​Parked on Gravel Lane, then a party of 18 walked crossed the main road on a gloomy evening.
Started on Sugar Stubbs Lane, then left up Square Cop. Left onto Moss Lane. Left down track opposite Square House Lane. Right back onto Sugar Stubbs Lane and back to the cars.

Seven of us thoroughly enjoyed a varied walk in lovely warm weather. We started off walking through part of the National Nature Reserve, marvelling at the unusual landscape of limestone pavements, bordered by ancient woodlands draped in lichens and mosses. Many wildflowers were seen, some tiny ones colonising the limestone such as thyme and stonecrop, in contrast giant mullein jutted up skywards from the crevices (grykes). Butterflies abounded, with ringlets in particular in good numbers. We left the boundary of the reserve and crossed over meadows covered in orchids. The one thing we hadn’t seen much of was birds – we heard blackcap and chiffchaff in the woods but couldn’t see them. However as we crossed a field we noticed two woodpecker silhouettes clinging either side of a telegraph pole. On closer inspection they were revealed to be green woodpecker – they flew off into an adjacent tree, and despite hearing them and scouring the tree we couldn’t see them again amongst the dense foliage. We carried on and had lunch in Trowbarrow watching the many rock climbers scaling the walls of the quarry. After lunch we carried on towards Challen Hall and Haweswater, enjoying the scenery and sunshine. We then walked up alongside Silverdale Moss with excellent views of the Lakeland fells and through Back Wood before returning to the cars via Coldwell Parrock local reserve.

​Species: Swallow, green woodpecker
Butterflies: Ringlet, speckled wood, small white, meadow brown, red admiral, tortoiseshell

Parked at Brinscall Baths which was closed and fenced off for refurbishment, then a party of 7 set off. Had to go behind the baths to gain access to the path by the pool.
Walked to the start of the Goit.
Left to climb up through Wheelton Plantation. Stopped to regain our breath while listening for birds.
At a junction we turned right to eventually descend, ending up at a point overlooking the valley that led to White Coppice.
Returned via the Goit.

​The highlight of the walk was just before we set off were we watched a female Sparrowhawk flying above us, soaring, twisting and turning. It was wonderful, but no Wood Warblers were heard even with the MerlinApp.

Canada Goose 
Mallard 
Sparrowhawk 
Moorhen 
Wood Pigeon
Carrion Crow 
Jackdaw 
Carrion Crow 
Chiff Chaff 
Blackcap 
Wren 
Tree Creeper 
Robin 
Blackbird 
Song Thrush 
Mistle Thrush 
Grey Wagtail 
Goldfinch 

Parked at Brindle Village Hall then walked to the church. Rght through the churchyard to see some of the cross bases and gravestones that had been rescued from the surrounding area.
Left the church via a small gate then continued to the right along Sandy Lane. Left up Smithy Lane then right along a track into a field. Just before a pylon cable, turned right through gap into a field heading for a bridge over the M65.
Immediately right after the bridge and followed a fence to Hillhouse Farm.

Continued to a junction then turned right to a junction at Sandy
Lane. Straight across and down a bridleway to re-cross the Motorway then back into Brindle.

​Lots of birds singing plus the bonus of a Roe Deer.
The highlight of the walk was the constant birdsong, especially from a host of Song Thrushes.
We had time to lean on gates to appreciate the beautiful summer's evening.

Lapwing 
Swallow 
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove 
Carrion Crow 
Jackdaw 
Rook 
Blue Tit 
Chiff Chaff 
Blackcap 
Wren 
Robin 
Blackbird 
Song Thrush 
Dunnock 
House Sparrow 
Pied Wagtail 

Roe Deer 

​Parked at the top of the extremely potholed Dib Road at RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh then a party of 16 people walked along the eastern embankment of the reserve.

Mallard 
Pheasant 
Common Buzzard 
Lapwing 
Curlew 
Swallow 
Swift 
Black Headed Gull 
Carrion Crow 
Willow Warbler 
Blackcap 
Meadow Pipit 
Chaffinch 
​
Brown Hare