Events

Spring Walk on Oughtonhead Common LNR

Location: Oughtonhead Common, Hitchin

We will have a pleasant evening stroll around what for some is our local reserve, Oughtonhead Common LNR. Early returning summer visitors, such as chiffchaffs and sedge warblers, should be seen and heard in trees and bushes adjacent to the River Oughton, whilst passage migrants may be passing through. Swallow is likely and cuckoo is possible, as are both little and tawny owls. We will also, of course, be looking out for resident birds, possibly including kingfisher, grey wagtail and little egret. Meet at the junction of Bedford Road (A600) and Burford Way (parking) in Hitchin (O/S 166: TL 178 308). LOCAL GROUP MEMBERS ONLY: FULLY BOOKED. COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Time: 6.15pm

Price: Free

Booking essential

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

Evening Walk at Broom Gravel Pits

Location: Broom Gravel Pits, near Broom in Bedfordshire

We will make an evening visit to Broom Gravel Pits. Situated just off the A1 near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, this small area of old and recent gravel workings has attracted several rare birds (in particular waders) on passage in the last few years. We visit at a time of year when these passage migrants are still coming through on their north-wards journeys, whilst many woodland birds and waders, possibly including little ringed plover, will already be nesting here. Meet in Broom village at the junction of Kings Road and High Road (O/S 153: TL 174 432). LOCAL GROUP MEMBERS ONLY: FULLY BOOKED. COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Time: 6.45pm

Price: Free

Booking essential

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

'A Birding Trip to Southern South America and Antarctica' - Michael Hooper

Location: This is an internet Zoom talk. Non-members of the Local Group are welcome to join: use the contact email address in order to receive a link to the talk. Donations (entirely voluntary) will be welcomed.
Postcode: SG8 9ET (Google map)

Our own Michael Hooper takes us on a journey deep into the Southern Hemisphere, eventually reaching the 'Seventh Continent', where penguins and albatrosses are amongst the birds taking centre stage. The talk will be preceded by a short, online AGM.

Time: 7.30pm

Price: Free, but donations to the RSPB Local Group are welcomed

Booking essential

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

Evening Walk at Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits

Location: Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, near Colney Heath, Herts.

We will go on an evening walk to Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits. Tyttenhanger is one of Hertfordshire's premier bird-watching locations at any time of year. We will be looking for breeding warblers and expect to see a good variety of water birds, as well as both breeding and passage waders. We will also look out for tree sparrows (their only accessible Hertfordshire nesting colony is here); cuckoo and hobby are possible. Meet in Colney Heath at the bridge over the river (O/S 166: TL 206 058). CURRENT COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS WILL APPLY

Time: 7.00pm

Price: Free

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

Evening Walk at RSPB Fowlmere

Location: RSPB Fowlmere NNR, South Cambridgeshire

Spring is the best time of year to visit this South Cambridgeshire reserve. Fowlmere supports up to nine species of warbler and there is a possibility of seeing the rapidly declining turtle dove, which has almost disappeared from our region. We will also look out for water rail in the reed-beds and kingfisher along the stream and on the main lake. Marsh harriers are possible and the resident barn owls should become active as dusk approaches. Meet at the reserve car park (O/S 154: TL 408 458). COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE AT THE TIME WILL APPLY

Time: 7.15pm

Price: Free

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

Evening Walk at Panshanger Park

Location: Panshanger Park, near Hertford

This attractive, mature park, situated between Welwyn Garden City and Hertford, consists of a mixture of woodland, pasture, lakes and the River Mimram. We will look for woodland birds, including nuthatch, treecreeper, warblers and possibly owls, as well as grey wagtails, kingfishers, little egrets and water fowl on the lakes. Grasshopper warbler and hobby have been seen on previous visits and there is a slight chance of a visiting osprey. Meet in the Thieves Lane car park (Thieves Lane connects the A414 and B1000, near Hertingfordbury to the west of Hertford: O/S 166: TL 307 126). CURRENT COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS WILL APPLY

Time: 7.30pm

Price: Free

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

Afternoon and Evening Visit to RSPB Lakenheath Fen and Thetford Forest

Location: Starts at RSPB Lakenheath Fen NNR, near Hockwold on the Norfolk-Suffolk Border

Sadly, we missed out on this trip in 2020 for obvious reasons, but absence should make the heart grow fonder! This half day visit takes us to three venues to see some of Breckland's special breeding birds. We will spend the late afternoon exploring the magnificent Lakenheath Fen reserve, where we expect to see some or (hopefully!) all of bittern, marsh harrier, common crane, bearded tit and hobby. With hundreds of pairs of reed warblers nesting on the reserve this is also one of the best places in the UK to see cuckoo. Many species of dragonfly may be seen here. We will then move on to Weeting Heath NWT or, if closed, another location to look for stone curlew. Finally, we will move deep into the forest, where we have in recent years had a very high success rate for finding nightjar: fingers crossed! Woodcock, tawny owl and tree pipit are all possible here as dusk falls. Meet at the RSPB car park on the west side of the B1112, just north of Lakenheath station (O/S 143; TL 722 866). Bring a torch and food and drink and expect a late night!

Time: 3.30pm

Price: Free, but parking and entry fees may apply

Telephone: 01763249459

E-mail: martinrjspc@hotmail.com