Wildlife Walks - July 2009

To book a place on any walk please do so in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or 07709 059181 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.


An evening with Nightjars - Owlbeech Wood

Date and time: Wednesday 1st July (9.00pm onwards)  

Where to meet : Meet in the car park by the recreation ground at the end of Owl Beech Way, Horsham at TQ198317. Click here to see a map.

This is a short walk on the edge of Horsham to a site where a male nightjar has been churring and giving very good views over the last month. For anyone living in the area who wants to see nightjar, this is an excellent opportunity. We will be accompanied by Horsham resident Simon Carter who has seen this bird on several occasions.

How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com

Cost: £4 per person.

Additional information: Today we will walk about 2 miles. Bring walking boots, a warm top, insect repellant and a torch.


An evening with Nightjars - Old Lodge

Date and time: Friday 3rd July (8.30pm onwards)  

Where to meet : Meet in the reserve's car park at TQ469308.

This Sussex Wildlife Trust reserve is set in the middle of the much larger Ashdown Forest. It is a delightful spot at any time and is also a good place to see the weird and wonderful nightjar. This evening we will follow the well marked nature trail that runs through the reserve keeping an eye out for characteristic heathland birds including wood lark, tree pipit, redstart and stonechat and also fallow deer.  As dusk approaches we will listen for the strange 'churring' of nightjars. Once the churring stops, which usually means that the bird has taken flight, we may hear the loud slap of the male's wing-clapping display and with a bit of luck see its white wing patches and tail spots as it flies between song posts. Another bird we will likely see is woodcock passing overhead as they undertake their distinctive 'roding' flight.

How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com

Cost: £6 per person.

Additional information: Today we will walk about 2 miles. Note that there are some steep slopes which may be boggy in places.  Bring walking boots, a warm top, insect repellant and a torch.


An evening with Nightjars - Pulborough Brooks

Date and time: Friday 10th July (7.30pm onwards)  

Where to meet : Meet in the reserve's car park at TQ058164.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB nature reserve is probably best known for its spectacular concentrations of wildfowl and waders in winter and its nightingales in spring. Heathland restoration work on nearby Wiggonholt Common has now ensured that it is also a good spot for nightjar. This evening walk will be in two parts. First we will follow the circular nature trail round the reserve stopping at the various hides. Then, as dusk approaches, we will head for the heathland in search of nightjars. Other birds we may see include hobby, green sandpiper, black-tailed godwit, green sandpiper and barn owl.

How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com

Cost: £7 per person

Additional information: We will walk about 3 miles along good footpaths. Bring walking boots, a warm top, insect repellant and a torch.


An evening with Nightjars - Lavington Common

Date and time: Wednesday 15th July (8.30pm onwards)  

Where to meet : Meet in the reserve's car park at SU949187

Lavington Common is an island of heathland surrounded by conifer plantations and rhodedendron. On the opposite side of the road is Lavington Plantation, an area that is currently being restored to lowland heathland by the National Trust. In addition to nightjars, which are usually fairly easy to see here, we may see other heathland specialists such as hobby, wood lark, Dartford warbler and crossbill. Tawny owls may be heard hooting from the surrounding woodland.

How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Paul James on 01273 705367 or by emailing pauljamessos@ntlworld.com

Cost: £6 per person.

Additional information: Today we will walk no more than 2 miles along good footpaths. Bring walking boots, a warm top, insect repellant and a torch.


To enhance your enjoyment of these Nightjar walks, please note that they are weather dependent. In the event of poor weather being forecast, it may be necessary to cancel a walk and offer another date. The dates and venues advertised may not suit everyone, but I am often available on other dates to guide individuals/groups anywhere in Sussex. Please contact me with your requirements.


Disclaimer
Although I offer health and safety advice as appropriate, please note that I accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience from your participation in the above walks. Lifts in private cars are at the passengers' own risk. Please do not leave valuables in parked cars.