A group of 5 set off from the car park by the jetty to walk the circular trail via Preesall.
The day was dry and sunny though there was a cooling breeze in exposed areas. A
low tide meant the estuary and the embankment were fairly unproductive although we
had Oystercatcher and Redshank, Greylag, Little Egret and Lapwings. We heard
Whimbrel but struggled for a good sighting.

Turning our eyes inland we had really good views of Reed warbler and Reed buntings.
Perhaps the bird of the day was Whitethroat as they sang so well perching atop the
shrubbery and telephone wires. Also it was a delight to have a tree sparrow pop out
on the track in front of us.

Our walk took us past the 17th century Hackensall Hall and alongside the golf course
before returning to cross farmland and pick up the permissive path at Preesall leading
us into a wooded copse area. We heard Blackcap and saw Chiffchaff, Longtailed tits,
Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Swallow, with Common Buzzard being mobbed above.
In all we had over 30 bird species and 6 butterfly species including Speckled Wood,
Orange Tip and Red Admiral. We were also delighted to watch a hare running across
the farmland.

We returned to our start point in time to see the ferry boat making its crossing to
Fleetwood. The day had warmed and so three of the group joined the queue at the ice
cream shop. An enjoyable ramble with some quality sightings.

Sightings: shelduck, starling, buzzard, oystercatcher, great black-back gull, lesser
black - back gull, greylag goose, blue tit, mallard, woodpigeon, blackbird, blackcap,
chiffchaff, whitethroat, carrion crow, grey heron, lapwing, redshank, reed warbler, little
egret, moorhen, jackdaw, swallow, reed bunting, robin, tree sparrow, house sparrow,
goldfinch, long-tailed tit, magpie, chaffinch, herring gull
​Hare