Events

Bins and Boots Walk - Ladderedge

Location: Ladderedge Country Park, Leek.
Park at Westwood Golf Club (main car park) situated just more than a mile southwest of Leek. The golf club is signposted off the A53 Newcastle Road, after the descent of Ladderedge.
Landranger: SJ 966547
Postcode: ST13 7AA (Google map)

This is a leisurely walk of up to two and a half hours led by an experienced local bird watcher.
Ladderedge Country Park comprises 70 acres of fields and woodland, with ponds, marshland and streams, lying in two contrasting sections. A main hilly section of the park lies to the south where there are commanding views over Leek and towards the Peak District. To the north there is the flat Barnfields section of the park, lying alongside the River Churnet. It is an ideal place for a walk to explore, observe and study wildlife habitats.
Leader: Jenny Wright

Time: 10.00 am

Price: Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

February Indoor Meeting

Location: North Staffordshire Conference Centre/Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT
Postcode: ST4 7NY (Google map)

DR. MICHAEL LEACH
ANIMALS BEHAVING BADLY
Long term members of the Group will need no introduction to Dr. Michael Leach. For those of you who have missed his earlier talks here are the reasons why you should not miss this one. Michael Leach has been a full-time wildlife author and photographer since 1977. He has travelled extensively to track down some of the world's most charismatic wildlife working with polar bears in the Arctic, lemurs in Madagascar, mountain gorillas in Rwanda, orang-utans in Borneo, sperm whales around the Azores, monkeys in the Amazon rainforest and countless other species in their natural habitat. During this time he has seen birds and animals learning to cut corners and demonstrating some truly surprising behaviour. Tonight he is coming to tell us about it. Not to be missed!
SPONSORED BY BENTLEYS CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS Tel: 01782 811493 evenings 711420

Time: 7.30 pm

Price: Price: Group Member £2.50, Member concessions £2.00, Non-members £4.00, Non-member concessions £3.50 and Children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Birdwatching Trip to Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve 2012

Location: Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve, near Coventry
Postcode: CV3 3GW (Google map)

This is a coach visit organised by the North Staffs Group and open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
Our last trip to Brandon Marsh was snowed off so let us hope the weather is kinder to us on this occasion.
Brandon Marsh is a superb mosaic of open water, wetland and grassland which attracts a wonderful variety of wildlife. It is especially important for birds throughout the year. At the end of the nineteenth century the area was enclosed farmland with two small woodlands and small wetland areas in the flood plain of the River Avon. Today the landscape is totally different due to coal mining causing subsidence which led to the formation of "Brandon Floods", a large lake linked directly to the river, which first attracted wetland birds and birdwatchers to the site. Then from the 1950's to the 1980's quarrying creating further areas of open water and opportunities for wetland plants to colonise. Birdwatchers worked alongside the gravel company to enhance the area's wildlife value. In 1973 the importance of the site was recognised through its designation as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Then in 1981 Warwickshire Wildlife Trust entered into a formal agreement with the gravel company, and has worked in partnership with the volunteer group and the company to create the marsh of today. Quarrying ceased in 1989 and today all that remains is a superb wetland nature reserve.
Facilities include visitor centre, tea room, hides, toilets and a shop.

Time: All day

Price: Price to be announced.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 614535

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Car Share Birding Trip to Venus Pool

Location: Venus Pool is just south of the A458 Shrewsbury to Much Wenlock road. The reserve is easy to find situated approx half a mile down a minor road off the A458. Take the second right after heading out of Cross Houses in the direction of Bridgnorth. The car park is situated on the left approx half a mile along this minor road. Landranger: SJ548062

This visit is organised by the North Staffs Group and is open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
Originally a large pool in a field this site was acquired by the Shropshire Ornithological Society and work commenced to improve the habitat for wildfowl and wading birds. The species list has grown ever since to over 150. There are now a few public hides and regular visitors to our Indoor Meeting will remember Jim Almond's excellent talk on a year's birding at Venus Pool. After that talk I promised myself a visit. Come and join us. There are no facilities at Venus Pool but there is a pub in Cross Houses 2km away.

Time: 10.00 a.m.

