An enjoyable first walk of the season started at Osbaldeston, taking us through woodlands and fields to the River Ribble. We were rewarded with a good number of species seen, the highlight being the dazzling blue of the Kingfisher that perched for us on the Ribble, allowing for some great views.
A full list of the species seen can be found below:

Mute Swan 
Canada Goose 
Mallard 
Goosander
Pheasant
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Common Buzzard
Moorhen 
Swallow 
Black Headed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove 
Kingfisher 
Great Spotted Woodpecker 
Carrion Crow 
Magpie 
Jackdaw
Rook 
Goldcrest 
Blue Tit 
Great Tit 
Coal Tit 
Chiff Chaff 
Nuthatch 
Wren 
Robin 
Blackbird 
Dunnock 
Pied Wagtail 
Grey Wagtail 
Chaffinch

On Friday evening September 12th a group of 15 people led by Charlie Liggett from Merseyside and West Lancashire Bat Society enjoyed a Bat walk in Hurst Grange Park Penwortham. We were lucky to have a rain free mild evening and were rewarded with sightings of Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Noctule bats. Our detectors also picked up Daubenton's as we walked close by one of the small ponds in the park. 

Charlie patiently answered all our questions and enhanced our enjoyment of the evening by sharing his extensive knowledge of the life cycle and habits of bats and gave us a good introduction to the bats we are likely to encounter in our region. 

Our grateful thanks to Charlie for sharing his expertise with us and thanks to those who participated and supported this event. A £30 donation will be forwarded to the Bat Society to support their bat conservation work. 
Clare Matthews

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