Winter Bird Walk

Join us with Nick Adams to take a walk down the farm from the Downs as we look at the birdlife, and other wildlife, present during these winter months. The farm provides the perfect habitat for seeing some of the UK's admired species and nature's spectacular show. As we walk our route Nick will talk us through the wildlife we are seeing, helping you identify and understand some of the fascinating creatures that visit the farm for food and shelter throughout the season.

Nick has had an interest in wildlife and birds in particular for more than forty years. After pursuing a non-wildlife career in Accountancy and many years of volunteering as a warden for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, he decided to work for the RSPB as a Research Assistant, then working on and running the Wessex Stone-curlew Project before heading to Newcastle to be the Area Conservation Manager for Northeast England, Yorkshire & The Humber. The latter job led to many days inside doing spreadsheets, just like accountancy! So Nick decided to return to Wiltshire where he is now freelance naturalist working with landowners to help them bring wildlife into their thought processes and leading walks for people new to wildlife watching, but wanting to try it out. Having studied a number of taxa over the years besides birds, Nick was offered a Fellowship by the British Naturalist Association in recognition of his all-round knowledge. He is also currently the Wiltshire county bird recorder, helping people understand what birds they are seeing and what they can do to see more.

As always with wildlife what we see is highly variable but we would hope to see flocks of thousands of starlings, lapwings, golden plover as well as hedgerow birds such as corn bunting, yellowhammer and finches. Learn why these birds are here, where they've come from and where there likely to head next. Of course there's a chance of predators with all these birds around and buzzard, red kite, sparrowhawk are all frequent sightings on the farm - there's even been a peregrine falcon in the area this winter!

After the walk we will head down to the Royal Oak where you are welcome to partake in a set two course menu at a discounted rate of