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  INDEX TO OUTDOOR MEETING REPORTS

Joint Trips (MNA)

  OUTDOOR MEETING REPORTS

INDOOR MEETINGS PROFILE FOR JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2009

Indoor meetings are held on MONDAYS (third monday of the month, see dates) in the church hall of   Mossley Hill Parish Church, (St. Mathew and St. James) near to the junction of Rose Lane and Mossley Hill Road.

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 (Arriva/Merseybus) stop nearby. Mossley Hill station,on the Merseyrail City Line is a 3 min. walk away. 

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  19th        Paul Hobson      South West Africa-Namibia, Rwanda and  Kenya

Paul was due to give his first talk to us in 2007 but his car broke down, so are fingers crossed and hope that he makes it here to start 2009.  His talk on birds and mammals of Southern Africa will be great entertainment.

    FEBRUARY  16th        Helen Greaves              Merseyside BioBank

Helen is the Community Liaison coordinator for the BioBank.  The BioBank is the local records centre for North Merseyside .  They collect and collate biological and environmental information and make it available to people interested in knowing more about their local environment

MARCH  16th               Chris Galvin                  Package Holiday Birding 

Chris is a local bird photographer who travels around the UK taking pictures of rare and lost birds.  His talk is right up my street, as I’m a birder with a none birding family who spend time on holidays in areas were there’s lots of people and few birds!!

APRIL  20th 

Its that time of year again – THE AGM!  After the formal business is out of the way, we will have a relaxing second half.  Offers of slides etc. most welcome, PLUS of course nominations for the committee will be most welcome- We need your  help - to be given to the Group Leader or Secretary by 10^th April please.  

SEPTEMBER  21st         Stuart Meredith            Florida the Sunshine State  

Stuart has a had a big influence on the birds in the North West , he was the first to run The Ribble Discovery Centre at Lytham for The RSPB.  He has since left the RSPB and runs birding holidays around the world.  We will be in for a good night.

   OCTOBER  19th          Gordon Yates       Snowy Owl King of the Arctic  

Gordon has been a regular speaker to the group for the last 20+ years.  He has birded and filmed most of the Northern Hemisphere habitats and wildlife.  I have to say that this one I will be watching!

NOVEMBER  16th               Jeff Clarke                    Biscay & Pico

We have spent a few wonderful nights with Jeff talking about moths, bats and birds.  This time he’s off over water looking at whales, dolphins and a quiet siesta in Spain .

DECEMBER 7^TH         Roy Taylor     The Environment Isn't Just The UK Its Everywhere.

Roy will be give the final talk of the year wrapping up Liverpool ’s Year of the Environment.  We think of UK as the best place to protect nature and wildlife but Roy will be talking to us about RSPB worldwide and how the work we do in the UK can be damaged by the rest of the world.

Meeting profiles compiled by Howard Mills

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OUTDOOR MEETING PROFILES FOR JANUARY TO

 DECEMBER 2009. (& a couple of events!)

  *** Details of our Joint Coach Trips with the MNA click here

SATURDAY 10^th JANUARY 2009

Red Rocks:  A visit to a popular local venue.  Meet 10.45am at bottom of Dee Lane, West Kirby (0955 or 1010 train from Liverpool Central to West Kirby, then a 5 minute walk).  Easy walk along sands and nature reserve to Red Rocks for sedentary bird watching.  (Wader flocks and dune birds).  Toilet facilities.  Depending on weather, a visit may be made to the Wirral Way.  9.13m high tide at 10.03. This is a joint  trip with the MNA

Leader:  Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285 or Mobile: 07710 217663)

MONDAY 12^th JANUARY 2009

Calderstones Park:  A visit to a well known park.  Meet 11.00am at the corner of Calderstones Road/Menlove Avenue.  Buses 74, 75 and 61 stop in nearby Cromptons Lane.  finches, tits, Mallards and hopefully Jay and Woodpecker are amongst species likely to be seen.  Facilities should be available.  Meeting 3 hours maximum.

