Noticeboard
- Coastal and Estuarine Disturbance Recording - Renewed appeal to submit records
- Guided Walk at Marton Mere 27th December
- Woodcock Petition
- Beach Clean Events
- The 2020 Fylde Bird Report is published
- Preston Dock Tern Colony Update Spring 2022
- Annual Photographic Competition - 2021 results are in
- Lancaster & District Birdwatching Society Breeding Birds Survey
- WeBS Request for Counters and Count Dates 2022
- Fylde Bird Club Hide at Marton Mere - New Key Safe Code and Locking procedure
- Data Protection Policy
- Hare Coursing at Newton Marsh and other localities
- Wildlife Casualties or Abandoned Nestlings
- Request for Responsible Behaviour when Birding Rural Over Wyre
Coastal and Estuarine Disturbance
Fylde Bird Club has long campaigned to reduce man made disturbance on our coast and, with the help of others, has had some success. Motor vehicles are now banned from Pressall Sands, microlight operators have been reminded to obey flying guidelines and jet skis on the River Wyre are restricted to certain parts of the river.
However the situation is not satisfactory and disturbance is still unacceptably high. Therefore we intend to re-invigorate our campaign and join with others to make things better. The Morecambe Bay Partnership is funding a study to record disturbance to high tide roosts in the northern part of Morecambe Bay and the hope is that high tide refuges can be established there. The RSPB and Natural England are involved.
We need to press hard for high tide refuges on the Wyre Borough and Fylde Borough coasts. Beach zoning has long been proposed by the Club at Rossall Point but no effective action has yet been taken by Wyre Council. The idea is allocate a small part of the beach as a refuge at high tide and ask people to respect it. Yes I know that's hard but it CAN be done. Other seriously disturbed sites include the beaches at Lytham, Fairhaven and St Annes. Small refuges at these locations could be established and make a huge difference.
These locations are within the Morecambe Bay and Ribble protected areas. The areas are designated as SPAs (Special Protection Areas under EU law), SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and Ramsar Sites (wetland of international importance). The EU Birds Directive states that "Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds".
In this regard the authorities are obliged to protect these areas from damaging disturbance and our aim will be to press them to do so. In order to support the campaign to provision high tide refuges, we need as many records of disturbance as we can log. We already have a significant number of records on file but really do need a lot more, particularly of the continuous effect of dogs on roosts, that generally goes unreported.
Please help by submitting any disturbance records either by completing the form below; by e-mail to the Secretary or in writing to the Secretary (22 Beach Road, Preesall, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 0HQ). We know that we are tilting at windmills and do not expect quick results but we feel that we must not turn a blind eye to the matter and that in time the message will get through and action will result.
Update 2022: there is renewed interest from Natural England in compiling evidence on the impacts of recreational disturbance along our shorelines. Our updated log of disturbance records was requested and supplied to NE in February 2022. Please submit records of all significant disturbance events.
However the situation is not satisfactory and disturbance is still unacceptably high. Therefore we intend to re-invigorate our campaign and join with others to make things better. The Morecambe Bay Partnership is funding a study to record disturbance to high tide roosts in the northern part of Morecambe Bay and the hope is that high tide refuges can be established there. The RSPB and Natural England are involved.
We need to press hard for high tide refuges on the Wyre Borough and Fylde Borough coasts. Beach zoning has long been proposed by the Club at Rossall Point but no effective action has yet been taken by Wyre Council. The idea is allocate a small part of the beach as a refuge at high tide and ask people to respect it. Yes I know that's hard but it CAN be done. Other seriously disturbed sites include the beaches at Lytham, Fairhaven and St Annes. Small refuges at these locations could be established and make a huge difference.
These locations are within the Morecambe Bay and Ribble protected areas. The areas are designated as SPAs (Special Protection Areas under EU law), SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and Ramsar Sites (wetland of international importance). The EU Birds Directive states that "Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds".
