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Summer Walks Programme 2013

05 Feb 2013

Natural Enterprise have released their Summer 2013 programme of walks and events. The programme starts on 21st April 2013 with a bird watch to welcome the migrant birds arriving for the summer, and finishes in September 2013 with another event waving them goodbye. In between there are a number of activities including guided walks, rock-pooling and pond-dipping. Activities take place in urban wildlife oases and in the Island’s spectacular countryside and coast. The event programme promotes the work of Natural Enterprise’s flagship conservation programme ‘Gift To Nature’.

Gift to Nature Summer Walks Programme 2013

Welcoming the Summer Migrants – 21st April
Bird watch and walk to welcome the first of the summer migrants.
Leader: Ian Boyd Time: 10.30am. Meet: Landslip Car Park, Luccombe. GR:580 789. Duration: 2 hrs

Dawn Chorus – 5th May
A chance to marvel at the spring dawn chorus on a short walk along the cycle track at Alverstone and Sandown.
Leader: Ian Boyd. Time: 4.30am. Meet: Southern Water Works (opp. Orchard, Longwood Lane). GR:588 850 Duration: 2 hrs/2 miles

The Secrets of Gunville Stream – 5th May
An urban stream in need of love and care! It supports water-voles, bats and newts and has a history involving lepers, syphilis, petticoats and soldiers. Join us to find out more.
Leader: Carol Flux. Time: 11.00am. Meet: Town Gate Pond (in front of Sainsburys) GR:498 894. Duration: 2 hrs/3.5 miles

Changing Climate, Changing Chines – 6th May
A circular walk looking at several of the Island’s chines, looking at links between climate change and these special coastal features, with a return across downland with fantastic coastal views.
Leaders: Martin and Susan Gibson. Time: 2.00pm. Meet: Brook Chine Car Park GR: 385 835. Duration: 3 hrs/4 miles

Wetland Walk – 8th May
Explore Sandown Wetlands and Gift To Nature Community Orchard, looking for signs of water voles and king fishers.
Leader: Samantha Buck. Time: 10.30 am. Meet: Supply works off Golf Links Road GR:588 850 Duration: 1 hr/1.5 miles

The Newport Mill Trail – 9th May
Explore the heritage of Newport Rivers visiting the sites of some of the many mills that once flourished along the River Medina and the Lukely Brook.
Leader: Claire Hector. Time: 11.00am. Meet: Propeller and Bench(opposite Quay Arts) GR:502 895. Duration: 2.5hrs/3 miles

Hidden Chines – 9th May
A circular walk along the beach and cliff top looking at the secret past and hidden present of some of the Island’s chines.
Leaders: Martin and Susan Gibson. Time: 3.30pm. Meet: Chilton Chine Car Park(next to IW Pearl CP) GR:409 822. Duration: 3.5 hrs/6 miles

East Cowes Secret Copse – 11th May
Explore new community woodland in East Cowes. Learn how proposed management will help wildlife and make a pleasant place. Be amazed by the wildlife thriving in a small urban space.
Leader: Carol Flux Time: 11am. Meet: Outside pedestrian entrance of Waitrose. GR:503 957 Duration: 1 Hr/1 Mile

Wandering Chine – 13th May
A circular walk around Chale looking at the local streams and changing chines they feed.
Leaders: Martin & Susan Gibson Time: 6pm Meet: Whale Chine Car Park GR: 470 784. Duration: 1.5 hrs/3 miles

Rock Pooling – Bembridge – 19th May
Explore on of the best rockpooling shores in the country – the famous Bembridge ledges. Bring a net and expect to get a bit wet (only paddling).
Leader: Samantha Buck. Time: 12 noon. Meet: Bembridge Lifeboat Station GR:656 880 Duration: 3 hours

Bee Walk – Newchurch – 30th June
Something amazing is happening in a field in Newchurch – bees, thousands of them – 96 different species recorded so far! The Bee Fields are alive and buzzing, but there’s nothing to fear, these are in the main tiny mining bees that burrow into the sandy soil, far too small and preoccupied with their mining to be a threat to anyone.
Leader: Ian Boyd. Meet: Newchurch Parish Car Park, School Lane, Newchurch. GR:562 855 Duration: 2 hours

Pond Dipping – Sandown Wetlands – 28th July
A family event to explore the ponds at Sandown Wetlands. Discover hidden treasures, and if you are quiet you may even see a kingfisher.
Leader: Ian Boyd. Time: 10.30am Meet: Wetland Walk, Longwood Lane, Sandown (just after the golf course, by the waterworks) GR:588850
Duration: 2 hours

Waving goodbye to the Summer Migrants – 29th September
Bird watch and walk to bid farewell to our summer visitors.
Leader: Ian Boyd Time: 10.30am. Meet: Landslip Car Park Luccombe GR:580789 Duration: 2 hours

Download a full list of walks from our Gift to Nature Page
Booking: Recommended for all events except rock pooling.
Telephone 01983 296244 or email us: info@naturalenterprise.co.uk

£2 per person suggested donation to Gift To Nature
For more information about Gift to Nature see our website Gift to Nature