Join us for an exclusive Dawn Chorus event enjoying a full 3 hour 'out-of-hours’ reserve experience including a freshly cooked English breakfast & hot drink at The Lodge Café.
To coincide with National Dawn Chorus weekend, we are opening up The Lodge reserve ‘out-of-hours’ for this special event and welcome all ‘Early Birds’ to join us. This 3 hour event will start with a warm welcome to The Lodge from our Reserve Staff as you ready yourself, before heading off for a leisurely 2 hour guided walk and then finishing with a private breakfast in the warmth of The Lodge Café.
Our knowledgeable volunteers will lead you to the best spots on our reserve to fully experience the dawn chorus before the sun rises and the crescendo of the Dawn Chorus erupts. After enjoying a leisurely 2 hour guided tour, submerged in this awesome Spring spectacle, you will return to The Lodge Café to relax and enjoy a freshly cooked full English breakfast and a hot drink in a private opening for event participants before it opens to the general public.
Being outside in the early hours before sunrise is chilly, so bring plenty of extra layers, gloves & a hat to keep warm whilst enjoying the sunrise. Having a pair of binoculars will also help you to get the most out of this event, so bring your binoculars with you if you have a pair.
This event is suitable for adults and older children (12+ years) and will cover areas of uneven ground in low light conditions. If you have any mobility issues, please see our FAQs below.
Please meet in the picnic area outside The Lodge Shop 10 minutes before the event starts at 4.50am.
Are there minimum age requirements to enter the event? The Dawn Chorus at The Lodge 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 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? No, car parking is included in the ticket price for this exclusive event. Our reserve car park will be open ‘out-of-hours’ before being open to the general public at 7am.
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? Being outside in the early hours before sunrise is chilly, so bring plenty of extra layers, gloves & a hat to keep warm whilst enjoying the sunrise. Having a pair of binoculars will also help you to get the most out of the event.
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 opening early for this exclusive Dawn Chorus event at 7am serving freshly cooked food & hot drinks. It opens to the general public from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
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 to the general public at 7.00am, the Shop and Café open at 9.30am.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions? We may be going off trail for this event and will be walking over uneven ground in levels of low light. 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.