Field trips

Our first ever visit to this site which has been recommended by one of our members as a good day out with plenty to see.  The area has a good range of habitats, and species that may possibly be seen include Bittern, Hobby and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, plus a wide range of waterfowl and waders.  The bus will pick up as follows:

Back to an autumn favourite with a visit up the Northumberland coast including Holy Island.  If the weather conditions are favourable this trip offers the chance to witness spectacular migration with large numbers of thrushes and other passerine migrants including rarities like Yellow-browed Warbler.  If conditions are not so good for passerine migrants then there are still likely to be plenty of waders and wildfowl plus some seabirds to be seen on a day out that rarely disappoints.  The bus will pick up as follows:

If you are left scratching your head trying to pick out a juvenile Ruff from the Redshank flock then the wader identification workshop is the outing for you.  Last year the new Castle Lake reserve attracted Wilson's Phalarope and Pectoral Sandpiper during the autumn migration period along with many more expected migrants.  Meet at the usual parking area in Bishop Middleham village at 9 a.m.  (NZ326314).

Two weeks later we will be concentrating on seabird identification.  Species seen whilst seawatching are, perhaps more than any other group of birds, heavily influenced by prevailing weather conditions.  So it could be quiet or very busy, depending on the weather on the day.  In any event, there will be some seabirds to be seen and some of our more experienced seawatchers will be on hand to help those who require assistance with their seabird identification.  Meet at the Whitburn Observatory at 9 a.m.  The Observatory is situated right on the cliff top at the southern end of Whitburn Country Park.  There is ample parking available in the southern car park at NZ411634 from which a footpath runs south then east to the Observatory.

If it is passerine identification that you would like assistance with, why not sign up for the coordinated migration watch.  Full details, including contact information, are in the Projects and Surveys section of the Summer 2008 Lek.  Ross Ahmed is the co-ordinator and will be happy to team up newcomers or inexperienced members with established old hands, so not only will you get assistance but you will also meet other members of the club.  If you are interested in this activity please note that dates are flexible, but if you have any queries you can speak to Ross.