9:30am Wednesday 2nd September Cissbury Ring NT, West Sussex Car sharing trip Bring Lunch
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com Please advise Rebecca if you intend to come
Delightful 4–6 mile, hilly, circular walk along wooded paths, hedgerows, meadows and scrub and a short climb to Cissbury Ring, the largest hill fort in Sussex. Rough underfoot. Superb views across the Sussex Downs to chalk cliffs beyond Brighton. Possible species Redstart, Wheatear, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, Hobby. Also good for wildflowers and late butterflies.
Meet: Storrington Rise free car park, Storrington Rise, Findon, nearest postcode BN14 0HT Just off A24 Grid Ref TQ120090
No toilets (but lots of bushes!). Nearest public toilets next to Findon Library, just past Lime Tree Ave, BN14 0DH
+ BP garage 183 Findon Rd, BN14 0EP + Findon Vale Garden Centre and cafe BN14 0RE 9-5pm – we’ll go here after the walk.
9:30am Thursday 10th September Staines Moor Morning walk Car share or public transport
Leader: Roy Pattison(07949 983752) roystokie@outlook.com Please advise Roy if you intend to come
Staines Moor is one of the remaining pastures of Staines medieval manor and has not been ploughed for at least 1000 years.
190 bird species have been recorded here. Good site for passage migrants such as Wheatear, Whinchat and Yellow Wagtails.
Repairs have been made to the riverbank and the stepping stones replaced with a solid path so it should be dry underfoot.
Meet: southern entrance next to Moor Lodge, Moor Lane, Staines, TW18 4YY Street parking.
Staines Moor is accessible by train or bus. It is a 25-minute walk from central Staines.
No toilets on site but at nearby McDonalds – Two Rivers Retail Park, Mustard Mill Rd, central Staines, TW18 4WA
or Lammas Recreation Ground, Wraysbury Rd, TW18 4UA
10am Tuesday 22nd September RSPB Winterbourne Downs, Wiltshire for possible Stone Curlews then Blashford Lakes
All day car sharing trip Bring Lunch
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com Please advise Rebecca if you intend to come
- We will start the day at Winterbourne Downs, a chalk downland reserve, where the rare and unusual Stone Curlews gather together before their autumn migration. 30+ birds have been seen in recent years but no guarantees! The RSPB has recreated wildlife-rich habitats, once typical of most downland farms, to provide a haven for Stone Curlews and other farmland birds – Lapwings, Skylarks, Yellowhammers, Linnets etc. Chalk loving plants and insects thrive here.
- After exploring this small site, we will drive on 24 miles (about 45 minutes) to Blashford Lakes for the rest of the day.
150-hectare reserve created from flooded gravel pits with a unique mix of habitats and 6+ bird hides. A bustling centre of activity, used by thousands of resident and migrant birds all year including wildfowl, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Goldcrest and Firecrest, Water Rail and Oystercatcher. Who knows what we will find at this time of year! - Langford Lakes reserve is nearer 17 miles (about 30min) if you would prefer to go there – fewer interesting birds but it has a lakeside café! Duck Street, Steeple Langford, SP3 4NH
Meet: Winterbourne Downs, Station Road, Newton Tony, Wiltshire, SP4 0HE No toilets. Use motorway servicesWhat3words tentacles.destined.producers
Blashford Lakes: Ellingham Drove, Ringwood, BH24 3PJ What3Words – starfish.sideburns.admiringly Toilets No cafe
***MINIBUS TRIP Sunday 27th September Keyhaven Marshes, Hampshire MEMBERS ONLY Bring Lunch
Booking via Sandra Hucks (see above)
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
Beautiful coastal area of saltmarsh, reedbeds, mudflats, shallow pools and lagoons, interspersed with marshy rough pasture, gorse scrub and muddy creeks and channels overlooking the Solent and Isle of Wight. The variety of habitats attract a wide range of residents and passage migrants both landbirds and waders, including rarities – we have also seen White-tailed Eagles.
5km flat walk. No hides and only 1 bench so, if you’ll need a sit-down part way round (other than on the ground) this is probably not the trip for you. Toilets in car park. Excellent ‘Gun’ pub for refreshments at the end of the walk!
