Berwick Wildlife Group

• Sunday 1st. First 2008 Butterfly Walk at Cocklawburn. Meet at 10.30 am. at car park at end of Cocklawburn road by pill box – NU 031 481. Sensible shoes and binoculars if you have them.

• Monday 2nd. Beach Litter Survey. 10.00 am meeting in the small car park behind Little Beach (just north of the harbour breakwater) Please wear appropriate clothing, strong boots and gardening gloves.

• Thursday 5th. Secrets of Cocklawburn, from low tide mark to the dunes with Aisling Lanning, Marine Conservation Officer, 11.00am – 2.00 pm. . Meet at car park at end of Cocklawburn road by pill box – NU 031 481. Bring lunch, weatherproof clothes and wellies or sandshoes.

• Friday 13th WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY by Phil McLean. North Northumberland Bird Club, 7.30 at the Cricket Pavillion, Bamburgh.

• Saturday 14th Butterfly walk at Cocklawburn? Or maybe Needles Eye? - Details to be finalised.

• Sunday 22nd June. Bumblebee identification walk, Stanton Hall Gardens with bee expert Shaun Hackett. 10.00 am., Stanton Hall Gardens is about 5 miles N.W. of Morpeth, NZ 131 896. For detailed directions or a lift please phone 01289 330591.

• Thursday June 26th (if 26th wet/windy, 27th). Bat Survey, Spittal Promenade. To investigate reports of "large" bats at S end of Promenade. Meet at Spittal Doorstep Green car park at 10.00 pm.

• Sunday 29th. Border Green Festival at Five Arches Playing Field, Tweedmouth. Berwick Wildlife Group will have a stand. Do visit us, and if you would like to volunteer to man the stand for an hour or two that would be wonderful!

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• Friday 4th July, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm, Wildflower Walk at St Abbs.
  St. Abb's Head is nationally important for supporting many different floral habitats. Join the Ranger on a walk through the multi-coloured carpet of flowers and discover some fun facts about the plants along the way. Fun for all ages! Wear sturdy footwear.
  Meet at St. Abb's Head car park. Cost: Adults £2, children £1 (all children must be accompanied). No booking required.
  Enquiries: (018907) 71443

• Wednesday 9th July (if relatively dry). Tree Survey for Forest Enterprise, Ord Drive, Berwick. Meet at 7.00 pm. at tiny car park on N side of Ord Drive W side of cottage. Roadside work – wear non-slip footwear, bright clothing, not suitable for children or dogs.

• Thursday 10th July (if 10th wet/windy, 11th). Bat Survey, Mount Road/Tower House, Tweedmouth. A survey to follow up results from 2005 and to investigate other reported sightings. Meet at Dock Road, below Tower House at 8.00pm.

• Sunday 13th Second 2008 Butterfly Walk at Cocklawburn, with Jaci Beavan of Butterfly Conservation. Meet at 10.30 am at car park at end of Cocklawburn by the pillbox. (NU032 481) Suitable clothing and strong shoes. Sorry no dogs.

• Tuesday 15th July (if relatively dry). Tree Survey for Forest Enterprise, Ord Drive, Berwick. Meet at 7.00 pm. at tiny car park on N side of Ord Drive W side of cottage. Roadside work – wear non-slip footwear, bright clothing, not suitable for children or dogs.

• 19th -27th Butterfly conservation week.

• Sunday 20th. A bird survey around Scremerston, the second summer visit to BWG's adopted tetrad for the BTO Atlas 2007-11. Meet opposite Scremerston Church at 10.00am. Wear sensible shoes and if possible bring binoculars. Beginners (and experts) welcome, about 2 hours very slow walk.

• Thursday July 24th (if wet/windy 25th), Canty's Brig/New Mills to confirm, if possible, the use of the bat boxes on the bridge, and to locate the roost at New Mills. Members only. 9.15 pm.

• Wednesday 30th. Save our Squirrels event. 13.00 to 15.00. Red squirrel family fun day: Come and discover all about red squirrels at Ord Caravan Park with the SoS team. Talk and presentation, fun art and craft activities for children, find out what you can do to help the red squirrel in Northumberland. Build a squirrel drey competition. Meet Philippa Mitchell in the car park at Ord Caravan Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed at 13.00.

• Thursday 31st July (if 31st wet/windy 1st August). Bat Survey, Norham Castle. Subject to access permission. An opportunity to survey a known Daubenton's bat roost. Meet at Norham Castle car park at 9.00pm.

