Caravan/campervan birders (1 Viewer)

[Stranger]

Hi
Not sure if this is the right section for this enquiry.I suppose it could loosely be described as birding equipment.
I have a Motorhome that I use for birding holidays/long weekends.
I was wondering if there are many other Caravan/Motorhome enthusiasts out there who would like to share details of trips,compare notes on sites,what wildlife you are likely to see etc.
I would`nt want it to be a discussion area about Caravans,just the sites and wildlife.
If enough people are interested maybe the moderators can create a sub forum for it.

 

[will@bill]

Hi
Not sure if this is the right section for this enquiry.I suppose it could loosely be described as birding equipment.
I have a Motorhome that I use for birding holidays/long weekends.
I was wondering if there are many other Caravan/Motorhome enthusiasts out there who would like to share details of trips,compare notes on sites,what wildlife you are likely to see etc.
I would`nt want it to be a discussion area about Caravans,just the sites and wildlife.
If enough people are interested maybe the moderators can create a sub forum for it.

can`t share details of trips,compare notes on sites as not got a motorhome ...yet. thats my plan in a few years so i will be keeping an eye on this thread ..and this post will push it back to the top:t:
cheers

 

[Sandpiper]

I use my caravan as a base for exploring new wildlife sites around the country. Must confess I do not spend much time onsite unless the weather is bad.

 

[Stranger]

I use my caravan as a base for exploring new wildlife sites around the country. Must confess I do not spend much time onsite unless the weather is bad.

Hi Sandpiper
I do pretty much the same,park up and use the cycle,walk or public transport.
What kind of sites do you use.
I tend to go for the smaller certified locations.
I used to use the Forestry Commission sites in the New Forest and the Forest of Dean,but have found recently that their prices have skyrocketed.

 

[Stranger]

can`t share details of trips,compare notes on sites as not got a motorhome ...yet. thats my plan in a few years so i will be keeping an eye on this thread ..and this post will push it back to the top:t:
cheers

Go for it!
If I may offer some advice.
Make sure that a Motorhome is the best option for what you want to do.
Once parked up and with awning etc set up they can be a problem if you want to visit somewhere or pop down to the shops (parking).
So unless you want to tow a car or don`t mind cycling and using public transport a caravan might be better.

 

[will@bill]

living the dream

Go for it!
If I may offer some advice.
Make sure that a Motorhome is the best option for what you want to do.
Once parked up and with awning etc set up they can be a problem if you want to visit somewhere or pop down to the shops (parking).
So unless you want to tow a car or don`t mind cycling and using public transport a caravan might be better.

Yeh its been my dream for a long while now but can’t have car, motorhome and wife one will have to go ..guess which one? I have thought long and hard about it normally at work when I am bored ..so that’s the whole shift I will be travelling light no awning that will just cut into my birding time it’s a running joke when I am out with the kids in the car every motorhome I see I will say oh too big or too small and just right they just tell me to shut up:-O.i had a 14 ft van about 5years ago but kids got too big now got 35ft one next to the lakes good but a bit hard to tow like I say a few years yet but I will get one
cheers

 

[Roger P]

I wish I could always be happy with the logical decisions in life: I find it very difficult to argue with the logic of caravan and car BUT I just love getting into the campervan, pulling down the armrests and setting off, peering over the hedges on another trip. Taking kettle, fridge, comfortable seat and loo with you wherever you go is so relaxing. Of course the downsides are the size of the van on small lanes (although our Boxer conversion is pretty reasonable but I guess anything bigger is pretty exciting going round that bend in Cley!), making sure no one nicks your chosen pitch while out for the day and being unable to get under the barrier at Snettisham!

On balance we just love camperbirding and as you might guess from the above could spend weeks in Norfolk.

I'll post later about sites etc but for the time being I add my support to this thread - potentially a great idea.

