There is a circular walk which follows the River Wenning at Hornby to a point where it meets the River Lune.

Hornby is on the road between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale.

This is a wonderful place to enjoy wildlife at a time when autumn is giving way to winter. Choose a day with plenty of sunshine and you will find the scenery spectacular.

I sat for a while on the bridge over the Wenning and the river is overlooked by the towering grandeur of Hornby Castle. My first sighting was of a heron fishing in the shallows of the opposite bank and soon there was a flash of colour as a kingfisher flew quickly under the bridge – quite the best and longest view I have had of this species in the whole of 2008!

As I followed the footpath downstream I watched five goosanders sailing along in the current. As there were no males in the group and they all looked a bit scruffy, I assumed that this was a female and five of her offspring. This large fish-eating duck is not loved by some anglers and has spread along our northern rivers in recent years, although the goosander is a native species. The ‘goose’ bit of the name is accurate because they do look like a cross between a duck and a goose. They also have serrated edges on both sides of the bill, which gives them the alternative name of saw-bill. This helps the bird keep hold of slimy slippery fish before they are swallowed whole.

Males with their green heads and white bodies, can be distinguished between the females with red heads and greyer bodies, can be seen at times in and around all East Lancashire rivers and reservoirs. This is a wonderful place to enjoy wildlife at a time when autumn is giving way to winter. Choose a day with plenty of sunshine and you will find the scenery spectacular.

I sat for a while on the bridge over the Wenning and the river is overlooked by the towering grandeur of Hornby Castle. My first sighting was of a heron fishing in the shallows of the opposite bank and soon there was a flash of colour as a kingfisher flew quickly under the bridge – quite the best and longest view I have had of this species in the whole of 2008!

As I followed the footpath downstream I watched five goosanders sailing along in the current. As there were no males in the group and they all looked a bit scruffy, I assumed that this was a female and five of her offspring. This large fish-eating duck is not loved by some anglers and has spread along our northern rivers in recent years, although the goosander is a native species. The ‘goose’ bit of the name is accurate because they do look like a cross between a duck and a goose. They also have serrated edges on both sides of the bill, which gives them the alternative name of saw-bill. This helps the bird keep hold of slimy slippery fish before they are swallowed whole.

Males with their green heads and white bodies, can be distinguished between the females with red heads and greyer bodies, can be seen at times in and around all East Lancashire rivers and reservoirs.