Preston Society

Churchtown to Nateby

2/2/2019

Churchtown to Nateby
Saturday 2nd Feb
Sunny but cold and frosty

A party of 8 members set off from the Horns Inn at Churchtown. It was a beautiful frosty cold day so being wrapped up was a priority.
Walked through the Village and turned right at the old cross. Turned left at the main road. Crossed the road to walk up the access to Kirkland Hall Farm. Continued through several fields. There were flocks of Gulls including Black Headed and 3 Common Gulls. 60+ Lapwing and 50+ Starling.
Had a look in an isolated barn for an Owl without success.
Located a solitary Common Buzzard
Walked to Nook Farm House
Continued south down a lane then through the grounds of Popular Grove Farm. This was a large complex. Had lunch here before continuing south along track eventually coming to Hag Wood and Sharples Lane beyond. Turned left. After a few hundred yards came across a large pool on the right where gravel had been extracted. This pit had attracted many flocks of birds to the water including 60+ Mallard. 30+ Wigeon. 2 Shoveller.
Continued along Sharples Lane and watched a Brown Hare lolloping along in front of us.
Turned right at the main road to walk along the road for half a mile to an access on the left. A smallish brown bird off from a post which could have been a Little Owl but didn't get enough time to see it.
Found a path on the right that led to the River Wyre and the Wyre Way. Followed this to the famous footbridge then the Church. Lots of Snowdrops in the churchyard. Walked through the Village to the cross then right to the pub.
Most of the day we had observed a large flock of 200+ noisy Pink Footed Geese flying around just to the west and south. Also some early Lambs in the fields..
All the party relaxed and had a drink in a very busy Horns Inn.

Hesketh New Marsh

19/1/2019

Hesketh New Marsh. River Douglas
Saturday 19th Jan
Fine but cool. Breezy at the River

A party of 5 people set off from the car park next to School on Shore Road Hesketh Bank and walked along the road for a few hundred yards Then turned right up a track onto the Marsh. After half a mile turned right along track to eventually cross Guide Road and onto the embankment overlooking the River Douglas. Followed this south to a track back across the Marsh to Guide Lane. Turned left back to Shore Road then right back to the car park.
There were lots of drainage ditches to be checked and arable land to be looked over for feeding birds.
Large flocks of Starling one of which had a white tail. A large flock of Wigeon of 400+ on the Douglas with a large flock of Canada Geese over on Longton Marsh. A flock of 50+ Linnet were flitting around the fields.
A good afternoon with a cold breeze on the River.
We got back after three hours and retired for refreshments at The Cock and Bottle PH.

Marton Mere

5/1/2019

Venue: Marton Mere
Date: Saturday 5th January 2019
Weather: Mild, Breezy later
Leader: Graham Thomas
Party Number: 7

A party of 5 met on Lawson Road and walked to the Reserve. Had been told that the Long Eared Owls were not around this year so we walked to the hides. We were joined by two more. It was very mild and that was a change to previous years.
Several Apple Trees had attracted some members of the Thrush famly.
Lots of Birds around and on the water. Had lunch in the Fylde Bird Club Hide after getting the pass for the key.
Ended up in the Feeding station.
Some screens had been erected at the side for viewing from a different angle.
The good day was ended at 14.30

River Lune, Crooke of Lune

1/9/2018

Venue: Crooke of Lune. Thwaite
Date: Saturday 1st Sept 2018
Weather: Warm
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 8

A party of eight met just off the M6 at Junc 37 then went in convoy to park in at The Crooke of Lune Bridge in a small layby.
The walk started by crossing the famous narrow Pack Horse bridge then following the River Lune along The Dales Way down as far as a path that doubled back climbing up to Thwaite farm. Enroute passed through Crooke of Lune Wood were we had witnessed a lady who had slipped and broken her ankle so we all walked through carefully.
Had lunch sat opposite a large shingle bank and watched a family of Grey Wagtails flitting sbout.
Saw lots of Birds on the River including; Dipper, Kingfisher, and Com Sandpiper.
Walked into The Village but didn't get as far as the Church.
Returned by passing between Cottages and crossed Chapel Beck then followed a path by a large farm, a Caravan then Tarnhouse Barn. Continued to Beckfoot Farm and finally Crooke of Lune Farm then picked up outward path back to the bridge.
This was a fantastic area in the Lune Valley and not a popular destination so apart from a few walkers, we had it to ourselves.
Some of the group had a refreshing drink sat outside The Longlands at Tewitfields.

Midge Hall & Much Hoole Mosses

20/8/2018

Venue: Midge Hall Moss
Date: Monday 20th Aug 2018
Weather: Overcast Drizzle
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 18

The last walk of the Mondays saw 18 people set off from the lane just below Cocker Bar Bridge and walk south to a path on right just before a bend to cross railway then field the second with a growing crop. Single file was adopted finally coming out at Norris's farm on a bend.
Walked to left down the road then right up access track to Tattersalls farm. Through yard to follow path behind ending up on Moss Lane.
Right to follow this track back to Cocker Bar Bridge.
The latter section proved to be fruitless as it was too dark.
In hindsight next year's Mondays will have to finish at the end of July.
Some of the group retired to The Dunkirk Arms for a well deserved drink.

