Car outings, for all but very local trips, meet outside Co-op Travelcare, St. James' Road, Surbiton. It is customary to share fuel costs
Non-members are welcome to come on any outing, but are requested to contact the leader prior to the event. ELT at the end of the entry means you should bring Elevenses, Lunch and Tea.
LANGSTONE HARBOUR/FARLINGTON MARSHES Sunday 27th May
Leader Mike White 01372457719
Meet at Surbiton for lifts at 08.15hrs. The walk starts at Farlington at 10.00hrs which is just after high tide. The reserve is off the A27/A2030 (Eastern Road) roundabout, before the Portsmouth exit. A rough track along the harbour shore leads to the car park. There are no toilets at the reserve so use facilities en route! This is an excellent time of year for TERNS and WADERS including BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, GREENSHANK, SPOTTED REDSHANK, RUFF, COMMON SANDPIPER and possibly WOOD SANDPIPER. The walk around the reserve is about 3 miles. If time permits we might go on to West Hayling Nature Reserve, hoping for close up views of TERNS and
MEDITERRANEAN GULLS. ELT
LAKENHEATH "Weekend" Saturday 9th/Sunday 10th June
Leader Peter Knox 02085430472
There is a better chance of seeing GOLDEN ORIOLES early in the morning, so it makes sense to be there at that time. However, leaving Surbiton before 4am isn't that attractive, so staying somewhere nearer on the night before becomes the obvious solution. It must be made clear, however, that this isn't an organized weekend in the same way as the October weekends, the only organized event will be the early morning walk at Lakenheath, starting at the visitor centre at 7am. Everything else, including travelling up there and overnight accomodation, will be up to the individuals to arrange for themselves. Peter has agreed to be the Leader at Lakenheath and you should contact him for more details if you are interested in coming along.
CHOBHAM COMMON Sunday (morning) 17th June
Leader Stephen Waters 01372 457442
note change from Saturday to Sunday
Meet in Surbiton at 08.30hrs for lifts or at Gracious Pond lay by Chobham at 09.30hrs. This is a morning
walk and we hope to see DARTFORD WARBLERS. E
KINGLEY VALE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE, Sussex Sunday 24th June
Leader Gary Caine 01372 468432
Kingley Vale is located on the South Downs near Chichester and offers not only great birding but is also an absolute haven for butterflies as 39 of Britain's 58 species of butterfly have been recorded here. The site is particularly noted for its fine, very old yew forest; some of the trees have been aged at over 3000 years! Bow Hill at 206 metres above sea level affords breathtaking views of the south coast and beyond. On our visit in June 2009, there were excellent views of soaring BUZZARDS and a profusion of BULLFINCHES. Other possible species may be CORN BUNTING and TURTLE DOVE and visiting the site in June will mean that all the common warblers should be prominent. Silver-washed Fritillary is one of the spectacular butterflies that we could find.
Meet at Surbiton for lifts at 08.30 hours. If going direct, take the A3 to Milford and then the A286 towards Midhurst. At Lavant take the right turn opposite the church (signed East Ashling and Funtington) and drive a further 2 miles to West Stoke. At the end of the village make a right hand turn into the Reserve car park as the road bends left (SU825088). There are no toilets on the reserve. Suitable facilities are available in Midhurst (Grange Road car park, SU885214). Mainly flat walking plus the climb to Bow Hill via fairly gentle ascending paths ELT
NIGHTJAR WALK - THURSLEY COMMON, Saturday evening 7th July
Leader Val Searle 07986 658854
Meet at the Moat car park (Explorer 145, grid ref SU899416) at 8pm for a walk around the common looking and listening for NIGHTJARS. Please let the Leader know in advance if you are coming. You will need warm clothing, boots, a torch and insect repellent. Sunset is at 9.15pm, so expect to be out until late.
LOCAL WALK - HOGSMILL Sunday (morning) 22nd July
Leader Stephen Waters 01372 457442
Meet at Berrylands Station at 09.30hrs . We will follow the Hogsmill river into Kingston and continue on to Seething Wells via Ravens Ait with its SANDMARTIN colony, before returning to Berrylands.