This was the fervent hope of the forty members of Nottingham RSPB group as they set off for their annual weekend. This year’s venue was to be Morecambe and, as usual, the species list was well under way as we left Nottingham. By the time we reached Keele services for breakfast it had already reached twenty species, summer migrants like Swallow and Swift being joined by residents such as Red-legged Partridge.

Jay and Lapwing were added before we reached our first reserve, Marshside near Southport. We had not visited this reserve before and it was disappointing to find that, as with Newport Wetlands last year, the signage from the main road was less than adequate. The RSPB must improve this aspect, especially at the newer reserves, to attract more visitors.

News that there was a Long-billed Dowitcher present caused a stampede from the coach and, from Nel’s hide, we were able to view this transatlantic wader. The bird was in breeding plumage and the rufous neck and belly contrasted with the darker back and pale legs. Though the star of the show was the Dowitcher we were delighted to see some of the other species present. Summer migrants were represented by Whitethroat and Reed and Sedge Warblers whilst a wide selection of ducks, including Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Pintail kept the list ticking over nicely.

The reserve is a level expanse of shallow pools and grassland whilst on the other side of the main road lies salt marsh which stretches to the shoreline. Those who chose to explore this area saw Wheatear and, among a large flock of Knot, examples of Golden, Grey and Ringed Plovers.

The weather had stayed fine but, as we left the reserve to complete our journey to Morecambe and the Sea Crest Hotel the rain started and by the time we arrived it was quite heavy. We were soon installed and found the interior layout of the hotel somewhat confusing. However we had no difficulty in finding the dining room and, after a good meal, members passed the evening in a variety of ways. Hardier souls braved the cold drizzle for a drink at the Eric Bartholomew where the events of the day were discussed over a pint.

The early birders stole a march on the sleepers the following morning. The tide was in and rafts of Eider were seen off-shore. After breakfast we boarded the coach for the trip to Cuerden Valley Country Park near Preston. Being a Bank Holiday weekend the park was full of families and enough dogs to have staged Crufts. This made birding more difficult but we persevered and soon added Tree Creeper and Great Crested Grebe to the list. A Jay perched obligingly and in a conifer plantation Coal Tits were seen.

Deciding that the far end of the park would suffer least disturbance we made our way there. On the way we were able to compare the short bursts of song from the Blackcap with the more continuous warbling of the Garden Warbler.

We reached the ruins of an old mill and the mill stream banks produced Grey Wagtail and Whitethroat. Turning back we heard the single piping note of the Bullfinch and when the party re-assembled found that others had seen Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Mistle Thrush among others. Time for a coffee in the café at Cuerden Hall, a Sue Ryder home, where a veil will be drawn over the fact that one of our members attracted the attention of some ladies from the Chorley Singles Group!

That evening the pub group made a study of females of the genus Morecambensis. This species shares with the Red Phalarope the characteristic that, in breeding plumage, the females are brighter than the males. They are also identified by their long flesh coloured legs.

The following morning we eagerly awaited our visit to Leighton Moss, one of our favourite reserves. After a breakfast where even Graham’s appetite for toast was satisfied we set off for the short trip. On arrival most of us decided to visit the Eric Morecambe Hide first because later in the day sun glare can be a problem. The scrapes here contained an array of ducks and waders including Pintail, Avocet, Wigeon and Black-tailed Godwits. An attempt to find a sporadically singing Grasshopper Warbler proved fruitless so we returned to the main reserve.

Those that had not ventured could report Nuthatch and Marsh Tit and we soon added Marsh Harrier to the list. In the spring the lagoons here are dominated by the breeding colonies of Black-headed Gulls, though a pair of Greater Black-backed Gulls held their own on one island. Among the summer visitors were a few recently arrived Swifts and a few group members were lucky enough to see the resident Bearded Tits, though of the Bittern there was no sign. Among the geese one White fronted Goose was observed and perseverance led to the discovery of a Lesser Whitethroat. Above us a Raven harrying a Buzzard added interest.

On the way back to Morecambe we stopped briefly at Hest Bank where the final addition to the list was a Whimbrel. The final evening for some, after another excellent meal, was a small local where the chief pastime of the locals seemed to be Poker and we engaged in an increasingly frantic texting exchange with friends at another hostelry.

The next morning, having said our goodbyes, we set off for home, intending to stop on the way at the Etherow Valley Country Park south of Stockport. Already the early birders had seen Red-headed Mergansers and Sandwich Terns but the rest of us were delighted to find that, the Bank Holiday being over, this country park was much quieter. Along the river were several examples of that colourful introduction the Mandarin whilst by the weir a Dipper bobbed and dived. A walk through the woods produced more Tree Creepers and Nuthatches as well as Stock Dove and Jay. We were perhaps a day or two early for Flycatchers and the last bird on my personal list was another introduction the Egyptian Goose.

Finally it was time to head home. We had enjoyed an excellent weekend blessed with dry weather and between us had seen exactly a hundred species, a gratifying total for Sandra who won the sweepstake! Thanks must go to the hotel staff for making us so welcome, to Jim for his driving and especially to Jan and Dave for organizing yet another memorable holiday. Anyone who wishes to see a list of species seen can send me an e-mail at pgdaft@yahoo.co.uk.