MNA Programme 2013

Saturday 8th June 2013, Lower Derwent Valley NNR nr York
Type: Coach trip
** New destination **
Where we are meeting:
8.30 Conway Park Station on Europa Boulevard, near Birkenhead Bus Station.
8.45 William Brown Street, opposite the Central Library
9.00 Rocket, bus stop just before the start of the M62
Cost: £20, payable on the coach.
Do I need to book? Yes, ring Dave Hardy on 07811 323354.
What do we expect to see? :  Birds of the east coast flyway, possibly a Marsh Harrier.
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope optional.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: Optional
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader David Bryant.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination. Coaches always stop at a service station on the way, and often on the way home.
Link to website:  Lower Derwent Valley
Map reference: SE 690 448

Sunday 23rd June 2013, Hutton Roof NNR
Type: Coach trip
Where we are meeting: (Note later start)
9.30 Conway Park Station on Europa Boulevard, near Birkenhead Bus Station.
9.45 William Brown Street, opposite the Central Library
10.00 Rocket, bus stop just before the start of the M62
Cost: £20, payable on the coach.
Do I need to book? Yes, ring Dave Hardy on 07811 323354.
What do we expect to see? : Limestone pavement.
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Moderate: some ‘up and down’ walking likely; both terrain and footpaths more variable in quality; boots preferable. Might be slippery if wet.
Mileage: 4 miles / 6 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader Dave Hardy.
Are toilets available? Toilets not available at destination. Coaches always stop at a service station on the way, and often on the way home.
Link to website: Hutton Roof
Map reference:SD 552 761

Saturday 6th July 2013, Lathkill Dale (SSSI and NNR)
Type: Coach trip
Where we are meeting:
8.30 Conway Park Station on Europa Boulevard, near Birkenhead Bus Station.
8.45 William Brown Street, opposite the Central Library
9.00 Rocket, bus stop just before the start of the M62
Cost: £20, payable on the coach.
Do I need to book? Yes, ring Dave Hardy on 07811 323354.
What do we expect to see? : Redstarts, limestone flora and butterflies
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Moderate: some ‘up and down’ walking likely; both terrain and footpaths more variable in quality; boots preferable.
Mileage: 2-3 miles / 4 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Either, leader David Bryant.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination. Coaches always stop at a service station on the way, and often on the way home.
Link to website:  Lathkill Dale
Map reference: SK 157 664

Saturday 13th July 2013, Whitegate Way, Winsford
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there.
Where we are meeting: 10.30 in the car park at SJ 616 680.
Car Share: Offers and requests to leader about a week before, please.
Cost:  Free of charge.
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? : Woodland and farmland birds.
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: 4 - 5 miles / 7 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader John Clegg.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website: Whitegate Way 
Map reference: SJ 616 680

Saturday 27th July 2013, Bassenthwaite
Type: Coach trip
Where we are meeting:
8.30 Conway Park Station on Europa Boulevard, near Birkenhead Bus Station.
8.45 William Brown Street, opposite the Central Library
9.00 Rocket, bus stop just before the start of the M62
Cost: £20, payable on the coach.
Do I need to book? Yes, ring Dave Hardy on 07811 323354.
What do we expect to see? : Ospreys and water birds.
Should I bring a telescope? Yes, if you have one.
Walking grade:  Moderate: some ‘up and down’ walking likely; both terrain and footpaths more variable in quality; boots preferable.
Mileage: 2-3 miles / 4 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader David Bryant.
Are toilets available? Toilets not available at destination. Coaches always stop at a service station on the way, and often on the way home.
Link to website:  Bassenthwaite
Map reference: NY 218 277

Saturday 3rd August 2013, Delamere 
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there
Where we are meeting: James Street Station* for the 10.00 Chester train, or Chester Station at 10.50, or Linmere car park at 11.30. (Parking charges apply). Note that the public transport details in this programme were correct at the end of 2012 but might have changed by the time of the trip. Members intending to travel by public transport should re-check the times and availabilities of all buses and trains before setting out.
* Note that this is a changed meeting place from the one given in the printed programme. The Merseyrail underground loop will be closed from 13th July to 11th August, and Wirral Line trains will be starting and ending at James Street. They won't be calling at Central Station.
Cost: Free of charge.
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? : Dragonflies on the Black Lake.
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: 3-4 miles / 6 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader Dave Hardy.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website: Delamere
Map reference: SJ 548 704

Saturday 17th August 2013, Formby Squirrel Reserve
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there.
Where we are meeting: 10.30 at Freshfield Station.
Note that the public transport details in this programme were correct at the end of 2012 but might have changed by the time of the trip. Members intending to travel by public transport should re-check the times and availabilities of all buses and trains before setting out.
Cost: Free of charge.
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? : Red squirrels, woodland birds, dune flora.
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Moderate: some ‘up and down’ walking likely; both terrain and footpaths more variable in quality; boots preferable.
Mileage: 3 miles / 5 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader John Clegg.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website: Formby NT reserve
Map reference: SD 291 082

Sunday 1st September 2013, Fairburn Ings RSPB Reserve
Type: Coach trip
Where we are meeting: (Note later start)
9.00 Conway Park Station on Europa Boulevard, near Birkenhead Bus Station.
9.15 William Brown Street, opposite the Central Library
9.30 Rocket, bus stop just before the start of the M62
Cost: £20, payable on the coach.
Do I need to book? Yes, ring Dave Hardy on 07811 323354.
What do we expect to see? : Waders and autumn migrants.
Should I bring a telescope? Yes, if you have one.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: Optional
Guided or free to roam? Either. Leader David Bryant.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website: Fairburn Ings
Map reference: SE 451 277
Note: Entrance fee for non-RSPB members. Don't forget your RSPB membership card.

