PEAK AUTUMN MIGRATION
Friday 23rd -Sunday 25th September 2022
Peak autumn migration…
Bawdsey Hall is geographically placed to allow visitors to witness the wonders of bird migration first hand. Streams of migrant birds pass over the hall every night and an early-morning walk will reveal what has dropped in to rest and feed. There are many amazing sites all within a three-mile radius of the Hall, most within easy walking distance. The Bawdsey Hall ringing team carries out bird trapping activities throughout the year, allowing guest to join in when they run a session.
Bawdsey Hall is blessed with migration watch-points together with some extraordinary wetland, woodland and heathland sites. These are only a short distance away but migrants at the sites can be determined by summer rainfall as to whether the sites are wet or dry. In any event, the Deben, Alde, Ore Estuaries together with Butley River will host a multitude of waders as they return on autumn passage.
We are likely to visit some of the following sites:
Bawdsey Hall gardens
East Lane coastal ponds
Boyton and Hollesley RSPB Reserve
The Deben Estuary and Ramsholt Marshes
The Alde and Ore Estuaries
Hazlewood Marshes
Shingle Street
Summer migrants will be streaming back to Africa with Swallow and Meadow Pipit migration reaching its peak. If migrating songbirds encounter any poor weather they will be forced down to rest and feed and we should expect coastal bushes to be alive with Robins, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. Redstarts, Whinchats and Wheatears should also be on show and there’s often a rarity around in late-September.
This course is designed to help you to find out more about bird identification and bird migration and the species likely to be encountered during migration periods. It is aimed equally at anyone who is a newcomer to birdwatching and those who wish to improve their skills in wild bird identification. It will also emphasise the adaptations of birds to their preferred habitats and lifestyles.
We will explore migration marking techniques including: ringing, colour marking, and radio and satellite tracking. Weather permitting and if available , bird ringing demonstrations may be organised which will enable you to get ‘close-up and personal’ with some of the birds. Seeing birds in the hands of experts is an excellent way of understanding the nuances of bird identification and will reinforce the observations you can make through binoculars.
A range of nocturnal wildlife including Badgers and Owls visit a purposely designed feeding areas most evenings at Bawdsey Hall which can be observed from your bedroom window. With the spectacular wildlife on offer there certainly are all the ingredients of an amazing course. Despite the obvious wildlife distractions, the luxurious rooms provided by Bawdsey Hall should ensure a good night’s sleep ready for a spectacular birding weekend.
COST:
2 nights/3days (Friday- Sunday courses):
£400 per person
