Blog – Page 10 – Steve Banks Outdoors

Campsfield Marsh

We had a great new find for a natural history walk on the Solway coast: Campsfield Marsh is an RSPB reserve near Bowness on Solway and is a haven of wild flowers, fresh water pools and plenty of bird life. They have Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) and a fantastic array of dragonflies swooping over the reeds and ponds hunting for prey. There is a small centre with hot drinks available when open. It is staffed on weekends. The photo shows bull rushes and purple loosestrife in one of the pools.

By Steve|September 1st, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks|Comments Off

Walla Crag

Steve ran a walking and exploring day for a family on holiday from Oxfordshire. Starting in Keswick we followed the lakeshore looking at and discussing anything of interest: trees species, poisonous and toxic plants, safe navigation in the fells and hills, the history of the Lakeland landscape, the maximum density of water and its criticality to life, red squirrels, graphite mining in Borrowdale and much more besides! Our walk wound its way to the summit of Walla Crag then north to the neolithic Castlerigg Stone circle before descending to the river Greta and making our way back to town along the little used, but very pretty, northern bank. We had an excellent day out and dinner was well earned!

If you’d like Steve’s support to enhance your Lakeland walks, whatever the standard, he’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help. Get in touch on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|August 26th, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks|Comments Off

Is it a bird? Is it a bee?

Well, no, it’s neither a bird nor a bee but you could certainly be forgiven for being taken aback by this large (2 inch wingspan), day-flying creature which resembles a bee hummingbird in size and behaviour. It’s actually a beautiful and completely harmless hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) which is resident in Southern France, though has been seen in every county in the UK at some point. Like hummingbirds they have convergently evolved to be extremely capable flyers and can hover to feed on the nectar of deep and strongly scented flowers via their long proboscis with great precision. Steve spotted this one but they are difficult to photograph due to their speed of movement and the fact that their wings beat so fast they are a blur – and give off an audible hum.

Steve is always happy to provide natural history walks. Whilst hummingbird hawk moths can’t be promised there are usually plenty of amazing creatures and plants to keep us interested and amazed on any outing.

07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|August 20th, 2022|Environment|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader assessment

Steve ran a Vertical Cave Leader assessment in Sell Gill Holes in sweltering, atypical conditions – we were pleased to get underground! The candidate did an excellent job of providing a good day out for a small group of adults.

If you are interested in trying or developing your caving, or progressing your British Caving qualifications, Steve will be pleased to help you. He can offer caving experiences and training at all levels and is a trainer/assessor for both BCA’s Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader awards.

Get in touch on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|August 1st, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Cumbria Sea Kayak Leader assessment

Steve ran a further Sea Kayak Leader assessment on the Cumbrian coast, this time at St Bees. We had a sea state at the very top of the remit all day with force 4 wind and a long surf break to negotiate out and back to shore. The candidate did a good job of paddling in the conditions and managed the clients very well – they had a great day out!

If you would like support with your sea kayaking at any level from beginner to advanced, or help with leadership qualifications, Cumbria provides some excellent venues and Steve will be delighted to assist you. Please get in touch for a discussion about your needs: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|July 8th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayak Leader assessment Cumbria

Steve ran a British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader assessment day in excellent conditions from Barrow in Furness yesterday. Warm and sunny sea and weather were spiced up with 2 knot currents on a spring tide, force 4 winds and significant sea conditions on the South end of Walney island. We were also entertained by the seals which came to investigate us, nudging our boats and surfing beside us.

If you need support with your Sea Kayak qualifications and training or would just like to try sea kayaking or develop your existing skills Steve will delighted to help. Just call on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|July 2nd, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Jurassic Fossil Hunt

Steve took a day off from running a sea kayak trip on the Dorset coast to go on a fossil hunting walk among the Jurassic rocks of this world heritage site. Starting at Lyme Regis we soon found ourselves with plenty to look at including giant ammonites, corals and crinoids. The Jurassic period lasted from approximately 200 to 145 million years ago and followed the mass extinction at the end of the Triassic period. The sedimentary rocks along England’s south coast have captured and fossilised the remains of the abundance of creatures as they fell to the sea bed and were covered in silt. The rock this later formed and which was raised by tectonic movement, has provided a palaeontologist’s delight charting the recovery of marine life following this 4th extinction event. This was most likely caused by an increase in atmospheric CO2 over an 18 million year period as a result of much increased volcanic activity; it contrasts markedly with the current, incredibly rapid rise in CO2 which is driving the present human-induced climate emergency and 6th mass extinction.

By Steve|June 29th, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks|Comments Off

Jurassic Sea Kayaking

Steve followed up an excellent week’s paddling in Jersey with a sea kayaking week on the Jurassic coast of Dorset. A World Heritage Site famed for its spectacular limestone & chalk cliffs and abundant marine fossils, this coastline promised to provide an exciting and interesting summer venue. We were not disappointed and enjoyed some great paddles including from Kimmeridge Bay to Chapman’s Pool, around Old Harry’s Rocks and westwards from Lulworth Cove taking in Durdle Door and the huge and dazzling white cliffs beyond. We also took a day to visit Lyme Regis and had a chance to go fossil hunting on the shore – we came across many surprisingly large specimens with ammonites well to the fore.

If you are keen to develop your sea kayaking knowledge and skills Steve will be pleased to help you. If you fancy coming along on a trip, next summer’s venue will be at the opposite end of the country in Shetland, though Steve may well put on an autumn trip too. Call on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|June 28th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Jersey Sea Kayak trip

Steve has just run a week-long sea kayak trip to Jersey. This was quite a change from the trips to the West and North of Scotland he usually runs at this time of year. Everyone enjoyed the warm sunny weather and the almost Mediterranean feel to this most southerly part of the British Isles (it reached 32C on the final day!). Jersey is not, however, entirely benign, as it sits off the French coast and is subject to the powerful tidal flows which ebb and flow through the English Channel, meaning there are tide races and potentially challenging seas off every headland. Steve planned trips to take advantage of the flow and to avoid difficult conditions, though without removing the adventure from the days. Highlights included seeing sunfish off the Grève de Lecq coast; surfing in the Noirmont race; rounding Corbière in ‘interesting’ seas and the final evening BBQ.

If you are keen on extending your sea kayaking or enjoying a sea kayaking trip somewhere new, please check the Sea Kayak section on the website or get in touch with Steve, he’ll be delighted to hear from you and will do his best to help: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|June 28th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Cave Leader assessment, Scotland

Steve ran a BCA Cave Leader assessment in Assynt last weekend. Assynt has the most developed caving area in Scotland and provides some interesting and unusual caving compared to other parts of the UK. We visited several venues and the candidate was able to provide interesting and stimulating trips for all concerned.

If you’d like support with your caving qualifications or would just like to give caving a go, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|May 24th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off