Field Outings
There is no need to pre-book on to a Field Outing unless otherwise stated. Members, as always, attend events at their own risk.
The description for each outing gives information on the route and activity, including the type of terrain, any steep inclines or descents and any obstructions, such as stiles. Please read the outing details to see if it is suitable for you. If in doubt, consult the Field Outings Organiser by email at:-
outings@chinats.org.uk
Children are welcome to attend if accompanied by a responsible adult.
Dogs are not permitted on Field Outings, the exception being for assistance dogs.
Please bring any personal medication and any refreshments as appropriate. It's a good idea for attendees to carry their emergency contact details.
Chi Nats always welcomes more volunteers to step forward to act as Leaders and suggest walks. You do not need to be an expert on wildlife, as there are always knowledgeable and helpful members in the group.
Wednesday 25th February
CHICHESTER HARBOUR SHORELINE WALK - AMENDED ARRANGEMENTS AND LOCATION - see below.
Leaders : John and Philippa Arnott
Time: 11.00 start
NEW Arrangements: This is now a ‘there and back’ walk along the shore starting at 11.00 before returning to the Sailing Club for a 1.00 lunch.
NEW Meeting point - Itchenor car park, in Orchard Lane (Note that the car park operates with Auto Number Plate Recognition, no cash, pay on exit by card). Postcode PO20 7AE for approximate location or use What3words ///battling.amps.sneezed. Meet: in the car park itself (not by the viewing platform.).
Members who wish to join the walk will be welcome and anyone who wants to join the walk plus lunch or just the lunch will be also be welcome!
Pre-booking essential for fish and chip lunch afterwards at the Itchenor sailing club - cost £15.00
Food choice - gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options can be catered for -
Please include your request in your email (see below.)
It is essential to register, and pay, ASAP and definitely by Wednesday February 4th (the date of the February evening meeting) by seeing Gill Hance at an evening meeting or on a field outing AND also, so that contact can be made if necessary, confirming by email to -
outings@chinats.org.uk
SOLAR HERITAGE BOAT. Due to necessary unplanned maintenance the boat is no longer available on 25th February. Members who have already registered for the outing including the boat trip will be contacted individually by email.
Thursday 19th March
PAGHAM HARBOUR RSPB RESERVE
Leader : Stuart Malcolm
Time : 10:00 start
Meet : At RSPB Visitor Centre (Bring RSPB membership card, if you have one, for free parking.)
Grid Ref SZ 856 964. Post code PO20 7NE. What3words: sticky.holly.photocopy
A walk of a couple of hours looking at the Discovery area, Ferry Pool, Long Pool and Red Barn Ditch areas of the RSPB reserve. The walk is flat and about 1.5 - 2 miles in total. It might be a little muddy in places.
Hopefully we might find some early Butterflies and maybe a Little Ringed Plover or Wheatear to show that Spring is on the way! Other birds we'll look for include Avocet, Snipe and Water Rail. The RSPB have been doing a lot of work to improve the Ferry Pool over the winter so it will be interesting to see what's about.
Toilets and hot drinks available in the Visitor Centre.
Tuesday 14th April
THE DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL HINDHEAD - FIFTEEN YEARS SINCE THE A3 TUNNEL OPENED
Leader : Matt Cusack, NT Lead Ranger and our hosts - members of the ‘Blackdown and Hindhead Supporters of the NT’ Group
Time : Meet at 10.00 outside the cafe in the Devil’s Punchbowl Car park. NT cards or payment required.
Location : just off the A3, exit A333 for Hindhead
Grid Ref SU 891 358 Post code GU26 6AB
Chi Nats Members visited this NT- managed SSSI Reserve back in April 2017 so it will be interesting to see what’s been happening with regards to the habitats and wildlife since then. It is part of the brand new ‘Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve’ - one of the King’s series of Super NNRs. Recently, a large grant has been received to enable lots of heathland and bat work to be carried out and there’s a rolling programme of buying Exmoor ponies ( to give a spread of ages) so, there will be much to see and much to hear about.
An approx 2hrs guided walk over a mixture of flat and slightly uphill surfaces. Toilets and refreshments available at the NT Cafe. Members can lunch together afterwards in the cafe or take their leave.
[May - to be announced]
Friday 5th June
THE RIVER EMS - A GUIDED WALK HEARING ABOUT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT AND RESTORATION PLANS
Leader : Sarah Hughes, Chalk stream resilience officer (Ems and Hambrook) for the Western Sussex Rivers Trust
Time : 10.00 - 12.15
Meet : In the Palmers car park, Emsworth (pay and display) next to the Brook Meadow information board at the SE end of car park. Postcode PO10 7DB What3Words free.intent.clouds
June 5th is World Environment Day!
Our interesting walk, over generally flat terrain, will take in a chalk river (the Ems, a Flagship Stream supporting a wealth of biodiversity) , a chalk stream (the Lumley), Brook Meadow Local Nature Reserve and ancient water meadows. About 2 and a half miles in length it should take about 2 to 2 and a half hours including stops. There will be drinks and toilets available at ‘Our Back Garden’ at Mill Meadows Farm in Westbourne, part of the way round. Members can shorten their walk if they wish.
Note - There are also toilets at the South Street car park in Emsworth What3Words bride.turned.wake
Thursday 25th June
WILDFLOWERS ON THE SHORE AT PAGHAM
Leader : Helen Dignum.
Time : 10.00 start to finish by 14.00 or earlier
Meet : in Pagham Beach car park at the junction of Sea Lane and Beach Road (Usually free but sometimes £3 in a bucket requested)
Grid Ref: SZ 890 973 Post code PO21 4NX What3words: faded.nicely.nurtures
(A repeat of last year’s outing which was on a VERY HOT day which deterred some members from attending. It proved a very interesting morning with some interesting species seen. Come again or make it your first visit!)
A wildflower walk along the shingle shore at Pagham, returning along the coastal lanes. We can hope to see a good variety of shingle plants including the rare Childing Pink. Bring your wildflower books and a hand lens or magnifying glass if you have one. There will also be Chi Nats books and hand lenses to borrow.
Note - the car park is on rough ground and although the route is level there are uneven surfaces and we will be walking on shingle along an exposed coastline. There are toilets by the car park. Bring plenty of water and a packed lunch / snack. Pagham Beach Cafe also offers refreshments for afterwards. If members opt for a picnic before walking back to our cars we expect to be finished by 2pm, although they can leave earlier, if required.
Wednesday 29th July
LEVIN DOWN NATURE RESERVE - OUR FOCUS - BUTTERFLIES.
Leader : Rob Eadie, Volunteer Reserve warden
Time : 10:30 - 12:30
Meet : in Charlton at the junction of Charlton Road and Knight's Hill
Grid Reference: SU 888 130, WhatThreeWords : passing.magnets.daydream
Rob will show us round and explain how the Reserve is managed to promote the chalk grassland and scrub and its flora and fauna particularly focussing on butterflies.
Bring your own drink/snacks to enjoy while admiring the spectacular views from the viewpoint half way round.
Optional extra, lunch afterwards at the village pub, The Fox Goes Free (we suggest booking for 12.45/13.00). Please book your own table by telephoning 01243 811461.
There are five parking bays in North Lane at the junction of Knight's Hill and Charlton Road and roadside parking along Knight's Hill. Those who have booked lunch please park in the Fox Goes Free car park.
Please note, it is an uphill walk onto Levin Down and there are a few steep sections of narrow path in the Reserve, but it is not muddy.
Thursday 6th August - to be announced - save the date!
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