Details of meetings, including a comprehensive programme of mid-week meetings, can be found in Bird News, (the club’s monthly publication for members)
W/E meetings start at 09:30 and on Tuesdays at 10:00, unless otherwise stated.
Please note the revised Safeguarding Policy
Indoor meetings.
The Club’s indoor meetings will be held at the Newman Hall, 28 Grange Court Road, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4DR, from September – March.
Thursday 20 February – Sophie-lee Williams – White-tailed Eagle Project
White-tailed Eagles were once a common sight in the UK skies including Wales, but were hunted to extinction by the early 19th Century. Now, a pioneering project hopes to restore these native-lost birds to the Welsh and English shores of the Severn Estuary.
You should be able to use Zoom as an alternative to coming to the Newman Hall, 19:30.
Field Meetings.
Tuesday 21 January – Brean Down Three miles Leader: Graham Blacker
Meet near the Brean Down Café for a walk around one of the great landmarks of the Somerset coastline. National Trust car park £6 all day, free to NT members. Steep at first, some steps, grassy paths, rocky in places, very exposed. Height gain of 320ft over the walk. A Romano-Celtic temple, AD340 Bronze Age burial mound, remains of Iron Age fort and spectacular Channel views.
Saturday 25 January – Marshfield – Leader: Mike Jackson
Meet at 09:30 in Marshfield on the A420 for this morning meeting. Park in the lay-by on the south side of the Marshfield bypass near Tanners Lane. The usual walk goes over the fields, then returns by lane. The going is essentially flat with no stiles. The route is exposed, and it can be very cold as well as wet underfoot, so dress appropriately. We will be looking out for Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers as well as any raptors, owls, winter passerines and inland waders.
Tuesday 28 January – Bridgeyate Leader: Geoff Hardman
Meet in the car park of the Griffin Pub adjacent to the double mini roundabout on the A420 for a walk in the magnificent open countryside that is Bridgeyate, with stiles, ridges and possible mud. Access the car park from the A420, drive through the first car park and into the overflow car park located behind the pub.
Tuesday 04 February – Winscombe Leader: Beth Yates
Meet in the car park behind the Woodborough Inn in the middle of Winscombe village on the A371. If the car park is full use nearby streets. Those lunching please allow time to order. A Mendip walk through woodland and grassland with one half mile, gentle uphill section, a 500 yard steep grass field descent and a couple of stiles. May be muddy after rain.
Sunday 09 February – Coach trip to Exe Estuary – leader tba
Meet at the Water Tower on Bristol Downs BS9 1FG (near top of Whiteladies Road) – coach leaves at 08:00. We usually walk (floods permitting) beside canal and river from Exminster to Powderham, then eat lunch in the coach and travel to Dawlish Warren for the rest of the day. Bring very warm clothes and food and drink for the day. We hope to see geese, ducks and waders and maybe Peregrine and other birds of prey. When you book, please give your mobile number in case we need it on the day.To book your place, please email Judy Copeland () as soon as possible so that we know the trip can go ahead.
Tuesday 11 February – Cheddar Reservoir/Cheddar Yeo Leaders: Elaine Lambert and Nick Jobson-Wicks
Meet in the southern reservoir car park. From the A38 Bristol to Bridgwater Road at the top of Shute Shelve take the A371 to Cheddar and then on a sharp bend turn right along the B3151 to Wedmore, over a bridge, and almost immediately turn right into Sharpham Road signposted Cheddar Nurseries / Playing Fields / Cemetery. At the end, drive through the blue coloured gates into the car park. This will be a circular walk of around four miles covering about a third of the reservoir bank and the remainder on droves and paths beside rhynes. Walking will be flat and easy but may be very muddy
Tuesday 18 February – Dolebury Warren Leader: Jacky Tonkin
We will meet in the car park of the Crown Inn, Churchill. If coming from Bristol on the A38 turn right at Churchill traffic lights and the turning to the pub is about 200 yards on the left or if coming on the A368 from Bath go straight over the lights and then turn left. The pub is 100 yards past the Nelson Arms and the car park is on the right before the pub. (If using the pub car park buying a drink/food would be appreciated.) Alternatively, park on the lane. A hilly walk with a few stiles and passing through deciduous and coniferous woodland, limestone grassland and scrub. The ridge is exposed and the going can be muddy in places when wet
Tuesday 25 February – Watercress Farm, (Belmont Estate) Wraxall Leader: Alastair Fraser
Watercress Farm is a rewilding project. The site includes rough pasture, formerly arable fields, woodland and a small river. No stiles, uneven underfoot, can be muddy in places, one small incline. From Bristol take the Clevedon Road B3130 towards Wraxall. Pass the gatehouse to Belmont Estate on your right then a sign for Wraxall on the left. 200 metres further on there is a sign to Watercress Farm on the left. Go down the farm lane to the farmhouse. From the opposite direction, pass through Wraxall and the turn off is on the right about half mile from the village. (Please don’t be confused with Watercress Farm, Dundry)