Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[derekg]

Spent this evening down at brockholes quarry after both hearing and reading so much about the Whimbrel roost at this time of year. I know I reported the other day having seen a flock but now I'm not so sure. They look and sound more like Curlew to me. Has anyone been down there or know of anyone who has been down there and ID them. I took some photos but with it being dusk and the fact they where roosting a fair distance I couldn't get a true ID though the I did hear a Curlews call on several occasions. Your help would be appreciated.

Apart from the 25 Curlew / Whimbrel I saw 50 sand martin (a lifer for me), reed bunting, wren, rook, shovler, mute swan, Canada geese, little grebe, tufted duck, mallard, coot, moorhen, and common sandpiper (distant ID so not 100%)

Derek

 

[oncebittern]

Peregrines (3) were showing well again today at Warton Crag. Also Ravens and a Sparrowhawk.

Carried on to Leighton Moss, and from the roadside pull-in by the Egret roost (counted 9 Egrets), was rewarded with my first Marsh Harrier of the year, dropping down into the reeds at dusk :king:

 

[NickPatel92]

Had dream views of a pair of Peregrine today in a much closer place to home than Warton. Peregrines are awesome. also nice pics steve.

 

[mikfoz]

By the way, just rememebered. Last Sunday Sand Martins had returned to us at Marton Mere.

Also (update) I heard the first Cuckoo of the year this morning just after I posted this message the first time.

 

[derekg]

Also (update) I heard the first Cuckoo of the year this morning just after I posted this message the first time.

Where did you hear the Cuckoo Mik? Haven't seen one as yet though heard a few over the years. Do you know of a regular place for them?

Derek

 

[mikfoz]

I was just sat in my lounge at home and had to stick my head out of the front door to check my sanity.

It wasn't close so it could have been anywhere, really, seeing as there's a surprising amount of woodland in Blackpool. I'm putting my money on Stanley Park or the woodland up the side of the Zoo drive next to the golf course. Possibly getting ready to pounce on some of the reed beds as we have one heck of a Reed Warbler population come the summer.

 

[sgflynn]

Derek, it's a few weeks too early for the Whimbrel so it will be Curlew that you saw. The time for the Whimbrel is the last couple of weeks in in April. Access to the site is currently restricted due to the work being done by Lancs Wildlife Trust but last year access was arranged specifically for the Whimbrel roost with the gate being opened in the evening for visitors. I am not sure if the same arrangements are going to be made for this April but I will find out and post an update to this thread.

 

[derekg]

Derek, it's a few weeks too early for the Whimbrel so it will be Curlew that you saw. The time for the Whimbrel is the last couple of weeks in in April. Access to the site is currently restricted due to the work being done by Lancs Wildlife Trust but last year access was arranged specifically for the Whimbrel roost with the gate being opened in the evening for visitors. I am not sure if the same arrangements are going to be made for this April but I will find out and post an update to this thread.

Thanks, headed down there again tonight for half an hour just to confirm what I thought with a friend and they are Curlew. About 40+ there tonight plus the same as last night though not as many sand martin (30) and they only turned up at about half six when I was leaving. Also saw a lone barnical goose amongst the canada geese.

Cuerden Park this morning for a couple of hours were sightings included Tree Creeper 2, Nuthatch 2, dunnock, wren, chaffinch, mistle thrush, jay, coot, moorhen, canada geese, mallard, great crested grebe, blue and great tit, blackbird, rook, carrion crow, magpie, jackdaw.

Out with the dogs this evening 3 oyster catcher. The local pair seemed to have picked up a friend.

Derek

 

[NickPatel92]

By the way, just rememebered. Last Sunday Sand Martins had returned to us at Marton Mere.

Also (update) I heard the first Cuckoo of the year this morning just after I posted this message the first time.

1st Cuckoo! cool, did you hear it "cuckooing" (????) that officically marks the beginning of spring in Bird world apparently.

 

[mikfoz]

1st Cuckoo! cool, did you hear it "cuckooing" (????) that officically marks the beginning of spring in Bird world apparently.

