IMPORTANT. SOS needs to appoint a new Fieldtrip Co-ordinator. This person puts together the excursion programme, choosing locations and leaders. There is no necessity for the Co-ordinator to lead any trips (although that is not excluded). Do you want SOS to continue to offer trips to interesting sites with knowledgeable leaders and friendly fellow birders? If so, please consider taking on this vacant position. Contact Helen Griffiths (fieldtrips@shropshirebirds.co.uk).
Please can all those proposing to come on the excursions follow the guidelines which have been sent to members in the past and which are available on this website here.
Field Excursions 2025
All members are invited to these trips, which are friendly and open to beginners and experts alike. Help to identify and learn about the birds seen will be given by the group. Meet at the location given, no later than the time stated. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE HOMEPAGE (UNDER “BREAKING NEWS”) TO ENSURE THE TRIP IS GOING AHEAD. THIS SECTION WILL CARRY A NOTICE ONLY IF DETAILS OF THE FIELDTRIP ARE CHANGED – NO ANNOUNCEMENT MEANS NO CHANGE!
ANYONE PLANNING TO GO ON THESE TRIPS SHOULD INFORM THE LEADER/ORGANISER OF THE FIELD TRIP SO THAT PARTICIPANT NUMBERS ARE KNOWN IN ADVANCE (see phone numbers below).
As always, if car sharing can be organised, this will be helpful both from a carbon emissions point of view and because parking space is often restricted at the fieldtrip location. Remember that at some locations, amenities may not be available. All directions are suggestions only.
Please note that dogs are not allowed on any of these trips.
Sunday, 27 April: MARTEG VALLEY/GILFACH FARM, Radnorshire (Full day) (Joint visit with RSPB Shrewsbury Group) – Leaders: Ian Baggley (07833 647109) & Helen J Griffiths (07800 880445)
- Radnorshire Wildlife Trust reserve three miles north of Rhayader, just off the A470. Turn off the A470 at the large bend at Pont Marteg (Marteg Bridge), and cross the cattle grid into the reserve. Parking is on the right just beyond the reserve entrance.
- Looking and listening for spring migrants and more, in a Radnorshire valley so far largely unspoilt by human activity.
- Meet at 10am in the reserve car park.
- Grid Ref: SN952715
- w3w: exclusive.aspect.science
Sunday, 1 June: CORS DYFI/Dyfi Osprey Project & YNYS HIR RSPB (Full day) – Leader: Martin George
- Visits to two nature reserves on the south side of the Dyfi estuary, just off the A487 south of Machynlleth.
- Cors Dyfi/Dyfi Osprey Project (Montgomeryshire), for a very good chance of seeing the resident pair of breeding ospreys and their newly-hatched chicks. Other wetland birds and summer migrants also likely.
- There will be a charge to visit this site (£7 in 2024) and we have been asked to make just one payment for all, in cash … so … please check the cost before you come and meet me (Helen) in the car park with your payment before you go in.
- Ynys Hir RSPB (Ceredigion) for summer migrants, coastal and woodland birds and more.
- Meet at Cors Dyfi (car park) at 10am AND/OR at Ynys Hir (car park) at 12.30pm
- Cors Dyfi
- Grid Ref: SN703984
- w3w: octagonal.swatting.workouts
- Ynys Hir
- Grid Ref: SN682961
- w3w: vanilla.with.represent
Sunday, 22 June: WYRE FOREST Shropshire/Worcestershire (Half day) – Leaders: Phil Constable (07948 472607) & Carol Wood (07807 068304)
- A woodland walk near Bewdley, for summer migrant birds and for butterflies.
- Meet at 10am in Hawksbatch car park on the B4194, between Buttonoak and Bewdley; the car park is 400 metres past the end of the 40mph restriction sign.
- Grid Ref: SO761776
- w3w: enigma.cornering.pothole
Sunday 10 August: BURTON MERE WETLANDS RSPB, Cheshire (Full day) (Joint visit with RSPB Shrewsbury Group) – Leader: Ian Baggley (07833 647109)
- RSPB reserve on the Dee estuary, with hides and a mosaic of wetland habitats, including pools, scrapes and reedbeds. Visit to look for waders, waterbirds and summer migrants; anything may turn-up at this time of year!
- Travel towards The Wirral and onto the A540 towards Ness and Parkgate. Just after the Two Mills crosssroads (A540 and A550) take the first left turn into Puddington Lane; reserve is signposted before you get to Burton village.
- Meet at 9.30am in the reserve car park.
- Grid Ref: SJ314735
- w3w: readings.sideburns.handicaps
Sunday, 14 December: COLEMERE & WOOD LANE, North Shropshire (Full day) (Joint visit with RSPB Shrewsbury Group) – Leader: Ian Baggley (07833 647109)
- A winter visit to a large mere surrounded by woodland, and to restored quarry workings with pools and grassland, looking for water birds, wildfowl and wintering thrushes.
- Colemere is three miles south-east of Ellesmere, signposted from the A528 and A495, with Wood Lane just to the west of the mere.
- Meet at 9.30am in Colemere car park.
- Grid Ref: SJ43732
- w3w: whirlpool.smoke.tenders
Helen J Griffiths
October 2024
Email: fieldtrips@shropshirebirds.co.uk
