Birding UK and Ireland Forum - Blogs - alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Birding UK and Ireland Bird Forum en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:39:05 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Birding UK and Ireland Forum - Blogs - alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Whitby weekend 25th-28th November 2011 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/462-whitby-weekend-25th-28th-november-2011.html Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:06:13 GMT I set off excitedly at 9.30am on Friday morning for a long weekend in Whitby. Excited because I have never been to Whitby before, but was aware of... I set off excitedly at 9.30am on Friday morning for a long weekend in Whitby. Excited because I have never been to Whitby before, but was aware of its history and beauty, but also because a very dear friend (and my old boss) was getting married at the Ravens Hall Hotel, situated on a cliff top overlooking the beautiful Robin Hood Bay, half way between Whitby and Scarborough.

Six long hours and several trains later I arrived at the guest house that I had booked and it wasn't very long before I was down at the harbour, wandering why she couldn't have got married in flat Norfolk!! I negotiated some of the steepest climbs I have ever had to do - surpassed only by a long ago trip to Mont Parnasse in Paris.

I sampled the local fare and visited a hostelry or three before making my return ascent to my lodgings and slept fitfully.

Saturday morning saw me having to do it all over again, this time with a full English breakfast holding me back! - don't worry, I managed!! This was not a specific birding trip, but a chance to explore the town and the delightful harbour.

However, there were of course - gulls! The ubiquitous Black-headed gull and Herring gull had followed me here too. I was suprised and delighted to see many Turnstones associating with the gulls around the harbour and they were even jostling amongst them for food. I was amazed when one of them started pecking around my feet!! In the shrubbery on some of the cliff sides were House Sparrows, a Robin or two and there were plenty of Crows soaring over the rooftops. Oh, and some pigeons!

I was delighted to catch my first ever glimpse of a seal in the harbour, the identity of which is up for debate in the forum. So far it has been suggested that it is a Common Harbour Seal or a Grey Seal.

It was not long before I had to make my ascent again (planting a flag at the summit and writing letters for family members) in order to get ready for the wedding. It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion with many friends old, current and new, all congregating at this beatifull hotel in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors. The drive to the hotel was awesome, bleak and inspiring. At various times in the night, those of us that smoke, were buffeted by 70mph winds roaring up from the bay which was quite an experience - the quickest 'smoke breaks' ever, one drag and they were gone!! We had excellent food, toasted the happy couple with mulled wine drunk from silver goblets and many dances later, dispersed into the night. I wish I could tell you my carriage arrived, but it was instead Andy in his cab!

Whitby, in the early hours of Sunday morning was buzzing. Lets just say I got back to the guest house at some point or other, and woke up later that day at some point or other and then ambled, very, very slowly to a cafe and on to an ale house for a hair of the dog - it proved to have very big teeth!!

There was a tidal surge happening just as I came out of the restaurant I had eaten in and the staff had to run about getting sand bags!! The road was completely flooded and some shops too: Whitby under water - Local - Whitby Gazette

Monday morning, bright and revitalised, saw me strolling along Whitby beach. Boy, that was fresh!! There to keep me company in the howling winds were some pipits - the identity of which are also being currently debated in the forum. I had an inkling that they might have been Rock Pipits due to appearing quite grey on the backs and a dirty, smudginess to the streaking on the flanks. These were annoyingly at the very top of the cliff when I was, of course, at the bottom. Others I'm sure are Meadow Pipit.

There was also Pied Wagtails, a Robin, a couple of Curlews, many Oystercatcher, Redshank, more Turnstones, Cormorants and the afore mentioned gulls were joined by several Greater-black backed Gulls too. The star attraction however, was a lovely male Stonechat - the first I have seen in well over a year!

Once off of the beach, I further explored the town and visited the Abbey. Stunning views from up there and a great place to watch the town as the sun set.

I've had a great 4 days in Whitby and although it wasn't specifically a birding trip, managed to record 20 odd species. I definitely will go back, but summer next time!!

Update - The pipits have been agreed as Rock Pipits - woohoo - LIFER!!!!! and the consensus on the seal is that it is a Common harbour seal (LIFER also!!)
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/462-whitby-weekend-25th-28th-november-2011.html Leighton Moss 12 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/455-leighton-moss-12.html Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:28:40 GMT I have been intending to get to Leighton Moss over the last week or so but a mixture of work and night duty-induced knackerdness has been getting in... I have been intending to get to Leighton Moss over the last week or so but a mixture of work and night duty-induced knackerdness has been getting in the way.

I was determined to go today, so set my alarm for 5am and struggled out of my pit at ten to six! I got a shift on and thanks to a reliable local taxi company, made it to the station on time and woke up on the train en route.

I arrived at 8am and ambled about the feeder stations to see what was about and decide my first move.

Lots of Coal tits were busy feeding, never seen so many at once. The usual tits and finches too and a nice Nuthatch made me forget my British Rail breakfast. British Rail Catering - We're getting there!

I decided to try the causeway first and was hopeful when I saw a small group milling about the grit trays. However, 20 minutes later nothing had showed so I went into the public hide. Coots, Mute Swans and Mallards, but then a Marsh Harrier made an appearance for a while and the morning picked up. There was a possible flash of Sparrowhawk, but totally unconfirmed - could have been anything.

I decided to give lower hide a miss, so went back the way I had come and stayed with the smallish group, still milling by the grit trays. After 15 minutes I was contemplating moving on when out of the blue - well the reeds to be precise, came a male and female pair of Bearded tits that gave us a few minutes of their time before also heading back the way they came.

