BIRDWATCHING & WILDLIFE DAY TOURS IN THE SOUTH-EAST
ALL TOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES.
Simon’s popular birding and wildlife day tours are aimed at beginners and experienced birdwatchers and wildlife watchers. There is a continuous programme of walks running throughout the year which enables you to observe the seasonal changes in our wonderful natural history, and migration of birds in the UK.
Each venue has been chosen to cover as many species as possible, and guidance will be given on identification, species information and habitats, and a chance to enjoy and experience the fantastic countryside and natural history across the South-east. Walks will be taken at a leisurely pace ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable day outdoors. Each tour itinerary is designed to be flexible in order for the group to see and hear the most species, or most interesting species, depending on the area.
Please book early to avoid disappointment.
PLEASE NOTE: costs and times vary.
JANUARY
Saturday 8th – 10:00-16:30 – £16pp
Wintering Birds at Sandwich & Worth Marshes – FULLY BOOKED
Explore the Lydden Valley RSPB Reserve on the Worth Marshes, and the nearby Sandwich Estate. The new Lydden Valley reserve is alive with wildfowl at this time of year, which in turn attract birds of prey. On the Sandwich Estate we can hope for owls and Snow Bunting, in addition to more wildfowl, waders and wintering birds.
Saturday 29th – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Wintering Birds on the Dungeness Peninsula – 3 SPACES AVAILABLE
Spend a day exploring a few locations around the Dungeness NNR in search of great winter birds and wildlife. Locations will be confirmed closer to the date, but we will be certain to enjoy wintering wildfowl, waders, birds of prey, and egrets. We will finish the day on the RSPB Reserve.
FEBRUARY
Saturday 12th – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Winter Birdwatching on Sheppey – FULLY BOOKED
Spend a day on the Isle of Sheppey focusing on raptors, but also enjoying the wider wildlife. We will visit the Capel Fleet Viewpoint followed by a visit to the Elmley NNR. Enjoy wintering wildfowl & waders whilst visiting the best sites for birds of prey.
MARCH
Saturday 5th – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Winter Birding at Pulborough Brooks – FULLY BOOKED
Enjoy a day at this premier RSPB reserve in Sussex. A fantastic mix of habitats with a very good café and hides. We will birdwatch the heathland and woodland before enjoying the wildfowl, waders and birds of prey on the grazing marshes.
Saturday 26th – 10:00-15:00 – £15pp
Early Spring at Elmley – FULLY BOOKED
Enjoy the North Kent Marshes in early Spring. Walk to the first few hides and back enjoying birds of prey, wildfowl, waders, possible Bearded Tits, and a chance of some early spring bird migrants such as Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. A good chance of mammals too, with Brown Hare and Water Vole a possibility.
APRIL
Saturday 2nd – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Early Spring at Dungeness – 1 PLACE AVAILABLE
Guided birdwatching at Dungeness at one of the most exciting times of year, with spring migrants beginning to arrive and some wintering birds remaining. We will visit the best locations for recent birding highlights, almost certainly including the RSPB Reserve and the habitats at the Observatory.
Wednesday 20th – 18:30-21:00 – £7pp
Leybourne Lakes Evening Birdsong – 3 PLACES AVAILABLE
Spend the evening enjoying the sounds of our resident and migrant birds during the evening chorus. The scrubland here holds one of our largest Nightingale populations in Kent, together with a variety of warblers, thrushes, and finches. Wetland birds can also be found on the lakes, and streams offer a chance of Water Vole.
Friday 29th – 10:00-15:30 – £16pp
Exploring Knepp Wildlands – FULLY BOOKED
An exciting opportunity to enjoy a walk around the permissive footpaths at the Knepp Wildlands Project, the famous ‘Wilding’ project in Sussex. Impressive birdwatching including Nightingale and Turtle Dove, amongst the many birds that have colonised the site, hopefully including White Storks.
Saturday 30th – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Spring on Ashdown Forest – FULLY BOOKED
A day exploring the open forest and lowland heath of Ashdown Forest at arguably the best time to visit this impressive area of the High Weald. We will enjoy the Old Lodge reserve together with other areas of the forest. Redstart, Cuckoo, Tree Pipits, Woodlark, Crossbills, Dartford Warbler and birds of prey are all possible.
