Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Johnny1]

Might be for the time of year, but I had a count of at least 60 Avocets at the end of May last year, when there were also 23 nests.

I meant for the time of year with no chicks around. This time last year I had a count of only 19 avocet at Martin Mere. maybe someone out there has got some figures?

 

[derekg]

Thanks for the insight Mik its still on my wish list though can't see me getting it this year.
I've a K20D so like the K10 it has image stabilisation which is a must with my hand shake :-O

Derek

 

[ColinD]

I meant for the time of year with no chicks around. This time last year I had a count of only 19 avocet at Martin Mere. maybe someone out there has got some figures?

When I said I counted 60, I was talking about adults. There were no chicks in the count.

 

[Johnny1]

When I said I counted 60, I was talking about adults. There were no chicks in the count.

An excellent count then Colin! It is still amazing how numbers of Avocets have increased over the last five years in the North West, along with Buzzards and Little Egrets truly a success story.

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Had a great day out to Leighton Moss today- got a huge male peregrine hunting over the "auxiliary" bit of the reserve, avocets, the first sand martin of the year for me, etc etc.

Was told that Warton Crag was a good place for peregrines roosting so I went up to a "Warton Crag", which turned out to be the wrong one (i.e. the RSPB reserve-still managed to flush a green Woody though!). Went then to the real one but no joy.

Smashing views over the whole bay as the sun set! Wish I had a DSLR to do it justice!

 

[WyreWader]

I spent Saturday morning at Stanley Park, Blackpool. The Firecrest was once again very obliging, posing nicely for photographs, although only when the light was poor. The Goldcrests also only seemed to show when it was a bit on the gloomy side.
I enjoyed several sightings of Treecreepers, I never saw more than one at anyone time, but saw them at four different locations around the park & it seems there are good numbers of them.
I managed to photograph a male & female GS Woodpecker, along with a couple of Great crested Grebes, there were several Canada Geese on the lake & likewise Tufted Ducks.

I've attached a few photos, there's tons more of the Firecrest & Goldcrest on my website in the Stanley Park galleries.

Cheers

Cliff

 

[mikfoz]

Thought it was you sat by the lake as I drove back from Marton mere

Nice pics as usual.

Got some good views of Grebe up there Sat and Sun. Thery thoroughly annoyed me by doing the whole weed giving ceremony when the most I could wring out of the camera was about 1/20s exposure.

Also nipped over to Pilling. No sign of the owls but I'm in the wrong place I think. Lots of little Egrets out on the marsh as well as more wildfowl and waders than you could shake a stick at. Nice weekend, really.

This murky pic was best I could do but it was fabulous to watch. Got some nice pics for the gallery, though so feel free to mosey on over.

 

[WyreWader]

Well done getting the reed dance Mik :t: ; was that at Marton Mere or Stanley Park? If you recall I got 'em doing it at Marton Mere back on 20/01, so it's interesting to note they're still going for it - I wonder if it's new couples pairing up, or pre-existing ones renewing their vows??

I had half an hour at Marton Mere, I've never seen so many gulls on the Mere, well into the high 100's if not a thousand of them, but I didn't have the inclination to try & count them on my lunchbreak.

Notable sightings, 3 x GC Grebes, approx 20 Shoveler & likewise Tufted ducks, several Teal, 5 Mute Swans, 2 x Long-tailed Tits & 2 x Cormorant.

I've added, as I tend to do, a few shots.

Regards

Cliff

 

[grey_beard]

Was told that Warton Crag was a good place for peregrines roosting so I went up to a "Warton Crag", which turned out to be the wrong one (i.e. the RSPB reserve-still managed to flush a green Woody though!). Went then to the real one but no joy.

Warton Crag is also good for Little Owl.

 

[oncebittern]

Was told that Warton Crag was a good place for peregrines roosting...

Sure is :t:

This afternoon:

 

[mikfoz]

Well done getting the reed dance Mik :t: ; was that at Marton Mere or Stanley Park? If you recall I got 'em doing it at Marton Mere back on 20/01, so it's interesting to note they're still going for it - I wonder if it's new couples pairing up, or pre-existing ones renewing their vows??

I had half an hour at Marton Mere, I've never seen so many gulls on the Mere, well into the high 100's if not a thousand of them, but I didn't have the inclination to try & count them on my lunchbreak.

Notable sightings, 3 x GC Grebes, approx 20 Shoveler & likewise Tufted ducks, several Teal, 5 Mute Swans, 2 x Long-tailed Tits & 2 x Cormorant.

I've added, as I tend to do, a few shots.

Regards

Cliff

Yep it was on the mere. They've been pairing up consistently for a few days while I've been up there this week. There were a good half dozen there on Sunday. Also, I know what you mean about the gulls. There were stacks of them. Lots of Shovelers and quite a few Wigeon again. There were at least 9 Cormorants knocking about. The odd Teal but nowhere near the numbers we had in Feb - I think they've mostly cleared off to breed.

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Sure is

Lucky you! All I had when there was an imposing rockface and no birds except for a few blackbirds.

 

[Jaff]

Warton Crag is also good for Little Owl.

If you can find them that is. Since the Jackdaws evicted them from their usual place I've not seen them although I heard someone say they've moved further over but where seems to be known only to a few. I'm not sure if they're even still there myself.

The Peregrines will be starting to breed at Warton anyday now I'm sure.

 

[oncebittern]

If you can find them that is. Since the Jackdaws evicted them from their usual place I've not seen them although I heard someone say they've moved further over but where seems to be known only to a few.

I was talking to a chap there yesterday, and he was adamant that the Little Owl had moved round to the ledge just above the cross, but I didn't see any sign of one, so cannot confirm this. No reason to disbelieve him though.

 

[WyreWader]

Steve - cracking Peregrine photos, particularly the one perched on the crag, was that digiscoped? I've always found the Peregrines & Ravens out of range for my gear, although I did get some very close sightings (& decent photos)of the Little Owls in the summer of 2007.

My only sighting of note today was a single Short eared Owl in the usual spot near Pilling. It was a brief sighting (as the missus was with me & wasn't for hanging about) so I only got one shot worth keeping, which is added below.

Cheers

Cliff

 

[oncebittern]

Steve - cracking Peregrine photos, particularly the one perched on the crag, was that digiscoped? Cliff

Yes, it was Cliff. Swaro 80HD, plus a Nikon P5100. Conditions were great when I arrived, full sun, 2 birds happily perched in clear view etc. By the time I had got all the kit set up properly, and pointed the scope at the first bird, both of them flew off! Had to wait the best part of 2 hours before one was back on the rocks again, by which time the light was going, and a breeze had picked up :C.

Oh well, I'll just have to go back again another time...shame

BTW, that shot is the best of well over 100 that I took - the rest were mostly rubbish. :-C

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

For the Marton Mere regulars on here there were 38 Whoopers there at dusk this evening.

Stephen.

 

[derekg]

Finally caught up with our local pair of Oyster Catcher this afternoon.
(Photos below)

Also took a stroll down the Ribble by Brockholes Quarry. As I arrived approximately 30 Whimbrel flew in to roost. Also saw 6 Herron, 2 pairs of Goosander, 2 Oyster Catcher, Grey Wagtail, Mallard and Canada Geese.

 

[SiG]

Yes, it was Cliff. Swaro 80HD, plus a Nikon P5100.

Superb results. That's the same set-up I have.

 

[GlynH]

Warton crag also has a nesting pair of raven.