Birding UK and Ireland Forum - Blogs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Birding UK and Ireland Bird Forum en Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:59:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Birding UK and Ireland Forum - Blogs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ RSPB Inner Marsh Farm/Burton Marsh,Cheshire. http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/288-rspb-inner-marsh-farm-burton-marsh-cheshire.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:22:07 GMT We arrived at Burton Marsh to find it awash with lovely warm Spring sunshine and alive to the sounds of bird song,an exciting start was made even... We arrived at Burton Marsh to find it awash with lovely warm Spring sunshine and alive to the sounds of bird song,an exciting start was made even better by the views of good numbers of Mute Swan,Canada and Greylag Geese,Wigeon and Teal.
A stunning male Garganey was soon spotted his distinctive white eyeflash standing out in the sunlight,a seriously smart bird and one we were delighted to see again!
We decided to walk along the stone marsh path and enjoy the views into North Wales and the heath/farmland terrain on either side of it and here we had great views of Linnets and their twittery jerky flights as they zig zagged along just keeping ahead of us until a sudden rise into the blue sky and they were away out of sight over the now heat hazed shimmering marsh.
Skylarks were singing in the distance and a stunning male Stonechat alighted onto a stone wall bill stuffed with nesting material before being welcomed back onto the marsh by it's mate with a flick of a tail.

Moving on to Inner Marsh Farm we were delighted to be greeted by the racous calling of a large Rookery in the process of being built in the large trees behind the car park.
Continuing down the path through the reserve the views here are spectacular and Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit were present in good numbers amongst the bracken and stubbly fields of last years crops.
Arriving at the always busy hide in which we were lucky to get a seat we soon spotted about 30 Pintails another of my favourite ducks,along with Black Tailed Godwit,Little Egret,Goldeneye and Wigeon.We didn't stay too long in the hide,I don't like birding elbow to elbow so headed back up through the woods where we got a good view of a pair of Raven and as we reached the top a flock of 100+ Pink Footed Geese arrived on the water amidst a cacophony of noise and a calamity of wings and feet,a stunning sight and sound!
All in all it was a grand day on the marsh!

Burton.
Garganey
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Mute Swan
Shoveler
Teal
Wigeon
Stonechat
Linnet
Curlew
Lapwing
Buzzard
Kestrel
Heron
Coot
Wren Starling
Shelduck.

IMF.
Pintail
Black Tailed Godwit
Teal
Little Egret
Shoveler
Canada Goose
Pink Footed goose
Greylag Goose
Wigeon
Redshank
Kestrel
Buzzard
Lapwing
Mallard
Goldeneye
Shelduck
Oystercatcher
Raven
Wren
C.Crow
Rook
Meadow Pipit
Reed Bunting
Heron
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird.
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/288-rspb-inner-marsh-farm-burton-marsh-cheshire.html Marbury Country Park,Cheshire http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/287-marbury-country-park-cheshire.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:53:31 GMT After a busy day spent in the garden we decided to give our backs a rest and stretch our legs with a late afternoon walk at Marbury.Walking through... After a busy day spent in the garden we decided to give our backs a rest and stretch our legs with a late afternoon walk at Marbury.Walking through the gates and down the old mansion house drive we saw Goldcrests,Chaffinches and Long Tailed Tits on the edge of the conifer wood.
The Spring light was slowly fading and the Mere taking on a pinkish hue as we walked alongside,the reserve was almost empty and the peace and quiet all encompassing.
Goldeneye,Tufted,Great Crested Grebes and Canada and Greylag Geese were all present as well as 2 Common Gulls amongst the smaller Black Headed.
The Heronry on the far side was beginning to be re-built with Herons landing ungainly in the tall tree tops,a sight that still looks strange to me!
2 Raven passed over the mere and we had good views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the wood feeding station where the Squirrels again stole the show!