Mawdesley Moss

13/8/2018

Venue: Mawdesley Moss
Date: Monday 13th Aug 2018
Weather: overcast
Leader: Graham Thomas
Party Number: 20

The Preston Society consisting of 20 people met on the car park of The Robin Hood Mawdesley on an overcast evening.
The evening started by walking up the road then right turn up Wood Lane. Soon turned left and long the side of a garden to open fields and Rectors Wood. Continued across large field then enclosed path to a Lane.
Right turn and walk to Back House then beyond to enter Mawdesley Moss.
Because the light wasn't good it was decided to turn right for Cliffs Farm as there was a public footpath sign which was surprising. Turned right at a sign then left along a corn field to outbuildings of Cliff Farm.
Followed track through taking a right to pass Boundary Farm then right to walk back through Wood Lane Farm and retraced our steps.
Bats could be seen. One of the party had a Bat Detector and it was lovely to see and hear them passing and corresponding clicks.
Because the Robin Hood was closed on a Monday some of the group retired to The Farmers Arms Eccleston after a very satisfying evening's bird watching.
Three miles in two and a half hours.
A local who came on the walk told us about a Barn Owl that roosts in a small outbuilding behind the Robin Hood and sits in the open window.

Ribble Valley

6/8/2018

Venue: Ribble Valley, Preston River Ribble
Date: Monday 6th August 2018
Weather: Clear, warm
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 22
Tonight’s walk started near to Fishwick Bottoms Nature Reserve and did a loop walking along the River Ribble. 22 people enjoyed the warm evening, with good views in particular of Sand Martin and Common Tern.

Holmes, Mere Brow

30/7/2018

Venue: Holmes, Mere Brow
Date: Momday 30th July 2018
Weather: Warm, Sunny
Leader: Graham Thomas, John Wilson
Party Number: 15

It was a beautiful balmy evening, when 15 people gathered to wander through the arable fields, close to Holmeswood. As it was our member, John Finnan’s, bird recording patch, he was asked to take the lead, in the hope of seeing some owls. Sure enough the whole group were treated to excellent extended views of Little Owl and Barn Owl.

Moth Identification Workshop

28/7/2018

On Saturday 28th July the Society held a moth identification workshop. The morning was once again hosted by Brian and Val Woodruffe who welcomed 13 people to the event and kindly provided light refreshments.
Former member Liz Brotherstone travelled up from her home in Devon to lead the workshop and Committee member Len Knowles contributed his expertise to help Liz with identifying the 197 moths which we were able to recover from the traps.
Three moth traps had been set on the Friday evening and fortunately the weather was calm enough to allow for plenty of activity. We identified 41 different species and enjoyed close up and personal viewings using the Society’s magnifying specimen pots.
Many of the common species were identified, 46 Common Rustics and 26 Large Yellow Underwing but it was also pleasing to find 5 Copper Underwing and the Lesser Yellow and Least Yellow Underwing and the Lesser Broad Boardered Yellow Underwing.
The Large Ear was a new one for me and although we had an Early Thorn, my favourite, the Canary Shouldered Thorn was not present on this occasion.
We thank all those who supported this event and it was good to see Rosie (6yrs) enjoying using the magnifiers to watch the moths.
Please remember that the moth traps, specimen pots and ID Books/cards are available for members to borrow. Anyone wanting to host a moth event or just to try out for themselves can make a request by contacting the Society or any Committee Member who will give assistance.

Hoghton

23/7/2018

Venue: Hoghton
Date: Monday 23rd July 2018
Weather: Warm
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 16

This walk venue has had to be changed from Horden Pasture due to the recent fires on Winter Hill.
A party of 15 that soon became 16 set off from the layby opposite The Hoghon Arms on the A674. They walked up the main road to a bend where a stile was found to the left. Passed through several fields and watched a young Buzzard flying around crying and looking for the adult to feed it. Continued along a wall to the A675 and crossed it to walk up track the access to Stanworth Farm.
Looked at a large barn that had been converted. The last time we had walked past this is was an old barn and the gable end was full of cracks and holes that was the home to several pairs of House Martins. Now the wall had been refurbished and hence no holes.
Passed around the house. This is a 17th Cent farmhouse and had a date of 1632 over the door. The last time we had passed we were invited in to see what they were doing to renovate it. I was trying to point out a few features and they spotted us.
Descended down the field to a diversion due to the M65. In the past the path went north and down to the canal. Now the divesion passes under the Motorway then back up the opposite side.
Descended to the canal and walked to the A674 were we climbed some old steps to the road and followed it to the Motorway junction then back to the cars. It was virtually dusk now so were glad to see them.
Retired to The Hoghton Arms for a well deserved drink.
The walk had taken 3 hours and was too long.

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