 

[Dave Williams]

We had a brilliant week in April last year walking the Pembroke Coastal Footpath. Loads of caravan sites to choose from. Highlights were Ramsay Sound for Gannets, Strumble Head and Marloes for Chough, Stackpole Head for Skylarks.
Wheatears and Stonechat in abundance.
A great location if the weather is good. Last years was blissful in April. Then it rained. All year.
Glad we took the caravan over to France ( first ever trip abroad) and although the wrong time of year, September, the Carmargue was brilliant too !

 

[Stranger]

We had a brilliant week in April last year walking the Pembroke Coastal Footpath. Loads of caravan sites to choose from. Highlights were Ramsay Sound for Gannets, Strumble Head and Marloes for Chough, Stackpole Head for Skylarks.
Wheatears and Stonechat in abundance.
A great location if the weather is good. Last years was blissful in April. Then it rained. All year.
Glad we took the caravan over to France ( first ever trip abroad) and although the wrong time of year, September, the Carmargue was brilliant too !

Agreed,Pemrokeshire is brilliant.
We stayed at Tycanol Farm overlooking Newport and right on the coastal path. Really friendly site, had to chase the owner to give him the site fees.
That was in July 2004.
The walk along the coastal path to Dinas head was good for Gulls,Waders and Lizards,whilst the beach was covered in small Hermit crabs that were being washed ashore and then scuttling back to the water.
Will definitely go back again.

 

[gindog]

I have just come across this thread.

What is the minmum sioze camper in your experience that wiould be suitable for a birding weekend? 2 adults, maybe 1 adult and 2 huge teenagers sometimes?

Also, purpose built or home conversion thoughts please?

dave

 

[Stranger]

Hi
Difficult to determine what size would suit.
A lot would depend on what degree of luxury you require,Loo,shower,cooking facility etc.
Another thing to think about is where you are likely to go and whether it will involve narrow roads,Also many reserve car parks have height restriction barriers to stop people camping overnight.
It sounds as if you would require a 4 berth vehicle.
There are many different layouts available so I think your best bet is to look round your nearest dealership.
Be warned , it is very easy to get addicted.

 

[Stranger]

Seaton and Beer

Just returned from Seaton,Devon, where we spent 3 days at Couchill Farm.
The site is a small certified location set in a small fold in the hills.
The site allows 5 vans max and has electric hookup,water,waste disposal.
It is surrounded by woodland and rolling green fields.
The couple who own it are very friendly and were a very good source of information regarding local wildlife sites.
Cost was £9 per night,Seaton and Beer are within a Half hour walk.
I will do a day by day report tomorrow when I have sorted my photos.

 

[Stranger]

Seaton and Beer

Friday 2nd May.Arrived on site around midday and was immediately struck by the sheer volume of birdsong,
After setting up and putting the kettle on for a much needed cuppa ,I sat just watching and listening.
There were Rabbits everywhere,seemingly oblivious to the human activity,or in my case inactivity,around them.
Cock and hen Pheasants were strutting their stuff on the hillsides.
Bird seen and heard were Chiffchaffs,Chaffinch,Blackbird,Songthrush,Robin,Woodpigeon,Jackdaw,Pheasant,Wren,Buzzard,Great tit ,Blue tit and Goldfinch.
A fox ambled across the hill in the early evening.
A few Orange Tip and Small White Butterflies fluttered across the site.
The Songthrush was the last bird singing and then there was an unnatural silence for about 15 minutes when a Tawny Owl was heard calling from the wood behind us.
That and a couple of Whiskys made the perfect end to the day.

 

[Stranger]