Saturday 7th September 2013, Wirral Coastal Park, Meols to Grove Road
** Second part of our Round-Wirral Walk **
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there. Ends mid to late afternoon with optional meal in Harvester near Grove Road Station.
Where we are meeting: 10.45 Meols Station.
Note that the public transport details in this programme were correct at the end of 2012 but might have changed by the time of the trip. Members intending to travel by public transport should re-check the times and availabilities of all buses and trains before setting out.
Cost: Free of charge (but pay for your own meal if you have one).
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? :  Passage waders including Leach's Petrel.
Should I bring a telescope? Yes, if you have one.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: 5-6 miles / 9 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader Jim Hughes. (Any queries to John Clegg.)
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website: North Wirral Coastal Park
Map reference: SJ 233 898
Note: Linear walk. 

Saturday 21st September 2013, Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB Reserve
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there
Where we are meeting: Central Station for the 9.25 train to West Kirby then bus 24 at 10.08 from West Kirby.** Or 11.30 at the Visitors' Centre car park.
Note that the public transport details in this programme were correct at the end of 2012 but might have changed by the time of the trip. Members intending to travel by public transport should re-check the times and availabilities of all buses and trains before setting out.
** Note that the 24 bus from West Kirby is being withdrawn and will not be running on the date of this walk.  New travel arrangements will be posted here as soon as the leader has found them.
Cost: Free of charge.
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? : Autumn migrants, Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harrier.
Should I bring a telescope? Yes, if you have one.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: Optional
Guided or free to roam? Free to roam. Leader John Clegg.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website:  Dee Estuary
Map reference: SJ 319 739
Note: Entrance charge £4 to non-RSPB members. Don't forget your RSPB membership card.

Saturday 5th October 2013, Sidings Lane, Rainford
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there
Where we are meeting: Lime Street Station for 9.20 train to St Helens, or Sidings Lane car park at 10.45.
Note that the public transport details in this programme were correct at the end of 2012 but might have changed by the time of the trip. Members intending to travel by public transport should re-check the times and availabilities of all buses and trains before setting out.
Cost: Free of charge.
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? : Pink-footed Geese and winter birds.
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: 3-4 miles / 6 kilometers
Guided or free to roam? Guided, leader Dave Hardy.
Are toilets available? Toilets not available at destination.
Link to website:  Sidings Lane
Map reference: SD 464 020

Sunday 13th October 2013, Carsington Water
Type: Coach trip
Where we are meeting: (Note later start)
9.00 Conway Park Station on Europa Boulevard, near Birkenhead Bus Station.
9.15 William Brown Street, opposite the Central Library
9.30 Rocket, bus stop just before the start of the M62
Cost: £20, payable on the coach.
Do I need to book? Yes, ring Dave Hardy on 07811 323354.
What do we expect to see? : Waterfowl.
Should I bring a telescope? Yes, if you have one.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain with very good paths suitable for walking shoes.
Mileage: Optional.
Guided or free to roam? Free to roam. Leader David Bryant.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website: Carsington Water
Map reference: SK 241 515
Note: Shops and a restaurant, heated hide.

Saturday 26th October 2013, "Yet more birds of South-West Lancashire" by Ron Jackson
Type: Indoor meeting, illustrated talk.
Where we are meeting: 2.00 Bootle Cricket Club. How to get to Bootle Cricket Club
Directions to Bootle Cricket Club: By public transport 
Cost: Free of charge.
Do I need to book?. No, just turn up.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Note: Visitors welcome.

Sunday 27th October 2013, Ainsdale NNR. The Ken Jordan Memorial Fungal Foray.
Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there
Where we are meeting: 10.30 at the car park at the Reserve Manager’s Office, PR8 3QW. Driving: take A565 north past Woodvale Airport, turn on to Coastal Road, over railway bridge and left into private drive Public transport: meet at Ainsdale Station at 10.00.
Note that the public transport details in this programme were correct at the end of 2012 but might have changed by the time of the trip. Members intending to travel by public transport should re-check the times and availabilities of all buses and trains before setting out.
Cost: Free of charge.
Do I need to book? No, just turn up.
What do we expect to see? :  Fungi
Should I bring a telescope? Telescope not useful.
Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain or sand dunes.
Mileage: Unknown, but fungal forays don't cover large distances.
Guided or free to roam? Free to roam. Leader Tony Carter 0151-724 4600.
Are toilets available? Toilets available at the destination.
Link to website:  North-West Fungus Group
Map reference: SD 303 112
Note: Joint meeting with North-West Fungus Group. This walk is not in the MNA printed programme.