I wonder just what makes a man keep pushing on

Why must I keep on sigin' this old highway song

I've been from coast to coast a hundred times before

I ain't seen one single place where I ain't been before...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

You can't call this part of Route 66, Route 66 because this is actually along I-40, the realigned portion before the road meets the river...

Old Bayview Ave Bridge.

It's been long abandoned, bypassed by the Bayview realignment and high level bridge that towers just to the west in 1929. It's been sitting idle in the valley for almost 100 years without traffic.

Toronto, Ontario

 

Olympus TG-4

Near State Center, Iowa.

From Wikepedia:

The Lincoln Highway was one of the earliest transcontinental highways for automobiles across the United States of America.[1]

Conceived in 1912 by Indiana entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, and formally dedicated October 31, 1913, the Lincoln Highway ran coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. In 1915, the "Colorado Loop" was removed, and in 1928, a realignment relocated the Lincoln Highway through the northern tip of West Virginia. Thus, there are a total of 14 states, 128 counties, and more than 700 cities, towns and villages through which the highway passed at some time in its history.

The first officially recorded length of the entire Lincoln Highway in 1913 was 3,389 miles (5,454 km).[a] Over the years, the road was improved and numerous realignments were made, and by 1924 the highway had been shortened to 3,142 miles (5,057 km). Counting the original route and all of the subsequent realignments, there have been a grand total of 5,872 miles (9,450 km).[3]

  

The campus began in 1887 as "Ye Forest Inne," a summer vacation retreat for Washington, D.C., residents. The retreat did not succeed financially, and the property was sold and redeveloped as a finishing school, opening in 1894 with a class of 48 female students.[2] The architecture of the campus remained eclectic and whimsical. In addition to various Victorian styles, exotic designs included a Dutch windmill, a Swiss chalet, a Japanese pagoda, an Italian villa, and an English castle.[3] Many of these small homes with international designs were built from blueprints obtained by competing sororities, but all were designed by architect Emily Elizabeth Holman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4] The campus also featured covered walkways, outdoor sculptures, and elaborately planned formal gardens. Among the administration was Assistant Dean of the College, Miss Edna Roeckel.[5] In 1936 it was renamed "National Park College" and its focus was realigned with more modern education trends; it remained one of the most prestigious women's schools in the country.

Freightliner Class 86/6 Nos. 86613 & 86628 descend the single line spur from Searchlight Lane Junction heading for Heamies Farm, where it will realign with the West Coast Mainline. The line to Stone and Stoke on Trent can be seen curving away on the left. This working is 4M45 0250 Felixstowe North FLT - Garston FLT on 27th May 2020. Copyright Photograph John Whitehouse - all rights reserved

PHL "Smurfs" at 6th Street, switching in the San Pedro Yard, December 2004. in 2018 this scene has changed completely as Harbor Blvd is being realigned into the area formerly occupied by the San Pedro railyard.

Processed using Apple’s photos editor.

 

Color fringing, chromatic aberration, is clearly visible on the upper moon limb. It’s time to take the camera to Best Buy for realignment of the optics.

 

I now have an appointment at Best Buy tomorrow.

Harpers Ferry Tunnel cuts through the rock face under Maryland Heights. An eastbound crossing the Potomac River lights up the tunnel portal and interior as it approaches. The west portal and tunnel was widened in 1931 to allow the realignment of the mainline off the 1894 bridge to a new one just upstream.

Dave Straight photo

 

Having crested the top of Tennessee Pass, a Rio Grande freight exits the tunnel at the top, starting the long run downhill to Pueblo. A Perlman Mallet is in charge of this train, consisting of four F-Units spliced by a Geep. Leading is F7A 5621, a 1949 EMD product. 5621 had been with the road for ten years when this 1959 scene was taken. It would remain on the Rio Grande roster until 1966 when it was traded in to EMD on an order for GP40s. Off to the right of the train is the older summit tunnel, which was closed when portions of the line were realigned.

 

Tennessee Pass, CO

September 13, 1959

 

Train of the Day

7/17/25

The Presidio of San Francisco (originally, El Presidio Real de San Francisco or The Royal Fortress of Saint Francis) is a park and former U.S. Army post on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

 

It had been a fortified location since September 17, 1776, when New Spain established the presidio to gain a foothold in Alta California and the San Francisco Bay. It passed to Mexico in 1820, which in turn passed it to the United States in 1848.[6] As part of a military reduction program under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process from 1988, Congress voted to end the Presidio's status as an active military installation of the U.S. Army.[7] On October 1, 1994, it was transferred to the National Park Service, ending 219 years of military use and beginning its next phase of mixed commercial and public use.[8]

 

In 1996, the United States Congress created the Presidio Trust to oversee and manage the interior 80% of the park's lands, with the National Park Service managing the coastal 20%.[9] In a first-of-its-kind structure, Congress mandated that the Presidio Trust make the Presidio financially self-sufficient by 2013. The Presidio achieved the goal in 2005, eight years ahead of the deadline.[10]

 

The park has many wooded areas, hills, and scenic vistas overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. It was recognized as a California Historical Landmark in 1933 and as a National Historic Landmark in 1962.[5][4]

 

Beginning in the 1890s, the Presidio was home to the Letterman Army Medical Center (LAMC), named in 1911 for Jonathan Letterman, the medical director of the Civil War-era Army of the Potomac. LAMC provided thousands of war-wounded with high-quality medical care during every US foreign conflict of the 20th century.

 

One of the last two remaining cemeteries within the city's limits is the San Francisco National Cemetery. Among the military personnel interred there are General Frederick Funston, hero of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and commanding officer of the Presidio at the time of the 1906 earthquake; and General Irvin McDowell, a Union Army commander who lost the First Battle of Bull Run.

 

The Marine Hospital operated a cemetery for merchant seamen approximately 100–250 yards (91–229 m) from the hospital property. Based on city municipal records, historians estimate that the cemetery was used from 1885 to 1912.[12] As part of the "Trails Forever" initiative, the Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust partnered to build a walking trail along the south side of the site featuring interpretive signage about its history.[13]

  

Street map of 1937 of the Army Base

The Presidio was the home of the Western Defense Command headquarters during World War II. It was here that Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt signed 108 Civilian Exclusion Orders and directives for the internment of Japanese Americans under the authority of Executive Order 9066 signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942.[14]

 

The Presidio sent its few remaining units to war for the last time in 1991 for Desert Storm, the First Gulf War. The role of the Sixth Army was the management of training and coordinating deployment of Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve units in the Western U.S. for Operation Desert Storm.After a hard-fought battle, the Presidio averted being sold at auction and came under the management of the Presidio Trust, a U.S. government corporation established by an act of Congress in 1996.[10][15][failed verification]

 

The Presidio Trust now manages most of the park in partnership with the National Park Service. The trust has jurisdiction over the interior of 80 percent of the Presidio, including nearly all its historic structures. The National Park Service manages coastal areas. Primary law enforcement throughout the Presidio is the jurisdiction of the United States Park Police.

