Nature Watch with Ron Freethy

I ONCE enjoyed a couple of hours at Morecambe in the company of a chap called Bartholomew doing a spot of bird watching.

Mr B proved to be a very keen and able ornithologist who took his bird watching very seriously. He remained seriously interested as wildfowl, waders and seabirds were identified.

He did not say anything about my short, fat, hairy legs. Why should he? Well Mr B is better known as the one with the glasses -- none other than Eric Morecambe!

The man who used his native town as his stage name would be delighted to find that this seaside resort has changed its image. Morecambe has at long last ceased to compete with Blackpool but has carved a niche all of its own. This is the birdwatching capital of the Lancashire coast.

On and around the Old Stone Jetty the dereliction so apparent not so long ago has been redesigned as a Mecca for naturalists.

These days the Stone Pier has been converted into an open air sculpture park. There is no "modern" art on view here but accurate interpretations in stone and metal of seabirds and waders. Interspersed with these excellent structures are games laid out in pavements designed to be played by children. These games help to foster an interest and knowledge of local wildlife.

As the tide came in the birdwatchers were joined by anglers and the two groups were showing great interest in each others' hobbies.

Further along the coast the RSPB have developed nature reserves at Hest Bank (Morecambe Bay) where there is free admission just over the railway line safely controlled by a crossing and at Leighton Moss near Silverdale.

Leighton Moss has one path and hills which are open free but there is an entrance charge to the main reserve. The fee is, however, worth every penny. Here you can watch such rarities as bittern, marsh barriers and otters as well as large numbers of the more common species.

If you make an early start it is possible in winter to enjoy all three of these locations in one day, but many hotels offer wildlife breaks for naturalists.

We are lucky in East Lancashire because we can reach Morecambe in around one hour. There is no finer sight in England than Morecambe Bay against the backdrop of the Lake District mountains.