http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Birding UK and Ireland Bird Forum en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:11:35 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/428-eccup-challange.html Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:35:38 GMT Managed to get to Eccup to day,have been of work,had a operation on my hand so to day was the first time I could drive safely. Parked at the farm... Managed to get to Eccup to day,have been of work,had a operation on my hand so to day was the first time I could drive safely.

Parked at the farm and did the walk round the back of the fields towards Emmerdale,didn't think I would see much as things have been very quiet just lately.But 36+ different species later I had had a good morning.

On the track I saw a new bird 90% sure it was a Whinchat,didn't manage to get a photo so I will not record it till I'm sure (will have to go back) Have checked and it is on the Eccup 100 list so they have been seen there before.

Met lots of nice people on my walk and they all stopped for a chat,one couple live local,he was telling me how the Barn Owl follows him on a night when walking the dog,they have Little Owls sitting on there garden wall,and just last week were we were stood the trees were full of flocks of birds singing away!(didn't know what they were)

Down at the waters edge it was nice to see the Little Ringed Plovers had breaded,there was five all together,saw my first Tern for the year and the Shellduck chicks were out on the water


Birds seen to day

Yellowhammer Carrion Crow Jackdaw Wood pigeon
Swift Swallow House Martin Skylark Curlew Blackbird
Great Tit Black-headed Gull Kestrel Red Kite Chaffinch
Chiffchaff Treecreeper House Sparrow Tree Sparrow
Goldfinch Little Ringed Plover Jay Pied Wagtail
Gray Wagtail Mallard Great Crested Grebe Wren
Common Tern Shelducks Lapwing Red-legged Partridge
Pheasant Starling Greylag Geese Willow Warbler Robin ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/428-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/416-eccup-challange.html Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:29:00 GMT Nice and sunny this morning so did the walk round the waters edge. It was good to see some of the birds back,Redshank, common-sandpiper,... Nice and sunny this morning so did the walk round the waters edge.
It was good to see some of the birds back,Redshank,
common-sandpiper, Oyster-catcher and there was two pairs of Shelducks.
Just through the gate I spotted the Green Wood pecker,managed to get a good photo,there were a few birds out on the water,Great Crested Grebes, Tufted ducks and plenty of Herons.There was only a few Greylag Geese not like the hundreds last year(might have been culled again)
Saw two Red-legged Partridges a first for Eccup,there was thousands of black fly out not very pleasant,so made my way home,had seen 40 different species of birds in my 3hr. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/416-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/413-eccup-challange.html Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:00:29 GMT Have made a list of the birds I have seen at Eccup on my Gmail documents, I have put the last three years down 2009-2011 and now can tick of the... Have made a list of the birds I have seen at Eccup on my Gmail documents, I have put the last three years down 2009-2011 and now can tick of the dates when I have seen them, which is much easer than going through my Field notes. So the official number is 65 different species seen so far at Eccup. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/413-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/347-eccup-challange.html Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:24:09 GMT The night before we had gone to Eccup in the evening hoping to spot the Barn Owl no luck but there was alot of Yellowhammers about.The walk takes... The night before we had gone to Eccup in the evening hoping to spot the Barn Owl no luck but there was alot of Yellowhammers about.The walk takes about 2hrs all way round so when I went on Friday morrning I was not up to the long walked so found a spot to park the car at the top end of the reservoir.Here is were the water board takes the water,you can look out over the water,at one end there is a "sandy"shore.

Along the waters edge there were Pied Wagtails and Gray Wagtails feeding, I could see some other small birds a Ringed Plover a first for me,thanks to Chaz we think it was a Little Ringed Plover.Some men came to cut the grass so i moved on,there was a flash of blue a little bird following the waters edge,Kingfisher another new bird,good start to the day.Watching the Wagtails i noticed another bird,Common Sandpiper add that to the list.
The Geese and Comarants were all out sunning them selfs,got a good luck at the Redshanks and the young Shellduck.Back up the little track saw some Willow Warblers and alot of Medow Brown Butterflies about,how time flys when you are having fun the 3hrs i was there never gose this fast at work which is were i had to go:(

New birds for the list...

Little Ringed Plover..
Common SAndpiper..
Willow Warbler..
Kingfisher.. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/347-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/344-eccup-challange.html Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:00:42 GMT Going to sell my house and live on Eccup reseviour bird watching for the rest of my life... Sat on the waters edge with a coffee watching the... Going to sell my house and live on Eccup reseviour bird watching for the rest of my life...
Sat on the waters edge with a coffee watching the birds,the water a deep blue,sun shining,lined by trees swaying in the wind,life can be good..I wanted to bottle it up and give it to sad people...

