Last coach trip for 2023!
This trip to Carsington Water is very suitable for Field Naturalists and their Family and Friends as there’s always lots going on there – water sports, yachting and cycling – an
d there are plenty of mod cons!!
Carsington Water is a large, 300-hectare reservoir serving the East Midlands and opened in 1992 by Severn Trent Water. The Visitors’ Centre is well appointed with a restaurant/cafe on the 1st floor with panoramic views over the lake and Stones Island – and has excellent scones! Just outside there is a courtyard with a take away cafe, other shops, including a clothes shop and the RSPB gift and bookshop. There are picnic tables at the Visitors’ Centre and at the Sheepwash car park.
There are three hides, including the heated Wildlife Centre/hide and an old WW11 watch tower on the west and NW side of the reservoir. All overlook the water and are within about a mile and a half of the Visitors’ Centre. We will lead an optional “there and back” walk to all of these hides, passing through some
woodland and enjoying views of the lake en route. There is also a pleasant short walk around
Stones Island in front of the Centre. The full circular walk around the reservoir is 8 miles long and more
suitable for strong walkers who want a good leg stretch rather than those of us who prefer to walk at a Field Nats pace! (We have not tested this trail) The paths are well maintained limestone tracks for the most part and fairly level or gently undulating – but can be a bit muddy in places depending on the weather.
There is one Mobility scooter available for visitors but it cannot be booked in advance and can only
be taken out for 2 hours at a time. It can be taken to all the hides on the west side as well as to Stones Island and across the dam. If you are interested ask at the reception desk on arrival and provide a form of ID and leave a returnable deposit of either cash or your ID. Binoculars can be hired for the day from the RSPB shop – for adults or children.
Since the reservoir was constructed, over 215 bird species have been recorded, including 60
breeding species. Over 30 species of mammal have also been noted. The Carsington Bird Club regularly record between 90 and 100 bird species each November. Great Northern Diver is often recorded in the winter months, and Whooper Swan
and Barnacle Goose may be present. There are frequently good numbers of geese, ducks
and waders as well as woodland and farm species and raptors.
The trip is open to members as well as friends and family. The coach will leave Manchester Road
cul-de-sac, Rochdale OL11 4HY at 9.00am prompt and will set off on its return journey at 4pm.
The cost is still £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. Cheques
should be made payable to “Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society”.