Saturday

23rd

April

Titchfield Haven - Leader Lesley Staves

A full day visit to this nature reserve at Hill Head on the Solent west of Southampton. There are likely to be Avocets, a breeding colony of Black-headed Gulls, plus Mediterranean, as well as waders, possible Bearded Tits and passage migrants. Leaving Newbury at 8am we will meet in the carpark by the yacht club at 9.30. Bring food for the day or eat in the café there. Entry fee applies. Satnav PO14 3JT / GR196/ SU533023

Saturday

30th

April

Freeman’s Marsh - Leader Alan Lindsay

A morning stroll over this open area of common land west of Hungerford looking for spring migrants. Meet outside St Lawrence’s Church in the Croft at 8.30am. Postcode for satnav RG17 0JB. Parking is quite tight in the Croft but there is a pay and display carpark nearby in Church Street.

Sunday

8th May

Crookham Common - Leader Roger Frankum

Members of Kintbury Wildlife Group have been invited to join us on this morning walk hoping to find Nightingales, Woodlark, Stonechats and spring warblers. Meet in the carpark on the corner of Old Thornford Road and the Brimpton road at 8.30am. GR174/SU253645 / RG19 8DN

Saturday 21st

May

Durlston Head - Leader Debby Reynolds

It has been very many years since the Club last visited this headland just outside Swanage, where, with luck, we could find nesting Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmars on the cliffs, Shag chicks should have hatched and Swifts also nest in the cliffs. We will look out for Black Redstart and summer visitors, carpets of coastal wildflowers will form a colourful backdrop, and there are woods and meadows to explore too. Leaving Newbury at 8am we should be in the carpark at Durlston Country Park on Lighthouse Road by 10. Postcode BH19 2JL. Bring food for the day.

Wednesday

1st

June

Wellbottom Down - Leader Debby Reynolds

An evening outing to this area of the Lambourn Downs to see whatever we can find! Meeting at 7pm, park on the left of the road just beyond Seven Barrows, north of Lambourn. GR 174/SU325834.

Postcode for Seven Barrows is RG17 8UH

Wednesday

8th

June

Aldworth Downs - Leader Lesley Staves

We are going to join the Berkshire Ornithological Club for this evening walk led by Andy Tomczynski looking and listening for buntings, finches and other downland birds. Meet at 7pm at Starveall Farm on the Downs road out of Aldworth. GR174/SU544810 / RG8 9TX Be prepared for a good walk!

Wednesday

15th

June

Roundoak Piece - Leader Peter Driver

As a change from our usual local haunts for Nightjar and Woodcock, Peter will guide us around this site south east of Padworth. Meet at 9pm, parking on the right just into Silver Lane, a turning left from the Reading Road. GR 175/SU629652 / nearest postcode RG7 4QF (or G). The site will be checked nearer the time and if better Nightjar results are found at Padworth Common or elsewhere we may change venue.

Sunday

19th

June

The New Forest - Leader Lesley Staves

We haven’t been to the New Forest near Beaulieu Road station for some years, but this full day’s outing will, we hope, show us what we’ve been missing. Open plain, pine and mixed woodlands - a range of habitats that could yield Redstart, Stonechats and the ever-decreasing numbers of Wood Warbler? We will leave Terry’s house in Donnington at 8am and hope to be in the carpark by the station about 9.30. Bring food for the day. GR 196/SU348064 / postcode SO42 7YQ

Saturday 2nd July

Speen Moors - Leader Terry Jackman

Our second visit to this area on the edge of Newbury to record the birds we see and hear through the seasons.

Meet in the carpark at Northcroft Leisure Centre at 8am. A level and easy morning stroll with no stiles to suit all abilities. RG14 1RS

Wednesday

6th

July

Nightjars, Newtown Common - Leader Alan Lindsay

An evening outing to this area of heathland south of Newbury to look and listen for Nightjars and Woodcock.

Meet at 9pm in the carpark at the corner of Jonathon Hill, Newtown. We have been very lucky here with the birds in the past, although last year’s visit was rather disappointing. Fingers crossed! A recce before this date will be taken and if again the results are poor we could change to Bucklebury Common. We will inform all. GR174/SU476635 / RG20 9BJ

Sunday

10th

July

Pennington Marshes /Normandy - Leader Lesley Staves

Late summer is the ideal time to visit these sites on the coast near Lymington where we shall hope to find returning migrant waders, hirundines and post breeding terns and warblers. Leaving Newbury at 8am we should be in the carpark at the end of Lower Pennington Lane at 9.30. Bring food for the day.

Postcode SO41 8AJ / GR196/SZ318927

Sunday

7th

August

Summer Barbecue

We will hope for fine weather for our usual afternoon get-together in Bob and Jean Lyles’ garden in Upper Bucklebury. Bring something to cook on the barbecue, your favourite drink and yourselves! Salads, sides and puddings will be provided. Turn up from 1pm.