Enough of that back to the challange..
Of the long road towards were the House Martins are there was Hares in the corn fields,alot of young Tree Sparrows and the sky was full of Swifts.At the water hole saw my first Greenfinch..
On to the waters edge i could see the geese at the other side of the lake,there was a large group of Tufted Ducks,and four Oystercatchers to day.Saw my first Redshank among the Lapwings and about ten Cormorants.

Along the trees that line the lake I saw my first Goldcrest,also there was Blue Tits,Coal Tits and the Tree Creeper was there,had a good sighting of the Jay but no Woodpeckers to day.On the way back saw my first Common Whitthroat at Eccup...
It was a good day,there was alot of Yellowhammers about and Red kites,did see another bird of pray flying over,had the shape of a Peregrine,sharp-winged and short tail but do we get them round here!!

New for the list....
Redshank.
Goldcrest.
Common White Throat. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/344-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/342-eccup-challange.html Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:39:38 GMT To day was good and bad... Took the long road and made my way to the waters edge,yet again the birds were on the other side to me:confused:There was... To day was good and bad...
Took the long road and made my way to the waters edge,yet again the birds were on the other side to me:confused:There was a large group of Tuffed ducks to day,watched the Geese on the other side for a bit and managed to see the Bar-headed Goose,decided to walk round the edge as it was to hot to sit,saw a Treecreeper and The Shelducks out on the water they have two young.Walked on and saw a young Great Spotted Woodpecker a new one for the list,my camera was having a strop and every photo seemed bad,the sun on the water making it hard to take photos,saw my first Coot and Moorhen at Eccup and a few birds I was not sure what they were.Half way round I saw two men in the wood:eek:I didn't fancy going past them so had to walk the whole way back... Then I saw the Green Woodpecker a first for me and Eccup,reached for my Bins and they were not in my bag:(I had put them down some were:mad: Didn't have the time or the strength to go back looking for them.Made my way back to the road and walked back to the car... so a day of two halves...

New birds for list..
Moorhen.
Coot.
Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Green Woodpecker. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/342-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/341-eccup-challange.html Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:57:39 GMT Had the day off so was up at Eccup for 8.30 before it got to hot,didn't go to the lake to day but took the walk on the other side which takes you through open farm land past were they film Emmerdale,past wild medows and back pass woods and small coppice woods...
Plenty of Swifts and Swallows,Yellowhammers,and Skylarks singing their heads off..Met up with a lady who was doing the same walk,she said she comes most days and yesterday the farmer was cutting his crop,above the field there was up to 16 Red Kites following the farmer hoping for a meal,I would have payed to see that...
We walked together for a while chatting when we saw a large white bird take of out of the coppice and land round the corner,we said good by and I went to have a look,there sat on a post at 10 in the morning was a Barn Owl,managed to take a "blurred" photo before it flew of into the wood:(
New birds for the list...
Barn Owl (first for me)
Linnet..
Both these birds were not on the 100 birds spotted at Eccup. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/341-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/340-eccup-challange.html Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:23:16 GMT Had a few hours this morning so went to Eccup,the weather was not great and in the end I did get rained off. Managed to find a spot were you can get... Had a few hours this morning so went to Eccup,the weather was not great and in the end I did get rained off.
Managed to find a spot were you can get down to the waters edge:rolleyes:
The Geese numbers seem to be back up,after the cule last year, with pleanty of Cannada Geese,Graylag and White Geese.There was four Herons lining the bank and I saw one Comorant (they are always at the other side of the lake no matter which side I go to:eek:)There was up to six Great crested Grebe that I could see but no young,and Red Kites flying round.
New for the list were....
Common Tern.
Swans.
Oystercatcher.
Shelduck.(still need to I.D photo)
There was also Swifts feeding of the lake.:D ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/340-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/314-eccup-challange.html Sun, 02 May 2010 14:42:09 GMT Managed to get back to Eccup to day the first time this year. They have been cutting trees down round the edge of the lake so you can see right... Managed to get back to Eccup to day the first time this year.
They have been cutting trees down round the edge of the lake so you can see right through to the water.They have also mended the fence around the edge so you can't get to the water which was a shame but to be fair it dose belong to the Water board and the water edge was not realy open to the public:rolleyes:
So took the long walk right round,could not see much on the lake and after speeking to a walker she said the R.S.P.A had been and culed the Geese:eek:

Did manage to see some new birds to add to my list...
Swallow
Skylark
CommonWhite Throat
Curlew

That brings the list up to 39 of the 100 list (still a bit to go)

