Mid Week Guided Walks
Autumn Mid-Week Walks Programme
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Stodmarsh (Grove Ferry)
National Nature Reserve
Roosting Harriers and Woodcock
Afternooon Walk: Wed 18 Dec 2024
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM GMT
Led by Phil Poole
A late afternoon walk starting from the Grove Ferry end of Stodmarsh NNR we will walk past the Ramp and onwards towards Marsh Hide, before returning in the opposite direction. Our aim will be to see wintering wildfowl, and then Marsh and Hen Harriers as they come in to roost in the reed-beds and Woodcock as they come out of roost to feed overnight on the meadows.
Location: Grove Ferry / Stodmarsh NNR, CT3 4BP
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Winter Mid-Week Walks Programme
Stodmarsh NNR
Thu 9 Jan 2025 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM GMT
Stodmarsh NNR, CT3 4BB
Leader Gary Stewart
Meet 8.30am at the Stodmarsh NNR main carpark
Approx. duration 3.5 hours.
Meet at the Stodmarsh NNR main car park at 8.30am ; the walk will end around midday. Our walk will include the extensive reed beds, main lake (including the Tower hide), Alder Woods and possibly Marsh hide. We will be looking for winter wildfowl, geese and water species, raptors (Harriers) and passerines (Siskin, Redpoll, Treecreeper, etc). It is likely that some of the paths will be muddy in a few places so wellies could be useful!\
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Owls on Sandwich Estate
Wed 22 Jan 2025 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM GMT
SBBOT Field Centre, CT13 9PF
Leaders Steffan Walton (Warden) and Faye Kavvadias-Large (Education Officer)
Meet at the Field Centre
Approx. duration 2.5 hours.
This walk will start with a brief talk in the Field Centre by Faye on the Owls that frequent Sandwich Bay Estate. Steffan will then lead a walk in the direction of Restharrow Scrape and the adjoining fields looking for Short-eared Owls that over-winter in the adjoining fields and also possibly seeing Barn Owls and hearing Little Owls.
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Shellness, Isle of Sheppey
Fri 31 Jan 2025 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM GMT
Shellness, south of Leysdown, ME12 4RR
Leaders Rob Rackliffe and Ian Searle
Meet 8.30am at Neptune Cafe, Leysdown-on-Sea.
Approx. duration 3.5 hours
This walk is timed to walk from the Neptune Café along the sea-wall to Shellness Point as the incoming high tide brings in large numbers of waders to roost at the Point. We may also find Geese, Divers and Sea Ducks, in addition to raptors hunting over the saltmarshes. Previous Winters have also brought in good numbers of Finches and Shore Larks.
Book Tickets
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Denge Woods
Wed 5 Feb 2025 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM GMT
Denge Wood, Penny Pot Lane, CT4 7EZ
Leader Phil Poole
Meet 8.30am near carpark at Penny Pot Stables / Old Thruxted farm
Approx. duration 3.5hours.
The woodland walk will start from the Car Park near Penny Pot Stables / Old Thruxted farm at 8.30am and last about 3½ hours. Potential birds will include Marsh Tit, Brambling, Siskin, Redpoll, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Woodpeckers - recent rarities have included Crossbill, Goshawk and Hawfinch!
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East Blean Woods
Fri 14 Feb 2025 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM GMT
East Bleans Woods KWT Reserve, CT6 7LN
Leader Rob Rackliffe
Meet 8.30am at East Blean Woods KWT Car Park.
Approx. duration 3 hours.
Starting from the KWT Car Park we will venture into East Blean Woods looking for woodland species, in particular Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but also Greater Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch as well as feeding flocks of Tits, and potentially Siskin and Lesser Redpoll.
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Godmersham Estate
Mon 10 Mar 2025 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM GMT
Godmersham Estate, CT4 7DR
Leaders Rob Rackliffe, Ian Searle and Ben Palmer (Estate Manager)
Meet 8.30 am Godmersham Church Carpark
Approx. duration 3.5 hours.
We will park near Godmersham Church and start the walk at 8.30am and walk for about 3½ hours. We will explore the Churchyard and then various habitats on Godmersham Estate, including river meadows, River Stour and pastureland. We will be looking for Little Owl, Finches including possible Hawfinch, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Red Kite, and Raven.
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Booking essential click Ticket Tailor
Please check the meeting time and place for each walk below.
Most take place on Wednesday but sometimes it is other weekdays.
Cost £5 per person for local walks, but longer outings with off-site walks may be charged more and there may be local charges such as for boat tickets or reserve entrance fees.
Please note that as our walks are mostly on nature reserves, dogs will not be able to attend our guided walks (except guide dogs). The usual charge is £5 unless otherwise advertised and, of course, donations are always welcome. Numbers strictly limited to 15 people for each walk