WIRRAL RSPB LOCAL GROUP
Home Page 2006
Welcome to the
WIRRAL RSPB LOCAL GROUP
Home Page 2006
Indoor Programme 2006
Outdoor Programme 2006
Committee
Membership
Notes and Guidelines
RSPB Home Page
Useful Links
Welcome to Wirral RSPB Local Group's website.
For many years now an RSPB group has existed on Wirral. Its aims are to raise much needed funds for the national organization as well as encouraging people to appreciate the wonderful wildlife this area has to offer.
We have monthly indoor meetings at which speakers talk on a variety of topics ranging from the wildlife of Wales to bird photography. As well as the indoor meetings, we run regular field trips to local and not so local sites. All the outdoor meetings are led by an experienced birder, so you get the best out of the trip.
Whilst the meetings are run for a serious purpose, we never lose sight of the need to make them enjoyable. Learning new things is much easier if you are having fun. We are a group of varied ability and ages. We want to encourage bird watching, so beginners are especially welcome. Whatever your ability, regular bird watching can only improve your skills. The group gives all an opportunity to learn new things or pass on your knowledge to others.
If you’re interested, why not take a look at the groups activities?
Outdoor Programme 2006
| January 14 | Llanfairfechan & Conway RSPB A car trip to the coast at Llanfairfechan which has recently earned the reputation of being one of the best spots for winter sea watching. Expect to see a variety of sea duck (with hopefully the American Black Scoter), divers and grebes. Afterwards we will have a look in at the RSPB reserve at Conway to round off what should be an excellent days birding. Meet at the Tudor Rose at 8.00 am. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| February 18 | Hilbre Island What is now our annual trip to this magical island. It may be small but it usually produces big numbers ofbirds. Sea duck, brent geese, divers & grebes are the birds of the day. Waders also feature highly on this trip, with hopefully close views of purple sandpiper. We stay over the tide so bring food / drink and warm clothing. The return trip will be at dusk, so bring a torch! Meet at Dee Lane, West Kirby at 10.00 am. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| March 26 | Aber Falls A trip by car to this valley known for its displaying raptors. If the weather is right, we should see displaying sparrowhawk, kestrel, buzzard and if we're lucky Goshawk. At this time of the year we may also see some early summer migrants. The trip involves a short but fairly steep walk, so wear suitable footwear. Meet at the Tudor Rose at 9.00 am. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| April 22 | Harwarden Park. A car trip to this private estate which has a mixed woodland habitat. This is a golden opportunity to visit a place normally out of bounds to the public. Expect to see a variety of woodland birds. Meet at the lay-by on the A550. Leader: Heather White. |
| May 14 | Coombes Valley A car (or if numbers are sufficient a minibus) trip to this Staffordshire wooded valley reserve. Typically the woods hold breeding wood warbler, redstart, pied flycatcher and tree pipit. Many other birds are possible with long eared owls, dipper and kingfisher all regularly being seen. Bring food / drink as facilities at the reserve are limited. Meet at the Tudor Rose at 8.00 am. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| June 18 | South Stack & Angelsey A car trip to this unique reserve with its breeding auks. However, the area has a lot more to offer giving excellent chance of seeing chough, black guillemot and the local tern colony. A visit to the Valley Lakes gives the possibility of cetti's warbler & gadwall. Meet at 8.00 am at the Tudor Rose. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| September 23 | Seaforth Nature Reserve. A car trip to this reserve which is now closed to the general public. We search for the terns & gulls on passage. There is also the possibility of passerine vagrants here, after all this reserve is renown for turning up rarities. Meet at B&Q car park at 9.30 am. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| October 22 | North Wirral Coast. A car trip on our very doorstep. Depending on weather conditions, we will either look out to sea for petrels, skuas and other seawatching 'specials' or check the coastal bushes for passerines. Either way, we intend to spend most of our time out of our cars so wear stout footwear and warm clothes. Meet at Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston at 9.00 am. Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw |
| November 25 | Walney Island A car trip to this amazing place. Most people have been there in the summer for the huge gull colony but we are going at the less popular winter time. Walney offers waders, sea duck, divers, grebes plus the possibility of twite, snow bunting etc. Meet at B&Q car park at 8.00 am . Leader: Jeremy Bradshaw. |
| December 10 | Martin Mere. This hugely popular car trip to the local WWT reserve always provides excellent views of bewick / whooper swan, various geese& duck and usually hen harrier & barn owl. Whilst you can bring your own food, most take advantage of the scrumptious food of the inhouse restaurant! Meet at B&Q at 9.00 am. Leader: Brian Lewis |
Indoor Programme 2006
Indoor meetings are held on the FIRST THURSDAY of every month (except July and August) at BROMBOROUGH CIVIC HALL. Meetings start at 7.30 pm. Wirral Group members free, £2 admission for non members. Please bring your programme for free entry to the meeting.
