Mike is prepared to guide birders all over the UK on an individual basis to either the loveliest locations or to the key birds or preferably both.He knows key sites all over the country and has a network of contacts in most areas to ensure the most focused birding but the pace can be completely according to the guest's requirements. We'll work out the final expected fee when we're in contact via e-mail.

Accommodation:

You'll be in the house at the right, in an area located by the red square in the picture above. At this stage, the maximum we will cater for is a group of 5. Accommodation is normally on a twin room basis, though rooms can be taken as singles, subject to a supplement. One room is large with Ensuite. The other is much smaller but has its own bathroom close by. We will provide a good breakfast at the beginning of the day and relaxed supper in the evening, in addition to a picnic at lunch time. Your only additional items of cost will be incidentals plus any reserve fees charged for non members. Available Weeks and Weekends

Background Info:
The Northwest of England has two major advantages for the birdwatcher:

• Wonderful birding
• Very easy access

We are in the village of Beetham, 5 miles from junction 35 of the M6, with Lancaster and Oxenholme Railway Stations both within easy reach. We have the advantage of being on the edge of the Lake District, but not within it. More important for birds is that it is within a mile of the Kent Estuary, which leads into Morecambe Bay, with its huge wader flocks - the second largest estuary for birds, after the Wash.

Within 3 miles is the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss with its bitterns, otters, marsh harriers and bearded tits in addition to much interesting woodland and parkland locally. There are freshwater pools for waders and inland are the dales for upland birds - grey wagtail, dipper, ring ouzel, merlin, goshawk etc.

In our area, bitterns, water rails, bearded tits and indeed otters can be seen any time and it is hard to plan. Chances with the first two are definitely improved when it freezes and late Summer evenings tend to be best for otters. Bearded tits tend to be most visible July to October as the young become mobile. Red squirrels are north and south of us. Most years there are brambling in the winter.

However, the marvellous thing about birding is that the unexpected can happen at any time and often does. It takes you to beautiful areas which this certainly is. However, if we need to, we will go further afield to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves, although there is so much to do locally. Plans will depend on the weather and the individual preferences of the participants. We need to be flexible.

What birds to expect,
month by month

September

Return migration time. Chance of rarities. With westerly gales this is the time for Leach's petrel. Possible skuas. Passage waders.

 

October

Still chances of rarities and Leach's petrel still possible. Winter birding starts with the arrival of geese and wildfowl. With the loss of leaves hawfinch chances improve. Large high tide flocks of waders.

 

November/December

Geese. Wildfowl. Huge wader flocks. Hawfinch and other woodland residents. Normally wintering mediterranean gull. Divers and sea duck. Good time to go for twite and/or corn bunting. Could try jack snipe.

 

January/February

As November/December. Chances of vagrant geese improve. A big freeze improves hopes for bittern and water rail. Hawfinch. Still divers and sea duck. Could try water pipit.

 

March

Geese still around. Hawfinch. Best time for woodpeckers including lesser spotted (always difficult). Good time for goshawk. Bitterns start booming. Goosander on the river. Also good for water pipit. Could go for black grouse and ring ouzel. Maybe garganey will have arrived.

 

April

Still good for woodpeckers and goshawk. As the month progresses we seek to welcome in each of the Summer visitors. A good chance to learn or relearn to recognise by song. Marsh harriers arrive now. The North West has a good passage of little gulls. Late in the month is best for grasshopper warbler, lesser whitethroat, pied flycatcher and wood warbler. We look out for passage of white wagtails early and whimbrel later. Late in the month, if the winds are right, there can be a good passage of pomarine skuas off North Cumbria. Well worth going for if we can time it right. Could fit in a visit to the eagle site at the same time.

 

May

Pomarine skuas passage still possible early. Also dotterel (twite at same site) go through at this time. But May is the time we wish to get all the Summer visitors bofore they disappear in the leaves. Later, we can try for nightjar. There can be quail near by. Could go for eagle.

 

June

We have to work harder for the summer visitors now, but they are there! However, this can be one of the best months for evening otter watches. Nightjar is good now. Quail again. Also eagle. Could visit a tern colony (including little tern) along with the breeding auks and puffins at St Bees Head.

 

July

Still good for otter and nightjar. Bearded tits tend to be more visible from now until the Autumn. First return waders - tend to be the adults first. Still terns and auks. Can be a second chance for the summer visitors as the young start to move about. Storm petrels have been seen late in the month.

 

August

Continuing returning waders. Good month for rarities. Bearded tits. Possible hobby. Huge evening starling roost with attacking sparrowhawks. Water rail quite good now.

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