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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-10 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Thursday 17 May 2012

Daresbury and Moore Nature Reserve 17th May 2012

"Summer or Winter" or "Which one likes food the most?" - photo taken  by Phil.
More Bluebells in another wood.
The Lewis Crol Memorial Window in All Saints Church.
A Reed bunting at Lapwing Lake, Moore nature Reserve.
Enjoying lunch (in the sunshine) overlooking Lapwing Lake at Moore nature Reserve.
Follow the leader along the towpath on the Bridgewater Canal.
"OK, so Dave can count birds better than me!"
Walk stats: Distance: 10.5 miles (some did a little more). Climb: 376' (some did a little more).
Time: 5 hours 2 minutes (some did a little more). On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall wal;k average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Sylvia and Dave J., and Phil.
Numbers lower than usual, too many people still on holiday and on Grandparent duty. Celia decided not to come at the last minute, perhaps to wave to the Queen as she went to Chester Zoo or maybe just to stay at home and watch the cricket!
We were greeted by at least three Police vehicles at our start point, they seemed to be looking for something/somebody, but the policeman that I spoke to didn't volunteer why they were there!
We set off with a little rain in the air, but after about an hour, the Sun came out, and not wearing waterproofs at any time was the the right decision!
This is a delightfully varied walk, although, never one for views, but considering we were so near to a major conurbation, you wouldn't have really noticed it!
The walk included Bluebell woods, canal side and the Moore Nature Reserve.
Lunch was enjoyed at Moore Nature Reserve, sitting in the Sun, overlooking Lapwing Lake.
After exploring the Reserve a little and doing a little bird spotting from various hides we set off back towards the Bridgewater Canal. The only birds of note were seen when we arrived back at |Appleton Reservoir, when we saw a female Mallard with 13 ducklings. Three of the group who went around the reservoir saw two male Gadwall as well.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Ring O' Bells at Daresbury, where a Marston's brew, dare I say it, tasted really good.  The Costa Coffee was good too!
Birds seen or heard today included. Common swift, Sand martin, Barn swallow, Mute swan, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Ferral pigeon Blue tit, Great tit, Mallard, Tufted duck, Grey heron, sedge warbler, Reed bunting, Whitethroat, European robin, Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Common coot, Moorhen, Blackcap, Gadwall, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, Nuthatch, Eurasian Jay, Carrion crow, Great crested grebe and Jackdaw.
In addition we saw a few Rabbits Grey squirrels and a Brown hare.

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