Events

Unless otherwise specified, you do not need to be a member of the RSPB (or the local group) to join us on our events, and birdwatching experience is not necessary. If you have any questions please call the contact number shown with the event details.

March 2010

Sun
21

Car Trip to Draycote Water & Brandon Marsh.

Location: Meet at Draycote Water car park at 9-00am. The car park is off the A426 (OS SP468692). Please bring a packed lunch.

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/corporate/tourism.nsf/Links/C5136DEB9488FE5C8025735A0037BA80

http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/home/nature-reserves/reserves-a-e/brandon-marsh-sssi.aspx
Draycote Water, CV23 8AB Brandon Marsh, CV3 3GW (Google map)

An all day trip to two of the Warwickshire's premier sites.

Draycote Water was created in 1960 to supply drinking water to Rugby, now days it's a popular attraction for anglers, boaters and of course birdwatchers. We have the chance to see great northern diver, red necked grebe, rock pipit and perhaps early returning wheatear.

In the afternoon we will move on to nearby Brandon Marsh administered by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. It consists of flooded gravel workings and extensive reed beds. It also contains some woodland. It's a good site for Cetti's Warbler and early spring migrants, there is also the chance of bittern.

Toilets are available at both sites, the catering outlet at Draycote Water has closed but may have reopened in time for our visit, there is a tea-room at Brandon Marsh.

Leader, Mick Price.

Time: Meet at Draycote Water car park at 9-00am.

Price: £2-00 car parking fee at Draycote Water. Admission to Brandon Marsh, £2.50 per adult, (£1.50 concessions).

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

April 2010

Wed
14

Indoor Meeting, ' An introduction to Beekeeping'.

Location: Houghton Regis Social Centre,
12 Parkside Drive,
Houghton Regis,
LU5 5QN.
LU5 5QN (Google map)

Wally Thrale ' An introduction to Beekeeping'. A 'Sweetener' for summer perhaps?

Wally is the Secretary of Beds Beekeepers Association and has kept bees for more than 20 years. At present he has more than 30 hives and supplies several outlets in the Sandy area with honey. He is heavily involved with training new beekeepers, which is attracting record numbers of people wishing to take up this fascinating craft.

The Association has a very interesting website at : http://www.bedfordshirebeekeepers.org.uk/index.htm

Time: Doors open at 7.15pm, the meeting commences at 7.45pm.

Price: £2 concessions, £2.50 members and £3 non-members.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Sat
17

Morning Car Trip to Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve.

Location: Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve, on the B655 east of Barton-le-Clay. Car parking is available on the dead end road off the road to Apsley End/Shillington, opposite the reserve entrance. OS TL121303.
SG5 3JX (Google map)

Spring is in the air, hopefully. A morning walk looking for spring migrants.

In spring, the scarce pasque flower may be seen in the grassland, whilst moschatel, or town-hall-clock, named after the arrangement of its flowers, can be found in the woodland. Other spring highlights include dingy and grizzled skipper butterflies which are now found in only a few places in the county. Spend a while here and a wheatear or ring ouzel may stop off to feed before heading north to breed. We should also see buzzard and red kite.

http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=24

Leader, Mick Price.

Time: Meet at Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve at 8.00am

Price: Free.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Sun
25

Car Trip to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Location: Meet at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve at 10.00. The car park can be found at the end of Harbour Road. Harbour Road is opposite the Martello Tower on the A259(T) in Rye.
TN31 7TQ (Google map)

An all day trip to Rye Harbour. The Nature Reserve lies within a large triangle of land extending south from Rye, along the River Rother, past Rye Harbour to the sea, westward to Winchelsea Beach and northwards along the River Brede.

The area has a breeding colony of little tern, other breeding birds include ringed plover, oystercatcher, redshank, lapwing and wheatear. Grasshopper warbler, little ringed plover, marsh harrier and bar tailed godwits may also be encountered.

Bring a packed lunch, toilets and a public house can be found in nearby Rye Harbour.

http://www.wildrye.info/reserve/wildlife/

Leader, Mick Price/Allyn Hill.

Time: Meet at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve at 10.00am.

Price: Car parking charge at Rye Harbour.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

May 2010

Sun
9

Luton & South Beds RSPB Bird Race.

Location: T.B.A.
T.B.A. (Google map)

Teams of 2 to 4 people roaming around Bedfordshire sites in a frantic fashion to see who can find the highest numbers of species in a day.
All participants will receive a certificate and the winners receive the Gerry Flowers commemorative shield. To receive the shield the winners must be members of the Luton & South Beds RSPB Local group.

Come along and join in, it's a fun day and not meant to be taken that seriously! You never know you may be able to prise the shield away from the grasp of the 'Dippers'-now wouldn't that be nice!

