WADER SPECIAL

SUNDAY 22ND - WEDNESDAY 25TH AUGUST 2021

WADER SPECIAL…

The course provides opportunities to view waders and wildfowl at close quarters to improve identification skills.  Expect a combination of indoor sessions covering the basics of bird identification and outdoor excursions to nearby sites that will build confidence in the field.

Bawdsey Hall is blessed with some extraordinary wetland sites only a short distance away, these can be determined by summer rainfall as to whether the sites are wet or dry.  In any event, the Deben, Alde and Ore Estuaries together with the 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

Waders are usually the first to return from arctic nesting grounds. Those that fail with their nesting attempts, swiftly return to more southern climes.  Nearby, Ramsholt Marshes is a prime site to see this in action and attract an impressive number of waders that prefer freshwater habitats which include Spoonbills, Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks and Greenshanks. 

August signals the very start of autumn migration with several Yellow Wagtails, Wood and Garden Warblers, Nightingales and Pied Flycatchers should be on show at nearby watch-points and around neighbouring villages of Alderton and Hollesley.  Ringers at Bawdsey Hall expect good numbers of juvenile Willow Warbler along with Reed and Sedge Warblers towards the end of the month.  Although waders are our key target, course members will be able to see migration as it happens at Bawdsey.

Weather permitting, bird ringing demonstrations will 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:

3 nights/4days: (Sunday-Wednesday courses)

Single Occupancy in a room- £575 per person

Double/Twin Occupancy in a room-£845 (total cost for two people)