ProgrammeProgramme

2018 - 2019 Season

THE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE RSPB LOCAL GROUP

www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk

SǕǠǤǕǝǒǕǢ 2018 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: A Walk in the Woods by Kevin Briggs 11 A comparison of limestone and gritstone woodland ecology in the Lune Valley, N.W. . Based on an earlier talk to the Group be prepared for some unusual methodology. Introduced by: Ian Taylor 01260 275248 Friday 28 Winter Weekend Away in 2018: North Lancashire Coast to Bookings are now closed for our three night birdwatching weekend but please Sunday 30 contact Graham as he may be able to fit you in if there is still room at The Clarendon Hotel, where we are staying. The Morecambe Bay area includes pools, marshes, mudflats and coastal areas with a good range of resident, late autumn migrants and birds preparing for winter. Wildfowl and waders should be plentiful and the whole area has a reputation for rarities popping up. As well as Morecambe itself, places we are likely to visit are RSPB Leighton Moss, Warton Crag, Hest Bank, Heysham, Conder Green, Glasson Dock and perhaps Pilling Lane Ends. Organiser: Graham Palmer 01625 420179 Walk Leaders: Ian and Lydia Taylor 01260 275248

OǓǤǟǒǕǢ 2018 Monday Garden Bird Survey: First recording day – Please support the survey. Forms 1 available from the website (www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk) or at indoor meetings. Contact: Ian Taylor 01260 275248 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: Discovering Doñana by Paul Kenyon 9 The Doñana National Park in Andalusia, Southern Spain is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing a variety of ecosystems that shelter a wide range of wildlife including many endangered species. Introduced by: Ray Evans 01625 432635 Thursday Special Event: RSPB Coffee Morning 11 Take an opportunity to see this year’s range of RSPB Christmas cards while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits. A selection of homemade cakes and preserves will be available to purchase as well as winter food for the birds. Gawsworth Methodist Community Hall, Congleton Road, Gawsworth, Macclesfield, SK11 9QZ. 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Contact: Chris Revett 01625 617384 Saturday Special Event: Nature Needs You - Welly Walk 13 Join RSPB Macclesfield Wildlife Explorers ‘Nature Needs You’ event at West Park. Welly Walk is bigger and better this year as the Wildlife Explorers join forces with Macclesfield Town Council for a day of family nature and outdoor activities. Meet at West Park, Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BJ 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Contact: Tina Hanak 07870 804413 or visit the Wildlife Explorers website Sunday WGBG Coach Trip: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Reserve at Spurn 21 Depart at 7:30 am from Wilmslow Guild, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD Contact: Steve McGann 01625 533652 Saturday Wilmslow Library Charity Card Shop is OPEN 27 If you live close to Wilmslow come and buy your Christmas cards at Wilmslow Library. A great choice of charities to support including the RSPB. Cash and/or Debit cards accepted. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS . Contact Jen Tolliday (01625 432105) if you are interested and can help. Save postage by purchasing your RSPB Christmas goods at our events, order directly at an Indoor Meeting or contact Chris Revett on 01625 617384 2 NǟǦǕǝǒǕǢ 2018 Saturday Macclesfield Library Charity Card Shop is OPEN 3 Come and buy your Christmas cards at Macclesfield Library. A great choice of charities to support including the RSPB. Cash and/or Debit cards accepted. If you can spare some time to help please contact Chris Revett 01625 617384 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: The City by Paul Hobson 13 An exploration of the many micro habitats and the species of British wildlife that have colonised our urban sprawl. Introduced by: Alan Brereton 01625 615628 Sunday WGBG Coach Trip: Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Reserve at Attenborough 25 Depart at 8:00 am from Wilmslow Guild, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD Contact: Steve McGann 01625 533652 DǕǓǕǝǒǕǢ 2018 Sunday Outdoor Meeting: Northwich Woodlands & Flashes