MEETINGS: Once or twice a month on various days to minimise recurrent clashes with members' other commitments.

We are always happy to welcome new members. None of us claim to be experts but try to puzzle our way to the names of the organisms we find. If you are interested in joining us or want more information please contact us.

We usually meet at the Co-op car park, Church Road, New Mills at 10 am. The number on walks is limited only by having enough seats in cars. Attendance varies with members’ diaries, inclinations and the weather (we are sensible people, not masochists).

Come and join us. There's no limit to the number on the mailing list.

NEXT VISIT

Martin Mere - Thursday 11 December 2025

Our next visit is to the WWT Martin Mere Reserve, near Burscough, Lancashire.

In Winter the reserve fills with thousands of migratory birds to avoid harsher winters back home. Highlights include upto 50,000 pink-footed geese descending to roost; flocks of pintail and wigeon; and, by December large numbers of whooper swans join the flock. Ruff, black-tailed godwits, marsh harriers, fieldfare and redwings are regulars and a few bramblings have been reported recently.

We will stay for the three o'clock feeding frenzy as the waterfowl and waders compete for the grain thrown out onto the shore in front of two of the hides.

Unless you are a member of the WWT admission is £16.29 or £14.81 for over 65s. A discount of 10% is available up to midnight the day before. However, the visit is weather dependent so please check the forecast for the 11th if you decide to choose this option.

Meet at New Mills Co-op for a 10.00am start.

Please let us know whether or not you will be attending.

Millers Dale

We had a great day in Miller's Dale despite getting drenched during a short but heavy shower while we sat eating our lunch. Thank goodness for modern wet weather gear. We found the Grass of Parnassus and had good views of more Dippers than I've ever previously seen on that stretch of the Wye with lots of martins flying high overhead.

Coombes Valley

photos taken by Fred Pickering

<click in images to enlarge>

We had a good day at RSPB Coombes Valley. Lots of birds singing but proving difficult to see though we did manage a pied flycatcher and a garden warbler. Lots of wildflowers though to compensate.

Field Horsetail

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