Tuesday 22 September 2015

Big Tide Walk - RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh nature reserve


Hesketh out Marsh



Join the RSPB on a guided walk across the marsh before the tide comes in to marvel at an amazing wildlife spectacle in nature’s home.

Watch as wading birds and other wildlife move across the marsh looking for roosting sites as the water rises, while keeping a look out for small mammals trying to escape the water as the marsh floods and also the hungry raptors above.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear as this is an exposed site and the walk will be off the main access paths.


Unfortunately these walks are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. No dogs please.

               Price:     £4.00 RSPB members / £5.00 non-RSPB members.

Venue:            RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh nature reserve.  Meet in the reserve car park
                         at the end of Dib  Road, Hesketh Bank.

Contact:          Booking is essential – please call the Ribble Discovery Centre on 01253                796292 to book  your place.

Wednesday 30 September 2015 – 11:00 am to 2:00pm                       
Thursday 29 October 2015 – 10:00 am to 1:00pm
Saturday 28 November 2015 – 10:30 am to 1:00pm
Monday 14 December 2015 – 11:00 am to 1:30pm





Notes:
The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again.
We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.
For more information on RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh nature reserve, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/heskethoutmarsh

Saturday 12 September 2015

Because we like to share and give you lots of opportunity to go birding




Viv Mountford  has sent us Chester groups  2015 - 2016 Programme


Indoor Meetings – Changing Venue

Our monthly meetings are usually held on Wednesdays starting 7.30pm. Please note: This season we start at St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s Hill, CH1 2DW (park by the Law Courts), but from December onwards, we transfer to Christleton Parish Hall, Village Rd, Christleton, CH3 7AS (road parking)

·      16 September 2015               St Marys
Hockenhull Platts 1972-2015 - David Cummings
David was involved from the start, in shaping this little gem of a local nature reserve.

·      21 October 2015                   St Marys
The Swiss Alps - Gordon Small
A scenic tour including all the wildlife from his trip.

·      18 November 2015                St Marys
Out of Africa - South of the Sahara - Gerry Griffiths
Gerry Griffiths shares his love of birds with us.

·      16 December 2015                 NB at Christleton
Christmas party - Join us for pre-Christmas fun, with light refreshments, and of course mince pies.

·      20 January 2016                   Christleton
St Kilda: The Lonely Isles - Steve Halliwell
A talk to whet the appetite of those still capable of going to the islands, and to satisfy the curiosity of those who can't!

·      17 February 2016                  Christleton
In the Blink of an Eye - Mike Leach
High-speed action photos revealing nature’s secrets.

·      16 March 2016                      Christleton
Silent Spring Revisited & Looking for the Goshawk - Conor Jameson
Author Conor gives us two talks for the price of one.

·      20 April 2016                        Christleton
Group AGM (7.00 to 7.30 p.m.)
7.30 Inspired by Birds - Peter Holden, MBE, FRSA
A popular talk on the art, music and science inspired by birds & nature generally. Includes natural sound, historic recordings and original photos. 


Field Trips

Vital to call the trip leader a few days beforehand, to book and to check arrangements have not changed. Beginners welcome. Car-sharing.

·     Sat 26 September 2015  8.30am Caldy Valley
New Brighton & Wirral Coast - waders & seabirds
Leader: John Chapman 01244 316590

·     Sun 18 October 2015  9.00am Caldy Valley
Frodsham & Weaver Bend - wildfowl & migrants
Leader: Norman Sadler 01244 335670

·     Sat 21 November 2015  9.00am Caldy Valley
Greenfield Valley & Point of Ayr – Great variety
Leader: Will Sleddon  07531 781 196

·     Sun 6 December 2015  3.00pm Caldy Valley
Runcorn Bridge - Huge swirls of starlings at dusk.
Leader: Norman Sadler 01244 335670

·     Sat 30 January 2016  9.00am Caldy Valley
Mere Sands and Marshside – Winter variety.
Leader: Alan Millard 01244 675042

·     Sun 21 February 2016  9.00am Caldy Valley
Pennington Flash - Diving ducks & winter visitors.
Leader: Tim Carley 01244 680460

·     Sat 12 March 2016  9.00am Caldy Valley
North Wales Coast Waders and sea ducks.
Leader: John Dawson 01244 675929

·     Sun 10 April 2016  8.00am Caldy Valley
Lake Vyrnwy Forest/moorland birds & migrants.
Leader: Roger Nutter 01829 782237

·     Sat 7 May 2016  8.30am Caldy Valley
Conwy Valley - Spring migrants & breeding birds.
Leader: Peter Stevenson 01352 716886

·     Wed 18 May 2016  6.30pm Little Owl pub
Countess of Chester Country Park.  A local gem.
Leader: Norman Sadler 01244 335670

·     Sun 12 June 2016 8.30am Sainsbury’s
RSPB Old Moor and YWT Potteric Carr - Two sites, great variety of habitats, birds, scenery.
(COACH trip) - Leader: Viv 01244 400433  

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chester

Laura

Thursday 3 September 2015

Alternative Air Show - RSPB Marshside nature reserve


In flight waders
Experience the amazing sights and sounds of huge flocks of birds, twisting and turning in the sky like aerial display teams and the dramatic show of predators doing what they do best, at our Alternative Air Show at RSPB Marshside.

Join this guided walk to enjoy an amazing wildlife spectacle in nature’s home, as wading birds and other wildlife move across the marsh looking for roosting sites as the water rises. As the marsh floods, don’t forget to keep a look out for small mammals trying to escape the water and hungry raptors above.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear (walking boots or wellingtons recommended) as this is an exposed site and the walk will be on the old haul road across the saltmarsh, which can be very muddy. 

Unfortunately, these walks are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. No dogs please.


Dates:     Sunday 13 September 2015–10:00 am to 12:30 pm  
                
Tuesday 29 September 2015–10:30 am to 1:00 pm



Price:        £4.00 RSPB members / £5.00 non-RSPB members

Venue:      RSPB Marshside nature reserve.  Meet in the RSPB car park on Marine Drive, Southport.

Contact:    Booking is essential – please call the Ribble Discovery Centre on 01253 96292 to book your place.





For more information on RSPB Marshside nature reserve, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/marshside