Very chuffed, I strolled off to the saltmarsh hides and entered the Allen hide about 45 minutes later. Snipe, Snipe & more Snipe - I have never seen so many all at once. I counted 29, but later in the day I heard someone say there were 34! Also present were lovely Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing, a couple of Shelduck some Wigeon and Teal.

The Eric Morcambe hide showed more of the same with the addition of Black-tailed Godwits and 3 distant Little Egrets.

I went back to the main reserve and had some mushroom soup for lunch, had another look about the feeders and this time got a male and female Bullfinch and a field mouse!

I then went to Lillians hide which was full to capacity and everyone was pointing there scopes in the same direction - a Water Rail was darting in and out of the edge of the reeds. I got some awful photo's but better views, fortunately!

The star attraction though was a Bittern - my first ever! It flew low and quick over the reeds and then dropped in, never to be seen again - for those in the know, it was by the single pole/trunk that the harriers usually perch on. It was all too brief and no photo's I'm afraid, I just about managed to register what I was looking at by the time it was gone!

Also from Lillians was a pair of female Goldeneye, some lovely Pintail, and a nicely perched Common Gull.

I'd spent a rewarding 6 hours birding and still didn't have time for the Grisedale or Tim Jackson hides! so made my way to the station for my train home - which was 32 bleedin' minutes late!

My sightings for this trip were:

Chaffinch
Pheasant
Coal tit
Nuthatch
Greenfinch
Blue tit
Great tit
Moorhen
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Dunnock
Mallard
Coot
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Marsh harrier
Starling
Magpie
Crow
Bearded tit
Snipe
Teal
Wigeon
Redshank
Greenshank
Shelduck
Lapwing
Curlew
Gadwall
Robin
Black-tailed Godwits
Little Egret
Spotted Redshank
Water Rail
Bittern
Tufted duck
Shovelor duck
Black-headed gull
Common gull
Goldfinch
Bullfinch
Pintail
Goldeneye
Wren
Wood pigeon
Pied Wagtail
Long-tailed tit

Just had confirmed that some geese I saw flying over were Pinkfeet - they were sillhouetted on the day and in my pics!!
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/455-leighton-moss-12.html Marton Mere 12 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/454-marton-mere-12.html Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:20:22 GMT I had a good 4 hour roam around my local patch this afternoon with overcast skies and poor light, but at least no rain and little wind and it is... I had a good 4 hour roam around my local patch this afternoon with overcast skies and poor light, but at least no rain and little wind and it is still relatively mild.

I'm a creature of habit and always enter the mere from the Lawson road end and then turn right, to make the feeder station hide my first stop.

It was much busier here than on my last visit. The usual tits and finches were in good numbers as were the regular pheasants, a rabbit and an acrobatic grey squirrel that hung upside down from a branch to get at the nuts in one of the feeders.

Moving along the ''holiday park side'' of the mere soon revealed massess of Canada geese, the water was full of them. I was later told that there were 5000 in the east fields the day before.

I visited all the hides to the eastern end of the lake (there are 3) and had fairly good views of Gadwall, Teal, Pochard and all of the usual waterbirds.

From the dyke I scanned the neighbouring fields and came upon some geese two fields away. There were at least 1,500 but quite possibly a lot more. I struggled to id them and made some notes for when I got home. I wrote in my field book; ''possibly pink-footed geese'' and so was a little concieted when another birder passed by and said ''ave ya sin tha pinkies in yonder field?''

I exited the mere at the north end after coming off the dyke and walked along the bridal path to the place where the LEO's roost - none to be had! A bit early in my opinion, although one was reported on the Fylde Bird Club web site about 10 days ago.

Retraced my steps and went down the north end of the mere, through the apple trees whose scent filled the air and made me want a cider! I spent some time in the container hide (it's made from one of those big metal storage containers you see stacked up on ships) and had better views from here of the Pochard and Teal and spotted a group of distant Shovelors.

On the path from this hide was a flock of around 30 Long-tailed tits that were flitting between branches and from tree to tree. I got quite close views and they didn't seem bothered by me at all.

I'm fairly sure a Snipe fly by me, but it landed in front of the reeds and never reappeared!! A couple of Grey Heron's made fly overs and a Kestrel was hunting over the scrub.

I made my way home, just as it began to spit with rain!

My sightings for the day were:

Magpie
Crow
Woodpigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Coal tit
Blue tit
Great tit
Pheasant (all female)
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Canada Geese
Mute Swan
Mallard
Coot
Moorhen
Gadwall
Teal
Pochard
Black-headed gulls
Herring gulls
Shoveler ducks
Grey Herons
Pink-footed Geese
Blackbirds (No Fieldfares or Redwings yet)
Kestrel
Long-tailed tit
Starling
Snipe?????
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/454-marton-mere-12.html The 3rd Birding.UK.com Annual Forum Outing 2011 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/444-3rd-birding-uk-com-annual-forum-outing-2011.html Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:01:00 GMT It's hard to believe another year has gone by and I am blogging my 3rd B.UK forum trip which was, as I'm sure most of you know, held at Lancashire's premiere birding hotspot, Leighton Moss.

British Rail behaved itself and I arrived as scheduled at 07.50 just as Stuart (Astafjevs) and Annette (his partner) arrived at the reserve entrance to collect me and the rain began to spit!

The meet & greet over, we headed off to the Allen and Eric Morcambe salt-marsh hides.

Peter B was due to be waiting for us in the car park and sure enough, there he was. We re-enacted the meet & greet (scene 2) and once we had prepared ourselves and our respective kits (Peter's behemoth lens over his shoulder), we set off along the path to the hides.