In this regard the authorities are obliged to protect these areas from damaging disturbance and our aim will be to press them to do so. In order to support the campaign to provision high tide refuges, we need as many records of disturbance as we can log. We already have a significant number of records on file but really do need a lot more, particularly of the continuous effect of dogs on roosts, that generally goes unreported.
Please help by submitting any disturbance records either by completing the form below; by e-mail to the Secretary or in writing to the Secretary (22 Beach Road, Preesall, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 0HQ). We know that we are tilting at windmills and do not expect quick results but we feel that we must not turn a blind eye to the matter and that in time the message will get through and action will result.
Update 2022: there is renewed interest from Natural England in compiling evidence on the impacts of recreational disturbance along our shorelines. Our updated log of disturbance records was requested and supplied to NE in February 2022. Please submit records of all significant disturbance events.
2021 Fylde Bird Report
The report is at the printers and will be available for members to collect at the December Meeting
Guided Walk at Marton Mere 27th December 2022
The Friends of Marton Mere are putting on a Christmas Guided walk of the Lawson Wetland and Marton Mere on the 27th December.
The walk will take place between 9am and 12 Noon and will start and end at the Lawson Wetland entrance on the corner of Lancaster Road / Lawson Road.
Should be a nice opportunity to walk off some Christmas and Boxing Day over indulgence.
Tickets are limited to 30 and you can 'purchase' your free tick by following this link.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marton-mere-and-lawson-wetland-christmas-guided-walk-tickets-449751227027
The Friends of Marton Mere are putting on a Christmas Guided walk of the Lawson Wetland and Marton Mere on the 27th December.
The walk will take place between 9am and 12 Noon and will start and end at the Lawson Wetland entrance on the corner of Lancaster Road / Lawson Road.
Should be a nice opportunity to walk off some Christmas and Boxing Day over indulgence.
Tickets are limited to 30 and you can 'purchase' your free tick by following this link.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marton-mere-and-lawson-wetland-christmas-guided-walk-tickets-449751227027
Woodcock Petition to Limit the Shooting Season
Message from Wild Justice
Hello there,
I’m reaching out from Wild Justice to ask for your support for our recently launched petition on Woodcock.
Chris Packham, on behalf of Wild Justice, is asking the Defra Secretary of State, George Eustice, to limit the shooting season of Woodcock. We’re asking that the shooting season starts on 1 December instead of the current date of 1 October.
We birders know that Woodcock are really special birds and yet the UK breeding population is red-listed because it has declined dramatically. In October and November, most Woodcock shot are going to be UK birds because the main arrival of continental Woodcock is in late November. Even the pro-shooting Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust ask shooters to show restraint and not to shoot Woodcock until 1 December. We are asking Mr Eustice to make that a matter of law by this small but significant change to the shooting season. By mid-winter, continental birds outnumber our breeding residents by around 10:1.
Why aren't we asking for a total ban on Woodcock shooting? Because we judge that there is little chance of getting that, but changes to shooting seasons, supported by the science, ought to be achievable. Even so we think it will be an uphill struggle which is why we need to demonstrate a strong level of support.
You might be surprised by how many Woodcock are shot in the UK each winter; the shooting industry admits to the number being around 160,000 birds a year. Some of these are shot on Pheasant shoots as they are flushed out of woodland by beaters but there are also dedicated Woodcock shoots in the west of the country, particularly Devon and Cornwall, Wales and the west of Scotland. There are companies specifically selling Woodcock shooting and they take no notice of the calls for restraint until 1 December - that shows we need a change in the shooting season.
You can read more about the reason we filed the petition on our blog. We wanted to ask if you could share the petition amongst your members and supporters, and perhaps consider including us in any newsletters or correspondence in the coming weeks? We’ve a couple of images you’re also welcome to use if helpful.
The link to the petition for sharing is here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/619615 and it's on around 17,000 signatures now and we are going to bust a gut to get it to 100,000 signatures by 1 December. We can't do it without help from birders like you and your members.
