Here are the details of our planned outdoor trips. For general information on outdoor trips please visit the outdoor trips page.
Our nearest RSPB Reserve is now 10 years old and continues to improve. Our last visit was Sept 2014, so it will be interesting to see it in the middle of winter. There will be good number of waders and ducks. We should be able to see Harriers and Owls too. Facilities: Toilets. Cost £2.50 One week later than normal to benefit from early afternoon high tide. A WWT site of renown. Whilst there is the captive collection, it is the birds that migrate here for the winter that we want to see: numerous wildfowl and waders. New hides since our last visit (Autumn 2011) will afford us some cover (and comfort?) to enjoy the birds over lagoons and the Severn estuary. Facilities: Café. Cost £11.00 (or £2.50 if you are WWT member. M/ship card req’d) *************TRIP CANCELLED ************ At this time of year, RSPB’s finest Yorkshire Reserve will enable us to see drake ducks in their prime and plenty of birds in the bushes and trees before the leaves start to sprout. Barn Owls are a possibility over the meadows too. Facilities: Café, Cost £2.50 Whilst this is a site we return to often, it is a long time since we saw it in potentially the best month of the year. There are many different types of habitats for us to enjoy a real variety of birds. Facilities: Café. Cost £2.50 A new reserve for our group. Derbyshire WT have created an interesting site with different habitats and a viewing platform looking down over several lagoons. Hobby is a strong possibility. Carsington in the afternoon to see what is on and around the Reservoir. Facilities: None at Carr Vale. Café and toilets at Carsington. Cost £2.50. http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/carr-vale-flash On our last visit here 3yrs ago, we started the day off with a Spoonbill fly-by. There were plenty of waders such as Black Tailed Godwits, Greenshanks and Golden Plover. We would also hope to see migrating birds such as Wheatear and Whinchat heading south. Facilities: Café & Toilets. Cost £2.50 There is a 9am high tide at Snettisham on this day. It should be well worth a very early start to see murmurations of thousands of waders in the air and also “marching” on the mudflats. We can then have brunch before heading to Holme to see what birds are passing the observatory. Facilities: Café & Toilets (£4.50 or £2.50 if you are NOA member. M/ship card req’d) https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/snettisham/ Our planned trip in March this year was cancelled because of dire weather conditions. Hopefully, there will be no repeat on the re-planned visit. Winter wildfowl should be flocking back and there could be a chance to find Bittern in the pool areas. Facilities: Café & Toilets. Cost £2.50 https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/dearne-valley-old-moor/ This relatively local nature reserve will enable us to make the most of available daylight hours. Great White Egret, Bittern and Water Rail are all strong contenders for good sightings around the reedbeds. We can also expect plenty of waterfowl and a mix of Finches in the wooded areas. Facilities: Café & Toilets. Cost £2.50