Did you know, that as well a leading conservation projects across the village, the Milford on Sea Conservation Volunteers (MCV) also run regular free Nature Walks for all.
The Nature Walks are hosted by an experienced guide, as you visit various places around the village to discover the nature that abounds nearby. All ages welcome.
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Dates for your diary:
Milford Conservation Volunteers AGM & Illustrated talk on Butterflies of the New Forest
7pm: Wednesday 27th March 2024 at the Bridge.
Free entry. Open to everyone, and new members are especially welcome.
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Creeks & Saltmarsh Winter Birding Trips
The trips are led by Keith Metcalf, a bird expert, and experienced nature & wildlife guide.
Space is limited, so pre-booking is essential.
Winter 2024 trips can now be booked via the MCV website or direct with Keith Metcalf at: keithmetcalf2022@btinternet.com.
Creeks & Saltmarsh Winter Birding Trips
- Thursday 10th October 2024: Departing at 9am sharp
- Friday 22nd November 2024: Departing at 9am sharp
- Monday 9th December 2024: Departing at 9am sharp
Bookings will be confirmed by Keith (Trip Organiser) upon receipt of full payment. A trip booklet will be sent to you about a week before the date of your trip with full details on how to prepare for these winter cruises.
A short guide on seals will also be sent to help you identify any seals we might encounter during your trip.
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Other Milford Conservation Volunteers Events
The MCV have lots of regular events to explore and appreciate the beautiful surroundings we all have available to enjoy. To see details of all MCV events, please click here.
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Twice monthly Drop in Birding Sessions
The drop in birding sessions are free and open to everyone of any age or experience.
Local bird experts are available to help identify birds and answer questions. Scopes and binoculars are available to use. Over 120 species of birds have been recorded in recent times.
Everyone is welcome, so why not pop in and see what you can discover?
1st Saturday of every month at Keyhaven Observatory: 10am to 12noon.
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The Keyhaven 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 to Keyhaven Observatory: 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.
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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 to Sturt Pond Bird Hide: 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.
About Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV)
Milford on Sea Conservation Volunteers are a group of local people who are dedicated to conserving and improving the wildlife and environment within the Milford on Sea and Keyhaven parish. MCV volunteers have regular tasks groups for logging, scrub clearance, balsam pulling and such like.
In 2020, MCV members were honoured to receive the country’s highest accolade for a voluntary group, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is equivalent to an MBE.
New volunteers, young and old are always welcome.
MCV also run other events related to local nature such as:
- Birding for Beginner Sessions on 1st & 3rd Saturday each month.
- Guided local Nature Walks 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.
- Conservation Tasks
To see details of all MCV events, please click here.
Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV)
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