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INDOOR MEETINGS PROFILE FOR JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2006
Indoor
meetings are held on MONDAYS
(third
monday of the month, see dates) in the church hall of
Mossley Meetings commence at 7. 30pm and last about 2 hours with an interval for refreshments. Admission charges Adults £1 and Accompanied Juniors 60p. The admission charge includes Tea/Coffee during the interval. All donations gratefully received. There is a car park at the hall, and Merseybus routes 61 & 80 stop nearby. Mossley Hill station is a 3 min. walk away. Check with Merseytravel for details of bus and train times Car parking at indoor meetings - If the car park at the Church is full when you arrive, please DO NOT park on the grass. You may park your vehicle in Mossley Hill Road. Thank you.
JANUARY 16th
To start our 34th year, we extend a very warm welcome to a popular speaker with the group, Colin Twist. Over the years he has expertly shown us just what can be found locally and further a field in all aspects of the natural world. Tonight he will illustrate and tell us about The Rarest in Britain, often to be found in habitat and locations we often take for granted . A rewarding and intriguing evening awaits. FEBRUARY 20th MARCH 20th
*MAY 15th
SEPTEMBER 18th G'day
cobbers. Tonight's
speaker Tony
Duckles goes walkabout to the billabong to
identify a few chooks. Another overseas trip this
year to Australia
& New Zealand - should be a beaut.
OCTOBER
16th
Well its that man again! Making his now long established annual visit to us, we as always extend a warm welcome to Gordon Yates. Natural Heritage of the Pennines is the title of his superb cine films tonight. One performance only, so come early to claim your seat on an evening guaranteed to please.
NOVEMBER
20th
Ever
seen a Blue-headed Bee-eater or a Green-throated
Sunbird? Tonight's
speaker is
Mike McKavett . He will takes us on
an African adventure, to explore the Sapphire
that is Kakamega. A tropical rainforest
along the north eastern edge of the Lake Victoria
basin - an important conservation area,
famous for its birds and butterflies
DECEMBER
4th
For our concluding lecture, we welcome Tim Melling, a knowledgeable, conservation officer for the RSPB since 1988. An expert on birds, mammals, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and wild flowers. His talk tonight an intriguing - 'Whats' in a Name?
Meeting profiles compiled by Howard Mills
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OUTDOOR MEETING PROFILES FOR JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2006.
Meet 10:30am at Hightown Station, 0953 train from Liverpool Central. A circular walk from Hightown to Hall Road and back again via the meadows, shoreline and dunes. Wintering waders and passerines are likely to be seen. No facilities LEADER: Dave Hardy (Tel: 077221 27974 )
Our annual visit to a popular venue in north Wales. Meet 11.00am at the sea front promenade car park at Llanfairfechan (90 min drive from Liverpool) Birds likely to be seen include Divers, Waders and Wildfowl. Tiolet facilities available. 9.3m high tide at 10.25am. The outing may include a visit to the RSPB reserve at Conwy, so remember to bring your RSPB membership cards. LEADER Eddie Seal (Tel 228 3064)
Meet 10.45am at Wigan Pier Car Park in Haig Street, Wigan (5 mins walk from both railway stations). Covering an area of 593 acres. A walk on level paths, but which can be muddy at times. A good variety of water and woodland species should be seen. Home to 15 different types of dragonfly, 5 species of rare orchid and 200 bird species they also provide an over-wintering and breeding habitat for the rare bittern. Recommended route: A580 to Carr Mill, then left at lights onto the A571 and follow into Wigan, then just after bridge over the canal, turn left into the one way street then first right - car park on right opposite Wigan Pier. Allow 50-60mins.Facilities in Wigan town centre BUT not on the walk LEADER: John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile 077032 246632) A wintertime visit to a popular reserve owned and managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. NOTE: There is a charge of £2 for non LWT members. Reserve is half a mile west of Rufford on the B5246, which runs between the A59 at Rufford and A565 at Mere Brow Birds likely to be seen include woodland and water species and hopefully the elusive Kingfisher. Facilities at the Visitor Centre. LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
Meet 10.30am at the country park car park. A new venue for the group, the Park covers 480 acres of attractive countryside walks, nature trails, orienteering course, cycle-way, and borders a cemetery. Walk suitable for wheelchairs. The visitor centre set in early 19thC stable-block has a small mammal collection, the old stables tearoom and information point. The habitat should produce a variety of species. Allow about 75mins to get there. Northbound M65 to jct29 , then the M65 as far as jct 3 (Blackburn South), then the A674 towards Blackburn to the country park. Follow the Brown signs on leaving the M65. The car park is exactly 4 miles from the eM65 .Toilet and refreshment facilities available. LEADER: Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285or Mobile 07710-217663)
