Cheers Simon

Not sure if Tom still has same mobile number as he had problems with it a few months ago.

My step daughter mmight be tagging along yet. She is hoping to take up photography at college when she leaves school next year. I suggested she came on one of my birding trips to take photographs of scenery, people and anything else she liked but not into birding. In saying that she has been warned it will be an early start and long day and both her mum and I think she will wimp out at last moment.

Simon,

What time are we meeting at Birch services - will I need matchsticks for my eyelids ? ?

Just wondering whether you have room for one more on the Spurn trip, hadn't been checking the general birding section of the website, but up for joining you all if you there is still room. If the cars are already full I can follow the convoy in my own car and am willing to take anyone from around my way if needed. Sean.

I personally think 3am is abit early Hammy (unless theres a big fall of migrants and an easterly wind) Ian Mckerchar will probably just be getting home from the pub then. I was thinking more like 5-6am ish bearing in mind the drivers will have to pick up people prior to meeting at Birch.

Me and my Dad are bringing Simon Johnson, Annette and Steve Astley.

Ian Woosey bringing Geoff and Jimmy, picking up Ian Mckerchar on route who can then get in another car.

Judith is coming also and is willing to drive so it would help if you could bring Adrian and Declan, maybe Declan can drive and leave his car at Adrians or somat.

Hammy can you liase with Tom maybe pick him up somewhere in Manchester if Tom is willing to stay over at a friends.

We can always even the cars up at Birch





-- Edited by warfy at 15:36, 2007-08-15

Aye, I am up for it.

Not sure about Mrs Mc now, but I'm still in. I don't have to come from Glossop if it's awkward. I can stay at a friend's house in the big smoke if necessary.

Tom

Can anybody who hasn't already let Simon or myself know, please contact either of us or post your intentions for the Spurn trip on this thread before the end of the coming weekend (19th), to enable us to finalise who is coming. At this stage we need definates really and also if you intend to drive so we can sort out the transport arrangements, we haven't set a time yet but it will be a very early start (think darkness ), probably meeting at Birch Services on the M62 before we set off. If you haven't any transport let us know as there are birders from all points of the county coming so far and someone'll be able to pick you up somewhere

Me and Ian had a chat last night about this and thought about meeting at Birch Services on the M62 (time to be arranged but quite early!)

We currently have 15 people, as follows:

Simon Warford
Alan Warford
Ian Mckerchar
Ian Woosey
Mr & Mrs Mckinney (Congrats btw)
Dean Mac
Simon Johnson
Steven Astley
Paul Hammond
Geoff Hargreaves
Jimmy Meadows
Declan Savage
Adrian Dancy
Annette Cutts

4 cars should do it, I can take a car, Ian Woosey has kindly offered to have with him Geoff Hargreaves and Jimmy Meadows, Paul Hammond hopefully can drive one and either my dad or Steven Astley the other. I think you have to pay to leave cars at services for the day so ideally we need to pick up or meet people prior to the 4 cars meeting there, if that makes sense.

The people in or around Bolton I will contact to arrange meeting, ie Dean Mac, Simon Johnson, Steven Astley, Annette and possible Adrian as he is on route(ish) i think?

Maybe Ian Woosey can pick up Ian Mckerchar on route and then Ian M can change cars, cause I think Mr Woosey only wants 3 in his car.

So that leaves Declan Savage, the Mckinneys and Paul Hammond, Paul as Tom has moved to Glossop i believe, maybe he can drive to your house and then you 3 meet us at Birch? That would just leave Declan, maybe Declan could get to Adrians or something if you can drive? Not sure about this one please send me a message.

How does this sound? Obviously any ideas will be gratefully received.....I presume everyone is alright for an early start

Spurn has certainly been turning up the goods recently with European Roller and Pacific Golden Plover in the last week or so. Hope it keeps some back for the GM birder invasion.

Annette, does your dad fancy taking us all to Portugal?

Im sure we could squeeze you in, we could to with someone to photograpgh that mega when we find it!

-- Edited by warfy at 18:56, 2007-07-17

I'm still in. I am happy to be a driver (smallish car, Bravo) or a paying passenger. Are we going to go around in groups and keep in contact and meeting up, are as one group

Also with all this flooding hope Spurn hasn't turned into an island.

Thanks Hammy.


No kitchen sink...just the whole kitchen! I usually carry a 500mm lens in it's own back pack and another bag for the tripod coffee , water proofs , war and peace and the the comic Sparky ...I never grew up . Seriously if it's too much I will bring short lens and hope the birds drop out of the sky at my feet!

Many thanks

Adrian

Hi Adrian

As I stated I'm more than wiling to transport anybody that requires a lift up there. I have a company vehicle, Citroen C5 which has ample boot space for us all. That is providig its not the kitchen sink you're bringing

Craig no problem we can sort out transport/meeting etc for people nearer the time.

Warfy, personal circumstances mean I cant really plan very far ahead at all. Best bet is to take it as I'm not going if you're trying to organise transport etc. If I can make it I dont mind driving, as long as everybody else doesnt mind me tagging on last minute. I'm really hoping I can make it though - it would be nice to put faces to names and hopefully see a few birds and have the crack at the same time.

Need the date that's been decided upon so I can give the missus plenty of notice. I will be off around the end of August/beginning of September so any date is good. If we are taking cars up there I would be willing to drive. Shoiuld be able to take 4 plus myself

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Craig H wrote:

---

Last August there were a number of birds that you just wont get in GM

---

Won't get in GM There's one or two unlikely one's (only the seabirds perhaps, but then again you'd never had thought Cheshire would have had an inland record of Little Shearwater!) ) but us optimistic souls never, ever, say never...if you get what I mean

---

True. I was waiting for someone to comment on that. I wanted to go back and edit it to 'unlikely to get' but couldnt get back in. Still, i think you get the gist of my meaning.

Craig H wrote:

---

Last August there were a number of birds that you just wont get in GM

---

Won't get in GM There's one or two unlikely one's (only the seabirds perhaps, but then again you'd never had thought Cheshire would have had an inland record of Little Shearwater!) ) but us optimistic souls never, ever, say never...if you get what I mean

Just back from a mind-numbing weeks long course in St Neots, on IT Security with a 2 hour exam at the end, then a 5 hour drive in torrential rain :(

The only consolation was the Green Woodpecker family in the hotel grounds.

Can't make BH Weekend but Spurn always turns up something good, so fingers crossed for you.

Geoff - Spurn is in the People's Republic of Yarkshire

That's ok Ian as I don't recall seeing any mountainous routes on my way to Spurn

That's good for me as well.

Date is fine for me, count me in. Never been before, looking forward to it. Do I need me passport ?

Dates ok for me but might not have the car. If i'm swanning off on a bank holliday i might have to leave the car with the wife and kids

Dean.

the dates good for me but i,ll have look up where spurn is,as an avid county birder this will one my few trips out of county and i,ll probably bag loads of lifer,s but i promise not to go on about them.

cheers geoff