​Altham. River Calder.
Monday 27th May
Fine slight Drizzle at 8.0pm

A party of 10 left The Walton Arms and walked the short distance down to the River Calder. We looked over the bridge and was surprised to see Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher , and Grey Wagtail. What a start. We walked along the River and was joined by 3 more members.
Did the usual walk to the bend and looked around. Could see 4 female Goosander’s just around the bend that took off as soon as we arrived. It started to drizzle so that was our cue to retrace our steps.
Most of the party retired to The Walton Arms for a well deserved drink after another visit to a lovely area.

​Venue: Haverthwaite. River Leven
Date: Saturday 25th May 2019
Weather: Fine Breezy later
Leader: Graham Thomas
Party Number: 4
10.00 14.30
4 miles
A party of 4 met at The Gilpin Bridge Inn at 09.30 then drove in convoy to Haverthwaite.
We parked down old road by The Anglers Inn then continued along this road that had been cut off by the Bypass. A section of the old railway was visible at the end of this road were it had passed under the road.
A path on started here leading to the Hamlet of Haverthwaite. We followed a footpath sign to Friendly Cottage but had to be careful to chose the right path.
Continued along a walled track with a field on the left then through Great Close & Cat Crags Woods to a gate that led onto an open Marsh.
We walked across the Marsh to an outcrop where had had a rest. We had had a rest here when we had visited this area in 2013. Suddenly I saw a head pop up from behind the outcrop and when it flew could see that it was a Green Woodpecker.
After a rest here, we continued to the River Leven and followed to the left.  
We followed the river and heard a Cuckoo that was in Cat Crags Wood but never saw it.
Eventually we came to a Bridge over River Leven. This used to take the Railway over the River. We sat down here for lunch.
Turning left and through a wood we soon came to The Cumbria Coastal Way and by turning left we followed a lane.
Could see the Raised Bog of Roudsea Wood over to the right. Was serenaded by a Tree Pipit which conveniently  perched on a bit of a branch that was devoid of leaves.
Eventually a path left the lane and followed the river back to a bridge which we crossed. There was lots of Ivy Leaved Toadflax growing out of the cracks in the brickwork.
A path on the right followed the river to some cottages where we turned right to pass these splendid old buildings then back up the road to The Anglers Arms were we had a well deserved drink after a satisfying bird watch. Just a pity that we didn’t have more people as they missed a lovely day out.

​Venue: Mere Brow Ashcrofts Farm
Date: Monday 20th May 2019
Weather: Warm
Leader: John Finnan/Graham Thomas
Party Number: 15
The Preston Society met on Park Lane just down from the Chapel and parked in a rough layby just above Ashcrofts Farm. It was a lovely summer's evening and the party of 15 set of but took the road towards Mere Brow then turned left onto The Marshes Lane. After half a mile turned left up track that eventually came to Ashcrofts Farm from the rear. No Owls were seen but we heard then found 2 Corn Buntings singing.
Passed through farmyard and soon came to the cars.
Some of the group retired to The Cock and Bottle PH Tarleton after a very satisfying evening's bird watching.
Three miles in just over two hours.

​White Coppice Preston Society
Monday 13th May
Fine Warm
7.00 to 9.30

A party of set off from the Cricket Ground and assembled at the bridge over the Goit. A lone Dipper was seen just down from  the bridge.
A total of 26 members assembled before walking south down the valley.
Stopped at the first bridge as usual to look up the stream and could see 2 Grey Wagtails feeding between the rocks in the shallow water.
Eventually waited at the gate on left to allow people to catch up. Some walked to Anglezarke Reservoir while waiting.
Returned via the Cycleway and just after 9.00pm heard then saw a single Cuckoo perched on dead stump just below the Quarry. Also a young Stag Roe Deer was seen creeping through the undergrowth just over the Goit.
It was vertually dark when we got back to White Coppice after another successful Cuckoo walk with lots of birds around.

​Newt Carving

​The day dawned slightly overcast but dry, as we headed across the Pennines to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve of Potteric Carr. 
On arrival, those wanting to have a leisurely start to the day, headed to the café, to try the homemade cakes (which I am told, didn’t disappoint!). The rest of the group split up, to head in different directions, depending on their specific areas of interest; flowers, insects, birds etc. 
At varying points in the day, our paths crossed and we swapped sightings, as we made our way around the different trails and visited the large number of hides. We got caught in a ten minute heavy downpour later on during the day, causing some of us to don our over trousers but those in hides at the time, barely noticed it.
One of the more memorable moments of the day for the birders was when, through a team effort by a group of spotters, we found a skulking Water Rail, which decided to oblige and swim across a water channel right in front of the hide. One member got so excited that she shouted at the top of her voice, “Water Rail!”.  This caused the poor bird to dive into the reeds as fast as it possibly could, to escape the attention of the marauders. Unfortunately this meant that the rest of the hide full of people missed the rare sighting! 
Later on during the day in the hexagonal hide (they’re posh in Yorkshire!), a Bittern was spotted sitting on a branch, with most of its body visible above the reeds. Now, only the spotter got onto it in that position but the rest of the hide caught it as it flew across the back of the lake.
On the mammal front, sightings of Common Shrew and Wood Mouse caused some excitement, as did Yellow Archangel, which was definitely the plant of the day, found by our intrepid flora duo, who spent a lot of time on their knees, examining the undergrowth at close quarters!
There were clear views of Seven-Spot Ladybird, Nettle Weevil and Scorpionfly.
Brimstones were seen from various hides, as well as some of our more regular butterflies. 
And for those who are less eagle eyed, the rather large carving of a newt was rather appealing.
One of the noticeable features of the day was that despite the precautionary warnings to take insect repellent (and some people had definitely bathed in it!) there was a distinct absence of biting insects. Only one bite was recorded, unlike on the recce the previous year, when one poor soul virtually got eaten alive! A tasty mortal, obviously!
We all met up at the end of the day on the decking outside the café, with many of the group savouring one of the variety of flavours of local farmhouse ice cream.
People were reluctant to leave, despite the early start that morning but finally everyone got back on the bus for our journey home. We were back in Bamber Bridge, before you could shout, “Water Rail!”. 
A gentle snoring floating down the bus throughout the drive back to Lancashire.
Between us, the group identified 62 species of birds, 5 species of butterfly, 6 types of mammals and 48 species of plants. 
Thanks go to Thomas, who reduced the average age of those on the coach significantly and who had the sharpest eyes and longest bird list of the trip (all sightings verified).
A big thank you to Peter Ross & David Norton for providing the plant list and Linda Shearwood for acting as the bird, butterfly and mammal recorder.
Photos courtesy of David Norton and Kayleigh Roebuck.




Janet Wall
Field Trip Organiser

A party of 18 set off from The Old Liverpool Road at Sollom and crossed the main road (A59) to walk down Smith's Lane. The first birds seen were 2 Common Buzzards which was a good start. This lane was Tarmacked as it was the access to Moss Side Farm. Beyond the farm it became a track.
At least 12 Hares were seen and at least 50 Lapwings. Someone spotted a Little Owl near a Barn at the farm plus a couple of Stock doves.
A single Corn Bunting was heard faintly then spotted perched on a scrub on the edge of a ploughed field with a typical stance.
At 8.15 we retraced our steps as a large black cloud was gathering.
We just got back to Sollom before it started raining.
Six of the group retired to the Cock and Bottle PH Tarleton for a well deserved drink. This area lived up to its name as a perfect Mossland habitat and a good evening was had by all.