Venue: Rufford Mere Sands Wood NR
Date: Monday 31ST July 2017
Weather: Fine Sunny lovely summer’s evening
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 24
Distance and Time: 3 miles 2.75 hours
A lovely summer's evening saw 20 people set off from The Hesketh Arms at Rufford.
We walked south down the A59 then right down Sluice Lane to a bridge over Boundary Sluice. We followed this ditch to Brick Kiln Lane and crossed still following the ditch now on opposite side and along a wooden walkway. We crossed Cousin's Lane then passed the Cricket Ground and into Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve. At this point 4 more people joined us.
We then walked around the Reserve still following the same ditch and walking west. We visited all the Hides with The Rufford Hide being first and was rewarded by observing a Kingfisher perched on a low branch which flew to another branch for excellent views. As time was against us we couldn't spend much time in the Hides so we continued to the others.
At The Visitor Center we continued along a path until a public footpath on left led us out of the NR and alongside a hedge to the road. We watched a Brown Hare running alongside a Corn Field.
At the road we turned right to walk back to the pub.
14 people retired to The Hesketh Arms for a well deserved drink after a lovely summer’s evening walk.
Date: Monday 31ST July 2017
Weather: Fine Sunny lovely summer’s evening
Leader: Graham Thomas/John Wilson
Party Number: 24
Distance and Time: 3 miles 2.75 hours
A lovely summer's evening saw 20 people set off from The Hesketh Arms at Rufford.
We walked south down the A59 then right down Sluice Lane to a bridge over Boundary Sluice. We followed this ditch to Brick Kiln Lane and crossed still following the ditch now on opposite side and along a wooden walkway. We crossed Cousin's Lane then passed the Cricket Ground and into Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve. At this point 4 more people joined us.
We then walked around the Reserve still following the same ditch and walking west. We visited all the Hides with The Rufford Hide being first and was rewarded by observing a Kingfisher perched on a low branch which flew to another branch for excellent views. As time was against us we couldn't spend much time in the Hides so we continued to the others.
At The Visitor Center we continued along a path until a public footpath on left led us out of the NR and alongside a hedge to the road. We watched a Brown Hare running alongside a Corn Field.
At the road we turned right to walk back to the pub.
14 people retired to The Hesketh Arms for a well deserved drink after a lovely summer’s evening walk.
| Canada Goose Mallard Wigeon. 40+ Teal f Shoveller f Tufted duck 10+ f Red Legged Partridge 1 Cormorant 25+ Grey Heron h Great Cr Grebe 1 Buzzard Kestrel m Coot Moorhen Lapwing Artic Tern Black Headed Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull Wood Pigeon Collared Gull | Kingfisher Great Spotted Woodpecker Magpie Carrion Crow Jackdaw Goldcrest h House Martin Swallow Swift Blue Tit h Great Tit h Starling Blackbird Goldfinch h Frog Brown Hare Pipistrelle Bat |