Meet 10.30am at Earlestown Station (10.18 train from Lime street to Manchester Victoria). an easy 3 or 4 mile walk along footpaths, lanes and towpath on the remaining section of the St Helens canal. Mostly open countryside, but nevertheless should see a mixed variety of species. No facilities on walk. There is a half -hourly return train service. LEADER: LEADER: Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285 or Mobile 07710-217663 )
Meet 10.30am at the reserve car park. Shallow pool adjacent to the estuary should produce a variety of wading and duck species. Access is from the A55 Expressway, leaving at the exit signposted to Conwy & Deganwy. Toilet and refreshment facilities available. Pathways are suitable for wheelchairs, as are 2 of the 3 hides. NOTE:. Please bring your RSPB membership cards, OTHERWISE there is an admission charge. LEADER: Stephen Menzie (Tel: 428 5409 or Mobile 07759 597 660)
Meet 10.30am at the Promenade, bottom of Dee Lane, West Kirby (0940 train from Liverpool Central) Easy walk along the sands to Red Rocks for sedentary bird watching, returning through he dunes, time and weather permitting a section of the Wirral Way. Large wader flocks and dune and heath species likely. Facilities should be available. Wellingtons recommended. 9.4m high tide at 12.25pm LEADER: Howard
Mills (Tel: 226
3285 or Mobile 07710-217663)
12 Noon Speke Hall
The largest intertidal reedbed in England and is an important wildlife area in the Humber estuary. With its 474 acres/192 ha of tidal reedbeds, saltmarsh, mudflats and brackish lagoons, Blacktoft Sands has a wide variety of special birds, including bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets. A relatively easy walk around the Reserve, hopefully seeing bearded tit, marsh harrier, water rail, waders and avocets. 6 Hides. Facilities on site. Meet 10.30 Ferrybridge services Jct 33 M62/A1 past LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
Meet 10.45am at Risley Moss Car Park Risley Moss is an area of peat bog situated near Birchwood. 3 short way-marked trails, winding through wood and meadow. An Observation Tower for a panoramic view of the mosslands at tree top height. The Woodland Hide feeding station attracts over 20 species including nuthatch, blue and long-tailed tits, robins and greenfinch. Greater spotted Woodpeckers visit daily. Out on the mossland over 200 species of birds have been recorded including short-eared owl, hen harrier, hobby, peregrine falcon and the occasional osprey along with numerous wildfowl and wetland birds such as snipe and pink-footed geese. Rixton Clay Pits supports an exceptionally large breeding population of great crested newts. Paths will take you to ponds, wildflower meadows and woodland. A gentle stroll around two very nice nature reserves looking at breeding birds such as warblers, finches, and ducks.Toilets at Risley Moss Visitor Centre. LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
Meet 10.30am at Car Park.There is a visitor centre here.. Birds to see? - Dipper, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail in the stream and Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Woodpeckers, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart in the woods . LEADER: LEADER: John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile 077032 246632)
Meet 10.45 at the park car park. A popular beauty spot on a horse shoe bend in the River Lune to the North of Lancaster. The Lake District fells are visible in the distance from the Crook of Lune Bridge. The river passes under Penny Bridge (formerly a toll bridge) this is also a picnic site.. Wooded river banks, surrounding countryside and the 6 mile long Lune Millennium Cycleway. Dippers, Buzzard, Brambling, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Jay
LEADER: Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285or Mobile 07710-217663)
Meet 11.00am at car park. Newborough Warren on the Braint
Estuary is a sand dune system
covering approximately 1300ha of blown sand on the
island of Anglesey in North Wales. The site includes a
large planted forest of some 720ha national nature reserve on Anglesey. LEADER: LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
RSPB Old Moor is one of the RSPB Dearne Valley reserves. The Dearne Valley is
an important area for breeding and passage wading
birds and wintering wildfowl. RSPB Old Moor also has a
colony of tree sparrows. A mix of habitats includes
open water, marsh, reedbeds and grassland .This
is a joint coach trip with the MNA.
Coach cost £12.00 please contact John Clegg.
