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Local Outings Programme 2025-26

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In addition to weekly walks on Hampstead Heath which continue throughout the year, we normally, each September to June season,
visit several locations in and around the London area by public transport.
MBS Membership covers the September - June programme each year. The Sept 2025 - June 2026 programme has been posted on the relevant pages.

Hampstead Heath walks

Most Tuesday mornings throughout the year, weather permitting. (weather has to be quite extreme for nobody to turn up!)
Several of our members meet for an informal and friendly stroll on Hampstead Heath to see what birds are around.
Although these walks are primarily for MBS members, newcomers and occasional visitors are welcome.
For further information contact Marion birdsmbs@yahoo.com or 07495760694
Please note these are not guided walks. There is no official leader. People attend at their own risk. That said, there will always be Heath regulars who may suggest variations on our route and we all pool our knowledge and expertise in terms of birds and other wildlife.
Walks last around two hours, usually finishing at Kenwood House for coffee/lunch at the Cafe though some people may follow a circular route back to Parliament Hill and some may choose to end up at South End Green.
Bring binoculars if you have them.
Meet - 10am, Parliament Hill Staff Yard, NW5 1QR.
The Google directions to that postcode are a bit misleading. Aim for the Parliament Hill Cafe on the map. Or follow directions below. If you enter the Heath from Highgate Road, follow the path past the tennis courts. Or there's a diagonal path just beyond the William Ellis School bus stop which by-passes the tennis courts and bowling green.
We meet at the junction of paths near the toilets, noticeboards, cafe and drinking fountain - or nearest bench
and we usually take a look at the cricket pitch opposite the Cafe so may be hidden from the path.
(If it's raining and there's no one at the meeting place/time, it may be worth trying the cafe.)
Also possible to come on to the Heath from Gospel Oak Overground Station. Turn left along Gordon House Road, then left onto the Heath by the Lido. Continue uphill (past the Lido on your left) and turn right on the main path to walk past band stand and cafe on your left and meet at the junction of paths.

Saturday Local Outings

Saturday 20 September 2025
Rainham Marshes RSPB, Essex
Habitat: RSPB nature reserve adjacent to the Thames estuary. Large area of wetland, a woodland walk, ditches and scrub.
Species: September brings a mix of resident and migratory species - waders, wildfowl and birds of prey. Possible Golden and Grey Plovers, Ruff, Dunlin, Teal, Wigeon, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine.
Facilities: Hides (but main hide currently closed after serious damage from vandalism), open viewing areas and nature trails. No longer cafe/shop but toilets on ground floor of their Visitor Centre. Welcome to eat picnic inside or at picnic tables outside.
Travel: Fenchurch Street to Purfleet Station. 15-20 minute walk to the reserve.
Reserve information

Saturday 18 October 2025
Fairlop Waters Country Park, Redbridge
Habitat:Five lakes, ponds, a stream, farmland, quarry, woodland and heathland.
Species: Resident Little Owl, woodpeckers. By October the duck population will have increased having arrived ready for winter. Sandpipers and Redwing.
Facilities: Boathouse with Cafe (NB cashless) and toilets.
Travel: Fairlop underground is on the Central Line. Then a 6 minute walk to Fairlop Waters. Meet outside the Boathouse at 10.30.
Reserve information

Saturday 15 November 2025
Stockers Lake, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Habitat: A large former gravel pit in the Colne valley, with scrub marshland, the Grand Union Canal, two other lakes, river and reed bed.
Species: Wintering ducks, possible Goosander and Goldeneye. Resident birds include Kingfisher, Water Rail and gulls.
Facilities: Refreshments and toilets at station. Cafe with toilets at Bury Lake.
Travel: Metropolitan Line to Rickmansworth. Meet at Rickmansworth station 10.30 then walk to the Trust.
(There is also a Chiltern Railways train from Marylebone Station via Harrow on the Hill but there appears to be 1 an hour arriving 9.49 or 10.49).
Reserve information