All the very best,
Lucy
The Wild Justice Team
Hello there,
I’m reaching out from Wild Justice to ask for your support for our recently launched petition on Woodcock.
Chris Packham, on behalf of Wild Justice, is asking the Defra Secretary of State, George Eustice, to limit the shooting season of Woodcock. We’re asking that the shooting season starts on 1 December instead of the current date of 1 October.
We birders know that Woodcock are really special birds and yet the UK breeding population is red-listed because it has declined dramatically. In October and November, most Woodcock shot are going to be UK birds because the main arrival of continental Woodcock is in late November. Even the pro-shooting Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust ask shooters to show restraint and not to shoot Woodcock until 1 December. We are asking Mr Eustice to make that a matter of law by this small but significant change to the shooting season. By mid-winter, continental birds outnumber our breeding residents by around 10:1.
Why aren't we asking for a total ban on Woodcock shooting? Because we judge that there is little chance of getting that, but changes to shooting seasons, supported by the science, ought to be achievable. Even so we think it will be an uphill struggle which is why we need to demonstrate a strong level of support.
You might be surprised by how many Woodcock are shot in the UK each winter; the shooting industry admits to the number being around 160,000 birds a year. Some of these are shot on Pheasant shoots as they are flushed out of woodland by beaters but there are also dedicated Woodcock shoots in the west of the country, particularly Devon and Cornwall, Wales and the west of Scotland. There are companies specifically selling Woodcock shooting and they take no notice of the calls for restraint until 1 December - that shows we need a change in the shooting season.
You can read more about the reason we filed the petition on our blog. We wanted to ask if you could share the petition amongst your members and supporters, and perhaps consider including us in any newsletters or correspondence in the coming weeks? We’ve a couple of images you’re also welcome to use if helpful.
The link to the petition for sharing is here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/619615 and it's on around 17,000 signatures now and we are going to bust a gut to get it to 100,000 signatures by 1 December. We can't do it without help from birders like you and your members.
All the very best,
Lucy
The Wild Justice Team
Beach Clean Events
Next Event at Knott End on 13th December
Monthly litter picks take place around our coast and volunteers are always welcome.
Litter picks take place at Knott End once a month on Tuesdays.
Meet at the large car park by the river at Knott End at 1015 am.
Gloves, collection bags and litter picking sticks are provided. Wyre Borough Council take the rubbish away at the end of each event at 12 pm.
Come and make a difference!
Visit these websites for more details of other Beach Clean events at other locations:
lovemybeach.org/beach-clean-volunteering/month/2022-04/
https://wyreriverstrust.org/beach-clean
Or contact lucy@wyreriverstrust.org
Next Event at Knott End on 13th December
Monthly litter picks take place around our coast and volunteers are always welcome.
Litter picks take place at Knott End once a month on Tuesdays.
Meet at the large car park by the river at Knott End at 1015 am.
Gloves, collection bags and litter picking sticks are provided. Wyre Borough Council take the rubbish away at the end of each event at 12 pm.
Come and make a difference!
Visit these websites for more details of other Beach Clean events at other locations:
lovemybeach.org/beach-clean-volunteering/month/2022-04/
https://wyreriverstrust.org/beach-clean
Or contact lucy@wyreriverstrust.org
The 2020 Fylde Bird Report is published
The report is available to be collected from Fylde Bird Club Meetings at Fylde Cricket Club. All members would now have a copy. Free to paid up members. Non members can purchase copies for £8.50 each including postage. Buy here
Preston Dock Tern Colony Update Spring 2022
Annual Photographic Competition
Results published here: Annual Photographic Competition
Lancaster & District Birdwatching Society Breeding Birds Survey
The Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society is our neighbour to the north and we share part of our recording area and quite a few members.
We have been asked to help out with their forthcoming Breeding Birds Survey, which is a very worthy endeavour. If you would like to help, please read the following description from John Wilson and contact the area representative given below.
