February 17th
I’ve been kind of putting this one off, given our ill fortune trying to all get views of the Kingsbury Dusky, but today I bit the bullet. Given its wayward habits and high dip potential I was mighty relieved when, after barely any wait at all, the Leigh Blyth’s Reed Warbler gave itself up, foraging low in its favoured bramble bank, calling occasionally. Over a forty minute period it showed three times and we all obtained decent views, although it never sat still enough for thorough scrutiny (or photos, evidence attached!)
Our next target was Taiga Bean Goose, one of which seemed to have been reasonably faithful to a Pink-foot flock at Eagland Hill. Unfortunately, on arrival, there was no sign of any Geese, and quite a few people were out on the fields (not birders I don’t think, farmers maybe, or shooters). I wasn’t really up for spending several hours seeking out Goose flocks to scan through, so given the absence of the Eagland Hill flock we decided to go and look for other stuff.
First off, Bewick’s Swans, with a couple of small parties recently reported nearby off Moss Lane near Upper Thurnham. It seemed that the two small parties reported hand banded together, as we found a herd of ten north of the road, with a few slightly larger herds of Whoopers dotted about too. We stopped here to nose-bag for a bit, and in between sausage rolls I glanced up to see a Hare sitting in the middle of the road! Nice bonus!
Various options of what to go for next, but the boys’ choice was Waxwing, two of which had been hanging around Scotforth, a southern extension of Lancaster. Off we go then, quickly located Lentworth Drive and started scanning tree tops. In trees opposite number 30 was the suggested venue, but no joy here, so I suggested the boys let off steam in a nearby playground, and while they hit the climbing frames I patrolled the road looking for Waxwings. After half an hour with no sign we decided to head off, so it was back to the car and off we go. A few hundred yards up the road I caught sight of a familiar silhouette out of the corner of my eye, hit the brakes, and there, in a small berry tree, were the two Waxwings. I checked the house number so I could report it correctly, and it was number 30! Hang on, thinks I, that was way back down the road wasn’t it? No, turns out Lentworth Drive segues seamlessly into Claughton Drive half way down; I’d been staking out the wrong number 30! Still, no harm no foul, Waxwings in the bag, off we go again.
One last stop on the way home. Tempted by reports of up to 40 Water Pipits at Warton Bank we swung by that way, but drew a blank. Someone on site reckoned they only really turn up back end of the day, pre roost sort of thing, which seems reasonable given the high numbers involved. We ended up settling for Great White Egret & a couple of ringtail Hen Harriers out on the saltmarsh and a year tick Cattle Egret showing well in amongst a load of Littles in a cow field on our way out. Today it felt like, after a couple of false starts, we properly started the year.