Robin
Goldcrest
Chaffinch
Long Tailed tit
Blue tit
Great Tit
Coal tit
Nuthatch
Greylag Geese
Canada Geese
Coot
G.C.Grebe
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Heron
moorhen
Shelduck
Mallard
Buzzard
G.S.Woodpecker
Raven
Blackbird
Common Gull
Black Headed Gull
Magpie
C.Crow
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove.
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/287-marbury-country-park-cheshire.html Photograph,s Noord Brabant http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/286-photograph-s-noord-brabant.html Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:01:43 GMT Photographs showing places in and around Noord [ North ] Brabant
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]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/286-photograph-s-noord-brabant.html Geese and other things http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/284-geese-other-things.html Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:52:52 GMT The tagged geese are getting more and more interesting its now clear from Berend Voslambers from SOVON NEDERLAND that they really should have... The tagged geese are getting more and more interesting
its now clear from Berend Voslambers from SOVON NEDERLAND that they really should have three letters my photographs show just two XX and ZX in fact they should read TXX and TZX
Ive been directed to http://www.geese.org to continue the investigation but unfortunately there is a problem with my registeration which I hope will be corrected in due course
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]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/284-geese-other-things.html Cheshire/Fields Lanes http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/283-cheshire-fields-lanes.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:25:22 GMT A wonderfully sunny Spring morning had me ignoring my housework,picking up my camera and disappearing through my woods and over the fields and... A wonderfully sunny Spring morning had me ignoring my housework,picking up my camera and disappearing through my woods and over the fields and country lanes near to my house!
The wood was alive with bird song,fresh new shoots were emerging from beneath the sodden,rotting leaves of autumn and I could almost sense the relief at the end of a cruel and harsh winter.
Woodpigeons number over 100 here,I often see them all take to the air from my living room,a staggering sight as they seem to fill the window! Magpies were flying purposefully with nest building sticks in their bills and Carrion Crows were busily feeding in pairs.
The fields were looking new,green and verdant with grass and crops also emerging from the long winter hibernation too!
Yellowhammers were singing their "bread & cheese" songs in the hedgerows along with Great Tits,Robins and Dunnocks also serenading me as I walked along feeling the long forgotten feeling of the warmth of the sun on my back.
Nothing at all special but a wonderful morning to be out and about,Spring has indeed sprung!

Woodpigeon
Magpie
C.Crow
Chaffinch
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
House Sparrow
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/283-cheshire-fields-lanes.html Delamere Forest,Cheshire. http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/281-delamere-forest-cheshire.html Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:40:53 GMT We at last had a break in the weather so decided to try again for the Crossbills at Delamere,the rain was still falling as we arrived but not as... We at last had a break in the weather so decided to try again for the Crossbills at Delamere,the rain was still falling as we arrived but not as heavy and really only nuisance value on bins etc.We set off along Bakers Way and soon heard the Crossbill calls but only to see a possible flock disappear to another part of the forest.

Undeterred we continued along the way and had good views of a noisy pair of Jays,Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest before again picking up the Crossbills calls.This time we got lucky and a wonderful male was sat on top of a Larch Tree calling loudly,we had a few good minutes observing the stunning brick red colour and the distinct bill before he flew off leaving us thrilled and delighted!

On the way back to the visitor centre we found 2 productive fields containing Fieldfare,Redwing,S.Thrush and Mistle Thrush along with a mixed flock of Finches and 2 Grey Wagtails making it a very productive and successful morning in the forest!

Crossbill
Jay
Magpie
C.Crow
Jackdaw
S.Thrush
M.Thrush
Redwing
Fieldfare
Robin
Dunnock
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Blackbird
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
B.H.Gull
Goldcrest
Nuthatch
G.Tit
B.Tit
G.S.Woodpecker
Kestrel
Woodpigeon.
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/281-delamere-forest-cheshire.html Marbury Country Park,Cheshire http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/280-marbury-country-park-cheshire.html Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:31:48 GMT We'd taken the day off to go in search of the Crossbills again but the weather put pay to that....again so instead we took ourselves and the new camera to Marbury for the afternoon.
It was still wet and windy but we had some nice views of displaying Goldeneye as well as 2 pairs of Ruddy Duck on the mere.
Siskins & Goldfinch were viewed from the mereside path hanging in the Alder trees that border the pathway and we also had nice views of Redwing on the ground in between the avenue of Lime Trees on the parkland.
A large flock of 50+ Greylag arrived noisily to join the Canada Geese and the 35+ Curlew on the far side of the water.
A good day despite the awful weather!