Price: Sharing cost of petrol.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 618152

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

March Indoor Meeting

Location: North Staffordshire Conference Centre/Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT
Postcode: ST4 7NY (Google map)

PETER HOLDEN, MBE.
A CELEBRATION OF BIRDS
Peter is now retired after working for nearly 40 years for the RSPB where he was the national organiser of the junior section and created the Big Garden Birdwatch. He is passionate about birds and inspiring people about wildlife. We have always been impressed and inspired by speakers who have an intimate knowledge of the workings of the Society and Peter will continue this trend.
SPONSORED BY GARNERS GARDEN CENTRE www.garnersgardencentre.co.uk

Time: 7.30 pm

Price: Price: Group Member £2.50, Member concessions £2.00, Non-members £4.00, Non-member concessions £3.50 and Children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Birdwatching Trip to Potteric Carr Nature Reserve 2012

Location: Potteric Carr Nature Reserve near Doncaster, Yorkshire
Postcode: DN4 8DB (Google map)

This is a coach visit organised by the North Staffs Group and open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
Potteric Carr is Yorkshire Wildife Trust's flagship nature reserve. Its wide range of habitats from open water and marsh to grassland and woodland, covering an area of about 500 acres, give it a rich diversity of wildlife. In addition, Potteric Carr's footpaths through attractive scenery make it an ideal venue for all kinds of visitors ranging from those who simply enjoy a walk in the outdoors to the nature enthusiast. Recent visits have given us excellent views of bittern and water rails. Facilities include a Field Centre with café where a variety of hot and cold drinks, snacks and meals are available. Toilets are available.

Time: All day

Price: Price to be announced.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 614535

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Bins and Boots Walk - Whitemore Nature Reserve

Location: Location: Whitemore Nature reserve, Gillow Heath, Biddulph. Park at Smokies Way car park just off Halls Road on the left. We would suggest going through Biddulph towards Congleton on the A527, turning left immediately after the Biddulph Arms pub into Halls Road and going along there for about 500 yards or so.
Landranger: SJ 879 588

Whitemore Nature Reserve encompasses the first mile of the Biddulph Valley Way. Mixed deciduous woodland extends up to 75 metres either side of the disused mineral railway line where it forms the local nature reserve. In winter birds such as nuthatch, treecreeper, woodpeckers and mixed flocks of tits and finches use the mixed deciduous woodland. Redwing and fieldfare are often feeding in the hedges along the boundary of the reserve.
Leader: Eddie and Janet Wainscott

Time: 10.00 am

Price: Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Car Share Birding Trip to World's End, near Llangollen

Location: World's End is a narrow valley located between Wrexham and Llangollen. It lies at the head of the Eglwyseg Valley. Car park at SJ232483. World's End can be approached via either Wrexham or Llangollen.
From Wrexham, take the A525 Ruthin road. Take the B5426 through Minera, and after 1 mile take the minor road to Eglwyseg. The World's End car park is 4-5 miles along this road.
From Llangollen, take the A542 Ruthin road. About 1.5 miles past Pentrefelin, take the minor road to Eglwyseg. Carry on through the village; the car park is about 2 miles further on.
There are no facilities at World's End.
There are a number of other possible sites in the area which we could decide to attend on the day.
Latitude/longitude: 53.0264,-3.1465 (Google map)

This visit is organised by the North Staffs Group and is open to any bird watchers or nature watchers. World's End lies on a single track road from the small village of Minera near Wrexham, which crosses Esclusham Mountain and the Ruabon Moors to the car park at the top of the Eglwyseg valley. The area provides spectacular scenery at all times of the year. It is a marvellous birdwatching area and at this time of year siskins, crossbills, black grouse, ravens, buzzards, peregrines are possible sightings. We hope to be on site by 8.00 a.m. so that we may see black grouse.

Time: 8.00 a.m. at World's End.

Price: Share cost of petrol for the journey.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 618152

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

April Indoor Meeting

Location: North Staffordshire Conference Centre/Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT
Postcode: ST4 7NY (Google map)

KEITH OFFORD
ARISTOCRATS OF THE AIR
Keith has visited us many times and never fails to entertain and interest us. Whilst Keith needs no introduction to our members he may not be as well known by general visitors to this site. Keith established a passion for birds at an early age, and a childhood of birdwatching led to a particular interest in birds of prey. He studied bird of prey hunting behaviour at university as part of his Zoology degree. Although primarily a field ornithologist, he is also a keen photographer and has a wealth of slides to illustrate his talks. Each title is a careful blend of science, anecdote and humour and will appeal to both novices and experts alike. If you have never heard Keith, come along and have a wonderful entertaining evening. Those who know him are delighted to welcome him back.