We have been asked to help out with their forthcoming Breeding Birds Survey, which is a very worthy endeavour. If you would like to help, please read the following description from John Wilson and contact the area representative given below.
LDBWS Breeding Birds Atlas 2022-2024
Anyone who has been birding in our area for even a few years will have noticed marked changes in both numbers and the distribution of our breeding birds. There have been declines and even extinctions of Yellow Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Lapwing and Yellowhammer for example and of course increases in others such as Nuthatch, Little Egret and Goldfinch. Has the distribution of the 130+ species that breed in our area changed significantly over the years?
In 1995 LDBWS published ‘An Atlas of Breeding Birds of Lancaster and District’ (edited by Ken Harrison). This provided a baseline for nine central 10km squares (excluding west of the River Kent) and subsequent Atlases in Lancashire and Cumbria covered the whole area up to and including 2012. Therefore we have nine years (2013-2021) of ‘uncharted territory’ since the last Atlas during which, for example, we may have lost Grey Partridge as a breeding bird. However, only a full (two-to-three year) Atlas can be rigorous enough to fully prove this and any other perceptions of change.
The Society feels that it is time to use the same survey methods as used in 1995 to assess the present populations and publish an up-to-date Breeding Atlas. This would identify the changes that have taken place, and for some species highlight the need for conservation management. It will also show the importance of some areas which need protection from development proposals. We hope as many of you as possible can help with this survey. It will add a real purpose to your birdwatching and provide valuable data for present and future generations of birders and conservationists.
Aim of the Survey
The aim is to record as many probable and confirmed breeding species as are present in each tetrad (see below) in the LDBWS area. This will be on a presence / absence basis rather than a count of each species, although it would be useful to have figures for e.g. breeding Wood Warbler or any other scarce species you find.
Please note that the exact locations of sensitive species will NOT be published, so please record them all including Barn Owl and Peregrine.
Survey method / What is involved?
A. Choose where to survey
First look at the map of the 10km squares that make up the LDBWS area (see maps below) to see which general area you would like to survey. Perhaps this may be the area in which you live but of course it can be any other places you would like to explore, birdwatch and survey in. Choose as little or as much as you would like.Then contact the appropriate 10km square coordinator given in the list below. Your coordinator will help you with which tetrad to survey and any queries you may have.
What is a Tetrad?
Each 10km square in our area is divided into 25 2km x 2km squares known as TETRADS which have letters (see example map below). The 25 tetrads in a 10km square are labelled A to Z, excluding O (to avoid confusion with zero), from bottom left (SW) to top right (NE). A tetrad is given its full reference as the 10km square code, e.g. SD56, followed by the tetrad letter e.g. SD56G.
Anyone who has been birding in our area for even a few years will have noticed marked changes in both numbers and the distribution of our breeding birds. There have been declines and even extinctions of Yellow Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Lapwing and Yellowhammer for example and of course increases in others such as Nuthatch, Little Egret and Goldfinch. Has the distribution of the 130+ species that breed in our area changed significantly over the years?
In 1995 LDBWS published ‘An Atlas of Breeding Birds of Lancaster and District’ (edited by Ken Harrison). This provided a baseline for nine central 10km squares (excluding west of the River Kent) and subsequent Atlases in Lancashire and Cumbria covered the whole area up to and including 2012. Therefore we have nine years (2013-2021) of ‘uncharted territory’ since the last Atlas during which, for example, we may have lost Grey Partridge as a breeding bird. However, only a full (two-to-three year) Atlas can be rigorous enough to fully prove this and any other perceptions of change.
The Society feels that it is time to use the same survey methods as used in 1995 to assess the present populations and publish an up-to-date Breeding Atlas. This would identify the changes that have taken place, and for some species highlight the need for conservation management. It will also show the importance of some areas which need protection from development proposals. We hope as many of you as possible can help with this survey. It will add a real purpose to your birdwatching and provide valuable data for present and future generations of birders and conservationists.