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• PROVISIONAL DATE. Thursday 7th August (if wet/windy 8th), Bat Event, 2nd Canty's Brig/New Mills to confirm, if possible, the use of the bat boxes on the bridge, and to locate the roost at New Mills. Members only. 9.15 pm.

• Thursday 14th August. Big Bat Event. From 6.00pm to 8.00pm talks and demos on bat ecology at United Reformed Church, Main Street, Spittal, followed by expedition to Canty's Brig with two bat-work trainers to enhance identification skills. Meet at car park at west end of Canty's Brig, 8.30pm (continues until dark).

• Thursday 21st August. Second squirrel survey in Detchant Woods. Meet 9.00 a.m. at the Detchant Park entrance to the woods. (NU 082373)

• Sunday 24th. Third 2008 Butterfly Walk at Cocklawburn. Meet at 10.30 am. at car park at end of Cocklawburn road by pill box – NU 031 481. Sensible shoes and binoculars if you have them.

• Thursday 28th August (if 28th wet/windy, 29th). Bat survey Upper Ravensdowne/Drill Hall/The Parade. A "fall back" survey to ascertain, if possible, the extent and location of bats' feeding area. Meet at The Parade car park at 8.00pm.

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• Friday 5th BIRDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE by David Parkin. North Northumberland Bird Club, 7.30 at the Cricket Pavillion, Bamburgh.

• Thursday 11th September (if 11th wet/windy, 12th). Bat Survey, The Avenue/Palace Street. A return visit to compare bats' feeding patterns with 2006 results. Meet at Palace Green at 8.00pm.

• Sunday September 14th . Squirrels in the Forest. A walk in Kyloe Woods with Head Forester Ian Robinson + Red Squirrel Officer Mark Wilkinson. Walk on the level, lasting about 2 hrs. No charge, but collection for Scottish Woodlands Trust and Save our Squirrels. Meet at East entrance to woods near Blawearie Cottages, about 1 mile S of Fenwick (NU 062391) at 1.30pm Limited parking, care share.

• Saturday 20th. Beachwatch A nationwide beach litter survey organised by the Marine Conservation Society. 10.00 am meeting in the small car park behind Little Beach (just north of the harbour breakwater) Please wear appropriate clothing, strong boots and gardening gloves.

• Thursday 25th September (if 25th wet/windy, 26th). Bat Survey. Details to be announced.

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• Saturday 4th. Migrating birds. A walk led by Malcolm and John I, a chance to see some unusual migrants. Beginners welcome. 10.00 am at small car park above Little Beach, Berwick.

• Wednesday 8th Birds of the Farnes. Talk by John Walton Assistant Warden for National Trust. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, Spittal, 7.30pm.

• Friday 10th GOSHAWKS IN THE BORDERS by Malcolm Henderson. North Northumberland Bird Club, 7.30 at the Cricket Pavillion, Bamburgh.

• Saturday 25th Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club 50th Anniversary Conference, Newcastle Civic Centre. ( See poster )

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• Wednesday 12th Wildlife of St Abbs. A talk by National Trust for Scotland Warden Kevin Rideout. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, Spittal, 7.30pm.

• Friday 14th COQUET ISLAND FOR BIRDS Paul Morrison. North Northumberland Bird Club, 7.30 at the Cricket Pavillion, Bamburgh.

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• Wednesday 10th December. Big Cats. A talk on his African experiences by Richard Wales (currently Red Squirrel Conservation Officer (Scottish Borders)). 7.30pm. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, SPITTAL.

• Friday 12th SOCIAL EVENT. North Northumberland Bird Club, 7.30 at the Cricket Pavillion, Bamburgh.

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• Wednesday 14th January. Berwick is Brilliant Event. Display and celebration of the results of 2008's work. 7.30pm. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, SPITTAL.

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• Wednesday 11th February. Something Geological. Ian Kille of Northumbrian Earth? 7.30pm. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, SPITTAL.

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• Wednesday 11th March. An illustrated talk on "Scenery and flora in the Western Cape of South Africa". Gill Young. 7.30pm. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, SPITTAL.

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• April. Berwick Save our Squirrels. Walk in local wood looking for signs of squirrels. Date to be arranged.

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• May. Possibly Lichen walk near Berwick with Dr Janet Simkin. Date, venue, walk itself to be arranged.

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