Trip reports
 | Monday, 23 January 2012 Isle of Sheppey - Shellness and Swale NNR A brilliant day: only 36 species but some fabulous views and great memories. We welcomed 3 newcomers to our mid-week group when we met at the sea-front lay-by at Leysdown-on-Sea. More... |
 | Thursday, 15 December 2011 Reculver followed by Oare Marshes. Report by Nick Barlow.We met at the amazing 12th century Anglo-Saxon Reculver Towers which stand proudly dominating the site of a Roman 'Saxon Shore' fort. We walked a little of the coastal path in a strong, very cold westerly wind on a bright, sunny day. Flocks of Brent Geese flew past and were also feeding in the fields. More... |
 | Thursday, 13 October 2011 Another very enjoyable day, the sun struggled to come through and there was a slightly chilly easterly breeze but it was very pleasant walking or when sheltered in the hides. At the car park we were entertained by an immature Herring Gull trying to eat a dab: after much pummelling on the ground the fish eventually went into the mouth and then down in one prolonged gulp. More... |
 | Tuesday, 13 September 2011 The tail of a hurricane gave us a strong, blustery south-westerly wind. We set out with clear skies and a strong sun - surprisingly warm in the more sheltered spots. Before we reached the Cuckmere river, sightings included Little Grebes, Rooks and Jackdaws, and two Egyptian Geese, while House Martins hawked over the meadows. More... |
 | Sunday, 28 August 2011 This is the time of year when migrants are arriving from the north and stopping off to refuel. A large flock of Golden Plover illustrated the point and its members showed a range of moult stages from those still in full breeding plumage to those almost completely wearing winter uniform. An equally large flock of Black-tailed Godwit showed a similar range. More... |
 | Monday, 22 August 2011 A wonderfully calm, warm day with Sparrowhawks and Marsh Harriers using the thermals in the late morning (later, a couple of people had a good view of a Marsh Harrier resting on the ground). More... |
 | Wednesday, 8 June 2011 It was great to have large numbers of Swifts flying overhead all day; there were also a few small parties of House Martins, but our only Swallows were a couple near the entrance track by Boulderwall Farm. More... |
 | Sunday, 29 May 2011 Pulb RSPB Reserveorough Brooks Patience whilst standing beside a large shrub from which a Nightingale was regaling us with its wonderful song was finally rewarded when the bird revealed itself, enticingly at first and then abandoning its shyness by coming into full view. Nearby a Song Thrush was trying to out-sing the Nightingale and had even picked up a few of the latter's phrases, whilst a female Blackcap was far too busy ferrying provisions to her latest offspring, lined up on a branch, to care about her appreciative audience. More... |
 | Sunday, 15 May 2011 47 species, nice sunny day with high broken cloud and a moderate SW wind.With a list of birds we hoped to find, we set off in search of them. More... |
 | Monday, 9 May 2011 A day of birdsong: Whitethroat and Blackcaps around the car park; Nightingales singing by the path as we made our way towards the reedbeds; and various opportunities to compare Reed Warbler with Sedge Warbler, and Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. More... |
 | Thursday, 10 March 2011 Northward Hill RSPB reserve - report by Nick Barlow We enjoyed a diversity of sights and sounds from Wren to Green Woodpecker and ducks to Oystercatcher, one Marsh Harrier, a flock of some forty Mute Swans, disorderly flocks of Lapwings, and most excitingly over the river a swarm which turned into a huge swirling cloud - a murmuration of Starlings. More... |
 | Wednesday, 16 February 2011 Seaton gravel pit and Grove Ferry, Stodmarsh NNR. Nick Barlow reports on a successful visit to Stodmarsh. More... |
 | Sunday, 30 January 2011 Minibus trip to The Lodge and Wicken Fen An early start before a January dawn saw 17 of us at the RSPB headquarters at the Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire where we were guided around its surrounding nature reserve. More... |
 | Monday, 24 January 2011 Dungeness RSPB Reserve, report by Nick Barlow This will be long remembered as a Bittern day!A Bittern gave us an amazing display; in full view for more than an hour and so close to the hide as to be easily overlooked. More... |
 | Sunday, 2 January 2011 Bough Beech Reservoir & Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve 53 species. Sunny spells in the morning but overcast in the afternoon with a chilly NE wind.After an extra cold December, with snow, ice or freezing temperatures playing havoc with planned trips and meetings, it was nice to get out and about again, even locally. More... |
 | Thursday, 9 December 2010 Field Meeting at Pulborough Brooks RSPB - report by Nick Barlow A good day to be out with good views and a total of 41 species. More... |
 | Sunday, 21 November 2010 John Waterman reports 62 species on a dull overcast day with a light NE wind. More... |
%20(crop)%2090_tcm9-27939.jpg) | Wednesday, 10 November 2010 Nick Barlow reports on a bright, sunny day with a keen north-westerly wind which blew steadily - chilly on the sea wall! With high tide around mid-afternoon, there were still large stretches of exposed mud when we arrived. We had some super views and a total of 56 species. More... |
| Wednesday, 6 October 2010 Nick Barlow reports on this trip to West Sussex.The rain was clearing from the south-west and as we approached Chichester we were welcomed by blue skies. More... |