followed by a festive lunch 2 The woodlands and flashes attract some interesting birds in the winter months. The absence of leaves may make the elusive lesser spotted woodpecker easier to find and the flashes may hold good numbers of wildfowl. Come and join us for some birdwatching followed by a festive 12:30 pm lunch at the Salt Barge, Ollershaw Lane, Marston, Northwich, CW9 6ES LR Grid Reference: SJ670755, WGS84 N 53.275075, W 2.495917. Book with Lydia by the November indoor meeting to secure your place. Meet 9:30 am at Witton Mill car park, off Old Warrington Road, Northwich, follow signs for ‘Household Waste Site’, then pass the waste site entrance to access the car park, over the bridge on your left. LR Grid Reference: SJ663747, WGS84 N 53.26864 W 2.50630 Leader: Lydia Taylor 01260 275248 Saturday Last Day before the Macclesfield and Wilmslow Library Charity Card Shops 8 CLOSE Tuesday Indoor Meeting: Belarus and Estonia: Europe’s secret wildlife hotspots 11 by Barrie Cooper A close look at two former Soviet states – Belarus with its wildlife rich ancient forests, meadows, bogs and wetlands and Estonia positioned on a major migration fly-way. Introduced by: Ian Taylor 01260 275248 JǑǞǥǑǢǩ 2019 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: The Great Texas Birding Trail by Dennis Atherton 8 An exploration at peak migration time of a designated system of trails, bird sanctuaries and nature reserves that run along the entire Texas Gulf Coast. Introduced by: Ray Evans 01625 432635 Saturday National RSPB Event: ‘Big Garden Birdwatch’ at West Park, Macclesfield 26 Contribute to the state of bird populations across the country by taking part in The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch with help from birdwatchers from The RSPB Macclesfield Local Group and Wildlife Explorers. There will be advice on using binoculars and telescopes and help with identifying common garden birds, as well as lots of helpful hints on completing your own survey at home. Meet outside the café at West Park, Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BJ 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Contact: Tina Hanak 07870 804413 or visit the Wildlife Explorers website Sunday WGBG Coach Trip: North Lancashire Coast 27 Depart at 8:00 am from Wilmslow Guild, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD Contact: Steve McGann 01625 533652 3 FǕǒǢǥǑǢǩ 2019 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: ‘ The Long Spring’ by Laurence Rose 12 Based on his book of the same title, this talk takes us on a four month journey following Spring and its birds through Europe from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Arctic Norway. Introduced by: David Tolliday 01625 432105 MǑǢǓǘ 2019 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: Our Disappearing Swifts - What Can We Do? 12 by Tanya and Edmund Hoare Swift numbers are falling dramatically. A look at their behaviour, aerial lifestyle and research into migration as well as considering what can be done to help these iconic birds. Introduced by: Tina Hanak 07870 804413 Thursday Special Event: RSPB Coffee Morning 28 Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits at Gawsworth Community Hall. A selection of homemade cakes and preserves will be available to purchase. Gawsworth Methodist Community Hall, Congleton Road, Gawsworth, Macclesfield, SK11 9QZ, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Contact: Chris Revett 01625 617384 Sunday WGBG Coach Trip: RSPB Saltholme reserve 31 Depart at 7:30 am from Wilmslow Guild, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD Contact: Steve McGann 01625 533652 AǠǢǙǜ 2019 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: Birds: Their Hidden World by Peter Holden 9 Author and originator of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch looks at British birds and their amazing lives with the sort of information that most bird books leave out Introduced by: Lydia Taylor 01260 275248 Tuesday Walk with Nature: Danes Moss Wildlife Trust Reserve 16 Join us on the boardwalk of Macclesfield’s closest nature reserve. We will be looking for woodland birds and early summer migrants. Meet at Lyme Green (Homebase car park) SK11 0TA LR Grid Reference: SJ913712, WGS84 N 53.23756, W 2.13152 8:00 am to 10:30 am. Leaders: Alan Brereton 01625 615628 and Ian Taylor 01260 275248