5th January 'Rona, Island adventure - John Lawton Roberts. An interesting and informative talk about this little known Scottish island and its bird life. John has been involved in bird photography for 40 years and has taken part in numerous bird tudies.
2nd February 'Wildlife in Wales' - Val McFarland. A local naturalist with an international reputation. Val's talks are always a joy to hear. Her combination of easy talking style and extensive knowledge makes this a talk not to miss.
2nd March 'From Baujul to Basse' - Mike McKavett. This talk is about Mike's search for the 'crocodile bird'. He has travelled extensively in pursuit of his hobby of wildlife photography. Mike's work has been widely published in books and magazines. Tonights talk will be a feast of excellent slides.
6th April ' Birds of Scotland' - David Webb Scotland is home to some of our most spectacular scenery and unique bird life. David, a life long birder who hails for Sheffield, brings the sights of Scotland alive with his superb photographs.
4th May AGM and 'Leach's Petrel' - Jo Moran.The north coast of Wirral is nationally renown for being one of the hotspots for seeing Leach's Petrel. Jo has gone in search of this enigmatic bird and sheds light on its unusual lifestyle. Not an easy task with a bird that spends much of its life far out at sea!
1st June 'Bardsey Island nature Reserve' - Mike West. This island reserve is 2 miles off the tip of the Lleyn Peninsular. Famous for the vagrants from N America & S Europe attracted to the island by its lighthouse beam. Nobody is better placed to tell the secrets of this lovely island than Mike, who has been secretary to the observatory for the last 8 years.
7th September 'Confessions of a wildlife photographer' - David Tolliday. Having taken his first wildlife photograph in 1965, David has gone from strength to strength. He won the 2005 RSPB 'Countryside Alive photographic competition' and has had many articles published. This promises to be as interesting a talk as its title !
5th October 'The Falklands' - Geoff Trinder. Perhaps best known for the conflict with Argentina, these islands have a story to tell of beauty mixed with the harsher side oflife. Geoff, who is a semi professional wildlife photographer, takes us on a journey of discovery of Falklands wildlife.
2nd November 'Sun, Stilts & Storks' - Hugh Linn. How Hugh combines his interest in birding with his full time ministry of the Church of England is anyone's guess! A speaker who is in hot demand, Hugh's superbly entertaining talk takes us on a journey to the Algarve home to many a colourful bird.
7th December 'The Inside Passage' - Jeff Clarke. This is not a normal talk as Jeff is not your 'normal' speaker. It will be 100% high octane entertainment ! Once met never forgotten, Jeff is currently Halton Council's Wildlife Officer after a spell as a ranger with Wirral Council and has unlimited enthusiasm about birds. His latest talk is about life in the wilderness of Glacier Bay.
Group Leader:
Jeremy Bradshaw Tel: 0151 632 2364
Treasurer / Membership:
Brian Lewis, 29 Oarside Drive, Wallasey, CH45 5HZ
Publicity:
Ken Davies Tel: 0151 327 5015
Indoor programme Secretary / Recruitment:
Heather White Tel: 0151 336 7711
General Committee Member:
Beth Henderson Tel: 0151 334 2739
Dee Estuary Warden:
Colin Wells Tel: 0151 336 7681
Groups e-mail address: info@wirralrspb.org.uk
Please note: If you are trying to contact us about a sick or injured bird, you should immediately contact the your nearest RSPCA Centre, as they have the necessary facilities and expertise to care for sick or injured birds.
It is important that you wash your hand thoroughly after touching any sick or injured bird, as diseases can easily be transferred from birds to humans.
If the bird is a young one that you think has been abandoned, please take it back to where you found it as it is likely the parent birds have been nearby watching over it.
Single membership £7/year
Family Membership £10/year
Should you wish to know more about the group, please either come along to one of our meetings or contact one of the committee members listed below.
Membership is due 1st January. New members joining after 1st October get 15 months for the price of 12
Please make cheques payable to
WIRRAL RSPB LOCAL GROUP
Indoor meetings are held on the FIRST THURSDAY of every month (except July and August) at BROMBOROUGH CIVIC HALL. Meetings start at 7.30 pm. Wirral Group members free, £2 admission for non members. Please bring your programme for free entry to the meeting.
Outdoor meetings as listed in the programme. Members must confirm details with the leasder not less than three days before the trip
Suitable clothing, footwear, food and drink should always be taken on outdoor trips.
Young people under the age of 16 must be in the care of an adult at all meetings.
Neither the Wirral RSPB Local Group or the RSPB accepts any liability for any/all accidents incurred by members at any meeting.
Page composed 15 December 1998 and
maintained by Dave Jowitt at rspb@jowitt1.org.uk
Updated January 2006