Birdwatching
About the group:-
The group welcomes beginners as well as knowledgeable members and the only equipment required is binoculars and waterproof clothing.
We learn how to identify birds and visit Salisbury Plain, nature reserves, lakes, rivers, coast, open and woodland areas.
An ability to walk short distances is desirable, time will be spent in non-heated hides and or outside.
Our meeting times, locations and regularity may vary depending on the time of year with some trips being half day events while others may be full day bird watching.
For further details:-
Please send a message to the Birdwatching Group Leader - Peter Mander
Recent News:-
During September we visited Anton Lakes in Andover, and slowly walked round the circumference and saw a large number of water and woodland birds. The highlight was a kingfisher, a bird which every time we have visited Anton Lakes we have seen. Little Egret, Cormorant, Grey Wagtail, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also seen.
Our first visit to RSPB Arne took place in October and what a splendid place it was. Up to 400 Curlews we represent together with large quantities of Shelduck, Wigeon, Redshank, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, and Brent Geese. Three Pintail, Raven, Little Egret, Oyster Catcher, Green Woodpecker, and Marsh Harrier were also seen. Sika deer were spotted and a lone Stonechat.
November was our Christmas outing to Cotswold Water Park, with one of their rangers leading our group. A fantastic morning of birdwatching with 43 species spotted. Plenty of winter ducks, Gadwall, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Goosander, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, and Shoveler, plus Greylag and Canada Goose. A very good year for Kingfishers with another one seen sitting, diving and eating a fish, all while we were having lunch. An excellent morning out with Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Fieldfare, and Raven being some of the other interesting sightings.