Bullfinch
Chaffinch
Song Thrush
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
L.T.Tit
B.Tit
G.Tit
C.Tit
Redwing
C.Crow
Nuthatch
Dunnock
Moorhen
Coot
Mallard
Tufted
Curlew
Oystercatcher
Common Gull
Teal
B.H.Gull
G.B.B.Gull
G.C.Grebe
Cormorant
Treecreeper
Siskin
Goldfinch
Ruddy Duck
Goldeneye
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Little Grebe.
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/280-marbury-country-park-cheshire.html Aldcliffe 2 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/279-aldcliffe-2.html Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:23:34 GMT There have been reports on the internet recently of a female/juvenile Smew, and 3 very obliging Water Rail at Aldcliffe, just outside Lancaster, so I... There have been reports on the internet recently of a female/juvenile Smew, and 3 very obliging Water Rail at Aldcliffe, just outside Lancaster, so I set off this morning at 7am on a quest to see them for myself.

I arrived at 8.30am. It was a cold and overcast morning with a chilly breeze, but by 11am the sun was shinning through and it turned into a glorious, warm day.

Walking through Freemans Woods there were many Great tits, Blue tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens and Woodpigeons.

I arrived at Freemans Pools and started scanning for the Smew. I was there for an hour, but no sign of it. There were however plenty of Oystercatchers, some Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, Coot, Mute Swans, Shoveler and a pair of courting Goldeneye.

In the newly planted woodland area around the pools were 2 Red Deer - a stag and a hind.

On the pools either side of the cycle path there were numerous Mallards, Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing and Grey Heron.

I was chatting with a man who was riding a bike along the path, who said he had seen the Water rail the previous week. After chatting, he rode off and stopped at the point where he had last seen them. I walked on and as I neared him, he was gesturing and pointing to let me know that the Water rail was there.

I was so nervous and excited it was unreal! I got to his location and he said, ''it was just here in the water (it was in a ditch) and has just climbed up the bank into the shrubbery.

After about 10 or 15 minutes he moved on. Determined to see a Water Rail, I stood staring at a ditch for over an hour, before losing the will to live and moving on myself. The headlines should read, ''British Rail - No service at Aldcliffe''

Along the banks of the Lune there were hoardes of Black-headed gulls and Herring gulls and I saw 3 Great Black-backed gulls, several Cormorants skimming the water, many more Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and a couple more Grey Heron.

Once I arrived at the section of path that leads to the Village of Aldcliffe in one direction and Glasson in the other, I turned around and made my return journey.

Nothing different was seen on the walk back, especially in the now hated ditch. Another scan of Freemans Pools failed to reveal the Red-headed Smew and so I trundled off to the station and my journey home.

The first two attachments are of the River Lune as seen from Freemans Pools and the last is of the cycle path.
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/279-aldcliffe-2.html Marbury Country Park,Cheshire http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/278-marbury-country-park-cheshire.html Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:36:50 GMT After another snowfall in the night we waited until a slow thaw had begun to walk around Marbury Country Park. Arriving at the hide half of the mere... After another snowfall in the night we waited until a slow thaw had begun to walk around Marbury Country Park.
Arriving at the hide half of the mere was yet again frozen with a small area over on the far side being ice free this containing large numbers of Tufted,Shelduck and 3 pairs of Goldeneye,1 pair mating.
A Kingfisher flashed over the ice towards a tree that was overhanging running water and a nice Jay was seen in the woods beyond.
I briefly heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but it came from a long way off and we saw no further sign,unfortunately!
Walking along the frozen mere large numbers of B.H Gulls were standing on the ice and while scanning them I saw 3 Common Gulls (thanks for the help with ID Robert & Mike!) ,a first for the year and for the Mere at Marbury for me,it had been a good weekend despite the weather!

