Join us from a charming base on the Lancashire coast to experience the wonder of the autumn migration and the exceptional birdwatching it brings.
Join expert naturalist Mike Dilger on an in-depth exploration of some of the finest birdwatching sites in Lancashire. Based at a lovely family-run hotel in the historical village of Silverdale, we’re just a stone’s throw from Morecambe Bay. This is one of Europe’s most important intertidal wetlands and as autumn rolls in, bird populations in the bay’s vast mudflats explode. The landscape offers a productive habitat for both resident and migratory birds and is known for its impressive autumn gatherings of pink-footed geese, whooper swans and waders. We also explore the nearby Ribble Estuary, another migration hotspot renowned for its sheer abundance of birds.
We visit Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, which offers an outstanding wildlife diversity. This stunning wetland is a mosaic of ponds, grasslands and woodland, along with the largest expanse of reedbeds in the north-west of England (which is one of the best locations to see bearded tit in the UK). A host of other species can also be found here, with starling murmurations, bitterns, otters and red deer preparing for the autumn rut all possibilities if we’re lucky.
We also visit WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre and Marshside RSPB Nature Reserve, which offer the chance to observe vast gatherings of wildfowl and waders, along with a chance of iconic raptors hunting above us, including peregrine falcon, merlin, marsh harrier and hen harrier. Quiet woodland walks may even reveal the rare willow tit, and lively flocks of tree sparrows at home in thick hedgerows.
With a cosy base right next to wildlife hotspots, varied landscapes and wildlife around every corner, this tour promises a memorable few days of autumn birding in Lancashire.
Typical Itinerary
-
Day 1:
Arrive at hotel in Silverdale; rest of the day at leisure
Make your own way to our accommodation, The Silverdale Hotel, in the Lancashire village of Silverdale, just north of Lancaster (clients arriving by train can be met at Lancaster station between 4pm and 5pm).
Accommodation: The Silverdale Hotel, 3-nights
-
Days 2-3
:
Birdwatching excursions around Lancashire
We spend the next two full days in Lancashire visiting a variety of nature reserves to view the autumn migration.
These include a visit to Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, previously used as the base for BBC’s Autumnwatch series, to view a variety of wildfowl and waders, and the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust’s Martin Mere Reserve which attracts large numbers of whooper swans and pink-footed geese. We aim to visit Marshside RSPB where we should get close views of a good variety of waders and wildfowl. There’s also a good chance of raptors that could include merlin, peregrine and hen harrier. We also plan to spend some time in areas around Morecambe Bay and the Ribble Estuary, internationally important areas for migrating and over-wintering birds.
-
Day 4:
Morning birding excursion; depart for home
On our final morning we can further explore the estuaries around Morecombe Bay before finishing off the tour with a group lunch.
For travellers departing from Lancaster railway station, a drop off at the station will be made at 2.30pm.
Please note: Whilst we will endeavour to visit all the reserves mentioned, the itinerary may be altered by the tour leader according to local conditions.