 

One of the main objectives of the Presidio Trust's program was achieving financial self-sufficiency by fiscal year 2013, which was reached in 2006. Immediately after its inception, the trust began preparing rehabilitation plans for the park. Many areas had to be decontaminated before being prepared for public use.

 

The Presidio Trust Act calls for the "preservation of the cultural and historic integrity of the Presidio for public use." The Act also requires that the Presidio Trust be financially self-sufficient by 2013. These imperatives have resulted in numerous conflicts between the need to maximize income by leasing historic buildings and permitting public use despite most structures being rented privately. Further differences have arisen from the divergent needs to preserve the integrity of the National Historic Landmark District in the face of new construction, competing pressures for natural habitat restoration, and requirements for commercial purposes that impede public access.

 

Crissy Field, a former airfield, has undergone extensive restoration and is now a popular recreational area. It borders on the San Francisco Marina in the east and on the Golden Gate Bridge in the west.

 

I was stationed here during the late 70's and early 80's in the US Army. My famiily loved it here very much. It is so sad to see what the politics have done to the city since then. I don't have to go into detail because it has been all over the news for years. We returned to visit in October of this year and avoided all the crime and homelessness. We avoided those areas. Did not see one policeman that day. As you can see the tourist still come to see this famous city. There has been lots of changes to the Presidio since we were stationed there. It is now being preserved as a historic site and they lease out the old military family housing and old military facilities to bring in money. It is a great place to see if you have never visited there :) This is a picture of the old parade field overlooking the harbor in which I participated in a lot of parades and I worked in one of the buildings on your left just out of view. It was my best assignment while I was in the Army.

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukAhXKkxBwU

 

Sad to Know your Leaving - Gregory Isaacs

   

Afternoon train #513 crosses over "Superman Canyon" near Rosario, New Mexico. This remote section of the Glorieta Subdivision is the 1966 built realignment, after the original section of line was moved for construction of the Galisteo Reservoir. Several scenes from the 1978 film "Superman" were filmed along this section of line, with this bridge being featured in a handful of short scenes.

MCXSH-30 was blocked by CN M301 for almost a half hour on their intersecting diamond. As soon as M301 cleared the diamond, the KCS crew was able to realign the non CTC controlled stop sign and began work.

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserv...

  

This popular reserve on the north Norfolk coast has something for everyone. A walk from the visitor centre down to the sandy beach takes you past reedbeds and shallow lagoons, which are often full of birds. You can sit on benches or watch from spacious, wheelchair-accessible hides.

 

In summer, marsh harriers float over the reeds, where bearded tits nest. On the lagoons are avocets, gulls and terns. In autumn and winter you can see up to 20 species of wading birds and lots of ducks and geese.

 

A well-stocked shop has a wide range of RSPB gifts and books and a large selection of telescopes and binoculars. We have a servery and inside eating area selling a selection of hot and cold food and drinks, as well as snacks and locally-made cakes.

  

Opening times

  

The reserve is open every day of the year. The visitor centre and shop are open daily from 10.00 am to 5 pm (closing at 4 pm from November to February). They're closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The cafe is open daily from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm (closing at 4 pm from November to February). It's also closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

  

Entrance charges

 

There is a charge of £5 per car for non members.

  

Information for families

 

There are lots of exciting activities for families to do during the school holidays. Call the visitor centre on 01485 210779 to find out what is happening today.

  

Information for dog owners

 

Dogs are only permitted on the west bank path, which is a public right of way. They must be kept on a lead and under close control.

  

For more information

Contact us

Tel: 01485 210779

E-mail:

titchwell@rspb.org.uk

  

Star species

 

Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

 

Marsh harrier

 

Look for marsh harriers gliding over the reedbed with their wings held upwards in a shallow 'v'. In spring, pairs perform their breathtaking 'skydancing' displays high in the sky.

  

Bittern

 

Keep your eyes peeled for bitterns making short, low flights over the freshwater reedbed. You may be lucky enough to find one fishing on the edge of a channel. In late winter and spring, listen out for the mating call: a deep, resonant 'boom'.

  

Bearded tit

 

You will often hear bearded tits before you see them. Listen for their bell-like 'pinging' calls, then watch them whizzing across the tops of the reeds. They perch up on the stems in calm weather and feed on fallen seeds on the mud at the base of the reeds.

  

Avocet

 

Watch elegant avocets 'scooping up' microscopic, aquatic life in their amazing, sickle shaped beaks. They nest in mini colonies on the islands of the brackish marsh.

  

Redshank

 

You can see redshanks wading in fresh and salt water throughout the year at Titchwell. Watch for their towering display flights over the saltmarsh as you walk along the main path in spring.

  

Seasonal highlights

  

Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.

  

Spring

 

This is one of the most exciting times of the year. The first spring migrants, such as swallows and sand martins, can be seen over the lagoons with wheatears along the beach. In April and May, the lagoons can be full of migrating waders, including ruffs, black tailed godwits, spotted redshanks and dunlins. Marsh harriers can be seen performing their 'sky dancing' display and the reedbeds are alive with singing reed and sedge warblers. If you are lucky, you may also hear the 'booming' of the bittern, which has recently returned to breed at Titchwell.

  

Summer

 

Mid-summer is the quietest time for birds but the best for some of the more elusive reserve species. It is possible to see the rare water vole on the pools around the meadow trail and, if the conditions are suitable, up to ten species of dragonfly and damselfly. By mid-July, the breeding marsh harriers will have flying young and up to 15 birds have been seen in a day. In these quiet months, the reserve staff carry out essential management work on the lagoons. While every effort is made to avoid disturbance, it may sometimes be encountered during a visit.

  

Autumn

 

Autumn is the time for waders when, with luck, over 20 species could be seen around the reserve. Species such as curlew sandpiper, little stint and black-tailed godwit stop on the lagoons to feed on their return migration from their Arctic breeding grounds to their African wintering grounds. With the high spring tides, large numbers of waders can often be seen roosting on the lagoons. September is one of the best months to view bearded tits. The young gather in small flocks and can show very well feeding on seeds blown onto the mud near the Island Hide.

