January/February 2012
Kingley Vale
Date and time: Sunday 15th January (9.30am - 2.00pm)
Where to meet: Meet in the car park at West Stoke at grid ref SU 824088..
The Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is a few miles north west of Chichester. This reserve contains
one of the finest yew forests in western Europe, and includes trees which, at
around 2000 years old, represent some of the oldest living things in Britain. Today we complete a
circular walk around the reserve which will give us ample opportunity to view
the gnarled and ancients yews and also enjoy panoramic view from the top of Bow
Hill towards the Solent and Isle of Wight. Apart from the yews we
will keep a look out for birds which may include common buzzard, red
kite, green woodpecker, fieldfare, redwing,
bullfinch and yellowhammer.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273
705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £10 per person
Additional information: The walk includes a steepish uphill climb to the
top of Bow Hill. Bring walking boots, a warm and waterproof top and a packed
lunch in a rucksack.
Wildfowl and waders at Thorney Island
Date and time: Sunday 22nd January (8.15am - mid afternoon)
Where to meet: Meet at the eastern end of Thornham Lane at grid ref SU 763045.
Chichester Harbour lies southwest of Chichester. It is of national and international importance for landscape and nature conservation and is designated as an AONB, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, a SSSI and an SPA. Most of the land around the harbour is either built up or extensively farmed but there are a number of areas of special interest of which the complex of Thorney Deeps and Thorney Island is the most important. Today's walk, which has been scheduled to coincide with the rising tide, will follow the public footpath along the sea wall around the perimeter of Thorney Island to Pilsey Island where there is a high tide roost which hosts a spectacular assemblage of waders in winter including up to 15,000 dunlin, 3,000 knot, 1,500 grey plover, 1,300 oystercatchers, 800 bar-tailed godwits, 600 ringed plover and 200 sanderling. A wintering flock of up to 25 avocets has become established in recent years. Wildfowl are also much in evidence, small groups of shelduck, pintail and teal forage among the saltmarshes, and very large numbers of brent geese commute between the harbour and the mown grass of the airfield. Just offshore, at the mouth of the Thorney Channel, great crested grebe, goldeneye and red-breasted merganser can be much in evidence, with up to 30 or more of each. Scarcer species often seen include divers, slavonian grebe, and eider. At the Little Deep we should hear and possibly see both Cetti's warbler and bearded tit while at the Great Deep there is a good chance of both wintering greenshank and spotted redshank. Birds of prey are also a feature of the area. These include merlin and peregrine and also short-eared owls which hunt over the rough grassland by the Deeps. Highly recommended!
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £12 per person
Additional information: Although the walk is a longish one (7 miles), there are no hills and we will go at a fairly gentle pace. Bring
walking boots, warm and waterproof clothes, a packed lunch and hot drink. If
you have any questions please let me know.
Arun Valley
Date and time: Sunday 29th January (10.00am - dusk)
Where to meet: Meet in the car park at Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve at grid ref TQ058164.
Later we will head up on to the South Downs to The Burgh. This area which has been sensitively managed for wildlife is very good for birds of prey. We will certainly see common buzzards while hen harrier, merlin and short-eared owl are all possible. We also stand a good chance of seeing the rough-legged buzzard which has been in the area since November. Other species to look out for include red-legged and grey partridges, sky lark, stonechat, linnet, brambling, reed and corn buntings and yellowhammer.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting
Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £10 per person
Additional information: Bring
walking boots, warm and waterproof clothes, a packed lunch and hot drink. Toilet facilities are available at Pulborough Brooks.
Rye Bay Bird Safari
Date and time: Sunday 5th February (8.30am - dusk)
Location: Meet in the lay-by just west of Pett Pools at TQ 901143.
