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. 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.
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.
Field Meetings 2025
Sunday January 12th: Dukes Warren, Coldharbour, Leith Hill (morning)
A great start to our Birding Year with a walk across the “top of Surrey” to find some of the birds that make this location their winter home. We will be on the look-out for groups of finches holding Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Brambling and Siskin, with a good chance of locating the small flocks of Crossbills that feed in the pines. Potential of Hawfinch, Raven, Buzzard and Red Kite, with the likelihood of winter thrushes, Stonechat and even a Woodcock.
Meet either in the car park in front of The Plough pub, Abinger Road, Coldharbour at 08.30 and walk up the steep unmade road up to the cricket club, or drive up this road and park at the cricket club (Just3words: ///give.theme.demand; postcode: RH5 6HD)
WCs and coffee shop (open 9-3pm) beside the pub. Suggest sturdy shoes or comfortable wellies.
Around a 3 mile walk getting back to the cars for around 11.30am.
Leader: Andy Harding (07884 063589 / )
Sunday January 26th: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes (morning)
A regular venue for the Club with an excellent tally of birds last January with Bearded Tit, Bittern, Cetti’s Warbler, Siskin, Stonechat and Peregrine. Expect to see a good array of waterfowl, gulls, small passerines with the chance of some raptors.
Easy walking with a number of hides, WCs, shop and cafe.
Meet by the bridge at the entrance to the Visitor Centre at 10.00am (when it opens). If you are a member please bring your WWT membership card otherwise there is an admission charge of £16.54-18.20 for adults (dependent on Gift Aid contribution), with juniors (4-17) £10.72-11.80 and 65+ £14.90-16.40.
Please remember to register your car when checking in at the Centre as there are penalty payments if you don’t.
Address: WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT. More centre info at www.wwt.org.uk/london
Leader: Penny Williams (07771 804357 / )
Sunday February 9th: Elmley Nature Reserve & RSPB Raptor Viewpoint, Isle of Sheppey, North Kent (all day)
A 2 centre visit at this excellent winter birding venue with the focus on ducks, rarer geese, gulls, waders and with the possibility of upto 9 raptor species.
Meet at 09.00, at the entrance to the Elmley Nature Reserve, Kingshill Farm, Old Ferry Road, Isle of Sheppey (Postcode: ME12 3RW; What3Words ///fabricate.dunes.purifier).
There is an entrance charge of £8 per adult with children under 16 going free.
Suggest we get through the entrance and gradually make our way by car to the visitor parking which is about a mile away. You cannot get out of the car along this route but use your car as a hide as there will be lots to see on your way in. We can meet in the car park at 09.30.
The morning will be spent walking eastwards towards the 3 hides, taking in the skeins of ducks and geese and looking out for both Marsh and Hen Harrier and potentially upto 4 species of owl. Overall walk will be about 4 miles.
Suggest bring a packed lunch and refreshments, although there is a cafe at the visitor centre, but not always reliably open. WCs are also there.
2nd stop will be the RSPB Capel Fleet Raptor Viewpoint where we can scan the fields and open country at all points of the compass whilst watching the Marsh Harriers coming into roost, with the occasional Hen Harrier. Previous visits have yielded Merlin, Peregrine, Great Egret, Common Crane, Whooper Swan, Green Sandpiper, Ruff and Barn Owl and is an excellent spot to watch the resident flock of Corn Buntings. (Postcode: ME12 4BG; What3Words ///stencil.suits.sway). There is no walking involved here.
Importantly, please wear sturdy shoes and very warm clothes as can get very chilly at both venues.
Leader: Andy Harding (07884 063589 / )
Tuesday February 18th: Abberton Reservoir & Copt Hall Marshes, Essex (all day)
Full information as to timings and meet points will be provided shortly, but we will be encouraging car sharing as it is a good drive through the Dartford Tunnel and into Essex.
A first class Reserve managed by Essex Wildlife Trust (£2 donation) with a huge expanse of water viewed from a number of vantage points and excellent hides. WCs and cafe onsite.
Expect huge numbers of wildfowl but with the chance of rare grebes, swans and sea ducks such as Scaup, Common Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. With luck the currently wintering Canvasback might still be there!
End the day with a visit to Copt Hall Marshes for Short-eared and Barn Owl, and potentially Hen Harrier coming into roost with the Marsh Harriers.
Leader: Andy Harding (07884 063589 / )
Full 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 | Beddington Farmlands |
| May: Sat 10th all day (led by Dave Smith) | RSPB Stodmarsh |
| Fri 23rd evening | Thursley Common |
| June: Sun 8th all day | RSPB Pulborough Brooks |
| Wed 18th evening | Chobham Common |
| July: Wed 16th evening | Langley Vale |
| Aug: Sat 23rd am | Ringing Demo, Queen Mary Reservoir |
| Sept: Sun 14th all day | Pagham Harbour / Medmerry |
| Oct: Sun 26th am | Cliffe Pools |
| Wed 8th am | Surrey Hills (venue to be confirmed) |
| Nov: Sun 16th am | Farlington Marshes |
| Wed 26th am | Richmond Park |
| Dec: Sun 14th am | London Wetlands 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