Peterborough Local Plan Public Consultation - Alternative Site Option
Feb 2, 2026
Web Support
Peterborough City Council is holding a public consultation from 23 January to 5 March 2026 regarding an alternative site for development on land west of Wittering, north of the A47 and west of the A1. This site is being considered for approximately 3,000 homes as a potential alternative to previously suggested sites, including an area of land northeast of Castor and Ailsworth. That led to "significant concerns" being raised by "both the public and statutory stakeholders on impact on the natural environment and biodiversity (in particular at the nationally important Castor Hanglands), impacts and pressure on the local infrastructure, including highways and other services and facilities, and impacts on landscape".
Full details of the consultation, including how to view the site information and submit comments online, are available at www.peterborough.gov.uk/local-plan-review.
No decision has yet been made about whether this alternative site will be allocated; but we would urge you to support the West Wittering site's inclusion in the final Local Plan. You can make comments:
Planning Policy Sand Martin House Bittern Way Fletton Quays Peterborough PE2 8TY
Titchwell & Roydon Common Trip 18/1/26 Report
Jan 31, 2026
Web Support
When we left the Peterborough area it was misty and raining, but after a while at Titchwell it turned into a good day.
The group of 18 were treated to a very showy Firecrest – a bird you don’t often see at Titchwell. We searched the ditch by the footpath for a Water Rail and, thanks to Kevin Gray and his thermal imaging, we located the bird, although I don’t think everyone managed to catch sight of it. We had another Water Rail later by the tidal marsh, where it ran past Keith on the path.
We went along the Fen Trail and everyone had good views of a Tawny Owl sitting in the ivy. We couldn’t find the Woodcock at the time, but Ian Gordon and Trish stayed on and eventually saw the bird.
We continued to Patsy’s Pool where there was a distant Marsh Harrier, and on returning to the main track we saw three more.
On the freshwater pool there was a good variety of birds, including geese, ducks, Lapwings and Golden Plover.
We then went to the beach. With the tide low, we walked out towards the rocks where there were a number of waders. Ian Humphries was the lucky one to spot a Purple Sandpiper. On the sea, close inshore, was a Great Northern Diver, with good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers further along.
We headed back for lunch, with some having brought their own and others visiting the café.
At around 2pm we travelled to Roydon Common, which is on the way home, for the raptor roost. Here we saw a number of Red Kites, followed by a ringtail Hen Harrier flying into view and then settling for all to see. Several Marsh Harriers were also flying around, ready to come into roost. We then found a male Hen Harrier hunkered down in the grass—only its head visible—but for the last two men standing it gave a superb display.
All in all, it had been a very good day, with 68 species seen by the group.
Christmas Quiz with drinks and nibbles
Nov 26, 2025
Web Support
Come and enjoy our Christmas general knowledge quiz with a drink and some nibbles. Members can bring their partners. Last year’s was a very nice entertaining evening and was enjoyed by those who came.
19:30 on 10th December 2025 in St Marks Church Hall (the usual indoor meeting venue)
See you there
PBC's second out-of-area overnight trip of 2026 will run from Sunday to Tuesday 6-8th Sept 26. Please save the date.
Nov 25, 2025
Web Support
This is a 3 day 2 night trip to East Sussex and Kent.
On day 1 we'll head to Ashdown Forest in search of Redstart, Woodlark, Spotted Flycatchers, Honey Buzzard and Dartford Warbler. We may bump into Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet and friends along the way!
Day 2 will be spent exploring Dungeness - the sea (Arctic Skua, Balearic Shearwater, various Terns and Harbour Porpoise), the power station (Peregrine, Raven & Black Redstart nest there), the scrub around the observatory (Whinchat, Wryneck, Wheatear & Warblers), RSPB Dungeness, ARC Reservoir and Jury's Gap. There are many potential sites around Dungeness and migration will be in full swing so you never know what may turn up.
