We’re going slightly further afield with our August coach trip with a chance to visit the beautiful Whisby Nature Park in Lincolnshire. The park is full of wildlife, walks and trails. Once barren and lifeless, this amazing place now abounds with wildlife. The park was created by quarrying for sand and gravel, but nature has reclaimed the pits and bare sand, creating habitats for many species.
The lakes are fringed by beds of reedmace, grassy glades, willow scrub and pockets of woodland. Elements of the original quarry landscape remain, with fragments of heathland, old hedgerows and small oak woodlands.
In summer flocks of tits and finches are joined by swallows and martins feeding over the lakes. Chiffchaffs, Garden and Reed Warblers can be heard. The Nature Park has been designated a Dragonfly Hotspot by The British Dragonfly Society. When we did the recce in July, we certainly saw large numbers of both dragonflies and damselflies.
Banded Demoiselle
The Whisby Natural World Centre and cafe is open until 4.30pm. Information about wildlife and a latest sightings board is available in The Wildlife Barn and Education Centre.
The extensive network of paths, waymarked trails of varying lengths and birdwatching hides have been designed to allow visitors to see and enjoy the wildlife associated with the wide variety of habitats. There are six way marked trails ranging from 1.2 to 3 miles. There are no stiles. Paths are level and, in many places, have a hard surface of compacted limestone.
You can find out more about the reserve here Whisby Nature Reserve
The trip is open to members as well as friends and family. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this amazing place. It only costs £20!
The coach will leave Manchester Road cul-de-sac, Rochdale OL11 4HY at 9-00 a.m. prompt and will set off on its return journey at 5 p.m.
The cost is still only £20. Contact rfnspublicity@gmail.com with any queries. Please pay your £20
beforehand by bank transfer: Sort code 05-07-67 Account number 60931963 and use your name
as reference. Then email rfnspublicity@gmail.com to book your place on the coach by 4th Aug.
Please note that your place is not reserved until you receive a reply to that email. Cheques
should be made payable to “Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society”.