Learn about Birds of Shropshire by Habitat and Season
Do you enjoy watching birds? Would you like to expand your expertise by building on your current knowledge of common birds? Do you know which birds to expect in different habitats in Shropshire? Would you like to be able to identify the characteristic birds of the county in different seasons?
If so, this course is for you.
The course will meet sixteen times from September 2023 until June 2024, on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings. In each month, a classroom session will introduce the birds expected in different environments and/or seasons. This is followed by an outdoor trip on a following Sunday morning (not necessarily the next Sunday), during which you will put into practice the identification tips learned previously. You will accumulate expertise each month by building on the principles covered in previous sessions.
Course Leaders. Allan Heath, Dave Pearce and John Arnfield.
Cost. The course costs ₤95 for the 16 sessions, payable in advance.
Locations & Times. Tuesday indoor sessions will meet in the National Trust’s Chalet Pavilion in the Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton, at 7:30 p.m. on designated dates. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. For field trips, we will meet at 9:30 a.m. on specified Sunday mornings at the field excursion destination.
Joining the Course. Contact John Arnfield by email at arnfield.2@osu.edu or visit our website at https://introbirdcourse.wordpress.com/ where meeting dates and topics are listed and a downloadable form to sign-up to the course is available.
This course is sponsored by the Church Stretton branch of the Shropshire Ornithological Society and the National Trust (Cardingmill Valley & Shropshire Hills).
RSPB Talk by Tom Wall
Updated RSPB Walks Schedule
Helmeth Wood Flora
Commemorative Tree-Planting
| Mayor of Church Stretton Town Council, Cllr Andy Munroe and Cllr Sheila Davies planting an oak tree to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles 111. The tree is on the corner of Sandford Avenue and Hazler Road and was planted on 9th May 2023. |
Summer Evening Walks on the Long Mynd
RSPB TALKS and PRESENTATIONS – 2023
RSPB Walks – Spring and Summer 2023
Wyre Forest: Sunday 21st May
10am. Duration about 3 hours
Start and end at Hawksbatch car park, on the Kinlet to Bewdley road just southeast of Button Oak at SO761773, (it is the car park on the Bewdley side of Button Oak).
Route will follow a mainly circular route through deciduous woodland, down into the valley, past Coopers Mill, then across the stream and up onto a disused railway line around 3.5 miles in total. Phil is a Butterfly expert and the walk will follow his transect survey area generally on wide ‘rides’ and footpaths. There should be 2 Fritillary species around at that time together with woodland and stream-side birds.
Bring packed Lunch, or optional Lunch at the Button Oak Inn.
Walking boots advisable.
Walk Leader. Phil Constable. Mobile 07948 472607
Wenlock Edge: Saturday 10th June
10.30am
Start Time 10:30. Meet First NT Trust Car-Park on right of B4371 Stretton Road Much Wenlock SO612-996. Car-Park is on the right about 200m after leaving A458 Much Wenlock to Shrewsbury Road signposted Church Stretton.
Route will include Blakeway Hollow, Stokes Barn, Smokey Hole, Wenlock Edge, Ipikins Rock, and Butterfly Meadow, hoping to see numerous Orchids, a variety of Butterflies, Song Birds, Raptors, Warblers and may be Spotted Flycatcher.
Bring a Picnic lunch, however if anyone prefers to pre-book a Pub Lunch there are several Pubs in Much Wenlock less than 5 minutes’ drive away from the Car-Park including for example the Talbot Inn and Gaskell Arms.
Terrain is generally good on stone tracks woodland paths with some steps and slopes & farm fields which might be slippery in places if wet.
Sorry no Dogs
Walk Leader Reg Dixon 07984 282990 or 01952 727892 will help with any queries.
Whixall Moss and Prees Heath: Sunday 25th June
10am. Duration 6 hours
This is a special “double-bill” for Birdlife, Butterflies and Dragonflies.
Meet at Whixall Moss Car Park situated just over the Canal Bridge at Grid Ref. SJ 49333 35408 ready for 10am start.
Sorry no Dogs
Picnic Lunch.
This will be a canal-side route and then back along the edge of Whixall moss, also including the Sinker Field wetlands during the morning, followed by a snack lunch, and then Prees Heath during the early afternoon with a pub stop on the way back (Venue to be advised).
The time at Whixall may be shortened on the day depending on how everyone feels.
Walk Leader. Geoff Hall and David Stafford 0740 715 0213
Upton Warren, Christopher Cadbury Reserve: Saturday 8th July
10:30am at Flashes car park
(Worcestershire wildlife Trust) Wychbold, Worcestershire. B61 7ER
Pools, hides, toilets and café.
Entrance permits cost £3 may be required.
Walk Leader Carol Wood. 07807 068304
Corvedale: Friday 11th August
6:30pm
Park / Meet The Swan Pub at Aston Munslow Grid Ref SO 51228 86656 at 6.30pm
Approx 2 hour evening walk mainly through mixed farmland beside woodland with fine views over the Corvedale valley followed by a meal and /or drinks in the Swan pub afterwards. (Pre-booking recommended)
Contact: vafrancis@hotmail.co.uk
Joy of Wildlife Field-Trip Calendar for 2023
Joy of Wildlife 2023
Our outings are for anyone who is interested in wildlife to come along and contribute to the biological records for Shropshire.
You do not need to possess any ability to identify the wildlife, although any you do have will be welcomed, just a willingness to try to spot things of interest and enjoy the camaraderie of the group. Members of the group are more than happy to try and identify what you find and help to develop your own skills.
The outings usually last about 5 hours. We take a picnic lunch and occasionally end up in a local hostelry after a ‘hard’ day.
Everyone comes at their own risk and is expected to take a sensible attitude to Health and Safety issues. Children aged under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
We meet as a group of friends out for the day together doing something we all enjoy.
If you would like to come along to any of the events please let me know. If you are willing to be part of an email circulation list I will inform you of the details of each walk about five days in advance.
Keith Fowler
Winner of the 2019 NBN Group Award for wildlife recording
Affiliated to the North Western Naturalists’ Union
