Forthcoming Outings
Guidance for members
Members intending to join an outing are requested to contact the leader in advance so 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.
We encourage car sharing especially on longer trips in an effort to minimise carbon emissions and to ensure that non-drivers have the opportunity to participate. Please let the trip leader know if you can offer lifts or need one yourself and say where you live. We will try to help but cannot promise a lift will be available.
Passengers are expected to pay their share of fuel and parking costs. (Suggested fuel rate: £10 day or £5 half day)
Sunday 26th July, Oare Marshes, Leader Stephen Waters 07949 646987
Meet Stephen at the car park at the end of Church Road, Oare. ME13 0QD at 9.30am. What3words: roughness.herring.watching. Parking charges may apply. There are no toilets on the reserve. Toilets at nearby Sainsburys, Bysing Wood Road, ME13 7UD open 10.00am-4.00pm or Public toilets in Faversham.
An SSSI and SPA, Oare is of international importance for migratory, overwintering and breeding wetland birds. Previous visits have provided views of Curlew Sandpiper, Avocet, Ruff, Golden Plover, Water Rail, Bearded Tit, Bonaparte’s Gull, Yellow Wagtail, Spoonbill and Turtle Dove. We may well finish the walk at the café in Oare village.
Sunday 23rd August, Cliffe Pools, 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 and limited shade 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.
Wednesday 9th September (Midweek, All Day) Cissbury Ring, Leader Thelma Caine 07527 448308
Meet at 9.30am at the Cissbury Ring car park in Storrington Rise (Sat Nav: BN14 0HT) Cissbury Ring is east of Findon on the A24. Take A24 south beyond Horsham to Findon (OS Map 198, Grid Ref: TQ 120090). Continue 1½ miles past the roundabout at Findon and turn left into Maytree Avenue then follow signs to Cissbury Ring car park. Journey: 45 miles from Surbiton so allow approx 1 hour.
For toilets, continue past Maytree Avenue on A24 for ¾ mile. The toilets are just past Lime Tree Avenue (next to Findon Library) or use service stations on route.
This is a delightful 6 mile circular walk along wooded paths and a short climb to a hill fort giving superb views across the Sussex Downs. Previous visits have produced Honey Buzzard, Raven, Redstart, Whinchat, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher and Yellow Wagtail to name a few. Bring lunch and drinks.
Sunday 20th September Dungeness RSPB, Leader: Mike White 07981 037004
Meet Mike at ARC pits car park at 9.30am this is opposite the entrance to RSPB Dungeness. What3words: hopefully.fuse.prove Grid Ref: TR06303 19727. Toilets on the RSPB reserve open 9.00am-5.00pm Visitor centre 10.00am-4.00pm. Toilets also at the café in the RHD Railway station near the power station.
We will remain flexible, checking out the ARC pits and if conditions and the birds are right we will do a seawatch, check the observatory grounds and probably finish the day on the RSPB reserve.
Wednesday 30th September (Midweek, morning) Bushy Park, Leader Thelma Caine 07527 448308
Meet at 9.30am at the Diana Fountain car park for a leisurely walk, finishing around 1pm. There should be a variety of wildfowl on Heron Pond. Little Egret is frequently seen and Stonechats are often present in the bracken north of the pond. Birds of prey including Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Red Kite are all likely and resident species include Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and many more.
October (Fri-Sun): Residential Weekend
October 14th, Wednesday (morning): Midweek: Kempton NR
October 18th, Sunday (all day): Farlington Marshes
October 25th, Sunday (all day): Rainham Marshes RSPB
November 8th, Sunday (all day): Two Tree Island
November 18th, Wednesday (morning): Midweek Walk
November 29th, Sunday (all day): Pulborough Brooks RSPB
December 6th, Sunday (all day): Rye Harbour
December 16th, Wednesday (morning): Midweek: Barnes WWT