Trip reports

Male merlin perched on mossy hummock, Shetland Isles

Sunday, 27 November 2011

A cold and blustery wind met 16 members of the Lancaster local group as we met in the car park at Marshside. First stop was Sandgrounders hide, where the marsh was covered in wigeon, with several thousand birds dotted around. More...

Volunteer with children at the Osprey Centre, Loch Garten, Scotland

Saturday, 17 September 2011

About 37 bird species were seen of the usual types plus various butterflies, a fox showed well, other sightings were a Little Grebe still feeding 3 downy chicks, an overflying Raven, a Peregrine perched on a bridge parapet. More...

Adult and child birdwatching

Saturday, 11 June 2011

A report of our trip to locations including Trowbarrow Quarry, Hawes Water, Gait Barrows and Yealand Hall Allotments. More...

Dunnock on grass

Saturday, 7 May 2011

A party of some 15 members led by Robin Horner travelled across the Pennines to the R.S.P.B. Reserve at Old Moor in South Yorkshire. This landscape of fresh water pools with reed bed was created as a result of mining subsidence, and is now the home to many interesting birds that require this kind of habitat. More...

Visit to Geltsdale RSPB reserve

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

A report of our visit to Geltsdale, where we had an enjoyable day and an informative insight into the work of this Cumbrian reserve. More...

Male merlin perched on old fence post, Shetland

Saturday, 19 March 2011

A superb raptor watching day! More...

Male merlin perched on mossy hummock, Shetland Isles

Sunday, 20 February 2011

At 10.30am on a gloomy Sunday morning, ten of us met at Lane Ends Pilling, in anticipation of seeing the many birds - especially the wading birds that frequent this southern corner of Morecambe Bay during the late winter. More...

Visit to Martin Mere WWT Reserve

Sunday, 23 January 2011

A visit to Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve was enjoyed by 8 members of the Lancaster local group. Birds seen included large numbers of whooper swans and pinkfooted geese, plus brambling and wintering marsh harrier. More...

Male wigeon swimming

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

The 8th December 2010 was a day of bright sunshine, crystal clear visibility, and sub-zero temperatures. It seems that the latter, perhaps understandably, deterred many members from attending this meeting - in fact there were just two of us! More...

Oystercatcher wading in shallow water

Sunday, 10 October 2010

A report of our visit to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust reserve at South Walney. More...

Calling redshank in meadow

Saturday, 11 September 2010

We were lucky to have a warm, mainly sunny day for this walk round Sunderland Point. We started at Potts Corner, Middleton, and walked along to the point. More...

Willow warbler

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

10 people managed to find their way to the barn in Gaitbarrows Nature Reserve on a morning that began misty but soon became a beautiful, sunny summer day. There were quite a few birds around (Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler among others), but our main interest was in plants and butterflies. More...

Moorland landscape, Wales

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

A report of a walk up the Langden valley in search of hen herrier and ring ouzel. More...

Male redstart perched on branch

Saturday, 1 May 2010

A report of our walk in the Borrowdale Valley (near Tebay) for woodland and moorland birds. More...

Calling redshank in meadow

Wednesday, 31 March 2010

A report of a walk in the SIlverdale area, including Woodwell, Heald Brow, Jenny Brown's Point and Jack Scout. More...

Flock of pink-footed geese at dawn over Loch of Strathbeg

Sunday, 14 February 2010

On a cold and frosty morning 8 members of Lancaster Local Group met at Conder Green Picnic Area for a mini bus tour of the Fylde goose fields. More...

Calling redshank in meadow

Saturday, 5 December 2009

A report of a visit to Heysham Nature Reserve, including a guided tour from the warden, Reuben Neville. More...

Adult black-tailed godwit in summer plummage, at the RSPB Snettisham nature reserve, Norfolk

Sunday, 18 October 2009

Sickness and holidays reduced our numbers, but 9 hardy members met on a dull, raw morning with an east wind blowing. Little Egrets and Grey Heron were on the marsh and several small flocks of Redwing flew over. More...

Goldfinch on seed feeder

Saturday, 12 September 2009

A report of a day walking from Knott End by the banks of the River Wyre to Barnabys Sands. More...

Sedge warbler perched on phragmites

Sunday, 7 June 2009

A visit to the Hodbarrow RSPB reserve at Millom produced sightings of sandwich terns, gulls, ducks, waders and passerines. More...

Chiffchaff standing on gorse

Saturday, 9 May 2009

A windy walk on Warton Crag with birds, wonderful views and an insight into the management of the Crag for wildlife. More...

Male blackcap in hawthorn bush

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Report of a visit to Scorton picnic area and the river Wyre for spring woodland and riverine species, followed by a visit to Wyresdale fisheries. More...

Oystercatcher wading in shallow water

Saturday, 28 March 2009

A visit on a cold blustery day to search for spring migrants such as wheatear. More...

Flock of pink-footed geese at dawn over Loch of Strathbeg

Saturday, 28 February 2009

A visit to the Pilling area for geese. More...

Visit to Martin Mere

Sunday, 18 January 2009

Report of a visit to Martin Mere Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust reserve for Whooper Swans and wildfowl. More...

Long-tailed tit perched on branch

Sunday, 7 December 2008

Report of a visit to an ice covered Pennington Flash More...

Adult black-tailed godwit in summer plummage, at the RSPB Snettisham nature reserve, Norfolk

Saturday, 15 November 2008

Report of a visit to the Barrow area of Morecambe Bay, mainly for waders and ducks. More...