Aim of the Survey
The aim is to record as many probable and confirmed breeding species as are present in each tetrad (see below) in the LDBWS area. This will be on a presence / absence basis rather than a count of each species, although it would be useful to have figures for e.g. breeding Wood Warbler or any other scarce species you find.
Please note that the exact locations of sensitive species will NOT be published, so please record them all including Barn Owl and Peregrine.
Survey method / What is involved?
A. Choose where to survey
First look at the map of the 10km squares that make up the LDBWS area (see maps below) to see which general area you would like to survey. Perhaps this may be the area in which you live but of course it can be any other places you would like to explore, birdwatch and survey in. Choose as little or as much as you would like.Then contact the appropriate 10km square coordinator given in the list below. Your coordinator will help you with which tetrad to survey and any queries you may have.
What is a Tetrad?
Each 10km square in our area is divided into 25 2km x 2km squares known as TETRADS which have letters (see example map below). The 25 tetrads in a 10km square are labelled A to Z, excluding O (to avoid confusion with zero), from bottom left (SW) to top right (NE). A tetrad is given its full reference as the 10km square code, e.g. SD56, followed by the tetrad letter e.g. SD56G.
Example of tetrads in the LDBWS area
There are 300 tetrads in the whole LDBWS recording area so if we are to survey them all we need your help!
Map of the twelve 10km squares in the LDBWS area (names of each in blue- e.g. 'SD48')
- If you need a detailed map of your 10km square with the tetrads overlaid then contact the 10km square coordinator (listed below) who will provide you with an online copy.
- For those with iPhones (Apple or Android) an easy way to identify which 10km square and tetrad you live in is to download the free App called Gridpoint GB and on the “numbers” page it tells you this information.
Map of the twelve 10km squares in the LDBWS area (names of each in blue- e.g. 'SD48')
List of 10km Square Coordinators with contact details
SD45 Galgate and area: Dan Haywood new.hawks@virgin.net 0791 8183737
SD46 Lancaster and area: Robin Horner robinhorner.abc@gmail.com
SD47 Silverdale and area: John Wilson johnwilson711@btinternet.com
SD48 Foulshaw and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD55 Abbeystead and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD56 Caton and area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD57 Arkholme and area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD58 Endmoor and area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD65 Bowland: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD66 Bentham and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD67 Kirkby Lonsdale & area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD 68 Barbon and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
(NB. If you need a detailed tetrad map or maps please contact Jean)
B. When to do the survey
The suggested minimum coverage of a tetrad is two hours in APRIL/MAY and then two hours in JUNE/JULY. Choose whatever route you want-- but try to cover all the different habitats where different species may be present.
C. How to record in the field
Look and listen to determine the breeding status of the birds you see and hear using the codes in the blue table below. With pencil or pen simply record the tetrad, date, species and breeding code in your notebook.
Casual records of less common breeding species can also be gathered while you are out and about for which you will need to be aware of tetrad boundaries. For example, you might be visiting a hotspot like Barbondale but the main area is split in two by a tetrad boundary and it’s important to know which tetrad is which and keep two bird tetrad lists for your Barbondale visit. The Gridpoint GB app mentioned above will come in very handy for this sort of situation.
SD45 Galgate and area: Dan Haywood new.hawks@virgin.net 0791 8183737
SD46 Lancaster and area: Robin Horner robinhorner.abc@gmail.com
SD47 Silverdale and area: John Wilson johnwilson711@btinternet.com
SD48 Foulshaw and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD55 Abbeystead and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD56 Caton and area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD57 Arkholme and area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD58 Endmoor and area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD65 Bowland: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD66 Bentham and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
SD67 Kirkby Lonsdale & area: Jean Roberts jeanrbrts6@aol.com
SD 68 Barbon and area: Pete Marsh pmrsh123@aol.com
(NB. If you need a detailed tetrad map or maps please contact Jean)
B. When to do the survey
The suggested minimum coverage of a tetrad is two hours in APRIL/MAY and then two hours in JUNE/JULY. Choose whatever route you want-- but try to cover all the different habitats where different species may be present.