  

Winter

 

Winter is the time for wildfowl at Titchwell. Large numbers of ducks and geese winter in North Norfolk and most of these species can be seen on the lagoons. The commonest species are teal, wigeon, mallard, gadwall and shoveler, with smaller numbers of pintails and goldeneyes. Offshore from the reserve, large 'rafts' of common scoters, long tailed ducks and eiders can be seen. In the evenings, thousands of pink-footed geese can be seen flying to their roost sites along the coast. Hen harriers, marsh harriers and occasionally barn owls can be seen over the reedbed at dusk. In the evenings, thousands of pink-footed geese may be seen flying to their roost sites along the coast.

  

Facilities

 

Visitor centre

 

Information centre

 

Car park

 

Toilets

 

Disabled toilets

 

Picnic area

 

Binocular hire

 

Group bookings accepted

 

Guided walks available

 

Good for walking

 

Pushchair friendly

 

Viewing points

 

The viewing platform on the edge of the dunes is an excellent spot from which to watch an array of waders on the beach and fishing terns, migrating skuas and wintering sea ducks, divers and grebes at sea.

 

Island Hide gives views over the bird-filled freshwater marsh and along the edge of the freshwater reedbed where you can watch bearded tits and water rails feeding.

 

We now have a new Parrinder Hide as part of this project.

 

Fen hide overlooks the freshwater reedbed and is the perfect spot from which to see bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers.

  

Nature trails

  

There are three trails on the reserve and all are accessible to wheelchairs/pushchairs.

 

The main path is approximately 1 km long and runs from the visitor centre to the beach.

 

The Fen Trail was extended in September 2012, along with the East Trail and Autumn Trail. To the end of the East Trail is 700 m and to the end of the Autumn Trail is 1.2 km.

 

Please note that the Autumn trail is only open between 1 August to 31 October to avoid disturbing the marsh harrier roost.

 

Coming back from these trails you can rejoin the main path via the Meadow Trail, which is 100 m long.

 

Sorry, dogs are only allowed on the main path (a public right of way).

  

Tearoom

  

We have a servery and inside eating area selling a selection of hot and cold food and drinks, as well as snacks and locally-made cakes.

  

Refreshments available

 

Hot drinks

Cold drinks

Hot meals

Cold meals

Snacks

Shop

 

There is a large selection of optics and books, plus daily optics demonstrations.

 

The shop stocks:

 

Binoculars and telescopes

Books

Bird food

Bird feeders

Outdoor clothing

Gifts

  

Accessibility

 

10 September 2014

 

This is a Summary Access Statement. A full access statement is available to download from this page.

  

Before you visit

  

Entry to the reserve and the hides is free. Parking charges apply for non-members. Free parking for carer or essential companion with disabled visitor

 

The visitor centre and shop are open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm (November to February closes at 4 pm) except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The cafe is open daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (November to February closes 4 pm) except Christmas Day and Boxing Day

 

Registered Assistance Dogs welcome. Other dogs are only permitted on the west bank path, which is a public right of way. They must be kept on a lead and under close control

 

Two pushed wheelchairs for hire free of charge

 

Check accessibility for events and activities.

  

How to get here

 

King's Lynn Railway Station is 22 miles (35 km away)

 

Bus stop outside the reserve.

 

Car parking

 

Eight Blue Badge spaces 130 metres from visitor centre entrance

120 spaces and a short walk along a gravel path from the visitor centre

 

Surface is bonded gravel

 

No lighting

 

No formal drop off point

 

No height restriction

  

Visitor centre and shop

 

Entry by double doors and a shallow slope. There is an entrance at the front and back to the visitor centre - both have shallow slopes. The entrance doors are manual, outward-opening light doors without a threshold.

 

Level, tiled floor throughout. No seating. Good lighting. Magnifying glasses, pens and paper available. Binoculars hire. Small children’s binoculars free hire. Information displayed in clear print format. Staff available to assist. Shop is in the visitor centre. Level throughout. Some tall or deep displays. Staff available to assist.

  

Nature trails

 

Three signposted trails. Mostly flat, boardwalks and rolled sand and gravel surface. A short, steep slope over the sea defence bank near the beach.

  

Viewing facilities

 

Four hides. Ramp or slope access with a mix of large windows or solid wood viewing slots which require opening - can be difficult as they are stiff. The new Parrinder Hides are spacious modern and all level throughout.

  

Toilets and baby changing facilities

 

A unisex accessible toilet in the main toilet block near car park 200 metres from the visitor centre.

  

Catering

 

Café serving hot and cold food and drinks, snacks and locally-made cakes. Step-free entry. Level throughout. Non-slip flooring. Colour-contrasted crockery. Staff available to assist. Nearest accessible toilet is 200 m from café in the car park.

  

Picnic area

 

Two picnic areas, five tables and one bench outside the visitor centre one bench with all tables having wheelchair spaces. 60m from the visitor centre toward the car park is a second picnic area with four benches and three tables with space for wheelchair access. Visitors are welcome to consume their own food and drink here.

  

Education facilities

 

No dedicated provision

 

Help us improve accessibility by sending feedback to the Site Manager.

 

For more information

Titchwell Marsh Visitor Centre

E-mail: titchwell@rspb.org.uk

Telephone:01485 210779

  

Cafe

 

The 'feeding station' is warm and friendly with a reasonably-priced menu. We serve a wide selection of hot and cold snacks and light lunches. Takeaway drinks and food also available. Freshly-baked home-made scones daily. Locally-made ice-creams.

 

We serve our own exclusive coffee that is grown, imported and roasted by us. It's Fairtrade, organic and certified bird-friendly by the Smithsonian Institute, so now you can help save nature simply by enjoying a great cup of coffee!

  

Opening hours

 

10 am to 4.30 pm (we close at 4 pm from November to February)

  

Highlights from our menu

 

A selection of cold, filled wraps

Freshly-made sandwiches

Our famous bacon baps

Home-made cheese and fruit scones

Carrot and walnut cake, made by our local bakers, Krusty Loaf

  

Access to the cafe

 

Our cafe is on the ground floor - no stairs and easy access for wheelchairs.

  

Children welcome

 

We have two highchairs available. Children’s corner selection on the menu.

  

We use local ingredients

 

We sell locally-made Norfolk ice-creams. We use Fair Trade products where possible.

  

Dietary requirements

 

There are vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free and gluten-free options.

  

How to get here

 

By bicycle (Sustrans cycle route)

National route number 1 is within two miles of the reserve.

