Field Meetings 2011-2012

---

Next trip: 19 May 2012 - Leighton Moss (by minibus)

» Our planned programme of outings for the 2011-2012 season includes a mixture of local trips by car and excursions further afield by minibus.

» All trips start from the Stockton Road entrance to the University of Durham Science Site, but timings vary - follow the links in the table below to see more details for each trip.

» For local excursions no advanced booking is needed.  Minibus trips should be booked well in advance (see below) with David Sowerbutts (Tel. (0191) 3867201).

» See below for details of forthcoming trips or view the season's programme:

Our planned programme of excursions for the Spring and early Summer includes three full-day outings and three local evening trips. Most of these will be by car. Outings start from the Stockton Road entrance to the University of Durham Science Site. For evening outings parking in the metered spaces near the University Science Site is free after 6.00 p.m. For full day outings cars not needed for the trip will be re-located where parking is free for the day.

Saturday 19th May - Leighton Moss (by minibus)
Leighton Moss in Springtime is always an area which promises much, and rarely fails to deliver observations of interest.  It has the largest reedbed in north-west England, with several specialist birds.  The trio of Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Bittern have encountered mixed fortunes in recent years, the first two enjoying a fair degree of success - though Bearded Tits can still be elusive.  Bitterns have declined in numbers, but the curious booming call may still occasionally be heard.  A programme of reedbed regeneration is under way and the RSPB hopes that this species will increase again here, as it has done elsewhere in the country.  The reedbeds also hold good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler as well as a wide range of waterfowl.  Scrub and woodland provide cover and breeding habitat for a wealth of songbirds, while the saltmarsh at the western end of the reserve attracts passage and breeding waders, a highlight of recent years being colonisation by a population of Avocets.

Possible stops en route to and from the Leighton Moss area should increase the variety of birds seen still further.  We will meet at the University Science Site at 9.00 a.m. and should be back in Durham about 7.30 p.m.  The minibus fare will be £16.00 (RSPB members), £18.00 (non-members) and £6.00 (juniors).  There are a few places left. Please contact David Sowerbutts, 9 Prebends Field, Gilesgate Moor, Durham DH1 1HH - tel. 0191-386-7201 - as soon as possible to book.  RSPB members are reminded to bring their membership cards to gain free admittance to the reserve.

Tuesday 22nd May - Lanchester Valley Walk (by car)
The Lanchester Valley Walk follows the trackbed of a former railway (which of course means that any inclines will be gentle and walking should be easy).  There is a good mixture of habitat.  The mature woodland is likely to hold leaf warblers, woodpeckers and possibly Spotted Flycatcher and Tawny Owl.  Scrub vegetation on reclaimed land and along the former railway embankment is home to Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Linnet among other species, and Lesser Whitethroat has been recorded.  The River Browney, which runs alongside the track in one area, may produce Dipper and Grey Wagtail, and to the west of Lanchester the path follows an embankment over open countryside, where Curlew, Lapwing and Skylark are often seen.  Along some parts of the track there are also areas of botanical interest and, if the evening is sunny, butterflies may be on the wing.  Travel will be in members' cars, and the excursion will start at 6.30 p.m. from the University Science Site.  No advance booking is needed for this outing.

Friday 1st June - Smiddyshaw Reservoir (by car)
The beginning of our walk will be in a wooded area which may be expected to hold some of the commoner species, and then we will continue across moorland habitat, where the resident Meadow Pipits and Red Grouse should be present in some numbers, but where we might also expect to find Curlew, Golden Plover and possibly Wheatear and Snipe.  As we approach the reservoir there should be some change in the suite of species seen.  In all at least half a dozen species of wader are likely, with small number of waterfowl on the reservoir, and the chance of one or two less predictable species such as the Cuckoo which we encountered when we last visited the area.  Travel will be in members' cars, and the excursion will start at 6.30 p.m. from the University Science Site.  No advance booking is needed for this outing.

Saturday 16th June - Bempton Cliffs (by minibus)
*Please note the change of date from 9th June, which appears on the programme card.
The RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs is well known as the only English breeding site for the Gannet.  The colony began modestly - there were 18 nest sites in 1969/70, but by the early 1990's the total was over a thousand, though the species was still by no means as numerous as the Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins.  A visit to any seabird colony is a memorable experience - Bempton has the added advantages of easily accessible viewpoints at no great distance from the car park.  We will allow plenty of time for everyone to see as much as they wish, but we should also have time to visit one or two other areas of different habitat during the later part of the day on our return journey to Durham.  We will meet at the University Science Site at 9.00 a.m. and should be back in Durham about 7.00 p.m.  The minibus fare will be £16.00 (RSPB members), £18.00 (non-members) and £6.00 (juniors).  Bookings should be sent, with payment, to David Sowerbutts, 9 Prebends Field, Gilesgate Moor, Durham DH1 1HH - tel. 0191-386-7201 - to arrive not later than 2nd June.  RSPB members are reminded to bring their membership cards to gain free admittance to the reserve.