North West Norfolk led by Bob Titman

A chance to kick start your year list with an early visit to the coast, with RSPB Titchwell our primary site. Later in the day those that wish can travel on to Thornham and Holkham.

Note: there is a car parking charge for non RSPB members. There is a café, shop and toilets.

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Start time: Meet in the car park at RSPB Titchwell at 10am.

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Location: Car park at RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk. (Map ref: TF750438 Post code: PE31 8BB)

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Leader: Bob Titman – 07922164676

Nene Washes Eldernell led by Ian Gordon and Keith Stapleford

For wildfowl including wild swans, and hopefully raptors including Hen Harrier, plus owls and possibly Cranes!

Start time: Meet in the car park at Eldernell at 14:00pm.

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Location:   Meet in the car park at Eldernell which is off the A650 at Coates (Map ref: TF318993)

Leader: Ian Gordon – 07453971727 and Keith Stapleford – 01733555793

Rutland Water (not in the reserve) led by Bob Titman and David Cromack

Hopefully to find rarer grebes and divers together with a wide variety of other species. We will drive around the lake to locations where the birds have been seen in the last week or two.

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Start time:  Meet in Sykes lane Car park at 10am.

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Location: Sykes lane Car park, at the dam (Empingham) (Map ref: SK936083) Note: there is a parking charge.

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Leader: Bob Titman – 07922164676 and David Cromack  – 01733561739

Lynford Arboretum, Santon Downham and Cockley Cley led by Bob Titman

Target birds are Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Woodlark and  Goshawk

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Note: There are no facilities at Lynford or Cockley Cley but there toilets at Santon Downham

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Start time: Meet at Lynford Arboretum Car Park at 10:00am

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Location: Lynford Arboretum, Lyndford Road, Thetford (Post code: IP26 5HW Map ref: TL822942) and will move on to Santon Downham (Post code: IP27 0TJ) and then Cockley Cley.

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Leader:  Bob Titman – 07922164676

Titchmarsh Local Nature Reserve led by David Cromack

As part of a chain of restored gravel pits running alongside the River Nene, Titchmarsh RSPB can be relied on to provide a good range of wildfowl species, maybe a few waders, plus Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Red Kite and Buzzard.
If the walk occurs after a period of rain, members are advised to bring waterproof boots.

Note: There are no toilets or other facilities.

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Start time: Meet in Car park at 10:00am.

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Location: Car park at Lowick Lane. (Post code: NN14 3EE Map ref: TL 006812)

The hard-surfaced car park for the Titchmarsh is in Lowick Lane, Aldwincle. From A605 Oundle Road, turn right into Thorpe Road, Aldwincle and then left into Lowick Lane.  

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Leader: David Cromack – 01733561739

Gibraltar Point NNR/Bird Observatory led by Ian Gordon

This is the Lincolnshire trusts flagship reserve now with its new visitor centre. With its diversity of habitats, Woodland, Wader scape, Saltmarsh, Sand dunes and Sea shore a good range of species is assured.

Note: There is no reserve fee but a car parking charge of £3 per day is required. There are full facilities at the reserve, hot food can be purchased. 

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Start time: Meet at 10:00am in the main reserve car park. .  

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Location: In Skegness turn right just before the Clock Tower (Drummond’s rd.) follow this too its conclusion in the reserve car park (Map ref: TF 556 581 Post code PE24 4SU).

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Leader: Ian Gordon – 07543971727

Woodwalton Fen NNR led by Bob Titman

One of the few remaining remnant of fen habitat and now part of the Great Fen scheme. It is a biodiversity hot spot being the home of 25% of the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan species. It should hopefully be alive with spring migrants.

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Start time: Meet at 18:30pm on the track by the reserve entrance.

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Location: South of Ramsey Heights village take turn right down Chapel Lane and at the end park by the drain. (Map ref: TL220873)

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Leader: Bob Titman – 07922164676

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Rutland Water led by David Cromack and Adrian Hallam

The best inland reserve in the country and it is well worth while exploring as much of it as you can. A wide range of habitats and birds to see from numerous hides. Hopefully the ospreys will be back and on the reserve. The site has toilets and a shop with a small range of sandwiches and snack.

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Start time: Meet at 10:00am in the reserve car park.

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Location: Reserve Car Park at Egleton Reserve. (Post code: LE15 8BT)

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Leader: David Cromack – 01733561739 and Adrian Hallam – 01778348178

Caster Hanglands Morning Chorus and Big Breakfast led by Bob Titman

The ‘Morning Chorus’ has now become an annual event. Experience the joy of an early spring morning’s bird song, which will include nightingales. Follow this with a delicious Willow Brook Farm breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. Toilet facilities available at the farm shop only when we return for breakfast.

Start time: Meet at 06:00am.

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Location: Meet at the Willow Brook farm shop car park at Stamford Road, Helpston Heath, Peterborough, PE6 7EL (Map ref: TF118030)

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Leader: Bob Titman– 07922164676

Deeping Lakes LWT reserve led by Ian Gordon and Bob Titman

For a wide selection of breeding birds which should include wildfowl, gulls, common tern, cormorant, oystercatcher and a good selection of warblers.

Start time: Meet in the reserve car park at 10:00am.

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Location: Park in the reserve car park  off the B1166 Crowland road

from Deeping after the railway crossing at the sharp bend. (Map ref: TF184081 Post code: PE6 8RJ)

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Leader: Ian Gordon – 07543971727 and Bob Titman – 07922164676

Lakenheath Fen RSPB and Weeting Heathe led by Ian Gordon and Bob Titman

A chance to see breeding cranes, hobbies, bearded tits and much more at Lakenheath. For those wishing to see Stone Curlew we will then drive on to Weeting Heath.

Note: there is a reserve charge for non members at both sites and only Lakenheath has facilities.

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Start time: Meet in the reserve car parkat 10:00am.

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Location: The reserve car park is at 38 Station road, Lakenheath (Postcode: IP27 9AD

Map ref: TL724865) and Weeting Heath NWT (Post Code: IP26 4NQ Map ref: TL757881).

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Leader: Ian Gordon - 07543971727 and Bob Titman - 07922164676

Ketton Quarry NR led by TBC

A break from the birds! Butterflies, Wildflowers and Reptiles. Possible species could include;

Silver washed and Dark green fritillary; Spotted  and Bee orchids, Twayblade and Yellow birdsnest;

Grass snake , Adder & Common Lizard. 

Start time: Meet on the grass verge at the reserve at TBC.

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Location: From Stamford or A1 take the A6221 to Ketton. 100 metres past the main works entrance turn right into Pitt Lane go over the roundabout and park on  the left just before the works

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Leader: TBC