Birds of Long Preston - Talk

25 January 2023

Discover the birds of the Long Preston floodplain and learn how to identify some of the common species found in this priority area for breeding wading birds.

Birds of the Long Preston floodplain - talk   

Wednesday 25 January, 7.30pm - 9pm | Rathmell Old School | Complimentary refreshments | FREE, donations welcome 

The Long Preston floodplain area is of national importance for breeding wading birds.

The rough marshy grassland adjacent to the river Ribble forms an ideal nesting habitat for waders, in particular snipe, redshank and curlew, while other areas are used by oystercatchers and lapwing. The meandering river produces steep sandy cliffs on the eroding banks, providing nesting sites for kingfisher, sand martin and goosander. In winter, the floodplain is frequented by a variety of waterfowl and waders including whooper swan, wigeon, teal, water rail and dunlin. Other birds such as black-tailed godwit and ruff use the area on passage.

We're joined by Ian Court, Wildlife Conservation Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, to find out the key features of these birds and their habitat, so you know what to look out for and the best places to spot them. 

We're also running another Birds of the Long Preston floodplain - talk & walk on Saturday 4 February 

The talks are being delivered for free as part of Deeper Connections project that enhances the important wet grassland habitats of the Ribble floodplain and helps people to discover and protect this unique landscape. We'd welcome donations to help support our work.

Please book in advance 

To book your place please contact info@ydmt.org or call us on 015242 51002. 

Please park carefully opposite Rathmell Old School or in the village car park in the centre of Rathmell.    

Talks & Presentations