Winter Field Excursions 2019-20
Programme of Winter Field Excursions 2019-20
2019
Monday 21st October
Fungus Foray at Hay Bridge Nature Reserve. Meet W.I. at 9.30 am. or Hay bridge car park (SD3364 8761) at 10.30 am.
Helen Speed
Thursday, 28th November
Conder Green and Glasson Dock. Meet WI 10.00 am or Conder Green Picnic Area car park, (SD456 562) at 10.45 am.
Pete Moreton
Thursday, 19th December
Christmas Lunch preceded by a local walk. Details to follow. Meet WI 9.15 am or Silverdale Hotel, at 9.30 am.
Lunch at Silverdale Hotel, 12.30 for 1.00 pm.
Pete Stevens and/or David Talbot
2020
Monday 13th January
Knott End and the River Wyre estuary. Meet at the WI at 9.45 am. or Knott End car park (SD3464 4842) for start at 10.45 am.
High tide is about 12.50pm and its one of the highest of the month. We will spend the first 45 minutes around the mouth of the estuary, looking for birds on the in-coming tide and the lower section of the river.
We will then lead a walk of about 4miles maximum. This is a circular walk starting and finishing at Knott End car park. The walk follows the river Wyre south to Barnaby’s sands – a salt marsh which should be good for waders on the high tide. The route then doubles back and turns inland (by a large green gate) over low lying farmland, to return to Knott End.
NB please make sure on the way back, at Hackensall Hall you check the Wyre way signpost and follow the sign for Knott End.
In winter this area is good for flocks of waders – lapwing, dunlin, redshank, golden & grey plover, black & bar tailed godwit, curlew etc. A variety of duck species should be on the river or the lakes at Preesall. Raptors can include kestrel, sparrow hawk, peregrine and buzzard. Flocks of twite and smaller numbers of snow bunting could also be about. The area hosts barn, tawny and little owl, and in winter occasional short eared owl. Winter thrushes and the usual suspects (finches, tits etc) should also be seen.
There are toilets (20p per visit!) in the car park and a café near the ferry point. The café is open 09.30am – 4.00pm.
Pete Stevens
Wednesday 12th February Cancelled due to weather conditions
Members should still meet at the WI at 9.15 when we can decide the details of the day. Should we decide to go into the afternoon we will find a local café or hostelry for lunch, so no need to bring a packed lunch."
South Walney Meet W.I. at 9.15 am. or CWT Car park, South Walney (SD215 621) at 10.30 am.
High tide of 10.1 metres is due at 13.33. From the car park we will make our way along the edge of the inside channel towards the main wader roost, where we can watch the incoming birds during our lunch time.
We will then cross the island to see what may be visible on the seaward side. The site is exposed, and frequently windy. Walking will be along a track and over grass covered sand dunes, therefore dry underfoot.
Species seen will be dependent on weather, the focus being waders, sea-duck, grey seals, and possibly divers or other seabirds.
John Webb
Monday 30th March
Abbeystead Lake, looking for early spring migrants and/or overwintering wildfowl. Meet at the WI at 9.40 a.m. or the car park at Stoops bridge (SD564 544) at 10.30 a.m.
Paul Daunter