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Hampshire - Beaulieu River Cruise and Lymington Marshes (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR365A day on the Hampshire coast visiting nationally important wetlands and coastal marshes and taking to the water for an afternoon birdwatching cruise along the Beaulieu River.
£95
£95
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This exciting Day Trip is a day of two halves. In the morning, we visit Normandy Marsh, part of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve and one of the finest locations on the south coast to get close views of wintering waders and wildfowl. Many thousands of birds spend the winter on the marshes here, including Brent Geese, Pintail, Goldeneye, Eider and Red-breasted Merganser, while waders may include Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Avocet, Curlew and Dunlin. Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier and scarcer species such as Slavonian Grebe are always possible too. We will take the morning at a gentle pace, learning key ID features and habits of the species observed.
For the afternoon, we relocate to the Bucklers Hard and board 'Lazy Daze' for a 2.5-hour cruise along the Beaulieu River, one of the best areas of unspoilt estuarine habitat in southern England. With limited public access, this is a rare opportunity to observe species from the water and we hope to observe Grey and Common Seal at close quarters together with White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk and Marsh Harrier. In addition, the river provides a good opportunity to observe classic coastal waders and wildfowl.
This Day Trip operates year-round with the species mix changing throughout the seasons (please read the detailed information for more on what to expect at different times of year). Whenever we visit we can expect a fascinating, wildlife-filled day out.
We shall cover around 4-6km for the morning walk, on flat ground and at a slow pace. There is very limited walking in the afternoon for the cruise. There is around 9 miles between the two locations so having your own car is required. Specific meeting locations for the start of the day and for the cruise are provided on booking.
- Cruise along the Beaulieu River through unspoilt estuarine habitat
- Close views of wintering waders and wildfowl
- White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk and Marsh Harrier all possible
Spring
As the days lengthen, the Beaulieu River bursts into life. Waders and wildfowl begin to move north and the saltmarshes fill with the sound of birdsong. Early returning migrants such as Swallows, Sand Martins and Sandwich Terns can be seen foraging over the water, while Ospreys are regular visitors on their northward passage. Grey Herons and Little Egrets frequent the riverbanks, and colour returns to the surrounding woodland where Buzzards and, occasionally, Goshawks can be seen displaying. Whimbrel and Curlew are a real feature of spring trips, often showing well as they commute up and down the river with the turning tide.
Summer
The river and surrounding marshes are alive with breeding birds. Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Avocets and Ringed Plovers raise their young, while Shelducks shepherd broods of ducklings through the creeks. Raptors such as Marsh Harrier and Peregrine are frequently seen hunting across the area, along with the occasional Hobby and White-tailed Eagle straying across from the Isle of Wight. Sandwich and Common Terns are often seen following shoals of whitebait, performing dramatic aerial displays and carrying fish close by the boat.
Autumn
As the seasons turn, the Beaulieu River becomes a haven for migrating birds. Ospreys often linger for weeks at a time, Kingfishers return to the coast after breeding and squabble over fishing rights, and migrant waders such as Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper become a regular feature of trips. Both Grey and Common Seals – ever-present on the river – loaf for long periods during this time of plenty. The golden autumn light and high tides provide superb photographic opportunities.
Winter
Winter brings large numbers of wildfowl and waders to the river, taking advantage of the plentiful food. Flocks of Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover and Redshank vie for space among Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew. Brent Geese provide a wonderful spectacle as they move up and down the river, while seasonal highlights often include Spoonbill, Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe. White-tailed Eagles are regular visitors, occasionally seen hunting Canada Geese along the river. One of the true spectacles of the Beaulieu River is the winter gathering of up to 100 Cormorants that hunt in perfect unison, driving shoals of fish toward the shore. The commotion attracts scores of Egrets and Herons hoping to capitalise on the feast – a truly remarkable natural event and one of the best wildlife experiences the region has to offer.
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Marcus Ward
Marcus is a life-long naturalist specialising in birds, mammals, moths and fungi. Now based in Weymouth, he previously lived in and around the New Forest for most of his life. It is here in the Forest that Marcus is known for his work with Hawfinch, in addition to leading the Pine Marten project, and has spent many 100’s of hours in the field with these species each year. This has led to the publication of numerous papers and articles on these species, alongside literature on Firecrest and ground-nesting waders.
Marcus is a bird-ringing trainer and runs a team of 12 bird ringers as part of the New Forest Ringing Group. He is also a former trustee of Hampshire Ornithological Group and over the years has sat on several working groups and committees advising on woodland birds and mammals.
Marcus is a popular speaker on the circuit and when he isn’t fulfilling his obsession for Hawfinch he can be found on his local patch at Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes where over the years he has found and documented many scarce and rare species.
2026
Tour Leader: Marcus Ward
Marcus is a life-long naturalist specialising in birds, mammals, moths and fungi. Now based in Weymouth, he previously lived in and around the New Forest for most of his life. It is here in the Forest that Marcus is known for his work with Hawfinch, in addition to leading the Pine Marten project, and has spent many 100’s of hours in the field with these species each year. This has led to the publication of numerous papers and articles on these species, alongside literature on Firecrest and ground-nesting waders.
Marcus is a bird-ringing trainer and runs a team of 12 bird ringers as part of the New Forest Ringing Group. He is also a former trustee of Hampshire Ornithological Group and over the years has sat on several working groups and committees advising on woodland birds and mammals.
Marcus is a popular speaker on the circuit and when he isn’t fulfilling his obsession for Hawfinch he can be found on his local patch at Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes where over the years he has found and documented many scarce and rare species.
Tour Leader: Marcus Ward
Marcus is a life-long naturalist specialising in birds, mammals, moths and fungi. Now based in Weymouth, he previously lived in and around the New Forest for most of his life. It is here in the Forest that Marcus is known for his work with Hawfinch, in addition to leading the Pine Marten project, and has spent many 100’s of hours in the field with these species each year. This has led to the publication of numerous papers and articles on these species, alongside literature on Firecrest and ground-nesting waders.
Marcus is a bird-ringing trainer and runs a team of 12 bird ringers as part of the New Forest Ringing Group. He is also a former trustee of Hampshire Ornithological Group and over the years has sat on several working groups and committees advising on woodland birds and mammals.
Marcus is a popular speaker on the circuit and when he isn’t fulfilling his obsession for Hawfinch he can be found on his local patch at Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes where over the years he has found and documented many scarce and rare species.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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