Walks
Sunday 27 December 2026 09:00 – 13:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 7km, about 4 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Saturday 12 December 2026 09:00 – 12:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 5km, about 3 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Sunday 22 November 2026 09:00 – 13:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 7km, about 4 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Saturday 14 November 09:00 – 12:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 5km, about 3 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Sunday 25 October 2026 09:00 – 13:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 7km, about 4 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Saturday 10 October 2026 09:00 – 12:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 5km, about 3 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Sunday 27 September 2026 09:00 – 13:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 7km, about 4 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Saturday 12 September 2026 09:00 – 12:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 5km, about 3 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Walks
Sunday 23 August 2026 09:00 – 13:00
Meet at the car park (TN31 7TT).
Distance 7km, about 4 hours.
Walks will focus on seasonal birds and other wildlife of the reserve.
Walk routes will reflect weather, ground conditions and location of wildlife.
All walks are suitable for adults and accompanied children.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities once we have left the car park.
Past Events
Around mid-February, the wheel turns as northward migration and breeding behaviour become visible. As ten of us assembled in the car park, small birds were dashing about and songs were coming from the adjacent scrub and gardens. The sky was clear, the temperature mild and so, in spite of the muddy paths, we decided to venture over to Castle Water.
On the factory roofs, gulls were already stationed ready for nesting: mostly Herring but also a few Great & Lesser Black-backed, and we could hear Great Tits singing from all directions, more than usual attracted to feeders placed by an employee. From the recently re-opened Viewpoint, we admired the stream of silver-headed Cormorants moving from the bay to their nesting trees, the site of a chorus of hoarse crooning and growling, as a spectacular pair of Marsh Harriers cruised past. Reed Buntings had begun to sing from the lake edges as single Grey Heron, Little & Great Egret moved across the reeds and a good variety of ducks bobbed on the water.
During the last week, the crowds of northbound Common & Black-headed Gulls which speckle pastures across our area have been joined by the signature bird of spring: Mediterranean Gull. Though most stick closer to the coast but we did see a few flying over and once heard the distinctive call.
From the Halpin Hide, we had good views of Gadwall, Little Grebe, Mallard, Pochard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal & Tufted Duck on the water as Cormorants, weighed down with sticks, headed to their island nests. Flocks of Lapwings & Fieldfares moved across in front of the industrial area, a pair of Buzzards circled overhead and a Cetti’s Warbler sang half-heartedly.
Out on the fields sat a large flock of roosting Great Black-backed Gulls and the Canada & Greylag Geese were accompanied by a few hybrids – brown-faced Canadas and a Big White Goose, one of at least four in the area. From the castle battlements, a Raven watched us, reinforcing its territorial credentials with a few minor aerobatics.
On this 4th Sunday longer walk of about 4 miles, we found 59 bird species. Please be aware that the paths from the village towards Camber Castle are quite muddy and slippery at the moment.
The next Friends’ walk – a shorter one around Flat Beach – will take place on Saturday March 8th. Meet in the car park at 9am.