Monday 17th June 2024

For our final outing this season twelve members of the Group enjoyed a very productive visit to Anglesey.

We spent the morning at RSPB South Stack. In glorious weather we saw a variety of species, including puffins, choughs, stonechats and several species of sea birds including kittiwakes, gannets and guillemots. After an enjoyable lunch we then moved on to Cemlyn Bay in the North West of the island. Here we were enchanted by the large colony of terns, which breed annually in the Bay. It was fascinating to watch the Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns and Common Terns flying over our heads into the Bay in search of sand reels to feed their young. We also saw Mediterranean Gulls, which were not easy to spot amongst the thousands of other species around the islands.

For most of the Group this was their first visit to South Stack and Cemlyn Bay, and they were not disappointed.

The day ended with a Group Meal at The Trearddur Bay Hotel to round off a very successful day. during which we saw over 50 different species, including 15 new ones for the season. Our grand total for the year was 125 species, a record for the Group.

Monday 20 May 2024, was a long trip to the Osprey Centre at Cors Dyfi near Machynlleth, followed by the short hop to Ynis Hir. This promises to be a very enjoyable day out.

The Bird Watching Group enjoyed a very productive visit to Mid Wales on Monday 20 May. The first stop was at Cors Dyfi Osprey Centre near Machynlleth. We enjoyed watching the Ospreys sitting on 3 eggs from the Observation Tower, and being able to watch the live feed, showing tremendous detail of the nest and surroundings.

We had hoped that one of the eggs would have hatched but, unfortunately, we were 12 hours too early. The fist chick hatched at 1.35am on Tuesday morning! All 3 chicks have now hatched and can continue to be seen on the live feed from the Cors Dyfi website.

We then travelled 3 miles down the road to RSPB Ynis Hir, from where the BBC filmed Springwatch a few years ago. Here we were able to take a very enjoyable walk round the Reserve, overlooking the Dovey Estuary.

During the day we saw over 40 species.

Monday 15th April 2024

The uncertain weather meant a change to our intended venue of RSPB Middleton Lakes on Monday 15 March. Instead we made the short trip to Venus Pool where there was more cover in case of rain!

Nine members enjoyed a very productive morning, during which we saw 35 different species, including three new species for the year in Common Sandpiper, Red Kite and Goosander. The day ended with a welcome coffee stop at Percy Throwers garden Centre.

Monday 18th March 2024

Eleven members of the Group enjoyed a very productive visit to Attenborough Nature Reserve, run by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Altogether we saw, or heard 46 different species, bringing our yearly total to 91.

Monday 19th February 2024

Thirteen members of the Bird Watching Group enjoyed a morning visit to Colemere and Wood Lane. We were blessed with good weather for the walk round Colemere, although, in some places the paths were very muddy. Following the walk we moved on to Wood Lane, a site managed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. In total, we saw 37 different species.

Monday 15th January 2024

Ten members of the Group enjoyed a very productive day at WWT Slimbridge on 15 January. We saw 58 different species, including several new news for the year. These included the Common Crane, Peregrine Falcon, Smew, Curlew, Bewick Swan, Whooper Swan and Snow Goose.

Monday 20 November 2023

What a great morning out at Whixall Moss, helped by lovely weather until we got back to the cars!! It got even better when we returned home to find a small flock of Long Tailed Tits having lunch in our back garden!!

I have attached the updated species list. I think we saw 36 species but if anyone thinks we missed anything please let me know and I will amend the list.

Many thanks to Ian and Mary for acting as Convenors, and suggesting the change of venue which was definitely a plus, as well as a great cafe at Whixall Marina! there was also a good new hide with wetland views and plenty of geese and duck and a nice canal side walk to an observation tower with spectacular views over the Moss.

The address of the car park is Morris’s Bridge, Whixall SY13 2RX. It is about 16 miles, the best route via Tilstock.

30 October 2023 Parkgate overlooking the Dee Estuary on The Wirral and Hoylake Promonade

Nine members of the group enjoyed a day out on The Wirral on 30 October. Our first port of call was Parkate on the Dee Estuary. We were treated to a variety of waders as well as Great White Egrets. We then moved on to the promenade at Hoylake where we witnessed a fantastic display of thousands of waders, including large flocks of lapwings, dunlin and knot. We spent around 90 minutes enjoying the spectacle before the receding tide tempted the birds further out. Our thanks to Brian Truslove for arranging this trip.

18 September 2023

Doxey Marshes, Stafford.