A WEEKEND-LONG event in Furness will highlight the wading birds that visit our coastline in huge numbers over autumn and winter.

Awesome oystercatchers and stunning sanderlings are just some of the birds that can be seen in the region over the coming months, and Cumbria Wildlife Trust is celebrating with two days of free events, including a photography competition.

Walney Wader Festival will be held at South Walney Nature Reserve on Saturday October 21 and Sunday 22, from 11am to 4pm both days.

The free weekend festival aims to showcase the magnificent winter wildlife found on South Walney and Foulney Island nature reserves.


Festival organiser Isaac Johnston, conservation apprentice at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, says: “We are fortunate enough to host some amazing wildlife spectacles at our nature reserves, as migrating waders including knot and dunlin gather in huge numbers at this time of year.

"We have a packed weekend of activities for everyone, from beginners to keen birdwatchers. A highlight will be ‘Stranded on Foulney’, where you’ll be cut off on the island by the tide, so you can see the vast flocks of wading birds coming in to roost.

"It should be a really immersive, dramatic experience!”

The photography competition runs during the festival, and the prize for the best wader photo is a Level 1 photography course, run by Jessops, worth £119.

Visitors are asked to submit their competition entries over the festival weekend, either by email or via Twitter or Facebook using #WaderComp.

Other festival events include walks and talks, a Wader ID workshop for those new to birdwatching and a seal workshop, with a visit to South Walney’s striking new hides to view Cumbria’s only breeding colony of grey seals.

To find out more about Walney Wader Festival at www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

The ‘Stranded on Foulney’ event is free, but must be booked in advance.