Cheltenham Bird Club

Little Owls by Gordon Kirk
2026-01-05 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London)

Pars, Pistes and Birdies by Arthur Ball
2025-12-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
Our own Bird Club member, Arthur has a reputation for giving amusing talks. This one will be light hearted anecdotes of ‘accidental’ bird watching whilst Arthur pursued other hobbies.

The talk will be followed by our usual Christmas ‘Bring and Share’ supper.

Forest of Dean and Christmas meal
2025-12-14 09:00 - 14:00
Our usual walk and Christmas meal. As usual meet at the Belfry in Littledean before we make our way to a suitable site to hopefully find Hawfinch, Crossbill and Siskin.
Meet 0900 at the Belfry Car Park (SU669135) post code GL14 3JS
It is important to say if you intend coming so The Belfry can be informed of numbers for the meal.
Please use the new email for this – fieldtrips.cheltenhambirdclub@gmail.com None of these sites are especially hard walking but obviously inclement weather is always possible – be prepared. On the day if necessary, contact either John Casswell 07771960210 or Pam Riggs 07769040626

Urban Peregrines by Ed Drewitt
2025-12-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT

Unravelling the crisis: the complex challenges facing UK songbirds by Sue Morgan
2025-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
This will be a Zoom talk. All members will receive the link to the Zoom meeting. Members who can are encouraged to view the talk at Belmont School.
Sue Morgan is CEO of SongBird Survival. SongBird Survival is working to change the future of songbirds by funding research into the causes of the decline, and creating solutions.
SongBird Survival is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to halting and reversing the alarming population declines of songbirds and other small birds.
SongBird Survival believes that the evidence base that informs UK policy is inadequate or lacking, and more needs to be done to identify the real drivers behind continued songbird declines.
We commission and fund high-quality scientific research to fill in these evidence gaps.

Highland Wildlife by Roy Atkins
2025-11-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
This will be a Zoom talk. All members will receive the link to the Zoom meeting. Members who can are encouraged to view the talk at Belmont School.
Roy has guided holidays for Speyside Wildlife for over 20 years both in the highlands and islands of Scotland and many destinations overseas. Starting in Speyside, his talk will roam the Highlands of Scotland looking at the special birds, mammals and other wildlife of this exciting region, whether high in the mountains, in the ancient forests of Abernethy, or the wild coastline of the north west highlands – there is so much to see!

Pittville Park, Cheltenham
2025-11-20 10:00 - 12:00
A return to this large park in Cheltenham with its lake, grassland, plenty of trees and hopefully a variety of birds. Meet at 10am in the car park on Albemarle Gate (opposite The Pump Room). GL50 4PH
For all meetings it is very useful to know if you intend coming in case of last minute changes and to try and sort out car sharing especially for those trips at some distance to Cheltenham. Please use the new email for this – fieldtrips.cheltenhambirdclub@gmail.com Local trips are usually ‘long’mornings. Bring food and drink to suit. None of these sites are especially hard walking but obviously inclement weather is always possible – be prepared. On the day if necessary, contact either John Casswell 07771960210 or Pam Riggs 07769040626

Cambodia by Jill & Colin Nichols
2025-11-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT

The Curlew Recovery programme by Geoff Hilton
2025-11-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
Geoff says, “At present I am particularly passionate about saving Eurasian curlews: a species of great conservation importance but also personal meaning.” His background is in ornithology and the science of species recovery.
Geoff oversees the work of WWT’s Conservation Evidence department. The team provides conservation evidence to support the wetland conservation work of WWT.

Lower Moor Farm, Oaksey
2025-11-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Lower Moor Farm, Somerford Keynes Road, Oaksey, SN16 9TW
A Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve with SSSI status, a number of hides overlooking the lakes with wildfowl, including Great Crested Grebe, Teal and hopefully Goosander. See Link on our Home page.
From the A419 turn right onto the B4696 towards South Cerney, straight on at the crossroads signed to Oaksey and after a further 2.5mls, the entrance to the reserve is on the left. Meet in the visitor centre carpark at 1000. The on-site Dragonfly cafe is excellent (SU007939) Postcode SN16 9TW. What3Words:outbid.zips.drags
Meet in Shelbourne Road near Dean Close School (SO929215 or postcode GL51 6HE) at 0900 to sort car sharing or meet 1000 at the venue.
It is very useful to know if you intend coming in case of last minute changes and to try and sort out car sharing. Please use the new email for this – fieldtrips.cheltenhambirdclub@gmail.com
On the day if necessary, contact either John Casswell 07771 960210 or Pam Riggs 07769 040626

50th anniversary visit to Slimbridge
2025-11-04 10:00 - 17:30 | WWT Slimbridge, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, GL2 7BT
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cheltenham Bird Club we have organised a members’ day out at Slimbridge. We will gather in the Foyer of the Wetland Centre at 10am.
There will be a talk, an opportunity to visit the Peter Scott House and a guided tour of areas of the wetland centre not usually accessible to the public. Bring your WWT membership card or you will need to pay for entrance.
Afterwards we can have an early supper at The Tudor Arms pub in nearby Shepherds Patch.
To register for this event you need to fill in the Google Form at
https://forms.gle/HL249maBY2uGjoTbA
or email Monica Gilbertson monica.gilbertson@hotmail.co.uk
Closing date Friday 24 October

Spring Migration along the Adriatic Flyway by Denis Bohm
2025-11-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
Twice a year, millions of migratory birds use this route to fly between their wintering and breeding grounds. They stop over in Herzegovina’s breathtaking and diverse scenery that ranges from wetlands, alpine meadows with spectacular floral displays, deep canyons and crystal clear rivers.
Denis will introduce us to many of the species commonly seen in Herzegovina including Rock partridge, Sombre tit, Blue rock thrush, Red-footed falcon, Levant sparrowhawk, Eastern orphean warbler, Western rock nuthatch, Golden oriole, Nightingale and a spectacular colony of Sand martins.

