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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

Saturday 22nd August: Hersham Bird Ringing Demonstration, Queen Mary Reservoir, Ashford, Middlesex – NOW FULLY BOOKED

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, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Redstart, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed and Willow Warbler, amongst others. The Reservoir is good for returning waders with Common Sandpiper seen close-in last year together with raptors including Red Kite, Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard.

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 Group is self-funded.

Friday 28th August: Seawatching session at Selsey Bill

Meet from 0700 | am only | no walking | wear sturdy shoes and clothing dependent on weather | bring a seat and refreshments | free parking | Scope essential

This is an early start as the bird activity lessens considerably as the morning moves on so will finish by 1000.

Park at end of Grafton Road, Selsey (PO20 0JA What3Words///twilight.spill.scored). We will be birding by the wall fronting the sea.

Selsey Bill is one of the primary seawatching sites along the South Coast and boasts an enviable list of birds seen – dependent on wind direction and weather conditions anything can turn up but most likely shearwaters, auks, divers, grebes and flocks of waders. Good chance of Arctic Skua.

If those attending want to spend some time at nearby RSPB Pagham Harbour after, this can be arranged – will gauge interest.

Saturday 5th September: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Further details of this trip will be posted shortly. This will be an all day event.

Thursday 17th – Saturday 19th September – Suffolk Coast – FULLY BOOKED

Saturday 3rd October – Beddington Farmlands

Meet 0830 | am only | max 3.0 miles on mostly made-up paths | wear sturdy shoes and clothing dependent on weather | bring refreshments | no WCs on site | park at Hackbridge Station (pay and display) or Wandle Road (see below)

Meet at the Mile Road Gate at 08.30am (postcode SM6 7NN; what3words///these.parade.lunch). 

Parking is either at Hackbridge Railway station (pay at meter) or in some of the side roads – suggest Wandle Road (permitted after 1pm) and is a 10 minute walk from the meet point ( (SM6 7EF | What3Words///noted.theme.empty) – enter Beddington Park and then immediately following the path to the left which takes you to the meeting point, passing the South Lake Bird Hide. Hackbridge station is a 5 minute walk to the meeting point. If coming by bike they can be locked up in one of the hides, but left at your own risk.

An excellent time to visit this famous Surrey birding hotspot where, despite it’s location within the heart of urban inner Surrey, has yielded an enormous number of rarities over the years. Expectation of circa 50 species where genuinely anything could show. Key time of the year to visit with migrtation in full flow so a selection of passage waders, early arrival of winter ducks along with herons, egrets and raptors.

Please note that no dogs are permitted.

Thursday 15th October – RSPB Pagham Harbour & Medmerry Reserves

Morning walk 0830 meet | 4.5 miles flat | uneven in places | WCs open at 0900 | bring own refreshments | aim to eat back at the Centre at 1300

Afternoon walk | 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 mid-October is a prime time with winter birds. 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 late 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 (PO20 7NE What3Words///outsmart.narrating.singing) 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 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