Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Stephen Dunstan]

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

There isn't any access.

Stephen.

 

[NickPatel92]

Wo awesome pics there Cliff, especially the 1st Grebe pic!

As for Mythop you just have to view from the road verge, a little distant but plenty to see.....

 

[WyreWader]

There isn't any access.

Stephen.

As for Mythop you just have to view from the road verge, a little distant but plenty to see.....

Thanks guys

Cliff

 

[Neil UK]

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

I parked up yesterday on the verge/pavement right next to the marsh, didnt get any complaints from the guys working there currently or the large property next to it. Maybe if its constantly used I can see people complaining.

Little grebe and 2 shelducks appeared there yesterday on my way home from work.

 

[Neil UK]

Just wondered if anyone would be interested in getting involved in a website/blog dedicated to Marton Mere/Stanley Park... ?

I'm quite happy to set it all up, if interested then please email me or post here. (email in profile)

Thanks
Neil

 

[mikfoz]

Popping up to Marton Mere today in the bright sunshine, so if you get up there yourself, feel free to say, "Hi!" I'll be the one with the Bigma and the grey hair.

 

[WyreWader]

Popping up to Marton Mere today in the bright sunshine, so if you get up there yourself, feel free to say, "Hi!" I'll be the one with the Bigma and the grey hair.

I may well bump into you, although I'm nursing a stinking hangover at the moment B .

I was there on Friday afternoon, when i got good views of 3 Chiffchaff & 2 Med gulls (all pointed out to me by a birder called Frank - thanks if you're looking in :t, along with 7 Great Crested Grebes, a Sparrowhawk & 4 Goldeneye.

I've added a few photos (there are dozens more on my website).

Regards

Cliff

 

[NickPatel92]

That double Med shot Cliff is a cracker.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

The Marton Mere regulars on here may be interested to know there was a Common Scoter on there tonight, only the second time I have seen one here (though I also saw one on the ornamental pond of the De Vere Hotel a few years back also).

Stephen.

 

[NickPatel92]

Annual returnin Siskins paid a visit today (it's always march). i know there always seems to be quite a few around this sort of time, lookin at other peoples sightins.

more on the blog.

 

[WyreWader]

The Marton Mere regulars on here may be interested to know there was a Common Scoter on there tonight, only the second time I have seen one here (though I also saw one on the ornamental pond of the De Vere Hotel a few years back also).

Stephen.

Thanks Stephen - after reading that I think I may have photographed a female Common Scoter @ Marton Mere this afternoon, at the time I thought I was photographing a female Ruddy Duck, but now you've mentioned Scoters it could well have been. Last year (29/06/08) I photo'd a male & female Common Scoter at Marton Mere & again was confused at the time thinking it was a female Ruddy Duck next to a Coot |:$| I really must get my eyes seen to.

**a quick edit - I'll have to process todays Scoter/Ruddy Duck photo tomorrow as I'm too knackered now

Annual returnin Siskins paid a visit today (it's always march.

Well done getting Siskins in your garden (again :C ) Nick, I'm very envious, I keep looking closely at our Goldfinch but no matter how much I squint I can't get a Siskin out of them.

Regards

Cliff

 

[SiG]

the Bigma

Do we presume this is some kind of woolyback speak for an optical device?

B

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Long-Tailed Duck at Upper Foulridge Reservoir yesterday. And having seen it, it's a smashing bird!!!

Also red-throated diver as well for its 31st day.

 

[ivywall]

Hi all!
Just had a treat in our garden - a brambling stuffing its face with dehulled sunflowers. Probably on its way 'home' soon.
Blow me but as we were looking through the window our 5 siskins came down - they've been about a couple of weeks ago so must remember we're here. There seems to be only one male so perhaps it's a family group?
A few weeks ago we had a fieldfare too.

I was going to go out to the hide in the garden with my camera but the next door neighbour has decided to power wash his decking and furniture so nothing is there now! Grrrr

Pat

 

[ivywall]

Not the best of images - siskins from a couple of weeks ago.


Pat

 

[derekg]

No Siskins :C but have noticed the Chiffchaff :t:are back locally. Did see a Whitethroat locally last year so hoping it will be back again.

What are you putting out on your feeders to attract Goldfinch and Siskin?
I put out peanuts and black sunflower seed and only seem to attract Blue, Great, Coal and the odd Long Tailed Tit. Not even the local sparrow population is interested.


Derek

 

[ivywall]

No Siskins :C but have noticed the Chiffchaff :t:are back locally. Did see a Whitethroat locally last year so hoping it will be back again.

What are you putting out on your feeders to attract Goldfinch and Siskin?
I put out peanuts and black sunflower seed and only seem to attract Blue, Great, Coal and the odd Long Tailed Tit. Not even the local sparrow population is interested.


Derek

Derek - it costs us a blooming fortune!! I think they have bird directional signs that say- 'Only the best free grub here' LOL The feeders are in 2 apple trees so they feel safe there.
The dehulled sun flower seeds are the draw for all the finches and the siskins.
We have bog standard mixed seeds for the hoi poloi , apples for the thrushes and blackbirds (got a field fare once with apples), peanuts for allsorts, sometimes mealworm for the robins,starlings (grr) etc.
The reed buntings seem to like 'British finch seed' strangely enough - and the finches ignore it! Sometimes OH makes a lard seed cake and they occasionally get those suet pellets. We sometimes get a GS woodpecker - we drilled some holes in branches to stick peanuts in - one day we forgot so she picked them up and stuck them in herself!

We've been putting out regularly for well over 6 years now and where we live is a bit diverse and countryfied so I suppose it helps.

Pat

 

[NickPatel92]

No Siskins :C but have noticed the Chiffchaff :t:are back locally. Did see a Whitethroat locally last year so hoping it will be back again.

What are you putting out on your feeders to attract Goldfinch and Siskin?
I put out peanuts and black sunflower seed and only seem to attract Blue, Great, Coal and the odd Long Tailed Tit. Not even the local sparrow population is interested.


Derek

Try nijer

 

[NickPatel92]

Not the best of images - siskins from a couple of weeks ago.


Pat

"Not the Best"! Not the worst either - great shots.

 

[WyreWader]

Some lovely photos there Pat, I love the first siskin photo, what beautiful markings :t:.

Sightings from the last couple of days for me included

Monday 30/03 - Todderstaffe Hall - approx 10 x Tree Sparrows, along with 4 or 5 each of Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blue Tit & Great tit plus a couple of Robins. Also, 1 x Little Egret from the slipway at Fluke Hall Lane & 4 x Red legged Partridge also at Fluke Hall Lane.

Tuesday 31/03 - Marton Mere, 2 x Med Gulls, 5 x Great Crested Grebes & what is likely to be the Common Scoter referred to by Stephen above - I've attached a very distant record shot of it, I'm not sure if it helps to id it though.

Weds 01/04 - River Brock nr Bilsborrow, 1 Dipper (probably 2, but it/they really gave me the runaround) & 2 x Grey Wagtails.

Along with the Scoter I've attached a few other shots.

Regards

Cliff