​Rufford. Mere Lane.
Monday 8th July
Fine tried to rain. Overcast.

A party of 15 Members parked on the road near Tootle House Farm on Curlew Lane before walking slowly down Mere Lane on the corner of the farm. It tried to rain all evening and the weather was overcast but we escaped a drenching.
There was lots of bird activity including several Corn Buntings perched on wires and stalks in fields. Even perched on Corn stalks. Also a study of a ploughed field saw a lone Grey Partridge that flew in right through my binocular vision and 3 Stock Doves feeding nearby.
Could see a big barn over near Mere Sands Wood. This has a Barn Owl Box in the roof.
There were dozens of Swallows and House Martin's flying around a farm but no Swift's 
Lots of wild flowers by the roadside including; Willow Herb, Russian Cumfrey, Yarrow, and Burdock.
We had a friendly Farmer driving up and down the lane giving us free tips on the area.
Found an erratic boulder by the side of the lane that had been brought in by the ice many 1000's of years ago and when the fields were being cleared of debris, this would have been dragged to the side.  
Returned at 21.00 as we had not gone right to the bottom of Mere Lane.
A few people retired to The Hesketh Arms and sat outside with a well deserved drink after a lovely summer's evening.
A Barn Owl flew over the car on our way home near Tarleton.

​Much Hoole Moss
Monday 24th June 2019 19:00 - 21:30
Warm Cloudy Evening
Party of 12
Setting off from the corner of Carr Lane we headed east along Moss House Lane. “Look out for Barn Owl nesting in my barn.” Came the cry from a passing motorist seeing a horde of people with binoculars. We looked heading down the lane and also on our return but it kept well hidden on both occasions. Not dejected by this we kept to the lane and saw Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, and Great-spotted Woodpecker early on to restore the equilibrium also hearing Grey Partridge but the hedge was too high to see over it. Along the hedgerows were lots of seed-heads of Cow Parsley, flowering Hogweed, Bittersweet, also Lady’s Bedstraw and Cleavers.

A Lapwing stood alert watching the Magpies that were also there in the field whilst it’s two young fed. As we continued several of the group commented on the lack of swallows and house martins on the wing except for a token number of each for the evening, the plight of which is a real Europe wide concern as to the causes of the decline.
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On our return to the cars, we admired some of the older buildings with Graham, where he revealed the information that can be sort from some of the date stones.

​Burnley Hurstwood.
Saturday 22 June 2019. 10:00 - 15:45.
Weather Overcast becoming warm and sunny.
Party of 5.
It was overcast as we set off along the “Burnley way”, where we were greeted with a “Have you seen anything good yet?” “Not much so far!” came the reply, “as we’ve only just left the car park!”. He smiled and as we engaged with him about the splendour of the 16th century Hurstwood Hall and it’s surrounding buildings, he produced a picture of a Silver Pheasant seen from his nearby garden, it would be good to see one of those we thought as we headed off through the courtyard and continued on our way. Lady luck wasn’t with us though as we only heard a pheasant calling further along the path.

Winding our way through the wood, Chaffinch, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were still singing their song. When we reached the moorland clearing a Heron crossed the skyline with Skylark and Meadow Pipit surrounding us. Heading up the path we surprised a family party of half a dozen Mistle Thrush out of a copse, we went on to see several more along the way. Not bad for a bird now on the red list. Heading through a flowered meadow there were Painted Lady and Orange Tipped butterfly on the wing. Thistles a metre high stood out amongst Tormentil and Hedge bedstraw and which gave a base colour throughout and lining most of the pathway when we got through the meadow. As we travelled towards Shedden Clough there was a brilliant wall of colour given by masses of rhododendron bushes of various colours which were frequented by Redpoll, Robin and Blackbird. We enjoyed our lunch in view of the rhododendrons whilst sitting by Cant Clough beck.

Leaving the view behind us we tracked on up to Cant Clough Reservoir seeing a Sparrowhawk speeding high across the Reservoir swooping on feeding corvids who gave chase once they’d got their wits about them but she was far too quick and agile to be caught flying up above them in the blink of an eye. A common sandpiper managed to avoid detection until we reached the far side of the Reservoir given away by its call with a pied wagtail feeding its young. The path along the Reservoir also gave us several Small Heath butterflies after a little scrutinising.
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With Hurstwood Reservoir before us, we saw a flock of Goosander on the water before they dispersed to the far end out of the way of the many walkers taking advantage of the glorious afternoon sunshine.
Looking over the wall of the Reservoir there was ‘fox and cubs’ one of several hawkweeds giving a wave of colour to the grey concrete shoreline.

​Preston Docks. Bullnose. River Ribble
Monday 17th June
Fine. Breezy at first

A party of 19 set off from a car park on right after crossing the Dock via a swing bridge.
The first place was to have a look at the Terns that nest on the rafts. Lots of chicks being fed in the wooden nesting boxes. All Common  Terns identified from their red beaks with a black tip.We watched horrified as a Tern picked a chick up out of a nesting box and drop it into the dock. It was seen swimming around. One of the Terns tried to to pick it up without success. Eventually lost sight of it. 
Continued to the Bullnose via a Riverside path that went behind the Flats. It was breezy on the end so didn't hang around.
Crossed a footbridge then followed a path alongside the river and overlooked it at various points. 
Left the path and followed a rough path to the left that allowed access to descend to the water level and followed this to the first of 4 Pylons then returned. 
The breeze had dropped by now and it was a lovely summers evening.
Some of the party retired to The Ribble Pilot for a well deserved drink after a chance to to see the Ribble and all the beautiful scenery that a setting sun gave.