Saturday 13 December 2025
Regents Park pre-Christmas walk
Woodland and water birds.
Meet near number 2 Park Road, NW1 4SH, by the Santander bikes on the corner near traffic lights closest to Clarence Gate entrance to the Park.
Nearest tube station Baker Street. 10.30 departure.
Morning only. Traditional informal bird walk usually ending in the cafe.
Reserve information

Saturday 17 January 2026
Loddon Nature Reserve, Twyford
Habitat: 14 hectare reserve on the edge of the village of Twyford containing a flooded gravel pit with several islands and a ragged, scrubby fringe that skirts around the shallows. Wetland and woodland.
Species: Wintering birds such as Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Snipe. Also woodland birds such as Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper.
Facilities: Toilets at the station. There is a Costa coffee half-way to/from the reserve.
Travel: Elizabeth Line or GWR from Paddington to Twyford Station. (Freedom pass holders can travel all the way for free if using the Elizabeth Line)
Meet at 10.30am at Twyford Station. Short walk to the reserve.
Reserve information

Saturday 21 February 2026
Two Tree Island, Essex
Habitat: 640 acre Island of grassland, scrub, reedbed and lagoons.
Species: Many waders including Knot, Dunlin, Lapwing, Curlew, Grey Plover. Brent Geese, winter thrushes and a variety of ducks.
Facilities: Toilets and Cafe at the station.
Travel: London Fenchurch Street (or Liverpool St) to Leigh on Sea. Meet 10.30 Leigh on Sea station. 5 minute walk to the reserve.
Reserve information

Saturday 21 March 2026
Wat Tyler Country Park and Vange Marsh RSPB
Habitat: 50 hectare park which is also an SSSI. Contains a large reedbed, meadows and hedgerows as well as muddy creeks.
Species: Waders, ducks, hedgerow birds, raptors. Winter thrushes. Possible overwintering Chiffchaff (apparently due to the abundance of insects from the nearby sewage works!)
Facilities: Refreshments and toilets at station. In park Visitor Centre with cafe and toilets. No toilets in Vange Marsh RSPB reserve.
Travel: Train Fenchurch Street to Pitsea. Meet 10.30am Pitsea station. 17 min walk to Park entrance.
Reserve information and RSPB.

Saturday 18 April 2026
Blue House Farm Nature Reserve, Essex Wildlife Trust
Habitat: With farmland, grassland and wetlands Blue House Farm is a 660 acre farm on the north bank of the river Crouch that is owned and managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. The farm is notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is important for wildlife, particularly overwintering birds.
Species: All year round there are Skylarks, Marsh Harrier, Reed Bunting. In Spring possible sightings of Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Snipe, Golden Plover, Stonechat.
Facilities: No toilets at the station or on the reserve. 3 Hides on the Reserve.
Travel: Train from Liverpool Street, changing at Wickford for North Fambridge. NB For the 3/25 visit we specified a later than usual train.
Reserve information

Saturday 30 May 2026
Cheshunt, Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Herts
Habitat: Wetland, rivers and streams, open water, floodplain grassland, fen, wet woodland, some arable land.
Species: Cuckoo, Common Tern, spring warblers inc Garden Warbler and possible Nightingale and Hobby.
Facilities: Cafe in YHA, Cafes and pubs other side of station, toilet at station, public toilets at Fishers Green. Hot drinks at the Wildlife Discovery Centre.
Travel: Liverpool St to Cheshunt via Tottenham Hale or longer London Overground jny via Seven Sisters which is covered by Freedom Pass.
Meet 10.30 at Cheshunt Station and short walk across railway line to reserve.
Reserve information

Saturday 13 June 2026
Rye Meads RSPB, Herts
Habitat: Rye Meads is a 58.5 hectare wetland reserve and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Rye House, Hertfordshire, beside the River Lee.
Species: Green and Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Snipe, Redshank, Water Rail. Possible Cuckoo, warblers.
Facilities: Visitor centre, hot drinks/snacks and toilets. Hides.
Travel: Liverpool Street Station to Rye House Station. Meet 10.30. 400yds/366m to Reserve.
NB Check if it's cheaper to get ticket for Hertford all stations.
Reserve information

Earlier this season