North Lancashire Wildlife Group

New! Field meeting reports

Meetings, field outings and workshops are listed below in date order. We also organise recording.

If you would like to receive email notifications of our events (including alterations, cancellations and extra events) and get priority on our occasional booked events, then become a member

Summer Programme

No knowledge or experience necessary. Everyone very welcome. Great photography opportunities. Binoculars can sometimes be useful. In case of doubtful weather do ring, to check in case of cancellation or postponement. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are not allowed. Suitable outdcoor clothing and footwear are strongly recommended. Most are easy walks but one or two may be more demanding — please enquire if you have any questions. Bring water, and a packed lunch for the all-day events, There is no charge but donations are always welcome.

Please check our website for any late details. For more information or in the case of doubtful weather do contact us (robszsz@yahoo.co.uk). Meeting place given by GR - Grid Reference; PC - Postcode (nearby); w3w - what3words.

July 20 Monday 1:00 PM–4:00 PM Cogie Hill Nature Site

Parking is limited so share transport if possible. Meet at Cogie Hill Farm, Island Lane, Winmarleigh, PR3 0LD; grid reference SD442468; what3words blink.resold.latches - coming from the east (A6), it is the last gateway on Island Lane.
This site has been managed solely for wildlife (and the wellbeing of three horses) for 15 years and is not a working farm. There are various habitats that we can explore including young and mature woodlands and wildflower meadows. The owner will talk about her current and future plans for creating a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem on the site.
photo © Bob Jenkins cc-by-sa/2.0

August 2 Sunday 10:30 AM–3:30 PM Summer Walk at Heysham Nature Reserve

Meet in the reserve car park, off Moneyclose Lane, Heysham, postcode: LA3 3JH, grid reference: SD406599, what3words: mashing.raven.melon
A look around the main reserve first for butterflies, dragonflies and other insects as well as for the botanical interest. In the afternoon we will wander down the landscape strip and then to the sea wall looking at more insects, possibly bush-crickets, and sea birds.

August 8 Saturday 8:30 PM–12:00 AM Moth Trapping and Bat Detection Evening

Meet at Warton Crag Nature Reserve quarry car park on Crag Road, LA5 9NE at 8:30pm. GR: SD491723 w3w: losing.infinite.scouts
We will again be looking for moths and bats at dusk and after dark using bat-detectors and moth lights. Bring warm clothes and torches. There will be a little walking.
The meeting will finish late, but you may leave at any time.

August 17 Monday 1:30 PM–4:30 PM The Knoll Circular Walk, Hest Bank

Meet at the junction of The Knoll and Sea View Drive in Hest Bank using street parking, postcode: LA2 6BT, grid reference: SD471657, what3words: abundance.envisage.boomed
A circular walk along paths, lanes and the canal towpath and including an attractive large pond which has wildfowl, butterflies, ladybirds and dragonflies. The varied habitats that we will pass through include grassland and hedgerows as well as the canal and pond water features.

September 5 Saturday 10:00 AM–12:00 AM Less common trees and shrubs

Meet at the north end of Arnside Promenade Grid REf: SD454786; What 3 Words octagon.scatters.respects
This meeting is to look at some of the less common small trees and large shrubs growing wild on the Arnside shoreline and Knott.
This will be a walk of moderate length. The route has not yet been worked out. Numbers will be limited.

September 22 Tuesday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Brown Robin Nature Reserve

Meet on the car park of the Cumbria Grand Hotel off Lindale Road, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6SP / SD417788 / w3w superbly.otter.flukes
We will be exploring Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Brown Robin Nature Reserve to search for the different species to be found on this limestone grassland and mixed woodland site. There is a chance of early autumn migrants including flocks of winter thrushes whilst we will also hope for waxcap fungi alongside the changing colours of the season and views over Morecambe Bay.

Winter Programme

All indoor meetings are held on the second Friday of the month from September until March, from 7:30pm at the Church of the Ascension, Michaelson Avenue, Torrisholme, LA4 6RH. (the Hall is in Michaelson Avenue, first left off Lancaster Road between The Shrimp Roundabout and Torrisholme) There is a charge of £3 including light refreshments. There is no need to book for these talks. For more information, contact the Programme Secretary on 07361 380255.

September 11 Friday– The Amazing Barn Owl

You may not ever see one, they’re shy, silent but mystical and move gracefully through the night sky. The facts will astound you and the videos and images with relaxing music will melt your hearts. Presented with passion and love by Ron Blackburn after spending 10 years sitting, lying and waiting for thousands of hours for this beautiful Owl. [Also our short AGM].

October 9 Friday– Lancashire - a Journey into the Wild

John Lamb takes us on a 10-year journey from source to sea from hills and moors, down river valleys, through ancient woodlands and species-rich grasslands, passing lakes and tarns, navigating lowland mosses and limestone pavements and, finally, walking the coastline to the Cove at Silverdale, showing some of the wildlife and archaeology found along the way.

November 13 Friday– Birds, Beasts and Bugs of the Bog

Alasdair McKee of the RSPB and Cumbria Wildlife Trust will talk about Foulshaw Moss nature reserve in Cumbria. The peat bog there has been restored over the last 25 years and is now home to an amazing array of wildlife from Hobbies and Ospreys through rare crickets and dragonflies, to various reptiles and amphibians. This lively and entertaining talk will introduce you to all of these and explain why peat bogs are so vital for wildlife – and for us.

December 11 Friday– Christmas Wildlife Quiz and Jacob\'s Join (free admission)

Our Xmas social. Very easy-going Xmas Wildlife Quiz (mark your own answers) and photos of the year slideshows. Bring a contribution for the Jacob’s Join.

January 8 Friday– Swimming against the Current?

For the Atlantic Salmon and other migratory fish, survival can be very difficult – sometimes impossible. The River Lune contains many of the challenges that they face in the UK – some of them for two hundred years or more! Richard Jardine will focus on the Salmon’s life cycle and their dangerous journey including a brief history of the changing Lune and its impact on salmon followed by the conservation work that various organisations are carrying out and the future outlook including what people can do to help.

February 12 Friday– The Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands

Steve Bullen tells us about what has been called a living laboratory of evolution; these isolated islands inspired Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking theories. From giant tortoises, large frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies to the Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas, the Galapagos Islands are home to species found nowhere else on Earth.

March 12 Friday– Wildlife Rehabilitation

Veterinary surgeon Lisbeth Tuckey will share some of the highs, lows and challenges of working with wildlife casualty cases. A variety of birds and mammals are admitted to Kendal College Animal Rescue Centre throughout the year from rescued seals to the common wildlife casualties like injured birds and hedgehogs. This talk will cover the ethics and processes of wildlife triage, rehabilitation and release.

Tanyptera Trust

Any wildlife- or conservation-related event can go here. Contact the webmaster at webmaster@nlwg.org.uk