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To secure or book your space/single room on any of our trips/holidays, or if you have any queries, please contact Jan at jan@prestonsociety.co.uk or on 07743893711. During the Winter season, Jan will be near the reception desk by the main door!
Day Outing to Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve
and Pennington Flash Country Park
Saturday 18 April 2020
Cost: £10 per person members, £12 non-members (priority given to members)
Limited to 12 people, due to availability of parking and the size of the reserve.
Woolston Eyes is a new destination for the Society and a place that is well worth a visit, particularly for those keen to see Black-necked Grebe. It is located near the Thelwall Viaduct on a site owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company. The site is an S.S.S.I., managed by Woolston Eyes Conservation Group.
There are 4 reed beds, two of which are still used as a deposit for dredging from the Ship Canal. We will travel together from Preston and the Warden will meet us, guiding us round Reed Bed number 3, letting us know about the recent sightings. There are 7 hides and some really interesting meadow land in-between. I am a member, so will be assisting the Warden.
In all, two hundred and thirty two species of bird have been recorded on the Reserve, including thirteen species of raptor, more than thirty species of wader, all five grebes, the three woodpeckers, and five species of owl. The reserve is really a little gem, not widely known. On one visit last year there were 24 Black-necked Grebe.
There have been 149 species of flora recorded, 54 species of dragonfly/damselfly, 6 amphibians, 2 reptiles, various spiders and insects, plus a number of mammals. There are details of all the recorded sightings on the website, for those of you, who are interested.
https://woolstoneyes.com/
The only facility at the reserve is a composting toilet, installed with Lottery funding! I would anticipate spending about 3 hours at the reserve.
Then we will head on to Pennington Flash Country Park, near Leigh, for a circular walk around the hides, where 51 bird species have been recorded. The Park includes a large subsidence flash approximately a mile long. It has a wide variety of habitats. There is a large lake and several smaller pools, where we might see Willow Tit, Garagney, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, plus much more….
Pennington Flash has toilets and usually an ice cream van for anyone interested….
The trip price includes return travel from Bamber Bridge to both Woolston Eyes and Pennington Flash, entry to Woolston Eyes, guided tour by the warden and parking at Pennington Flash.
Final joining instructions will be emailed nearer the time, to those who have booked.
Minibus Holiday to the Isle of Mull
Thursday 28 May – Tuesday 2 June 2020
A guided 6-day trip in search of the wildlife and rugged scenery of the Isle of Mull
Cost: £696 pp B&B in a twin room. £150 supplement – double for sole occupancy
Limited Availability
This is a first for the Society, to be led by an experienced professional guide, who some of you will know from last season’s Butterfly and Orchid Workshop.
Mull is well known as a wildlife watchers paradise, one of the largest islands of the Inner Hebrides, it’s a rugged landscape of moorland, lochs, forests, mountains and a stunning varied coastline. One of the best places in the UK to see White-tailed Eagle and Otters, we will search out these along with other charismatic wildlife including Hen Harrier, Golden Eagle, Red Deer and a wealth of breeding seabirds.
We start our trip leaving Preston and driving north through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, via Loch Fyne and onwards up to Oban to catch a late afternoon ferry to Craignure. From our convenient island base, we will explore the islands varied habitats and wildlife during our stay. Our first day will see us visit a range of moorland, woodland and coastal habitats in search of Mull’s ‘big five’ – Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Otter and Red Deer. Whilst taking in a lap of the southern half of the island we should also find a range of other northern species including Peregrine, Merlin, Redstart, Cuckoo, Twite and Dipper. The lochs should hold a variety of sought-after species including Divers, Great Skuas and Black Guillemots. Our four days should also give opportunity to see some of the cultural and iconic sights of the area including Tobermory complete with distillery & colourful harbourside buildings along with a visit out to the Isle of Iona with its historic Abbey and one of the best places to see Corncrakes in the Iris beds and meadows of the island.
During our stay we will take a boat trip out into Loch Na Keal to get eye to eye with hunting White-tailed Eagles, giving frame filling images and exceptional views of this majestic raptor in a spectacular wild landscape. A second boat trip during the trip will explore the Treshnish Isles, where we will spend several hours ashore on the Isle of Lunga amongst one of the most spectacular seabird colonies in the UK. The cliffs at this time of year are racked with breeding auks and we will wander about amongst the Puffins as Corncrakes call from the vegetation at the heart of the island. Our return to the mainland will make a call off at the uninhabited Isle of Staffa to marvel at the natural beauty of Fingal’s Cave formed of hexagonal basalt columns like those that form the Giant’s Causeway. Any boat trip at this time of year can also reveal interesting cetaceans with a possibility of Minke Whale, Common Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise.