Time: 7.30 pm

Price: Group Member £2.50, Member concessions £2.00, Non-members £4.00, Non-member concessions £3.50 and Children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Birdwatching Trip to Whisby Nature Park 2012

Location: Whisby Nature Park, Lincolnshire.
Postcode: LN6 9BW (Google map)

This is a coach trip organised by the North Staffs Group and open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
Whisby Nature Park is a 150-hectare Local Nature Reserve located about 7 miles southwest of Lincoln directly north of the village of Thorpe on the Hill. The Whisby Pits are the result of the excavation of sand and gravel, which were deposited in the valley of the River Witham by the retreating ice cap during the last glaciation. Some of the other pits have been developed for fishing, sailing and water skiing, but the major part of the complex of pits and former processing areas have been set aside for wildlife and quiet public enjoyment.The Nature Park was opened in 1989. The complex of small, medium and large flooded gravel pits has now become 'greened' by up to 40 years of natural colonization. There are seven hides placed to overlook various lakes, with four of them at Grebe Lake. The bird feeding station is worth a look for blue tits, long-tailed tits, robins, greenfinches, chaffinches, great spotted woodpeckers, blackbirds, house sparrows and tree sparrows. If you are lucky you may hear and perhaps even see a nightingale. Treecreeper, green woodpecker and little owl breed on the reserve. If you are interested in butterflies a total of 28 species have been recorded on the reserve.
Facilities include toilets, café/restaurant providing home cooked hot and cold meals. The balcony outside the visitor centre gives excellent views over one of the lakes so you can enjoy coffee and cake and watch birds at the same time.

Time: All day

Price: Price to be announced.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 614535

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Bins and Boots Walk -Berryhill Fields

Location: Berryhill Fields. Park at Berry Hill Village, Arbourfield Drive off B5040, Dividy Road
Landranger: SJ 904 463
Postcode: ST2 0EU (Google map)

Berryhill has a long history of mining and agriculture. During the first half of the 20th century two coal mines operated on the site and small scale farming continued. In the 1950's the land was acquired for housing, which was never built, and in the 1980's the area faced the prospect of becoming an open cast mine. A long battle saw the application for mining refused in 1994 and the site was declared as a national Millennium Project in 1995. Today, much of the site is covered by grassland and a long list of bird species have been seen here. We are visiting this site in April because it is a top site for wheatear, whinchat and redstart in Spring and we are fortunate in having the services of Russell Toon who lives nearby and spends a fair amount of his time on Berryhill. If there is a bird about, Russell will know about it.
Leader: Russell Toon

Time: 10.00 am

Price: Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Car Share Birding Trip to Croxhall Lakes and Whitemoor Haye

Location: Croxall car park at SK189139. From Rugeley follow the A513 passing through Kings Bromley and Alrewas. Continue along this road passing over the A38. After approximately a mile you will pass over the River Tame, which forms the western boundary of the reserve. The entrance to the nature reserve is the second track on your left. There is a very limited space for cars at the entrance at Croxall. There are toilets and a café at the Arboretum.
Postcode: WS13 8QX (Google map)

This visit is organised by the North Staffs Group and is open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
Today's visit is to an excellent birding area with three sites worthy of visits namely Croxall Lakes, Whitemoor Haye and the Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. The location description takes you to Croxall but the order in which we do them will be a decision for the day depending on the birding information we have about the sites.

Time: 10.00 a.m. at Croxall Lakes.

Price: Sharing cost of petrol for the journey and car parking at Arboretum..

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 618152

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

May Indoor Meeting

Location: North Staffordshire Conference Centre/Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT
Postcode: ST4 7NY (Google map)

STEPHEN LOVELL
NORTH AND SOUTH: THE KIWI TOUR

Time: 7.30 pm

Price: Group Member £2.50, Member concessions £2.00, Non-members £4.00, Non-member concessions £3.50 and Children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Birdwatching Trip to Walney Island South 20th May 2012

Location: Walney Island South, Barrow in Furness.
Postcode: LA14 3YQ (Google map)

