L.O.S. Annual General Meeting and the Retirement of Chairman, David Shallcross and Treasurer, Angela Pike
Friday night's Annual General meeting brought the end of an era for Leigh Ornithological Society, (L.O.S.) as they paid tribute to their chairman of thirty years, Mr. David Shallcross.
Having steered the club for so many years, one of David’s main focal points has been conservation. It is fitting that in his final year Pennington Flash achieved the status of a National Nature Reserve, the only one in the whole of Greater Manchester. Bickershaw was also to become a recognised Country Park.
David was also heavily involved with Pennington Flash Volunteer Group who over the many years have completed over 3,900 hours of work. He continues to support their work and is as eager now as he was on day one of the project
As a stalwart of the L.O.S., Mr. David Wilson made the presentation to David, paying gratitude to his unending enthusiasm as recognised by both members past and present. As a Society all members are grateful to have been in the hands of someone so dedicated to the position. We wish him well in his retirement and know that David will continue to enjoy steering the L.O.S. in the right direction.
Our Society would also like to pay a huge tribute and say “thank you” to David’s wife Anne. We recognise, teams are built upon support and without yours our Society would not be in the position that it is now.
As those in attendance at last night’s AGM will know, we also said “farewell” to another dedicated member of our Officers in that Mrs. Angela Pike retired from her role of ten years as our secretary.
Angela’s meticulous recording of our minutes have provided direction for both past and future members of the society, her essential skills are held in high esteem. Being able to reference the minutes of our meetings is essential work and without Angela’s accurate recording our society we would be unable to function.
Along with her husband George, Angela also attended many L.O.S. Field and Annual Trips being an unstinting member of our Society.
Your presence amongst from the Officers and Committee will be greatly missed along with all members of LOS. We wish you well Angela in any projects in which you are already involved and any future projects that you may be become involved in.
Here is Joan (left) presenting a bouquet of flowers to Angela (centre) for her dedicated work and skills of ten years.
L.O.S. Friday Night Presentation - Friday 6th September 2024
On Friday 6th September 2024 Dennis Atherton is kindly showing his latest presentation
"Birding the Outer Hebrides"
Dennis begins his journey with a ferry from Oban to south Uist looking out for seabirds. On reaching the islands he is on the look out for owls and harriers along with noisy but elusive corncrake.
There are plenty of waders on these wondertul islands and rarer divers that Dennis is hoping to see. A visit to RSPB Balranald brings skuas and the magnificent Golden Eagle
Meet in the Derby Room at Leigh Library, WN7 1EB on Friday 6th September 2024
7:15pm seated for 7:30pm please. Everyone is welcome.
L.O.S. Friday Night Presentation - 3rd May 2024
Our final Derby Room presentation for the 2023/24 season is on Friday 3rd May 2024 at Leigh Library.
This illustrated talk will be presented by Alan Bedford whose subject is:
How the Estuary Works for Birds!
In his presentation Alan will explain the ecology of estuaries and why they are so productive (with an emphasis on saltmarshes).
"The UK is Internationally important for its coastal birds. Any bird watcher knows that our estuaries offer a real spectacle during the winter months and the NW estuaries together can support over 700 000 birds during this period. This talk looks at what the sandflats, mudflats and saltmarshes have to offer birds at these peak times and throughout the year."
We meet at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start upstairs in the Derby Room at Leigh Library. Admission is free although it would be nice if you would buy a raffle ticket to support further presentations like this one.
Everyone is welcome, so why not come and join us.
L.O.S. Fieldtrip to St. Aidan's RSPB - Sunday 14th April 2024
Our next fieldtrip is on Sunday 14th April to St. Aidan's RSPB. Please note that this is a change to the destination originally advertised as there is extensive flooding at Blacktoft Sands RSPB and the site is temporarily closed.
Meet at Doctor’s Nook Car Park (over the road from Leigh Library) at 7:30 am. If you are going straight there the address is St Aidan's Nature Park, Astley Lane, West Yorkshire, LS26 8AL
Please come prepared for wet/cold weather and bring sufficient food and hot beverages to last the day. Non-RSPB members may have to pay a car parking fee.
The trip will be led by Keith Williams and you don’t need to be an experienced bird watcher to attend - we are a very friendly and welcoming group.
Information about all our forthcoming field trips can be found here:
Please also note that whilst all reasonable care will be taken, the officers, committee and field trips’ leaders accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury or fatality, howsoever suffered while on any field trips. Our public liability insurance does not cover non-members.
L.O.S. Friday Night Presentation - 1st March 2024
' Walk in the Woods'
A talk by Dr. Kevin Briggs
Kevin’s presentation will focus on the nesting behaviour of four species; Pied Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Blue Tit and Great Tit. Based on many seasons of his in-the-field monitoring and shot through with over fifty years of the speaker’s ornithological nous, the talk will give us an intimate look at their breeding habits within a number of woodland study sites in our area.
A talk by Dr. Kevin Briggs
Kevin’s presentation will focus on the nesting behaviour of four species; Pied Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Blue Tit and Great Tit. Based on many seasons of his in-the-field monitoring and shot through with over fifty years of the speaker’s ornithological nous, the talk will give us an intimate look at their breeding habits within a number of woodland study sites in our area.
Please meet in the Derby Room upstairs at Leigh Library at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
Greenheart Landscape Recovery Scheme Workshop
Book your FREE place on a 'Your Greenheart Landscape' Community Workshop (hosted by Lancashire Wildlife Trust) here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/your-greenheart-landscape-community-workshops-tickets-781335534617
L.O.S. Fieldtrip to Burton Mere Wetlands and Parkgate RSPB - Sunday 11th February 2024
Anyone who wishes to make their own way should meet us there at 9.00am. The car park is situated behind the The Boathouse public house at the end of the North Parade, CH64 6RL. It's likely to be busy so the earlier to arrive the better really.
The high tide depends a lot on the weather, the wind being in the right direction and air pressure all being in our favour. After this we can move on the Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB. Warm waterproof clothing is recommended and stout footwear. A packed lunch and a flask is the norm, although there is a brand new cafe at Burton Mere.
Please leave any further questions in the comments below and I will gladly reply. Or even inbox me via Facebook. Looking forward to meeting you all this Sunday.
Thanks Paul (leighos.trips@gmail.com)
The high tide depends a lot on the weather, the wind being in the right direction and air pressure all being in our favour. After this we can move on the Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB. Warm waterproof clothing is recommended and stout footwear. A packed lunch and a flask is the norm, although there is a brand new cafe at Burton Mere.
Please leave any further questions in the comments below and I will gladly reply. Or even inbox me via Facebook. Looking forward to meeting you all this Sunday.
Thanks Paul (leighos.trips@gmail.com)