Example destinations
Winter – The Lea Valley
A day exploring the Lea Valley in winter
A day in winter on the Thames estuary
An afternoon and evening in summer for special heathland birds
A day of migration on the south coast in autumn
Suffolk extravaganza in spring – a whole day experience
Other destinations can include: Dorset (Portland Bill and Weymouth, Durlston Head, Studland and Poole Harbour), Abberton Reservoir, Walton-on-the-Naze, The London Reservoirs (Staines/Queen Mother, Wraysbury gravel pits), Stodmarsh, Grove Ferry and Sandwich Bay, Languard Point, The Brecks, The New Forest, North Norfolk (Titchwell, Wells-next-the-Sea, Cley-next-the-Sea), The Colne Valley (Stocker's Lake, Hilfield Park Reservoir, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits). |
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Whilst there are
a great variety of habitats to explore, each often holding different
species at varying seasons, we list here a few examples of what
is available. We are always happy to discuss your exact needs or
if you prefer, just sit back, relax and leave it to us!
In a river valley on the Herfordshire/Essex border,
just north of the conurbation, we will find a mixture of habitats
giving
a good
cross-section of species to be found near London. Old gravel workings
will provide opportunities to see large numbers of ducks and grebes
with the possibility of encountering less common birds such as
Bittern, Smew, Water Rail and Green Sandpiper. Local woodlands
will hold flocks
of tits, woodpeckers and finches though the elusive Hawfinch is
now only an outside chance. Late afternoon at several of the
pits will
offer the opportunity to scrutinise the assembling gull flocks
for more unusual species such as Mediterranean or Glaucous
Gulls.
Experience the lonely saltmarshes
so evocatively described by Charles Dickens in 'Great Expectations'.
Teeming with waders, gulls, divers,
grebes, and ducks, we would start the day at first light looking
at shorebirds before walking out to a shell bank where, if conditions
allow, roosting waders congregate or passerine species may include
Snow Bunting and Twite. A little inland we will look out for raptors,
of possibly six species, and flocks of geese and swans from arctic
Russia. After lunch and a warm-up at a local inn, the afternoon
will be spent in a leisurely walk across open agricultural land
behind
the sea wall to visit hides overlooking scrapes containing large
numbers of ducks, geese and waders. On our way back we may be lucky
to encounter a hunting Short-eared Owl or a Little Owl. Up to 80
species are possible in the day.
South-west of London lie remnants of lowland
heath which still contain a range of species not usually found
in other habitats.
In this delightful
area of pines, heather, gorse and bracken, we will look for specialist
birds such as Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Tree Pipit and Hobby,
but will certainly encounter many other species whilst doing
so. The
afternoon can be extended with a light supper and refreshments
at a local inn before spending twilight looking and listening
for Woodcocks
roding over the treetops and Nightjars churring in the furze.
Around 40 species should be seen in the course of our trip.
Low bushes and scrub on the unique
shingle peninsular of Dungeness in Kent can hold large numbers
of pipits, chats, thrushes,
warblers
and flycatchers – all making their way south across the English
Channel to mainland Europe. We will explore the area thoroughly and
also spend time studying 'the patch' – upwelling cooling water
from the dominant power station – that acts like a magnet
for many species of gulls and terns which are usually present in
large
numbers. After lunch at the Pilot Inn, perhaps of locally caught
fish, we will change venue to the RSPB reserve where freshwater
pits and bushes should contain good numbers of birds of a variety
of species.
On the quiet, almost forgotten coast of East
Anglia lies Minsmere,
one
of Britain's premier bird reserves where 100 species plus is
a realistic target for a day in spring. Arriving at the reserve
centre at around 9 am, we are likely to be greeted by the effusive
song
of Nightingales from the nearby hedgerows and copses. The morning
will be spent on a circular walk of the brackish lagoons where
Avocets and terns are breeding and Grasshopper Warblers may
be 'reeling'
from the bushes. Waders and gulls will be present in numbers
and we should take time to explore the coastal bushes for migrants. 
We will adjourn for lunch at the curiously named
Eels Foot pub and in
the afternoon return to the reserve for our second circular
tour of the freshmarsh and woodland. Marsh Harriers and 'pinging'
Bearded
Tits should be in evidence whilst good numbers of warblers
will
be found. The woodland contains many of the expected species
plus specialities
such as the Redstart. It will be a long day but one which,
in the right conditions, will be a memorable experience.