| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: |
Brian Fitzjohn
|
| Group email: | BIRDWATCHING group |
| When: | Monthly on Monday mornings |
The group meets on the second Monday of the month to watch birds in the fresh air.
Click/Tap here to see the Monthly Programme for details.
Previous Outings
To view photos taken at Rye Meads in March 2026 click here to see them on the Group Photos page.
Photo of a Black-headed Gull in breeding plumage taken on our outing to Fishers Green on March 9th 2026
Lapwing photographed at the August 2025 birdwatching trip to Rye House, Hoddesdon.
Lapwing at Rye Meads - Photo by Steve Gollop
In March we visited Rainham Marshes and observed many dozens of types of birds including marsh harrier, cetti's warbler, redshank, Reed bunting, whimbrel, pintail and avocet.
U3A Birdwatching Group Lemsford Springs 10th February 2025
The group met for a February outing at Lemsford Springs, near Welwyn Garden City. The reserve is managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Twelve members braved a chilly, grey day and around a dozen species were seen including; Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail and a surprise Barn Owl.
For our last meeting of the year, Monday 9th December 2024, 6 brave souls turned up for this post-storm outing. The waterways were full and flowing fast but it was dry underfoot.
We had a successful walk and even the sun came out! 25 species were spotted near the Lee Valley Wildlife Discovery Centre.
For our November trip we visited Walthamstow Wetlands near Tottenham Hale. On a pleasant sunny Autumn morning we observed a variety of geese, jay and heron. Part of the way around the site we came across a BBC production team including Hamza Yassin, Wildlife Photographer and former winner of Strictly Come Dancing. They were filming a wildlife programme due to be aired in 2025.
Photos by Steve Gollop.
A group of 10 members met at Rye Meads RSPB reserve on Monday 9th September. It proved to be a dry day, in spite of the forecast. The walk got off to a great start with a Kingfisher barely two minutes after leaving the visitor centre. Good views of 33 species including Water Rail, Green and Common Sandpipers, Stock Dove and 10 species of duck and goose.
Picture taken at Rye Meads on 9th September 2024 by Phillip Thornton.
Pictures taken at Holyfield Weir on 8th July 2024 - Photos by Phillip Thornton
Pictures taken at Amwell Reserve on 8th April 2024 - Photos by Phillip Thornton.
We are a relaxed and friendly group, meeting in the morning and spending a couple of hours visiting hides, having a gentle stroll and spotting birds as we go.
In May we visited Walthamstow Wetlands and saw many different birds including black cap, little egrets, Egyptian geese and herons.
On our second outing we visited the Bittern Hide in the Lea Valley Park and Rye Meads RSPB reserve.
Our first outing was on the 12th February 2024 to the Lea Valley Wildlife Discovery Centre at Fishers Green, to see the last of the winter visitors.
There were six members in our group and we counted 38 species.