Day 3 will be more relaxed (I promise). We'll visit Rye Harbour where we're likely to see a good selection of waders including Sandpipers as well as more Wheatear and possibly Yellow Wagtail.
More details will follow in the new year.
Bird Watching Report - A Day at Welney
Nov 22, 2025
Web Support
After Storm Claudia, the weather forecast was not promising, but we were pleasantly surprised when the day turned out to be fine, albeit a little grey. On the drive in, we spotted numerous Whooper Swans along with a few geese, though unfortunately, there were no Bewick’s in sight.
We met in the car park and made our way to the viewing platform. On the feeders, we spotted a handful of Tree Sparrows mingling with the House Sparrows. In the distance, at least six Cattle Egrets were visible, with a Chinese Water Deer quietly observing us.
From there, we walked across the bridge to the warmth of the Main Hide, where we were treated to a wide variety of birds. In the foreground, several Pochards were swimming close by, while further out, we had great views of Wigeon, Pintail, and Shoveler. There were also Black-Tailed Godwits and a few Ruffs in the mix.
Next, we headed over to the Lyle Hide. While it was a bit chillier there, the views were fantastic—numerous teal were feeding in the shallows until a passing Marsh Harrier flushed them. At that moment, a huge skein of Pink-footed Geese flew by, heading for the fields beyond the reserve.
Lunchtime came around, and a pasty from the café hit the spot, though it was not as delightful as Annie’s famous Lemon Drizzle cake. After lunch, we made our way to the Reed Bed Hide, where the birdlife was just as abundant. Flocks of Golden Plovers and Lapwings were wheeling overhead, while a Marsh Harrier was spotted eating prey.
We then returned to the Main Hide to catch the Swan feed. While we were waiting, Richard spotted a Merlin fly through, later followed by a Sparrowhawk. As we watched the swans being fed, we were treated to a fascinating talk from one of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust staff.
A great end to a great day: we recorded 57 species, plus Chinese Water Deer and Roe Deer. As we left, we were treated to the calls of Whooper Swans flying overhead, adding finishing touch to an enjoyable day.
Dragonflies & damselflies of Lincolnshire
Oct 7, 2025
Web Support
Trisha Thompson, one of our Bird Club members and a local expert on these creatures, is giving this talk at Pinchbeck Village Hall (9 Knight Street, Pinchbeck, PE11 3XA) on Tuesday 14th October starting at 7.30 PM. Although Trisha's talk will focus on Lincolnshire, the dragonflies and damselflies found around the Peterborough area will be very much identical.
Bird Club members are welcome to attend the talk.
Wiltshire/Hampshire 2026 Announcement
Oct 7, 2025
Web Support
The next PBC out-of-area trip is to Wiltshire & Hampshire from Sunday 26th April to Tuesday 28th April.
The outline plan is:
Sunday 26th am - travel to Amesbury
Sunday 26th pm – visit RSPB Winterbourne Downs
Monday 27th – visit New Forest (2 or 3 sites)
Tuesday 28th am – guided tour by the Great Bustard Group (on Salisbury Plain)
Tuesday 28th pm - drive home
The target birds include: Corn Bunting, Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, Great Bustard, Hawfinch, Honey Buzzard, Redstart and Tree Pipit.
We'll overnight in Salisbury on both nights. The suggested hotel is Premier Inn Salisbury South Milford (SP1 2FF). As per previous trips, please arrange your own accommodation - either at the Premier Inn or elsewhere in that area. The cost of the Great Bustard Group tour is £30 per head and places are limited to 15. To secure a place, please transfer £30 to the Club (43366904, 23-05-80) and drop an email to Richard Whitticase accordingly.
Note that unlike previous trips we won’t be going to reserves with visitor centres, café’s, etc and some walking (1-2 miles) will be involved at each location.
Please contact Richard Whitticase (rfw1967@hotmail.co.uk) if you have any questions.
