Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[The Actor]

Managed a quick visit up to Marton Mere this lunch time to catch the Laughing Gull.
Was amazed by the amount of Whitethroat about.

photos and more on my blog

Derek

I think that I saw this Laughing Gull, it was in amongst a few Black Headed and looked similar but different. It was near the picnic tables on the caravan side of the mere.

Is this the gull ? This is probably not the right forum for an ident so I hope that I'm not breaking a rule by asking.

 

[Jaff]

Sorry, that's another Black-headed Gull.

 

[The Actor]

Thanx, Jaff, another one bites the dust.

 

[mikfoz]

Great day out today at Mere Sands.

Got some awesome views of a Jay, a Kingfisher, several Bullfinch, all the usual waterfowl including Little Grebe and GC Grebe with young.

Nipped over to Martin Mere and got a good view of a Hen Harrier being mobbed by Lapwings, a Sparrowhawk, some Avocets and so on.

Not so bad at all.

 

[derekg]

Leighton Moss

5 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, 30+ BH Gull, Tufted Duck, Gadwall 4, Black-Tailed Godwit 70+, Shoveler, Teal, Greater Spotted, Woodpecker, LT Tit, 5 Nuthatch.

Warton Cragg

Peregrine - male, female and 1 chick. There are reported 2 chicks but only caught sight of one as the mother was on the nest whilst we were there.

Derek

More on the blog later

 

[derekg]

Great day out today at Mere Sands.

Great photos of the Bullfinch and Jay. :t:
Jays are notoriously hard to photo, I know I try regularly.

Do you know if the Kingfisher are still nesting at the Ron Barker Hide?

Derek

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Got a very similar trip to derekg today, to Leighton Moss/Warton Cragg.

Only things I have to add were the smashing food drops I saw with the nesting Marsh Harriers from the path that leads along the Public Hide, lots of Reed Warblers and a ton of Bearded Tits from the reedbeds by the hides on the right hand side.

I also managed to see the two chicks at the Crag, and in talking to the people on guard there it seems they've already had some 'interest' from rogue falconers!!!

 

[derekg]

ton of Bearded Tits from the reedbeds by the hides on the right hand side.

I also managed to see the two chicks at the Crag, and in talking to the people on guard there it seems they've already had some 'interest' from rogue falconers!!!

Still haven't seen the Bearded Tit but didn't visit the public hide today.

I was also chatting to one of the guys who keep watch over the Peregrine.
I thought there would be more interest in the eggs but he said rogue falconers were more of a problem these days.

Derek

 

[tonyath]

Posted by derekg

Took a walk from Brinscall Woods to White Coppice after being told about Cuckoo

Derek, did you get back to Brinscall for the cuckoo, there was one on Monday night and 2 tonight.

 

[derekg]

Posted by derekg


Derek, did you get back to Brinscall for the cuckoo, there was one on Monday night and 2 tonight.

No haven't had the chance to get back with work and visiting other places.
Where abouts was the Cuckoo seen? Both my son and I would love to add it to our life list. Have heard them before, the last being Scotland last week.

Derek

 

[tonyath]

When you went the first time did you speak to a couple who were watching a GSW and a treecreeper.

 

[Neil UK]

Marton Mere Sunday just gone, once again very quiet morning.

Only interesting site was a Juvenile Siskin on the Lawson's Road Marsh.

 

[Neil UK]

If anyone is interested there are 2 Common Terns on Preston Docks at the moment. I have been up there on my past 2 lunch breaks and they seem to skit from the main dock area at Morrisons upto the lock gates near the estuary. Could get some awesome pics of them diving for fish as they are doing it loads!!

Trying to get pics but its a pain with the speed of their twists and turns. Anyone got tips of taking pics of birds on the wing??

 

[oncebittern]

Leighton Moss yesterday gave up its usual quota of regulars, plus a couple of surprises.

Marsh Harriers were on the wing regularly, giving great views if you happened to be in the right place. A Bittern was seen briefly from Lower Hide - swimming! Reedbeds were noisy with Reed and Sedge Warblers. Lots of 'ahhh factor' from the numerous fledglings, including these Marsh Tits. Plenty of Dragonflies about too. Reports in the log of a family of 6 stoats being seen near Public Hide, though I never saw them.

The last photo is just a bit of fun, but I thought I'd include it anyway. I was trying to photograph Hover Flies in flight (yes, I know its a daft idea), and this one must have flown just as I pressed the shutter - interesting effect anyway.

 

[derekg]

Trying to get pics but its a pain with the speed of their twists and turns. Anyone got tips of taking pics of birds on the wing??

Just shoot as many as you can and hope that one turns out.
Also helps if your camera has a tracking autofocus function.


Derek

 

[derekg]

Leighton Moss yesterday gave up its usual quota of regulars, plus a couple of surprises.

Nice shot of the Marsh Harrier, I've had a few close ones myself last couple of times I've been up there. Keep missing the Bittern though!

Derek

 

[ivywall]

The last photo is just a bit of fun, but I thought I'd include it anyway. I was trying to photograph Hover Flies in flight (yes, I know its a daft idea), and this one must have flown just as I pressed the shutter - interesting effect anyway.

Call it 'post modernism' and put it in a gallery!!!

Hover flies need a lot of luck!

I haven't been up to much recently - my camera was out of action ans we were up to pur eyes in college work/improving the wildlife part of the garden.
Three new trees planted, feeders/table put in place and various 'perches' set up for photography from the hide!

Nice to hear about the ortolan bunting and the peregrines and see all your photos!

Pat

 

[Neil UK]

Off to Leighton Moss first thing in the morning so if anyone else is going look out for me, skinhead, goatee beard, your no birder type hahaha

 

[The Actor]

Off to Leighton Moss first thing in the morning so if anyone else is going look out for me, skinhead, goatee beard, your no birder type hahaha

Wish I had known this earlier. I'm off to Rufford...I think. I wanted to go to Leighton Moss last Friday but ended up at Cockersand. I'll be the one with longish, greying hair, black leather jacket, tattoos and earrings and on a yellow Triumph motorcycle. Your typical birder/photographer really.

 

[derekg]

Spent most of the day at Martin Mere hoping to see the American Widgeon and Green Sandpiper. Noted 50 species with the last being the Green Sandpiper, no sign of the Widgeon though.

More on my blog later.

Derek