Other birds seen to day...
Coal Tit,Dunnock,Lapwing,Treecreeper,Blackbird,Yellowha mmer,Chaffinch,Canada Goose,Red Kite,Robin,Mallard,Carrion Crow,Tree Sparrow,Wood pigeon. ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/314-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/210-eccup-challange.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:41:27 GMT 6.11.09 Well the bird from yesterday turned out to be a Goldeneye,a first for me. This morning at Eccup it was cold,made my way along the little... 6.11.09
Well the bird from yesterday turned out to be a Goldeneye,a first for me.
This morning at Eccup it was cold,made my way along the little road which has hedgerows on each side. On the other side of them is open farm land some with winter feed growing in them.Good sightings of the Pheasants stood on top of the bails of hay. Yellowhammers,Tree Sparrows and Long- Tailed Tits flying about. One field has a good flock of Lapwings in so i all ways check it out. To day i was rewarded full of Golden Plovers:D Red Kites flying about all over and Graylag Geese making there way to the lake. My favourit bit is walking down this track to the water (not realy public access:rolleyes:) It's teaming with wildlife,Blackbird,Bullfinch,Chaffinch,Bluetit,Red kites,Robbin,and Rabbit to day. Made my way back but had to stop and watch the Golden Plovers for a while:D ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/210-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/207-eccup-challange.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:29:32 GMT 5.11.09 To day was the first time it had not rained since Sunday,having withdrawal symptoms. There was no wind and the sun was shining walking... 5.11.09
To day was the first time it had not rained since Sunday,having withdrawal symptoms.
There was no wind and the sun was shining walking towards the hide,birds a bit quiet.I could see good group of birds near the hide, then i saw the man on the bike heading were i wanted to be,all the birds took off!!:(
Set my scope up near the waters edge,i was looking out for Bar-headed Goose that Cooperman had mentioned,no luck:(
It was good watching the large flock of Lapwings comming in for a wash and more gray-Lag geese turned up.
There was alot of Great-crested Grebes and saw up to 4 Goosander which is a first for me.There is another bird waiting to find out what it is.If it,s not raining in the morning going back but will look whats in the open field and hedgerows ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/207-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/202-eccup-challange.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:26:23 GMT 31.10.09 The weather man said it would be the last good day we were going to get for a while,had to go to Eccup. One of the best days,managed to... 31.10.09
The weather man said it would be the last good day we were going to get for a while,had to go to Eccup.
One of the best days,managed to see a Wigeon for the first time,and i am positive there is a Leucistic Goosander out on the water so hard to get a photo.I do like been out there on my own, but to day i wish there was another birdwatcher with me who had alot more knowledge.
New birds to day for my list were......

Wigeon
Bullfinch
Kestral ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/202-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/197-eccup-challange.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:07:13 GMT 23.10.09 Set of this morning in the rain,but dryed up by the time i reached the reserve. Got my new scope with me today and a list of birds i might... 23.10.09
Set of this morning in the rain,but dryed up by the time i reached the reserve. Got my new scope with me today and a list of birds i might see out on the water. Made my way through the trees,sun came out,no rain,no wind,oh and NO BIRDS,could not see any out on the lake.
The hide is about half way round the edge,made camp.I could hear the Geese in the Field behind the wood on the far side.
The scope is good on the far side i could see,Herons,Cormorants and alot of Gulls in the water,a big flock of Lapwings flew over the trees and four Red Kites.Got to 10.30 and had to be heading back because i was at work.Back at the far end i did spot a Treecreeper and managed to get a photo.Just then one Cannada goose flew over and i could see it had landed near the hide it made a few calls.
THEN the only way to describe the noise and the feeling was like been stood next to a large plane taking off as over 200 to 300 geese took to the skys all at the same time amazing!!! and yes they all landed in the water out side the hide:( ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/197-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/190-eccup-challange.html Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:38:55 GMT 19.10.09 Wet and dark this morrning walking round the reserve,did see the Herons near the edge of the water,but soon went when they saw me in my... 19.10.09
Wet and dark this morrning walking round the reserve,did see the Herons near the edge of the water,but soon went when they saw me in my bright blue rain coat!!!
Did try walking round the edge of the water but got stuck in the mud up to my knees:eek:(must take more care when out on my own)
There are birds out on the water but it's so big even with my bins i can't tell what they are.The best thing was the Red Kite flying over my head.Had a good two hour walk despite the lack of new birds:rolleyes: ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/190-eccup-challange.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/183-garden-birds.html Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:56:21 GMT I like to keep a eye on what birds visit my garden,taking notes in a little diary.This morning I had.... Sparrows 20+ Starlings Robbin (first... I like to keep a eye on what birds visit my garden,taking notes in a little diary.This morning I had....

Sparrows 20+
Starlings
Robbin (first one back )
Dunnok
Goldfinch
Blu Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Mistle Thrush
Collared Dove

Over head....
Crows
Gulls

Good count for me.:D ]]> amanda http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/amanda/183-garden-birds.html