Venue: Freckleton Naze
Date: Saturday 4th March 2017
Weather: Fine but Cool
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 17
Distance and Time: 4 miles, 10-14.45

17 People met at the Ship Public House at 10 am.  The walk started by following the Lancashire Coastal Way down to the Naze.  En-route we could overlook Freckleton Marsh which was a good habitat including fields, hedges, ditches, and pools, some of which were brackish.  We could also see Freckleton pool, a tidal creek below us.  Further along we could look across to several pools which had large amounts of wildfowl and waders feeding.  Unfortunately, the hedges have grown over the years blocking the views to these pools unless you stood in certain areas.

Eventually reached the Naze with it trig point over looking the rivers Ribble and Douglas.  It was windy in this place so we did not stay long, but a saw a vast amount of wild life.  We observed a common buzzard flushing large flocks of Wigeon, Teal and Waders.  This was a fantastic sight.  We descended the 14 metres to the marsh.  On the descent we found a single primrose, a true sign of spring.  We then turned right and followed the path, still The Lancashire Coastal Way, passing beneath Naze Mount farm.  Lots of driftwood and rubbish to be found here in this very muddy area. 
Had lunch at the point where Pool Lane came down to the marsh.

Returned via Pool Lane and Naze Lane East and eventually retraced steps along paths to the Pub.
7 people went into the Ship for a well deserved drink.

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Venue: Marton Mere Blackpool
Date: Saturday 7th Jan 2017
Weather: Misty and Damp
​Park: Lawson Road
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 20

The first outing of the Society took place on a damp misty day which eventually resulted in 18 members meeting on Lawson Road. Two other members joined the group later to become 20 in total. The path from Lawson Road led onto Marton Mere Nature Reserve. One of the members had arrived earlier to try and locate the Long Eared Owls, but without success.

The party followed the path to the left as usual locating the spot where the Owls had been seen in previous years, but the birds were not present.

Cetti's Warblers were heard 3 times in different locations during the day. Also seen was a spectacular Male Goldeneye.

We continued our walk around the Mere, stopping for lunch in one of the Hides, eventually visited all of the Hides including a new metal fireproof container style hide.

We spoke to several locals who all stated that the Owls had not been seen for over a week, however, on our way out of the reserve we spoke to another local who knew of a single Owl that could be observed by walking towards the new Hide, then 30 yards before looking for path on left by a rosehip bush.  After the bush, finally walk into the scrub for approximately 20 yards to hopefully observe the Owl.
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We had a great day out even though the weather was slightly against us.

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Venue: Little Woolden Moss
Weather: Fine
Park: Hey Shoot Lane
Leader: Graham Thomas
Party Number: 10

The party met at Chat Moss PH in Glazebury but to reduce the distance we would have to walk we drove down through the Village to park in Hey Shoot Lane.

The walk started by walking east and then crossed Glaze Brook. At a junction of tracks we turned right to eventually pick up Glaze Brook and follow it south to a Barn at Little Woolden Farm. We then turned left to pick up a track again going east to enter Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve where there were several information boards along the route. We turned right following a public footpath and in the bottom corner, picked up and followed an overgrown path east.

Ditches here gave evidence of how thick the peat was. I was lucky to see a Male Sparrowhawk flying low across the Moss. We talked to a Farmer from Little Woolden Farm who told us of the vandalism in the area. The vandals had burnt the Bird Hide down and attacked his Grandad. We sat on a long Bog Oak by the ruined Hide for lunch.

We returned by following a gravel path around the Moss and left at the north edge then skirted around potato fields via tracks passing farms named; Moss Lodge, Red House, White Gate, and Moss Side. At the last farm we came across a small Steam Roller and it's proud owner. We followed the track west back to Hey Shoot Lane and the cars.

Finally we drove back to the Chat Moss Pub where the landlady had made us Sandwiches and Chips.  A lovely end to a perfect day and the last Field Trip of the season.

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Venue: Hic Bibbi Nature Reserve Coppull
Weather: Warm evening
Park: On Coppull Moor Lane opposite The Nature Reserve entrance
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 22
 
This is a quote from one of the Information Boards on the site:
Hic Bibi Local Nature Reserve is an eight-hectare site developed on a former clay quarry and brickworks. Although the site was created by the activities of man, the process of natural vegetation colonisation, combined with virtually no human intervention for nearly 50 years, has led to the development of a diverse and valuable ecology. The site is a place of special interest that needs protecting. If left, the processes of natural succession will eventually lead to the ponds drying out and the species rich grasslandsconverting to woodland. In managing the site, the habitat and wildlife variety is maintained.

The name Hic Bibi is derived from Latin and means, “here drink I”.

Hic Bibi was given to the well along this track by Oliver Cromwell. Seeing that the land surrounding the well was Monastic land it is most likely that the Latin name was given by the monks during the seventeenth century.

Natural History Since clay extraction and brick making ended at Hic Bibi, the surrounding landscape has changed significantly. The adjoining railway line has developed into an important wildlife corridor, which has helped Hic Bibi develop into a vital oasis for flora and fauna. The variable topography and hydrology across the site has enabled a wide range of habitats to develop including ponds, dry and damp grassland and scrub. The presence of a substantial amount of clay and close proximity to the water table ensures that much of the site remains almost permanently waterlogged. This combined with the sheltered nature of much of the site creates a warm humid microclimate. This has been an important factor in the development of the special features of the site. The key features of most importance are the areas of improved/marshy grassland, the amphibian population, in particular the Great Crested Newt, the breeding bird population and the ponds.
 
The party set off down the Track through an old Nursery to the Reserve and observed a large depression formed by the extraction of Clay. We walked into the overgrown centre to look at the many reedy pools that attracted lots of Dragonflies and Butterflies.

We continued west to a track that led to His Bibi Lane which is an old Roman Road. At the bottom was the site of Hic Bibi Well.

We followed the River east to an earth bridge then walked up through a Corn Field and retraced our steps.

This is an ideal site that is overlooked and has potential for a future visit.  12 of the party retired to The Alison Arms for a well-deserved drink.

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​Read Menue: Dorset trip to Weymouth staying at The Fairhaven Hotel
Date: Monday to Friday 2nd to 6th May 2016
Weather: Lovely all week
Park: Coach Trip
Leader: Jean Wardle. Co Leaders: John Wilson/Graham Thomas
Party Number: 31

Tuesday: Arne RSPB Nature Reserve then onto Studland National Trust
Wednesday: Walking from the Hotel to Lodmore RSPB NR then onto Radipole Lake RSPB NR
Thursday: Portland then Chesil Beach

Click Read More below for a list of what we saw...​

Venue: Caerlaverock WWT Nature Reserve
Weather: Lovely Spring Day
Park: Caerlaverock Car Park (Coach Trip)
Leader: Jean Wardle
Party Number: 50

The coach left St Marys Hall at 8 am arriving at Caerlaverock for 11.15 am, after a small delay driving along narrow lanes with tight bridges, which were negotiated with great care.  After signing into the Reserve, the party explored the excellent habitat.  The weather was excellent for viewing the variety of wildlife.  The coach departed at 4.00 pm returning to the Hall for 7.00 pm.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.

It was five years since the last visit to this Reserve.  Outstanding Birds included; Short Eared Owl from the Avenue Tower. Red Kite over the Visitor Centre. Water Rail from the Peter Scott Trail and many skeins of Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans.

​Click Read More to see a list of what we saw...