Bird Watching

Status:Active, full but can join waiting list
Leader:
When: Monthly on Wednesday mornings
1st Wednesday of the Month, 10.00 am
Venue: Various Outdoor Venues
Cost: Occasional car parking or entry fees. Optional pub lunch.

This group has a waiting list so please do get in touch to add your name to the list. You will be invited to join meetings when a space is available. There are enough members interested if anyone could start another group.

WHERE: Various venues, eg Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Dunwich Heath, Wenhaston Common, Iken ...

AIMS: To enjoy the countryside and coast, and observe birds in the company of others, while at the same time improving our knowledge of bird recognition and birdsong through shared expertise.

ACTIVITIES: Meet once a month at various local sites, for approx two hours, some walking involved although we do make use of the hides.
We try to arrange a day trip occasionally with a guide. Opportunity to have a bite to eat for lunch, and where possible we try to share transport.

WHAT YOU NEED: Binoculars and suitable clothing for outdoors, especially in the winter months.

CHARGES: Occasional car parking and entry fees unless a member of RSPB or National Trust.

To contact the Group Leader please click here Bird Watching Group Leader

To see a list of the birds we have seen in recent times, please go to Bird Watching Group - Species Seen.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE RISK ASSESSMENTS

All members of the group, especially the walk leader, need to be familiar with the u3a Risk Assessment checklist for Bird Watching group v2. To download this file, see below:

Risk Assessment Checklist for Bird Watching GroupDownload
Latticed Heath Moth: Photo by Lorraine Morgan
Juvenile cuckoo in Halesworth garden - photo by Lorraine Morgan
Stonechat taken by Lorraine Morgan at Minsmere February 2025

The Watchers being watched! Photo by Lorraine Morgan.

List of Interest Groups

Groups listed by category

Arts

  • Art Appreciation
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Tuesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    The Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month.
  • Drawing for the Terrified
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
    Various Tuesdays starting in October.
  • Exploring the Novel
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    3rd Thursday of the Month, 2.00 to 4.00 pm.
  • Film Appreciation
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Monday afternoons 2:30 pm-3:30 pm
    2nd Monday of each Month
  • Shakespeare
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
    Week of the month varies but is generally the 1st week. See programme of meetings for dates.

Cycling

  • Social Cycling
    Status: Active
    Weekly
    Thursdays and Sundays throughout the year (alternate to begin with, so a rolling 2 alternate Thursdays and 2 alternate Sundays a month depending on members wishes)

Entertainment

  • Lunch on Friday
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday afternoons
    3rd Friday of the Month.
  • Real Ale and Local Pubs
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    1st Thursday of the Month, approx 12.00 to 2.30 pm depending on pub opening times and transport.
  • Supper Club
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Saturday evenings
    Last Saturday evening of the Month, starting at 6.30 pm and lasting as long as the chatter continues.
  • u3a Film Club
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Tuesdays 2:00 pm
    1st Tuesday of the month
  • Wine Appreciation
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Wednesday evenings
    2nd Wednesday of the Month, 5.30 pm.

Games

  • Bridge
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursday afternoons
    2.00 to 4.00 pm.
  • Canasta
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings
    Every Tuesday, 10.30am.
  • Mah-jong
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursday mornings
    Every Thursday 10.00 am.
  • Rummikub
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursdays 10:30 am
    Every Thursday of the month
  • Scrabble
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    2nd Wednesday of the Month 1.30 pm.
  • Snooker
    Status: Active
    Weekly
    Tues, Wed and Thurs mornings at 11.00 am.

General

  • Church Crawlers
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    4th Wednesday of the Month, April to October, 2.00 pm.
  • Climate and Environmental Discussion
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday afternoons 3:00 pm
    4th Monday of each month.
  • Discussion
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings
    3rd Wednesday of the Month, 10.30 am.
  • Family History
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Tuesday afternoons
    1st Tuesday of the Month, 2.00 pm.
  • Flower Arranging
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    1st Monday of the Month
  • Handicraft
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday afternoons
    3rd Monday of the Month, 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
  • Members' Coffee Hour
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday mornings
    Every last Friday of the Month, 11.00 to 12.00 am. Excluding August and December.
  • Philosophy
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday mornings
    2nd Monday of the Month 10.30 to 12.00 am.
  • Photography
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    2nd Thursday of the Month, 2.00 to 4.00 pm.
  • Reading for Pleasure
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    1st Thursday of the Month, 2.00 pm.

History

  • Local History
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday mornings
    3rd Monday of the Month, 10.30 am.

Languages

  • French Conversation
    Status: Active
    Fortnightly on Friday mornings
    1st & 3rd Friday each Month, morning.
  • Spanish
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings 10:45 am-12:00 pm

Music

  • Guitar
    Status: Active
    Electric Guitar: 2nd Wed of the month 3.45pm to 5.45pm at Westhall Village Hall. Acoustic Guitar: last Thursday of the month 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Co-op Community Room.
  • Jazz
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    Third Monday of the month
  • Music Appreciation
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
    4th Thursday of the Month.
  • Ukulele
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Natural History

  • Bird Watching
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings
    1st Wednesday of the Month, 10.00 am

Science and Technology

  • Community Technology
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    3rd Wednesday of the Month, 2.00 pm.
  • Science Study
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    4th Thursday of the Month 2.00 pm.

Sport

  • Kurling
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    Last Thursday of the month.
  • Lawn Bowls
    Status: Active
    On Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
  • Table Tennis
    Status: Dormant
    Weekly on Wednesday afternoons
    Every Wednesday, 3.30 to 5.00 pm.

Walking

  • Shorter Walks
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday mornings
    3rd Friday of the Month, morning starting in March.
  • The Two-to-Three Milers
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Fridays 10:45 am
    First Friday of every month
  • Walking
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday mornings
    2nd Thursday of each Month 10.30 am start.