Setting off from the parking area, we headed down the road scanning the fields either side of the road. Amongst the swooping Swallows, Swifts and distant Gulls, the tufts of long grass between the heather held several Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Many of these were seen with caterpillars and insects in their bills, a sign of hungry mouths to feed in nests hidden in the undergrowth. 
A Buzzard soared above us as we arrived at the public footpath leading us up Jeffrey Hill. But we were soon focused on where the call of a distant Cuckoo was coming from. All binoculars were fixed on the trees in the plantation down the hill but the Cuckoo sadly remained elusive to us.
We made our way up Jeffrey Hill, scanning Gannow Fell to our right in hope of a Hobby sighting, however we got to enjoy a wonderful hovering Kestrel instead. More Stonechats and Meadow Pipits kept us company as we reached the top, where a lone Curlew was seen flying around the fell. 
We crossed over to the other side of Jeffrey Hill and made our way back to the cars, enjoying the stunning views around us as the sun began to set. 

A full list of species seen on this walk can be found below:

Canada Goose 2
Pheasant h
Kestrel
Curlew
Swallow
Swift
Black Headed Gull 5+
Lesser Black Backed Gull 15+
Wood Pigeon 5+
Feral Pigeon 2+
Cuckoo h
Carrion Crow 10+
Skylark 2
Willow Warbler h
Wren h
Starling
Blackbird 2
Mistle Thrush h
Stonechat pr
Dunnock h
Meadow Pipit 3

A full list of species seen on this walk can be found below:

Crow
Kestrel
Meadow Pipit
Skylark
Willow Warbler
Goldfinch
Chiffchaff
Cormorant
Pied Wagtail
Blackbird
Buzzard
Herring Gull
Woodpigeon
Jackdaw
Collared Dove
Stonechat
Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Wren
Whitethoat
​Linnet

​Another great break all around was enjoyed by 8 members of the Preston Society, that then became 5 on the last day - due to previous commitments.


89 species of bird were seen/heard, which was far more than expected - along with many wildflowers, fungi, moths/butterflies and mammals. The weather was beautiful throughout and the hotel was very accommodating. A lovely county - flat, but interesting and we explored many different types of habitats throughout the week.

Monday 19th May was the date of arrival at the Quayside Hotel, Boston - after an approximate 4 hour journey. Met in the bar for drinks and then had an evening meal out and discussed the week ahead.

The week consisted of visits to:-

o Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve
o Fosdyke Bridge, Moulton Marsh, and Freiston Shore - passing through several villages and hamlets
o Kirkby Moor and Kirkby Gravel Pits

o Gibraltar Point NNR - visiting most of the hides on the West side of the access road plus the Viewpoint on the East side
o Long Sutton, River Nene
o The Wash - being quite a distance across a marsh

Sunday 25th May was time for the 4 hour journey home - leaving the Quayside Hotel at 10.00 am

We all enjoyed a packed lunch each day, either sat in a hide or enjoying the warm sunshine, which we were lucky to have every day throughout the week. Evening meals were enjoyed at the Quayside Hotel and various other establishments in Boston, including an evening at Goodbarns Yard, situated behind the Boston Stump, a very old area of Boston. Goodbarns Yard is over 600 years old and was a very popular eatery.

Species seen/heard were:-

Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Brent Goose
Mandarin Duck
Shelduck
Mallard
Shoveller 
Wigeon
Teal 
Com Pochard
Tufted Duck
Pheasant 
Red Legged Partridge 
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Cormorant 
Spoonbill
Bittern
Kestrel
Red Kite
Common Buzzard
Peregrine?
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher 
Avocet
Ringed Plover
Lapwing
Redshank
Greenshank 
Black Tailed Godwit
Swallow
Sand Martin 
House Martin
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Common Tern
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Green Woodpecker h
Great Spotted Woodpecker 
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Rook
Jay
Cuckoo h
Swift
Skylark 
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Whitethroat 
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Sedge Warbler 
Cettis Warbler h
Lesser Whitethroat h
Chiff Chaff h
Willow Warbler h
Wren
Robin
Starling
Blackbird
Mistle Thrush h
Song Thrush h
Dunnock h
House Sparrow 
Chaffinch h
Goldfinch h
Linnet h
Pied Wagtail 
Meadow Pipit
Reed Bunting 
Yellow Hammer 
(89)

Brown Hare
Rabbit
Stoat/ Mink
Grey Squirrel 
Muntjac Deer

Burnet Moth
Orange Tip Butterfly
Small Blue Butterfly

h=heard only
 
Thanks to Graham Thomas, once again, for all his hard work in arranging, planning and executing yet another very enjoyable and memorable Society holiday.

The full list of species found on this walk can be found below:

​Canada Goose
Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Great Crested Grebe
Grey Heron
Coot
Moorhen
Oystercatcher
Avocet
Ringed Plover/Little Ringed Plover?
Lapwing
Curlew
Whimbrel
Swallow
Black Headed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Great Tit h
Chiff Chaff h
Blackcap h
Wren h
Starling
Robin h
Dunnock h
Blackbird
Pied Wagtail
Chaffinch h
Greenfinch h
31
h=heard only

Species seen on this walk can be found below:

Mallard pr
Pheasant h
Kestrel (male)
Swallow 5+
Black Headed Gull 1
Wood Pigeon 5+
Cuckoo 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker h
Carrion Crow 5+
Magpie 2
Jackdaw 5+
Blue Tit 2
Willow Warbler (several heard)
Blackcap 1
Wren h
Starling 5+
Robin 1
Blackbird 3+
Song Thrush h
Redstart (male)
Stonechat (male)
Dunnock h
Grey Wagtail pr
Chaffinch 1
Reed Bunting 1

Roe Deer 1

h=heard only

The sun came out for us on this lovely walk around the area of Cockersands Abbey. Overlooking Cockerham Sands and the River Lune estuary, we were treated to some fabulous waders such as Oystercatcher, Curlew and Whimbrel.

