PLEASE NOTE: The group is full and has a waiting list.

Lucy, our convenor, writes:

“My group, previously entitled “Birdwatching Group 2”, studies all aspects of wildlife, including insects and flowering plants, and a change in our title better reflects what we study on our days out. The group remains at capacity and I regret that we are currently unable to add names to a waiting list, but do please contact me, because members leave the group from time to time.

Our meetings re-start on 19th April subject to Covid restrictions and some adjustments to the programme (members have been informed of these adjustments). A new programme for 2021/22 should be published at the end of June

I aim to visit a wide variety of habitats during the 12−month programme, with eleven outings and a social lunch and get−together in July. One of my favourite locations is the Somerset Levels, in particular Ham Wall RSPB reserve where, in Spring and Summer, we look at all aspects of wildlife.

My over−riding objective as group convenor is to help members improve their bird identification skills and encourage a wider interest in all natural history, including butterflies, moths, dragonflies and flowering plants.”

AIMS

 ● To learn to identify birds visually and by calls and songs
 ● To learn about bird behaviour including migration
 ● To look at other wildlife, including dragonflies and butterflies
 ● To visit a bird observatory to see how birds are monitored

METHOD

As a group, we will visit nature reserves, different habitats, perhaps including urban and suburban to watch birds, listen to their calls and songs, whilst not ignoring other wildlife such as butterflies and dragonflies in the Spring and Summer months. If weather is particularly unfavourable, the scheduled meeting may be cancelled and an alternative indoor meeting arranged. Lunch will be either packed food and drink or a pub/cafe lunch. Some meetings will only be half−day morning. Meetings may require walking of 1 to 5 miles, depending on location.

INITIAL SKILL LEVELS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

None. If you do not have a pair of binoculars, the Group Convenor would be willing to lend a pair on the day. The Group Convenor has a telescope and tripod, and others in the group may also have this optical equipment which everyone can use during the meeting. The Group Convenor will have a range of field guides.

CLOTHING

Always dress for the weather conditions and take plenty of warm layers for winter months. Meetings will generally require walking shoes or boots, sometimes wellingtons. Members should be aware of ticks during the summer and wear light coloured long trousers.

TRANSPORT

Transport will be by members’ own cars, with car−share encouraged including sharing petrol costs, 20p per mile.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

 ● All members should be responsible for their own safety and note any hazards on the day, depending on the terrain.
 ● Members with any medical condition should ensure they have all medication with them, as needed.
 ● Anyone with any particular disability should inform the Group Convenor in advance.
 ● It is advisable to carry a mobile phone in case of an emergency.
 ● Nobody should leave the meeting without first telling the Group Convenor.

Programme for 2020-21 (a new programme will be released soon)

17 August 2020 9:30am Finish approx.3:00pm	Langford Lakes Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve off A36. Packed lunch Target species: Migrant waders, warblers, water birds, dragonflies.	10.15am. Car park Landranger map 184 SU 0370370 SP3 4NH
21 September 9:00am Finish approx.3:00pm	Chew Valley Lake (change of venue) Packed lunch or restaurant Target species: Migrants - Yellow Wagtail, whinchat, waders, warblers, raptors	10:15am at Herriott's Bridge Landranger map 172 ST 572581
19 October 8:30am Finish approx.11:30am	Elm Farm near Burnett/Keynsham - courtesy of Philippa and John Paget Lunch not applicable Target species: Autumnal moths, finches, and farmland birds	9:00am at Elm Farm Landranger map 172 ST665652 BS31 2TF
16 November 9:00am Finish approx.3:00pm	Stourhead Packed lunch or restaurant Target species: Woodland birds, Tree Sparrow, Crossbill, Siskin, Thrushes	9:45am in reception building Landranger map 183 ST 775339 BA12 6QD
21 December HALF DAY 9:30am Finish approx.1:00pm	Chew Valley Lake Packed lunch or restaurant. Target species: Wildfowl, Herons, Egrets, Marsh Harrier	10:15am at Herriott's Bridge Landranger map 172 ST 572581
18 January 2021 HALF DAY 9:30am Finish approx. 12:00	Newton St Loe Target species: Woodland birds, Kingfisher	10.00am in farm shop car park Landranger map 172 ST 704647 BA2 9BT
15 February 9:30am Finish approx. 4:00pm	Avebury and Barbury Castle Packed lunch Target species: Tree Sparrow, finches, raptors, partridge, brown hare	10;30am in NT car park OS Explorer map 157 SU 009696 SN8 1RD
15 March 9:00am Finish approx. 11:30am	Heaven’s Gate, near Longleat Lunch not applicable Target species: Woodland bird song, tits, raptors, Stock Dove – target Firecrest.	9:45am in Nockatt car park OS Explorer Map 143 ST 828423 off Horningsham Road
19 April 9:00am Finish approx. 2:00pm HALF DAY OPTION	Blagdon and Chew Reservoirs – Blagdon with warden Nigel Milbourne Packed lunch Target species: Migrant, woodland birds, wildfowl and wetland birds and Spring flowers and butterflies	10.00am in car park within the reservoir site at the dam end of the lake Landranger Map 182 ST 5008595
17 May 9:00am Finish approx. 3:00pm	Newport Wetlands and Goldcliff Packed lunch or cafe Target species: waders, warblers, cuckoo, bearded reedlings	10.15am in RSPB reserve car park W, Nash Road OS Explorer map 152 ST 334834 NP18 2BZ
21 June 9:00am Finish approx. 12:00pm	Caen Hill Locks, Devizes, Wilts Packed Lunch or eat in café Target species: sedge warbler, kingfisher, red kite, yellowhammer, dragonflies and other insects	10.00am in Canal and River Trust car park off B3101 Marsh Lane Map 173 ST 986616 SN10 1QS
19 July 12:00 noon	Blathwayt Arms, Lansdown Social pub lunch Discuss past and current programme, future venues etc.	-

If you are interested in joining this group, please see the newsletter for contact details.

Some of our photos
All photographs courtesy of, and ©, Tom Pinckheard