Seaton and Beer day 2

Sat 3rd May.
I awoke at 4.30 to the sound of yesterdays participants trying to outdo each other in the dawn chorus.
As Joy needed a lie in,I decided to go for a walk round the woods.
This produced much the same as Friday with the addition of Raven heard calling and, oddly, 2 Shellduck flying circuits overhead for a good 10 minutes.
Up the hill and out of the wood into the fields were spectacular views of the Axe estuary.A few Swallows whizzing about and a distant Curlew heard.
Again Rabbits and Pheasants everywhere.
Got back to the van to find Joy had started to cook a "full english",she knows me too well!
Seaton Marshes was our next port of call and as we reached the main road a Buzzard soared over the wood and provided us with excellent views,untill I got my camera out.A Pied Wagtail was the next new one for the list.
A colony of Jackdaws were mobbing a Raven in a tree in one of gardens as we approached the town.The walk along the path to the hide added House Sparrow,House Martin and Wheatear to the list,Whilst from the hide we saw Redshank,Mallard,Coot,Moorhen and Dunnock.Nothing out of the ordinary on the Gull front.
The Borrow Pit gave us Mute Swan,Canada Geese and Grey Heron.
Joy wanted a ride on the Trams and at the ticket office I spotted a brochure for a birding tram ride for that evening in the company of guide Donald Cambell,Who he?
Anyway we booked and headed for the seafront,only to be chased by the attendant to say that the trip had been cancelled due to lack of interest,
We decided to take a ride anyway and duly set of on a round trip to Colyton,nice enough trip but have you ever tried to focus binoculars from a swaying Tram,virtually impossible.However we did manage to see a Curlew,Redstart and another Fox sunning itself in a field .
A land train trip to Beer and a walk back along the cliff path brought nothing new except a brief glimpse of a dorsal fin,possibly Harbour Porpoise,and a Red Admiral butterfly.
Home then for the evening chorus and Whisky.
The Thrush was last again with the Tawny Owl approx 15 minutes later.

 

[Stranger]

Seaton and Beer day 3

Sun 4th May again up early for the dawn chorus and leaving Joy asleep I headed up through the wood to walk to Holywood Nature Reserve.
Nothing new untill I reached the Tower picnic area,A nice Common Whitethroat singing his heart out.A small flock of Goldfinch on the verge by the pig Field.
Across the road to the entrance gate leading to the reserve I watched a group of Rabbits, one of which was blind.
Holy wood is a lovely place and was alive with birdsong,carpets of Bluebells and Ransomes with Primroses dotted about.There has been some tree felling. This area is to be left to regenerate naturally, according to the notice board.
Nothing new to add to the list,but I think that was because of the intermmitent rain,foliage and my inexperience.A place I will visit again.
Back home for a late breakfast and Joy wants to have a look round Beer Village shops.
Whilst in the Antique shops we bumped into someone we had met in the Hide at Seaton and as we were comparing notes the stallholder called over"you did`nt see the Sea Eagle then",I `m still not sure if he was pulling our legs!
The walk back along the path produced a Buzzard sat on a fence post and the highlight of the trip for me.A small Peregrin,male?diving on a Gull at least three times as big,the Gull simply rolled out of the way. the Peregrin then turned his attention to a Jackdaw,who also avoided him. He then flew off in the direction of Seaton and was joined by a bigger Peregrin,Female?
Back at the site the sun had decided to shine so I went for a wander around a little glade at the entrance to the wood and was rewarded with some nice butterflies including a small blue butterfly that was flying around the Holly bushes,so I`m guessing it might have been a Holly Blue.
Back for the evening chorus,the Thrush is last again,or is it? 5 minutes after he stops the Chiffchaffs start again for a short period ,No Owl tonight,we have to go home tomorrow and I am out of Whisky,but do I care? No! I have the memory of the Peregrin to give me a nice warm Glow.

 

[Stranger]

Seaton and Beer

Places to visit.
Seaton Marshes,I think it would be a great place to visit in the Winter, for Waders.
Holywood Nature Reserve,
Frydays Fish and Chips,Seaton
Rainbow Store Seaton for birdfood,feeders,nestboxes and all sorts of stuff.
Cliff Cafe Seaton Hole for Ice cream.
Woozy`s Deli Beer for Pasties
Dolphin Antiques for Bric a Brac
Any Pubs that sell Ottery beer (ale)
In conclusion we had a great time and will visit again.

 

[will@bill]

top van

Just wondering whether your campervan is as good as this one? The lad up the street just took delivery of this beast a couple of weeks ago
what do you think:t: