Trip reports

Male wigeon swimming

Sunday, 5 October 2008

Wet!! Wet!! Wet!! It was a grey and increasingly wet morning as 10 people gathered in Ware Library car park for a walk on the Meads. More...

Spotted flycatcher on perch

Saturday, 20 September 2008

10 members of the group found their way to Bradwell on the Essex coast for the first outing of the new season. More...

Long-tailed tit perched on branch

Friday, 27 June 2008

Most people heard and saw a kingfisher at close quarters along the old River Lea. More...

Coach trip to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen reserve

Sunday, 22 June 2008

The sun shone for most of the day but a strong breeze kept many birds hidden from view. The breeze did not seem to affect the marsh harriers and they were seen doing acrobatics in the air. More...

Adult and children with book and binoculars birdwatching

Saturday, 14 June 2008

We were delighted to find a pair of Emperor dragonflies on the smaller, open pond, the female was laying eggs and we were able to watch her through the telescope and have excellent views. More...

Male blackcap in hawthorn bush

Sunday, 1 June 2008

The highlights of the day included good views of Goldcrest, regularly visiting a hidden nest in one of the Yew trees near the car park More...

Dartford warbler perching on heather

Saturday, 17 May 2008

Another excellent day at one of our favourite venues, 100 species were seen or heard by the group despite the persistent light rain! More...

Nightingale singing

Sunday, 4 May 2008

The highlights were 5 Black Terns over Holyfield Lake. There were many singing nightingales - about 10 were counted - but only a few members of the group had a sighting More...

Hobby chasing dragonflies

Sunday, 20 April 2008

28 supporters were on the coach, everyone seemed to enjoy the day and most people appreciated the liquid refreshment (tea or Shepherds Neame) in the Grove Ferry Inn at the end! More...

Robin sitting in grass

Sunday, 6 April 2008

The snow had two advantages, one it made the views picturesque but perhaps more importantly it kept the golfers away and eliminated the risk of being hit by a flying golf ball! More...

Coach trip to RSPB Dungeness and Dungeness NNR

Saturday, 29 March 2008

We had excellent views of a pair of peregrines displaying near the power station, a pair of black redstarts, at least 4 firecrests... More...

Dunnock on grass

Sunday, 2 March 2008

Another good turn out and at least two new people came on the walk, led by Mike Oakland. The weather was mostly sunny but with a blustery wind. 23 supporters joined this walk More...

Avocet wading in water

Sunday, 24 February 2008

In terms of important conservation tasks, 'Beached bird survey organiser for South East Hertfordshire' sounds a bit like 'Admiral of the Swiss navy'. However the South-East Herts Group has been participating in the Beached Bird survey for many years, monitoring a stretch of the Blackwater estuary in Essex, at Tollesbury. More...

Male bearded tit perching on Phragmites

Sunday, 17 February 2008

We could not have had a better start to the day, within minutes of leaving the coach we were getting outstanding views of two insomniac barn owls flying around the fields at Holkham. More...

Long-tailed tit perched on branch

Saturday, 9 February 2008

The children saw lots of birds, mud and puddles! More...

male stonechat perched on bramble

Sunday, 3 February 2008

4 Buzzards were seen, with very good views of one pair 'hanging' in the air over the field, and perching on trees. More...

Male green woodpecker feeding on ground

Saturday, 12 January 2008

27 supporters were on this trip, enjoying the winter sunshine and the wildlife. More...

Avocet wading in water

Sunday, 6 January 2008

Our Annual New Year walk at Abberton and Tollesbury with festive fare out at the point! More...

Starling perched on wall

Saturday, 15 December 2007

The day ended at Lackford Lakes (SWT) with incredible views of Starlings, approximately 20,000, going to roost. More...

Male goldeneye

Sunday, 2 December 2007

Six intrepid members braved the weather forecast to attend this local walk! More...

Nuthatch on branch

Sunday, 25 November 2007

A good start to our day with Nuthatch, Marsh Tits and Coal Tit on the feeders outside the visitor centre. More...

male stonechat perched on bramble

Sunday, 4 November 2007

30 of us were on this walk, which after a foggy start, became sunny and bright. The bushes and trees looked very attractive in their Autumn colours. More...

Barn owl looking over its shoulder

Friday, 26 October 2007

This year 21 Members took over The Linksway Hotel, Old Hunstanton for the weekend. As usual we enjoyed good hospitality and excellent food in this cosy hotel. More...

little egret, wading, water

Saturday, 20 October 2007

Undoubtedly the star bird of this trip was a Great Grey Shrike seen by many members of the group. Other highlights included Barn Owl, Pink-footed Geese, Grey Partridge and a rather dubious Snow Goose amongst the feral Greylags! More...

Male wigeon swimming

Sunday, 7 October 2007

Derrick decided to change his route to avoid walking along a footpath across the field where a riding event was taking place! More...

Yellow wagtail in winter wheat

Sunday, 16 September 2007

74 species seen at these two excellent venues on our first outing of the new season. More...

Dragonfly walk at Kings Mead, Ware

Sunday, 8 July 2007

Seven intrepid explorers joined Alan to investigate the wilder parts of King's Meads! More...

Adult black-tailed godwit in summer plummage, at the RSPB Snettisham nature reserve, Norfolk

Friday, 29 June 2007

Mick Oakland led this evening walk at Amwell. The weather was dry with sunny periods although black clouds threatened rain at the beginning of the walk. 15 people attended the final local wa More...