Thursday Walk with Nature: Northwich Flashes 18 Join us for a morning walk around Neumann’s and Ashton’s Flashes searching for early spring migrants Meet at Witton Mill car park, off Old Warrington Road, Northwich, follow signs for ‘Household Waste Site’, then pass the waste site entrance to access the car park, over the bridge on your left. LR Grid Reference: SJ663747, WGS84 N 53.26864, W 2.50630 10:00 am to 12:30 pm Leader: Ian Taylor 01260 275248 and Ray Evans 01625 432635

Thursday Walk with Nature: Three Shire Heads 25 Join us to search for ring ouzel and summer plumaged golden plover where the counties of Cheshire, and meet. Meet at Sparbent layby on the A54 Congleton to Buxton road. LR Grid Reference: SK001692, WGS84 N 53.21966 W 1.99952. 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Leaders: Ray Evans 01625 432635 and Alan Brereton 01625 615628

4 AǠǢǙǜ 2019 Friday 26 Weekend Away: Spring in the Elan Valley to We will be based at Elan Valley Lodge, where double and twin rooms have ensuite Sunday 28 facilities and singles have a ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom arrangement. There is no single room supplement at this Lodge and the cost will include bed, breakfast, evening meal and a packed lunch. We will be in the hands of a local guide and we hope to see raptors and warblers, in particular the scarce wood warbler. Please contact Graham if you are interested or send him a booking form. Further details can be obtained at indoor meetings. Organiser: Graham Palmer 01625 420179 Assistant Walk Leaders: Ian and Lydia Taylor 01260 275248 Sunday WGBG Coach Trip: Tophill Low 28 Depart at 7:30 am from Wilmslow Guild, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD Contact: Steve McGann 01625 533652 Tuesday Walk with Nature: Dawn Chorus at the Brickworks 30 Join us for a Dawn Chorus walk around Jackson’s Brickworks on the Middlewood Way. We will listen and look for the area’s resident song birds as well as early spring migrants including chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap and garden warbler. Meet at Jackson’s Brickworks car park, Pool House Road, Higher Poynton. LR Grid Reference: SJ947844; WGS84 N 53.35616, W 2.08068 6:00 am to 8:00 am. Leaders: Ray Evans 01625 432635, Ian Taylor 01260 275248 with Cheshire East Ranger, Peter Dowse. MǑǩ 2019 Thursday Walk with Nature: Birds of the Goyt Valley 2 An early morning walk in the Goyt Valley looking for our less frequently seen spring Morning migrants. We will be searching for pied and spotted flycatcher, common redstart, tree pipit and listening for cuckoo. Meet at Errwood Hall car park, Goyt Valley LR Grid Reference SK012748, WGS84 N 53.27053, W 1.98317 NB; Access to Goyt Valley from Errwood Dam end only. 7:00 am to 10:00 am. Leaders: Alan Brereton 01625 615628 and Ray Evans 01625 432635 with Cheshire East Ranger, Paul Hughes.

The RSPB is the country’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 also play a leading role in a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations Together we can give nature the home it needs With support from you we protect wildlife and the wider countryside you love

The RSPB Macclesfield Local Group was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers. We hold regular events to which all are welcome. For more information please contact the Secretary or Membership Secretary (see last page) or see our website www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk 5 MǑǩ 2019 Thursday Walk with Nature: Trentabank Reservoir 2 Come and join us along with members of the Macclesfield Lifestyle Group and Afternoon Rossendale Trust to see the herons, cormorants and possibly mandarin ducks at Trentabank Reservoir. This session will only require walking from the car park to the reservoir viewing point. Any ability or mobility welcome. Telescopes will be available to assist viewing of the birds. Meet at Trentabank Visitor Centre car park, Macclesfield Forest, SK11 0NE LR Grid Reference SJ962713, WGS84 N 53.23738, W 2.05907 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Leaders: Abercrombie 07775 904683 and Lydia Taylor 01260 275248 Sunday WGBG Coach Trip: RSPB Ynys Hir reserve 12 Depart at 7:30 am from Wilmslow Guild, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD Contact: Steve McGann 01625 533652 Tuesday Indoor Meeting: AGM followed by members’ digital images and videos 14 Each year our members produce some fine images depicting wildlife from both home and abroad, so do come along and support the evening. Contact: David Tolliday (01625 432105 or [email protected]) by Tuesday 9 April 2018 - you may bring up to 25 of your own digital images or up to a 10 minute short video Sunday Garden Bird Survey: please return your completed survey to: 19 Ian Taylor, 39 Leamington Road, Congleton, CW12 4PE or to avoid postage: scan and e-mail to [email protected]