8-P That's how I knew it was a Cuckoo 8-P

Joking apart, I was a bit gobsmacked and had to really double check my ears for "wishful thinking on a Woodpigeon syndrome" but it really was. It's years since I heard one but you never forget.

 

[WyreWader]

and had to really double check my ears for "wishful thinking on a Woodpigeon syndrome" but it really was.

or possibly a Collared Dove, which are cooo-coo-coo'ing away like good 'uns in a morning at the moment??

 

[oncebittern]

I've just uploaded some video of one of the Peregrines at Warton Crag on the 21st:

http://www.birdforum.tv/members/action/viewvideo/1433/Peregrine/

 

[mikfoz]

or possibly a Collared Dove, which are cooo-coo-coo'ing away like good 'uns in a morning at the moment??

Nope. I've heard plenty of Collared Doves as we have a pair making out in our garden at the moment and this was a definite cuck--koo with the crazy extreme two-tone notes.

 

[Jaff]

Nope. I've heard plenty of Collared Doves as we have a pair making out in our garden at the moment and this was a definite cuck--koo with the crazy extreme two-tone notes.

Or a very talented Starling? :-O

 

[WyreWader]

Sightings from the last two days: -

23/03/09
Marton Mere - there was such a strong/cold wind blowing I didn't bother with the mere itself, instead spending 30 mins in the much more sheltered feeder hide watching all the usual suspects, which included probably 3 or 4 each of male & female Reed Bunting, lots of Chaffinch & probably 3 or 4 Greenfinch, numerous Tits, Dunnock & Woodpigeon & a few Pheasants skulking about.

24/03/09
Fairhaven Lake - 1 x Little Grebe

Newton Marsh - approx a dozen each of Wigeon & Teal, 20+ Shelduck in the fields (along with 1 Brown Hare) & 2 x Oystercatchers.

Marton Mere - 7 Great crested Grebes (certainly the most I've seen here, although I note on Fylde bird clubs sightings there was a count of 12 GCG's a few days ago :eek!, 2 x Pied wagtails, 2 x Gadwall, 6 x Cormorant, 2 x male & 2 x female Goldeneye (which included a mating couple which I got some distant/dodgy record shots of), lots of Tufted Ducks & a few Shoveler.

I've attached a few photos (including a garden Goldfinch) from yesterday.

Cheers

Cliff

 

[Neil UK]

Hope to get back to Marton Mere Monday, not been for a fair few weeks now, even though I just live over the road.

As anyone visited that natural marsh that has appeared on Mythop Road on the left just after Chain Lane (see on map below)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?near=...4909,-2.973218&spn=0.009466,0.019226&t=h&z=16

Seems to have a few interesting little waders on there, but must admit I havent stopped to view yet.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

It is referred to as Mythop Grange flood and birds on it or around it in recent years have included Pectoral Sandpipers (two together), several Wood Sandpipers and Garganeys, Little Ringed Plovers and Greenland White-fronted Goose. So it is always worth a look, though being right next to a road and near Marton Mere it is quite intensively watched for a farm field!

Stephen.

 

[NickPatel92]

There's a friendly (obliging) Great crested grebe down at Preston docks.

more on the blog...

 

[WyreWader]

It is referred to as Mythop Grange flood and birds on it or around it in recent years have included Pectoral Sandpipers (two together), several Wood Sandpipers and Garganeys, Little Ringed Plovers and Greenland White-fronted Goose. So it is always worth a look, though being right next to a road and near Marton Mere it is quite intensively watched for a farm field!

Stephen.

Is there any access to the above or is it a question of parking up near Chain Lane & watching from the grass verge?

 

[WyreWader]

There's a friendly (obliging) Great crested grebe down at Preston docks.

more on the blog...

Hi Nick - I had an enjoyable lunchbreak at Marton Mere yesterday photographing a pair of GC Grebes that were sheltering from the very strong winds close to the reed bed, near where the duck feeding platforms are.

I braved the wind for 30 mins & got some decent photos, along with shots of a Pied Wagtail, a Grey Heron & three of the few remaining Teal on a fly by battling against the wind.

Cheers

Cliff