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The RSPB Maidstone Local Group - Outdoor Field Meetings |
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The RSPB Maidstone Local Group - Outdoor Field Meetings |
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The Maidstone Local RSPB Group have outdoor trips throughout the year. For most walks, waterproof footwear and clothing is recommended. We normally stop for some lunch, so bring your sandwiches and flask. For work parties, please wear old clothing and bring garden gloves.
Though normally there is no charge for outdoor meetings, some venues may make a small charge, by way of an entrance fee or for car parking. If you share cars on longer trips you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of fuel.
Please remember to bring your membership card with you when visiting RSPB reserves. Non-members will have to pay the normal entrance fee. All are welcome on these trips no matter whether you are a beginner or expert. Help will always be given in identifying birds.
We endeavour to seek out new venues and provide interesting coach outings and would welcome your suggestions and ideas for future trips.
Contact the Outdoor Meetings Organiser for further details of any of the events listed or to submit suggestions.
Remember to book Coach Trips early to avoid disappointment.
Calendar of events:
Meet in the reserve car park - Map ref: TR013647 (ME13 0QD) - Duration 9am to 2pm.
General interest, including waders on their migration, and butterflies and dragonflies. Easy walking and hides are present.
Duration 9am to 2pm.
Venue and details to be advised.
Come and help the warden on this 'hands on' conservation day.
Meet at the West Hythe Picnic Site Car Park, West Hythe Road - Map ref: TR124343 (CT21 4NT) - Duration 9.30am to 12.30pm.
A walk along the Saxon Shore Way and Royal Military Canal. Anything can turn up with the right conditions, should see farmland birds, Kingfisher, and maybe a few autumn migrants such as Firecrest. Giraffe, Ostrich, and African Hunting Dogs are also likely! The route is mostly easy walking, but requires a steep ascent up to Lympne Castle.
Duration 9am to 1pm.
Places are limited and booking is essential. A guided walk lead by Greg Thompson from the Kent Mammal Group, with a chance to see live release trapping of small mammals in action. Mice, voles and hopefully shrews should be seen in the hand, and if we are lucky, we might be able to find a dormouse or two. Field signs of larger species (subject to site limitations) will also be covered. A donation of £5 to support Kent Mammal Group would be most appreciated.
Meet along Leysdown Sea Wall, Shellness Road - Map ref: TR041700 (ME12 4RH) - Duration 8.30am to 3pm.
We hope to time the visit for the high tide wader roost at Shellness Point. We should also see wintering ducks, geese, and raptors.
Easy walking and toilets can be found in Leysdown.
Meet at Burham Court Church car park - Map ref: TQ717621 (ME1 3XY) - Duration 9.30am to 12pm.
Burham Marshes is a tidal reedbed of around 11 hectares on the meandering River Medway. The reserve is a prime point to observe waterfowl and waders at this time of year, the reedbeds hold Bearded Tit and Water Rail, and the grazing marsh is often the hunting grounds for Barn Owl.
Come and help the warden on this 'hands on' conservation day.
Meet at Bromhey Farm car park - Map ref: TQ767763
If you would like more details on this, and fancy coming along, then please contact the Outdoor Meetings Organiser
Meet at the Brooklands Lake car park for our Xmas stroll - Map ref: TQ707614 (ME6 5UD) - Duration 9am to 1pm.
This site always holds plenty to see, with winter ducks, grebes, thrushes, and maybe Kingfisher, all possible.
Duration 11.45am for 12pm start until dusk.
Places are limited and booking is essential. Enjoy a guided walk around Bedgbury Forest and Pinetum with John Mulrenan, local bird recorder with a wealth of knowledge about the area. The group will be shown through the Forest for 2 hours before heading to the roost site for the winter finches. Buzzard, Mandarin, Grey Wagtail, Crossbill, Siskin, Redpoll all possible, and if we are lucky hopefully Hawfinch and Brambling. Toilets are available. A donation of your choice to support the Friends of Bedgebury would be most appreciated.
Meet at coach pick up points - Duration - 8am pick up, leave centre 4pm.
The reserve is of international importance for over 40,000 wintering ducks, geese, swans, grebes and waders. Easy walking with a Visitor Centre present with a small gift shop, cafe and toilets, and there are hides around the reserve.
Meet at Linton Church Car Park - Map ref: TQ754501 (ME17 4AW) - Duration 8.30am to 1pm.
Explore the varied habitats of this beautiful part of Kent looking for wintering thrushes, woodpeckers and farmland and woodland birds.
Meet at the RSPB car park - Map ref: TQ551790 (RM19 1SX) - Duration 9am - 2pm.
Visit this modern wetland reserve for wintering ducks, waders and raptors. Hides, toilets and cafe present.