Time: T.B.A.

Price: Free.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Wed
12

Luton & South Beds RSPB Local Group AGM and Film Show.

Location: Houghton Regis Social Centre,
12 Parkside Drive,
Houghton Regis,
LU5 5QN.
LU5 5QN (Google map)

To night we hold our AGM which will be followed by a film show. Come along and hear about how the group has fared during the previous year. It's also your chance to air your views on how the group is run.

Time: Doors open at 7.15pm, the meeting commences at 7.45pm.

Price: £2 concessions, £2.50 members and £3 non-members.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Sat
22

Car Trip to RSPB Coombes & Churnet and Dovedale.

Location: Meet at RSPB Coombes & Churnet car park (OS SK005530) at 9.00am. The reserve is situated four miles from Leek along the A523 between leek and Ashbourne. 0.5 miles down signposted un-classified road.

Dovedale is a short distance from Coombes & Churnet near the village of Ilam (OS SK146509).
NA. (Google map)

Today we make a return trip to Coombes & Churnet RSPB and Dovedale, first visited by the group in June 2008.

This is a delightful oak woodland to walk through - especially in spring and early summer when lots of migrating birds come to breed at the reserve. Birds you may see on the steep valley sides include flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers. There are a wide variety of butterflies to spot too.

In the afternoon we'll mingle with tourists in Dovedale but don't let that put you off, the river is a good site for dipper and hopefully more redstart and there's the added attraction of ice-cream at the end of the day!

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/c/coombeschurnet/index.asp

http://www.derbyshireuk.net/dovedale.html

Please bring a packed lunch. Toilets are available at Coombes & Churnet, toilets and refreshments can be found in Dovedale (and ice-cream!).

Leaders, Mick Price/Allyn Hill.

Time: Meet at RSPB Coombes & Churnet car park (OS SK005530) at 9.00am.

Price: Coombes & Churnet free, donation appreciated. Dovedale, Pay & Display £2.00.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

June 2010

Wed
2

Evening Car trip to Dunstable Wetland Reserve.

Location: Dunstable Wetland Reserve (Dunstable Sewage Treatment Works), car park inside main gate off Thorn Road (OS TL003244).
LU6 (Google map)

The Dunstable Wetland Reserve has the reputation for turning up less common species, what will we see tonight? Little ringed plovers are regular breeders at the site.

Leader, Mick Price.

Time: 7.00pm.

Price: Free.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Sat
26

Weekend Car Trip to RSPB Bempton Cliffs & Blacktoft Sands.

Location: Saturday 26th June , meet at RSPB Bempton Cliffs car park (OS TA197738) at 1.00pm.
The reserve is on the cliff road from the village of Bempton, which is on the B1229 road from Flamborough to Filey. In Bempton village, turn northwards at the White Horse public house and the reserve is at the end of the road after 1 mile (follow the brown tourist signs).

Sunday 27th June, meet at RSPB Blacktoft Sands car park (OS SE843232) at 10.00am.

From Goole, take the A161 road to Swinefleet, turn left at the mini roundabout in Swinefleet, turn right at the next T junction and follow the minor road for the next five miles through Reedness, Whitgift and Ousefleet. About 0.5 km out of Ousefleet heading towards Adlingfleet, turn left into the reserve car park (all turns described are marked with brown tourist signs).
NA. (Google map)

This event gives the opportunity to visit habitats and see birds not normally seen on our trips.

We plan to visit RSPB Bempton Cliffs where the breeding season should be in full swing with all 200,000 seabirds including gannets, puffin and auks with eggs or chicks. Breeding tree sparrows, whitethroats, grasshopper warblers, sedge warblers, skylarks, linnets, reed buntings, rock and meadow pipits can be seen within 200 m of the visitor centre and car park. A moderate range of the commoner butterflies may be seen on sunny days, along with day-flying moths such as cinnabars, burnet moths and occasionally hummingbird hawk-moths. Trailside flora is dominated by red campion, black knapweed, various thistles and orchids including common spotted, northern marsh and pyramidal.

On Sunday we'll visit RSPB Blacktoft Sands, calm mornings from late June are great for seeing bearded tits around the lagoon edges along with reed and sedge warblers feeding young. Avocets and other wading birds feeding chicks can be easily see from the hides. Look for the acrobatic marsh harriers passing food to each other in mid-air. Barn owls hunt for voles from late afternoon onwards.

Toilets are available at both venues.

You will need to book and pay for your own accommodation for Saturday night, Goole is ideally situated for both reserves.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/about.asp

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/about.asp

Leaders,Allyn Hill/Mike Pinhorn.

Time: Saturday, RSPB Bempton Cliffs car park at 1.00pm. Sunday, RSPB Blacktoft Sands car park at 10.00am.

