Welcome party for Arctic visitors

EVERY winter tens of thousands of geese migrate from Arctic Svalbard to our shores and this year a coach party of Rochdale Field Naturalists headed to Scotland to meet them.

The national flags of Iceland and Norway fluttered in the stiff breeze to welcome the party to the WWT Wetland Reserve at Caerlaverock.

The trip leaders Roger and Pam Crofts explained that these flags signify two of the great attractions of the reserve in winter – over 130 whooper swans who spend their winter here rather than in their Icelandic homeland, and even more impressive, a staggering 7000 barnacle geese, from Svalbard, halfway between northern Norway and the north pole.

Peter Scott, the founder of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) recognised that the bill markings of the whooper swans were unique to each individual, and could therefore form the basis of research into the life history of these magnificent birds.

Rick Cowley, the society’s chairman said there were nearly 60 other bird species seen on the day.

The next coach trip is on Saturday, April 8, to Brimham Rocks and Pateley Bridge in Yorkshire with a five mile walk. Visitors are welcome but advanced booking is necessary. Contact 644394 to book, fare £15.

On March 25 there is a water bug ID session at Hollingworth Lake from 1pm – 3pm. This will involve pond dipping and stream kicking so wellies are essential.