What a great start to the days birding it was too. The salt-marsh hides provided the first 21 species (of what was to become a list of 47) the highlights being several Greenshank, Ruff and Spotted Redshank. Annette spotted and called a Kingfisher - I managed to register the blue flash going by!

We headed back to the main reserve for around 09.30, presented our membership cards and stood outside admiring a Nuthatch on the feeders. Ironically, Peter was using the facillities when a Dunnock appeared and had to have it pointed out to him :rolleyes:

Within a few minutes we were approached from stage left by Dave H and his wife, Gill. We re-enacted the meet & greet (scene 3) and by a unanimous decision, headed off to the public causeway to see the Bearded tits.

Annette proved herself to be the champion spotter of the day, finding a beardie low down in the reeds. Unfortunately for myself and Peter, we were further along the causeway so missed it!

After spending some time in the public hide, we set off along the woodland path to the lower hide.

A juvenile Bullfinch was seen along the way, I heard a Chiffchaff and Stuart was fairly certain he'd heard a Cetti's warbler. Upon checking the LBWS website later that day, a Cetti's Warbler was seen along the causeway, so all credit to Stuart!

Lower hide provided distant views of a juvenile Marsh Harrier perched in a dead tree. Soon enough it took to the air and hunted over the reed beds for a while, it's flight impressively effortless.

We headed back to the main reserve and soon came to a tree, full of life, everywhere you looked were Coal tits, Blue tits, Chaffinches, a Marsh tit and a delightful Treecreeper to name a few!

We had a half hour pit-stop to re-fuel ourselves and then made for the main hides where the Marsh Harrier put in another appearance and some Pochards, Tufted ducks, Coots and Mallards were the main attractions.

Stuart and Annette headed off just before 2pm, courtesy of Bristol Rovers V Morecambe, Peter headed off about 5 minutes later, coutesy of a 4 hour drive and I hung around with Dave and Gill until heading off myself at 2.30pm, courtesy of British rail time tables.

After a really enjoyable days birding, our total sightings were:

Wigeon
Teal
Redshank
Greenshank
Spotted Redshank
Grey Heron
Pheasant
Starling
Lapwing
Black-tailed Godwits
Curlew
Little Egret
Greylag goose
Gadwall
Carrion Crow
Kingfisher
Pied Wagtail
Kestrel
Linnet
Swallows
Dunnock
Nuthatch
Chaffinch
Coal tit
Mallard
Bearded tit
House Martins
Coot
Cormorant
Great Crested Grebe
Mute swan
Tufted duck
Bullfinch
Robin
Marsh Harrier
Great tit
Marsh tit
Blue tit
Treecreeper
Greenfinches
Collared dove
Magpie
Pochard
Moorhen
Jay
Shoveler

I decided to go to Morecambe Bay for a couple of hours on the way home, so changed trains at Lancaster.

I had no new sightings for the day, but I did see about 30+ Curlew, 200+ Oystercatcher, 100's of Lapwing, Many redshank, a small group of Starlings, Herring gulls galore, a smattering of Lesser Black-backed gulls, one or two Greater Black-backed gulls and a gathering of Black-headed gulls.

Here are a few images. The Ruff is one I took, all other images are by Peter - they are far better than mine :rolleyes::)
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/444-3rd-birding-uk-com-annual-forum-outing-2011.html Leighton Moss 11 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/421-leighton-moss-11.html Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:49:30 GMT My last trip to Leighton Moss was with Maggie last November, so it was with an anticipatory spring in my step that I was met by her at Silverdale... My last trip to Leighton Moss was with Maggie last November, so it was with an anticipatory spring in my step that I was met by her at Silverdale train station yesterday morning.

Re-aquainted, we strode off for the days birding along the public causeway, where one of the highlights was watching a Cormorant catch an eel and throw it about, toying with it, before swallowing it whole. About 20 minutes later, it caught another and did the same thing.

It was great to see Marsh Harriers again and we were on the look out for a Hobby that had been reported over the last few days, but to no avail. Much later in the day, however, we were rewarded with a Red Kite, which was a lifer for both of us and absolutely made my day :D

The salt-marsh hides gave us good views of Lapwing with chicks, Oystercatchers with chicks and Avocets with chicks - all very cute!

We spent a good 7 hours at the reserve and our sightings for the day were:

Bullfinches
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Blue tit
Long-tailed tit
Great tit
Coal tit
Mallard
Coot
Moorhen
Dunnock
Robin
Cormorant
Black-headed gull
Common gull
Herring gull
Lesser Black-backed gull
Greylag geese
Tufted duck
Reed Warbler
Chiffchaff
Mute Swan
Shelduck
Teal
Marsh Harrier
Buzzard
Red Kite
Pheasant
Blackbird
Collared dove
Magpie
Crow
Swallow
Black-tailed Godwit
Redshank
Lapwing
Goldfinch
Oystercatcher
Avocet
Pied Wagtail
Jackdaw
Great Crested Grebe
Knot - not a Knot!! Turned out to be a funny looking Redshank!!

After returning to Blackpool, Maggie paid a visit to my local patch, Marton Mere where we added to our days sightings with:

Mistle Thrush
Pochard
Whitethroat
Grasshopper Warbler - a lifer for Maggie
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/421-leighton-moss-11.html Marton Mere 11 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/411-marton-mere-11.html Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:52:46 GMT I've had a bit of a six month hiatus on the birding side of things and stopped all major activity last November, with only a couple of local trips to be had since then, in February. Perhaps the change in the weather and the onset of spring has given me the impetus to get out again.