Barn owl looking over its shoulder

Saturday, 16 June 2007

Todays leaders were Derrick Ling & Barrie Stockwell, assisted by Neil from Forest Enterprise. 30 supporters were on this coach outing, which left just after lunch and returned after midn More...

Male green woodpecker feeding on ground

Sunday, 3 June 2007

Todays walk was on a warm and sunny morning with an occasional light breeze. 13 people were on this walk, which was led by Derrick Ling.

A total of 33 bird species were seen by the  More...

RSPB Ynis-hir nature reserve - view of pool from Ynys Eidiol hide

Friday, 25 May 2007

This trip was organised and led by Derrick Ling. 23 people attended this weekend, at the Hafod Hotel, which is under new management and provided comfortable accommodation and excellent food  More...

Hobby chasing dragonflies

Sunday, 20 May 2007

By happy chance, there was a repeat of the television programme 'Bill Oddie goes wild' from Wicken Fen, broadcast on Friday 18th. This was a great advert for our trip but potentially, a hard More...

Nightingale singing

Sunday, 6 May 2007

Terry Smith led this walk, on an overcast, dry but breezy morning. 22 people were on the walk.

Highlights:

11 Nightingales were heard singing. Everyone had very good views  More...

Nuthatch on branch

Saturday, 21 April 2007

Todays trip was on a very pleasant, warm, spring day, 30 people booked for this outing, including several newcomers.

Highlights: Good views of Avocets, many Cetti's warblers, Ring  More...

Male chaffinch singing on branch

Sunday, 1 April 2007

Todays walk was led by Derrick Ling. It was a sunny and dry morning, with a chilly wind at times. 15 people attended this walk and a total of 39 bird species were seen by the group:
More...

Little ringed plover wading in shallow water

Sunday, 25 March 2007

Todays trip was led by Phil Blatcher, 19 people were on the coach.

The weather was bright sunshine for most of the day with a brisk easterly wind up to 20mph. Max temperature 13degC More...

Oystercatcher wading in shallow water

Sunday, 4 March 2007

The beached bird survey is a long-established international monitoring scheme, operating for forty years in many countries with coastlines on the North Sea. Its purpose is to establish basel More...

Snipe perched on fence post

Sunday, 4 March 2007

13 people braved the weather forecast for todays walk. The weather started dull, mild and overcast then rain arrived which became much heavier during the walk.

Highlights at Hall Ma More...

View over lagoon, Titchwell Marsh RSPB reserve

Saturday, 10 February 2007

25 people were on our annual coach trip to these two excellent sites. Our thanks to Derrick Ling who was our leader today.

The weather was overcast with moderate to light rain for m More...

Male green woodpecker feeding on ground

Sunday, 4 February 2007

12 people joined this walk, led by Mick Oakland. The day started off cold and foggy with visibility improving as the morning progressed with the sun finally emerging at the latter part of th More...

Drake teal profile

Saturday, 20 January 2007

Our thanks to Derrick Ling who led this car outing - only four people joined him for the trip - a pity that so few people attended such a good day's birdwatching.

Apart from a short More...

Avocet wading in water

Sunday, 7 January 2007

Thanks to Derrick Ling for leading this trip, on a windy (SW) but surprisingly, in view of the forecast, dry day.

14 people were on this trip, with festive lunch at the point!
 More...

Bittern feeding in reedbeds

Saturday, 16 December 2006

14 people met up for this trip by public transport, if possible.They were fortunate to have good weather with lovely winter sunshine.

45 bird species were seen, highlights being ver More...

Water rail feeding at waters edge

Sunday, 3 December 2006

Thanks to Derrick Ling for leading this mornings walk at Amwell gravel pits and surrounding area.

Following the high winds and torrential rain overnight and early this morning the  More...

Adult whooper swans feeding in fields

Sunday, 19 November 2006

We were fortunate to have a lovely late Autumn day, blue skies, sunshine with only a light breeze.It was sunny, 10Cdeg., mild and dry - perfect!

Many thanks to Phil Blatcher who org More...

Male goldeneye

Sunday, 5 November 2006

Thanks to Phil Blatcher for leading this walk, at Holyfield Marsh, around the Fishers Green area. The weather was sunny, mild and dry.

25 people joined this walk, including 5 newcom More...

Barn owl looking over its shoulder

Friday, 27 October 2006

Our annual autumn weekend was in North Norfolk, based at The Linksway Hotel, Hunstanton. Many thanks to Phil Blatcher who organised this weekend once again.

The weather was essentia More...

Male merlin perched on mossy hummock, Shetland Isles

Sunday, 15 October 2006

The first coach outing of the new season was to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and was led by Mick Oakland. 32 people were shown around the reserve by Lynn Jenkins of the Battle RSPB Group whose More...

Starling perched on wall

Sunday, 1 October 2006

Our first visit to this venue, on a warm and sunny morning, with a few light showers developing towards the end of the walk. Our leader today was Mick Oakland, 11 people were on the walk.More...

Adult black-tailed godwit in summer plummage, at the RSPB Snettisham nature reserve, Norfolk

Saturday, 16 September 2006

Our leader today was Mick Oakland, ten members were on this trip. .

The morning started cool and overcast at Abberton but became brighter and warmer as the day went on.

Sp More...