June 17th 07 - Pickerings Pasture - 8pm-10pm - Devil Bird Day

A couple of the FoPP attended this event and found it really informative and interesting. We were taken to Runcorn Hill to look at the swifts. There are stunning views out over the estuary towards Pickerings Pasture and Hale. We could see both the Liverpool Cathedrals, in the distance and , of course, plenty of swift action.

We moved back across the Runcorn Bridge to an area of 50s housing in Widnes, where there is a roosting colony of around 100 pairs of swift that return to there nests in the evening. They made quite a display, as they noisily chattered and swooped.

An interesting fact that I learnt was that when the young swifts leave the nest they don't touch ground again for 2 years. They eat and nap in the air and travel thousands of miles.

It's always well worth attending an event, with plenty to see and lots to learn. 

There is a video of Runcorn Hill Nature Reserve on the HBC website.

This is part of a programme of free HBC events. You can attend as many as you like.

July 22nd 07 - Pickerings Pasture - 12-5pm - Country Fayre

August 3rd 07 - Pickerings Pasture - 8pm - The Twilight Zone

August 4th 07 - Pickerings Pasture - 1pm-4pm - Moths and Butterflies Exposed

October 6th 07 - Hale Lighthouse - 7am - Migration Watch

November 10th 07 - Pickerings Pasture - 10am - Woodn'it be Lovely

November 25th 07 - Pickerings Pasture - 9.30am - Wildfowl and Waders Walk

January 13th 08 - from Pickerings Pasture - 10am - Hale Duck Decoy Walk

February 10th 08 - from Pickerings Pasture - 3.30pm - Birds & the Bridge 

March 9th 08 - from Pickerings Pasture - 10.30am -Mersey Trail Walk

For more details look in Halton Borough Council's Parks and Countryside Service Events Programme, their website at www.halton.gov.uk, or ring 0151 425 4706