After work this morning, it was way too nice to go home to bed, we've not had a hot, sunny day like this in a while so I decided to take full advantage of it. After a quick change and grabbing my dusty gear, I headed off to my old, faithful patch - Marton Mere.

I was instantly greeted by noisy Sedge Warblers', Whitethroats' and a gorgeous Kestrel that was scanning and hunting the scrub, just by the entrance to the mere.

I took a long, leisurely stroll along the perimeter path, checking out anything that took my interest or flitted at the edge of my vision.

A pair of Canada geese were being very territorial and aggressively chased of some Greylag geese and then successfully saw off a large Mute Swan.

The mere itself was host to the usual suspects, but I was particularly delighted to see a pair of displaying Great Crested Grebe mimicking each others head movements - I've yet to see them actually do the weed dance, but nevertheless, it was enthralling to watch.

I was viewing and taking some pictures of a small brown Warbler that I thought was a Sedge Warbler (the sun was blinding, being my only defense!) when the Warden came by and confirmed it as a Grasshopper Warbler. A first for me, so I was very pleased and glad to be birding again! (fickle, I know) The warden told me there had been 13 individuals counted around the mere.

He also kindly pointed out a Paradise Shelduck, escaped from nearby Blackpool Zoo - Yeah!, Cry Freedom!!

My sightings were:

Blackbird
Starling
Magpie
Crow
Chaffinch
Blue tit
Great tit
Coal tit
Robin
Dunnock
Grey Heron
Pheasants galore - one feeding high up in a tree which seemed odd!
Common gull
Herring gull
Black-headed gull
Teal
Coot
Moorhen
Mallard
Canada geese
Greylag geese
Mute Swan
Reed Bunting
Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Chiffchaff
Paradise Shelduck
Kestrel

Here are a few pics of the Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, the Greylag goose is escaping the territorial Canada geese, the Great Crested Grebe and finally the Paradise Shelduck.
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/411-marton-mere-11.html Stanley Park 10 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/394-stanley-park-10.html Sat, 12 Feb 2011 18:10:54 GMT I was defeated in my intentions, yet again, to go to Fleetwood Nature Park on account of the council changing all of the bus routes and leaving me at... I was defeated in my intentions, yet again, to go to Fleetwood Nature Park on account of the council changing all of the bus routes and leaving me at the stop, scratching my head!!

I returned home and decided to pay a visit to Stanley Park instead. I'll go on-line later and sort out the buses for Fleetwood!

Anyway, it was a bright and relatively mild afternoon, we've not had too many of them for a while, and the park was buzzing with visitors all enjoying the better weather. Several children were being shouted at not to go near the water and to stop sliding in the mud!!

A fully functioning 'bread line' was in situ near the ice cream hut, assembled with more children - some crying at the honking geese - bored adults and carefree pensioners. It afforded me the opportunity to get some flight shots, so I was quite happy!

There must have been at least 200 Black-headed gulls on the water today with a scattering of Herring gulls and the usual waterfowl.

I had a wish list of Nuthatch, Woodpecker and Treecreeper for todays visit. I've not had sight nor sound of a Great Spotted Woody in a long time and Treecreepers have become elusive too.

I was pleased to see that some work had been carried out along the edge of the conservation area. Some new reeds/grasses have been planted which will provide additional habitat and keep the punters in their boats out!

I was also pleased to see several other birders giving each other a cursory nod, whilst trying to be discreet in assessing each others Nikon or Cannon! and several couples just enjoying the wildlife and pointing into trees.

The heronry is begining to fill up again and the residents were making quite a racket. I counted 18 in total.

I succeeded in finding Treecreeper, two no less and the regular Nuthatch was at his usual feeding station. Still no Woody - not even heard one of late.

Quite an enjoyable stroll in the park today with the following birds seen:

Treecreeper
Nuthatch
Mallard
Coot
Moorhen
Mute swan
Greylag geese
Canada geese
BH gull
Herring gull
Grey Heron
Shovelor ducks
Great tits
Blue tits
Coal tit
Robin
Feral pigeon
Wood pigeon
Dunnock
Magpie
Crow
Blackbird
Long tailed tit
Cormorant
Tufted duck
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/394-stanley-park-10.html Marton Mere 10 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/393-marton-mere-10.html Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:12:35 GMT I had every intention of going to Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park today to try and see a Ring necked duck that's been hanging around for a few days.

I was up bright and early and found that I just couldn't be bothered making the tedious hour+ trip on a stuffy bus in the murky light and drizzle.

Home alone, I eyed a pile of laundry and tried to avoid my other-half's strategic placing of the Mr Sheen (It was like one of those paintings of Jesus or Hitler, that follows you around the room) I was contemplating donning me pinny and transforming into a domestic god, when I decided on sloth instead and picked up a novel.

By lunch time, the weather had brightened and I was wishing I was in Fleetwood. Nagging irritation eroded my concentration on the antics of Charlie parker P.I, so I grabbed my coat and camera and headed to Marton Mere.

Fifteen minutes later, I was sat in the feeder station hide, admiring my first ever Brambling and reflected that if I hadn't of been so lazy this morning, I'd have missed this!

Other bits along the way were:

Chaffinch
Dunnock
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Blue tit
Great tit
Long-tailed tit
Reed Buntings
Pheasant
Robin
Tree Sparrow
Greenfinch
Woodpigeon
Crows
Magpies
Teal
Greylag geese
Black-headed gull
Great Black-backed gull
Herring gull
Cormorant
Coot
Mallard
Tufted duck
Goldeneye - 3 males harassing a single female!
4 Long-eared Owls
Mute Swan
Shovelor duck
Grey Heron
Kestrel

Hopefully, the Ring necked duck will stick around and on a lazy day in the not too distant future, I'll take some bad photo's to show you all.
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/393-marton-mere-10.html Marton Mere 9 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/373-marton-mere-9.html Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:54:22 GMT I was last at Marton Mere, my local patch, in July. I have been put off by the unruly, rampaging kids from the holiday park. Now that they have... I was last at Marton Mere, my local patch, in July. I have been put off by the unruly, rampaging kids from the holiday park.

