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One of Naturetrek's excellent day trips, this time with a Stone Curlew expert on a private site in North Hampshire. A great leader, and group and excellent views of Stone Curlews on the ground and flying. As usual, for Naturetrek, impeccably organised, informative and enjoyable. Naturetrek have really met a need during the Covid pandemic with these day trips.
P.W. Hampshire, May 22
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A morning with Stone Curlews in Hampshire (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR225Spend a tranquil morning with guide Keith Betton on a private estate in north Hampshire, observing and learning about one of southern England’s most endangered breeding birds.
We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
Highlights
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Summary
Stone Curlews are migrants to this country from southern Spain and North Africa. This species was once widespread from Dorset to Yorkshire but a rapid decline in the last century saw numbers hitting an all-time low of fewer than 170 pairs in the 1980s. This decline was largely due to the loss of suitable grassland habitat brought about by lack of grazing and the conversion of permanent pasture to arable farmland. As a result, the birds were forced to nest within arable crops where the eggs and young were vulnerable to agricultural machinery.
We will visit a small country estate in north Hampshire which is an example of rewilding – taking a former arable farm and returning it to downland. As a result of this conversion it is one of just a handful of estates to have Stone Curlews. It is now a mixture of parkland, woodland and farmland with three lakes. The estate was the site of a Royal residence in the 12th and 13th centuries and King Henry II and King John hosted hunting parties here, and our visit will include a chance to view the recently excavated foundations.
From 17th May the group size will be up to 10.
- Tea and coffee in the estate's fishing hut before the tour
- Telescope views of Stone Curlews on their breeding grounds
- Enjoy a leisurely walk around this picturesque estate and learn some of the bird songs
- A talk by expert Keith Betton on Stone Curlew conservation in Hampshire
- Enjoy your picnic lunch on site before heading home
- Part of the price goes to conservation work on the estate
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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Doing the Stone Curlews in Hampshire walk, getting brilliant views of them, we saw amazing and iconic wildlife in a brilliant and beautiful estate undergoing a promising and exciting rewilding project and steeped in regal history. We saw other fantastic species including so many Red Kites, Hares and Pyramidal orchids. The tour was organised so well and was very friendly, welcoming and easy to be involved with. Keith Betton's expert knowledge and the hospitality was brilliant and he so ably and patiently guided us all to see the Stone Curlews very well and as much flora and fauna as possible on the walk. With the sitting by the pond too for coffee/tea and biscuits and lunch was ideal on a very sunny and hot day it was such an enjoyable day I was so impressed with it. We met some varied, fascinating and lovely people all together today having so many great chats about wildlife topics and others. The tour also considered the Covid-world so well to be able to do it safely.
D.B. Hampshire, Jun 21 -
It was a morning visit to a farm to see how they have been rewilding and to see nesting Stone Curlew and other birds, butterflies and plants. We were successful in being shown a curlew on the nest and the partner guarding the nest. Good views.
F.B. Oxfordshire, Jun 21 -
As with all my previous Naturetrek one day and longer trips, this was expertly delivered and very enjoyable, seeing and learning about Stone Curlews and their conservation on a re-wilded private country estate. I fully recommend to others. Naturetrek are the best at showing you nature in the UK and overseas. And great value for money.
T.S. Isle of Wight, Jun 21 -
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed my visit to see the Stone Curlews on 20th May - despite the wind and rain. It was very well organised, very informative and Keith was a great leader. What he doesn’t know about the birds probably isn’t worth knowing. The fishing hut and loo were a welcome bonus, as were the refreshments. Of course the best bit was actually seeing the Stone Curlews, Red Kites and Lapwings. I particularly liked the “ Talk and Walk” format or in our case” Walk and then the Talk” due to the weather.
P.C May 2021
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