Begin 9:30am.
Come and help the warden on this 'hands on' conservation day of Woodland management activities.
If you would like more details on this, and fancy coming along, then please contact the Outdoor Meetings Organiser
Meet in the reserve car park - Map ref: TQ519566 (TN13 3DL) - Duration 9am to 1pm.
Spend the morning on this easy walking reserve where woodpeckers, Egyptian Geese, wintering wildfowl, Siskins and Redpolls are all possible. Hides, toilets and refreshments all on site.
Meet at the Old Lighthouse Car Park - Map ref: TR088169 (TN29 9PP) - Duration 9am to 3pm.
Spend the day on this special peninsula, starting off by the Observatory and finishing off at the RSPB reserve. We should hopefully catch up with any lingering winter species whilst we also look for the early spring migrants. Wintering grebes, raptors, ducks, and perhaps Bittern, and Wheatear, Firecrest and Black Redstart are also possible. Hides, toilets and refreshments are all on site.
Meet at the main car park - Map ref: TQ772552 (ME15 7RN) - Duration 8.30am to 12pm.
An early spring guided walk around my local patch. Wildflowers, trees and history will be looked at, whilst looking for birds such as early warblers, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, wildfowl, and woodland birds. Toilets and a cafe are on site.
Meet at the Rye Harbour public car park - Map ref: TQ941189 (TN31 7TU) - Duration 9am to 3pm.
Enjoy a walk around this brilliant reserve, including Castle Water, looking for spring migrants. Anything could turn up, but hopefully warblers, Wheatear, terns, waders, and Mediterranean Gulls should be seen. Hides present, and toilets available near car park, and an ice cream van!
Meet in the small car park along Pennypot Lane - Map ref: TR096504 (CT4 7EY) - Duration 8am to 1pm.
Denge Wood is one of Kent's largest tracts of forest. The Bluebells are magnificent, and with a bit of luck we may find orchids and one of the famous Duke of Burgundy butterflies. Nightingales, warblers, Marsh Tit, and other woodland birds are all possible.
Meet at the Stodmarsh NNR car park - Map ref: TR221608 (CT3 4BE) - Duration 7am to 2pm.
Well worth the early start to visit this internationally important wetland rich in wildlife. Warblers, Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Bearded Tit, raptors, and maybe Bittern, are all possible. Hides and toilets present.
Venue and full details to be advised.
Hopefully we'll be lucky and see Woodcock as well as Nightjar, and maybe hear an owl or two. Chance for bats as well!
Meet at reserve car park - Map ref: TQ926705 (ME12 3RW) - Duration 9am to 3pm.
Enjoy a walk across the marshes during the breeding season for most of our bird species, including Waders and Raptors. Butterflies, Hares, and dragonflies are also possible. Toilets and hides present.
Meet at coach pick up points - Duration - 7am pick up, leave centre 5pm.
Walk round the reedbeds, woodlands and meadows looking for broadland birds and wildlife. Marsh Harriers, Kingfisher, and warblers, plus there's an array of wildflowers, dragonflies and butterflies, including the spectacular Swallowtail. Visitor Centre present with toilets, and there are hides around the reserve.
For full details see booking form.
Meet in the Old Lodge Sussex Wildlife Trust car park - Map ref: TQ467315 (TN7 4EU) - Duration 9am to 3pm.
Spend the day walking around parts of Ashdown Forest looking for Heathland and Woodland birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Toilets are present in the Visitor Centre.
Duration 9am to 2pm.
Venue and details to be advised.
Come and help the warden on this 'hands on' conservation day.
Meet at Teston Country Park car park (small charge) - Map ref: TQ707532 (ME18 5BX) - Duration 7pm to 9pm.
Enjoy an evening walk along the River Medway through the countryside around Teston and Wateringbury. Barn Owl and Kingfisher are possible..
Meet at - Map ref: TQ827629 (ME9 7XE) - Duration 10am to 1pm.
Spend a few hours walking round this chalk downland reserve looking for butterflies and wildflowers. Adonis Blue and Silver Spotted Skipper are likely.
Meet at coach pick up points - Duration - 7am pick up, leave centre 5pm.
The Birdfair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. In addition to wildlife charities there are hundreds of stands selling the latest products, from scopes to sculptures, tour company holidays and artwork displays. There is a daily programme of events that boasts a fantastic variety of lectures, film shows and celebrity appearances.
For full details see booking form.
Park along Conyer Road on the left hand side before the Ship Inn - Map ref: TQ962648 (ME9 9HR) - Duration 6.30pm to 9pm.
An evening walk around this lovely section of the North Kent Marshes. Wildfowl and waders on the Swale.
