Wildlife of the Lune Estuary (Day Trip)

Summary

Join tour leader Barrie Cooper on a part of his local patch to explore the Lune Estuary and a neighbouring part of Morecambe Bay just a few miles from Lancaster and the M6 motorway. This is a key area for bird migration and a winter refuge for species from places as far away as Greenland, Iceland and Russia. Waders such as Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Turnstone, Ringed and Golden Plovers search for food on the intertidal mudflats while predators such as Peregrine reap the benefits of having such bountiful prey available. The sight and sound of skeins of Pink-footed Geese are one of the highlights of the autumn and winter. 

Hedgerows along the Lancashire Coastal Way are full of berries in autumn and provide food for Fieldfares and Redwings. Parties of Long-tailed Tits are accompanied by other species to add variety. 

In spring, Avocets return to breed and warblers such as Lesser and Common Whitethroats are found in the hedgerows.   

During the afternoon we will drive a short distance to another section of the Coastal Way overlooking Morecambe Bay. Here we should find some species that are more elusive on the estuary and as we walk along the coastal footpath we will visit the 12th century Cockersands Abbey in its prominent position overlooking the Bay. The fields here should have species such as Linnet, possible Twite and Brown Hare, while Whooper Swan families may have arrived from Iceland.   

Led by naturalist Barrie Cooper, these Day Trips will start at 9am and will cover a maximum of 8 miles over the course of the day on level ground.

• Explore the Lune Estuary on a part of Naturetrek leader Barrie Cooper’s local patch
• Possible birds include Peregrine, Great and Little Egrets
• Wildfowl including Whooper Swan, Eider, Goldeneye, Gadwall, Shelduck, Goosander, Pink-footed Goose
• Waders including Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Golden Plover
• Returning Fieldfare and Redwing in the hedgerows
• Walk along a section of the Lancashire Coastal Way