Leader: Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285 or Mobile: 07710 217663)

     'Big' Garden Birdwatch 2008      

 Sefton Park Palm House : Sunday 25th January 2008

Our events start at 11am and finish at 4pm. Closely observe the birds at our  feeding stations through telescopes. People on hand for identification and general information on Garden Birdwatching and the RSPB.  Kids colouring activities/ Make your own pine code birdfeeder to take home. 

SATURDAY 14^th FEBRUARY 2009

Sefton Meadows:  A new venue for the group.  Meet 10.30am at Old Roan station (Ormskirk line) for a short bus ride to start a 5 mile walk over farmland and part of the River Alt.  Farmland birds and a variety of raptors will hopefully be seen.  Parts of walk can be muddy after rain. 

NOTE:  This is a linear walk, and will end in Maghull.  Aintree station is the nearest station with a car park.  No facilities.

Leader:  John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile: 07776 3935787)

SATURDAY 28^th FEBRUARY 2009

Childwall Woods:  Meet 9.30am at the corner of Aldbourne Avenue/Woolton Road.  The idea of this walk is to get you more familiar with woodland birds, such as finches, tits and hopefully woodpecker, as well as their habitat.  No facilities.  Meeting 2 hours max.

Leader:  Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile: 07831 352870)  

SATURDAY 21^st MARCH 2009

Croxteth Country Park:  Meet 10.45am in the car park of the Stand Farm PH/Firtree Drive (South) in the newish Croxteth Park housing estate.  OS ref: SJ412951.  A walk around the country park of a mixed habitat, which in turn should produce a good variety of birds.  Facilities in the PH.

Leader: Dave Hardy (Tel: Mobile 07811 323354)  

SUNDAY 29^th MARCH 2009

Llanfairfechan:  Our annual visit to a popular North Wales venue.  Meet 11.00am at sea front promenade (90 minute drive from Liverpool).  Birds likely to be seen include divers, grebes, waders and wildfowl.  Toilet facilities available.  The outing may include a visit to the RSPB’s Conwy reserve, so please remember to bring along your national RSPB membership card.

Leader:  Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831 352870)  

SATURDAY 18^th APRIL 2009

Cronton:  Another new venue for us.  Meet 11.00am at the War Memorial in Cronton Village.  A walk of 6 miles over farmland and through woodland, hopefully producing a good variety of birds.  Car parking is available on narrow country lanes.  Bus No. 6, contact the Traveline 0871 200 2233 for times etc.  No facilities.

Leader:  John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile 07776 393578)  

SUNDAY 31^st MAY 2009

  Pennington Flash Country Park:  The first of two visits this year.  Meet 10.30am at the country park car park (pay & display).  Access is signposted from the East Lancashire Road/A580 with the A572 to Leigh).  Allow up to 45 minutes.  An easy walk of about 3 miles.  Toilet facilities.  Birds to be seen include wildfowl, Long-tailed Tit, summer migrants and hopefully Raptors.

Leader:  Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831 352870)  

SATURDAY 20^th JUNE 2009

Carr Mill Circular:  Meet 10.45 am at Garswood Station (1004 Wigan train from Lime Street) for a pleasant and easy 5 mile walk incorporating farmland, woodland, Carr Mill Dam and country lanes (please note there are 2 stiles on route).  A mixed habitat should produce a good variety of species.  Some paths may be muddy.  No facilities.  Walk will end at Garswood station, half hourly return service.

NOTE: Parking in the short station approach is strictly for rail users only.  Garswood is the Merseytravel boundary limit, so the appropriate Saveaway/Trio tickets are valid.