Proposed itinerary
- Thursday 28 May – leave Preston and travel to Craignure, Mull via the Oban ferry
- Friday 29 May – Introduction to Mull exploring the south and centre of the island
- Saturday 30 May – Loch Na Keal boat trip for Sea Eagles & afternoon exploration of the island/Tobermory
- Sunday 31 May – Ross of Mull and Iona
- Monday 1 June – Full day boat trip to Treshnish Isles visiting Lunga and Staffa
- Tuesday 2 June – Depart Craignure to Oban via ferry and return to Preston.
The trip price includes return travel from Bamber Bridge to Mull and throughout the holiday, all ferry costs, bed and breakfast at a hotel in Salen, Sea Eagle boat trip, Treshnish Isles boat trip and the services of a guide.
All dinners, lunches, and items of a personal nature are excluded. We will eat either in the hotel or in local restaurants.
You may wish to take out your own travel insurance.
A £100 deposit will secure your place (plus the double for sole occupancy supplement, if applicable). This deposit will only be returned if for any reason the trip does not run. You will also be asked to complete a booking form.
A further £250 will be due by Monday 2 December 2019 and the final payment of £346 will be due by Monday 24 February 2020. There is also the possibility of paying by instalments.
Full joining instructions will be emailed to those booked on the trip, nearer the time.
Day Outing to the Private Reserve of Scutcher’s Acres, near Burscough
Saturday 13 June 2020
Cost: £7 pp members, £9 pp non-members (priority given to members)
Limited to 12 people due to the size of the reserve.
This is a new destination for the Society and somewhere that is well worth a visit, whatever aspect of natural history takes your interest.
Scutcher’s Acres is a 13 hectare Local Nature Reserve, with over 100 different species of trees. The site is quite diverse with woodland of various ages; established wildflower meadows, glades and a beautiful river, Eller Brook, dissecting the site. There are tree labels for one of each species, which we found helpful on the recce. We were able, very easily, to identify native trees and compare them to those in the same genera from other parts of the world. We saw various birds, even so late in the year (July) including Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard and the Kingfisher, dashing up the river. In June we can expect to see various warblers, including Willow, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap, plus Bullfinch, Dunnock and Song Thrush. There were a number of different fungi, including the Prince (Agaricus augustus) and Bluing Bracket on dead Spruce (Postia caesia). We also saw a Smooth Newt, some froglets, some butterflies, including Brimstone, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown of the 17 species recorded on site. We also had Lesser Yellow Underwing and Large Yellow Underwing, plus various other moths. Most of the common dragonflies/damselflies can be found and there is a varied flora. That includes Ragged Robin and Yellow Toadflax, plus a new species for the site, Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium). In June we should see Southern Marsh and Spotted Orchid, plus a long list of other species. There are some rare wasps with characteristic nests in beetle holes and notably it also now has a number of Vice County first records in the insect orders.
The reserve has been owned by John Watt since 1997. John is an amateur naturalist and lover of trees, which is what originally drew him to make this acquisition. John is full of enthusiasm for all aspects of nature and shared that with us all on the recce.
John will guide us round the reserve on the day of our visit, as we all share our knowledge in our own particular areas of interest. We will spend about 5 hours on the reserve, having our packed lunches at a convenient point. Access is on rough, uneven paths.
The reserve has a truly magical feel to it and is not to be missed!
There will be toilet facilities at the beginning and end of the walk.
The trip cost includes a donation to go towards the development and maintenance of the reserve. John makes no charge for guiding people around the site.
We will car share as much as possible, as we make our own way to the reserve.
Final joining instructions will be emailed nearer the time, to those who have booked.
Saturday 13 June 2020
Cost: £7 pp members, £9 pp non-members (priority given to members)
Limited to 12 people due to the size of the reserve.
This is a new destination for the Society and somewhere that is well worth a visit, whatever aspect of natural history takes your interest.
