Geese included White-fronted, Greylag, Barnacle, Canada and Brent. Few passerines were seen but included Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, House Sparrow and Reed Bunting. A good finish to the day was provided by a Short-eared Owl making the group’s total up to 69 species. Stoat, Fox, Hare and Rabbit were also spotted. A productive day despite the unfriendly climate.

Little Marlow gravel pits
Bucks

On a damp, foggy but mild morning, 49 members and friends (is this a record?) met for the traditional New Year’s Day walk. As the walk progressed, the mist lifted, visibility improved and the sun revealed itself for a few minutes. Not too many surprising ticks included Greylag, Canada, Egyptian and Ross’s Geese: Ruddy Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler and Pochard; Red Kite, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard: Golden Plover, Lapwing and Common Snipe; Black-headed, Common, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Greater Black-backed Gulls; Stock Dove; Ring-necked Parakeet; good views of Kingfisher, brightening a dull day; Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker; Skylark; Grey and Pied Wagtail; Fieldfare, Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrush; Long-tailed and Coal Tits; Siskin, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting. With so many pairs of eyes available, the group list rose to 65 species.