Walks programme restarted
We now have a programme of HOS walks in place.
Attendees no longer need to book a place on HOS walks, but we would ask that you recognise that COVID is still with us and that some people would still prefer that social distancing is observed.
However, please also note that it will be necessary to continue to book places on some walks – such as Needs Ore where places are restricted.
Any queries please do get in touch either by emailing Di Warner or phoning Di Warner, the HOS Walks Co-ordinator on 07883 344724. The distance covered is shown for each walk, and in some cases with a ‘walk category’, as follows:
A) Easy – a fairly short walk over relatively flat ground with no/few stiles.
B) A little more demanding – longer distance and/or gentle hills but with no/few stiles.
C) Medium difficulty – moderate distance and/or moderate hills and/or a moderate number of stiles.
D) Strenuous – long distance and/or steep hills and/or many stiles.
Do please take care and enjoy the walks programme, but remember, responsibility for personal safety lies with the individual, not the Society.
Please adhere to the current Covid rules which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
Please note some details are not currently known, but will be added when available.
November 2023
Wednesday 8 November
Hook with Warsash, Southampton
Leader: Nick Wiley (07747 151160)
10.00 am to 2.00 pm (3 to 4 miles).
Park in New Road, SO31 9SB. Grid reference (SU 506 059)
W3W – supplied.widen.replayed
Walking through woodland to coastal habitat for an opportunity to look for winter waders, ducks and coastal birds. Might encounter muddy paths.
Bring lunch/Lunch en route.
Walk category B.
Sunday 19 November
Warblington Shore to Hayling Oyster beds
Leader: Kevin Stouse (07510 600808)
9.30 am to 1.30 pm (3 miles).
Meet at Warblington Church car park, PO9 2TU, grid reference (SU 728 054)
W3W – gross.unwanted.gather
This walk along the shore to Hayling Oyster beds is in search of winter birds, waders and wildfowl.
Bring coffee and lunch/Lunch en route.
Walk category A.
Sunday 26 November
Alresford area
Leader: John Clark (07355 044255)
10.00 am to 2.00 pm (4.5 miles).
A circular walk from Broad Street to the watercress beds, along the countryside Wayfarers Way and then back to Broad street. Meet at Broad Street at the bottom near the Old Fire Station, not far from the Globe pub, SO24 9DB grid reference (SU 588 329).
W3W – helm.essays.sued
In search of winter birds, wildfowl and hopefully a Marsh Harrier.
Bring coffee and lunch/Lunch en route
Walk category B.
December 2023
Saturday 2 December
Normandy Lagoon & Oxey Marshes
Leader: Ian Packer (07505 084123)
10.00 am to 2.30 pm (3 miles).
Meet at junction of Maiden Lane and Normandy Lane, SO41 8FF and park on road, grid reference (SZ 326 940), opposite large house called Kingfishers.
W3W – hawks.blurts.headliner
We will look for ducks, waders & migrants.
Bring lunch and drinks
Walk category A.
Sunday 3 December
Warblington Shore to Budds Farm
Leader: Kevin Stouse (07510 600808)
9.00 am to 1.30 pm (3 miles).
Meet at Warblington Church car park, PO9 2TU, grid reference (SU 728 054)
W3W – gross.unwanted.gather
This walk along the shore to Budds Farm sewage works, in search of winter birds, waders and wildfowl.
Bring coffee and lunch/Lunch en route
Walk category A.
Sunday 10 December
Southampton Common
Leader: Phil Budd (07849 185896)
10.30 am to 2.30 pm (3 miles).
Meet at the entrance to Southampton old cemetery at the end of Cemetery Road, SO15 7AF. Grid reference (SU 414 136)
W3W – noises.inner.eating
Bring coffee and lunch/Lunch en route
Walk category A.
Saturday 16 December
Keyhaven
Leader: Julian Mosley (07505 084123)
10.30 am to 3.30 pm (5 miles)
Meet at the Keyhaven pay car park (RingGo app or coins in the machine) opposite The Gun pub in Keyhaven, SO41 0TP, grid reference SZ306914. RingGo users can pay by calling 01590 605959 or SMS 81025 (Location ID 2588).
W3W – stars.attic.slave
Circular route with easy walking on the flat throughout, mainly on gravel paths. A winter’s day looking for ducks and seasonal waders, with the possibility of raptors such a Peregrine or Merlin. High tide scheduled for 12:47pm. Essential to bring wet weather gear in case of wind and rain.
Bring coffee and lunch/Lunch en route
Walk category A.
January 2024
Sunday 7 January
Hill Head and Brownwich
Leader: David Wallace (07856 305268)
10.00 am to 2.00 pm (3 miles).
Walk category A.
Meet at Cliff Road, Hill Head just east of the Haven Visitor Centre, opposite the junction with Knights Bank Road, PO14 3JT, grid reference SU 537 024.
W3W – hairpin.woven.perusing
There is plenty of free roadside parking here. Please note that this is a different starting point from previous walks in this area as Meon Shore is now a pay and display zone.
We will be looking for wintering waders and wildfowl at Hill head and Meon Shore, before moving onto the agricultural land at Brownwich. If there has been rain, the paths will be muddy.