| Sunday, 12 September 2010 On a glorious late summer day our eastward walk up to the cliff top at Seaford almost immediately yielded a Peregrine Falcon flying towards a flock of feeding House Martins, causing panic amongst the birds. More... |
| Sunday, 12 September 2010 On a glorious late summer day our eastward walk up to the cliff top at Seaford almost immediately yielded a Peregrine Falcon flying towards a flock of feeding House Martins, causing panic amongst the birds. More... |
 | Monday, 16 August 2010 Dungeness RSPB Nature Reserve. report by Nick Barlow Our total of 54 species included Swallows, House and Sand Martins, a Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier, and adult and juvenile Common Terns. More... |
 | Wednesday, 14 July 2010 Grove Ferry, Stodmarsh NNR. Report by Nick Barlow A very enjoyable and interesting trip on a day of light winds, sunshine and clouds; when despite the recent 'drought' there was still enough water and wet areas to allow us a total of 51 species. More... |
| Sunday, 6 June 2010 Ann McGregor reports on the Group's mini bus trip to Otmoor in Oxfordshire. More... |
 | Thursday, 6 May 2010 A sunny, if rather cool, day produced a good range of birds. A group of Turnstone in summer plumage made a colourful sight on the sea wall, feeding with Oystercatchers. More... |
 | Thursday, 15 April 2010 Field Meeting at Pulborough Brooks RSPB A sunny day - at times warm - generally sheltered from the nagging north-east breeze. Blackthorn, butterflies, lady's smock and primroses, birdsong, and a total of 51 species. More... |
| Friday, 12 March 2010 Field Meeting at Oare Marshes KWT Reserve A good turnout, and despite the weather we were rewarded by an excellent trip with some stunning birds and views. More... |
 | Friday, 19 February 2010 Field Meeting at New Hythe Gravel Pits Nick Barlow reports on the visit to New Hythe. More... |
 | Friday, 11 December 2009 Report by Nick Barlow on the visit to this relatively new reserve. More... |
 | Thursday, 19 November 2009 Nick Barlow reports on the field trip to the Kent Wildlife Trust reserve at Bough Beech. More... |
| Sunday, 18 October 2009 A successful visit to this popular RSPB reserve, led by John Waterman. More... |
 | Thursday, 15 October 2009 A report on the trip to Dungeness, led by Nick Barlow More... |
| Monday, 21 September 2009 Nick Barlow reports on an excellent visit to Shellness on Sheppey. More... |
 | Sunday, 13 September 2009 John Waterman reports on a visit to a familiar area. More... |
 | Wednesday, 8 April 2009 Nick Barlow reports on a successful visit to the Oare Marshes. More... |
| Friday, 20 March 2009 Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh Nature Reserve Nick Barlow reports on a very successful visit to this productive area of Kent. More... |
 | Thursday, 19 February 2009 Seaton Gravel Pits and Stodmarsh Nick Barlow reports on a day at Seaton and Stodmarsh. More... |
 | Tuesday, 9 December 2008 Field Meeting at New Hythe Gravel Pits A report by Nick Barlow on this mid-week trip. More... |
| Thursday, 20 November 2008 The RSPB reserve at Elmley is always a popular site to visit. More... |
 | Sunday, 16 November 2008 A good day at Sidlesham and Church Norton, reported by John Waterman More... |
| Friday, 17 October 2008 Field Meeting at Cuckmere Haven Nick Barlow reports on a sunny day's walk near the Seven Sisters. More... |
 | Sunday, 12 October 2008 John Waterman reports on a successful day on Sheppey More... |
| Thursday, 25 September 2008 Field Meeting at RSPB Dungeness. Nick Barlow reports on a good day out at Dungeness. More... |
 | Monday, 2 June 2008 Thursley Common, Surrey led by Nick Barlow The plan was to miss the southern area so badly affected by the fire of July 2006 and go to the east and north; however, overcast skies and the promise of heavy rain made it seem prudent to keep within striking distance of the cars. More... |
| Saturday, 10 May 2008 Group trip to Mallorca, led by Bernard Morris. 10th to 17th May This was our most popular holiday ever. Even before we went out to general advertising to you we had too many who wanted to go! So we did not advertise. More... |
 | Thursday, 1 May 2008 A report on the trip to Rye Harbour led by Jean Nobbs. More... |
| Sunday, 13 April 2008 John Waterman's report on the visit to Rye Harbour More... |
| Wednesday, 9 April 2008 Field Meeting at Pulborough Brooks Nick Barlow reports on the midweek visit to the RSPB Reserve at Pulborough Brooks More... |
 | Sunday, 16 March 2008 Field Meeting at Pulborough Brooks John Waterman report on the visit to the RSPB reserve at Pulborough Brooks More... |
| Tuesday, 4 March 2008 Nick Barlow reports on the visit to Oare Marshes. More... |
| Sunday, 17 February 2008 John Waterman reports on the trip to Shellness and Harty Ferry. More... |
 | Thursday, 14 February 2008 Field Meeting at Seaton Gravel Pit Nick Barlow's report on the visit to Seaton G.P. More... |
 | Friday, 1 February 2008 Nick Barlow reports on the meeting at Elmley More... |
 | Sunday, 6 January 2008 Field Meeting at Rainham Marshes John Waterman reports on the Rainham trip. More... |
 | Sunday, 18 November 2007 John Waterman reports on the Group's visit to Elmley RSPB reserve. More... |
| Sunday, 14 October 2007 John Waterman reports on the Group's meeting at Dungeness. More... |
 | Sunday, 20 May 2007 Bernard's World Tour of Northern England This year's Group holiday away, lead by Bernard Morris and Nick Barlow, concentrated on the North of England. More... |