C. How to record in the field
Look and listen to determine the breeding status of the birds you see and hear using the codes in the blue table below. With pencil or pen simply record the tetrad, date, species and breeding code in your notebook.
Casual records of less common breeding species can also be gathered while you are out and about for which you will need to be aware of tetrad boundaries. For example, you might be visiting a hotspot like Barbondale but the main area is split in two by a tetrad boundary and it’s important to know which tetrad is which and keep two bird tetrad lists for your Barbondale visit. The Gridpoint GB app mentioned above will come in very handy for this sort of situation.
D. How to record results
- After your field visits transfer your pencil-and-notebook records to the spreadsheet(s) that your 10km square coordinator will provide by putting an X under the appropriate column category (possible/probable/confirmed) for the various species. Please do not delete any rows on the spreadsheet. An example is shown below.
Results on paper will be accepted (as a last resort!) if you are not tech-savvy enough to use the spreadsheet(s).
E. Sending in results
In July 2022 email your spreadsheet(s) for your tetrad and/or for your “roving” (casual) records to your coordinator.
There will be an opportunity to do other tetrads in 2023 and in 2024, although hopefully 2024 is just for ‘filling in the gaps’.
And finally ...
Below are two maps showing distributions from the 1995 Atlas. Which do you think is Lapwing and which is Nuthatch? There will I am sure be really marked changes in these and many other species. These old maps really illustrate the need for a new LDBWS Breeding Atlas, so please do get in touch and volunteer to help with this really worthwhile project. Get out and about and make your birding count. Tell your non-member friends and please feel free to forward this email to anyone who might be interested in taking part.
E. Sending in results
In July 2022 email your spreadsheet(s) for your tetrad and/or for your “roving” (casual) records to your coordinator.
There will be an opportunity to do other tetrads in 2023 and in 2024, although hopefully 2024 is just for ‘filling in the gaps’.
And finally ...
Below are two maps showing distributions from the 1995 Atlas. Which do you think is Lapwing and which is Nuthatch? There will I am sure be really marked changes in these and many other species. These old maps really illustrate the need for a new LDBWS Breeding Atlas, so please do get in touch and volunteer to help with this really worthwhile project. Get out and about and make your birding count. Tell your non-member friends and please feel free to forward this email to anyone who might be interested in taking part.
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I surveyed a number of squares for the 1995 Atlas and I cannot wait to make a start this year. We hope to have one or two field workshops on Atlas techniques in the coming weeks for those who feel they might benefit- so watch this space. But in the meantime choose which areas you're interested in surveying, contact us and please make the decision to get involved in what will be a fun and fascinating project.
Many thanks,
John Wilson LDBWS President
Many thanks,
John Wilson LDBWS President
WeBS Count Dates 2022 (Wetland Bird Survey organised by the BTO)
Request for Counters
A volunteer, or a pair of volunteers are being sought to cover sections of the River Ribble estuary.
This is a bird rich area WeBS counting offers the opportunity to access normally closed, private land, along this section of the river.
It requires 2 or 3 hours once a month.
Please contact bonkser.ka@gmail.com or tony.baker@rspb.org.uk if you want to take it on.
A volunteer, or a pair of volunteers are being sought to cover sections of the River Ribble estuary.
This is a bird rich area WeBS counting offers the opportunity to access normally closed, private land, along this section of the river.
It requires 2 or 3 hours once a month.
Please contact bonkser.ka@gmail.com or tony.baker@rspb.org.uk if you want to take it on.
2022 Count Dates
If anyone would like to volunteer to conduct WeBS counts, then please e mail and we will put you in touch with the local BTO co-ordinators
Fylde Bird Club Hide at Marton Mere - Lock Procedure
The Fylde Bird Club Hide located on the south side of Marton Mere by the caravan park is now locked and the key is stored in a key safe on the wall of the visitor centre in the caravan park.