 

By train

 

King's Lynn - 22 miles.

 

By bus

 

On the main road outside the reserve.

 

By road

 

Take the first left after driving eastwards along the A149 through Thornham village. The reserve is signposted with a brown tourist sign.

  

Archaeology and history

  

Titchwell Marsh is a wonderful place for wildlife today but there is fascinating story to tell about how the landscape has evolved. Visitors can see remains that illustrate the two major events that have shaped the landscape - sea level rise after the last ice age and military use during the Second World War.

 

The advance of the sea

It wasn't always open marsh at Titchwell - there was a time more than 9,000 years ago when this area was covered in forest and was part of coastal plain that stretched out into what is now the North Sea.

 

Flint artefacts from this Mesolithic era have been found on the reserve, evidence that people were hunting and gathering, probably following animal herds for long distances. It has been suggested that at this time they could have walked as far as Denmark whilst staying on dry land!

 

A wetter climate led to the formation of peat, causing the trees to fall and be preserved in the wetland deposits. Gradual sea level rises throughout this post-glacial period then inundated and preserved the peat beds. Today the remains of the trees and peat beds can be seen eroding on the coastal foreshore at low tide.

 

Once the sea level rose, the coastal plains were inundated and by the Late Bronze Age, around 3,000 years ago, sea levels would have been much the same as today. Archaeologists have found evidence that people were living on the edge of the wetland at this time so there must already have been a settled community here - it would have been a good location to farm the dry land and exploit wetlands for fishing and fowling.

 

Today the challenges of climate change mean we expect more coastal inundation and our engineering works will ensure the preservation of important wildlife and cultural heritage for the future.

  

The Second World War

 

These wetland and intertidal areas would have been exploited by human communities for millennia for hunting and farming, but it is the 20th century that has seen the biggest changes at Titchwell and left an indelible mark on the reserve that can be seen during your visit.

 

During the Second World War, the quiet marshes were turned into a firing range

During the Second World War, the quiet marshes were turned into an Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) firing range and the coast was reinforced against invasion. Part of these defences would have included a reversal of drainage and encouraging flooding as a defence against invasion - helping to re-establish wetland biodiversity.

 

The main banks, including the Parrinder bank were constructed for firing practice, with targets set at 1,000 yard intervals. Today these banks ensure that freshwater wildlife can be protected from inundation by saltwater. Rare breeding species such as the bittern, bearded tit and marsh harrier rely on freshwater reedbeds for there continued existence in the UK.

 

The remains of a 'firing loop' where tanks drove up to fire at the targets is still preserved as well as pillboxes where machine gun practice was also taking place. Many of the islands in the marsh were built to house 'pop-up' targets for gunnery practice and today these are important for breeding and roosting birds.

 

Occasionally the remains of two Covenanter tanks can be seen at low tide on the foreshore, their appearance depending on the shifting sands. These two were probably used for target practice.

 

More information about these heritage sites can be obtained from reserve staff during your visit.

 

Metal detecting and the collection and removal of objects from the reserve is not permitted.

  

Our work here

  

Titchwell Marsh is specially protected as part of the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural beauty.

 

The RSPB has helped create a mosaic of wetland and coastal habitats on the reserve in order to attract a diversity of bird species. These include nationally important numbers of avocets, bearded tits, marsh harriers and bitterns, and internationally important populations of wintering waders.

 

We are working to keep these habitats in good condition, and also to provide a key visitor attraction and a good example of our management practices.

  

Reedbed success

 

Our freshwater reedbed is important for threatened wildlife such as bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and water voles.

 

In 2005 our three-year project to rehabilitate the reedbed for bitterns proved successful when the first pair bred on the reserve for 18 years.

  

Living lagoons

 

We are managing the freshwater lagoon and its islands for the benefit of breeding and wintering waders and wildfowl, among other wildlife.

 

We are also managing the brackish marsh as a saline lagoon. This provides suitable breeding conditions for avocets, as well as feeding grounds for other waders and wildfowl.

  

Natural habitats

 

We are allowing natural processes to maintain other coastal habitats, including saltmarsh, shingle and sand dunes. This provides habitat for a variety of birds, including wintering brent geese and wigeon, breeding little terns and redshanks, and high tide wader roosts.

 

We are also managing woodland and grassland areas around the reserve for their wildlife.

  

Rising tide

 

The coastline at Titchwell is eroding and we know that the site is becoming more vulnerable to damage caused by surge tides and storms. The RSPB is working to ensure the freshwater habitats are protected and will continue to support species such as the bittern and bearded tit.

 

We are examining options for flood defences at the seaward end of the reserve and will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.

  

Reaching people

 

Titchwell is one of the most-visited RSPB reserves. We will continue to maintain and improve our facilities. We will also use the reserve to demonstrate our management practices, and will continue to develop our positive relationships with key audiences and local communities.

  

Coastal Change Project

  

Titchwell Marsh is an exceptional nature reserve in a special area. It is part of a network of outstanding wildlife sites across Europe called Natura 2000.

 

The nature reserve has been under threat from the effects of coastal change, the impact of sea level rise and increasing storm events. The Titchwell Coastal Change Project was designed to save the reserve from the effect of these coastal changes.

 

We are pleased to say we have now successfully completed the project.

 

We have realigned the sea defences to the north and reinforced the sea banks around parts of the reserve to the west and east. The future of the reserve and its wildlife is assured for at least the next fifty years.

 

We could not have achieved this without support and funding received from the EU Life+ Nature Fund, WREN, The SITA Trust, Marine Communities Fund, and the many individuals and RSPB supporters who donated and enabled this project to take place.

 

The project took several years to plan and three years to deliver. A summary of what has been achieved appears below:

 

A new northern sea defence was built along the line of the Parrinder wall. The completed Parrinder wall will protect the reserve’s freshwater habitats to the south

The sea wall and west bank path were re-built and improved from the visitor centre northwards to the Parrinder wall. This sea wall will protect the freshwater habitats for years to come

Improvements were made to the freshwater marsh islands and reed bed to benefit nesting birds such as avocet and bittern

The fabulous new Parrinder hides opened in December 2010

A breach was made in the east bank to the north of the new Parrinder wall. This has allowed saltwater on to the brackish marsh which will change over time into tidal saltmarsh. The new saltmarsh will in turn protect the new Parrinder wall. This new marsh will be known as Volunteer Marsh

A section of the south-east corner of the east bank was improved, enabling it to better protect the freshwater habitats which lie to the west

The sluice on the east bank, which lets freshwater off the marsh, was replaced. This will enable us to control water levels on the freshwater marsh more effectively than we can at present

A new reedbed area was shaped and formed in the grazing meadow east of Fen hide

Two new trails were developed to the east of Fen hide. These trails will open in 2012.

