… tune in to our first event of 2023, a Zoom evening on Thursday 12th January when Louise Bentley will be talking to us about the work of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
…then join us on our first coach trip of 2023, on Saturday 14th January to North Cave Wetlands, just beyond the eastern end of the M62.
Members, watch your inboxes for a Zoom invitation link; Non-members, why not find out how to join us – it’s only £10 for the year!
North Cave Wetlands is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve that opened in 2020 on the parts of the sand and gravel extraction pits, the site is developing constantly and expanding to include new areas as will be seen on our visit.
The site has certainly developed since it opened with an impressive list of Birds including Wetland, Waders, Farmland and Woodland species along with Raptors and summer breeding migrants
The site is well worth a visit at all times of the year with impressive fauna and flora.
The original site is accessed by a circular path (1.75 miles) which runs around the perimeter and has a good surface to three of the four hides on site. In addition, there are a number of bird feeding stations and viewing points
The Turret Hide has steps to access and the path from Turret Hide to far lake is a grass surface with surface dependant on the weather but level and easily navigable.
The site has expanded over the last couple of years and now includes Crosslands lake and the Silt Pond which are on the western end of the reserve and viewable from Crosslands Hide.
A walk west from Crosslands hide on Dryham Lane offers good access along a surface track to Cell 2a another area of water worth a look as well as the buildings at Dryham farm where a little Owl has been seen.
A new access road around the silt pond offers a circular route back to the Crosslands hide. (Dryham lane extension and Silt lake adds an extra 1.25 miles to walk)
Part of the site is still an active quarry and offers further expansion in the future.
Binoculars essential and Scope recommended for some of the larger water bodies
Facilities on site include 2 composting toilets and an outdoor covered seating area adjacent to The Butty bus on Dryham Lane close to the entrance from Cliffe Road. Recommended locations for eating are the Crosslands Hide and the Covered seating area by the Butty Bus.
Leader : Paul Whiting
The trip is open to members, as well as their friends and family. The coach will leave Manchester Road Cul-de-Sac, Rochdale OL11 4HY at 9am prompt and will set off on its return journey at 4 pm. The cost is still only £20. Contact rfnspublicity@gmail.com for any enquiries.
This coach trip is subject to 25 people booking, otherwise it will be a car trip.
*To book your place please contact rfnspublicity@gmail.com. Please pay your £20 beforehand by bank transfer: Sort Code 05-07-67, Account Number 60931963. Please use your name as a reference. Some people have just been sending in their payment to the bank but our systems are not high tech enough for this information to be automatically passed on to bookings! If you cannot use internet banking then please pay by cheque made payable to “Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society”. Spaces may be available on the day but there is no guarantee, so those who have booked and paid will be given priority. *