Now that they have all gone, I felt it was about time to pay a visit.

I began with the feeder station hide and was rewarded with four Tree Sparrows. Always a nice bird to see and it was the first time I had ever seen them here. There was also the usual tits, Dunnocks, Chaffinches and some Reed Buntings with a single wild Rabbit.

The paths and trails around the reserve revealed Blackbirds, Woodpigeons, a small flock of five Redwing and some Crows.

I also saw two, very well camouflaged, Long-eared Owls hidden in the branches of an apple tree. They come to the reserve every autumn to roost over the winter. I was talking to another birder later on and discovered that they had in fact remained at the mere all summer and had bred. I was unable to ascertain the size of the brood.

The mere itself had the usual Coots and Mallards etc, but the star attraction was an immature, 1st winter, male Scaup. It took me ages to find it, but with the help of the other birders that were there, I did in the end.

There have been reports in the press and on local bird club sites recently about the appearance of an Otter at the mere. It is the first Otter in 50 years and is a cause of great local excitement. It has apparently been seen every day for the last three days and today was no different.

Unfortunately, I didn't see it. It had me running about the mere for a while, but each time I got to where I was told it was, it had moved further along. Oh well, I'm only 10 minutes away and hopefully it will like its new home and stick around. It would be fantastic if it bred.

I went home after a satisfying four hours at the mere in lovely sunshine, feeling quite pleased.

Todays sightings were:

Blue tit
Great tit
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Reed Bunting
Tree Sparrow
Dunnock
Pheasant
Wren
Magpie
Robin
Woodpigeon
Crow
Moorhen
Coot
Blackbird
Redwing
Long-eared Owls
Grey Heron
Black-headed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Mute Swan
Pochard
Tufted duck
Shoveler duck
Gadwall
Cormorant
canada Geese
Goldeneye (2 female)
Scaup - male, immature, 1st winter (Lifer :D)
Cetti's Warbler - heard only

I've attached a few images of the mere - the bird pics are in my Marton Mere 3 album. None of the Scaup, I'm afraid. It was way over the other side of the mere and the photo's are pathetic!!!!

http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/memb...ackpool-3.html
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/373-marton-mere-9.html Scotland Trip http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/372-scotland-trip.html Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:55:25 GMT I had arrange to meet Maggie in Glasgow yesterday for what would be my first trip to Scotland. I left Blackpool in the dark and the rain at 05:45... I had arrange to meet Maggie in Glasgow yesterday for what would be my first trip to Scotland.

I left Blackpool in the dark and the rain at 05:45 and arrived at Glasgow Central Train Station at 09:15 and looked for Maggie, who had arranged to meet me under the big square clock.

No need for a Daily record under your left arm and a red carnation in your lapel - she was easily spotted in her camouflage gear ;)

I had read about Cardross and Ardmore Point on the Clydebirds website: (CLYDEBIRDS) and thought it would be a good place to kick off my Scottish birding venture.

With Maggie at the wheel, it wasn't too long before we arrived at Cardross and parked up by the shore. In Cardross village, we saw 5 Rooks on a grass verge as we drove by. At the bay the tide was in, unfortunately, and the few birds visible on the water were distant.

It was a murky, grey start to the day, with drizzly rain and low lying mist over the tops of the distant hills. Beautiful in itself, but not conducive to birding!

However, we still saw Mute Swans, Mallard, Cormorant, Black-headed gulls and Lapwings. Along the shoreline were 3 Pied Wagtails, Jackdaws, House Sparrows and Starlings.

We then headed off to Ardmore point, seeing many more Sparrows and a few Dunnock along the way. The paths here were water-logged and we could only get to one point near the waters edge and could go no further.

From this vantage point we saw Curlew, lots of Shelduck and many more Wigeon, more Lapwings, Redshank, Mute Swans, Collared Dove and Crows.

We had some pipits flying over head a few times and Maggie felt they were Rock pipits from the calls and she has seen them here before. However, they refused to land and be nice, so I can't confirm the id for my own list.

Next we headed off to Loch Winnoch and on the drive we saw a Buzzard and, I think, a couple of Kestrels, although they were just familiar blurs as we drove by.

Loch Winnoch was dissapointing and we only managed to see Mute Swans, Mallard and Coot with a single Magpie, Blue tit and a few Chaffinches.

We left after ½ an hour and headed off to Semple Loch, a short, 5 minute drive away. It had remained murky, with the rain coming in short intervals all day, but things perked up a bit here and the birding was better.

There were Mute Swans, Tufted ducks and Mallards on the loch with a solitary Whooper Swan. It has a broken wing and I believe it is now resident. There were more Jackdaws and out towards the middle of the loch were a couple of male Goldeneye with a single female.

I was delighted when one of the males came quite close to the shore and began displaying. He must be a bit confused though, as he was displaying to a group of Mallards while the female Goldeneye was still in the middle of the loch :D

We walked along one of the trails and saw Blue tit, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Crows, Blackbirds and a single Fieldfare with lots more flying overhead and in the distance. There was a Coal tit flitting amongst the branches of a tree and then a delightful Goldcrest put in an appearance - definately my bird of the day.