The project has protected and improved the conservation value of the reserve and has ensured that it will remain one of the most outstanding and valuable wildlife sites in Europe.

 

One of the top things to do in Pigeon Forge, WonderWorks Indoor Amusement park, is one of the best Pigeon Forge Attractions. With over 35,000 square feet of “edu-tainment” WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind. The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination.

 

This once top-secret laboratory was located in the Bermuda triangle. An experiment gone awry lifted the laboratory carrying it to Music Drive in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where it landed upside down. Luckily all of the exhibits remained intact and available for guests to explore.

 

With the ceiling under your feet and the ground above your head, it’s impossible not to see the magic inside WonderWorks. Pass through the inversion tunnel to realign yourself and start your adventure! Inside you’ll find six wonder zones for loads of family fun!

 

Credit for the data above is given to the following website:

www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/

The BNSF Boron Local (L-CAL0611) shove a long cut of cars down Rich Spur, just west of the town of Boron, CA. The main customer located on this spur, a short ways out side of town was a mineral load out, whom all of today's empties are for. While this is now spur trackage, it was once the mainline of the Mojave Sub before it was realigned in 1953 to make way for Edwards Air Force Base.

 

At the time the Boron Local typically rated three or four ex-Santa Fe SD45-2s that had been rebuilt with 16 cylinder prime movers. Today's train had three of these sharp looking units plus an ex-Santa Fe GP39-2.

Only about 2800 miles from Honolulu, Hi...

The Honolulu Bar was originally built on Route 66 in Oatman, Arizona but was moved to its current location when the highway was realigned...so technically, I can't submit this to any Rt 66 groups without getting sent to the doghouse, which by the way, is a drinking establishment in San Bruno, California...

 

Honolulu Club

South 6th St. and Frontage Rd.

Interstate 40

Yucca, Arizona

The Lincoln Flume 2015 travelling down Flaxengate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

 

The event was organised by The Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia, based on a project by artist Luke Jerram called Urban Slide. This was first seen in an urban setting in Bristol as part of their Park and Slide event which proved a very successful public participation event. All proceeds raised were donated to local charities.

 

Flaxengate is a street dating from 870. In 1215 it was called Haraldestigh; 1661 Flaxgate; 1831 Flaxen Gate. The part south of Clasketgate was called Chequer Lane in 1826. It was found in excavations to have been resurfaced several times up until 1050. Its importance was overshadowed in the mid/late 11th century by that of Grantham Street, and it fell into disrepair. No structural evidence for the late Saxon period was found on the frontage during excavations at The Collection, but there was antler working. A further resurfacing took place around 1300. The name Flaxengate was revived in 1830 by the Lighting and Paving Commissioners. The section north of Grantham Street was realigned to the east in 1969/70, with the earlier western extent at the eastern end of the 1972 excavations. The section between Grantham Street and Clasketgate was widened on the west side in 1982, with the demolition of 31 Clasketgate.

 

Just exploring new ways to blend HDR with textures.

Having a refreshing change in processing from the norm to something more illustrative.

You just do not know what the end result would be like.

From an archive shot taken at Saigon Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City

Realigning supports/girders and added these containers to join the two sides for stability.

 

Looks good even without the supports/girders from this angle

It's here.

 

The most inspiring and enjoyable time of year presents itself amongst the midst of a global pandemic. How can anything get better?!

 

IC heritage starts his journey out of Chicagoland past the much realigned UP Milwaukee Sub.

An eastbound grain train off the Iowa Northern at Waterloo works east on the CN Dubuque Sub with a couple usual visitors. These 2 KCS units came into Waterloo today on a grain empty and are turned back already with this Helvetia, LA, bound load. The train crosses the massive old wooden bridge east of Winthrop over Buffalo Creek. The railroad realigned the track thru here many years ago to lesson the grades thru here. One can see the old piling from the old alignment that crossed way lower. There use to be some hellish grades thru here.

Originally built in 1874 by the Hamilton & North Western, CN discontinued this section due to realignment in 1964 and CP took it over and used it as a spur to Robertson Screw. It was later abandoned in the 1980s.

Two bridges, a few generations apart, reflect the different styles of construction over the years at Longbridge. The more recent concrete slab construction carries a realigned road over the former Midland Gloucester to Birmingham main line, as Arriva Cross Country 'Voyager' No. 221139 hurries north forming service 1M49, 1400 Bristol Temple Meads - Manchester Piccadilly on 7th April 2025. The entrance top the former Austin/British leyland motor car works was on the right just beyond the far bridge. Copyright Photograph John Whitehouse - all rights reserved

Note to self, 22 December 2021: was told today that Honda is 'down' and so they are unable to get hold of two parts that are needed for the repairs to my own vehicle. This will mean that I won't be getting my car back till after Christmas, sigh.

 

Also today, I had an appointment to check for any physical results of my loaner vehicle being T-boned. My own doctor is away for her Christmas break, so I was given the name of another place to go. Whiplash, and double the amount of pain in knees and upper arms/shoulders, which is to be expected. It is important to see a doctor after an accident, not just to be checked out but also to have the event documented in case there are future problems that might be connected. Glad that is out of the way.

 

Just grabbed a few photos from my archives to post. Needed a break this evening from spending hours today dealing with insurance people, the dealership people, the Collision Centre in connection with my own vehicle, my doctor's office, and a different medical place to have to go to as my own doctor is away on her Christmas break. Good news, though, is that the peeling paint repair, the hail damage repair, and the reassembly are coming to an end, so it might not be too long before I can have my own car back. Once completed, it has to be returned to my dealership to have the rear camera and driver's mirror camera realigned, plus I've asked for my winter tires to be put on ready for when I collect it. Not too hopeful that I will actually have it before Christmas, but it shouldn't be too much longer. The thought of being able to drive my own car after all these weeks has been exciting, but now, after the T-boned accident yesterday, I'm beginning to feel a bit nervous about driving, even though I was not at fault! Hopefully, that feeling won't last long.

 

Adding the description that I wrote under a different image taken at the same time, on 7 November 2010.

 

"Not the sharpest photo, unfortunately, but I was SO thankful just to get anything of this rare to uncommon (in Alberta) owl.