Kingfisher
Jay
Robin
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Dunnock
Bullfinch
Tufted
Goldeneye
Shelduck
Canada Goose
Coot
Mallard
C.Crow
G.C.Grebe
Wren
Blackbird
Cormorant
B.H.Gull
Common Gull.
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/278-marbury-country-park-cheshire.html North Wales http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/jonny74/277-north-wales.html Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:18:11 GMT Took a trip to one of Ruth's recent destinations in North Wales. Started of at the Scoter rich Pensarn for a couple of hours sea watch. Had some great views of both Common and Velvet Scoter but no sign of any of the recent Surf Scoter that have been about. Also present were good numbers of Red throated diver of which I counted at least 8 on the water.
Moved on in the afternoon along the coast to have a scout for the Snow Buntings and Ruth's nice Black Redstart at Kinmel bay. Got the Snow Buntings, 4 of them feeding together giving great views for at least 10 minutes until flushed by a Peregrine. Didn't get to see the Black Redstart unfortunately maybe next time. Stopped at Gronant on the way home just to be greedy to see the Shore Lark thats been there the last few weeks. Just as I found the bird it was scared half to death by somebody's dog. So with the light going I called it a day on a quite tiring but really pleasant trip. And it was nice to finally feel some heat from the sun roll on spring.:)

List:
Pensarn
G C Grebe
R T Diver
R B Merganser
Common Scoter
Velvet Scoter
Oystercatcher
Curlew.

Kinmel bay
Sanderling
Redshank
Ringed Plover
Peregrine
Skylark
Snow Bunting

Gronant
Shore Lark
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]]> JONNY74 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/jonny74/277-north-wales.html Marton Mere 8 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/276-marton-mere-8.html Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:34:52 GMT I spent a freezing cold 3hrs at Marton Mere this morning after I'd fininshed work. It was very quiet, I didn't see any other birders and only a couple of walkers.

The sun was shining and it was glorious morning - but no good for birding! By the time I'd walked the length of the mere to the east, my eyes were streaming and I had sun blindness - no point searching the tree tops here.

On the way back it was much better, with the sun behind me, it was actually quite warming at times.

The hides, being shaded from the sun and open to the mere, were all freezing - like fridges, but I persevered.

My sightings for the morning were:

3 Long-eared Owls, vey well camouflaged with only 1 head visible, peering over the branches.

Many Lapwing, Crows, Woodpigeon and Starlings in the stubble fields to the east and a solitary Grey Heron standing statuesque by a hedgerow. I tried scanning for Barn and Short-eared Owls over the fields and the barn, but the sun made it a fruitless exercise.

On the mere were the regular Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Greylag geese, Canada geese, 4 Cormorants, c50 Wigeon, c20 Teal, 12 Tufted duck, 8 Shoveler duck, c100 Black-headed gulls, c10 Herring gulls, 5 Mute Swans, 6 Pochard, 5 Gadwall, and the star attraction; 3 Goldeney - 1 male and 2 females.

