Wiltshire Ornithological Society
Wiltshire Ornithological Society; Outdoor Programme October 2007 to September 2008
Wednesday 9 April 2008; 9.30am, Stanton Park, Nr Swindon
An early spring walk through parkland where we hope to see a wide variety of woodland species with a chance of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We should also see the feral Wood Duck which breed at the site. The going is fairly easy underfoot but can be a bit muddy at this time of the year so waterproof footwear is recommended. The entrance to the park is at SU 183897. Members should then drive through to the car park where we will meet. Morning meeting only, but the leader will be happy to move to other nearby sites in the afternoon for those members wishing to make a day of it.
Leader Brian Crookes (mobile 07954386722)
Thursday 17 April 2008; 9.30am, Greenham Common, Nr Newbury
This will be the second visit by the Society to this former USAF airbase site to the east of Newbury. From Newbury town centre head south on the A34(T) turning left at the roundabout signposted for Greenham. Continue through the village to the main airfield car park at SU 499651. Birds likely to be seen include Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Little Ringed Plover. The going is fairly easy but please bring waterproof footwear. Morning meeting only, but the leader is happy to direct members to other good sites nearby for those wishing to fill the day.
Leader Stephen Edwards
Saturday 3 May 2008; 9.30am, Neighbridge, Cotswold Water Park
Meet at Neighbridge car park SU 017947 near Somerford Keynes. An all day meeting on level ground but with an escape route back to the cars at around lunchtime for those not wishing to make the whole day. This is a walk around one of the very best bird watching areas in the county and is likely to produce a very impressive bird list both in terms of numbers and species seen. Nightingale has been recorded in recent years and we should see terns, waders, ducks and hopefully several Hobby. An all day meeting so lunch should be brought.
Leader Brian Crookes (mobile 07954386722)
Sunday 11 May 2008; 9.30am, Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes
An excellent time of the year to visit this area which always produces a ‘big bird list’. We should see good numbers of waders, terns, gulls (Mediterranean Gull has been regular on past trips) as well as warblers and birds like Stonechat. Eider usually summer just offshore. Meet in the Keyhaven car park at SZ 307914. All day meeting so please bring lunch.
Leader Laura Mynott (mobile 07743123946)
Sunday 25 May 2008; 9.30am, Seacombe to St Aldhelms Head, Nr Swanage
A walk along the coastal footpath and over adjoining farmland in this very scenic part of Dorset. Along the coast we should see Raven, Peregrine, Guillemot, Razorbill and hopefully Puffin. The small inland valleys should hold warblers and buntings. At this time of the year we should also see a wide variety of butterflies and wild flowers. Meet in the National Trust car park at Worth Matravers at SY 974776. This is quite a long and undulating walk and will last all day so lunch should be brought.
Leader Granville Pictor (mobile 0779 0652764)
Saturday 7 June 2008; 9.30am, Win Green, Cranborne Chase
A summer return to this scenic chalk downland area in the south west corner of Wiltshire. We will walk a circular route from Win Green along ridges leading down to Tollard Royal. A wide variety of woodland and farmland birds can be expected. The route is about 5 miles long including a steady climb to return the starting point and the meeting will probably last until mid afternoon. A snack should be brought and there may be an opportunity for refreshment in Tollard Royal. Meet in the National Trust car park at Win Green, south of Ludwell at ST 924204
Leader John Osborne (mobile 07890 047431)
Saturday 21 June 2008; 6.30pm, Turf Hill Inclosure, Nr Redlynch.
A mid summer meeting on the Wiltshire/Hampshire border principally to hear and hopefully see Nightjar. We will meet in the early evening for a pre Nightjar walk around the open heath and woodlands where we hope to see Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit and possibly Woodlark and Curlew. Meet in the Forestry Commission car park about 3 miles south of Redlynch at SU 212178.
Leader Granville Pictor (mobile 0779 0652764)
Tuesday 8 July 2008; 9.30am, Great Ridge Wood and Boyton Down near Sherrington
This will be a walk through mixed woodland and across chalk down and farmland. The walk is about 5 miles long and whilst not strenuous does involve some inclines. We should see a wide variety of birds, and, weather permitting, some interesting butterflies. The meeting will probably last until early afternoon so lunch should be brought. Meet at the end of the tarmac road coming south from Sherrington at ST 955369
Leader Frank Lowe (mobile 07974 823108)
Sunday 27 July 2008; 9.30am, Castle Coombe, Nr Chippenham
This is a classic Cotswold walk of just over 5 miles taking in all variations of habitat; wooded hillsides, open downland and fast flowing streams. There are one or two moderate ascents involved, but nothing too taxing. An ‘escape route’ is available which shortens the walk by about a third for those not wishing to be out all day. Meet at the roadside on the way into Castle Coombe from the north at ST 843773; almost in the village itself. Sufficient car parking should be available here but there is other parking available at the top of the hill if required. All day meeting so please bring lunch.
Leader David Wall (mobile 07919087034)
Wednesday 27 August 2008; 9.30am Goldcliffe, Gwent Levels, Nr Newport
A repeat of last years successful visit at a slightly earlier date which may improve on last years impressive wader count and might even give us a chance of Aquatic Warbler (one was present at the site last year). Meet at the reserve at ST 369829. Leave the M4 at J23A. Take a left and follow the road to the steelworks. Take the only left before the steelworks and follow the signs to Goldcliffe. The reserve entrance has a steep humpbacked bridge and cars with low ground clearance should park on the road verges. The morning will be spent viewing the saline pools and beach. The afternoon will be spent at Uskmouth where with a little luck, the new visitor centre will have been completed by the time of our visit
Leaders John Bayliss (mobile 07814914268) and Pete Adams (mobile 07791153557)
Wednesday 10 September 2008; 9.30am, Vallis Vale and Mells Stream, Nr Frome, Somerset
A morning walk exploring abandoned railways and quarries through a gorge in the Mendips alongside Egford Brook and the Mells Stream. A wide variety of woodland and water birds should be seen including possibly departing migrants and the elusive Dipper. From Frome town centre take the A362 Radstock road until a left turn at a roundabout for Mells and Whatley. After a mile the road dips to Egford Brook. Here take the minor road on the right towards Great Elm and turn right again into a car park at ST 757485 on the track to Vallis Farm. Please take great care at a sharp left bend on the Great Elm road. Please bring waterproof footwear.
Leader Pete Foreman (mobile 07855 230635)
Sunday 21 September 2008; 9.30am, Portland and Weymouth area
We will visit a number of locations in this area and should get a big ‘day list’ to include seabirds, waders and passerine migrants. At this time of the year there is always a chance of a rarity. Meet in the main car park at Portland Bill SY 677683. All day meeting so lunch should be brought
Leader Brian Bray (mobile 07855 230635)
The attention of members is drawn to the fact that WOS accepts no liability for damages or personal injury occurring during its activities. Please note also that dogs should not be brought to meetings
WOS does seek to encourage car sharing, so members may wish to liaise prior to meetings to try and reduce car usage. For any queries on car sharing, or indeed any queries on the programme as a whole, please contact Granville Pictor on 01722 782284.
For trips within Wiltshire, it would be helpful if leaders could send their trip lists to David Wall who will coordinate the data for the BTO Atlas. David can be reached by e mail at david.wall@caprea.plus.com. His address is 11 Dark Lane, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 0BB.`