RSPB Events Dec 2012 – Feb 2013

The following are just some of the RSPB’s many outdoorsy wildlife and nature events held across the UKthis winter – for full details and more information on a host of events and venues nationwide see: http://www.rspb.org.uk/events

December

 Sun 2nd December Off The Beaten Track (Essex)

Join an RSPB warden to gain a special insight into the management and wildlife of this very special nature reserve at Rainham Marshes – a stone’s throw from the M25. A great opportunity to get close to some of the wildlife that lives on our reserve away from the hustle and bustle of the visitor paths!  Pre-payment booking essential
Time: 11am start (2 hours) Cost: RSPB member: £6.00, Wildlife explorer member: £2.50, adult non-member: £7.00, child non- member: £3.00. This does not include reserve entry fees. Tel: 01708 899840 – pre payment booking essential www.rspb.org.uk/events

Sat 8th December Birds by Barge on the Stour Estuary (Essex)

Climb aboard the ‘Bird Barge’ for Stour Estuary, departing Harwich at 8.30 to 8.45 am to enjoy one of East Anglia’s finest wildlife spectacles, and an opportunity to see thousands of birds on a magnificent estuary, from the river. The 117 year old Thames Sailing Barge ‘Victor’ provides a wonderful platform for a leisurely half day excursion, with experts on board to help get the most out of the bird-watching. Teas, coffees and all day breakfast-in-a-bun included. Pre-booking essential, children must be accompanied by an adult. Time: 8am start (finishes lunchtime)  Cost: £37.50 www.rspb.org.uk/events
Dawn of the Ducks (West Sussex)

It’s an early start, but it’s worth it to see the streams at the RSPB Pulborough Brooks Reserve come alive with the sights and sounds of the hundreds of ducks, geese and swans at sunrise! Then, it’s time for a delicious cooked breakfast. Start: 6.45am start (finishes at 9am) Price: £20 per person (£15 for RSPB members). Booking essential Tel: 01798 875851 www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Sun 9th December Wildlife Watch (Hertfordshire)

A great family afternoon exploring the Rye Meads Nature Reserve in Stansted Abbotts. Volunteers will be in one of the hides to point out wildlife and answer questions in an event that is free for everyone, with no need to book!  Explorer backpacks and bird bingo sheets can be hired for £1.50. Time: 2pm start (2 hours) Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

The Sunday Stroll (Essex)

Meet up for a 1pm start Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve to join one an expert guide and discover the wonderful wildlife, meet like-minded people and walk off that Sunday lunch! Time: 1pm start Cost: RSPB member: £4.00, Wildlife explorer member: £1.50 adult non-member: £5.00, child non- member: £2.00. Tel: 01708 899840 – pre-booking advised. www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Sat 15th December Meet Santa at RSPB Rainham Marshes (Sat 15^th & Sun 16^th Dec)

With the help of the elves, follow the trail to Santa’s woodland grotto at the RSPB Rainham Marshes reserve in Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ. All children receive a gift.
Time: 12 noon-4 pm (both days) Price: Wildlife Explorers Club members: £6.00, child non-members: £7.50, adult members: £0.50 adult non-members: £0.50. This includes reserve entry fees. Pre-payment booking essential Tel: 01708 899843, email martin.holm@rspb.org.uk. www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Bird Walk (Essex)

On this walk at the mouth of the River Blackwater estuary at Old Hall Marsh, expect to see barn owl and various raptors which may include peregrine, marsh harrier, merlin, short eared owl and hen harrier, as well as winter sea ducks such as eider, red breasted merganser, long tailed duck and great northern diver. Suitable for all levels of walker (walking boots and waterproof clothing strongly recommended) on an 8-mile route (5 hour) across exposed and uneven and muddy ground. Tel: 01621 857076.
Time: 10am start Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Sun 16^th December Granny’s Bay Bird Walks (Lancashire)

Enjoy a 3-hour guided bird watching walk from the Ribble Discovery Centre atFairhavenLakein Lytham-St-Annes to see the spectacular spring, autumn migration and the summer and winter visitors to the estuary. Warm and waterproof clothing advised. Time: 9am start (booking advised Tel: 01253 796292) Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

Sun 23rd December The Sunday Stroll (Essex)

Join one of our experts to discover the wonderful wildlife on the Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve. This is the perfect opportunity to improve your identification skills, meet like-minded people and walk off that Sunday lunch – just a stone’s throw fromCentral London & the M25. Time: 1pm start Cost: RSPB member: £4.00, Wildlife explorer member: £1.50, adult non-member: £5.00, child non- member: £2.00.  www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Thurs 27th December Wildlife Walkabout (West Sussex)

Head to Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve in Wiggonholt for for a gentle 2-hour ramble and informal nature walk that provides an ideal introduction to the reserve and its varied habitats and wildlife plus the seasonal delights of the brooks and a heathland restoration project. Time: 10am start Price: Cost £4 per person (£2 per RSPB member)
www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Sat 29th December Half-day walk around Dell Quay (West Sussex)

This great family-orientated post-Christmas Day wildlife walk starts at 10:00am and is led by Roger Morris and will encompass the mudflats and harbour shoreline with its wildfowl, seabirds and divers – a super way to walk off the Christmas pudding in fresh coastal air. Time: 10am start (half day) Price: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

Friday 4^th January New Year Winter Wildlife Walk (Bedfordshire)

Take a winter walk around theSandynature reserve in Bedfordshire to kick off 2013 and blow off the cobwebs after the festive break. Afterwards, enjoy an opportunity to huddle around a warming bonfire as darkness descends with a glass of warming mulled wine in hand! Time: 2pm-4pm (booking essential) Cost: adults £5, RSPB members £4, children £2, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £1 www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Tuesday 8^th January Tuesday morning walkers

