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 travelling queries, trip updates, car shares etc. Please message Andy, if you are a member, on the above number to join it.
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. Two trips have been arranged to date. If these field trips are popular more will be arranged.
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 2025
Sunday 13th July Field Trip for New Birders
(Leader Dave Kiddell) Guildford and River Wey. Meet 09:00 at the Guildford Spectrum car park (GU1 1UP https://what3words.com/fuel.closes.influencing ). Please let Dave Kiddell know that you will be coming. 07881 645322 (please note that this is not a smartphone so Dave cannot answer by text) or email him on
Wednesday 16th July: Langley Vale Centenary Wood (evening walk to 21.30 / no WCS/ hilly in places / 3.5-4 miles / bring own refreshments)
A new venue for Surrey Bird Club – an evening walk around this beautiful Surrey location including pockets of ancient woodland and rolling fields, managed to encourage farmland birds such as Lapwing, Skylark, Meadow Pipits and Stock Dove.
A well-known site for owls with Little, Barn and Tawny seen regularly.
Meet at the far end of Beaconsfield Road, KT18 6HY (What3words///fork.those.activism) at 19.00. Parking is along the roads within the Langley Vale area – Grosvenor Road, Harding Road, Rosebery Road and, of course, Beaconsfield Road. PLEASE be considerate to the local residents when parking and suggest do not drive to the end of Beaconsfield Road as turning round is difficult and few parking places there.
[If you google this location there is an official car park on Headley Road BUT please do not park there as closes sharp at 9pm and is about a mile away from the meeting point.]Saturday 23rd August: Hersham Bird Ringing Demonstration, Queen Mary Reservoir, Ashford, Middlesex (morning visit from 09.00 finishing at 12.30 / WCs / minimal walking (max 1 mile) but about 50 steps to view the Reservoir / bring own refreshments)
A firm favourite with Surrey Bird Club, with huge thanks to Hersham Ringing Group, providing an excellent chance to see small birds (passerines) in the hand and learn about migration and bird behaviour.
Last year we saw “up close” Blue and Great Tit, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed and Willow Warbler, amongst others. The Reservoir is good for returning waders with Common Sandpiper seen close-in last year.
Please park up sensibly on Ashford Road (TW18 1RX; what3words///tunes.deputy.tubes) whilst waiting for the gates to the Reservoir to be opened. Parking is within the Reservoir complex.
This is a very good opportunity to bring younger family members who are keen (suggesting 12 years and above).
Please advise if you are planning to attend and if you are bringing any family members with you. We are limited to 20 on the day. Please also feel free to make a donation as the the Group is self-funded.
Sunday 14th September: RSPB Pagham Harbour & Medmerry Reserves (morning walk 4.5 miles flat, uneven in places / WCs open at 09.00 / bring own refreshments | afternoon walk at Medmerry 3.0 miles flat on good paths / no WCs)
Pagham Harbour is a superb reserve at any time of the year, but visiting in September is a prime time with some summer migrants still holding on whilst the first winter visitors are arriving. Increasing volumes of wildfowl and waders to be expected including Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Pintail, Wigeon and Teal together with chance of sea ducks such as Red-breasted Merganser, Eider and Common Scoter from the beach; Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, the odd Spotted Redshank and Whimbrel to also be expected.
Raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are regular.
Expectation of seeing 70+ species in the day.
Plan is to meet at the RSPB Visitor Centre at 08.30 to spend some time at the Ferry Pool hide and then a flat walk along the southern path up to Church Norton, the beach and the reedbeds at the Severals and then return to the car park for 13.00.
For those that feel energetic, the afternoon will be at RSPB Medmerry (car park on Drove Lane, PO20 7NX; what3words///serve.coffee.banquets) which comprises extensive farmland with gorse and scrub areas towards the sea, which transitions into extensive wetlands and productive pools before reaching the beach. A much newer reserve it is becoming an exciting location for rarer birds, particularly Spoonbill, Great White and Cattle Egret, Merlin, Dartford Warbler whilst also being a good site for Barn Owl, Yellowhammer and Kingfisher. Expecting to be back at the car park at 17.00
Full 2025 itinerary
| Month /date | Venue |
| Jan: Sun 12th am | Dukes Warren, Leith Hill |
| Sun 26th am (led by Penny Williams) | London Wetland Centre |
| Feb: Sun 9th all day | Isle of Sheppey |
| Tues 18th all day | Abberton Reservoir |
| Mar: Sun 16th am | Hayling Island (subject to pathway repairs completed) |
| Wed 26th all day | RSPB Dungeness |
| Apr: Sat 12th all day | Lymington – Keyhaven |
| Wed 30th am (max 15 members) | Beddington Farmlands |
| May: Sat 10th all day (led by Dave Smith) | RSPB Stodmarsh |
| Sun 18th morning | Ashtead Common (Field Trip for New Birders) |
| Fri 23rd evening | Thursley Common |
| June: Sun 8th morning | RSPB Pulborough Brooks |
| Wed 18th evening | RSPB Farnham Heath |
| July: Sun 13th morning | Guildford and R. Wey (Field Trip for New Birders) |
| Wed 16th evening | Langley Vale |
| Aug: Sat 23rd am | Ringing Demo, Queen Mary Reservoir |
| Sept: Sun 14th all day | Pagham Harbour / Medmerry |
| Oct: Thurs 16th am | Dukes Warren, Coldharbour, Surrey Hills |
| Sun 26th am | RSPB Cliffe Pools |
| Nov: Sun 16th am | Farlington Marshes |
| Wed 26th am | Richmond Park |
| Dec: Sun 14th am | London Wetland Centre |
The Surrey Bird Club hereby gives notice that all arrangements made by the Club for any person taking part in any meeting, visit or other activity are made by the Club as agents for that person and that consequently the Club accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience arising from his or her participation in Club activities. Passengers accept lifts in private cars at their own risk.
Here is some feedback from one of 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”
For all enquiries email Andy Harding at