The Club and trip leaders will not be liable for any accidents or injuries caused whilst on Club outings. The places visited are not particularly hazardous. Walks are typically leisurely, with frequent stops to watch or look for birds. However, some may be over rough ground, so please ensure that you are suitably clad and shod and be aware of any physical limitations you may have.
Stay with or near the group. Never turn back without informing another member of the group.
As with all outside trips these are subject to the weather so, please keep an eye out on our Facebook page and WhatsApp group in the days leading up to any event.
The club runs a WhatsApp group for members who are interested in Field Trips, or members can be contacted by text for any change.
Please consider the environment when attending outings by ensuring you bring all rubbish home, close gates, etc. Wherever possible try to car share when you can to help reduce carbon footprint.
Field Trips for 2025
| 11th January – 8.00am Cockersand Abbey & Eagland Hill Target Species: Waders, Buntings and Swans Meet at Cockersands Country Park Caravan ParkMoss Lane, Cockerham LA2 0BB. What 3 words ///nuance.overpaid.fields. This will be a day out around Glassen dock and the wider area. We intend to check out waders on the hightide and then the local Swan and Egret flocks before travelling to Eagland Hill to look for farmland birds and then concluding at Knott End to catch up with the Twite. |
| 15th February 7.30 am Sherwood Forest & the Major Oak Target Species: Woodlark and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker An early start to investigate a new area for our field trips. A decision will be made earlier in the week to check the weather before travelling this far. Meet 7.30 am at a layby off B6034 Swinecote Road. Best to use what 3 words ///brick.sour.segregate. The object of this visit is to check out the woodland around the mighty Oak for woodpeckers. We would then walk deeper into the Budby Common for species such as Woodlark. Should the weather not be suitable for this trip we would undertake plan B and Walk the Foulridge reservoirs starting at Barrowford Reservoir. |
| 15th March 7.30am Moore Nature Reserve & Frodsham No 6 Tank Target species: Chiffchaff, Woodpeckers and waders Meet in the car park at Moore NR, Lapwing Lane, Penketh, Warrington WA5 1DS. (///bucket.formed.perky). We will investigate the woodland and areas of open water of the nature reserve before moving don the M56 to Frodsham. Here we intend to walk round no. 6 tank and check out the waders and diving ducks with a lookout for early passerines. |
| 5th April 7.30 am RSPB St Aidens Flash Target species; Bittern booming & Black Necked Grebe Meet at the main car park RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Park, Astley Lane, Leeds LS26 8AL at 8.00 am (///interest.bullion.evaded). After looking for the local Little owls in the dragline excavator compound we will head off for the now annual black necked Grebe fest as they move around the reedbed pools in their dapper summer plumage. |
| 17th May 7.00 am East Lancashire bird race In an effort to promote local birding we are looking at a friendly bird race between the hours of 7 am and 5pm. Groups to consist of 4 people with all logged sightings to be in OS Landranger maps 103: Blackburn & Burnley area. All meet 6pm in a venue to be agreed for Meal/ drinks etc. Details to be arranged at the February indoor meeting. |
| 7th & 8th June Weekend away based round Amble, Northumberland Target species; Roseate, Little and Arctic Tern plus Auks Details depend on boat times and tides. Initial plan is to meet at Long Nanny to check out the Terns before travelling to Amble for the boat trip round Coquet Island for hopefully Roseate Terns and seabirds. Depending on times we also aim to visit Hauxley NNR. Sunday we plan to investigate the areas south of Amble namely East Chevington, Druridge Bay & Cresswell pond. |
| 16th August 7.30 am Local Walk, Cant Clough & Hurstwood Target species; Owls, Redstart, flycatchers Local walk across the moors in search of Owls and passerines already on the move after breeding. Meet at Maidens Cross Car park The Long Causeway, Cliviger, Burnley BB10 4RR. (///interest.bullion.evaded) 3-4 mile Walk on moorland tracks to include isolated woodland along with Hurstwood and Cant Clough Reservoirs. |
| 6th September 7.30 am New Brighton, Mersey & Burton Mere Target species; Seabirds & Waders September can be a good time for NW winds blowing interesting seabirds up the Mersey. Meet New Brighton Promenade, Marine Promenade, Wallasey, England CH45 2JS, (///kicks.tests.muddy). If the weather doesn’t play game, we will investigate the Wirral coastline and make our way down to Burton Mere. |
| 25th October 8.00am Hartlepool Headland Target species; Migrant passerines and Divers Meet 8.00 am Heugh Battery Moor Terrace, Headland, Hartlepool, TS24 0PS (///attend.evenly.cubs). We will walk along the promenade looking for waders and seabirds on the falling tide before having a good look in Croft gardens for late and, hopefully, eastern passerines. Depending on the information available we will then head south to the sites around North Gare and Saltholme. |
| 15th November 8.00 am Mere Sands Wood & Ribble Estuary Target species; Woodland species, ducks and waders on estuary Finish the year off with a walk round the woodlands and lakes of Mere Sands Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 1TG. (///plot.start.retailing). Meet at 8.00 am in main car park. Depending on local news we will then travel to the Ribble estuary. |
PLEASE NOTE
The Club and trip leaders will not be liable for any accidents or injuries caused whilst on Club outings. The places visited are not particularly hazardous. Walks are typically leisurely, with frequent stops to watch or look for birds. However, some may be over rough ground, so please ensure that you are suitably clad and shod and be aware of any
physical limitations you may have. Stay with or near the group. Never turn back without informing another member of the group.
We wish to ensure that all who attend are aware of any potential risks and hazards involved. The most likely ones, and the corresponding advice, are set out below.
| RISK | ADVICE |
| Any medical or physical condition that may affect your ability to complete the walk safely. | Talk to the leader beforehand to find out what is involved. Carry any necessary medication |
| Rough, uneven, steep, boggy, icy, wet or slippery ground. | Wear appropriate footwear and look where you walk. A walking pole or stick may be useful. |
| Bad weather – cold, windy, wet or hot and sunny. | Wear appropriate warm and waterproof clothing. Cover up, wear a hat and apply sun cream. |
| Getting tired, cold or over-heated. | If this happens tell the leader or other group member immediately. Carry food and drink appropriate to the length of the walk. |
| Getting lost. Unexpected hazards. | Stay with or near the group. Do not go on ahead or off on your own. Never turn back without telling the leader. |