MAY
Wednesday 4th – 18:45-21:15 – £7pp
Conyer Creek Evening Birdsong – 1 PLACE AVAILABLE
Spend the evening enjoying the sounds of our resident and migrant birds during the evening chorus. The scrubland here holds one of our largest Nightingale populations, together with a variety of warblers, thrushes, and finches. Wetland birds can be found on the lakes, and streams offer a chance of Water Vole.
Friday 6th – 10:00-15:30 – £16pp
Exploring Knepp Wildlands – FULLY BOOKED
An exciting opportunity to enjoy a walk around the permissive footpaths at the Knepp Wildlands Project, the famous ‘Wilding’ project in Sussex. Impressive birdwatching including Nightingale, Turtle Dove, and variety of warblers, amongst the many birds that have colonised the site, including White Storks.
Friday 13th – 10:00-15:30 – £16pp
Stour Valley Downland & Woods – 1 PLACE AVAILABLE
A day based in the countryside on the east side of the River Stour valley. Find farmland birds and wildlife in the Crundale Valley before heading to Denge Woods to enjoy woodland birds, butterflies and orchids.
Friday 20th – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Nightingales, butterflies & seabirds – 2 PLACES AVAILABLE
A day exploring two close sites in East Sussex, Abbotts Wood & Seaford Head. Explore the beautiful woodland habitat listening to birdsong and looking out for butterflies, including the rare Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, before heading to the coast to watch the Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Peregrines & Ravens on the white cliffs of the South Downs.
JUNE
Saturday 4th – 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Early Summer at Rye Harbour – FULLY BOOKED
Spend the day exploring the whole of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, including Castle Water and the coastal pools. Enjoy the breeding waders, Terns and Gulls, lots of birdsong and wildfowl.
Tuesday 14th – 18:30-22:15 – £8pp
Nightjar Evening on Ashdown Forest – 3 PLACES AVAILABLE
Enjoy an evening discovering the Nightjars of Ashdown Forest. Woodcock, owls, glowworms and mammals are also possible as the forest settles down for the night.
Tuesday 28th – 18:30-22:15 – £8pp
Nightjar Evening on Ashdown Forest – 7 PLACES AVAILABLE
Enjoy an evening discovering the Nightjars of Ashdown Forest. Woodcock, owls, glowworms and mammals are also possible as the forest settles down for the night.
JULY
Saturday 30th– 10:00-16:00 – £16pp
Early Autumn Migration at Oare
A day along the Southern shore of the Swale Estuary enjoying early wader migration amongst other wonderful wildlife, including butterflies & dragonflies. Farmland and wetland birds will also feature and this great birding location.
To book please send an email to info@simonginnaw.com stating the date and venue of the session(s), number of places required, name(s) of the participants, a contact phone number(s), a next of kin contact, and any dietary requirements.
Payments are required in full to secure your place on a trip, these are non-refundable if you, the participant, cancels within 3 days of the trip. In the case that the event has to be cancelled, a date will be rearranged or a full refund will be made. The fee is payable by cheque, PayPal or direct bank transfer – further details will be supplied at the time of booking. For enquiries please contact Simon via the email address above.
- A maximum of 10 participants will be booked on each trip.
- Hot drinks and a snack will be provided on most trips (but not all).
- Most of the day trips are easy walks (c.1-3 miles) at a gentle pace over mostly flatterrain. Simon will notify participants of any challenging terrain when booking.
- A variety of trails will be walked on so please wear sturdy waterproof walking shoesor boots. Wellies are recommended if we have had recent wet weather.
- Travel to each venue by own transport. Directions and other information will be sentto you up to 24 hours before the trip.
HOW TO BOOK: Please fill out the form below, and I will be in contact.
* * *
Want a birdwatching day trip in and around Kent that is custom-made just for you? We can offer you your perfect tailor-made day’s birdwatching.
Perhaps there are specific locations you’d really like to explore? Or maybe there are special bird species you’d like to look for? Would you like a wader ID day to get to grips with confusion species? Or maybe you’d simply like to take your time and enjoy a leisurely day watching birds with time for a nice lunch too.
A custom birdwatching trip gives us the chance to tailor the day so that it is perfect for you. Alternatively if you think this is something a loved-one would enjoy, Gift Vouchers can be provided and a date can be arranged later.
Please Contact Me for more information
* * *