Adult and child birdwatching

Saturday, 11 October 2008

Report of a walk by the Lune from Lancaster to Skerton, Denny Beck and Crook-o-Lune. More...

View of Bempton Cliffs

Sunday, 15 June 2008

On a day of sunshine & showers, 22 members of the local RSPB group enjoyed a day's outing to the seabird colony at Bempton Cliffs for views of Gannet, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin and other species. More...

Heather moor at Geltsdale

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

A visit to Geltsdale RSPB reserve in Cumbria for a walk with the Warden. More...

Cuckoo perched in tree

Saturday, 31 May 2008

A visit to Torver moor near Coniston for moorland birds. More...

Adult and child birdwatching

Saturday, 17 May 2008

A visit to the Kentmere valley in Cumbria for spring migrants and resident birds. More...

Avocet wading in water

Wednesday, 23 April 2008

A visit to Marshside for breeding Avocets, waders, wildfowl and summer migrants ... More...

Male green woodpecker feeding on ground

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

A visit to Marbury Country Park in Cheshire for woodland birds and the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker More...

View over reedbed, Leighton Moss

Saturday, 8 March 2008

Due to adverse weather conditions, the Warton Slag Tips visit was cancelled and the local group visitied Leighton Moss instead. More...

Flock of pink-footed geese at dawn over Loch of Strathbeg

Sunday, 10 February 2008

A visit to the Pilling area for wild geese More...

Visit to Rampside area, Cumbria

Saturday, 12 January 2008

A visit to Rampside and Cavendish/Ramsden Docks in Cumbria by 18 members of the Local Group, including sighting of few rare birds! More...

Adult and child birdwatching

Saturday, 8 December 2007

In terrible weather, nine members met for the visit to Heysham Nature Reserve & visit the harbour & the north harbour wall. More...

Adult male siskin on feeder

Sunday, 18 November 2007

A visit to the Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserve at Mere Sands Wood, Rufford. More...

Drake teal profile

Saturday, 27 October 2007

Report of a visit to Rosall for passage migrants and waders. More...

Oystercatcher wading in shallow water

Saturday, 29 September 2007

Report of a walk from Overton to Sunderland Point, watching high tide birds. More...

Little ringed plover wading in shallow water

Sunday, 17 June 2007

A total of 11 members met at Foulney under a very grey sky. Whilst waiting for everyone to get gear together, the sky brightened & a decision was made to walk to the end of Foulney spit  More...

Great spotted woodpecker on branch

Friday, 8 June 2007

An evening meeting at which 6 members turned up on a pleasant summer evening to walk along the banks of the River Lune at Arkholme (thanks to J Mathews for showing the way).

The fir More...

Cuckoo perched in tree

Saturday, 2 June 2007

This was a new venue for the group to visit & eleven members made the journey. Many thanks to Selina for sharing the beauty of her local patch & for leading the way.
As we were s More...

Male chaffinch singing on branch

Saturday, 19 May 2007

RSPB visit today. 12 people attended. Very windy on the top, more sheltered in the dale. Heavy showers at lunchtime made us give up a little early.

Buzzard, kestrel, sparrowhawk, ph More...

Wheatear in spring

Wednesday, 2 May 2007

Big surprises for everyone today. First it was fine but looking cold - then it turned out very warm. Secondly, those who arrived early for the walk (not me!) saw a red kite on the hillside o More...

View over reedbed, Leighton Moss

Sunday, 22 April 2007

In spite of the weather, 14 people turned out for the Local Group gathering today. We were due to visit Silverdale area from the Allen/Morecambe car park, but the weather changed our minds a More...

male stonechat perched on bramble

Saturday, 24 March 2007

On the journey from Lancaster it was interesting to note the high numbers of Lapwings in the upland pasture fields, but just as noticeable was the lack of Curlews & Redshanks in areas wh More...

Short-eared owl sitting on the ground

Saturday, 10 March 2007

Eight members of the local group made a early start on a cool grey & blustery morning to journey to Teesdale to look for Black Grouse.

On the journey the following species were  More...

little egret, wading, water

Wednesday, 21 February 2007

The RSPB Lancaster local group's outing to Deeside took place on February 21st. About ten people made the trip to the meeting point at Parkgate: those driving along the front were distracted More...

Estuary at sunset, Mersehead RSPB reserve

Sunday, 21 January 2007

The first outing of 2007 was to Mersehead RSPB reserve on the Solway. Eight members made the journey by car (car sharing) the weather was indifferent on the journey, but whilst there was ple More...

little egret, wading, water

Saturday, 9 December 2006

The last outing of 2006 was a local one to Overton and a walk along the banks of the River Lune towards Bazil Point. A total of 16 members attended and again we were lucky with the weather,  More...

Long-tailed tit perched on branch

Saturday, 18 November 2006

Pennington Flash - 18 November 2006

Ten members of the Lancaster Local Group paid a visit to Pennington Flash Country Park which is situated 1 mile from Leigh town center. The weath More...

male stonechat perched on bramble

Sunday, 8 October 2006

Lancaster RSPB Local Group outing to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust South Walney Reserve, on the opposite side of Morcambe Bay to Lancaster.

On arriving at the reserve car park, the wea More...

RSPB Old Moor nature reserve landscape

Sunday, 17 September 2006

A warm and pleasant day when the members of the local RSPB group arrived at the Old Moor RSPB Reserve near Barnsley. It was soon very apparent that we had picked a busy day to visit & th More...