Sunday 20th May 2012

Bennett’s Cross and Challacombe

Full day meeting, with a circular walk to Challacombe, for moorland birds including Wheatear and Whinchat.  We will take a slightly different route this year, starting at Bennett’s Cross, rather than King’s Oven car park.

Meet 8.30am at the Barn Owl (SX962928), or Bennett’s Cross car park (SX680817, on the B3212 1 km north-east of Warren House Inn) at 9.30am.

Bring and carry packed lunch.

No toilets.

Saturday 2nd June 2012

Venford

We will be looking for birds on both the moorland and in the woods above the upper Dart valley.  Weather permitting, we will have our lunch on Bench Tor before returning to our cars in early afternoon.

Meet at the Barn Owl at 8.30 am, or north car park by the dam at Venford Reservoir (SX686712) at 9.30am.

Bring and carry packed lunch.

Toilets by car park.

Monday 18th June 2012

Aylesbeare Common

A morning field meeting to look for local specialities, such as Dartford Warbler and Yellowhammer.  This is also a good time of year, and an excellent location to see a variety of dragonflies and butterflies. 

Meet at Joney’s Cross car park, opposite the reserve, just off the A3052 (SX058897) at 10.00am.

No toilets.

Sunday 1st July 2012

Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath

In the morning we will visit the RSPB Ham Wall reserve, where we should be able to see some of the Bitterns that now breed regularly in the reserve.  In the afternoon we will look for water birds, warblers, and hopefully Hobbies at neighbouring Shapwick Heath.

Meet 8.30 am at the Barn Owl, or Ashcott Corner (ST448396) at 9.45 am. 

Bring packed lunch. 

No toilets.

Friday 27th July 2012

Mutters Moor

Our traditional summer evening walk to look for Nightjars.

Meet at the car park at the top of Peak Hill, Sidmouth (SX109872) at 9.00 pm.

No toilets.

Saturday 11th August 2012

Axe Estuary Wetlands

The lower Axe valley is now one of the best places to see birds in East Devon.  This will be an all-day visit, starting off with Colyford Common and Black Hole Marsh reserves - where some rare migrant waders have previously been seen at this time of year. 

Meet at Axe Wetlands car park, accessed though Seaton Cemetary (SY249915) at 9.30am.

Toilets in Seaton.

Bring packed lunch.

Thursday 23rd August 2012

Bowling Green Marsh and Goosemoor

Morning meeting for waders and ducks, including a visit to the adjacent Goosemoor reserve.  Even though it’s summer, autumn migration is already starting and anything may turn up! ,

Meet at 10.00 am at Holman Way Car Park, Topsham (SX968881)

Please do not park on the approach road to Bowling Green.

Car park charge.

Toilets on Topsham Quay.

Sunday 9th September 2012

Dawlish Warren

Autumn migration will be in full flow by now - we’ll see what turns up in the trees, scrub and sand dunes, and on the beach at Dawlish Warren.  There should also be be some lingering terns.

Meet in car park (north end, near nature reserve, SX981786) at 9.30 am, continuing to lunchtime.

Car park charge.  Toilets near car park.

Saturday 22nd September 2012

Soar

The fields around Soar often attract large flocks of finches and larks at this time of year, and we’ll also look out for migrants such as warblers, Wheatears, Whinchats and possibly even Ring Ouzels.

Meet for car sharing at 8.30 am at the Barn Owl (SX962928) or 9.45 am at the car park near Middle Soar (SX712755)

No toilets

Bring packed lunch

Saturday 6th October 2012

Portland

The geography of Portland means that, depending on the weather, it can be a good place to see a variety of migrants.  A few years ago we went to Portland by coach, but this time we’ll visit by car which will give us the flexibility to visit some different sites.

Meet for car sharing at 8.30 am at the Barn Owl (SX962928) or 10.00 am at the Chesil beach visitor centre car park by the Fleet (SY668755).

Car park charge(s).  Toilets at Chesil Beach and Portland Bill

Bring packed lunch.

Monday 22nd October 2012

Exminster

Morning field trip for birds on the marshes and estuary.  At this time of year an increasing number of waders will be on the Exe estuary.

Meet at RSPB car park (SX953872) at 10.00am.

No toilets.

Sunday 4th November 2012

Isley Marsh and Fremington

A full-day field trip to look for waders, ducks and other wintering birds around the Taw-Torridge estuary.  We’ll visit the RSPB Isley Marsh reserve in the morning, moving on to Fremington in the afternoon.

Meet for car sharing at 8.30 am at the Barn Owl (SX962928)  or 9.45 am at the end of the road to the old Yelland power station (SS483322)

Toilet and refreshments in cafe at Fremington.

Bring packed lunch.

Fri 16th to Tue 20th November 2012

Weekend Birdwatching Break in Kent

We will be staying at the Judd’s Folly Hotel, Faversham for four nights. From there we will visit several birdwatching sites in Kent, including Oare Marshes, Stodmarsh, Dungeness and the Isle of Sheppey.
Must be booked in advance.
For further details, see newsletter article or booking form.

Saturday 8th December 2012

Greylake and Ham Wall

A winter visit to Greylake and Ham Wall, two RSPB reserves on the Somerset levels. We hope to see wintering ducks and other wetland birds, with the chance of seeing Bitterns and Marsh Harriers. We will have a guided walk at Ham Wall, finishing with spectacle of millions of Starlings coming in to roost at dusk (weather permitting).

Meet for car sharing at 8.30 am at the Barn Owl (SX962928) or Greylake (ST399346)  at 9.45am.

Bring packed lunch. 

No toilets.

Saturday 29th December 2012

Powderham

Our traditional post-Christmas walk takes us from Powderham to Turf locks, hoping to see ducks and waders on the Exe estuary and wintering birds in the neighbouring fields.

Meet at 9.30 am near Powderham church (SX 971844).  Please do not use the church car park.

No toilets.

Friday 11th January 2013

Broadsands and Clennon Valley

An all-day trip.  In the morning we’ll visit Broadsands, hoping to to see grebes and divers if the weather is favourable, plus winter visitors and the local Cirl Buntings.  In the afternoon we will visit Goodrington and the ponds and woodland of the Clennon Valley

Meet at Broadsands car park (SX896572) at 10.00 am.

Car park charge but possible free parking in the road.

Bring packed lunch.

Toilets on the sea front at Broadsands and Goodrington.

Saturday 26th January 2013

Avocet Cruise

We plan to join one of the RSPB Avocet Cruises to view the wintering wildfowl and waders on the Exe estuary.  Since the Avocet Cruise programme is not finalised until late summer, the date, time and other arrangements will be confirmed later.

Sunday 17th February 2013

Dawlish Warren

A half-day walk to see waders and sea birds at Dawlish Warren.  A morning high tide should bring the birds in close to the hide.

Meet in car park (north end, near nature reserve, SX981786) at 9.30 am.

Car park charge.

Toilets near car park.

Saturday 2nd March 2013

Bowling Green Marsh

A morning walk to see wintering waders, ducks and more on the upper Exe estuary.

Meet at 10.00 am at Holman Way Car Park, Topsham (SX968881)

Please do not park on the approach road to Bowling Green.

Car Park charge.

Toilets on Quay.

Wednesday 20th March 2013

Otter estuary

A morning walk by the Otter river, looking for birds on the sea, river, and adjacent fields.

Meet 9.00 am at Lime Kiln car park , Budleigh Salterton (SY073820).

Toilets 100m from car park. Car park charge, or possible free parking in nearby roads.