Less than forty minutes drive from the meeting point in Queensferry is the village of Hale, nestling on the banks of the River Mersey between the Runcorn Bridge and Speke airport. After being given instruction where to park in the village the ten society members set off. The day was overcast but clear and as we crossed the Runcorn bridge we could see that the tide was beginning to rise. At Hale village we turned into Church Road and continued until the way became blocked by a gate marking the entrance to the driveway of Hale Point lighthouse,decommissioned in 1958 and now a private residence. A short walk along this driveway brought us to the notice board beside the lighthouse.Along the way we watched a flock of over 40 linnets fly past. On the mudflats of Dungeon Bay and along the rising tide line redshanks,dunlin,grey plover and black tailed godwits could be seen feeding whilst on the sand bars we identified oystercatchers,cormorants and five species of gulls. Walking to our right there were good views across the river where rafts of shelduck and a few teal bobbed along on the current, in the field to our right a flock of over fifty curlew flew in to feed. Ahead of us a wooden bridge crossed a small gully and we had been told that jack snipe could be seen here but, although we watched in the hope that the rising tide would flush one, the birds remained elusive.Less than a mile further on the path splits and rather than continuing to Oglet Point the group turned inland to skirt a small wood and then rejoin the main road back to Hale village. In 1572 a certain John Middleton was born in Hale, known as The Childe of Hale John was reputedly 9 feet 3 inches tall by the age of twenty. It would be wrong for me to give the history in this report but suffice to say that the group were given a few snippets whilst enjoying lunch in the pub of the same name before continuing on past John's house, and the church where he is burried, to our cars. I would strongly recommend a visit to Hale, not only for the enjoyment of a walk along the banks of the River Mersey but also to relax with a drink and good food in friendly surroundings and to brush up on local history.

The walk is about three miles and on flat ground. Allow four to five hours for a decent walk that includes lunch and a bit of history.

                                           Hale Point Lighthouse

                                           Hale Point

                                          Dungeon Bay

The next field trip is to Dolydd Hafryn and Lake Vyrnwy on Saturday 13th. March. See newsletter for details.

Ron Plummer. Vice Chair.