Birding for Beginners with Milford Conservation Volunteers

Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV) have a number of Birding for Beginners mornings coming up and anyone is welcome to go along. 

Local bird experts are available to help identify birds and answer questions. Over 120 species of birds have been recorded in recent times. Equipment is provided, all you need to do is simply turn up and see what’s happening.

The Birding for Beginners sessions are available on the first and third Saturday mornings of the month at two alternating locations in Keyhaven and Milford on Sea. (Next dates: 10am to 12 noon on Saturday 5th and 19th November and Saturday 3rd & 17th December 2022.) 

• 1st Saturday of every month at Keyhaven Observatory: 10am to 12noon. 

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The observatory exists through the generosity of  the J & D Edgar Ltd. family with assistance from Simeon Morgan Farming, MCV has been given an occupancy licence for a redundant farm building (old pumping station) at the westernmost end of the Ancient Highway.  The brick-building has been converted into a small Bird Observatory looking up The Pans and across to the lower Avon Water.  The Pans has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its gatherings of winter wildfowl. 

Directions: From Milford village, turn left at the bottom of the green towards Keyhaven. Pass the Keyhaven War Memorial green on your left and The Gun Inn on your right. Turn left into the NFDC car park. Pay and park and walk towards the track that leads round the northern part of the quay towards the coastal footpath and Iley Lane. After about four hundred metres, you will see the Bird Observatory gate and Welcome sign on your left. For location, please click here. 

• 3rd Saturday of every month at Sturt Pond Bird Hide: 10am to 12noon.

Sturt Pond is a haven for swans, ducks, Brent geese, mallard, teal, shelduck & grebes. Two wooden bridges cross the stream which runs from Sturt Pond to the salt marshes. The bird hide is a hidden sanctuary to observe Keyhaven nature reserve.

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Sturt Pond Bird Hide is open to the public every day from 9am to 5pm, or dusk if earlier. (Locked at night.)

Directions: The bird hide is located immediately behind the Lighthouse restaurant on the Hurst beach side. The bird hide can be found at the end of the concealed metal gated path between the Lighthouse restaurant and the black council sheds.

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Milford Conservation Volunteers also run other events related to local nature such as:

• Guided local Nature Rambles are held on a monthly basis.

• Creeks and Saltmarsh Boat Trip each month. Sailing from Keyhaven Hurst Ferry Pontoon. This is a boat trip around Keyhaven Creeks and Saltmarsh, led by a Bird expert. Space is limited so pre-booking is essential.

To see details of all MCV events, please click here.

Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV)

www.milfordcv.org