Price: Bempton Cliffs, Entry is free to members. Charge for non-members is £3.50 per car. Blacktoft Sands, Members free. Non-members: adults £3.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

July 2010

Sat
10

Car Trip to Brecklands Sites.

Location: Meet at RSPB Lakenheath Fen car park (OS TL724866) at 8.30am. The reserve is near to Lakenheath station on the B1112.

Nearby Weeting Heath (OS TL757881) is on the unclassified road between Hockwold and Weeting.
Lakenheath Fen, IP27 9AD (Google map)

We return to RSPB Lakenheath Fen and and if time permits the nearby Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve at Weeting Heath again this year.

Both sites hold something special, the aptly named golden oriole (but oh so well camouflaged despite their bright plumage) at Lakenheath Fen and stone curlew at Weeting Heath. We also hope to see marsh harrier, bearded tit, grasshopper warbler (or perhaps hear!), and woodlark.

There is a visitor centre with toilets at both sites.

Please bring a packed lunch.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lakenheathfen/index.asp

http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature%20reserves/map-links/weeting.htm

Leaders, Mick Price/Allyn Hill.

Time: Meet at RSPB Lakenheath Fen car park (OS TL724866) at 8.30am.

Price: Lakenheath Fen, free but donations welcome. Weeting Heath, modest charge.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490.

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Wed
21

Evening Car Trip to Barton Hills Nature Reserve.

Location: Meet at 7.15pm in Church Road off the B655 Hexton Road (OS TL724866) Barton-le-Clay. Car parking could be limited.
MK45 4LA (Google map)

Why not enjoy an evening walk around nearby Barton Hills Nature Reserve? The site hosts typical downland species. The reserve also supports several rare downland plants including orchids.

Chalkhill blue, marbled white and grizzled skipper butterflies also inhabit the reserve.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006012.aspx

Leader, Mick Price.

Time: Meet at 7.15pm in Church Road off the B655 Hexton Road (OS TL724866) Barton-le-Clay.

Price: Free.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

August 2010

Wed
11

Evening Car Trip to Tring Reservoirs.

Location: Meet at Startops' pay & display car park off the B489 Pitstone-Marsworth Road (OS SP919140).
HP23 4LJ (Google map)

Come and enjoy a summer evenings stroll around Startops', Marsworth and Tringford reservoirs. We will see more common waterfowl with the chance of water rail, kingfisher, sandpipers, hobby, terns, little and tawny owl.

http://www.tringreservoirs.org.uk/

Leader, Mick Price.

Time: Meet at Startops' pay & display car park off the B489 Pitstone-Marsworth Road at 7.00pm.

Price: Pay & Display car park fee.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Sun
22

Morning Car Trip to Summerleys Nature Reserve.

Location: Meet at reserve car park at 8.30am (OS SP884633). The reserve is on Hardwater Road between the A45 and Woolaston.
NA. (Google map)

Another trip exploring reserves in our locality, Summerleys Nature Reserve' administered by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire & Peterborough is an old gravel pit that has been transformed into a haven for breeding and waterbirds.

In summer the reserve hosts reed warbler, sedge warbler, common tern, swift, house martin. On the scrape and margins oystercatcher, little and ringed plover breed whilst common terns nest in colonies on the islands.

http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=113

leader, Mick Price.

Time: Meet at reserve car park at 8.30am (OS SP884633).

Price: Unknown.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

September 2010

Wed
8

Indoor Meeting, 'The Dinosaur - Bird Controversy'.

Location: Houghton Regis Social Centre,
12 Parkside Drive,
Houghton Regis,
LU5 5QN.
LU5 5QN (Google map)

For our first indoor meeting of the Autumn season Mike Howgate M.Sc will probably get us all thinking when he delivers his talk-'The Dinosaur - Bird Controversy'.

Mike is a palaeontologist who has written papers on the first fossil bird Archaeopteryx. He is the chairman of the Amateur Geological Society and used to give day schools and run field excursions for the Natural History Museum. Mike is also a keen birder, but his main interest is still digging up fossils. The talk will take a sceptical look at the currently popular theories that birds are descended from dinosaurs and that flight evolved from ground dwelling forms rather than arboreal creatures.

Time: Doors open at 7.15pm, the meeting commences at 7.45pm.

Price: £2 concessions, £2.50 members and £3 non-members.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Sun
12

Car Trip to RSPB North Warren & The Haven.

Location: Meet at 10.00am in the Thorpe Road pay & display car park north of Aldeburgh (OS TM466573).
NA. (Google map)

An all day trip to RSPB North Warren & The Haven. This delightful reserve contains grazing marshes, reedbeds, heathland and woodland.