Next, Maggie drove us to Muirshiel Country Park - a beatiful and vast landscape. On the way we had definite sightings this time of a couple of Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk, sitting on the telegraph posts along the road. There was also a Raven flying by.

Sadly, by the time we arrived at the car park, the skies had become darker and the rain was heavier, so we didn't see much. We sat in the car like 2 pensioners at the seaside, peering out of the misty windows with our binoculars. Time to re-stack the tupperware and reach for the mint imperials :D

Back in Glasgow, we rejuvinated ourselves with a chip supper and a couple of pints in Maggies local before she dropped me at the station for my train home.

Despite the weather, I had a good time, we saw some nice birds - eventually! and it was great to see you again Maggie. Thanks for the chauffering and the warm hospitality.

Next time it will be a hot summers day :)

It wasn't really a day for taking pictures, but there are a few in my Scottish Burds album and I've attached a few here.

The first one is the view we had from Ardmore Point, the rest are at Muirshiel Country Park.
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/372-scotland-trip.html RSPB Marshside 4 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/367-rspb-marshside-4.html Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:24:29 GMT I made a trip to the RSPB reserve at Marshside in Southport yesterday and my first sighting was me 'ole mucker - Bassist, walking along the path leading to the shore line.

Along here were several Meadow Pipits and a large flock of Goldfinches which looked a bit special, flashing gold as they darted and wheeled.

Although it was a dry, warm and sunny day, the wind was getting up a bit making it feel chilly, so we headed for Nels hide for a bit of respite.

A Kestrel was hunting over the pools as we made our way. We had good views from Nels' of a female Red Crested Pochard which was a lifer for both of us. On some distant mud banks were lots of Snipe and we counted at least 20+

We then made our way to Sandgrounders Hide, looking through the viewing screens along the way.

From Sandgrounders, we were treated to a distant juvenile Black Tern. We had fairly good views through our scopes and watched it dipping and diving over the pools. This was our 2nd lifer of the day!

There was also distant Pink footed geese, a Little Grebe, around 3 Greenshank and 2 Curlew.

Walking around Crossens Marsh on the way to get the bus home, we had closer views of the Black Tern from Polly's Pools and I managed some dodgy flight shots.

Sightings for the visit were:

Wigeon
Pink-footed geese
Mallard
Coot
Black headed gulls
Goldfinches
Starlings
Black-tailed Godwits
Redshanks
Herring gull
Great black-backed gull
Greenshank
Gadwall
Shoveler
Shelduck
Snipe
Teal
Red-crested Pochard
Kestrel
Meadow Pipits
Black Tern
Little Grebe
Mute Swan
Curlew
Little egret
Moorhen
Crow
Woodpigeon
Grey Heron
Magpie
Canada geese
House Sparrow
Blackbird
Thrush
Greylag geese
Lapwing
Dunlin

There are some photo's in my Marshside album.
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/367-rspb-marshside-4.html Leighton Moss, Silverdale, Lancashire 10 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/365-leighton-moss-silverdale-lancashire-10.html Sat, 02 Oct 2010 23:35:02 GMT My birding over the last few months has been a half hearted affair. I paid a visit at the begining of August to the West Midlands for a family... My birding over the last few months has been a half hearted affair.

I paid a visit at the begining of August to the West Midlands for a family occasion, and managed to do some birding then.

Since that time, I couldn't really be bothered, to be honest, but the recent forum outing to Blacktoft Sands and Far Ings has re-motivated me.

Such is my new found zeal, I finished a 12 hour night shift on Saturday morning and went straight out birding to Leighton Moss. (for those that care; I'm now 32 hours sleep deprived!)

It was well worth it and I'm glad I'm back in the swing of things.

I started off on the public causeway, pausing by the grit trays with a few other hopefuls and was very suprised to see two Bearded tits within 5 minutes of being there. A male and a female spent a good 10 minutes feeding and looking resplendent. It was my first decent sighting of them and afforded me the opportunity to get some pics - however naff!

The other highlights of the day was a Marsh Harrier sending up around 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks on the saltmarsh pools along with 11 Little Egret and a Coal tit on the feeders.

I was suprised at the lack of Raptors. At one point I thought we had a Peregrine, but it turned out to be the Marsh Harrier and it was the only raptor of the day.

My sightings were:

Robin
Bearded tit
Coot
Mallard
Shoveler
Grey Heron
Gadwall
Black-headed Gulls
Crows
Woodpigeon
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Great tit
Chiffchaff
Pheasant
Pochard
Tufted duck
Moorhen
Magpie
Coal tit
Blue tit
Cormorant
Wigeon
Black-tailed Godwit
Marsh Harrier
Little Egret
Teal
Greylag geese
Lapwing
Greenshank
Redshank
Mute Swan
Pied Wagtail

There are some pics in my Leighton Moss 2 album
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/365-leighton-moss-silverdale-lancashire-10.html The 2nd Birding.UK.com Annual Forum Outing 2010 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/363-2nd-birding-uk-com-annual-forum-outing-2010.html Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:19:53 GMT It seems unreal that a year has passed since the first forum outing to Fairburn Ings last September. Reliving happy memories of that weekends great... It seems unreal that a year has passed since the first forum outing to Fairburn Ings last September. Reliving happy memories of that weekends great birding, I was eagerly anticipating this years trip.

RSPB Blacktoft Sands

I set off on Friday the 24th from a dark, dank and dreary Blackpool at 5.30am and courtesy of British rail, arrived at Brough near Hull just before 10am where John picked me up for the drive to RSPB Blacktoft Sands.

The reserve sits at the start of the Humber estuary at the junction of the River Ouse and the River Trent and boasts the largest tidal reedbed in England.