 

"My little point-and-shoot camera just didn't do well yesterday morning, when we were SO lucky to see a Long-eared Owl in Fish Creek Park. It was high up in a Spruce tree, behind a tangle of branches, low light, camera pointed up towards the sky and too much towards the sun ... sigh. Almost every photo was very blurred - my camera had such a hard time focusing and even when the image looked fine in the view finder, the image still came out a blur. However, this was definitely a time to be very thankful for ANY photo (only about three) that came out well enough to keep - and post, LOL. This medium-sized species of Owl is rare to uncommon in Alberta, so this sighting was a real treat! 31–37 cm (12-15 in) in length with an 86–98 cm (34-39 in) wingspan. Thanks so much, Tony! Brilliant spotting, as usual."

The Direction Indicator / Gyro Compass is used in aircraft as magnetic compasses have some rather strange characteristics when an aircraft is not flying straight & level. Because all gyros can drift it is necessary to realign the DI with the Mag compass when flying S & L.

 

For Planes Trains & Automobiles subject for Macro Mondays

With a more subdued sunset, anyone can easily see the former N&W coal tower, lubritorium (behind the coal tower center-right) and N&W/NS company headquarters (far left). In 2016 the Pocahontas Division headquarters were relocated to Roanoke and in November 2020 the Pocahontas Division was incorporated into the new NS Blue Ridge Division as part of a operations realignment.

Located at no. 22 Macomb Street.

 

"Plattsburgh (Mohawk: Tsi ietsénhtha) is a city in, and the seat of, Clinton County, New York, United States, situated on the north-western shore of Lake Champlain. The population was 19,841 at the 2020 census. The population of the surrounding (and separately incorporated) Town of Plattsburgh was 11,886 as of the 2020 census, making the combined population for all of greater Plattsburgh to be 31,727. Plattsburgh lies just to the northeast of Adirondack Park, immediately outside of the park boundaries. It is the second largest community in the North Country region (after Watertown), and serves as the main commercial hub for the sparsely populated northern Adirondack Mountains. The land around what is referred to as Plattsburgh was previously inhabited by the Iroquois, Western Abenaki, Mohican and Mohawk people. Samuel de Champlain was the first ever recorded European that sailed into Champlain Valley and later claimed the region as a part of New France in 1609.

 

Plattsburgh was the site of the amphibious Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812, a key American victory that marked the end of hostilities in the Northern United States. It has been an important military outpost for much of its history, from hosting one of the largest Citizens' Military Training Camps prior to World War I, and Plattsburgh Air Force Base, the east coast center of operations for the Strategic Air Command during much of the Cold War period. The conversion of the base to a civilian airport in the 1990s resulted from the Base Realignment and Closure process during the wind down of the Cold War, and today it serves as a hub for economic development for the region. The city was named one of the Financial Times Top 10 Micro City of the Future several times." - info from Wikipedia.

 

The fall of 2022 I did my 3rd major cycling tour. I began my adventure in Montreal, Canada and finished in Savannah, GA. This tour took me through the oldest parts of Quebec and the 13 original US states. During this adventure I cycled 7,126 km over the course of 2.5 months and took more than 68,000 photos. As with my previous tours, a major focus was to photograph historic architecture.

 

Now on Instagram.

 

Become a patron to my photography on Patreon or donate.

Later 17th century (perhaps 1668) 3-storey 3-bay house aligned NW/SE with polygonal stair tower to W and shallow jamb to E. 2 bays added to NW in mid 18th century; realigned circa 1805 by addition to SE of 2-storey 5-bay, 2-bay deep, classical entrance front, with matching tower to mask transition on SW front. Schoolrooms added to SE by William Watherston & Sons, 1877-1880.

  

Original house perhaps built by Baillie Walter Chiesly. Sold to Alexander Brand in 1696, who tried to dispose of it in a lottery in 1706, and finally sold the house (but not the estate) in 1714. It was acquired in 1812 by James Walker (although he had lived there since 1790), and given to the Episcopal Church in 1870 by his descendants, the extensive pleasure grounds having been completely developed. The rest of the estate was also left to the church on condition that it was used to build a new cathedral (St Mary's). It was acquired as a nursing home in 1964, and opened as such by the Queen in 1967. Described in Edinburgh as 'a classy villa institutionalised in a back street'.

R. H. Lehmuth photo

 

Coming off the original mainline over Donner Pass, an SP freight headed by SD40 8423 joins up with the more recently constructed realignment.

 

Norden, CA

September 1975

 

Train of the Day

4/29/18

Another odd move........ CSX on NS.

I don't recall exactly what occurred, but I believe CSX had a derailment at a location that blocked their east-west main. CSX train Q388 is running over the NS Conemaugh Line passing under the PL signals at CP-Sharp. NS used their detour symbol, 071 while on NS lines. The CSX 5424 had compatible cab signals so was able to lead the train OK without an NS leader.

As in other photos, the changes never end. The track on the far left is the AVR line from the Brilliant Branch the leads into Azcon scrap yard (the scrap yard is all gone today, the property cleared), the PL signals are gone, some track realignment has occurred here and the chances of seeing CSX power on NS cab signal equipped lines is almost slim to none today. And highly unlikely to see detours in the Precision Railroad world of today with the railroads most likely to let trains sit a day or 2 until the issue is cleared up.

From memory this was taken on an awful track somewhere west of Norseman, Western Australia, heading north (known as the Norseman/ Hyden Road according to a sign on the road - but apparently that road had actually been realigned 6kms to the west). Beautiful bush though. Every tree we saw was more beautiful than the last tree, and they almost all had a strong metallic sheen to the bark which indicates high mineralisation of the area. And this is one of the most geologically interesting areas of Australia, producing many things (rocks, gemstones, minerals) that are the type for their class.

  

[Trees_3of4_IMG_9342]

A Survivor: Norfolk & Western Railway lettering, weathered and beaten, still commands the underpass off Barlow Road near Maybeury, WV on February 20, 2021. This bridge and the Elkhorn grade high above it was part of a 1947 realignment project by the Norfolk & Western.

South Shore train 608 rolls down West 10th Street in Michigan City, IN on a Spring afternoon. This classic stretch of interurban street running has unfortunately fallen to the history books. As part of the Double Track NWI project that aims to increase service frequency the track through Michigan City has been realigned onto its own right of way ending a century of trains in the street. This is just another casualty on a long list of interesting railroads that are loosing their charm in the name of “progress”.

.

Abused & Abandoned Jungle Dogs.

 

Boney Baloney cooling off in the reservoir.

