Cuerden Valley Park - 31st October 2009

A dawn walk with the dogs up to Cuerden Valley Park saw nothing out of the ordinary but a great variety across the area. Thrushes were around in various numbers with 2 flocks of Redwing 25+ and a small flock of Song Thrush and a few odd ones scattered around. The usual Tit flocks moving around though no sign of any Long-Tailed, Siskin 10+ up by the main lake and Bullfinch and Chaffinch near the M6 bridge. Robin and Wren numbers were quite high as well as a large flock of Goldfinch and the odd Dunock. Corvids were also around in numbers mostly due to the large evening roost in the woods, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie and a single Jay showing across the park. The Tawny Owl was calling for the second time this week when I visited last night and 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker were showing well together in the woods this morning. 3 Roe Deer in one of the paddocks and a total count of 8 Grey Squirrel in various parts of the park also 2 Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage along with the usual Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and single Canada Goose on the lake.

Martin Mere WWT - 26th October 2006

GREY HERRON ABOVE SHOT WITH THE LUMIX BELOW THE PENTAX

Our first visit of the season to Martin Mere to see the Pinkfooted come in and hopefully catch something new amongst them. There was report of a Lesser Canada whilst we were there but as usual we were somewhere else (feeding our faces) and by the time we got back to the Swan Link Hide it had moved on.
We did see the reported Little Owl though whoever spotted it must have had a good eye as it was just a dot in my scope on full zoom! Raptors around included 4 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk, none near enough to get a decent shot of.

ABOVE LAPWING BELOW RUFF BOTH TAKEN WITH THE LUMIX

BELOW RUFF TAKEN WITH THE PENTAX

Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shoveller, Pochard, Shellduck, Whooper Swan and Greylag were scattered accross the reserve in various numbers and Reece managed a Stonechat from the Ron Barker Hide. The only waders we saw were the usual Lapwing and a few Ruff.

ABOVE PART OF THE LARGE FLOCK OF PINKFOOT BELOW WHOOPER SWAN AND ECLIPSE WIGEON

BELOW PINKFOOTED GOOSE TAKEN WITH THE PENTAX

Walking between the hides we spotted the usual Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, the usual Tit flocks, Wren, Blackbird, Robin and Dunnock.

BELOW A WREN TAKEN WITH THE LUMIX

A late lifer for Reece as we left along Curlew Lane was 10 Grey Partridge moving across one of the fields.

Leighton Moss RSPB - 25th October 2009

ABOVE BEARDED TIT

The day started well with an 8am start up to Leighton Moss to try and see the Bearded Tit. As soon as we arrived they began to appear and I felt sorry for the guy who had been stood there for two hours waiting for them, been there done that and I'm sure we will again. We watched for about 45 minutes as they flew in and out Reece putting the new Lumix DMC-FZ38 to good use taking both pictures and a short video. When I figure out how to view the video on the PC I will load it to the blog, the software CD is damaged and I can't find anything around to view the files - help needed.

Moving from the grit trays to the public hide it was pointed out to us a Cettis Warbler was singing nearby, but try as we might we couldn't see it, With the wind blowing strong it was probably low down in the reeds.

A quick scan from the public hide gave us Shoveler, Pintail, Pochard, Mute Swan, Greylag, Cormorant, 2 Greenshank, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, 2 Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Shellduck and a Reed Bunting.

ABOVE FEMALE BULLFINCH AND GREENFINCH BELOW MARSH TIT

After an early lunch in the visitors centre we headed down to the feeders to what was showing. Marsh Tit flying through the fence and past our ears was the highlight with Coal and Great Tit also showing well. Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Chaffinch and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker also made an appearance whilst we watched.

ABOVE MALE BULLFINCH AND BELOW SISKIN

A fleeting trip to the Allen hide before we departed for Pine Lodge Lake gave us Redshank, Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew, Widgeon, Teal, Little Egret, Great White Egret and a Peregrine.

We were hoping to see the Slavonian Grebe at Pine Lodge Lake but a scour across the area only gave us Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Pochard oh and more Coot. It has been reported there again today I think we were just unlucky, again!

Third Shrike dip of the year! - 22nd October 2009

I managed a brief visit to Staines Moor to see the Brown Shrike that has been showing there for almost two weeks now. I found the area quite easily after following directions posted on Rare Bird Alert but unfortunately it was to become the third dip of a Shrike this year. As parked up 2 birders were just leaving and reported having seen good views of only 50m away so my hopes were high as I headed out to join the other birders. Sightings during my time there included 2 Kingfisher, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Ring Necked Parakeet, several Cormorant and 20+ Tufted Duck. We did hear an unrecognised call as some dog walkers passed close to the area and some of the more experienced birders, who had seen it an hour before I arrived thought it was the Brown Shrikes alarm call but to me it remains un-ticked!
Maybe next time though I warn you if you are going for a Shrike on the same day as me with my current luck I wouldn’t bother.
Update on the Brown Shrike – according to RBA it was showing in the same area this afternoon.

