Trip reports
 | Thursday, 17 November 2011 Weekday Wildlife Walk - Brandon Marsh One of the favourite local reserves for many of our group and this visit was no exception. It was a mild clear day with sunshine for much of the time. More... |
 | Sunday, 6 November 2011 There is nowhere better to experience wildlife than on the North Norfolk coast at any season, but on a wild, windy and cloudy day in November, it takes brave souls to leave the comfort of the coach! Rewards of doing so soon became apparent with the sighting of the first marsh harrier holding its position above the reeds in the strong wind. More... |
 | Sunday, 2 October 2011 The day dawned bright and sunny and despite a few spots of light rain whilst on the coach stayed that way all day. In fact a light breeze was welcome, after the previous hot days experienced at home. We were greeted by a high tide, that had pushed the waders close to the shore and gave close views of knot, curlew and ringed plovers. More... |
 | Tuesday, 13 September 2011 Weekday walk at Whisby Nature Reserve We arrived at 10:05am (having not allowed enough time for the A46 duelling construction work) and were still in and around the Whisby Nature Park car park at 10:20am. When no other Loughborough RSPB Group member arrived we decided, as it was a warm sunny (but blustery - tail end of hurricane Katia) morning to do a walk and species count on our own. More... |
 | Sunday, 19 June 2011 Field Trip to Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve The variable weather and almost constant wind did not promise too much for our visit to the RSPB Lakenheath reserve, but being such a great venue it did not disappoint! The 31 people who decided to make the journey were pleased with 63 species that they saw on the day. Golden oriels were calling from a small area of poplars, but despite many hours of watching by at least 20 people none were actually seen. This is remarkable for a bird plumaged in yellow and black and not more than 50 yards away! The common cranes also could be heard calling and although more distant than the oriels, the result was the same. More... |
 | Monday, 13 June 2011 Weekday Wildlife Walk - Thornton Reservoir A good attendance on a fine day and plenty of birds to see and hear. More... |
 | Sunday, 22 May 2011 A visit to Titchwell, so well loved in winter, in May was quite a departure from normal field trips but was a great success. The newly refurbished and changed reserve was resplendent with new hides of real quality, looking out over many breeding avocets. It was a real pleasure to see so many avocet chicks being effectively defended from predation by their parents and to realise how their fortunes have improved under RSPB stewardship. More... |
 | Thursday, 19 May 2011 Weekday Wildlife Walk - Attenborough Nature Reserve On this lovely sunny morning 21 people - some new to our weekday walks - started from the Reserve's car park. Immediately we heard the songs and calls of the recently arrived warblers and later in our walk we had close-up views of whitethroats, sedge warblers and chiffchaffs. More... |
 | Sunday, 15 May 2011 Dawn Chorus Walk - Bardon Hall The group met in the car park to the sound of the cuckoo calling across Bardon Hill and as we moved towards the highest point in Leicestershire, tree pipits called. The group watched as the tree pipits performed their 'parachute' display from a solitary birch tree. Willow warblers and chiffchaff were soon identified, singing to confirm their territories in the early morning sunshine. The work of distinguishing.... More... |
 | Sunday, 17 April 2011 The 7 o'clock start was quite a shock to the system but 36 expectant members boarded the coach at Loughborough University and set off for what proved to be a very good days birding. The journey to Suffolk was long but a stop at Cambridge services was welcome before continuing on to the coast. The day was sunny and warm and on reaching Minsmere we were welcomed warmly by the reserve warden, who provided details of what had been seen. More... |
 | Sunday, 27 March 2011 Trip to Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve I will try to explain why 29 people gave up their Sunday to catch a coach to London, already 'robbed' of an hours sleep due to the application of British Summer Time, to travel along the repair ravaged M25, to a RSPB reserve. The reserve situated between the dirty Thames and the High Speed rail link is fortress like, with a centre complete with drawbridge and high security fencing! More... |
 | Wednesday, 16 March 2011 Weekday Wildlife Walk - Watermead Park On our arrival we found the (gated) nature reserve which includes the bird hides closed this week due to unforseen circumstances. However, we were able to explore an area of the park not previously visited (at least by some of us) and overall a good range of species were seen - including a group of Siskins in one tree and Redwings in another - with 30 in all. More... |
 | Tuesday, 15 February 2011 A good number of birds around on a cold February day, and there was a good turnout of 21 people. Good numbers of birds on the water and along the old quarry track to the north of the pool. More... |
 | Monday, 17 January 2011 Weekday Walk at Charnwood Lodge In spite of the grey misty day 23 people showed up for the walk which equals our previous highest attendance. The birds had decided to have a lie-in and there were more of us than them. More... |
 | Thursday, 18 November 2010 Weekday Walk at Swithland Reservoir About 30 people attended the walk, which is very pleasing considering the weather forecast! It was cloudy and grey but at least it remained dry.The young male peregrine obliged the group by allowing all to have great views as it perched in its normal tree. The ducks on the very low watered reservoir, consisted mainly of tufted and goldeneye. Large numbers of woodpigeon flocked above good numbers of cormorant. More... |
 | Sunday, 20 June 2010 Trip to Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve A very successful trip to Bempton RSPB reserve on the Yorkshire coast was enjoyed by 40 travellers including 2 guests from Australia! The weather was cloudy and breezy as we left the coach and concern was shown for one committee member wearing shorts! More... |
 | Tuesday, 15 June 2010 Weekday Walk at Cossington Meadow The walk was attended by 11 people and on a cloudy day good birds were seen by all. The highlight was a Wood Sandpiper, which is a local rarity! The group also had good views of a Little Owl despite it doing its best to pretend to be a tree trunk! 40 species were seen.... More... |
 | Sunday, 23 May 2010 Mid-Wales in late May is surely one of the best places in Britain to enjoy woodland and upland birds amidst a stunning landscape. The Loughborough RSPB visit on May 23rd also benefitted from outstanding weather and the birds did not disappoint either. Arriving at 11am the expectant party made their way to the woodland by the visitor centre and were greeted to the sound of numerous Wood Warblers and Pied Flycatchers which eventually showed very well. More... |
 | Wednesday, 19 May 2010 Weekday Wildlife Walk - Ulverscroft Manor & Grange This first walk to the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation estate was attended by 19 people on a fine sunny morning. The Foundation was created in 1989 to provide a day centre where the elderly and adults with disabilities can meet for social and other activities. The two properties are about a kilometre apart and there are extensive woodlands, meadows and a pond. The walk from the Manor to the Grange provides magnificent views across the valley and as far as Old John. More... |
 | Sunday, 25 April 2010 Trip to Snettisham RSPB reserve Of all the sites on the Norfolk coast Snettisham offers the best views of waders for the keen birdwatcher and this was the destination for Loughborough RSPB on Sunday April 25th. Arriving just after 10.30pm we were greeted to the sound of a displaying Whitethroat. Across from the car park 2 Whimbrels were More... |
 | Friday, 15 January 2010 Weekday Wildlife Walk - Watermead Park Following a long spell of winter weather we arrived at the car-park with rain falling onto what was left of the snow and ice. The temperature was still low at around 2 or 3º C. Nevertheless 16 people turned up and More... |
 | Monday, 14 December 2009 In spite of a forecast for rain 13 people turned up for the walk which started in light drizzle but was otherwise just overcast. At the end we were able to enjoy a hot meal in the restaurant. More... |
 | Thursday, 15 October 2009 For most of the visits to Rutland Water we have managed to pick a wet day and this year was no exception with light drizzle for most of the visit. However it was not raining inside the hides and there were plenty of interesting birds to see. Also for many of us it was the first visit to the new lagoon. More... |