South East Essex RSPB Calendar of Local Events

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Sunday 23rd January 2022: Field Trip - Southend Pier
Meet at 1045am at the lower level entrance. High tide 1557 hrs. All welcome.

Saturday 05th February 2022 RSPB Wallasea Island Guided Walk: Late winter Wildfowl and Waders
By early February our wintering flocks of wildfowl and waders are at their very peak and can be an impressive sight as they swirl around high tide roosts or feed at the edge of the saltmarsh. Watch out if a Peregrine goes through as the birds take to the air en-masse to avoid this aerial predator. Booking essential at https://events.rspb.org.uk/wallaseaisland. Cost: £6.50 donation for non members and £5.50 members.

Wednesday 9th February 2024: Field Trip - RSPB Old Hall Marshes
Meet in the car park at 10am. Old Hall Lane, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon CM9 8TP. High tide 1518 hrs. All welcome.

Sunday 20th February 2024: Field Trip - Hadleigh Country Park
Meet at 10am in the new Chapel Lane car park. There is a charge for parking. All welcome.

Tuesday 22nd February: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. We meet at the EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Meet at 10am if you would like a short walk or at 10:30 for a coffee and chat in the Centre. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152

Saturday 05th March 2022 RSPB Wallasea Island Guided Walk: Rolling Back Winter
March is a month of transition as many of our winter visitors are ready to head back north including many that stage here after wintering further south and are refueling on the rich mudflats of Wallasea. Booking essential at https://events.rspb.org.uk/wallaseaisland. Cost: £6.50 donation for non members and £5.50 members.

Tuesday 15th March: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. We meet at the EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Meet at 10am if you would like a short walk or at 10:30 for a coffee and chat in the Centre. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152.

Sunday 20th March 2024: Field Trip - Wakering Stairs
Meet at 10am. Take the Foulness Road from Great Wakering church and the 2nd exit from the mini roundabout within the MOD fencing. Follow this road to the seawall. High tide 1359 hrs. All welcome.

Tuesday 29nd March 2024: Field Trip - EWT Warley Place
Meet at 10am. Travelling on the A127 towards London turn off onto the B186 just before the M25 turn off. Turn right at the junction and follow the B186 until you see the Thatchers Arms PH on your left. The reserve is next door. NB The gate may be closed but not locked. Postcode CM13 3HT. All welcome.

Tuesday 12th April: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. We meet at the EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Meet at 10am if you would like a short walk or at 10:30 for a coffee and chat in the Centre. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152

Wednesday 13th April 2024: Field Trip - EWT Bluehouse Farm, North Fambridge
Meet at 10am. Take the B1012 road towards Burnham. Make a right turn at the junction with B1010 to North Fambridge. Cross railway and follow road to Blue House Farm. All welcome.

Sunday 24th April 2024: Field Trip - Abberton Reservoir*
Meet at Layer Breton Causeway at 10am. Non EWT members may be asked for a donation at the Visitor Centre. All welcome.

Sunday 01st May 2024: Field Trip - EWT Fingringhoe Wick
Meet in the visitor centre at 10am.Take the B1026 from Heybridge towards Colchester. Turn off before Abberton Reservoir towards Mersea. Follow the road to Fingringhoe and the signs to the reserve. Postcode CO5 7DN. Non EWT members may be asked for a donation. All welcome.

Monday 09th May 2024: Field Trip - RSPB West Canvey Marsh
Meet at 10am. Enter Canvey from Benfleet Railway Station. At the first roundabout take the 2nd exit (straight on). The entrance to the reserve is actually on the 2nd roundabout (3rd exit). All welcome.

Tuesday 17th May: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. We meet at the EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Meet at 10am if you would like a short walk or at 10:30 for a coffee and chat in the Centre. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152.

Sunday 31st July 2024: Field Trip - Rutland Water*
We hope to be on time to see freshly fledged young Osprey (as well as adults and many other species of birds). Travelling north on the A1 past Peterborough take the A606 exit towards Oakham/Melton Mowbray. Turn left onto Empingham Road (A606). After approx. 5 miles take the first exit into Burley Park Way (A6003). After less than a mile turn left onto Hambleton Way. Postcode LE15 8BT. Meet at Rutland Water NR Egleton at 11am. All welcome.

Tuesday 21st June: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. We meet at the EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Meet at 10am if you would like a short walk or at 10:30 for a coffee and chat in the Centre. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152.

Tuesday 19th July venue TBA: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152.

Tuesday 23rd August venue TBA: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152.

Tuesday 20th September: RSPB South East Essex Local Group Independent Lady Birders Meeting
A monthly self-help and support group for single ladies. We meet at the EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Meet at 10am if you would like a short walk or at 10:30 for a coffee and chat in the Centre. All single ladies are welcome to join us. For details call our ILB contact on (01702) 525152.

* = Ideal sites for sitting in the Visitor Centre/Café looking out over the reserve/feeders.

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Notes on Meetings and Field Trips
Indoor meetings will be held at The EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Note: turn down small road directly on the bend by the three flagpoles. Map reference TQ 831 874. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start. Entrance fee £3.00 for members. Suggested donation of £4 for non members. See http://www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/belfairs for directions.

Coach Trips:
All coach trips commence at The White Horse, Lifstan Way, Southend-on-Sea at the time stated on this page. Pick-up points are at The Bell Hotel, Prince Avenue, Kent Elms Corner, Westleigh School, Thames Drive, and Hadleigh Church and Halfords at Rayleigh Weir. Bookings should be made through Cath Williams at one of the indoor meetings.

The RSPB Southend Local Group organises coach trips to nature reserves and other sites that permit access to the public, sometimes for an entrance fee or donation Please read the following guidelines:

Ensure that you have suitable warm/waterproof clothing and footwear. If you have any medical condition which may put you at risk, please inform the organiser when booking and they will advise you on the suitability of the itinerary/excursion. Ensure that you have any medications required for the day. Please Note: Payments for trips to be paid in full when booking. Cheques should be made payable to "RSPB South East Essex Local Group". Packed lunches and suitable footwear are essential and waterproof clothing advisable, preferably dull.

Field Meetings:
Generally these are intended as short outings of 2-3 hours duration at sites in the local area or within short travelling distance. If the weather is fine and the "birding" good the walk may be extended; it is up to the individuals how long they stay. Occasionally, to provide variety, some locations a little further afield may be chosen.
In the winter months it is essential to wear clothing (preferably dull colours) and footwear to suit the prevailing weather conditions.
Transport is not provided.