Forthcoming Outings
Guidance for members
Members intending to join an outing are requested to contact the leader in advance so that lifts can be arranged where possible and members can be contacted in the event of cancellation. The leader will provide advice about the arrangements for the visit. Please ensure that you are aware of these before travelling.
Please be prepared to share fuel & parking costs.
16 July, Sunday (morning). Epsom Common, Butterfly walk. Leader -Alison Gilry 07736 962466
Meet at Epsom Common Car Park, Christ Church Rd, Epsom, KT19 8JA (TQ182611) at 10.30am. From here we will take a 2-3 hour walk along woodland rides and through grazing meadow/wood pasture/scrub habitat, which should yield 12 or more butterfly species including ‘browns’ (Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, possibly Marbled White) ‘whites’ (Brimstone, Small/Large White), ‘orange’ skippers (Small/Essex and Large), and Silver-washed fritillary. Hopefully some White Admiral will still be about and with luck the elusive Purple Emperor might be seen. Please note: If conditions are not suitable i.e. rain, or a strong breeze (more than 5 on Beaufort scale) the walk will be rescheduled for 10:30 on 23rd July. Please let Alison know in advance if you wish to join the trip.
6 August, Sunday (all day). Denbies Hillside NT. Leader: John Barkham 07803 295555; jbarkham@btinternet.com
MORNING ONLY butterfly walk. Meet 9.30am at the National Trust Car Park, Denbies Hillside, Ranmore Common Road, Dorking RH5 6SR. Grid ref: TQ141503. Parking free for NT members (scan your card for a free ticket) or pay-by-phone: £4 for up to 4 hours or £6 all day. There is also limited nearly parking opposite St Barnabas Church, Ranmore Common. Denbies Hillside is a dramatic and stunning chalk escarpment with panoramic views across to Dorking and Leith Hill. It is one of the finest sites in Britain for butterflies and we should see the Adonis Blue and the Chalk Hill Blue given favourable weather conditions. Our 2-mile circular nature trail starts on grassy chalk downland, where we will also look for Bee Orchids. Our route descends the hillside by an uneven path, passing through dappled woods to the valley floor where Yellowhammers breed. We will then gradually ascend a steep slope, with this section of the hillside being the prime search area for blue butterflies, as well as Silver-spotted Skipper. Steers Field, next to the car park, would make a good spot for a picnic, should anyone wish to spend additional time on site after our walk ends at around 1.30pm. Walking boots, hat, sunscreen, drinks and close-focusing binoculars are advised. There are no toilets are on site: the nearest facilities are 3 miles away in Dorking Town Centre. If the weather forecast is poor, the outing may be postponed or cancelled. Please contact the Leader if attending.
20 August, Sunday (all day). Cliffe Pools RSPB. Leader Peter Knox gsw9859@gmail.com
Meeting at the entrance to the car park at 09;00 post code ME3 7SX 09:00 An important issue is that there are no toilets or facilities or hides on site. The aim is to do the circular walk (4 miles approx.) around the site and view the various pools as well as viewing the river Thames. This site at this time of the year could have some waders and birds of prey.
3 September, Sunday (all day). Farlington Marsh. Leader: Rebecca Dunne. 07879 645971 rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
Please advise Rebecca if you intend to come as there is a slight chance that I may not be able to make it.
A 2½ mile flat path follows the sea wall giving beautiful, sweeping views across Langstone Harbour and back across the grazing marshes and saline lagoons on the northern shore of Langstone Harbour. This Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve is internationally important for migratory wildfowl and wading birds. Good time of the year for birds passing through such wheatear, whinchat, yellow wagtail and even osprey if we’re lucky. High tide 2-4pm
More information and map available at: www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/farlington-marshes-nature-reserve Meet at 9.30 am at Farlington Marshes in the 2nd car park, Eastern Road, Farlington (the nearest postcode PO6 1UN is for the Holiday Inn on opposite side of the roundabout). Car park entrance is on the waterfront, between A27 westbound exit and A2030 exit to Portsmouth seafront.
There are no toilets at the reserve but nearby at Cosham McDonalds PO6 2SW – next junction off M27 and garages nearby.
6 September, Wednesday (morning). Midweek Walk: Bushy Park. Leader: Mike White 07981 037004 mikew.norbury@btinternet.com
Meet Mike at 9.30am in the Diana Fountain car park for a gentle stroll around the park, finishing approximately 1.00pm. Hopefully seeing a good selection of the commoner species with possibly early departing/arriving migrants. Recent walks have produced Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Treecreeper and Nuthatch, plus a selection of waterfowl.
17 September, Sunday (all day). Thorney Island. Leader Thelma Caine 07527 448308 thelmacaine512@btinternet.com
Meet at 9.30am in the car park at the junction of Thorney Road and Thornham Lane PO10 8DB.
Thorney Island is a large Peninsula extending into Chichester Harbour and is part of the Chichester and Langstone Harbour Ramsar site and SSSI. It is also an MOD site and access is around the perimeter coast path only. Over 60 species are possible including many waders plus Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Sandwich Tern, Little & Cattle Egrets, Brent Geese, Kingfisher, Wheatear, and Yellow Wagtail. Please bring lunch and a drink.
NB there no public toilets on the island and neither of the two petrol stations approaching Thorney on the A259 have facilities. For toilets, it is recommended to use those at the short stay car park in South Street, Emsworth at PO10 7EG.
Turn right at the roundabout off the A259 signed to Emsworth town centre. The car park with WC is signed off to the right beyond the High Street.
1 October, Sunday (all day). Pagham Harbour
13-15 October (Fri-Sun). Residential Weekend. Dorset. Leader: Thelma Caine 07527 448308 thelmacaine512@btinternet.com
This autumn birdwatching weekend will be based at The Pines Hotel, Burlington Road, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1LT. https://pineshotel.co.uk/ and will run from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
The hotel is situated in a lovely location overlooking the bay and has en-suite double and twin-bedded rooms, two en-suite singles and suites containing two single rooms with a shared bathroom. The price for two nights, including bed, breakfast and evening meal will be £250 per person (no additional charge for a single room). Packed lunches, if required, will cost £10 each.
Possible venues include Durlston Head (seabirds and migrants), Studland Heath, Poole Harbour, and Arne RSPB reserve. Travel to and from Swanage will be in cars with lifts arranged where required.
Previous visits have produced Spoonbill, Avocet, Marsh Harrier, Brent Geese, Gannet, Shag, Sandwich Tern, Ring Ouzel and Dartford Warbler to name a few.
A deposit of £50 per person is required payable to the SDBWS. For more details or to book, contact Thelma email: thelmacaine512@btinternet.com
People wishing to stay longer at the hotel are requested to make private arrangements by contacting the hotel. Ask for the Hotel Manager, Barry Holt: Tel: 01929-425211. Email: office@pineshotel.co.uk
22 October, Sunday (all day). Rainham Marshes RSPB
25 October, Wednesday (morning).Midweek Walk: Kempton NR
12 November, Sunday (all day). Two Tree Island
22 November, Wednesday (morning). Midweek Walk
3 December, Sunday (all day). Wallasea Island RSPB
13 December, Wednesday (morning). Midweek Walk: Wraysbury Gravel Pit