The woodland areas and the feeding station had many Great tits, Blue tits, 3 Greenfinch, Magpies, more Crows and Woodpigeons, 2 Collared doves, 3 Robins, 3 female and 1 male Pheasant, 2 male and 3 female Reed Buntings, 3 Dunnock, 5 Blackbirds, c15+ Chaffinch, and 4 Long-tailed tits.
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]]> alanjns http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/alanjns/276-marton-mere-8.html Anderton Nature Park,Cheshire http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/275-anderton-nature-park-cheshire.html Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:51:20 GMT After another sub zero night and with snow and ice still lying we set off for a walk through the reserve and along the River Weaver. A low wintry... After another sub zero night and with snow and ice still lying we set off for a walk through the reserve and along the River Weaver.
A low wintry sun was slowly melting the icy precipitation,giving out a few warming rays and casting nice moving shadows on the dark fast flowing water of the river.
A Grey Wagtail was heard then spotted on the far bank along with a pair of Gadwall,unusual for the river here but most other waters in the area were frozen solid as they have been for most of the year so far!
The woods to the sides of the river were full of Tits and Finches and 2 Redwings alighted on the very top of a tall tree,it was encouraging to see some new bud growth on the tips of the branches here!
Up from the river at Haydn's Pool we saw 100 Teal and a Black Swan sitting on last years nest,maybe they'll breed again this year!
A lone Buzzard was also present along with Lapwing and Coot.
Setting off to return via the meadows we heard a Water Rail squealing but couldn't find it!
A Raven was cronking loudly and was located sitting in a tree a long way off,the distinct noise travelling well through the crisp cold air.
A nice male Bullfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen as we neared home after a good mornings walk!

Nature Park.

Grey Wagtail
Gadwall
Robin
Blue Tit
Great Tit
L.T.Tit
Bullfinch
Wren
Woodpigeon
Moorhen
Coot
Redwing
G.S.W.
Raven
C.Crow
Canada Goose

Haydn's Hide.

Teal
Buzzard
Black Swan
Lapwing
Reed Bunting
Coot
Mallard.
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]]> Twitcheruth http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/twitcheruth/275-anderton-nature-park-cheshire.html Davidmiller25 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/davidmiller25/274-davidmiller25.html Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:49:22 GMT Hi,All, Having just joined birding uk I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background. I have been... Hi,All,
Having just joined birding uk I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background.
I have been interested in photography for some years now and always wanted to take close ups of birds although I am not a bird watcher. I have recently got into studying birds and bought myself a Sigma 150-500 lens. Having never used such a long lens before ,I find that my photos are not very sharp, is this because there is insufficient light at this time of year.
Can anyone out there please give me some pointers.

Regards
David ]]> DAVIDMILLER25 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/davidmiller25/274-davidmiller25.html Davidmiller25 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/davidmiller25/273-davidmiller25.html Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:30:20 GMT Hi,All, Having just joined birding uk I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background. I have been... Hi,All,
Having just joined birding uk I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background.
I have been interested in photography for some years now and always wanted to take close ups of birds although I am not a bird watcher. I have recently got into studying birds and bought myself a Sigma 150-500 lens. Having never used such a long lens before ,I find that my photos are not very sharp, is this because there is insufficient light at this time of year.
Can anyone out there please give me some pointers.

Regards
David ]]> DAVIDMILLER25 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/davidmiller25/273-davidmiller25.html salltmarshe delph http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ruthiewren/272-salltmarshe-delph.html Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:09:25 GMT It was an icy start and at first I thought of visiting RSPB Blacktoft Sands but then thought would try a little nature reserve Saltmarshe Delph,... It was an icy start and at first I thought of visiting RSPB Blacktoft Sands but then thought would try a little nature reserve Saltmarshe Delph, tucked away near the Humber estuary. Was not disappointed. Although there was just one hide I observed a small flock of Gadwall and a gregarious group of Coot at the water there. It looked promising for future visits.
Across the road under a railway bridge lay the rest of the reserve, a little gem of older woodlland and some water areas. Here I saw Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird and Robin at various feeders which were hidden in amongst moss covered trees. The highlight was a Marsh or Willow tit (not sure which) at one of the feeders, and saw my first greenfinch this year. After a cold but very enjoyable couple of hours I returned via N.Duffield Carrs. The water here was the highest I had seen and the hide further away flooded. Went into the first hide hoping to find Pintail which I was told were there, but disappointed. Large flocks of Wigeon and a few Teal. Tree Sparrows in surrounding bushes. On a previous visit this week at a site nearer to Bubwith bridge I had observed Whooper Swans in a neighbouring field, and a Barn Owl obliged by cruising into view! On the whole plain fare, but a nice week birding. ]]> ruthiewren http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ruthiewren/272-salltmarshe-delph.html