This short walk became longer than planned when we found the road closed by BT at the railway bridge. Some people drove the long way round to access the entrance to Weston STW but most parked on the closed road and hiked through, adding a couple of kilometres to the walk. All 31 of us … Read more
Six members gathered at the entrance to Ashley Walk in the New Forest for this all day walk on a somewhat cloudy morning. A distant cuckoo set us off to a good start while others subsequently notified us of their presence by ‘cuckooing’ and occasionally showing well. Linnets, Goldfinch and several Blackcaps treated us to … Read more
Lots of heavy showers and strong winds had been forecast to begin at various times from eleven o’clock onwards on this bright spring morning, but, undaunted, 25 members turned up. And the reward was lots of spring sunshine, many flowers in bloom including bluebells, plenty of birdsong and a total of 31 species seen, though … Read more
In glorious sunshine, two Roe Deer were spotted from the carpark before 29 of us set off through Bickley Wood with its fabulous display of Wood Anemones, Lesser Celandine and the first Bluebells. We soon had good sightings of Blackcap, Nuthatch, Treecreepers and Goldcrest. The trees, still in bud, allowed further good views of Coal … Read more
This new walk around Inglestone Common yielded 37 species which given the subdued weather and in-between season, was a fair count. 13 of us set off from Lower Woods car park to make our way to the Common amid the continuous song of endless Chiffchaff. In the woodland Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Song Thrush and Treecreeper … Read more
In gale force winds nine sturdy members met at the Brean cafe. Before setting off up the steep steps we managed to pick out a couple of gull species along with a noisy Cetti’s Warbler then, making our way along the road past the bird gardens ignoring their exotic calls, we stopped frequently to identify … Read more
22 members set off along a footpath past the allotments to enter a wide field. On the distant church spire was a Peregrine Falcon, difficult to pick out with binoculars but clearly seen through Alan’s scope. A Green Woodpecker called and Dunnock, Wren, Goldfinch and Jay were heard or seen. The path led through woodland … Read more
The forecast encouraged 20 of us to sally forth and we were not disappointed. The morning was sunnier than predicted and almost warm! Starting across the cricket pitch we spotted Goldfinch and Chaffinch, a Raven called and was later seen. A Bullfinch and several wheezing Greenfinch added to the score. Robins were regaling us everywhere. … Read more
A group of eleven set out from the RSPB Nagshead visitor centre to Cannop Ponds and back, a five mile circuit. We walked through mixed terrain of new and old woodland, quarries, brooks and ponds, using a range of techniques to traverse fallen trees and muddy banks. The weather was kind to us, with plenty … Read more
22 people assembled at the farmyard on a surprisingly clement day given the doom laden forecast. A Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Coal Tit visited the nearby feeders whilst Philippa gave a short talk on the set up and ethos of the farm. Then we set off into the fields where Chaffinch, Greenfinch and eventually … Read more