After parking the car and getting our gear out of the boot, we strode off to the visitors centre where we were warmly greeted by Maggie who had arrived about half an hour before us.

The introductions done, we strode off to explore the reserve, getting acquainted along the way.

There are 6 hides at Blacktoft, affording great views of the lakes and reeds. John, being familiar with the reserve, showed us the way around and as usual, was an invaluable resource, pointing out birds to us and identifying all and sundry along the way.

Amongst the many birds we saw during the day was a Fulvous Whistling duck. As John explained, it's found in tropical regions of central and southern America, through Africa and Asia and is resident, apart from some localised migrations, which meant the bird we saw was probably an escapee. Still, a very nice looking duck indeed.

My favourite sighting of the day would probably have to be a Ruff that flew in and landed in one of the lakes to the left of us. We headed down there but couldn't see it. After about 10 - 15 minutes I was thinking of moving on when it made an appearance and eventually ended up near a feeding, solitary Redshank. It didn't stay put for very long before it took off again, but I managed to get some good views of it - it was also a lifer for me :)

We also saw 4 very well camouflaged Snipe - always nice to see and John showed us a Spotted Redshank next to a regular Redshank. Lots of female and eclipse male Pintails and more Marsh Harriers than you could shake a stick at - about 6 if I recall, but possibly a few were the same birds.

We wound up around 3.30pm in the visitors centre where we spent time chatting to the very nice volunteer and warming ourselves by the lovely wood burning stove.

Neil and Simon arrived in their 'Scooby van' around 4pm, just as Maggie and I were heading to our respective hotels in Hull. We spent a few minutes chatting and getting reacquainted and left them in John's capable hands to have a look at the reserve for themselves.

Having come on the trip after just finishing night duty, I was soon relaxing in my hotel room replenishing my reserves for the next days birding. I popped outside for a smoke around 10pm before getting my head down for the night and was propositioned by two ladies of the night - cost me a few smokes to get rid off them and I was soon bolting the door to my room :eek::D

Far Ings

Fully refreshed and raring to go, Maggie picked me up outside of the hotel just after 8.45am and we set off to Barton-upon-Humber. We arrived at the reserve just after 9.15am and spent a while watching the lake at the front of the visitors centre.

We had good views of Tree Sparrows from here as well as some of the more usual Mallards, Herons and Cormorants, amongst others.

Neil, Simon and John arrived within a few minutes of each other and we all spent a short while at the waters edge and scanning the distant fields. John identified a skein of Pink-footed geese that flew in and alighted in an upper field. He counted 57 before a lot more arrived and buggered up his arithmatic! In the end he reckoned about 170+

Once we were ready, we set off for the days birding.

Simon was on a mission to see Bearded tits, so John directed us towards some reed beds where they are known to frequent. Unfortunately, it was a very windy day - near gale force at times, so it was not to be.

Walking along an exposed stretch of the Humber at the back of the rather smart visitors centre, was bracing to say the least. Views of the Humber bridge were awesome - it's an amazing and huge structure.

Along here we saw a Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Great black-backed gulls and Herring gulls.

Fearless Maggie strode off into the reeds and mud, down to the banks of the Humber to get a closer look. After about half an hour, John retrieved her and she joined the rest of us as we entered a wooded area. I was amazed at how still it was amongst the trees, when just a few meters away a gale was blowing.

Looking out over some reeds a Merlin was spotted. I saw it, but have to be honest and say I wasn't sure what I had just seen. Fortunately John piped up and identified it as a Merlin - I was very pleased, another lifer!

From another hide we were suddenly rewarded with the appearance of an Osprey. We watched it flying over the water, hovering and swooping and it was great to witness it catch a fish.

A very fast, but not fast enough for John, Sparrowhawk flew low, right in front of the hide, giving us a decent view before flying into the trees to the left.

We also had a nearby Kestrel hunting in front of us and some more Marsh Harriers - it was a good day for raptors, we had 7 in the end.

Walking along a trail toward another hide, we went passed some fields that John suggested we should have a look in, just in time for Neil to see feathers flying from a poor pigeon. We all watched a superb Peregrine hunting the flock and after a few minutes it was joined by another. Awesome.

We had some great views of a feeding station that, after a short while, gave up a Willow tit that was a delight to see and another lifer for me.

We had a few more trails and lakes to view before winding up back at the visitors centre around 5.45pm.

John had to be on his way by this time, so Neil, Simon, Maggie and myself set off to a nearby pub, The Sloop Inn in Barton. Several cold refreshing beverages were quoffed and the local fare sampled - Homemade pork and jalapeno sausages and chips went down well, as did the company.

Maggie gave me a lift back to my hotel in Hull where I got a few cigarettes ready for the local girls - sure enough it wasn't long before I was relieved of them :eek:

Sunday morning came all to quickly and I made my way back to Blackpool for a night shift - totally knackered, but rather pleased too.

Roll on next year!

Thanks to everyone who came for making it such an enjoyable weekend.