10am Tuesday 29th September WWT London Wetland Centre Morning walk (Option to stay on after coffee/lunch)
Leader: Christo Impey Please advise Rebecca Dunne if you intend to come (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
LWC brings the countryside to London. The lakes, pools and gardens are home to a huge variety of wildlife. 180 bird species are recorded each year.
Meet: on the bridge outside the entrance – Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT
Easily accessible by bus and rail; details on WWT website.
WWT members free Non-WWT members £19.00 (Concessions £17.25)
10% discount if booked online in advance up to midnight the previous day
***MINIBUS TRIP Sunday 11th October Dungeness MEMBERS ONLY Bring lunch
Booking via Sandra Hucks (see above)
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
Come to the dramatic sweep of shingle that is Dungeness in Kent. The diverse habitats of this spectacular coastal area always produce a wide range of species. Huge expanse of shingle along with important freshwater habitat, fen, wet grassland and wildflower meadows. We will start at the Dungeness Estate NNR beach where a warden will tell us what’s in the area. Then, depending on what they say, a bit of sea watching and looking at the habitats around the de-commissioned nuclear power station, before moving on to the RSPB’s Arc Pitsand then the main Dungeness RSPBreserve for the afternoon. Leave 5pm
Dungeness main RSPB reserve has a visitors’ centre (open 10am to 4pm) No café but hot drinks machine and snacks.
Toilets (open until 5pm). No entry charge to reserves.
On arrival at the Dungeness Estate NNR there is a café and toilets at the steam railway station, next to the car park.
CANCELLED 9:30am Wednesday 21st October Pagham Harbour RSPB Car sharing trip Bring Lunch
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com Please advise Rebecca if you intend to come
Glorious and peaceful reserve. One of the few undeveloped stretches of the Sussex coast. This sheltered inlet is an Internationally important wetland site for wildlife, featuring saltmarsh and mudflats, lagoons, reedbeds, farmland and shingle beach. We will park at the small visitor centre and visit the Ferry Pool (high tide 8:15). Subsequent route will depend on what birds are around and who joins the trip but might include the sheltered inlet at Church Norton, a sea watch at the beach and maybe a visit to the North Wall. Winter wildfowl and waders will be arriving. Anything exciting will be twitched!
Visitor centre-hot drinks 10am- 4pm Toilets open approximately 9am- 5pm
Free entry to reserve Free parking for national RSPB members displaying card £4 non-members parking charge
This trip has been cancelled due to illness
9:30am Tuesday 27th October Bushy Park Morning Walk
Leader: John Strachan (07392 533136) jsandse@live.co.uk
Bushy Park is the second largest of London’s Royal Parks. It has a rich range of habitats from woodland, wetland and ancient trees to acid grassland with its distinctive Yellow Meadow Ant mounds. The route taken will depend on what birds are around but there’s a good chance of Little Owls, Stonechats, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.
Meet: near refreshment kiosk in Diana Fountain car park. Car entrance from Hampton Court Road, KT8 9BZ
Buses 111, 216, 411, 461, R68 stop nearby. 10 minutes’ walk from Hampton Court station. Toilets by the playground.
9:30am Saturday 31st October Wader Conservation World Watch 2026 – Hayling Oyster Beds and Farlington Marshes
Car sharing trip Bring Lunch All welcome No expert bird knowledge needed
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com Please advise Rebecca if you intend to come
This will be a fun day but with the purpose of raising awareness of the plight of waders and their conservation.
All we have to do is watch waders (suborder Charadrii), then tell Wader Quest what we saw. Wader Conservation World Watch is an annual event highlighting waders and the problems they are facing around the world.
It’s a “Fun way to say… “I Care” about what is happening to the world’s waders”- Rick Simpson – Chair of the charity Wader Quest which works to support wader conservation.
Meet: 1) The Ship pub car park, Langstone Rd, PO9 1RD (just before Langstone Bridge onto Hayling Island). Public toilets.
2) Next stop Farlington Marshes (nearest postcode PO6 1UN is for Holiday InnExpresson opposite side of the roundabout).
Car park entrance is on waterfront, between A27 westbound exit and A2030 exit to Portsmouth seafront. We will not walk the whole 2½ mile sea wall path at Farlington.