Join weekly guided walks around the heathland reserve looking for birds, wildlife and simply enjoying nature – everyone welcome. Runs every Tuesday year-round (15^th, 22^nd, 29^th Jan) Time: 9.30 – 11.30am Cost: adults £3 (free for RSPB members) www.rspb.org.uk/events

Sat 12th JanuaryRed Kite Roost Watch (Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland)

Running from 2.45pm – 4.30pm this is a wonderful opportunity to see red kites as they come in to roost together, in woods around the kite trail. These birds sometimes gather in a flying circus before settling at dusk – spectacular!  Time: 2.45pm start (finishes at 4.30pm) Cost: Free (booking essential, tel: 01556 670464) www.rspb.org.uk/events

Friday 18^th January Stargazing Live (Lincolnshire)

This event at Frampton RSPB Nature Reserve runs from 7-9pm when the skies are dark. Join expert stargazers for a nighttime tour of the planets, stars and constellations – the reserve’s remote location and lack of light pollution makes the reserve an ideal venue for stargazing Time: 7pm start (finishes at 9pm) Price: Adults £4, children £2. RSPB members half price Booking essential (tel: 01205 724678) www.rspb.org.uk/events

Saturday 19^th January RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Bash (Bedfordshire)

Join us to take part in the Big Lodge Birdwatch at The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire as a warm up for next weekend’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Add to the day’s bird list and receive useful tips on identifying the birds coming to the feeders – with a prize for the best photograph taken on the day! Time: 11am-3pm Cost: Free (donations gratefully received). No need to book www.rspb.org.uk/events

 

Sun 20th January Burton Mill Pond (Surrey)

This fascinating all-day trek at Burton Mill Reserve is led by Sean Foote (approx 3 miles) and takes walkers of all levels across easy terrain around pond and woodlands (waterproofs & boots recommended as can be wet and muddy). Expect to see siskins, redpolls, other finches, thrushes and crests plus ducks on the pond and possibly kingfisher and bittern. Bring a lunch. Time: 10am start (all day) Cost: Free (booking essential tel: 01252 314275 www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Tues 22nd January

 Bins and Boots Walk, Whitfield Valley Nature Reserve, (Staffordshire)

This enthralling walk at Whitfield Valley Local Nature Reserve in Stoke on Trent- one of the largest reserves in the city – explores a wide range of habitats with the Ford Green Brook flowing through the site and patches of grassland, hay meadow, heathland, hedgerow, ponds and scattered trees. Ford Green reedbed, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, is located at the southern end of the reserve and many ducks and other water birds, such as snipe, breed and overwinter here.
Time: 10am start Cost: Free (Tel: 01782 262082 to book) www.rspb.org.uk/events

Thurs 24th January Papercourt and River Wey (Surrey) 

Join a scenic three-mile guided walk around lakes, rivers, farmland and scrub and across muddy paths (plus a few stiles) to spot a winter time selection of thrushes, water birds, little owl, siskins and redpolls plus numerous ducks on the lake. Time: 9.30am start Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

Thurs 31st January

Wat Tyler Country Park & Vange Marsh RSPB by Public Transport (Greater London)

A superb location for spotting winter ducks, waders and other winter birds. Time: Meet at 9.55am at Fenchurch Station (west entrance) around the corner from Tower Hill tube to catch the 10.10am train to Pitsea. Cost: Free to RSPB members, non-members £1 donation www.rspb.org.uk/events

Saturday 9 February Birdwatching at Largo Bay / Ruddons Point (Fife, Scotland)

Join regular birders and newcomers alike on this popular outing to beautiful LargoBayand Ruddons Point, on the northern shore of the Forth Estuary, on the coast of Fife.
Time: 10am (Tel 0131 652 0308 for meeting point)  Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

Saturday 9 February

 

Family friendly nature walk, Darts Farm (Devon)
Great guided family walk through the beautiful wildlife-rich farmlands and wetlands of Darts Farm, Topsham  on a Saturday afternoon with striking views across Goosemoor Reserve to see farmland birds, as well as dazzling kingfishers, reed buntings and birds of prey such as buzzards and sparrowhawks. Binoculars can be hired from the RSPB shop to make the most of all the great lookout spots along the way!   Time: 2pm start Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Saturday 16 February Cuckoo Trail Walk, Hellingly (East Sussex)

Join this family-friendly walk along the picturesque Cuckoo Trail north from the quaint village of Hellinglyon the Weald. Taking its name from the light railway that ran through the area, and the tradition that saw the first Cuckoo of spring released at an annual fair, the trail is now a nationally acclaimed country path for nature lovers with its beautiful views, hand-carved seats, sculptures and numerous species of birds. Start: 10am Cost: Free (Booking advisable Tel: 01323 441169)
www.rspb.org.uk/events

Sunday 17 February Birding trek, Rutland Water (Leicestershire)

Arguably England’s finest inland reserve bar none, this not-to-be-missed event is led by an experienced birding guide and explores the leafy trails and wetland habitats of a number of species of birds and wildlife. Time: 10am start Cost: Entrance charge (Tel 01908 571315 for meeting point) www.rspb.org.uk/events

 Sunday 24 February Winter Walk, Nosterfield (West Yorkshire)

Join nature-lovers for a walk round the various paths and hides at Nosterfield Nature Reserve and Quarry along bird-rich trails across wetland grasslands.
Time: 10am start (Tel 01748 824776 for meeting point)  Cost: Free www.rspb.org.uk/events