Birding on the Ribble Estuary and the Fylde (Day Trip)

Summary

Join tour leader Barrie Cooper on a part of the internationally important Ribble Estuary – the UK’s second most important intertidal area for migratory waterbirds and one of the most important sites for waders along the East Atlantic Flyway.  On much of the estuary large areas of saltmarsh prevent close views of the birds, however at Lytham St. Annes the birds feed out on the mud close to the promenade, providing opportunities for easy viewing, particularly when the tide is right. It’s the reason why Barrie set up a RSPB project here in the 1990s and thousands of schoolchildren and visitors have discovered why this place is so special. The project is still going and the visitor centre has recently been refurbished. 

We will begin by looking at the waders on Fairhaven beach where Peregrines can sometimes be seen in search of a meal. The tide should be pushing the waders towards us during the morning. We will also explore the area around Fairhaven Lake where bushes and sand dunes provide additional habitats to find migrant and resident birds. During early autumn, the magnificent sight of skeins of Pink-footed Geese can be seen and heard flying overhead as they arrive from Iceland. 

After spending a few hours exploring the coast at Lytham St. Annes we will drive to one or two other sites that could include Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve, which is a wetland site on the edge of Blackpool. There is also a famous fish and chip shop near the reserve! 

In winter, the waders continue to search the intertidal mudflats for food and congregate at high tide roosts where safety in numbers can be key to their survival. Sometimes Snow Buntings can be found on beaches along the Fylde coast while Fairhaven Lake can provide an unfrozen refuge for ducks and, sometimes, divers and grebes. 

Meet at 9am. The walking will be on level ground and a maximum of approximately 7 miles during the day.

• Explore a section of the northern shore of the Ribble Estuary and adjacent Fairhaven Lake. We will also visit one or two other sites including Marton Mere in Blackpool
• Possible birds include Peregrine, Pink-footed Goose, Shelduck, Tufted Duck
• Waders could include Grey Plover, Curlew, Common Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Knot, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Little Egret