3) We will finish the day at the Oyster Beds (West Hayling Nature reserve) for the high tide wader roost. High tide 14:54
***MINIBUS TRIP Saturday 14th November Pulborough Brooks RSPB MEMBERS ONLY Bring Lunch
Booking via Sandra Hucks (see above)
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
Set in the Arun Valley with beautiful views across to the South Downs this reserve is set in one of the richest areas for nature in the country. A great variety of habitats including wet grassland, restored heathland, pools and scrapes provide feeding areas for wintering wildfowl. Arable fields are managed for winter finches. Good for raptors. Plenty of hides.
Free entry for RSPB national members Non-members £5 Toilets, shop and café at Pulborough visitor centre 10-4pm
9:30am Monday 16th November Rainham Marshes RSPB Bring Lunch + all drinks Car Sharing + Public Transport
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com Please advise Rebecca if you intend to come
A peaceful paradise for wetland birds on the outskirts of the capital where you can spot waders, wildfowl, pipits, birds of prey etc. This superb reserve on the banks of the Thames teems with wildlife throughout the year. Our visit will include the Thames path to Aveley Bay for waders and pipits and maybe the landfill site for possible Corn Buntings.
Shorter walks close to the Visitors’ Centre are possible if you don’t want to do the Thames Path or whole 2.4-mile reserve circuit.
Meet – RSPB Rainham Marshes car park, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ
Free entry to reserve Free parking for national RSPB members displaying card £5 Non-members parking charge
Purfleet railway station is a 20-minute walk away (C2C line from Fenchurch Street) – full details on RSPB website.
Toilets open 9am to 4:30pm Visitor’s centre but no café or shop – still has great views of reserve with comfortable seating!
9:45 for 10:00 Sunday 22nd November Walthamstow Wetlands LWT Public Transport easiest (+ car sharing)
Bring Lunch or use Engine House café
Leader: Roy Pattison (07949 983752) roystokie@outlook.com Please advise Roy if you intend to come
A return to this wonderful reserve where a cluster of 10 fully operational Thames Water reservoirs in the Lee Valley have been transformed into Europe’s largest urban wetland reserve. Provides home and shelter to a wide range of wildlife, from rare waterfowl to birds of prey. Previous visits have produced wonderful views of kingfishers, winter ducks and peregrine. Roy hopes to organise another London Wildlife Trust guide to take us into areas of the reserve closed to members of the public – details when you book.
Meet: 9:45 outside Tottenham Hale Tube Station (Victoria line) or 10:00 outside visitor centre.
2 Forest Rd, Walthamstow, N17 9NH. The reserve is 10 minutes’ walk from Tottenham Hale tube station. Also has car park.
Free entry and fully accessible. Visitors’ Centre with café, toilets and shop (open 9:30am-4pm)
1-4pm Monday 30th November Guided New Forest Walk Afternoon Walk with Marcus Ward from ‘Wild New Forest
16 places available. £10pp (if all places booked, otherwise slightly more) Members only Car sharing Bring lunch
Must be booked in advance with Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
Marcus will take us to look for woodland species such as Crossbill, Hawfinch etc and maybe explore some other habitats. We will do a circular walk from Cadmans Pool taking in Holly Hatch and Sloden, that will give us a chance of also seeing Goshawk and a few heathland species. We may be able to visit a Hawfinch roost! Marcus will check this out nearer the time.
Meet 12:45 ready for a 1pm start. Cadmans Pool car park (near Fritham) Bramshaw, Lyndhurst, SO43 7HL Located just off the B3078 (via an unpaved access road). What3words: neutron.verifying.shared Parking charges apply No toilets
Option to visit Blashford Lakes nature reserve in the morning. It is a 17-minute drive away. Further details once your guided walk place is confirmed. (See 21st September walk for details about Blashford Lakes)
10:00am Saturday 5th December Kempton Nature Reserve Morning walk
Leader: Caroline Duncan (07944 271242) caroline@freebananas.co.uk Please advise Caroline if you intend to come
A rare chance to visit this Thames Water Site of Special Scientific Interest. From a decommissioned reservoir a purpose designed
50-acre wetland and wildlife oasis has sprung into life RESTRICTED ACCESS SO PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME.