Wednesday Walk with Nature: Trentabank Reservoir 29 We are pleased to offer a second opportunity to join us along with members of the Macclesfield Lifestyle Group and Rossendale Trust to see the herons, cormorants and possibly mandarin ducks at Trentabank Reservoir. This session will only require walking from the car park to the reservoir viewing point. Any ability or mobility welcome. Telescopes will be available to assist viewing of the birds. Meet at Trentabank Visitor Centre car park, Macclesfield Forest, SK11 0NE LR Grid Reference SJ962713, WGS84 N 53.23738, W 2.05907 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Leaders: Abercrombie 07775 904683 and Lydia Taylor 01260 275248 JǥǞǕ 2019 Thursday Walk with Nature: Tegg’s Nose Country Park 6 An evening walk in the woodland and scrub around Tegg’s Nose looking for the Evening area’s spring migrants especially pied flycatcher and common redstart. Meet at Tegg’s Nose Reservoir car park, Holehouse Lane, Langley. LR Grid Reference SJ945718; WGS84 N 53.24349, W 2.08290 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Leaders: Ian Taylor 01260 275248 and Alan Brereton 01625 615628 with Cheshire East Ranger, Martin James

‘A ǔ HǟǓ ’ OǥǤǔǟǟǢ MǕǕǤǙǞǗǣ

Building on the success of last years ‘Ad Hoc’ meetings we are planning to ’tweak’ them a little for this season’s programme. We plan to continue announcing where we are going at the indoor meeting during the season with an advert in the monthly Heron Newsletter and on the website. In addition, we will hold an eMail list for those interested in receiving notification this way.

This season, we plan to hold ’Ad Hoc’ meetings on the Tuesday or Wednesday in the week following the Indoor Meeting. While it makes weather prediction a little more difficult, it increases

6 the number of leaders we will have available to organise the walks. Unfortunately this may result in some short notice cancellation if the weather forecast is changeable.

To give you some idea of the possible sites we may choose to visit the following will be considered. The possible date options are listed should you like to hold the space in your diary. This listing is not exhaustive and if an interesting long staying bird is in our area we may choose to try and find it. We will not be ‘twitching’ rarities. These walks are dependent on the weather and a Group Member available to lead the walk. If you would like to lead a walk at one of these or another local venue please contact a committee member.

Please remember if we don’t attract sufficient numbers or the weather situation deteriorates we may cancel any ‘Ad Hoc’ outing at short notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please let Lydia at the front desk know your eMail or telephone number if you plan to come on an ‘Ad Hoc’ outing.

October 16 or 17; Alt Estuary, Pennington Flash, Wirral, Swallow Moss.

November 20 or 21; Pennington Flash, Sandbach Flashes; Brockholes LWT reserve.

January 15 or 16; Astbury Mere, Knypersley Reservoir, Macclesfield Forest, Carsington Water, Deep Hayes Country Park, WWT Martin Mere

February 19 or 20; Moore nature reserve, Westport Lake, Tittesworth Reservoir, Marbury Country Park.

March 19 or 20; RSPB Coombes Valley, Middlewood Way, Sandbach Flashes, Salt Line.

May 21 or 22; Astbury Mere, RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Aber Valley.

June 18 or 19 ; Gronant.

July 16 or 17 ; Late evening Goyt Valley, Cannock Chase.

