The Wash 18th - 20th November 2008
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The Wash is the most important UK site for wintering birds with over a third of a million wildfowl and waders, so what are we waiting for?
Leaving Eastwood at 1.30pm on Tuesday, we drive east to a traditional roosting site for Long-eared Owls near Boston. From here it is a short drive to our accommodation at Plummers Place, a cosy 3 diamond guesthouse just 50 yards from the RSPB Freiston Shore reserve! All rooms in this listed building are en-suite and overlook the reserve or adjacent farmland. Here we shall enjoy full English breakfasts, a 3 course set menu for dinner and an unbeatable starting point for birding this fabulous area.
With a mid-morning high tide at Freiston Shore, we shall be in the best possible position for enjoying the avian spectacle as huge flocks of waders, including Golden Plovers, Knot and both Godwits, swarm in to the lagoon to roost, while the surrounding fields attract flocks of dark-bellied Brent Geese, Twite and may be even Lapland Bunting. After a nice hot lunch back at Plummers Place, we shall drive to the nearby RSPB Frampton Marsh reserve, where the wide open saltmarsh is a paradise for watching hunting raptors, which can include Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, the dashing Merlin and both Barn and Short-eared Owls. This should be the perfect end to a memorable day.
On Thursday, we shall drive up to Gibraltar Point, a National Nature Reserve with a marvellous mix of farmland, woods, fresh and saltwater lagoons, dune slacks, saltmarsh and sandy shore, and a great variety of birds to match. Specialities to look out for here include Red-throated Diver, Pink-footed Goose, Whooper Swan, Green Sandpiper, Snow Bunting and the very handsome Shore Lark. With a great list of birds ‘in the can’, we shall leave The Wash at dusk and should be back in Eastwood by 7pm.
Cost £195
What the price includes:
Your share of return transport costs from the Nottingham area, two nights half board en-suite accommodation and the services of your guide.
Deposit £35
Single supplement: £45
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