Meet: 9:45am for 10amstart. Site entrance on sharp bend of Main St, TW13 6ST, next to Lindon Bennett School.
Car park inside gate – you will be let in through the main gate. Compost toilets.
H25 bus stops outside. R70 stops 5 mins walk away at Hanworth War Memorial, junction of Main St & Green Lane.
*** Minibus Trip Saturday 12th December Rackham Viewpoint then Arundel WWT
Booking via Sandra Hucks (see above) Bring lunch or use Water’s Edge café overlooking the lake at Arundel WWT
Picnics cannot be eaten in the café unless hot drinks etc are purchased as well.
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com
If the weather is ok, we will start our trip at RSPB RackhamViewpoint which overlooks Amberley Wildbrooks, part of the Arun valley floodplain. In winter it hosts thousands of ducks and geese and associated raptors. (Toilets on route at Tesco in Pulborough)
Second stop – Arundel WWT Fully accessible with flat paths.
WWT members free Non WWT members £16.25 (£14.75 concessions)
10% discount if booked online in advance up to midnight the previous day
Arundel is a 65-acre haven for wildlife surrounded by the steep Offham hangar, the River Arun and the scenic South Downs. Marsh Harriers arrive in the late afternoons to roost in the reedbeds. Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets roost near the Ramsar hide. Possible raptors off the hangar include, Red Kites, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Peregrines and if we’re very lucky White-tailed Eagles or Hen Harriers! On chilly days Lapwings flock in for the day. Kingfishers remain on site all year. A hotspot for Firecrest and Goldcrest. Snipe can be spotted along the edges of the reeds. Water Rail, Bullfinch and Barn Owl are possible. Collection of 50+ species from around the world including Dalmation Pelicans. Coastal Creek aviary where Long-tailed Ducks and Spectacled Eiders dive for fish.
Visitor centre with café, shop and toilets open until 4pm
10am Thursday 17th December WWT London Wetland Centre Morning walk (Option to stay on after coffee/lunch)
Leader: Sandra Hucks (07906 150407) sandra_hucks@hotmail.com Please advise Sandra if you intend to come
Forget the Christmas preparations and enjoy LWC which brings the countryside to London. The lakes, pools and gardens are home to a huge variety of wildlife. 180 bird species are recorded each year. Winter wildfowl and if we’re lucky Snipe and Bitterns.
Meet: on the bridge outside the entrance – Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT
Easily accessible by bus and rail; details on WWT website.
WWT members free Non-WWT members £19.00 (Concessions £17.25)
10% discount if booked online in advance up to midnight the previous day
***Sunday 10th January COACH TRIP Slimbridge WWT in Gloucestershire
Must be booked with Sandra Hucks as for minibus trips – see above
WWT members free entry Entrance fee for non WWT members £19.90 (Concessions £17.80)
10% discount if booked online in advance plus it will save time when we arrive
Leader: Rebecca Dunne (07879 645971) rebecca9dunne@gmail.com Bring Lunch. Toilet on coach.
A return visit by popular demand. Fully accessible site. Large visitors’ centre, shop, café, aviary and plenty of hides. 360° Estuary Tower hide. At the edge of the Cotswolds next to the Severn Estuary, this is the wetland that inspired Sir Peter Scott to found WWT. Winter is the time of year for which Slimbridge is famous as it offers large numbers of great quality winter birds from all over Europe and the Arctic – 30,000 wild ducks, geese and swans flying and swirling in the sky and using the wetlands to feed and roost. Plus 100 sorts of wetland birds in the Living Collection Tours of Sir Peter Scott’s home daily -see website to pre-book.
We will stop at motorway services on the way to Slimbridge for a comfort break and to pick up tea/coffee.
Coach will leave Slimbridge at 16:45 which should give time to go to the 16:00 commentated Swan Feeding Session
Coach trip pick up points – please arrive in plenty of time Set-down Points in reverse order- Richmond first
1) 07:30 – Surbiton Victoria Road – just past Surbiton station between The Surbiton Flyer pub and McDonalds.
2) 07:45 – Teddington – Waldegrave Rd bus stop opposite Library and next to Pizza Express
3) 07:50 – Twickenham – Arragon Rd by The Shack Bar
4) 08:00 – Richmond – opposite Richmond station