<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society Newsletter SITE GUIDE TO JENNY BROWN'S POINT SILVERDALE
Newsletter of the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society
SITE GUIDE TO JENNY BROWN’S POINT SILVERDALE
Autumn 2000
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Thousands of visitors watch birds at Leighton Moss every year. But very few seem to consider birding in the surrounding Silverdale area, and even fewer actually do so, except for small numbers of enthusiasts at Woodwell or at high tide on the Point. Yet, due to the diversity of habitats this is a great bird rich area . The following walk possibly has a bird list a equal to the Moss and even more varied!

It is roughly a circular walk, so can be started anywhere along its length. Allow 2-3 hours for slow, easy, walking. There is plenty of parking along the route, but like everywhere else in the district, do not to leave anything valuable and visible in the car. There is considerable seasonal, and tidal variation in species to be expected, and it is best to arrange to be on the coastal part of the walk 1-2 hours before high tide.It is usually a 'coat' colder than at Leighton Moss, particularly if it is windy.

Begin at Quick Sand Pool Bridge, parking there, or down the track on the RSPB car park, but if you do you could easily miss something, because the field on the left floods in winter and then has good numbers of waders, including the famous Long-billed Dowitcher in 1998, another year a bittern spent some time standing by the Main Dyke on the other side of the track. Check the electricity posts and wires for raptors. A red footed falcon spent a whole morning here one year.

Walk under the railway bridge and turn right across the dyke, through the gate and along the sea wall towards the steep Heald Brow. The marsh and adjoining fields often have up to five species of geese feeding on them, and one autumn a Black-winged Pratincole. With good optics the Allen Pool can be surveyed too. Depending on the state of the tide there will be varying numbers of waders and duck in the vegetation or on the small pools out on the marsh. The 'RSPB' marsh harriers often hunt here, as well as Merlin and peregrines, which perch on posts when not hunting. Keep an eye on the sky above the trees on the skyline of Heald Brow for circling common buzzards, often interacting with the daily flights of ravens coming across the Kent estuary to feed on the marsh.

At the foot of the Brow take the left hand track towards the stone chimney. In winter this area favoured by rock pipits and skylarks used to sing here. Green woodpeckers seem to find good feeding too. Due to recent erosion the track disappears by the chimney and the route is rough and stony for a hundred yards or so, before reaching the tarmac of Gibraltar Lane. As the tide comes in look back across to what is left of the salt marsh at the big wader roost. Between one and two hours after high tide the waders follow the receding tide on to the mud too feed. It is then easier to see the smaller, and less common waders that usually present in smaller numbers amongst the big flocks of curlew, oystercatcher and red shank. Here was where the first record for displaying common cranes in this area occurred.

The thick bushes, along the lane to the cattle grid, and the quarry behind, regularly attract migrants especially in autumn, including, Firecrests, Pallas warbler, black redstart and waxwings, in recent years.

This next stretch along the coast is at its best with a nine metre tide pushed up by a S.W. gale in spring,autumn and early winter. Then kittiwakes, Skuas, terns, shearwaters and even Leaches petrels occur close in. On less stormy tides sea ducks, divers and grebes can be expected, as well as other seabirds. Arguably the best site to watch from is the seat near the cattle grid, or others prefer to be near to the stile a few hundred yards further on. Pass through the stile and stand on the small clear area. At low water there is a long, man made stone bank stretching out into the bay which provides a roost site as well as a surrounding area of water, but it is difficult to watch without a telescope.

The first diversion occurs here, either go back onto the lane or follow the path along the edge of the cliffs, just before this path leaves the shoreline and rejoins the lane, near a restored limekiln, walk up to the highest point to a large rock chair. This is a comfortable seat with high level views of the Bay, and excellent place for autumn visible migration watches. Back at the lane walk to the junction with Lindeth Road and Hollins Lane. Here there is another possible diversion, highly recommended in winter. Instead of bearing right up Hollins Lane past Wolf House, and its coffee shop, go straight on down Lindeth Road towards Kayes Nursery, turn right into Woodwell Lane and start searching overhead for hawfinches, particularly in the taller trees of the gardens on the left ,all the way to the top of the rise. Although probably present throughout the year they are difficult to see until the leaves are off the trees. At the crest of the rise an overgrown path leads into the wood , round, and back to the car park at the end of the lane. Hawfinches can be seen anywhere in this area too, as can nuthatches, treecreepers and the almost mythical lesser spotted woodpecker. A sighting of which is granted only to a chosen few! Take the narrow track from the south east corner of Woodwell back to Hollins Lane. Another track starts on the opposite side of the lane leading to Heald Brow and the sea wall. Or continue along the paved lane for approximately half a mile to the signed track on the right through Fleagarth Wood down to the shore, and back to the start. All along these lanes are a great variety of woodland birds, tits, woodpeckers and finches (including hawfinches ).Half way along there is a permissive path through the gardens of Hazelwood, passing the big fossil, just before reaching the path down Heald Brow.

A further extension can be made by walking on past the Fleagarth towards Stankelt Road, turning right down to the main Warton road and back to the start. This route gives a superb view over the Leighton reed beds, but it is busy with fast moving cars and heavy quarry wagons.

Acknowledgements:-

My thanks to John Wilson, Pete Marsh and Tom Wheeler for their expert advice.

Robin Griffiths




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