To access the hide, collect the key from the key safe, open the hide and keep the lock and key with you until you leave the hide, then lock the hide and return the key to the key safe.
The key safe has a combination lock – email to receive the code. This code has recently been changed.
There is a small black lever on the left of the dials, which must be pushed down to release the key safe door.
When you close the key safe, please scramble the dials.
Please DO NOT divulge the combination to anyone you don't know or trust.
If people you don't know enter the hide while you are there, and you wish to leave, please explain that you have to leave and lock the door and so they will also need to leave. If the people say they are FBC members, they will know the key code. If they refuse to tell you the code or leave; all you can do is secure the lock (closed and locked on the clasp but not locking the door) and return the key to the safe.
Hopefully the next FBC member to visit, will lock it afterwards.
Note that if you return the key to the key safe after dusk you will need a light of some sort to see the dials, a mobile phone does the job.
Background information about the Fylde Bird Club Hide
The hide was built and paid for by the Fylde Bird Club in the early 2000s, with ownership being handed to Blackpool Borough Council on completion who are responsible for the building.
Blackpool Borough Council approved the current locking arrangement and supplied and fitted the lock.
The Bird Club supplied and fitted the key safe and this locking policy is our idea.
It's not a perfect arrangement but we had to try something because it was in continuous use as a toilet for years and we had had enough!
So far the arrangement has worked fairly well, until recently somehow children got to know the safe code.
To access the hide, collect the key from the key safe, open the hide and keep the lock and key with you until you leave the hide, then lock the hide and return the key to the key safe.
The key safe has a combination lock – email to receive the code. This code has recently been changed.
There is a small black lever on the left of the dials, which must be pushed down to release the key safe door.
When you close the key safe, please scramble the dials.
Please DO NOT divulge the combination to anyone you don't know or trust.
If people you don't know enter the hide while you are there, and you wish to leave, please explain that you have to leave and lock the door and so they will also need to leave. If the people say they are FBC members, they will know the key code. If they refuse to tell you the code or leave; all you can do is secure the lock (closed and locked on the clasp but not locking the door) and return the key to the safe.
Hopefully the next FBC member to visit, will lock it afterwards.
Note that if you return the key to the key safe after dusk you will need a light of some sort to see the dials, a mobile phone does the job.
Background information about the Fylde Bird Club Hide
The hide was built and paid for by the Fylde Bird Club in the early 2000s, with ownership being handed to Blackpool Borough Council on completion who are responsible for the building.
Blackpool Borough Council approved the current locking arrangement and supplied and fitted the lock.
The Bird Club supplied and fitted the key safe and this locking policy is our idea.
It's not a perfect arrangement but we had to try something because it was in continuous use as a toilet for years and we had had enough!
So far the arrangement has worked fairly well, until recently somehow children got to know the safe code.
The Fylde WhatsApp Group has replaced the Rarity Text Service
* The Rarity Text Service ended at the end of July 2021
* Members are encouraged to start using the free Fylde WhatsApp Group
See this link WhatsApp & Rarity Text
for more details and guidelines on using the WhatsApp Group
* The Rarity Text Service ended at the end of July 2021
* Members are encouraged to start using the free Fylde WhatsApp Group
See this link WhatsApp & Rarity Text
for more details and guidelines on using the WhatsApp Group
Data Protection Policy - 25th May 2018
Hare Coursing at Newton Marsh and other localities
After a number of recent hare coursing incidents at Newton and Freckleton Marsh, the RSPB have met with the Lancashire police, and they are looking to escalate their response to this situation.
To ensure they can do this effectively, we need to support the police by reporting all incidents, so they can see the scale of the problem, and also respond to individual incidents appropriately.