​The walk started off from the carpark at "Bank Houses" and we followed a narrow road up towards the Abbey Lighthouse. Along this road we arrived at a large barn, known to host a Little Owl, however it had decided to stay hidden on this day. Scanning the fields and hedgerows along the road, a pair of Red-legged Partridges briefly wandered out into the open before making a hasty retreat. One exciting sighting for many was their first singing Sedge Warbler of the year. Despite not being shy in voice, the warbler showcased it's classic elusive behavior by staying deep within the shrubby bush, before very briefly showing itself to some of our members. With the sun on it's plumage, it looked fantastic singing away before hiding back away deep within the bush.

Shortly after came the highlight of the walk for many, a Barn Owl hunting low around the field edges, looking perhaps for a tasty meal of Field Vole (their favoured source of prey). After quartering the edges of several fields it flew into one of the old farm barns, potentially to a nest site.

After a brief stop for lunch we reached the lighthouse overlooking the estuary where some Eiders were seen out on the water. Here we followed the Lancashire Coastal Way past Cockersands Abbey and back to the cars.

One field in particular here caught our attention, as we noticed that beside the nesting Lapwing, was a pair of Ringed Plover. Then, suddenly another Ringed Plover appeared, and another and another until at least 12 could be seen camouflaged into the habitat perfectly. If we hadn't been lucky enough to see the first pair then the others way well have gone unnoticed, showcasing just how well they blend into the land around them. A pair of Wheatears was also seen in this same field.

One final treat was seeing two Lapwing chicks hiding under some vegetation, and whilst calling them "cute little fluffballs" may not have been entirely scientific, it was undoubtably an accurate description of what was hopefully the first of many Lapwings to be born in the area this year.
Shortly after we were back at the cars, having enjoyed a lovely Spring walk in the sunshine. A full list of all the bird species seen on the walk can be found below:

Canada Goose 1
Mallard 10+
Shelduck 10+
Wigeon 1
Eider 10+
Red Legged Partridge 2
Pheasant h
Cormorant 1
Little Egret 2 
Moorhen
Oystercatcher 30+
Ringed Plover 10+
Common Sandpiper 3? 
Redshank 10+
Lapwing 30+
Curlew 2
Whimbrel 4+
Swallow 5+
Black Headed Gull 50+
Herring Gull 15+
Lesser Black Backed Gull 2
Common Gull?
Collared Dove
Stock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon 5+
Barn Owl 1
Carrion Crow 30+
Jackdaw 10+
Magpie 2
Great Tit h
Blue Tit 2
Skylark h
Chiff Chaff h
Sedge Warbler h
Wren h
Starling 10+
Robin h
Blackbird 4
Wheatear 3
Dunnock h
House Sparrow 2
Tree Sparrow 2
Pied Wagtail 1
Meadow Pipit 1?
Goldfinch 5+
Chaffinch pair
Linnet 2

Brown Hare 4

Large White
Green Veined White
Orange Tip

h=heard only

We enjoyed a beautiful Spring walk exploring the area around Black Moss Reservoirs. A particular highlight of the day, other than the views if the surrounding countryside, was the flocks of Golden Plovers with their plumage glistening splendidly in the sunlight. A full list of species seen on the day is found below:

Mallard 
Goosander 
Great Crested Grebe 
Pheasant h
Oystercatcher 
Golden Plover 
Lapwing 
Curlew 
Lesser Black Backed Gull 
Wood Pigeon 
Carrion Crow 
Jackdaw 
Great Tit 
Skylark h
Nuthatch h
Wren 
Robin h
Blackbird 
Fieldfare 
Dunnock 
Meadow Pipit 1?

Brown Hare 

h=heard only

Some images from an enjoyable visit to WWT Martin Mere. Highlights were species such as Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Snipe, Avocets, Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler and Brimstone Butterfly. 

Our latest coach trip to RSPB Saltholme was enjoyed by all, as we explored this fantastic reserve in the North East. There were several hides to watch to birds from, and pleasant walks around the lakes and pools set in the middle of an industrial backdrop. We even had a bonus trip to Seal Sands where the Harbour Seals provided the entertainment for us. A full list of species seen during the day can be found below. Many thanks to Clare for organising another successful coach trip for the Society. 

Mute Swan
Whooper Swan (flyover)
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Shelduck
Mallard
Pintail
Shoveller
Wigeon
Teal
Gadwall
Garganey
Common Pochard
Tufted Duck
Eider (male)
Goldeneye (male)
Pheasant (male) 
Cormorant
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Grey Heron
Red Kite 
Common Buzzard
Kestrel (male)
Marsh Harrier
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Avocet
Lapwing
Redshank
Greenshank
Black Tailed Godwit
Curlew
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Common Gull
Greater Black Backed Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Stock Dove
Barn Owl
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Rook
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Skylark
Robin
Cetti's Warbler
Wren
Starling
Blackbird
Stonechat
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Goldfinch
Chlaffinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Reed Bunting

Brown Hare
Rabbit
Roe Deer
Seal
Weasel/Stoat