SNHS is the group catering for people in Bexley with a general wildlife interest, and welcomes the participation of anyone from the Borough and surrounding areas. The upcoming programme offers field meetings at Joydens wood, a bit further afield at Sevenoaks Wildlife reserve, over the river at Rainham and at top birding sites in Kent.
Saturday 12 September 2015, RSPB Rainham Marshes, Purfleet. Post Code – RM19 1SZ. 09:45 – 13:45
Our past visits here have mainly been in the winter period so the late summer period should give us a different selection of plants, birds and insects to look at. Meet in the reserve car park (small charge), accessed off New Tank Hill Road. Small entry charge for non RSPB members. All facilities available:- hides, toilets, food and drinks.
Saturday 10 October 2015, Cliffe Pools RSPB, Salt Lane, Cliffe. Post Code – ME3 7SX. 09:30 – 13:30
Our visit in January 2015 was quite stormy but reminded some of us how big this site is and what it has to offer in a variety of habitats. During the late migration period we would hope to find a number of waders stopping off, plus some early winter visitors. Meet in the RSPB car park off Salt Lane. No charges apply – no toilets or hides.
Saturday 14 November 2015, Dungeness, Kent Post Code – TN29 9NA. 09:45 – 15:00
Dungeness in the winter should offer the prospect of sea birds viewed from the beach plus ducks, waders, gulls, grebes and perhaps bittern on and around the gravel pits of the RSPB reserve. Meet at The Light Railway Café, by the old lighthouse.
Saturday 12 December 2015, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (KWT). Post Code – TN13 3DH. 09:30 – 13:30
During the winter the wildfowl numbers increase here and with less leaves on the trees some birds like woodpeckers, repoll and siskins should, we hope, be more easily seen. Meet in the reserve car park by the visitor centre, off the A25 (Bradbourne Vale Rd)
Saturday 9 January 2016, Elmley, National Nature Reserve, Sheppey, Kent. Post code – ME12 3RW. 09:30 – 15:00
The Elmley reserve, on the south shore of Sheppey by the Swale, is now a family run farm but still managed as it was under the RSPB. Birds here in the winter should include flocks of duck, waders, geese, harriers and perhaps short eared owl. On the Swale we would hope for mergansers and eiders. Meet in the car park at Kingshill Farm (£5 per car in the honesty box) where there are toilets. ME12 3RW12 3RW
Saturday 6 February 2016, Joydens Wood, Dartford, Kent. Post Code – DA2 7PB. 09:30 – 12:30
Joydens Wood, managed by the Woodland Trust, is 325 acres of trees and heath with an extensive network of paths and rides for us to explore. Woodland birds should be more obvious at this time with little leaf cover. Meet at the main entrance in Summerhouse Drive near Fernheath Way. Note:- some paths and rides may be muddy (very muddy) so boots are recommended.
For further information regarding outdoor, and indoor meetings call Tony Banks on – 0208 859 3518
Or e-mail – tonybanks@fsmail.net
For assistance on the day of the meeting call Tony on the mobile number – 0790 523 7041
If Tony is unavailable please call Roger Wright on – 020 8 304 6014
E-mail – rogerawright38@gmail.com
There is no charge for outdoor meetings but modest donations are gladly accepted.
Indoor meetings continue at Hurst Place, Hurst Rd., Bexley. DA3 3LH.
Dates as follow – 4/9 – wildlife in Australia by Roger Wright, 2/10, 6/11, 4/12, 15/01/16, 5/2 & 4/3, but there is no programme to publish at present for later dates.
Visit our web site www.sidcupnature.org.uk