Scutcher’s Acres is a 13 hectare Local Nature Reserve, with over 100 different species of trees. The site is quite diverse with woodland of various ages; established wildflower meadows, glades and a beautiful river, Eller Brook, dissecting the site. There are tree labels for one of each species, which we found helpful on the recce. We were able, very easily, to identify native trees and compare them to those in the same genera from other parts of the world. We saw various birds, even so late in the year (July) including Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard and the Kingfisher, dashing up the river. In June we can expect to see various warblers, including Willow, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap, plus Bullfinch, Dunnock and Song Thrush. There were a number of different fungi, including the Prince (Agaricus augustus) and Bluing Bracket on dead Spruce (Postia caesia). We also saw a Smooth Newt, some froglets, some butterflies, including Brimstone, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown of the 17 species recorded on site. We also had Lesser Yellow Underwing and Large Yellow Underwing, plus various other moths. Most of the common dragonflies/damselflies can be found and there is a varied flora. That includes Ragged Robin and Yellow Toadflax, plus a new species for the site, Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium). In June we should see Southern Marsh and Spotted Orchid, plus a long list of other species. There are some rare wasps with characteristic nests in beetle holes and notably it also now has a number of Vice County first records in the insect orders.
The reserve has been owned by John Watt since 1997. John is an amateur naturalist and lover of trees, which is what originally drew him to make this acquisition. John is full of enthusiasm for all aspects of nature and shared that with us all on the recce.
John will guide us round the reserve on the day of our visit, as we all share our knowledge in our own particular areas of interest. We will spend about 5 hours on the reserve, having our packed lunches at a convenient point. Access is on rough, uneven paths.
The reserve has a truly magical feel to it and is not to be missed!
There will be toilet facilities at the beginning and end of the walk.
The trip cost includes a donation to go towards the development and maintenance of the reserve. John makes no charge for guiding people around the site.
We will car share as much as possible, as we make our own way to the reserve.
Final joining instructions will be emailed nearer the time, to those who have booked.
Day Coach Trip to RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Saturday 27 June 2020
Cost: £18 per person members, £21 non-members
By popular demand the Society is making a return visit to the Yorkshire RSPB reserve of Bempton Cliffs…….! This is a perfect day out for photographers and nature lovers, alike!
The 5km of chalk cliffs at Bempton Cliffs are best known as an ideal habitat for half a million seabirds, including Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Puffin. In fact from April to October, they support England's largest population of seabirds.
There is also grassland and scrub along the cliff tops which is home to breeding birds, including Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Linnet and Yellowhammer.
If you are interested in other species, you can find a range of the more common butterflies on sunny days, along with day-flying moths such as Cinnabars, Burnet Moths and occasionally Hummingbird Hawkmoths. There are also ponds where you can see newts and various dragonflies/damselflies. The flora along the paths is dominated by Red Campion but if you look carefully in the fields, you can find a wide variety of plant species.
The reserve has a very pleasant café with views from the cliff top, plus a shop. A perfect place to relax after exploring the reserve!
Entry to the reserve is free to RSPB members, or those with complimentary passes. The group entry rate is £4.00 per person (not included in the trip price).
If you want to find out more, please visit the website:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/bempton-cliffs/
The trip price includes return coach travel from Bamber Bridge to RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Final joining instructions will be emailed nearer the time, to those who have booked.
Saturday 27 June 2020
Cost: £18 per person members, £21 non-members
By popular demand the Society is making a return visit to the Yorkshire RSPB reserve of Bempton Cliffs…….! This is a perfect day out for photographers and nature lovers, alike!
The 5km of chalk cliffs at Bempton Cliffs are best known as an ideal habitat for half a million seabirds, including Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Puffin. In fact from April to October, they support England's largest population of seabirds.
There is also grassland and scrub along the cliff tops which is home to breeding birds, including Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Linnet and Yellowhammer.
If you are interested in other species, you can find a range of the more common butterflies on sunny days, along with day-flying moths such as Cinnabars, Burnet Moths and occasionally Hummingbird Hawkmoths. There are also ponds where you can see newts and various dragonflies/damselflies. The flora along the paths is dominated by Red Campion but if you look carefully in the fields, you can find a wide variety of plant species.
The reserve has a very pleasant café with views from the cliff top, plus a shop. A perfect place to relax after exploring the reserve!
Entry to the reserve is free to RSPB members, or those with complimentary passes. The group entry rate is £4.00 per person (not included in the trip price).