If you are at Newton or Freckleton Marsh (or anywhere else in the area), and you see hare-coursing taking place, then please:
· Record exactly what you see – number/description of people/dogs involved, what they are doing, wildlife disturbed/killed, vehicles involved (make and registration number), and the location of this activity (the police will ask for a postcode; the postcode for the SITA waste plant adjacent to Newton Marsh is PR4 0XE).
· Report it to the police on 101 and request a police response
· Get a police log number for the incident.
· We do not advise approaching or challenging people involved in hare-coursing.
It is worth noting that hare coursing is a problem for several reasons - hunting with dogs is illegal, disturbance to wintering birds has an impact on the designated features of the SSSI, during the breeding season it disturbs Schedule 1 birds (black-tailed godwits), and it could potentially damage the new and expensive electric fence that helps protect breeding birds on the marsh from predation. Furthermore, it leaves the local community feeling very threatened and intimidated.
Please email any Brown Hare sightings rather than reporting them on the sightings page.
To ensure they can do this effectively, we need to support the police by reporting all incidents, so they can see the scale of the problem, and also respond to individual incidents appropriately.
If you are at Newton or Freckleton Marsh (or anywhere else in the area), and you see hare-coursing taking place, then please:
· Record exactly what you see – number/description of people/dogs involved, what they are doing, wildlife disturbed/killed, vehicles involved (make and registration number), and the location of this activity (the police will ask for a postcode; the postcode for the SITA waste plant adjacent to Newton Marsh is PR4 0XE).
· Report it to the police on 101 and request a police response
· Get a police log number for the incident.
· We do not advise approaching or challenging people involved in hare-coursing.
It is worth noting that hare coursing is a problem for several reasons - hunting with dogs is illegal, disturbance to wintering birds has an impact on the designated features of the SSSI, during the breeding season it disturbs Schedule 1 birds (black-tailed godwits), and it could potentially damage the new and expensive electric fence that helps protect breeding birds on the marsh from predation. Furthermore, it leaves the local community feeling very threatened and intimidated.
Please email any Brown Hare sightings rather than reporting them on the sightings page.
Widlife Casualties and Abandoned Nestlings
If you find an injured bird or small mammal it should be confined in a cardboard box and taken to a veterinary surgery for examination and treatment. If you suspect a young bird has been orphaned, watch it from a distance to see if the parents are still feeding it. If you are sure it has been abandoned, the bird should be taken to a vet or a wildlife centre.
More information can be found here and local veterinary practices are listed below.
More information can be found here and local veterinary practices are listed below.
- RSPCA 0300 1234 999
- Rowan Veterinary Centre 01772 639800 (Freckleton) and 01253 766352 (Blackpool South Shore)
- The Veterinary Health Centre 01253 729309 (St Annes)
- Spen Corner Veterinary Centre 01253 699666 (Blackpool South Shore)
- Norcross Veterinary Ltd 01253 854545 (Thornton Cleveleys)
- Robert Jones 01253 402255 (Blackpool South Shore)
- Moy Vets 01253 860346 (Thornton Cleveleys) 01253 701098 (Out Rawcliffe)
- Andrew Mellor t/a David Wadsworth 01253 357380 (Thornton Cleveleys/ Blackpool North Shore)
- Mere Road Vets 01253 225282 (Blackpool)
- The Mount Veterinary Practice - 01253 875547 (Fleetwood)
Request for Responsible Behaviour when Birding Rural Over Wyre
A number of instances have been reported of individuals behaving unacceptably in the Bradshaw Lane Area. Please remember that the feeding stations only exist because of the consent of the landowners and the work and funding of volunteers who maintain them. Continued irresponsible behaviour will lead to their demise. In the interests of good relations with local people and conservation please observe these basic requests.
- Stay on the public roads and footpaths
- Do not drive down private tracks
- Do not park blocking access to farm tracks. If viewing from the entrance to a track and a vehicle needs access, move without hesitation
- Do not park so as to cause obstructions on the roads
- Please be courteous to farmers & landowners and respect their requests
