Things to see and do in....Watlington

[nikolai_avenger]

We're off to Watlington for the weekend, primarily to see Milvus milvus - anyone know any hot spots to watch them, or am I likely to be tripping over them, so to speak?

Thinking also of having a look at Warburg Nature Reserve (Berkshire Oxfordshire Oxon Wildlife Trust) whilst we're in the area. Has anyone been to this reserve, and is it any good for a 'family' day out?

Cheers. Nik.

[Tobyh]

Hope im not too late for you on this but get to Christmas Common - it's up above Watlington and has fantastic views of the countryside and has always been good for the Kites.

I've only been a couple of times but theres where many go to see them.

Good luck!

TobyH

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by nikolai_avenger

We're off to Watlington for the weekend, primarily to see Milvus milvus - anyone know any hot spots to watch them, or am I likely to be tripping over them, so to speak?

If you get up on the hill, you'll get a good view of kites. It's also a nice picnic spot.

Thinking also of having a look at Warburg Nature Reserve (Berkshire Oxfordshire Oxon Wildlife Trust) whilst we're in the area. Has anyone been to this reserve, and is it any good for a 'family' day out?

Warburg's big and I would say not really a family day out. It's also difficult to find!

Jim

[IanS]

I have seen red kites flying just above the top slope at Watlington, they just hang in the air. Lots of kites in and around the Chilterns and all the way over to Dicot and occasionally Oxford too. You cant miss them!

Warburg is a fantastic reserve but as Jim says it hard to find (part of its beauty). Not sure of the family day out bit, depends on what you all like doing I guess. I have always found lots to interest me around the reserve and as Jim says its pretty big!

[nikolai_avenger]

Thanks for the replies and advice, I appreciate it!

Some points raised are indeed correct:

1) You can't miss the kites..

2) Warburg is difficult to find..


We saw the first kite as we joined the M40 near Cherwell services, and had counted 20 by the time we got to Watlington. We stayed at the campsite just outside Watlington itself, at the bottom of the hill, and at times the sky was literally black with the kites; 30 or 40 overhead, especially with some people feeding them at the campsite. It's a good viewpoint from on top of Watlington Hill as well, as the kites can be seen 'below' you.

Warburg was excellent too, I'd recommend it, they do a 'nature detectives' thing for the kids, which was really good.

Cracking birds though, I would say Watlington is definitely the place to go for kites. Not much else there though.

Cheers. Nik.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by nikolai_avenger

We stayed at the campsite just outside Watlington itself, at the bottom of the hill

Not a bad campsite - I used it when walking the Ridgeway.

Bet you were sick of the sight of kites by the time you went home!
;^)

Jim

[nikolai_avenger]

Heh heh, indeed. Although the kites are fun to watch, I found myself hankering after a good ole buzzard by the time we got home! Haven't seen one all weekend. The grass is always greener.

Cheers. Nik.