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 19th December at Newman Hall, 19:30 – 58th Annual General Meeting at 19:30, followed by a talk. Speaker: Phil Mugridge: ‘Iceland – Land of Fire and Brilliant Birds’
Phil has spoken to us many times, showing his wonderful pictures.
Thursday 16 January 2025 at 19:30 – ZOOM ONLY – see details above.
Ian Cowgill : ‘Ornithological history of Fair Isle’
Ian, a director and trustee of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory, will tell us of the island, early ornithological pioneers, and census data collection, all of this amongst plenty of spring and autumn migrant photos and more.
Thursday 20 February – Sophie-lee Williams – White-tailed Eagle Project
You should be able to use Zoom as an alternative to coming to the Newman Hall, 19:30.
Field Meetings.
Tuesday 24 December – Blaise Castle Leader: Di Bunniss
Meet in the main car park* (near Blaise Mansion), which could be busy, for a walk in this ‘picturesque’ landscape designed by Humphrey Repton and John Nash for J.S. Harford. The walk goes through the churchyard to the woodlands and fields of the main estate and then meanders through meadows and woodlands passing the stream and ponds and including a short stretch of quiet avenue. There are some moderate climbs. *A parking charge now applies.
Tuesday 31 December – Dyrham Leader: Caron Thornton-Trippet
Meet in the village on Lower Street, park on the opposite side of the road from the phone box, more parking on Upper Street. We will walk past the back of Dyrham House (NT) part of the Cotswold Way following the wall around Dyrham Park, Then across Hinton Hill, an Iron Age fortification site, and back to the village through fields. The paths will be muddy at times, half mile of road walking, two stiles.
Wednesday 01 January 2025 – WWT Slimbridge – Leaders: Di Bunniss and Graham Blacker
Get your new year list off to a good start at our annual New Year’s Day visit to Slimbridge. Meet in the main car park at 09:30. There is an entrance fee for non-members of WWT. Lunch is available at the Tudor Arms, half a mile away – booking advised – or at Slimbridge’s own Kingfisher Café; alternatively there are plenty of spots for a packed lunch.
Sunday 05 January – RSPB Greylake – Leader: Giles Morris Joint meeting with BNS
[Located in the heart of the Somerset Levels and Moors, Greylake shows what the Levels must have been like before extensive agricultural drainage. Thanks to all the water, the hides usually provide excellent close views of vast flocks of wintering ducks and waders. These are hunted by birds of prey, typically Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. If conditions are right, the reserve should hold a considerable number of birds. Meet at 10:00 in the car park of the RSPB reserve at Greylake. The reserve is on the A361, which runs from the A39 towards Burrow Bridge and Taunton. Travelling from M5 junction 23 on A39 towards Street, after 5.8 miles turn right to Moorlinch. At T-junction with A361, turn right; the reserve is on the right after two miles. We will visit the hides and walk the visitor trail and though using prepared paths it can often be wet underfoot. If you want to stay for the afternoon (bring a packed lunch), we could move on to other sites in the Avalon Marshes. This part of the trip will remain flexible to allow us to respond to recent sightings. Please inform the leader if you are intending to join the walk.
Tuesday 07 January – Three Brooks Nature Reserve Leader: Jean Oliver
Meet in Bradley Stoke Library Car Park off Fiddlers Wood Lane, Bradley Stoke. The walk includes woodland and a small lake. No stiles but mud is to be expected at this time of year.
Saturday 11 January – WWT Steart – Leaders: Elaine Lambert, Nick Jobson-Wicks
Picnic walk. Leave the M5 at junction 23 for Bridgwater and take the A39 to Minehead. Take the bypass at Cannington & head for Combwich and Hinckley Point. Follow the signs for Steart. Watch for the brown right turn sign to Steart, which is now well sited. Meet at 10:00 in the free WWT car park which is on the left hand side of the road. A flat walk on the WWT Otterhampton Loop overlooking the estuary, marshes, lagoons and River Parrett, There should be a variety of water birds, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, other waders and farmland birds. We will stop for coffee at the viewing platform or near the River Parrett, going on to Parrett hide, then heading for Quantock hide (lagoons) for lunch. Those who wish to finish early can easily return to the car park (well signposted), otherwise we will continue along the wetland walkway as far as the large pond, possibly stopping off at the two Polden Viewing platforms.
Tuesday 14 January – Burrington Ham Leader: Clive Burton
Meet at the car park below the Burrington Inn for a gentle climb through woodland to limestone upland with the usual range of birds for this habitat. This is a pleasant walk on good paths with no serious mud expected.
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.
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.