If you want to find out more, please visit the website:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/bempton-cliffs/
The trip price includes return coach travel from Bamber Bridge to RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Final joining instructions will be emailed nearer the time, to those who have booked.
Coach Minibreak to the “World Famous” Birdfair at Rutland Water, stopping at the National Arboretum on the way there and RSPB Frampton Marsh on the way back….
Friday 21 August – Sunday 23 August 2020
Cost: £195 pp DBB in a twin room. £205 pp in a single room (limited availability)
The BirdFair is an annual event that takes place each August over 3 days at Rutland Water in Leicestershire. It is the largest wildlife event in the world and there is plenty to do, to suit all tastes. There are numerous large marquees that cover every possible interest in wildlife. Whether you want to try out the full range of optics from all of the major manufacturers on purpose built towers, which look out over the adjacent nature reserve; attend a huge variety of talks, with a wide choice at any time of the day, visit large numbers of holiday providers from across the world, sample local produce, seek out a collectible piece of artwork from the many that are on offer, treat yourself to some new outdoor clothing and much, much more….. You would expect to see and listen to celebrities like Mike Dilger, Simon King, Chris Packham….etc. It is the place to see and be seen, finding out what is going on in the field of conservation. It is easy to spend the full three days there (as some of our members already do!) but we are only dipping our toes into what is on offer, with a full day on site.
The 2019 entry price for an adult is £13.50. The 2020 price is not available as we go to print. Once the entry price is known, there will be the possibility of getting a group rate. I will contact all those who have booked at that stage. This site is open from 9am-5.30pm.
https://birdfair.org.uk/
Should anyone wish to visit the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust site of Rutland Water, it is immediately adjacent to the exhibition site. In 2019 it cost £6 for adults and £5 for concessions.
https://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/
We will be staying at the 4* Urban Hotel in Grantham, ideally situated for Rutland Water and RSPB Frampton Marsh. It has a pool, spa and gym, for those of you who are interested, if you can fit that in to the actioned packed minibreak! We will spend 2 nights in the hotel, with dinner and breakfast included in the price.
https://www.urbanhotelgrantham.co.uk/
On the way to Grantham, we will be stopping at the National Arboretum at Burton-on-Trent, in Staffordshire, which is a popular Society destination and has plenty to occupy everyone. The Arboretum is an evolving, maturing woodland landscape featuring 30,000 trees and with over 350 memorials. The 150-acre site is a living, growing tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our country.
Entry is free and there is plenty to interest everyone around the site, which can be visited on the Land Train (additional cost) or you can choose which area you wish to walk around. There is a large café/restaurant, for anyone wishing to take refreshments there. We will maximise our time on the site, heading for Grantham in the late afternoon.
https://www.thenma.org.uk/
On the final day, we will visit RSPB Frampton Marsh, in Lincolnshire. Frampton Marsh is a coastal reserve on shores of The Wash. It is primarily made up of wetlands, reedbeds, large freshwater scrapes and wet grassland. It is the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife. The reserve is an internationally important place for wintering wildfowl and a crucial place for both migrating and breeding waders.
You could expect to see a whole variety of birds, including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Bar Tailed Godwit, Knot plus much more….. Other species recorded include Black-tailed Skimmer, Ruddy Darter and Common Darter. You can easily spend a full day here… and we will make our departure as late as possible before heading home.
Facilities include a visitor centre, with a small refreshment facility, rather than a café and three hides - two with 360-degree views.
Entry is free to RSPB members. Otherwise a charge, currently £2 per adult, is payable.
Have a look on their website:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/frampton-marsh/
The trip price includes return coach travel from Bamber Bridge to Grantham via the National Arboretum, Rutland Water & Frampton Marsh, plus 2 nights’ accommodation Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at the Urban Hotel in Grantham. All drinks and items of a personal nature, are excluded. All entry fees are also excluded.
You may wish to take out your own travel insurance.
The trip requires a minimum of 25 people to book, in order for it to be viable. Should any more than 35 people wish to book, I would need to check availability.
A £50 deposit will secure your place, (plus the single room supplement, if applicable). This deposit will only be returned if insufficient people book and the trip does not run. You will also be asked to complete a booking form. The final payment will be due in March 2020 before the end of the indoor season, assuming the trip is going ahead.
Final joining instructions will be emailed to those booked on the trip, nearer the time.