Brockholes Wetland LWT - 11th October 2009

Managed an hour watching the main pit before dark after recieving a text fom Mike reporting what was about. As well as the usual Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron and Lapwing there were numerous Teal dotted around, Shoveler, c10 Gadwall, 2 Scaup, Tufted Duck, 1 Dunlin, Cormorant and an eclipse drake Garganey. Thanks to the guy who gave me the info on where the Garganey was, even though I frequent the place regularly I don't know half the people's names who bird there.

SCAUP COURTESEY OF MIKE FOLEY

Reece wasn't with me this evening as he was recovering from Chorley Panthers 22 - 6 victory over Thatto Heath Crusaders. He didn't manage to score a try this week but made some good takles and runs even though he was recovering from 'man flu'.

Leighton Moss RSPB - 10th October 2009

With us both having a dose of 'man flu' and Reece having a game in the morning we didn't venture out to far and kept pretty much to the shelter of the hides.

There wasn't much different to see from the public hide apart from the great views of Water Rail in front of the hide. Also Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Greylag, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant and Gadwall.

ABOVE WATER RAIL IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC HIDE BELOW MIGRANT HAWKER (THANKS MIKE)

The feeder behind the visitors centre was busy again with Siskin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tit.

REDSHANK ON THE MOVE

Down to the Allens hide to see if we could see the Great White Egret, again it was to far away to photograph viewable only through a scope in a distant field. A Kingfisher flew in front of the hide as we watched a mix of roosting and feeding waders which included c50 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, c50 Black-Tailed Godwit, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, and 1 Curlew. As well as the Great White there were c15 Little Egret scattered mostly in front of the Eric Morecambe hide, 6 eclipse Widgeon and c8 Pied Wagtail feeding on the islands. Raptors included Kestrel, a Peregrine which passed over disturbing all the waders and a Merlin sitting on a distant post. Thanks to the other birders in the hide at the same time who helped to spot most of the difficult birds.

REDSHANK, LAPWING, BLACK-TAILED GODWIT BUT CAN YOU SPOT THE SPOTTED REDSHANK?

GREAT WHITE EGRET WITH LITTLE EGRET COURTESEY OF MIKE FOLEY

Leighton Moss RSPB - 3rd October 2009

THE VIEW FROM THE PUBLIC HIDE

It was a late start up to Leighton Moss but with 2 Great White Egret being reported in recent days we couldn't miss out on this rare bird. For the second weekend in a row Reece took charge of the photography and it looks like I'm going to have to start saving for his own camera!

The Eric Morecambe hide was our first stop and we soon saw our only raptors of the day with a Kestrel fighting the wind in search of a meal and a Peregrine sheltering on a post. On our approach to the hide c70 Black Tailed Godwit flew over heading for the pool in front of the Allen hide. c20 Little Egret were dotted around the 2 pools and eventually the Great White Egret flew in distantly landing for a short period before battling with the weather it moved behind the hide and further into the reserve.

ABOVE LITTLE EGRET AND BELOW A SPOTTED REDSHANK AMONGST REDSHANK

There were c30 Redshank around the pool in front of the Allen hide and someone picked out a Spotted Redshank giving Reece his second lifer for the day.

ABOVE REDSHANK AND BELOW MARSH TIT

Other notable sightings we saw before moving off to the visitors centre for a coffee and a slice of chocolate cake were Raven, Pied Wagtail and Curlew. After a chat with Mike in the coffee shop we headed down to the feeding station. Marsh, Coal, Blue and Great Tits were feeding in dribs and drabs as well as Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Siskin our final lifer of the day (Not a Bearded Tit or Bittern in sight!)

Last of all was a trip down to the public hide and I most say it was probably the most enjoyable visit to the hide all year with a number of birds showing on the pool.

ABOVE MOULTING SHOVELER AND BELOW PREENING TEAL

Shoveler, Teal, Pochard were showing in numbers as well as 4 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe and Grey Heron. On the island 6 Greenshank and a single Spotted Redshank sheltered from the gusts, whilst a Kingfisher flew in front of the hide before we left.

ABOVE POCHARD AND BELOW LITTLE GREBE

We did stop to view the roosting Little Egrets with c20 already there as we left at 18.00.