Leader:  Howard Mills (Tel: 226 3285 or Mobile 07710 217663)  

SATURDAY 11^th JULY 2009

Old Coach Road (Kirkby):  Another new venue for us.  Meet 11.00am at Kirkby Admin, bus from Kirkby railway station, contact the Traveline 0871 200 2233 for times etc.  A walk of about 4 miles on quiet lanes and some fields.  Farmland birds including Yellow Wagtail and Corn Bunting plus migrants should be seen.  No facilities.

Leader:  John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile 07776 393578)  

Our first Mersey Seabird Cruise of the year

The Mersey Ferry Heritage & Wildlife Birders Cruise will be held on  

FRIDAY 31^st July 2009   100 - 1400 hrs (Family orientated)

Ticket prices £10.00 adults and £5.00 children (age 3-15yrs).  Cruise duration is approximately 3 hours.  All cruises start from Seacombe at 11.00hrs.

This is the best way to enjoy the Mersey and the Sefton Coast and see the birds as well!!

SATURDAY 15^th August 2009  

Anglezark: Meet 10.30am at Car Park.This is a joint  trip with the MNA

Leader: Dave Hardy (Tel: Mobile 07811 323354)  

       MERSEY FERRIES SEABIRD CRUISES 

Tuesday 18^th August 2009  1100 - 1400 hrs (Family orientated)

Once again we are proud to host the annual Wildlife Discovery Cruises aboard  Mersey Ferries in partnership with National Museums Liverpool and the RSPB. We go cruising along the Mersey and into the Bay to view the birds and wildlife with live commentary and expert spotters on hand to answer any of your questions and point out the wildlife to be found on our River. Along with quizzes, fact sheets, art competitions and hands on exhibits this is a great trip out for all the family. These cruises are extremely popular so advance booking is necessary.

The cruise departs Seacombe at 11.00am, Liverpool at 11.10am and Woodside at 11.20am. Cruise duration approximately 3 hours.

Price £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children (3-15) .. Advanced booking necessary.

   SUNDAY 6^th September   CROSBY

Meet 9.30am .  Coastguard Station

LEADER: CHRIS TYNAN (Tel:480 7938 or Mobile 07831 352870)  

         MERSEY FERRIES SEABIRD CRUISES 

MONDAY 14^th September 2009   

Cruising along the Mersey and into the Bay to view the birds and wildlife with live commentary and expert spotters on hand to answer any of your questions and point out the wildlife to be found on our River.  These cruises are extremely popular so advance booking is necessary.

The cruise departs Seacombe at 11.00am,Cruise duration approximately 3 hours.

Price £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children (3-15) .. Advanced booking necessary.

  SATURDAY 19th September         BRADLEIGH LOOP

Meet 11.00am 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 )

         MERSEY FERRIES SEABIRD CRUISES 

 YES IT'S A SATURDAY!! - 26^th September 2009 

Once again we  go cruising along the Mersey and into the Bay to view the birds and wildlife with live commentary and expert spotters on hand to answer any of your questions and point out the wildlife to be found on our River.  These cruises are extremely popular so advance booking is necessary.

The cruise departs Seacombe at 11.00am, Cruise duration approximately 3 hours.

Price £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children (3-15) .. Advanced booking necessary.

SATURDAY 31^st October 2009 

Wigg  Island:    Meet 10.45am at the visitor centre.  An easy walk of about 3 miles.  Toilet facilities.  Birds to be seen include wildfowl. This is a joint  trip with the MNA

Leader:  John Clegg (Tel: 523 7353 or Mobile 07776 393578)  

SUNDAY 8^th November 2009 

  Pennington Flash Country Park:  The second of our visits this year.  Meet 10.30am at the country park car park (pay & display).  Access is signposted from the East Lancashire Road/A580 with the A572 to Leigh).  Allow up to 45 minutes.  An easy walk of about 3 miles.  Toilet facilities.  Birds to be seen include wildfowl, Long-tailed Tit, and hopefully Raptors.

Leader:  Chris Tynan (Tel: 480 7938 or Mobile 07831 352870)  

  SATURDAY 14th November  EASTHAM COUNTRY PARK