Develop your confidence at spotting and identifying birds and take your birdwatching skills to the next level with our Birdwatching for Beginners event.
Our knowledgeable volunteers will take you on a guided walk of The Lodge reserve to seek out and listen to an array of bird species. We will be spotting birds found in open heathland & woodland habitats as well as garden birds, so that you will be armed with the knowledge & confidence to identify birds when out & about or spotting feathered friends at home. You’ll learn how to use binoculars, guidance on how to listen for & recognise species and tips on subjects like bird migration and sexual dimorphism.
Please bring your own binoculars with you to get the most out of this event. Alternatively, if you don’t have your own, we would recommend hiring a pair from our Shop for your day’s visit.
This event is suitable for adults and older children (12+ years) and will cover areas of uneven ground, making it unsuitable for anyone in a wheelchair unfortunately. If you have any mobility issues, please see our FAQs below.
Please meet in the Picnic Area outside the Shop 10 minutes before the event starts. Please arrive earlier and head straight to the Shop if you plan to hire any binoculars.
Are there minimum age requirements to enter the event? The Birdwatching for Beginners event is aimed at adults and children aged 12+ years. The event is not suitable for younger children as we will be standing outdoors quietly for reasonable periods of time across the session to observe & listen to birds in their natural environment. All children 12+ years must be accompanied by an adult at all times throughout the session.
Do I need to pay for car parking? Event tickets do not include car parking. Car parking is £6 for Non-members and free for Members. The car parking fee (£6 per vehicle for Non-members) entitles you to free access to The Lodge reserve for the whole day. Why not make the most of your visit by taking in one of several trails around the reserve or head off to explore The Gardens, planted full of wildlife friendly plants.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event? If travelling by car, use our postcode SG19 2DL to find us. See our website for full bus, train, bike and road options. We have a bus stop at the reserve entrance (connecting to Centrebus bus route 188) and 4 bike racks on site.
What should I bring into the event? Having a pair of binoculars is a must to get the most out of the event. If you don’t have your own, you can hire a pair from our Shop for the day. We recommend suitable outdoor clothing for the weather conditions as we will be outside throughout the session (waterproofs & wellies or sunhats & sunscreen) depending on the season.
Can I bring my dog to the event? No dogs, except for registered assistance dogs can join in our event within the nature reserve as we will be heading to areas of the site that are not dog friendly to protect our birds & wildlife. However, do visit with your pet another time as we welcome dogs on our Skylark trail and on the Bridleway transecting the reserve. Our Café is also dog friendly.
Do you cater for special dietary needs? Yes, our Café team can cater for special dietary requirements – please advise them when ordering. Our Café is open from 9.30am – 4.30pm serving freshly cooked food & hot drinks.
Can I stay on the reserve after the session? Yes, The Lodge is open from dawn to dusk, so make the most of your day and take your time to explore The Lodge nature reserve at your leisure after the event. The car park opens at 7.00am, the Shop and Café open at 9.30am.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions? We will be going off trail for this activity. If you have any mobility issues you can contact thelodgereserve@rspb.org.uk before purchasing any tickets to check whether the event is suitable for your needs. All bookings must be made online.
What's the refund policy? If we cancel an event for any reason, you will receive a full refund. Should you need to cancel, then you receive a full refund up to three days before the event, after which no refund is available. Cancellations must be made using the email address thelodgereserve@rspb.org.uk
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? Please bring proof of your ticket or email confirmation with you. RSPB members should bring their membership cards with them please.