Our sightings for the trip were:

Blacktoft Sands:

Chiffchaff
Blue tit
Goldfinch
Willow Warbler
Greylag geese
Pintail ducks
Mallard
Shoveler duck
Gadwall
Teal
Black-headed gulls
Crow
Lapwing
Wigeon
Redshank
Spotted redshank
Shelduck
Marsh Harriers
Fulvous Whistling duck
Moorhen
Little Grebe
Snipe
Reed Warbler
Swallow
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Ruff
Great black-backed gull
Stock dove
Pigeon
Woodpigeon
Pheasant
Collared dove
Black-tailed Godwit (fly over)
Golden Plover (fly over)

Far Ings:

Mallard
Greylag geese
Canada geese
Dunnock
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Great tit
Magpie
Crow
Blue tit
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Lapwing
BH Gull
Pink-footed geese
Kestrel
Merlin
Meadow pipits
Kingfisher
Herring gull
Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Marsh Harrier
Robin
Osprey
LBB Gull
Common Gull (dipped by me)
Teal
Gadwall
Shoveler duck
Pochard
Shelduck
House Sparrow
Bullfinch (dipped by me)
Coot
GC Grebe
Mute Swan
Sparrow Hawk
Stock dove
Woodpigeon
Pied Wagtail
Redshank
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover (dipped by me)
Tufted duck
LT tits
Swallow
Goldcrest (dipped by me)
Dunlin (dipped by me)
Chiffchaff (dipped by me)
Collared dove
Chaffinch
Turtle dove (Fly over)(dipped by me)
Moorhen
Willow tit
Wigeon
Ruff (juv)
Knot (juv)
Wren
Peregrine
House Martins
Buzzard
Jackdaw
Reed Bunting
Rook

Other sightings were:

Rabbit
Comma butterfly
Speckled Wood
Roe Deer
Toad
Red fox
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/363-2nd-birding-uk-com-annual-forum-outing-2010.html RSPB Sandwell Valley, Birmingham 3 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/353-rspb-sandwell-valley-birmingham-3.html Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:34:48 GMT I have been in the West Midlands for my Nephew's Christening and after visiting Brandon Marsh near Coventry yesterday, I made a trip to Hamstead in Birmingham today, to visit the RSPB reserve; Sandwell Valley.

I was last here in a very cold and snowy February when building work had not long started on improving the centre and facilities. Sadly, not long after this, the centre was subject to an arson attack.

I arrived today to find only half of the building still standing, badly charred and fenced off. Reassuringly, however, was the presence of a large handful of RSPB staff and volunteers who were hard at work planting and maintaining a new pond adjacent to the visitors centre.

I was told that there are several ideas being contemplated including expanding the centre and creating a verandah-picnic area over looking one of the lakes or going upwards and adding a second storey to the building.

I spent almost 3 hours at the reserve and although it was quiet given the time of year, I did enjoy watching 6 Common Terns - 4 adults and 2 juveniles that had been bred on the reserve. They were skillfuly fishing and calling to each other noisily.

A solitary Buzzard made an appearance and sent masses of BH Gulls and Lapwing into the air and there was a pair of nesting Great Crested Grebe with a juvenile in tow.

Sightings for the day were:

Coot
Mallard
Moorhen
Tufted duck
GC Grebe
Lapwing
BH Gull
Herring Gull
Starling
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Common Tern
Reed Warbler
Buzzard
Canada geese
Mute Swan
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Teal
Great tit
Long-tailed tit
Robin
Blackbird
Wood pigeon
Blue tit
Goldfinch
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/353-rspb-sandwell-valley-birmingham-3.html Brandon Marsh, near Coventry 2 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/352-brandon-marsh-near-coventry-2.html Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:42:51 GMT It's hard to believe that almost 15 months have passed since my first visit to Brandon Marsh. It was the day after the birth of my nephew, Nathan, I struggled with a hangover in the heat, taking very shaky photo's and feeling sorry for myself!!

I've just returned from the West Midlands for Nathan's Christening. I'm happy to report that he is now a wriggling, giggling, non-stop baby machine only content with ripping off Uncle Alan's glasses and trying to poke me in the eye with them - all I wanted was a cuddle:D

The following day, Monday 9th August, I made the 25 minute bus journey from my parents home to the edge of Coventry, then a 30 minute walk along Brandon Lane to the reserve.

It was a gloriously hot day with just the right amount of breeze, having travelled from Lancashire I was relieved it was no longer raining.

My first stop was the John Baldwin and the Wright Hides overlooking the East Marsh Pools. There was the usual suspects at this time of year - Mallards, Coots, Canada and Greylag geese and Lapwing etc. On the two man-made rafts were three Common Tern which I enjoyed watching fishing for a while.

Next I went to the Teal Pool Hide which was over-run with Mallard! I sat for a while to check if anything else was about and saw Moorhen, a few Grey Herons and Black-headed Gulls. A very distant wader was being harrassed by a Moorhen and I was delighted to find it was a Green Sandpiper. On the distant reed beds I could just about make out a Reed Warbler as it flitted between the reeds.

I then moved along to the Carlton Hide and was rewarded with a 2nd Green Sandpiper that was almost in front of the hide, much closer than the 1st bird. It bobbed about, feeding quite happily near some Lapwings and 3 Grey Herons.

I then made a visit to the River Pool and Steetley Hides, but nothing of note was seen from here.

If anyone is interested/planning a visit or just wants to know what I'm talking about, here's a link to a map of the reserve followed by a link to the 'unofficial' web site.

http://www.brandonbirding.co.uk/MapOfReserve.htm
http://www.brandonbirding.co.uk/index.asp

I had a well earned rest in the visitors centre, next to a concrete slab with David Attenborough's footprints and signature embedded in it to commemorate his opening the reserve in 1992, and then made the arduous walk back into Coventry and the bus home.

Sightings for the day were:

Great tit
Blue tit
Blackbird
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Robin
Coot
Moorhen
Mallard
Canada geese
Greylag geese
Mute Swan
Grey Heron
Lapwing
Reed Warbler
Great Crested Grebe
Tufted ducks
Jay
BH Gull
LBB Gull
Common Tern
Green Sandpiper
Attached Thumbnails
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