 

Even though there's bad critters in here

I feel much better then when they

were swimming in the river at

the mud/cobra field ;-)---

 

Some plans are being made for a run

to the temple in a few days, or less.

It looks like I will be going solo.

 

Most of today was spent in the people

clinic and I was a little grumpy when

I arrived home. No# 1 said she

hates me forever , & maybe

even longer then forever.

She's so funny ;-)---

 

My MoJo was cleansed and realigned.

Doctor said I have been excused

from saving the entire universe

which was a huge load off of

both my tired shoulders.

 

Anyway I should be good to go

in a couple of days, or sooner.

 

A Big Thank You for your donations.

We are always in desperate need

of funding to help the innocent

animals dumped in this

dangerous jungle.

 

Thank You.

Jon&Crew.

 

Please help with your temple dog donations here.

www.gofundme.com/saving-thai-temple-dogs.

  

Please,

No Political Statements, Awards, Invites,

Large Logos or Copy/Pastes.

© All rights reserved.

     

.

I thought I'd better stay current and post my New Year's Eve fireworks shots. Even though you're probably seeing a ton of them from this area, there were only 7 of us getting this vantage point. Just two that I liked even though I was without my good lens (in the shop getting optics realigned).

 

Thanks again to all the guys for a fun evening and sorry that I missed a few other buddies shooting from the island. Best wishes to all my friends and contacts for a great 2012! Thanks as always for stopping by and for your continued support and encouragement!

 

#262 in Explore ~ January 3, 2012

  

© Jean Day ~ Please see my profile page for prints and licensing.

500px * 72dpi * Google+ * Facebook

Sanderlings are small energetic wading birds. They seem to be in perpetual motion, always running along the beach after a receding wave to pick up stranded invertebrates or to probe for prey hidden in the wet sand.

 

Not surprising then that after a busy morning feeding they like nothing better than a spot of beach yoga!

 

Apparently, the classic stretching of one leg and one wing on the same side of the body resembles something from yoga called 'mantling', which, come to think of it, is also the term used to describe a bird of prey spreading its wings over a recent kill.

 

Anyway, after a quick search I have not been able to find out specifically why Sanderlings attend these beach yoga classes, although it seems clear that spread-wing postures help wing feathers to dry and also help to realign feathers forcing parasites into motion which of courses eases their removal. In some birds they can also help regulate body temperature and, presumably like any good yoga class, can also help to release tension and restore a feel good factor.

 

Spending an hour or two at the beach photographing these beauties is all the yoga I need .... although I must admit my back still hurts when I try to pick myself up off the floor!

 

Taken at North Beach, Fort De Soto, Florida back in 2016.

 

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.

 

'Jubilee' No. 45596 'Bahamas' heads The Railway Touring Company's 'Mancunian' charter, 1Z96 0712 London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly, near Norton Bridge on 21st October 2023. The train is running along the recently opened (2016) realignment around Norton Bridge, between Searchlight Lane and Yarnfield Junctions, which carries the line to Stone over the West Coast Main Line, which can be seen beneath the fourth coach off the charter train. Copyright Photograph John Whitehouse - all rights reserved

South Shore train 608 rolls west to Chicago down East 11th Street in Michigan City, IN. The South Shore Line features almost two miles of street running in Michigan City but that track is slated to be realigned in the next few years.

Bicycle train Pt 1452 with BM 67.09 +...+ BM 68.18 at Storurdi. This stretch of the Bergen line has been realigned some years later.

The Runton west junction, circa 1953, and 2013. Some track realignment, and a lot of Mother Nature. Shots taken from the Thaines Lane bridge at East Runton. Happy boyhood days watching the steam trains, and some of the new diesel rail cars.

Even pulled a lever in that signal box. 😂

Uploaded before as comparison shots, now as a slo-mo video.

 

Thi Picture is a merge made stitching together 12 different pics shot using a D7100 and a 16-85 vr lens.

 

SR 98 begins at an intersection with US 89 just south of the Glen Canyon Dam along the Colorado River. It runs along the southern portion of the city of Page and turns southeast into the Navajo Indian Reservation. It enters the town of Kaibito in the reservation, but otherwise the stretch through the Native American reservation is mostly devoid of settlements. Following Indian Route 22, SR 98 intersects Indian Route 221 just north of its eastern terminus at US 160, the Navajo Trail.

 

The route was established in 1974, when portions of former Indian Route 22 were given to the Arizona Department of Transportation to establish as a state highway, as routed today. Portions of the route were realigned in Page when portions of the route were redefined as State Route 989. This portion in Page was later relinquished by ADOT to the city of Page. Four years later, the rest of the route was designated as a scenic road.

 

In 2013, due to the buckling of U.S. Route 89 south of Page, the route has become one of the major detour routes from the South Rim to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

 

Source Wikipedia

Woodwalton Fen, Cambridgeshire

 

Snakes can 'yawn' for several reasons - realignment of their jaw before or after a hearty meal being one of them. Yawning is also a method snakes use for detecting chemical cues from its environment. Above the roof of a snake’s mouth is the “Jacobson’s Organ” (also known as the vomeronasal organ). A snake will open its mouth wide and flick its tongue which will then brush against the roof of its mouth where chemical contact is established and scents are transferred and interpreted

 

...or maybe he'd just had a late night!

A mainline manifest from the CP is making good use of the already 3.5 year old realignment of BNSF's Midway Sub and is moments away from knocking down the light at EBCS St. Anthony. The eastbound dwarfs a nice trio of UP yard power laying over at East Minneapolis.

Processed In Apple’s Photos editor.

 

There is color fringing visible on the upper moon limb. It’s time to take the camera to Best Buy for realignment of the optics.

Track Machines on the realigned dual gauge freight lines to cater for the new Thornlie line alignment. Photo: Joe Moir.

Waiting for interview to end

Keolis/MBTA train 820 from Wickford Junction to South Station has just departed Providence station as it rolls through the switches of ORMS interlocking headed up Main 1 through the curve between the Smith St and Orms St overpasses. Shoving on the rear of the 5 car train set is 1074 an F40PH-3C recently rebuilt by Wabtec from an original Morrison-Knudsen F40PHM-2C blt. Apr. 1988

 

The tight curve here at about MP 185.4 is just east of the 'new' station built in 1986 to replace historic Union Station when old New Haven mainline was realigned to remove the 'Chinese wall' from downtown and open up the Providence River which had been buried for a century. Old Union Station has been repurposed as offices with a restaurant and brewery downstairs and the modern four platform station is now the 11th busiest on the Amtrak network and second busiest on the MBTA commuter rail system outside of Boston.