In autumn a variety of passage waders can be seen and the first of the wintering wildfowl begin to return. In early morning, many passerine migrants may be present in the scrub areas, including warblers, whinchats and wheatears. Scarce migrants such as wrynecks or yellow-browed warblers may be possible. In favourable conditions, gannets, shearwaters and skuas can be seen offshore.

Please bring a packed lunch, there are no facilities at the reserve.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/n/northwarren/about.asp

Leaders, Mike Pinhorn/Jackie Lyon.

Time: Meet at 10.00am in the Thorpe Road pay & display car park north of Aldeburgh (OS TM466573).

Price: Pay & Display car park fee.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

October 2010

Wed
13

Indoor Meeting, 'The World of Insects'.

Location: Houghton Regis Social Centre,
12 Parkside Drive,
Houghton Regis,
LU5 5QN.
LU5 5QN (Google map)

Watch out for 'creepy crawlies'! Tonight John Tyler makes a welcome return,he will tell us about 'The World of Insects'.

John trained originally as a zoologist and then spent four years with the Ecological Parks Trust (now the Trust for Urban Ecology), creating urban nature reserves where inner city children could come into contact with wildlife. For the next 22 years he was the warden at the Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve in Kent

Time: Doors open at 7.15pm, the meeting commences at 7.45pm.

Price: £2 concessions, £2.50 members and £3 non-members.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

November 2010

Sun
7

Car Trip to Isle of Sheppey Sites.

Location: Meet at RSPB Elmley Marsh car park (OS TQ938680) at 9.15am.

From junction 5 on the M2, follow the A249 to Sheerness. Take the road signposted Iwade and Ridham Dock. At the roundabout take the second exit onto the old road bridge. On the Isle of Sheppey, after 1.25 miles (2 km), turn right following RSPB sign. Follow the rough track for approximately 2 miles (3 km) to the carpark at Kingshill Farm.
NA. (Google map)

Today's trip will take us into Kent to visit RSPB Elmley Marsh, Harty Marshes and Capel Fleet raptor watch point.

If you thought that there was no wilderness left in the south east, come and have a look at Elmley Marshes! The two-mile drive across the vast wetlands, managed by the Elmley Conservation Trust, to get to the reserve car park is an exciting start to your visit.

Duck counts can include 20,000 wigeons and 5,000 teals. European white-fronted geese may be seen, especially at Spitend hide. Hen harriers and short-eared owls hunt over the marshes. The wader roost can include several hundred grey plovers and black-tailed godwits and several thousand dunlins.

On Harty Marsh and at Capel Fleet we should see marsh harrier, short eared owl and with luck a rough legged buzzard.

Please bring a packed lunch. Facilities are sparse but toilets are available at Elmley Marsh.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/e/elmleymarshes/index.asp

Leaders, Mick Price/Allyn Hill.

Time: Meet at RSPB Elmley Marsh car park (OS TQ938680) at 9.15am.

Price: RSPB members free at Elmley Marsh but donations are appreciated from non-members.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

Wed
10

Indoor Meeting, 'Chile Encounters - The Wildlife and landscapes of Chile '

Location: Houghton Regis Social Centre,
12 Parkside Drive,
Houghton Regis,
LU5 5QN.
LU5 5QN (Google map)

For our last talk of the year Chris Ward will reveal all in his presentation, 'Chile Encounters - The Wildlife and landscapes of Chile'.

Chris is well known to local birders as the leader of the North Bucks Group and wildlife photographer. You can view some of his stunning images at: http://www.cwardphotography.co.uk/index.htm

As is traditional at our last indoor meeting of the year, festive 'treats' will be available during the tea break.

Time: Doors open at 7.15pm, the meeting commences at 7.45pm.

Price: £2 concessions, £2.50 members and £3 non-members.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk

December 2010

Sun
12

Car Trip to Flitwick Moor & Marston Vale Sites.

Location: Meet at 8.30am at Commerce Way off Maulden Road, Flitwick (OS TL044352).
MK45 5BP (Google map)

To wind up the year and to have a break from Christmas shopping why not join us as we visit several sites in mid-Bedfordshire.

We will start at Flitwick Moor where we should see some of the resident birds including water rail, grey wagtail, marsh & willow tits and perhaps redpoll. Winter visitors may include snipe, woodcock, siskin, winter thrushes and finches.

After leaving Flitwick Moor our leader for the day, Mick Price will no doubt direct us to local brick pits or Marston Vale Country Park.

Bring a packed lunch.

Time: Meet at 8.30am at Commerce Way off Maulden Road, Flitwick (OS TL044352).

Price: Free.

Telephone: Mick Boyd 01582 507490

E-mail: michaelboyd@mypostoffice.co.uk