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General Information about our Field Meetings

All the walks are FREE (except for travel costs, car park or entrance fees) and where trips are stated as morning only, sometimes we may run over a little so it is always a good idea to bring something to eat and drink. Unless otherwise stated, all trips will be led by Andy Harding (contactable on 07884 063589 or ).

Please let the trip leader or Andy know if you are coming to a meeting so we have an idea of numbers and we can then let you know if the trip has to be cancelled at short notice e.g. because of a severe weather warning. We have a Surrey Bird Club Field Trips Whatsapp Group and members are encouraged to join this group to help with travel queries, trip updates, car shares etc. Please message Andy, if you are a member, on the above number to join the WhatsApp Group.

Dave Kiddell is leading some field trips aimed at people who are new birdwatchers and may have been put off joining one of our walks because of their lack of knowledge or identification skills. As well as hopefully seeing some less common birds Dave will help you identify some of the more common species such as separating Crows from Jackdaws and both from Wood Pigeon in flight. Another example is helping you tell your Coots from your Moorhens. Because of this, each walk will be a little slower than our usual walks and last approx. 2 hours. These walks are called “Field Trips for New Birders” and are shown in italics to distinguish them.

Surrey Bird Club is committed to sustainable birding and encourages people to car share and use public transport where practical. Please let Andy know if you want to arrange a lift or use the Whatsapp group to arrange with others.

Children are welcome on trips but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Non-members are welcome to attend but priority will be given to members if spaces are limited. Also, if a non-member attends 2 or more meetings, they will be strongly encouraged to join the club if they want to attend any more meetings.

Please note dogs are not permitted on these trips.

Field Meetings 2026

Tuesday 21st April: RSPB Pulborough Brooks (am and early pm) SORRY FULLY BOOKED

Meet 08.30 in car park (payment if not RSPB member) | 2 miles mostly flat and on made paths | WCs open at Visitor Centre from 10.00 | cafe open from 10.00 serving food and drinks | bring RSPB membership card

Please note: Admission prices for non-members are £6 for adults and £3.00 for a child

One of the premier reserves in the South-East, with potentially some speciality birds to see including Hobby, Nightingale, Garganey, Marsh Harrier and the now famous pair of White-tailed Eagles.

Birdsong should still be prevalent with the warblers, in particular, continuing to sing within their territories – Garden, Sedge, Reed, Common and Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap. Nesting Avocet, Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Shelduck along with the more regular wildfowl. Chance of Woodlark and Crossbill along the heathland paths (a good option for an afternoon walk).

We will be dividing into two groups when we reach the end of the Zig-Zag path with Claire Knap kindly leading one group and Andy, the other.

Aim to get back to the Visitor Centre for around midday for cafe, shop and WCs.

Address is Uppertons Barn Visitor Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough RH20 2EL (What3Words ///rinse.asking.distanced)

Saturday 25^th April: Russia Dock Woodland & Ecological Park (leader Dave Kiddell)

This trip may well be a first for the Bird Club with a trip to Russia Dock in Rotherhithe where, probably,  few members will have visited.

This area, in the north-east corner of ‘Surrey’, was the site of the old Surrey Docks which were built over in the 1970s and 80s but in which woodland was created and much open water remains.

This is urban birding and, as such, we may not see a great many birds, but we may well be surprised at the variety and at a time when migrants are returning.

The trip will be a round trip of about 2 ½ hours from Canada Water station and will visit the open water of Greenland Dock and the River Thames and back through the woodland. All flat walking with plenty of nearby coffee shops and some public toilets.  Distance approx. 1.5 miles. Meet outside Canada Water underground station (Jubilee Line) at 09:30 between the bus stop and station sign. The Jubilee Line connects to both Waterloo and London Bridge mainline stations.

Penny Williams is collating the list of those coming so please let Penny know that you will be coming either by E-mail, WhatsApp or text message .

Full Field Meeting Itinerary 2026

*please note the dates for the Global Bird Fair is for information only. There is no Group outing planned for this event, but is well recommended with tickets available from early 2026 from www.globalbirdfair.org.

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Here is some feedback from our trips:

“we learnt such a lot but also everyone was so friendly & we had some lovely chats, sharing suggestions of places to visit, stories of bird related holidays & even book recommendations.  We would love to join the Club”

“Thoroughly enjoyed today…never seen so many lapwing in my life!!!Great company too😊Thankyou Andy and all you helpful experts🤗“

For all enquiries email Andy Harding at