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
Sunday 18 February – Exe Estuary Coach Trip. Leader: Gordon Youdale
To book your place, please email Judy Copeland
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.
Tuesday 20 February – Watercress Farm Leader: Alastair Fraser
Watercress Farm – a rewilding project near Wraxall.
From Bristol take the Clevedon Road B3130 towards Wraxall. Pass the Belmont gatehouse on your right and then a sign for Wraxall on the left. 200m further, just past a row of cottages, is a sign to Watercress Farm and the farm track entrance. Go down the lane to the parking area on the right of the farm buildings. Terrain is mainly flat, no stiles, but uneven underfoot and can be muddy.
Tuesday 27 February – Castle Combe. Leader: Geoff Hardman
We will meet in the car park at the top of the village. From the B4039 travelling east from Acton Turville towards Chippenham, turn right at the junction for Castle Combe and right again into the car park. Two stiles and a few steps, the route goes up and down slopes but is easy going. Could be muddy after rain. Difficult to shorten without using busy roads. NB There is now a charge for the car park.
N.B. The Pay and Display meter may not be working. If you park there you will need the MiPermit App. The signal is poor so it may be best to download the app before leaving home.
Saturday 02 March – Portbury Wharf. Leader Peter Bryant
Meet at 09:00 at the junction of Sheepway and Wharf Lane. Please park responsibly on Sheepway near the village (not Elm Tree Farm). We will walk down Wharf Lane to the saltmarsh and seawall, visiting three hides en route, then through the reserve and back. Mostly flat but muddy, two stiles, about three miles. Wellies recommended.
Tuesday 05 March – Forest of Dean. Leader: Nick Hawkridge Picnic walk
Meet at 10:00 atNew Fancy. Via the M48, turning right for Chepstow take the A48 to Lydney. At Lydney take the B4234 to Park End, turn right in Park End. After approximately one mile, turn left signposted Speech House. Within quarter of a mile turn right into the car park. Morning at New Fancy and afternoon at Cannop Ponds. Bring food and drink for the day. Hopes of seeing the magnificent Goshawk in their display flights plus other forest specialities including Crossbill, Siskin, occasional Hawfinch and raptors. This site is one of the best in the country for Goshawk, with sightings between mid-February and mid-April.
Sunday 10 March – Forest of Dean, Leader: Nick Page
Meet at 10:00 in the car park at New Fancy View. Via the M48, turn right for Chepstow and take the A48 to Lydney. At Lydney take the B4234 to Park End, turn right in Park End. After approximately one mile turn left, signposted Speech House. Within a quarter of a mile turn right into the car park. We will be searching for forest residents including Crossbill, Hawfinch and Goshawk. Then we will check out places such as Nags Head RSPB and Cannop Ponds (depending where the best birds are at the time) which may hold Mandarin and other wildfowl. Bring food and drink for the day, and stout footwear. Car sharing is encouraged
Tuesday 12 March – Luckington. Leader: Graham Blacker
Park in the village lay-bys along The Street or where you can, and meet outside the Old Royal Ship pub. This Cotswold walk starts at the quaint village of Luckington and takes you along Hancock’s well spring to the lovely village of Sherston. Then we walk across lush fields and charming country lanes. Five stiles and muddy when wet.
Tuesday 19 – Elm Farm, Burnett. Leader: Philippa Paget or Graham Blacker
From Keynsham take the B3116; turn right at the first Burnett road sign, left at junction, then right into the farm. From Bath, take the A39 and right at traffic lights onto the B3116 fork left on farm drive as you enter Burnett. The farm is 112 hectares in size and consists of 17 hectares of arable crops, over six hectares of woodland and five hectares of crops exclusively for the benefit of birds and other wildlife. No fertiliser is used on the species rich grassland which is managed to encourage insects, birds and bats as well as other wildlife. Many field margins next to hedges or water are preserved for conservation and the remaining grassland is grazed by cattle, sheep and ponies. Field walking with an uphill return to Elm Farm.
Tuesday 26 March – Bristol City Centre. Leader: Alan Craddock:
Meet at Millennium Square behind @Bristol (suggest you use your bus passes) for an urban walk, flat except for road bridge steps, and possibly even mud free. If bringing a car into the centre of Bristol, the @Bristol underground car park is closest but expensive. Optional walk up Brandon Hill reserve where there are some steps
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 21 March – Members Evening at Newman Hall
This is the evening when BOC members make presentations to the Club. Mike Landen will tell us of his birding in Brazil, and Keith Williams of his in Andalucía.