This is a coach trip organised by the North Staffs Local Group and open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
South Walney forms the southern tip of a shingle island lying at the end of the Furness Peninsula and is famous for having the largest mixed ground-nesting of herring and lesser black-back gulls in Europe. During the medieval period it was farmed by the monks of Furness Abbey, whilst during the 19th and 20th centuries salt, sand and gravel were extracted leaving large lagoons which now attract birds. We will be on the reserve in the breeding season. Every spring, large numbers of lesser black backed and herring gulls return and begin to set up nest territories. Other breeding birds include greater black backed gull, shelduck, oystercatcher, ringed plover, mallard, moorhen and coot. The area also attracts large numbers of eider duck who come here to breed in nurseries of up to 100 young. We also hope to see passage migrants such as wheatear, redstart, willow warbler and goldcrest as well as more unusual species, which may have been blown off their normal migration route. Common, little and sandwich terns are regularly seen. Could be a very good day.
There are eight hides and toilets but no refreshments are available

Time: All day

Price: Price to be announced.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 614535

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Bins and Boots Walk - Wetley Moor

Location: Wetley Moor Werrington, Armshead Road car park on the left off A52
Landranger: SJ 938 480

Wetley Moor is a 118 hectare area of common land and lowland heathland in Werrington Parish adjacent to Stoke on Trent. Seventy hectares of the site were designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1995 because of its lowland heathland interest. Information from Bird Forum Opus: meadow pipit is a characteristic bird with snipe and jack snipe found on the ground within the moorland area and lapwing and curlew present in the adjacent fields. Grasshopper warbler are on-site during the summer, with visiting wheatear occasional. Linnets are summer birds, plus the usual array of summer visitors with willow warbler totals probably well over 40 pairs around the edge of the site.
This is an area known well by very local birders in Werrington but few of us have visited it ourselves. Here is a chance to have an experienced birder lead you round the site.
Leader: Geoff Sales

Time: 10.00 am

Price: Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Birdwatching Trip to Rutland Water 2012

Location: Rutland Water, near Oakham, Rutland.
Postcode: LE15 8BT (Google map)

This is a coach visit organised by the North Staffs Group and open to any bird watchers or nature watchers.
This extensive reserve has a variety of habitats including three large lagoons providing suitable habitat for a wide variety of waders and wildfowl throughout the year. There are more than 10 hides.
Areas of willow scrub and young plantations attract warblers and other passerines. There are ancient hay meadows, small areas of ancient woodland and hedges which help to encourage species of wild flowers, butterflies and dragonflies that are rare elsewhere.
The highlight of our last visit were the breeding ospreys and we hope to see them again on this visit. We also saw hawking hobbys and nightingales and the best view I have ever had of stock doves.
Facilities include toilets and shop. Refreshments and hot drinks are available.

Time: All day

Price: Price to be announced.

Booking essential

Telephone: 01782 614535

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Bins and Boots Walk - Fordhall Farm

Location: Fordhall Farm, Market Drayton, A53 off Muller's Dairy roundabout.
Landranger: SJ 648 329
Postcode: TF9 3PS (Google map)

This is a leisurely walk of up to two and a half hours led by an experienced local bird watcher.
Fordhall Farm is the first community - owned farm in England. Besides the farm and farm shop a farm trail has been developed through woodlands, over wetlands and diverse grass meadows. From the trail, pied wagtail, lapwing, buzzards, teal, chiffchaff, woodpeckers, thrush, reed bunting and many other species have been seen. Who knows what other birds you may find? Come for a good walk and then do your shopping and visit the coffee shop later.
Leader: Geoff Sales

Time: 10.00 am

Price: Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk

Bins and Boots Walk - Loynton Moss

Location: Loynton Moss, Eccleshall (Staffs Wildlife Trust reserve.) Go through Woodseaves on the A519 heading towards Newport. In about a mile you will cross the Shropshire Union Canal which forms the eastern boundary of the reserve. Approximately 200 metres past the canal on the right is the entrance to the reserve. There is a small car park.
Landranger: SJ 789 243
Leader: Geoff Sales
Postcode: ST20 0NX (Google map)

Loynton Moss is situated at Loynton, near the village of Woodseaves. The Shropshire Union Canal runs through the reserve on its way from nearby Norbury to High Offley. The Moss is one of a number of meres and mosses of glacial origin found in the north - west Midlands area. The reserve is a rich, diverse wetland teeming with life. Numerous insect species utilise this distinctive habitat attracting many bird species.

Time: 10.00 am

Price: Free

Telephone: 01782 262082

E-mail: daylateuk@yahoo.co.uk