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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: 2-7 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 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Saturday, 23 October 2021

Lower Gronant, Barkby Beach and Talacre 23rd October 2021

A Redwing on Prestatyn Golf Course - the first that I have seen this Winter.
Heading east along the dunes towards Gronant.
First sightings of the Point of Ayr lighthouse.
It doesn't look so good over the Great Orme.
A Rave on the fence post next to Prestatyn Golf Course.
Evening primrose in The Warren.
The view from our lunch spot at Talacre.
On of the Little egrets seen on the marsh near our lunch spot.
Sounds of the seaside as the tide comes in.
The sea surrounds the Point of Ayr lighthouse.
A few Great cormorants on the shore north of Presthaven Sands.
Eurasian curlew on the shore north of Presthaven Sands.
Walks stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 198'.
Time: 4 hours 35 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Temperature: 10 - 12 Celsius (feeling warmer when the Sun honoured us with an appearance).
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 2 9 Calm to a light breeze.).
Group: Martyn and Roger.
A good day for walking, on the cool side as we set off, with a hint of dampness in the air, bt it wasn't long before we were discarding our outer layers. 
Our figure of eight walk starte along the path through Prestatyn Golf Course where we saw our first sighting of a Redwing this Winter.
The route from Barkby Beach used the Wales Coast Path across the dunes, giving us good views of the busy golf course to the south and the beach to the north. 
Prestahaven Sands was busy with plenty of holiday people on the beach.
Lunch was taken using one of the picnic benches next to the path leading to the RSPB viewing screen at Point of Ayr.
Our return route finally took us along the beach, with the incoming tide almost lapping our feet. It was a delight to hear the evoative sound of the incoming waves as they rolled onto the beach.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Pied wagtail, Mallard, Redwing, Eurasian curlew, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Oystercatcher, Great cormorant, Shelduck, Moorhen, Common kestrel, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie and Little egret. 
We arrived back at he car just after 14-00, giving us plenty of time to get home and watch England v West Indies in the Cricket T20 World Cup. A glass or two of Felinfoel Double Dragon went down well as England gained an easy win.
Overall an enjoyable walk and one that can be repeated at any time of the year.

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