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.
Sunday 7th June Stodmarsh Leader: Leader: John Barkham 07803 295555
All day car outing to Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve.
The Reserve lies in the Stour Valley and is located just outside Canterbury in Kent. Its position in a major river valley and only a few miles from the coast ensures an impressive passage of migrants especially in the spring.
Recent years have seen Black-winged Stilt and Eleonora’s Falcon. The Reserve has the largest reed bed in the south east of England which supports breeding Bitten, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Reedling, as well as Sedge, Reed and Cetti’s Wablers and occasionally Savi’s.
The varied habitat includes fens, ditches, wet grassland, lakes, pools and woodland. Feeding flocks of up to 50 Hobby are common. Turtle Dove breed on site and possibly Garganey. Yellow Wagtail and Common Cuckoo are frequently seen.
We shall take a gentle 5-mile circular walk around the Reserve and return by the riverside path. The site has 4 hides and several benches at good viewing locations. The paths are level but can be uneven in places: good walking shoes or boots are advised. Toilets are available in the car park and also at the Grove Ferry end of the Reserve, which is mid-point of our walk. Grove Ferry has a pub and occasionally an ice cream van.
Directions: drive through Canterbury and leave on the A257 towards Sandwich. After about 1.5 miles, take an inconspicuous left turn onto Stodmarsh Road, signed “Fordwich, Sturry, Stodmarsh” (it also has a brown National Nature Reserve sign). This road leads to the village of Stodmarsh 3 miles away. In Stodmarsh turn left immediately after the Red Lion pub onto a narrow lane. The Reserve car park is 400m to the north – CT3 4BB (what 3 words: resemble.scaffold.strategy). Car parking charges are voluntary with a cash donation box.
The meeting time is 9.30am. Approximate journey time from Surbiton is 1¾ hours (80 miles). Bring a packed lunch, water and suncream. Please contact John to let him know of your attendance.
Wednesday 17th June (Midweek morning) Thursley Common Leader: Thelma Caine thelmacaine512@btinternet.com
Meet at 9am in the Moat car park on Thursley Road between Elstead and Thursley. Nearest postcode GU8 6LW Grid reference SU899416. This is a free car park managed by Natural England but they suggest a voluntary donation of up to £5 to support the upkeep of the nature reserve, payable by phone or Ringo – location ref 19079
This walk covers a variety of habitats including heathland, peat bog, pine and deciduous woodland. Species we will be looking for at this time of year include Dartford Warbler, Redstart, Woodlark, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler and hopefully Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, and Hobby. We will aim to finish the walk by 1pm.
NB there are no toilets here, so use facilities at service stations on route.
Saturday 20th June (evening) Nightjars; Leader Stephen Waters 07949 646987
An evening walk on Chobham Common near Woking to look for Nightjars and Woodcock. Meet at Gracious Pond Road on the south side of Chobham Common at 9pm Bring insect repellent and a torch. This walk depends on the weather being dry to go ahead. So if attending, please inform the Leader in advance.
Sunday 28th June, Knepp Wildland Leader: John Barkham 07803 295555
All day car outing to Knepp Wildland timed to search for butterflies and breeding birds. Knepp is a 3,500 acre estate just south of Horsham in West Sussex.
Since 2001 the land has been devoted to a pioneering rewilding project. The once intensively farmed fields have been left to nature and animals are now free-roaming with most fences removed. It is the biggest breeding hotspot in the UK for Purple Emperor butterflies, which should be in display (dependent on weather conditions). Turtle Doves, Nightingales and Spotted Flycatcher also breed. There is a White Stork reintroduction project, giving great photo opportunities of the free-flying, first and second generation birds.
We shall take a leisurely circular walk of about 3 miles. The route is fairly level, but the ground can be uneven. Highlights include 5 tree-top viewing platforms.
After returning to the car park, there is an optional late-afternoon walk to the bird hide at Knepp Castle Lake.
The meeting time is 9.30 in the new car park located at the Knepp Wilding Kitchen & Shop (an organic restaurant), RH13 8NQ.
From the A24 and 2 miles south of the A272, turn right across the dual carriageway onto Worthing Road (signed “Dial Post”). The car park entrance is 100m on the right. The parking charge last year was £5 per car. There are public toilets at the Knepp Wilding Kitchen and Shop.
Sunday 5th July (morning) Butterfly Walk on Epsom Common. Leader Alison Gilry 07736 962466
Meet at Epsom Common Car Park, Christ Church Rd, Epsom, KT19 8JA (TQ182611) at 10.30am.
Walk duration around 2 hours along woodland rides and grazing meadow/wood pasture/scrub habitat.
We should see 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 White Admiral will also be seen and with luck perhaps the elusive Purple Emperor. If weather poor and we can’t go ahead, alternate date is 12th July.
July 26th, Sunday (all day): Oare Marshes
August 23rd, Sunday (all day): Cliffe Pools RSPB
September 9th, Wednesday (all day): Midweek: Cissbury Ring
September 20th, Sunday (all day): Dungeness RSPB
September 30th, Wednesday (morning): Midweek: Bushy Park
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