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.
Thursday 18 December – AGM followed by Oliver Smart – From 60 Degrees North
Oliver will take us on a journey to the Northern latitudes to meet a diversity of species during the breeding season and see the beauty of wintry landscapes. Wildlife has to endure extreme temperatures, predators and the risks involved with migration. They do all this in some of the most beautiful and wild locations on Earth.
Thursday 15 January – Zoom talk by Edward Mayer, “Swift Conservation – Keeping the Skies Alive”
We are extremely lucky to have the Founder of Swift Conservation, Edward Mayer, who has been fascinated by Swifts since the age of six. He will be giving us a talk all about Swifts, and about supporting the urban biodiversity that enables them to live with us. Edward has been working since 2003 to help Swifts and save their populations from the extinction that now threatens them. Find out what you can do to help Swifts survive and thrive!
Field Meetings.
Tuesday 23 December – Snuff Mills Leader: Caron Thornton-Trippet
Meet in the car park in River View, off Broomhill, Frenchay Road. Snuff Mills is a popular site for locals and visitors who come from far and wide to enjoy the tranquillity and natural surroundings. The river Frome is also home to some of Bristol’s otters. Join us for an effortless walk along the river. Approximately four miles and will be muddy after rain. *A parking charge now applies.
Tuesday 30 December – Portbury Leader: Judy Copeland
From the M5 Junction 19 Gordano, do not take the Portishead Road but take the A369 to Bristol, using right hand lane to Portbury village. At bend to left, check oncoming traffic and go straight on, then turn right to park on Station Road. Please do not park in the pub (The Priory) car park. We will walk over the M5 on the footbridge at the end of Station Road. A circular walk out to Portbury Wharf and the Severn, all on lanes and public footpaths, likely to be muddy.
Thursday 01 January 2026 – WWT Slimbridge Leaders: Graham Blacker – Di Bunniss
Get your New Year list off to a good start at our annual New Years Day visit to Slimbridge. Meet in car park at
09:30. There is an entrance fee for non-members of WWT. Lunch is available at the Tudor Arms, half mile away booking advised – or at Slimbridge Café. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots for a packed lunch.
Tuesday 06 January – Hengrove Mounds/Manor Woods/Crox Bottom Leader: Graham Blacker
Turn into Hengrove Park opposite the Esso garage, Airport Road. Meet at the bottom of the car park outside of the old cinema. Circular walk of the Mounds which are made up by a third woodland, a third scrub and a third species rich grassland. Recently goats have been introduced, 1.5 miles. When we return to cars we will need to drive to Manor Woods. Park on Headley Lane, BS3 5SA, approximately 1.5 miles. Although plenty of parking at the Mounds, it is rather limited at the woods. The Mounds will be muddy if we have had rain. If you are feeling energetic, we can continue to Crox Bottom, a further mile. Quite flat, with no stiles or gates.
Sunday 11 January – RSPB West Sedgemoor Leader: Gareth Roberts
Meet at 10:00 (finish 13:00). An opportunity to visit a reserve, only available to booked groups, at the southern end of the Somerset levels. There will be an RSPB guide and most of the session will be in the hide giving panoramic views of large numbers of wintering wetland birds, also raptors and, often, cranes. Telescopes provided, but do bring your own. Fee to RSPB is £10 pp, or £7 with RSPB card, payable on the day. Booking essential, as numbers limited to 18 maximum. Contact [email protected], or phone the leader if no email. Car parking is limited, so car share if at all possible. Dress warmly, and the path may be muddy across fields. From M5 J25 (Taunton), take A358 (Yeovil). After 2.8 miles turn left onto A378 (Langport) for 6.7 miles. On entering Curry Rivel village take first left onto Heale Lane, (narrow road.) At the next junction turn left onto Red Hill. After 0.4 mile RSPB is in farm buildings on the left. On the return journey you could visit RSPB Greylake (15 min), or RSPB Ham Wall (30 min) for the Starling murmuration.
Tuesday 13 January – Tortworth Leader: Graham Blacker
Meet in the Tortworth trading estate on the Charfield Road B4509 just off the M5 for a lovely walk partly following the Little Avon with a beautiful mix of scenery. No stiles.
Sunday 18 January – Eastville Park Leader: Rich Scantlebury
Meet at 9.30 at the bottom of Elmgrove Road on Thingwall Park. The route will depend on what has recently been seen.
Tuesday 20 January – Shapwick/Ham Wall (Starlings) Afternoon meeting Leaders: Elaine Lambert & Nick Jobson-Wicks
Note: 2pm start. Meet in the RSPB Ham Wall Reserve car park at Ashcott Corner. From the middle of Meare
Village on the B3151 Wedmore to Glastonbury Road, take the minor road south, signposted to Ashcott. After
approximately one mile the car park is situated on the left just after the Railway Inn and the canal bridge. A
general bird watch hopefully ending with the sight of the ‘Starling Spectacular’ wherever it may be congregating and if necessary, travelling a short distance for the best view. Bring some warm clothing. Chance to breakaway early. Parking charges – RSPB members are exempt at the Ham Wall car park (place membership card in the windscreen), but there is no exemption at the Shapwick site.
Saturday 24 January – Marshfield Leaders: Sue and Nigel Kempson
Meet at 09:30 at Marshfield off the A420. Park in the lay-by on the south side of the Marshfield bypass, near Tanners Lane. A level walk on lanes, tracks and farmland. The specialties of this area are Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting, with the possibility of Grey Partridge.
Tuesday 27 January – Littleton-on-Severn Leader: Graham Blacker
Meet at the White Hart pub. We will take a footpath opposite the pub towards the Severn taking in some lovely views. One stile and a tricky gate which may be open. The pub serves lovely food if you feel like stopping after
Sunday 08 February – Coach trip to Exe Estuary Leader: Alastair Fraser
To book your place, please email Judy Copeland as soon as possible so that we know the trip can go ahead. Meet at the Water Tower on Stoke Road, Bristol Downs (near top of Whiteladies Road) – Turner’s coach leaves at 08:00. We walk (floods permitting) beside the 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 more than 60 species, including geese, ducks and waders and maybe Peregrine and other birds of prey. We’ll leave Dawlish at 16:30. When you book, please give your mobile number in case we need it on the day.