A repeat of early January's Rye Bay Bird Safari. The area known as Rye Bay occupies the river valleys and coast around the cinque port of Rye extending from Pett Level to Dungeness. Much of Rye Bay has international, national, or local designations for its wildlife interest and is of major importance for birds. Today we will explore some of the main sites in the area including potentially Pett Level, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Scotney Pit and the Dungeness RSPB Reserve though our exact itinerary will be determined by the weather and recent bird news. A wealth of interesting birds can be expected including red-throated diver, Bewick's Swan, white-fronted goose, goldeneye, smew, marsh and hen harriers, merlin, barn owl, tree sparrow and corn bunting. With luck we may also see bittern, especially if the weather has been cold.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £12 per person. Entry to the RSPB reserve at Dungeness is free to members and £3 for non members.
Additional information: A series of short walks along good footpaths. Walking boots and plenty of warm clothes including gloves and hat are essential. Bring a packed lunch and warm drink.
A morning's birdwatching at Fishbourne Creek
Date and time: Thursday 9th February (9.00am - 12.30pm)
Location: Meet in Dell Quay near the Crown and Anchor public house at SU 835028. Roadside parking available.
This quiet corner of Chichester Harbour is an excellent spot to view wintering wildfowl and waders and to get to grips with learning their identification. By timing our visit with the rising tide we can expect close views of a variety of wildfowl including dark-bellied brent goose, shelduck, wigeon, teal, pintail and goldeneye and also waders such as grey plover, black-tailed godwit, curlew and redshank as they fly to their high-tide roost at the top of Fishbourne Creek. There is also a good chance of kingfisher, little stint and spotted redshank and possibly jack snipe.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £10 per person
Additional information: Today we will walk about 3 miles along a good though sometimes muddy footpath. Bring walking or wellington boots, warm and waterproof clothes. After the walk we can have lunch and a drink in the Crown and Anchor.
A morning's birdwatching at Swanbourne Lake
Date and time: Thursday 23rd February (9.00am - 12.30pm)
Location: Meet near the entrance to Swanbourne Lake at TQ 019080. Roadside parking is available on the right hand side of the road just past Swanbourne Lake.
Swanbourne Lake is an excellent spot to view wildfowl (including mandarin and gadwall) and to get to grips with their identification. A leisurely walk round the lake and then along the Mill Stream and River Arun should produce a good variety of species including pochard, tufted duck, little grebe, common buzzard, stock dove, green and great spotted woodpeckers, grey wagtail, nuthatch and treecreeper. There is also a good chance of a kingfisher and possibly peregrine, water rail and Cetti's warbler.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £10 per person
Additional information: Today we will walk about 3 miles along good though often muddy footpaths. Walking or wellington boots and warm clothes are essential. Toilet facilities are available by the entrance to Swanbourne Lake.
A day's birdwatching at Pagham Harbour
Date and time: Sunday 26th February (9.30am - 3.00pm)
Location: Meet in the car park on the east side of Pagham Harbour near Pagham
Lagoon at SZ 844965. If the car park remains closed, details of alternative parking will be made nearer the time.
Pagham Harbour needs no introduction. An excellent range of habitats and birds, with well-marked public rights of way that allow for easy exploration, make it one of the most popular destinations for birdwatchers in southern England. For sheer numbers of birds, winter undoubtedly brings the best birdwatching at Pagham Harbour. Most conspicuous are the dark-bellied brent geese though other species of wildfowl and waders present in large numbers include shelduck, wigeon, teal, pintail, oystercatcher, grey plover, dunlin, curlew and redshank. Something more unusual is almost guaranteed - perhaps a peregrine, short-eared owl or the regular wintering flock of avocets that frequents the harbour.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Cost: £10 per person
Additional information: Today we will walk about 3 miles along good footpaths, Walking boots and warm clothes are essential. Bring a packed lunch and warm drink.
Disclaimer
To enhance your enjoyment of the walks, please note that they are weather dependent. In the event of poor weather being forecast, it may be necessary to cancel a walk and offer you another date. Although I will make every effort to ensure your comfort and safety, please note that I accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience from your participation in these walks. Passengers accept lifts in private cars at their own risk. Please do not leave valuables in parked cars.