Pick up points This reserve is a brand new flag ship site for the RSPB and offers lots of opportunity to see how this site will develop and also help to support the local community. 5 Hides. Extensive visitor facilities : Tiolets, cafe, shop. Remember to bring your RSPB membership cards. LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
Meet 9.0am at Dee Lane, West Kirby (0940 train from Liverpool Central) The three tidal islands lying at the mouth of the Dee Estuary, Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre, have been designated a Local Nature Reserve & SSSI. Access to Hilbre is by foot, across the two miles from West Kirby, It takes about 1 hour to cross the 2 miles to Hilbre The Dee Estuary is one of the ten most important estuaries in Europe for the overwintering of wildfowl and waders. Its marshes, mudflats and sandbanks provide ample food for the many species of birds which spend the winter around its shores. The islands are used as roost sites and stopping-off point for the twice yearly migration of birds. Bird to be seen include Meadow Pipits and Linnets, Willow Warblers, Swallows and Wheatears. Dunlin, Knot, Redshank and OysterCatcher. Other waders, Black and Bar Tailed Godwit, Curlew, Turnstone, Ringed and Grey Plover. Many Ducks are present, particularly Shelduck together with a small number of Brent Geese. For the past several years 30+ Purple Sandpipers have overwintered on Hilbre. No facilities Always carry waterproofs, and warm clothing, and food and hot drinks in winter Toilets are available at Dee Lane Slipway Wellingtons recommended. m high tide at pm LEADER: Peter Beech (Tel:428 5185 )
Moore Nature Reserve is a 200-acre site in Warrington, north Cheshire. The reserve consists of five large lakes surrounded by extensive woodland, meadows and wetlands, made accessible by a network of paths and bird hides. Its many habitats provide a home for a variety of birds, including all five species of British owl and all three species of woodpecker;. mammals, insects, plants, amphibians and fungi. From the A56 (from Warrington of the M56 J11) turn at the traffic lights opposite the Walton Arms public house, following the sign for Moore. From Moore village turn right into Moore Lane. Follow this road over the swingbridge to arrive at Moore Nature Reserve. Meet 10.30am at Lapwing Lane LEADER: Dave Hardy (Tel: 077221 27974 )
10.30am Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve. The Hale Duck Decoy, owned by Hale Estates, is an important Scheduled Ancient Monument in need of restoration . Constructed in the Seventeenth Century as a method of attracting and catching ducks the Hale Decoy is the only surviving one in the North West and one of only three remaining in the country. Facilities at the Visitor Centre. The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) has been recording bird numbers on the Mersey Estuary since 1993 here's some figures: 6,000 wintering Shelduck (2.2% of the Northwestern Europe population)11,700 wintering Teal (2.9% of the Northwestern Europe population)48,000 wintering Dunlin (3.5% of the N Siberia / Europe / W Africa population)5,000 wintering Redshank (3.3% of the Eastern Atlantic population
LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
The largest remaining reedbed in north-west England, with shallow meres and fringing sedge and woodland, attracts a wonderful range of wildlife to Leighton Moss. Among its special birds are breeding bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers, with water rails and pochards, and its mammals include roe and red deer 5 Hides &.extensive visitor facilities: tiolets, cafe, shop at RSPB Centre. Meet 10.30am at the car park. Remember to bring your RSPB membership cards LEADER: Peter Beech (Tel: 428 5185)
The reserve has 30 hectares of wetland including 3 pools, designated as a SSSI site.6.5 hectares of farmland which provides feeding, roosting and nesting habitat for wintering wildlife, waders and farmland birds. Meet 10.30am Station Road LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
A visit to a local nature reserve on the Wirral. Meet 10.15am Central Station Concourse. Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve comprises of 32 hectares (81.1 acres) of semi-natural countryside along the river valley of the Dibbin. The valley woodland represents the largest and one of the finest examples of ancient woodland on Merseyside. The rest of the reserve consists of meadows, reed swamps, parkland and amenity grassland. The paths can be waterlogged so wellingtons strongly recommended. Birds hopefully to be seen include all three species of Woodpecker, Finches and Tit flocks. Facilities at Brotherton Nature centre/ Central Station. By car: Along the A41 from Chester to Birkenhead the reserve is signposted LEADER: John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile 077032 246632)
Meet 10.30am at the entrance point of Marton Mere caravan site. This site is off the M55 near Blackpool not the WWT site!. Marton Mere is a Local Nature Reserve is a tranquil refuge on Blackpool’s urban fringe, important for nature conservation. The reserve is nationally recognised, as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its birds but also has important populations of dragonflies, butterflies, hoverflies and other animals such as bats. The site contains a diversity of habitats including a reedbed, lake and grassland and small pockets of woodland and scrub. Species should include ducks, geese, swans, owls and possibly Bittern. LEADER: LEADER: Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831-352870)
Meet 10.45am at Garswood Station. A pleasant and easy 5 mile walk incorporating farmland, woodland, Carr Mill Dam and country lanes, also there are 2 stiles en route. A mixed habitat should produce a good variety of species, maybe another good view of Little Owl Great Crested Grebe Kingfisher . Stout footwear essential as some paths may be muddy. No facilities. Walk will end at Garswood station, half hourly service back to Liverpool. NOTE: Parking in the short station approach is strictly for rail users only. Rail Map LEADER: Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285 or Mobile 07710-217663)
LIVERPOOL RSPB MEMBERS
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Hill 
SATURDAY
14th JANUARY SEFTON COAST
SUNDAY
29th JANUARY
SUNDAY
SUNDAY 23rd APRIL 
SUNDAY 7th MAY 
SUNDAY
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SATURDAY 19th AUGUST 
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