Location: Meet at Chesil Beach car park, Ferrybridge. To find it drive through Weymouth following signs for Portland A354. It is a bit hilly in town, but as you come out of town you go down to sea level again. You then pass the Ferrybridge pub (on its own) on the right and the car park is a little further on, on the right.
Date and time: 10am-4pm Sunday 14 December.
A day exploring great bird watching areas around Weymouth. We shall take the day as it comes and the schedule will be dictated by what birds are around this area. If there are scarce birds at Lodmoor we shall go there in the afternoon instead of Radipole.
We shall start by exploring Portland Harbour, which is a great place for wintering birds such as Divers and Grebes. Great Northern Divers are here every winter and Black-throated sometimes join them. Red-necked grebes are also sometimes here. We shall be looking over the large harbour to see what we can find. Birds are sometimes far off, but do tend to be at the northern end where we shall be. Expect to see many Red-breasted Merganser and, hopefully, Razorbills.
Lunch may be at a small cafe at Chesil Beach car park or in Weymouth.
We shall drive into Weymouth to Radipole Lake for the afternoon. This RSPB nature reserve consists of lakes and reedbeds. Ducks such as Ruddy Duck, Pochard and Tufted Ducks are usually seen and sometimes the elusive Bittern can be seen from the hide - they regularly winter here. Bearded Tits sometimes fly around the reed beds and this is the best place I know to actually see Cetti's Warblers. The small lake outside the visitor centre is well known for producing scarce gulls such as Mediterranean Gull.
Car parking charges are £1.20 for Chesil Beach and £3 for Radipole Lake.
There are toilets at both Chesil Beach car park and Radipole Lake.
How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net.
Cost: £12.
Length of walk: Each walk will be short, about 3km and on level ground. Radipole can be wet in places so wellies are advisable for that part of the day.
What to bring: Binoculars if you have them.
Click here for other walks.