Remaining Outdoor Meetings Added and a change to Indoor Programme
Sep 26, 2025
Web Support
The outdoor meetings from January to June 26 have now been added, so update your calendars and leaders of all outdoor meetings have been updated. We look forward to seeing you at Frampton on 12th October at 10:00 to kick start the PBC season. Hopefully the water levels will have recovered by then, but keep an eye on the website/whatsapp in case we need to re-schedule or change the event.
There may also be a change of date for the Eldernall outdoor meeting on 29/10/25 as it conflicts with the indoor meeting on the same night, so keep an eye on the web site/whatsapp.
Also there is a change on the indoor programme with Dawn Bulmar's talk on Monitoring Our Rare Breeding Birds coming forward to January's meeting and Jeff Blincow's Wildlife In Finnmark moving back to February due to diary issues.
Trip Report – Essex-Suffolk – 20th/21st September 25
Sep 25, 2025
Web Support
The latest PBC out-of-area trip covered Abberton Reservoir, Fingringhoe Wick, Landguard Point and Minsmere RSPB. 15 club members took part including one new member.
Members enjoying a group photo
Abberton Reservoir was relatively quiet but provided an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit. There were still plenty of Swallow and Common Tern around, but the highlight was a flock of 25 Spoonbill. In addition, there were a number of Great White Egret dotted around the water’s edge, but these birds have become so commonplace that hardly anyone remarked upon them. The Visitor Centre Café went down extremely well and we were able to combine a coffee with good views of Chiffchaff and Blackcap as they refuelled on migration.
After lunch we moved on to Fingringhoe Wick, another Essex Wildlife Trust reserve with great views over the River Colne estuary towards Brightlingsea. This reserve got the thumbs-up from everyone – it included some very well sited hides and greatly added to our wader count. Between us we saw: Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover (with some still in summer plumage), Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper (unconfirmed but the subject of much debate), Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Redshank and Greenshank. We also had fantastic views of an Osprey fishing in the river. Fingringhoe Wick is definitely worth a return visit.
Little Grebe
We overnighted on the edge of Ipswich with the group split between a Premier Inn and a Holiday Inn and dinner courtesy of the nearby Brewers Fayre. The hotels were comfortable and the food was adequate. This combination of accommodation and dining appears to work well and provides a useful model for future trips.
The next day we met at 9am at Landguard Point – a small piece of rough ground surrounded by the sea to the south and east and a large container port to the north west and including a fort dating back to Henry VIII. The area proved to be teeming with migratory birds including good numbers of Chiffchaff, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail, two Black Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher. Unfortunately the Wryneck and Hoopoe that were seen during the week appeared to have moved on. However, it was a lovely place to visit and also worthy of return trips.
Not hiding at all
Our final location was Minsmere RSPB – somewhere that most people knew, but too far from home to be a regular haunt and therefore a good place to head to on an out-of-area trip. We spent most of the time in the East Hide (which was being vigilantly guarded by a young kestrel) where we made a few additions to our list incl: Barnacle, Canada, Greylag & Egyptian Geese, and Shelduck. Along the sea wall we saw more Wheatear and a pair of Stonechat, and distantly two Great Skua and two Shearwater (Sooty I think).
Overall we saw 80 species. We explored some new sites and some old favourites. And we had a lot of fun.
2025/26 Indoor and some Outdoor Events Released
Aug 22, 2025
Web Support
Have a look at our recently released Indoor Programme for 2025/26. Come and find out more about Ethiopia, who D. H. Hudson was and what he influenced, what we can learn from bird song, have a look at North Norway, understand more about the Rare Breeding Birds Panel and how many birds can be seen in our local area. If any of these have sparked your interest we look forward to seeing you at our indoor meetings.
Outdoors we start our meetings with a visit to Frampton for waders and raptors, followed by Eldernell with a focus upon owls, revisit WWT Welney as last year’s floods put many off and look for grebes and divers around the dam at Rutland Water to complete 2025. We will release 2026 details shortly.
Come along and meet interesting and friendly people who have an interest in birdwatching, just like you.
.JPG)