 

Providence, Rhode Island

Wednesday November 23, 2022

Previously relegated to working overnight under the cover of darkness, thanks to pandemic reduced train frequencies on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor for some time now NS local H04 has been working days. On duty at 0900 at Baltimore's Bayview Yard, they normally work to the big Clorox plant in Perryman daily and as far north as Havre de Grace at least once a week.

 

Here they are seen on the old line having just finished working Plastipak Industries they are getting their train back together so they can start back south. The old line is a 1 3/4 mile long stub of the old main line through town that lead to the original 1866 bridge. After the mainline was realigned slightly on the approach to the new and higher 1906 structure still in service the old line into town was retained and more than a century later it still has three rail served customers located on it.

 

NS 5620 is a GP38-2 that was rebuilt with a chopped nose in 2005 from a Southern high hood GP38AC oroginally blt. Aug. 1971 as CNOTP 2871.

 

Havre de Grace, Maryland

Friday April 2, 2021

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/heskethoutmarsh/about.aspx

  

This new saltmarsh reserve is a great place to admire the gathered pink-footed geese, wigeons, teals and other wildfowl in winter, along with big flocks of wading birds like golden plovers, lapwings and black-tailed godwits. In spring the marshes are alive with the sight and sound of displaying waders, including avocets and lapwings.

 

When we bought it in 2006, Hesketh Out Marsh was used for growing crops. The land was taken out of the estuary in 1980 by the creation of an outer wall, but this wall was never going to last for ever.

 

With the climate changing and the sea level rising, the RSPB and the Environment Agency recognised the need to plan for the future and create stronger sea defences. At the same time, we also need to create new saltmarsh habitat to replace losses elsewhere.

 

The new reserve does both these things by the process known as 'managed realignment' and is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. We have let the seawater back in to flood some of the land, creating saltmarsh which provides more space for nature. At the same time, the new saltmarsh acts like a sponge, soaking up some of the energy of the sea before it reaches the strong, new sea defences.

 

By working in partnership with the Environment Agency and with funding from Lancaster City Council, and the Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan, the Hesketh Out Marsh project has greatly improved the local sea defences and created 150 hectares of new saltmarsh, creeks and lagoons.

 

Further funding from Biffa Award and Natural England has enabled us to provide facilities for visitors and for the cows and sheep that graze the marshes as well as funding research into the many changes that are taking place at this exciting new reserve as it returns to the wild.

 

Avocets and redshanks are among the birds that have already nested on the site and large numbers of lapwings, golden plovers, shelducks, wigeons and teals are expected to use the site in the winter months.

 

Opening times

 

From 8 am to 6 pm, or dusk if it's earlier.

 

Entrance charges

 

Free, but we'd love it if you made a donation to help us continue our work here.

 

Information for dog owners

 

Dogs are only allowed on public footpaths and bridleways. Please keep them on leads.

  

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/heskethoutmarsh/star_spe...

 

Star species

 

Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

 

Lapwing

 

Huge numbers of lapwings gather here in winter. If a bird of prey, such as a peregrine, is in the area, they take to the air in a vast wheeling mass.

 

Little egret

 

Little egrets can now be seen here in large numbers right throughout the year. Dispersing juvenile birds lead to a sudden rise in numbers in late summer and autumn.

 

Peregrine

 

Keep an eye out for a commotion among birds on the marsh - a peregrine may be making a fly past. They are a regular sight overhead in autumn and winter.

 

Redshank

 

Redshanks can be seen all year round and gather in tight-knit groups to roost at high tide.

  

Shelduck

 

You can see shelducks - big, black and white ducks - dabbling for food on the mudflats at any time of year.

  

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/heskethoutmarsh/seasonal...

  

Seasonal highlights

 

Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.

 

Spring

 

Spring is an atmospheric time at Hesketh Out Marsh. It's when birds like lapwings, avocets and redshanks perform their eyecatching courtship displays, with much flying around and shrieking. Come and watch the birds' antics from our viewing platform. You might also see brown hares 'boxing' - that's when females try to shake off their over-eager suitors.

  

Summer

 

This is a wonderful place to watch birds. On a summer visit you could see graceful greenshanks and black-tailed godwits, on their way back south after breeding in the north - maybe Scandinavia, Iceland or Russia. Or look for bright white little egrets fishing in the creeks. Watch carefully and you'll see their technique of scaring the fish out of hiding with their yellow feet, before grabbing them with their long bill. If there's a commotion among the gathered birds, it could mean a marsh harrier's floating along, looking for a meal...

  

Autumn

 

The wading birds are joined by ducks and geese from as far afield as central Russia and Siberia. Birds like teals and wigeons come here to escape the sub-zero temperatures in Europe; believe it or not, the UK has a comparatively warm climate! Listen out for high-pitched alarm calls given by the 'sentinel of the marshes' - the redshank. A bird of prey like a merlin or buzzard could be on the prowl.

  

Winter

 

Thousands of pink-footed geese gather at Hesketh Out Marsh. These neat, brown geese are smaller than the greylag and Canada geese you see in your local park, and they have an 'oinking' call that sounds amazing when lots of them do it all at once! Hen harriers hunt the marshes for small rodent or bird prey, while yellow-billed whooper swans also arrive on the estuary to feed.

  

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/heskethoutmarsh/faciliti...

  

Facilities

 

Facilities

 

•Car park : The car park can hold eight cars; there are two disabled spaces. There are two bike racks.

•Group bookings accepted

•Guided walks available

•Remote location

•Good for walking

•Pushchair friendly

 

Viewing points

 

A viewing platform gives great views of the reserve and two of the lagoons.

 

Nature trails

 

A wheelchair and pushchair friendly nature trail runs for 500 metres from the car park to the viewing platform. We ask you to keep to the paths both for your own safety and to reduce disturbance to the birds. For more details about facilities and access, please call the reserve.

  

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/heskethoutmarsh/directio...

  

How to get here

 

By train

 

Burscough, Preston and Southport.

 

By bus

 

Bus number 2 from Preston and Southport stops at the Hundred End junction on Shore Road approximately twice-hourly (hourly on Sundays and Bank Holidays). Take a walk of one mile (1.5 km) north on the public footpath to reach the reserve.

 

By road

 

There is a small car park (open from 8 am to 6 pm) at the end of the (private) Dib Road. Take Shore Road from Banks or Hesketh Bank. The turning is the first on the right after leaving Hesketh Bank and the first on the left after passing the Hundred End junction.