Field Trips

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 2024

20th January – 8.30am Staveley Nature Reserve and Ripon City Wetland
Visit to two small reserves in the Harrogate/ Ripon Area.  Meet at Staveley NR car park at Minskip Road Boroughbridge, HG5 9LQ  What.3.words///spoons.dose.bogus.

We will walk round the reserve and hides checking out the waterfowl and feeding stations.  The feeding stations can be good for water rail particularly in icy conditions.

After lunch move over to Ripon City Wetlands next to the race course (What.3. words ///swarm.abacus.smiling).  Here we would check out the waterfowl and see if there is a starling murmuration in the fading winter light.
10th February 8.00 am           Local Walk circular from Thursden Valley  
Meet at the car parking area off Halifax road above Thursden Valley (What.3. words ///secures.chained.swoop).  We will walk down the valley and then rise up on the other side to Extwistle moor and walk past Swindon reservoir and incorporate Lee Green Reservoir, Extwistle Hall and part of the Thursden valley woods on this circular walk.
9th March 6.30am                   Black Grouse Trip
This trip we are aiming to see Black Grouse meet at Sainsburys Wrexham Retail Park Plas, Coch Road, Wrexham LL11 2B (What.3. words ///aspect.quit.dice) where we will squeeze into the minimum number of cars and drive to the road side LEK location where we will watch from the cars.  We will then drive to Neston to the Nets Café CH64 0TG (What.3. words ///appointed.trailing.approach) for breakfast and spend the rest of the day at Burton Mere and then check the raptor roost at Parkgate

For those not wanting an early start why not join us at the Cafe at 9.45 am
20th April   7.30 am                Sizergh Castle, Foulshaw Moss & Leighton Moss
April should be a good time for Hawfinch at Sizergh castle.  Meet at the car park Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8DZ (What.3. words///baguette.truck.waitress) and park near the National Trust cafe.  We will then view the feeding area from the cafe veranda.

After a short walk we will then move to Foulshaw moss Nature Reserve (What.3. words///saved.savings.intention) to hopefully catch up with the Ospreys and other migrants before calling at Leighton Moss on the way home
11th May 8.00 am                   Woolston Eyes
We have booked a group booking to be shown round the reserve adjacent to the Manchester Ship canal below the M6 Thelwall Viaduct.  This will be led by a local warden and will cost £5 each and will hopefully involve seeing the Back Necked Grebes and reed bed species.  Full details to follow.
22nd & 23rd  June
Weekend away to Anglesey based on staying around Holyhead.  Proposed itinerary would be.
Saturday
South Stack – Chough, Puffins and seabirds
Holyhead Harbour – Black Guillemot
Soldier Point evening walk
Sunday
Pre breakfast Walk at the Range, South Stack
Cemlyn Bay am -Tern Colony
Little Tern Gronant (way home)
17th August   8.30 am            North Cave Wetlands & Swillington Ings
Meet at the North Cave Wetland car park, Dryham Lane, Market Weighton East Riding of Yorkshire HU15 2LY (What.3. words///sage.scoop.limo) We will explore this expanding nature reserve looking for passage waders and passerines.  After lunch here we will travel home via Swillington Ings, Castleford from the fleet lane entrance (What.3. words///valid.jukebox.composers)
14th September 8.30 am       RSPB Edderthorpe Flash & Old Moor
Meet at parking area at side of the road south of Grimethorpe (What.3. words///audibly.scorpions.shorter).  We will view this large lake where Black winged stilts bred in 2023 for ducks, such as Garganey, and waders before moving onto ) Old moor for Waders and hopefully a few reedbed species
19th October 8.30am Nosterfield Nature Reserve, Ripon
This reserve attracts many interesting birds over the year and is good for winter wildfowl and waders.  Meet Car park postcode DL8 2QZ (What.3.words ///absent.milder.script).  We will then move up the road to Nosterfield Quarry to check out the other lakes in the area.
16th November 8.30 am                RSPB Marshside
This will centre around the reserve looking for the winter wildfowl plus hopefully a few raptors.  To end the day, we would probably move on to Hesketh out Marsh

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.

RISKADVICE
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.