​Venue: Grimsargh Wetlands
Date: Monday 10th June 2019
Weather: Overcast 
Leader: John Finnan
Party Number: 12
As Monday’s warm and sunny afternoon faded into an overcast and heavy evening we began our walk down Pinfold Lane.
We set off later than usual after a bit of a mix-up over the parking but thankfully the rain stayed away long enough to see a reasonable list of birds. 
At the first screen along the lane both Harold and Ian being the tallest of the group were our best spotters as the grass through the screens was quite overgrown. Further down a Jay made off like a thief in the night into the trees when we startled him at a hedge clearing near the farm entrance. At the other screens the tall grass wasn’t as bad and were treated to a mixture of Hirundines and the ever decreasing Swift over the water all taking advantage of the laden sky’s. Up to half a dozen Little Ringed Plovers and Redshank were chasing each other over the spit whilst trying to avoid the fiery temperament of the Coot. Family parties of Blue Tit and Great Tit lead us down the lane with the high pitch calls of the Goldcrest in the tree canopy above us. Three Song Thrushes were competing for the best voice of the evening as we made our way back down the lane to the cars.
Some of the party stopped by Grimsargh Nature Reserve on the way home with the ever noisyOystercatcher scolding us as we walked along the footpath. Six Curlew were wheeling and calling over the water and gave us a pleasant end to the evening.
John Finnan

​Runshaw Ulnes Walton Leyland
Fine slight breeze
Monday 3rd June

A party of 28 met at The Plough PH (Jerries)at Runshaw before walking east to Tithe Barn Lane on the left. This had lots of birds on the lane including Dunnock and Song Thrush.
A gate on right gave views across to the rear of Runshaw Hall with a field full of birds including Lapwing and Stock Dove.
Continuing to corner of lane at Altcar Farm this now became Altcar Lane.
Followed this to the 17th century Snubsnape Farm. Turned left here then a path around large house. Followed track south and after picking our way through a herd of bullocks, we picked up path that eventually led to Bourne's Farm. A bonus here was a Lesser Whitethroat singing but quite a way off so not seen.
It was a lovely summers evening  and a joy to be out.
Some of the party had a well deserved drink in The Plough after a bird filled evening.

​The group gathered under overcast skies in South Cumbria and met our leader, David Morris. Following our briefing, we squeezed into three cars for our day of exploration.

Everyone was very upbeat about visiting reserves, new to some, with the chance of seeing species, not previously identified. One member immediately donned her waterproof trousers, “just in case”, usually a harbinger of sunny weather! Many of the group usually spend their time, looking upwards, scanning the trees for birds, whereas today would be spent mainly staring intently at the ground..!!

We started at Whitbarrow, Township Allotment and headed off through the wood. In almost the first clearing that we came to, we found a Duke of Burgundy butterfly, who patiently sat, as everyone took photographs. This was one of the “Star Species” for the Workshop, so got the day off to a flying start! (No pun intended!) This was closely followed by another rarity, a White Spotted Sable, a local day flying moth, which frequents limestone pavements around Morecambe Bay. So, we were on a roll! The Greater Butterfly Orchid, Early Purple Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Common Twayblade Orchid and Dark Red Helleborine were also all found on the reserve. Amongst other key flora, were Limestone Oak Fern and Rusty-back Fern, plus Common Whitebeam, flowering beautifully. There were numerous Yellow Meadow Ant nests but not a Green Woodpecker in sight! One of the group took a keen interest in the droppings of various mammals and everyone came away more enlightened about which mammals had visited the reserve before us!

So after lunch we headed for Meathop Moss, where we had excellent views of the Ospreys, Tree Pipit and Redpoll. We heard a Cuckoo in the distance and witnessed an altercation between a Jay and a Buzzard. Another “Star Species” was sighted; the Green Hairstreak Butterfly. Some members of the group tasted last year’s cranberries and people remarked on how tiny and widespread the Round Leafed Sundew is. There were numerous different types of Bee; we identified Tree Bumblebee and Orange Tailed Bumblebee. The Common Lizards kept darting off the boardwalk as we approached and the various Damselflies were busying themselves, as the sun started to break through the clouds. (So the waterproof trousers had had their desired effect!)

So, with the sun coming out even more strongly, we headed for Latterbarrow for our final stop of the day. The butterflies were taking full advantage of the good weather and we saw Small-bordered Fritillary, Large Skipper, Green Veined White, Speckled Wood and Peacock, as well as another appearance of the White Spotted Sable Moth. The find of the day had to be one sole specimen of Fly Orchid. One member of the group stopped to have a chat with the leader and after a couple of minutes looked down, querying what the plant next to their feet was? Just as well, they stood still! With binoculars or a good camera lens it is easy to see how the Fly Orchid got its name!

So, the day was drawing to a close as a Wolf Spider with an egg sack, also created a great amount of interest.

Members of the group got to their feet from various positions of kneeling or lying on the ground, from trying to get close-up images. They headed back to their cars, to go home, with the intention of identifying all of the species that they had captured on camera that day. Everyone was keen to stress how much they had enjoyed the day and how much they had learnt.
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How much must we normally miss, walking past, without noticing…….?!

​Thank you to Gili Armson, John Finnan, Clare Matthews, David Morris, Kayleigh Roebuck, and Graham Thomas for supplying the photos and to David Morris for his never ending enthusiasm for the natural world.


Janet Wall
Field Trip Organiser

​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.