PǢǕǦǙǕǧ ǟǖ SǟǝǕ ǟǖ 2019 - 20 SǕǑǣǟǞ BǟǟǛǙǞǗǣ

Tuesday 10 September Indoor Meeting: Wild Queensland and the Red Hot Centre 2019 by Gianpiero Ferrari

Friday 4 Winter Weekend Away in 2019: South Lincolnshire to We will stay at the County Hotel, Skegness, an older Art Deco hotel on Sunday 6 the front . We plan to visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife reserve at Gibraltar October 2019 Point on Saturday and the two RSPB coastal sites at Frampton Marsh and Frieston on the way home on Sunday. These sites are good for waders and migrating passerines at this time of year. Organiser: Graham Palmer 01625 420179 Tuesday 10 December Indoor Meeting: Wildlife Through The Americas: Alaska to 2019 Argentina by Mark Sisson

If you no longer wish to hear from RSPB Macclesfiel d Local Group, please contact Lydia Taylor, Membership Secretary - [email protected] / 01260 275248, confirming your name and address and stating that you wish to unsubscribe from the RSPB Macclesfield Local Group’s communications.

The advertisements or patronage identified in this Programme are not specifically endorsed by The RSPB Macclesfield Local Group or the RSPB

7 INDOOR MEETINGS

These are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the United Reformed Church, Park Green, Macclesfield, SK11 7NA. Free Parking opposite and behind the Church. Disabled access available.

Entry fee: Local Group Members £1, Visitors £4.50, Under 18s Free. Complimentary tea or coffee with a biscuit is available during the interval.

Members and guests are asked to be aware of their responsibilities under Health and Safety Legislation . Please read and take notice of the fire evacuation signs and notices within the United Reformed Church premises. A first aid box is located in the kitchen area if required. If you have an accident while on the premises, please inform a member of the committee, who will need to complete an Accident Report Form.

OUTDOOR MEETINGS

Outdoor events are by car with meeting times and locations as stated in the programme, website, monthly Newsletter, monthly eMail or announced at the Indoor Meeting. Car sharing is encouraged and we now ask that you sign up (eMail or contact telephone number) with Lydia at the front desk if you are prepared to offer or need transport for any of our Outdoor Meetings. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide transport and departure times are always at the discretion of the driver, therefore please respect their wishes.

The ‘Ad Hoc’ Outdoor Meetings will usually be held on the Tuesday or Wednesday in the week following each Indoor Meeting (forecasted weather permitting) to enable communication of the proposed site, meeting time, location and leader. If we don’t attract sufficient numbers or the weather situation deteriorates we may cancel at short notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We welcome new people and no birdwatching experience is necessary.

Please note : Some outdoor events and walks may be over rough or muddy ground and the weather could change during the outing. Please ensure you wear suitable clothing and footwear for the weather conditions and terrain. You are advised to bring a snack/packed lunch and drinks unless you propose to use café facilities where available. In the event of inclement weather ahead of any programmed outdoor event, please check the Group website (www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk) or telephone the designated Outing Leader to find out any change of plan. In poor weather conditions the Group is obliged to cancel or modify event plans in the interest of safety. All events are risk assessed for compliance with Health and Safety Legislation and the Group apologises if this causes any inconvenience.

Remember : Do not leave any items of value in cars whilst they are unattended at any events.

COACH TRIPS

Coach trips are courtesy of the Wilmslow Guild Birdwatching Group (WGBG) who welcome and make spaces available to RSPB Macclesfield Local Group members. Bookings open approximately two months before the trip date and should be made with a telephone call to Steve McGann (01625 533652). A non-returnable deposit of £5 per person is then required to secure your place. Each trip costs £15 to £25 per person, dependent upon numbers.

HELPFUL CONTACT NAMES AND NUMBERS Secretary Daryll Bailey 01625 430311 [email protected] Membership Secretary Lydia Taylor 01260 275248 [email protected]

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654

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