Graham Hulme
 Contact
Details:
2 Sunny View
Oakenclough
Preston
PR3 1UL
Tel. 01995 605876
E-mail: hulmesons@yahoo.co.uk
Click here
for map.
Graham Hulme has a keen interest in ornithology
and the environment. Knowledgeable about his subject and the area,
and with considerable experience of teaching, he is well placed
to act as a guide on a variety of rural naturalist walks. he is
able to work with Tim Deighton to add a natural history dimension
to Tim's guided walks.
Graham is a teacher by profession but outside
of the classroom he is rarely without his binoculars and he is always
bird watching alongside any other activity he is involved in. He
is interested in all aspects of birding, from watching the garden
Great Tits fledge to twitching a rare bird in another part of the
country. He has taken part in many breeding surveys and WTO counts.
He has excellent knowledge of the local area and the birds that
are a key asset to this superb part of Lancashire. His introduction
to bird watching opportunities in this area is below.
Bird
Watching and the Natural History of Bowland
 The
Oakenclough area is on the fringe of the heather moorland, for which
the Forest of Bowland is famous, and the hill farming land that
is largely improved pasture for sheep and cattle grazing. Wooded
valleys with mature deciduous trees, conifer plantations, reservoirs
and gravel pits means that the area has a wide variety of habitats
in a relatively small area.
This mosaic of scenery makes it a great place
for general birding as well as giving visitors the chance to see
Hen Harrier (The emblem of The Forest of Bowland) and other raptors
such as Merlin, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and even an outside
possibility of the increasingly regular Hobby. Short-eared Owls
frequent the roadside moors. All these birds can be seen from the
roads and footpaths in the area but they are more likely to be encountered
on walks into the Forest Of Bowland.
For about 4 weeks in late April and early May the
area plays host to the largest number of Whimbrel in the UK. Whimbrel
are a small, migratory cousin of our local curlew. Up to 700 have
roosted in the area in recent years and in the hour before dusk
they can be seen arriving at top speed from wherever they feed in
the south of the county. The may Bank Holiday weekend is the best
time to enjoy this impressive site. The birds are refuelling on
their way to Iceland and the Northern Isles of the UK.
The area is increasingly important for breeding
waders. Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Oystercatcher all breed
in the area and there are local opportunities to see these birds
thanks to access provided by local farmers and the network of footpaths.
These birds arrive back from the coast in late February and they
are especially good to watch from this time to the end of May.
This time is also especially good to enjoy the
local Hare population as they choose mates and chase each other.
These are very special creatures that are well worth spending time
watching.
The moorland is largely used for sheep grazing
and the rearing of game birds. The views of Red Grouse from the
car widow can be quite exceptional and add to the fantastic views
of the roads in the area.
Winter is relatively quiet for small birds but
the moorland still holds Hen Harriers and Buzzard. Ravens are often
seen at this time of year and brambling are a local speciality feeding
amongst the chaffinch flock in the grounds of the Calderbank Country
Lodge Restaurant.
 The
area around Wyreside Fisheries provides a range of habitats for
resident Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Great-crested Grebes,
Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers. In summer they are joined by
the commoner warblers.
Birds are not the only natural site of interest.
The Snowdrops in late February are quite outstanding along the riverside
walk and like all the local woods the Bluebells in May are well
worth a special visit.
Further information on bird watching in this area
can be obtained by contacting Graham via e-mail (hulmesons@yahoo.co.uk).
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