I LOVE old dialect poems that remind us of the days when life was certainly harder but much more simple and stress-free.

Joseph Cronshaw's poem set me off in search of some of our old wells, which were vital before piped water came to our towns and villages.

I found wells at Wiswell, several in Clitheroe and, of course, Wallaper Well on Waddington Fell.

Cronshaw also mentions Hawthorn, which is at its best in June - so why then do we call this plant the May Tree?

The reason is that those who calculated the old calendar did not allow for leap years and, in 1752, it as decided to remove 14 days to the calendar. Unfortunately, nobody told the flowers and they continued to bloom at the same time.

There is another interesting fact about Hawthorn because we have all heard the phrase: "Never cast a clout until may be out." This does not mean until the end of May but we should wait until the Hawthorn blossom paints our hedgerows with a snow-like blossom.

Hawthorn is one of the most important shrubs for birds because its red autumnal berries are a vital source of food. So we can still enjoy the same Lancashire scenes that so inspired Joseph Cronshaw around a century ago!

The Sunny Month Of June, by Joseph Cronshaw (1851-1921):

You talk abeawt yo'r parks and lawns!

Give me yon' bonny dell,

Wheer th' ripplin' 'rill comes down fro' th' hill

An' trickles into th' well

Wheer th' primrose shy is peepin' sly

To bluebells up aboon,

An hawthorn bloom sheds sweet perfume

I' th' sunny month of June.

River bank walks open up the hidden estuary

RIGHT on the doorstep, the Ribble estuary offers amazing chances to see a variety of wild birds in their natural environment - and the RSPB is organising a series of one-off opportunities to help people make the best of the experience.

Some birds, like the black-tailed godwit and knot, are fast-flying, colourful and occur in flocks of many hundreds, often thousands. They glean a precarious survival from the food-rich mud banks of the estuary.

Others such as corn bunting and tree sparrow are smaller and often harder to find. These birds rely on farmland to provide places to nest and for food through Spring and Winter.

The distinctive song of the corn bunting, sounding like a bunch of jangling keys, can still be heard on farmland along the Ribble shore.

On areas of damp grassland and marsh, the tumbling displays of lapwings are accompanied by their peeee-wit calls.

In many areas these birds have declined but the Ribble offers a local stronghold. Black-tailed godwits are rare breeding birds in the UK but a few pairs can be found with the lapwing around the Ribble marshes.

The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) will lead guided walks over the next few weeks in the Clifton area, between Preston and Freckleton.

They will be areas not normally open to the public, providing a one-off opportunity to see hidden parts of the estuary.

Carol Coupe, project officer for Aren't Birds Brilliant!, said: "The Ribble estuary is well known for its amazing wealth of wildlife. We can't guarantee sightings on the walks but there will be plenty to see."

The walks will last just over two hours and start at 10am on June 13 and 17. To book one of the 20 places, call on 01484 861148 or e-mail to anna.sugrue@rspb.org.uk

Walkers should take food and drink, binoculars, waterproofs and warm clothing.