Bring coffee and lunch
Saturday 13 January
South East Winchester
Leader Tom Jordan (07914 318031)
9.00 am to 12.00 pm (3 miles).
Walk category B/C.
Meet in the car park at Garnier Road near St Catherine’s Hill, SO23 9PA
(SU 483 280)
W3W – plants.downcast.tribune
This walk will take us along the Itchen Navigation, through St Catherine’s Hill valley and over to the sewage works. There will be some moderate ups and downs and the possibility of muddy or wet ground. Toilets and refreshments available at cafe by car park.
Bring coffee and lunch
Sunday 14 January
Blashford Lakes
Leader: Ian Packer (07505 084123)
10.00 am to 2.30 pm (2 miles).
Walk category A.
Meet in the free car park off Ellingham Drive by the Tern Hide, grid reference
(SU 151 083). W3W – mirror.neckline.mash -.
A visit to the lakes should provide a good range of both water and woodland related species. This is an opportunity to watch many birds at close range.
Bring lunch and drink.
Saturday 20 January
Fishlake Meadows, Romsey
Leader: Andy Lester (07753 464449)
9.15 am to 1.00 pm (3.5 miles).
Walk category A.
Meet in the reserve car park The entrance is in Oxlease Maedows, SO51 7AB.
grid reference (SU 356 227) W3W – unsigned.tracking.organ
A visit to the meadows should provide a good range of water related species including Marsh Harrier, occasional Bittern and Great White Egrets. Please bring a good pair of wellies, as the meadows can get very muddy.
This walk is capped at 25 people and is to be attended with a first aider.
Bring lunch and drink.
Sunday 21 January
Farlington Marshes
Leader: Kevin Stouse (07510 600808)
9.30 am to 2.30 pm (5 miles).
Walk category A.
Meet at Broadmarsh Car Park (grid ref SU 699 055)
W3W – eating.driver.liver
This walk round the Marshes is in search of winter birds. N.B. road layout means you have to do a U-turn to enter car park (continue up Harts Farm Way and where it widens you can U turn and come back to the car park). The correct car park is entered via a height restriction barrier and has large concrete blocks in it and is NOT the car park signposted Broadmarsh Coastal Path.
Bring lunch.
Saturday 27 January
Hamble Shore, Common & Airfield, Victoria Country Park and Westfield Common.
Leader: Phil Budd (07849 185896)
10.00 am to 3.00 pm (4 miles)
Walk category A.
Meet at Hamble Point car park, grid reference (SU 483 058)
W3W – fastening.opposing.covenants
Tide times have been checked. All easy walking on relatively flat ground. Good paths, tracks and roads. Stout shoes should be sufficient.
Bring coffee/lunch
February 2024
Saturday 3 February
Edenbrook Country Park, Fleet
Leader John Blithe (07966 391297)
10:00 pm to 12.30 pm (3 miles).
Walk category A.
Park behind Fleet Leisure Centre off Hitches Lane, GU51 5HS, grid reference (SU 793 538). Note parking limited to 3 hours.
W3W – fabricate.region.spider
Habitat is pond, reed beds, wet grassland and areas of woodland.
We hope to see stonechat, Cetti’s warbler, a range of waterfowl, woodland and hedgerow species.
Bring coffee and/Lunch en route.
Sunday 18 February
Warblington Shore to Budds Farm
Leader: Kevin Stouse (07510 600808)
9.00 am to 1.30 pm (3 miles).
Walk category A.
Meet at Warblington Church car park, PO9 2TU, grid reference (SU 728 054)
W3W – gross.unwanted.gather
This walk along the shore to Budds Farm sewage works in search of winter birds, especially waders and wildfowl.
Bring coffee and lunch/Lunch en route
Friday 23 February
Acres Down
Leader: Ian Hampson (07803 471137)
1.00 pm to 4.30 pm (3 miles)
Walk category B.
Meet in the Acres Down car park, SO43 7GE, grid reference (SU 268 097).
W3W – dips.universal.multiple
A circular walk of the area, including a watch for displaying Goshawk, and listening for drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Intending to get back to the car park at dusk. Wellies recommended.
Bring own drinks/snacks
Saturday 24 February
Basingstoke Canal and Greywell Moor
Leader: Keith Betton (07809 671468)
9.30 am until 12.30 pm (3 miles).
Walk category B.
Meet in the road leading to the Pumping Station, Deptford Road, Greywell, RG29 1BS, grid reference (SU 722 513).
W3W – another.agent.conducted
A waterside walk to take in the birds and other wildlife along both man-made and natural waterways, as well as the adjacent marsh, scrub and woodland. There is a pub nearby!
Bring coffee/lunch
Sunday 25 February
Hampshire’s Coastal Birds and Learning Bird Songs and Calls
Course Instructor: Keith Betton
9.30 am until 12.30 pm.
Littleton Hall – for details see here.
May 2024
Sunday 5th May
Dawn chorus walk
Leader: Julian Moseley (07809 671468)
4:00 am until 08.30 am.
Walk category A.
Meet at Turf Hill in the New Forest map ref SU 212176 (OS 184 Salisbury)
W3W – lookout.imagened.hiring
An hour or so logging all the songsters by ear then visually, followed by an amble round the heaths and woodlands.