Dippers in the Stroud valleys by Mark O'Connell
2025-10-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
Dippers are highly sensitive to changes in water acidity and pollution, and are therefore an important biomonitoring species for freshwater habitats.
The Stroud Valleys dipper project has invited local communities to monitor the Dipper population in Gloucestershire’s Stroud Valleys.
Findings from the project will be used to assess river health and provide solutions to declining populations of the species.

Gloucestershire's Lost Birds by Andrew Bluett
2025-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
Andrew will talk about some of the species we had pre- and post-WW2 which were lost during the 50s, 60s and 70s.
He is a local man born in the Forest of Dean who grew up on the banks of the River Severn. He is a Trustee of both Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Gloucestershire Naturalists Society.
Andrew says, “I look for wildlife wherever I go in the world, but my favourite places are WWT Slimbridge, The Forest of Dean and Scotland.”
He spoke to the club in December 2018 on Wet waders, dry waders.

First Talk of the Season - Madagascar : lemurs and whales
2025-10-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Belmont School, Warden Hill Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT
Ian Johnston is a retired rocket scientist with a passion for wildlife, travel, modern technology, photography and SCUBA diving.
Madagascar is a remarkable place and this talk takes us through the central and eastern region, trekking in the rainforest to spot some of the 100+ species of lemurs both in the mountains and down to the coast. Exploring different environment for totally different collections of lemur species.
We found the tiny mouse lemur (pictured above) , the rare eye-eye and the indri with its haunting call amongst many others.
Finally we ended up on a small island off the east coast of Madagascar to see the humpback whales performing their spectacular breaching.
The talk is illustrated with photographs and video.

Field trip to Bourton gravel pits
2025-09-13 10:00 - 12:30 | Bourton pits, padding.valve.inflates, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
A short walk across fields and along the River Windrush to hopefully see overwintering thrushes, finches and wildfowl.
Meet in Shelbourne Road near Dean Close School (SO929215 or postcode GL51 6HE) at 0900 to sort car sharing. Alternatively meet in the lay-by which is located on the minor road to Little Rissington. As you leave Bourton-on-the Water and pass through the 40mph de restriction signs the lay-by is on the left as you go into a bend, easily missed. What3Words: padding.valve.inflates (SP179198) at 1000.
There are no facilities at the site but plenty in nearby Bourton-on-the Water.

Forest of Dean: evening walk for nightjars
2025-06-28 19:00 - 21:30 | Cinderford Tesco, Tesco Car Park, Cinderford, GL14 2AN
What a delightful evening! After a sweltering and muggy day our final field meeting of the year took us first to Cannop Ponds where, on the lower pond, we saw Mandarin, Mallard, Tufted duck, Mute swan, Chaffinch, Grey wagtail, Lesser black backed gull, Moorhen, Coot. No Dipper but someone saw the flash of a Kingfisher. On the upper pond saw Swifts and House martins. We watched a family of Pied wagtails charmingly dancing up and down as they caught insects by the water and returned to the waterside stones.
Next we parked near Speech House and walked up onto Crabtree Hill where we waited as the evening drew to a close. We saw Exmoor ponies and Highland cattle but no nightjars. Then, suddenly, there was the distant churring of a nightjar – and again – then a sudden brief sighting. We were returning happily when we heard the nightjar(s) several times.
It was a tricky walk back to the cars but it was another successful and enjoyable field meeting. Sadly this was Tim Fretter’s final field meeting. We owe him a huge debt of thanks for all the wonderful meetings he has arranged and led over many years. He has always been so inclusive, making sure everyone gets a good look and guidance in identifying birds. He has been keen to support new members, making them feel welcome to our friendly club.

Coombe Hill Canal
2025-06-15 09:00 - 15:30 | Coombe Hill Car Park, The Wharf, Coombe Hill, GL19 4BA
Expect lots of warblers, waders and wildfowl and maybe some raptors.
The car park is very small so car share if possible.
What3Words: ///recovery.imprints.rooting
OS Map reference: SO885272

Cotswold Water Park
2025-05-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Waterhay Car Park
A walk around a number of the pits including the Cleeveland Reserve. Possible Cuckoo, many warblers, red crested pochard and several other species.
Meet at Waterhays Car Park at 9am. Map reference SU059933. What three words is meanders.swept.moats The car park is (was!!) a cash pay or by phone – not ideal if cash machine not working.
The postcode is SN6 6QY, but the car park is well to the East of Ashton Keynes in Upper Waterhay
Birds seen or heard: Rook, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Garden warbler, Lesser whitethroat, Whitethroat, Reed warbler, Sedge warbler, Cetti’s warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Lesser black headed gull, Herring gull, Swift, Swallow, Robin, Dunnock, Songthrush, Great crested grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Mute swan, Kestrel, Red crested pochard, Canada goose, Greylag goose, Tufted duck, Cuckoo.
Thanks to Tony Gadsdon who stepped in to lead this walk in the absence of Tim.
