Events

Slimbridge, Gloucestershire

Location: Coach departs from Watford Central Library. TQ105969
51.660627, -0.403415 (Google map)

Our first coach trip of the season to the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust reserve near Gloucester. There should be geese and waders out on the flats, as well as the captive collection and swan feeding programme. Good facilities and easy access to all 16 hides.

Time: 8 am

Price: £18

Booking essential

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

Norfolk Weekend

Location: Travel by minibus- further details from Peter Draper

Our regular pre-Christmas two-day/one night trip (5th-6th December) to the north Norfolk coast. Comfy accommodation and good food, plus plenty of birds at a variety of sites.

Time: To be agreed with participants

Price: £105

Booking essential

Telephone: Peter Draper 020 8950 2430

"The Wildlife of Botswana & Namibia"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN
51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"The Wildlife of Botswana & Namibia" by Barrie Mason. Describing a lorry/camping trip to the Okavango Delta, the Etosha and Chobe National Parks, finishing at the Victoria Falls.

Time: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

John Hurrell Walk Stockers Lake

Location: Meet at Aquadrome car park, Frogmoor Lane Grid ref. TQ055938

A morning walk around the lake and nearby

Time: 10 am

Price: Free

Telephone: Peter Draper 0208 950 2430 or Austin Hollands 01923 220981

Tyttenhanger, near London Colney

Location: Farm Car Park at TL188041 OS map 166. Shared transport. Further details available from Jenny Hill
51.723486, -0.280741 (Google map)

A local patch always worth checking, with easy walking by the waterside from Willows Farm. Possibility of tree sparrows, kingfishers and the odd wader. Shared transport

Time: 10 am

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

Fishers Green, Lee Valley

Location: Car Park at TL377032 OS Map 166. Further details available from Jenny Hill
51.711079, -0.007637 (Google map)

Not far to go for our first trip shared transport of the new year. Likely sightings of smew and goosanders, and the elusive bittern - if we're lucky.

Time: 10 am

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

"The Influence of Man"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN
51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"The Influence of Man" by Andy Sands. A new talk by our local naturalist on how we've shaped the wildlife of the British Isles.

Time: 8pm (doors open from 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

Cley Marshes, North Norfolk

Location: Coach departs from Watford Central Library TQ105969
51.660627, -0.403415 (Google map)

A coach trip to Norfolk Wildlife Trust's premier site. Great views from easily accessed hides overlooking the scrapes and pools, and always something special to see. Good facilities in the visitor centre.

Time: 7.30am

Price: £18

Booking essential

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

"All About Bees, Honey and Health"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN


51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"All About Bees, Honey and Health" by Tony Smith. A topical talk by an eminent local beekeeper. Definitely should be honey for tea!

Time: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

Elmley Marshes

Location: Reserve car park at TQ938680. OS Map 178
51.378397, 0.784076 (Google map)

These remote wetlands attract thousands of wintering ducks, geese and waders, along with a variety of birds of prey. A 1.25 mile walk to the first hide; 6 miles round trip if you go to the furthest one. Shared transport.

Time: 10 am

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

"A Celebration of Birds"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN
51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"A Celebration of Birds", by Peter Holden MBE. After 40 years with the RSPB, Peter offers a very personal view of the Society, the birds and some of the people who have shaped nature conservation in Britain today.

Time: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

Titchfield Haven and Farlington Marshes, Hampshire

Location: Park in road near Titchfield Haven reserve entrance at SU535023. For Farlington Marshes park down lane running off A27/A2030 roundabout at SU680044. Both on OS 196 Further details available from Jenny Hill.
50.818228, -1.241201 (Google map)

Shared transport trip to two contrasting reserves on either side of Portsmouth. Abundant bird life with grebes and gulls a speciality.

Time: 10 am

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

Fowlmere and Therfield, Cambridgeshire

Location: Fowlmere reserve car park at TL407459. Car Park on Therfield Heath at TL336402. Both on OS 154
Further details available from Jenny Hill
52.093999, 0.053177 (Google map)

A shared transport trip to the reedbeds and pools of RSPB Fowlmere, with a good chance of recently arrived reed and sedge warblers. Then back via Therfield near Royston for woodland migrants.

Time: 10 am

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

"Fen Drayton Lakes"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN
51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"Fen Drayton Lakes" by Neil Renwick. An introduction to this new RSPB reserve created from worked-out gravel pits

Time: 8pm (doors open from 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

Portland Bill Weekend

Location: Shared transport to Portland to be arranged by Peter Draper.

We will be based on Portland with guided minibus trips to the Bill, Radipole, Lodmoor and other birding hotspots. 23rd -25th April.

Time: To be arranged with participants

Price: £195 (£178 RSPB Members)

Booking essential

Telephone: Peter Draper 020 8950 2430

Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Location: Coach departs from Watford Central Library TQ105969
51.660627, -0.403415 (Google map)

Our final coach trip of the year goes to this fantastic wetland site. Ospreys are almost sure to be about, and there will be plenty more resident and migrant birds to see from the 27 hides covered by their two visitor centres. It's also a prime time of year for wild flowers and butterflies.

Time: 7.30 am

Price: £18

Booking essential

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

"Birding the Silk Road"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN
51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"Birding the Silk Road" by Ann Scott. Travel from the major lakes of the Kizilkum desert to the snow-capped peaks of the Tien Shen mountains.

Time: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

Location: Car park at TL352680 OS Map154 Further details available from Jenny Hill.
52.293939, -0.018244 (Google map)

After April's talk, come and see the reserve by the Great Ouse for yourself. Its lakes and meadows are ideal habitat at this time of year for birds such as terns and hobbies, and there should be a wealth of dragonflies. Shared transport trip.

Time: 10 am

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

Several Shorter Talks by Group Members

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN
51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

After our short AGM, a novel chance to present your own birding & travelogue highlights. Also our photography competition.

Time: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com

Thursley Common, Surrey

Location: Car Park at SU900417 OS Map 186. Further details available from Jenny Hill
51.167915, -0.713421 (Google map)

Our yearly Saturday outing. An afternoon walk in expectation of woodlarks, tree pipits and Dartford warblers, followed by pub grub, then nightjars and woodcock as night falls. Shared transport .

Time: 3pm

Price: Donations welcome

Telephone: Jenny Hill 01923 854509

Evening walk and supper

Location: To be announced!

A local walk to mark the end of the season, followed by fish-and-chip supper (or vegetarian alternative) to round things off. Full details nearer the time.

Time: 7pm

Price: £7 (to be confirmed)

Booking essential

Telephone: Peter Draper 020 8950 2430

Midweek trip to North Norfolk

Location: Norfolk

12th-14th July A regular add-on. Shared transport birdwatching on the way up, followed by 2 days with a local guide and a couple of nights accommodation. Highly recommended by those who have been. Further details from Peter Draper

Time: To be confirmed with participants

Price: £160

Booking essential

Telephone: Peter Draper 020 8950 2430

"Wildlife of Speen - A Buckinghamshire Village"

Location: St Thomas' Church Hall, Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PN



51.665098,-0.404241 (Google map)

"Wildlife of Speen - A Buckinghamshire Village" by Peter Symonds. A look at Chiltern village history and wildlife.

Time: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

Price: £2.50

Telephone: Steve Bowen 020 8428 7478

E-mail: sjbowenuk@ntlworld.com