Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Neil UK]

Leighton Moss well what can I say but massively disappointing. I had built this up in my head to be an awesome day which to be honest turned out not to be. Suprisingly I hardly saw a thing, except for Black Headed Gulls, Marsh Tit, Wren and maybe but not sure a flock of Godwits.

I could not believe that I spent 3 hours there and hardly saw a thing, not the reserves fault by any means but I expected alot more. Also to gripe I arrived at 9am to get in for opening and was informed "They arent quite ready yet"... who the birds or the staff!? 09:45am they eventually opened the doors so that I could just flash my RSPB membership card (bit of a joke).

And then the ignorant brigade!! Like I have mentioned before YES I can look rather scary with a skinhead, goatee, tattoos, baggy jeans but it doesnt mean that when I pass you and politely say MORNING, you just look the other way as if the rarest of all birds is singing away. Cannot believe how many people alot older than me are so ignorant!!!

Anyway, on the way home caught a glimpse of a Jay, 3 x Buzzards and Pied Flycatcher, should of gone to Marton Mere instead would of seen alot more.

MOAN OVER

 

[oncebittern]

Also to gripe I arrived at 9am to get in for opening and was informed "They arent quite ready yet"... who the birds or the staff!? 09:45am they eventually opened the doors so that I could just flash my RSPB membership card (bit of a joke).

Sorry you had a bad day Neil - and I would have said 'good morning' to you

If you go again, don't worry about opening times - as you probably noted, the entire reserve is actually open 24/7, its just the shop that locks up. You can gain access by walking around the right side of the shop to the car park, or walking down the road to the causeway to Public and Lower hides. (Public Hide is just that, and is on a Right of Way, so can never be closed)

Better luck next time...and DO have a 'next time', as I have had some really great days there.

 

[Neil UK]

Sorry you had a bad day Neil - and I would have said 'good morning' to you

If you go again, don't worry about opening times - as you probably noted, the entire reserve is actually open 24/7, its just the shop that locks up. You can gain access by walking around the right side of the shop to the car park, or walking down the road to the causeway to Public and Lower hides. (Public Hide is just that, and is on a Right of Way, so can never be closed)

Better luck next time...and DO have a 'next time', as I have had some really great days there.

So you can go there anytime of the day or night with no worries about people hassling you about your membership card?

 

[oncebittern]

So you can go there anytime of the day or night with no worries about people hassling you about your membership card?

I've been going there regularly for about a year now, and during all that time, I have NEVER been asked to show my card. Some birders get there at dawn, and I frequently stay 'til dark, and sometimes later if there is a good showing of Bats. I have even heard of people overnighting to catch a glimpse of the Otters.

Non members that have the honesty to go and pay get issued with a ticket and tie-on band, to show they have paid, but it is assumed (rightly or wrongly) that everyone else must be a bona fide member.

As I say, part of the reserve is public right of way anyway, so access cannot be denied there, even if they wanted to...which they don't.

There is also free access to the Allen, and Eric Morecambe hides, which are away from the main part of the reserve.

(and don't forget the Peregrines at Warton Crag, just nearby, and which again is free access, though not RSPB)

I'll be there again Wednesday afternoon/evening.

Just for clarification, this is from their website, confirming that the reserve is open outside of the 'shop' opening hours, plus other options for free access...

Opening times

The reserve and visitor centre are open daily all year round (except 25 December). The reserve is open from 9 am to dusk and the visitor centre from 9.30 am-5 pm (4.30 pm November-January inclusive).

Entrance charges

Free to the visitor centre and tearoom. Admission to hides and nature trails: £4.50 adults, £3 concessions, £1 children, £9 family. Free to RSPB members and those who come by public transport or on bike.

 

[derekg]

Leighton Moss well what can I say but massively disappointing.

I thought the same at first but have persevered with the place and managed to get a few lifers while there. I tend to have least success withh the 3 hides accessible from the visitors centre though there are plenty of warbler in the reeds if you can find them. As OnceBittern has stated the public hide is a good place, I've never failed to see at least 3 Hen Harriers from there on my recent visits. The Eric Morcambe and Allen hides are also good for the Avocet and Little Gull were seen not so long ago (not sure if they are still there).

I also agree with Warton Crag, could spend all day up there watching the Peregrine and you don't have to get out the car, which is ideal with our British weather.

Brockholes Quarry

20+ Sand Martin (by the Ribble), 50+ Swift, 2 Heron, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, 2 Shoveler and 15 Oystercather.

Derek

 

[Neil UK]

Thank you both oncebittern and derek, I may have to get myself back up there given me a bit more confidence now. Also was going to Warton Crag but for some unknown reason couldnt find my way there, got home and realised which dam turn off in Warton it is!!!! May attempt a trip up there after work one day.... I need to buy a diesel!!!

 

[oncebittern]

Also was going to Warton Crag but for some unknown reason couldnt find my way there, got home and realised which dam turn off in Warton it is!!!! May attempt a trip up there after work one day.... I need to buy a diesel!!!

Warton Crag is near the top of Crag Road, which from Warton itself, is next to the General Washington pub (good pint and a decent meal at lunchtime). If you are coming from the LM direction, you pass the other end of Crag Road on your left, shortly after the little turning for the Allen and Eric Morcambe hides.

 

[ivywall]

And then the ignorant brigade!! Like I have mentioned before YES I can look rather scary with a skinhead, goatee, tattoos, baggy jeans but it doesnt mean that when I pass you and politely say MORNING, you just look the other way as if the rarest of all birds is singing away. Cannot believe how many people alot older than me are so ignorant!!!

MOAN OVER

There's nothing worse than being deliberately ignored is there? Some people can be very ignorant - if it ever happens to me I just carry on regardless . Life's too short to let some people's biases and narrow mindedness get to you!

As a middle aged female photographer and wildlife enthusiast I find that I'm often ignored by what are mainly male enthusiasts.

As I stand next to my husband trying to add to the conversation I sometimes feel like I'm invisible!!
He gets pretty irritated by it all and says 'they' somewhat let the male side down!! LOL

Ah well - it's still not nice being ignored because of what you are or how you look is it though???

Grow a thick skin like I have!!

Ivywall

 

[bradinho]

I think a bit of patience is required with the L Moss especially when it comes to birds, I have sat there and had nothing but coot to look at for hours and then a marsh harrier or bittern reminds me why I do this!

 

[Jaff]

There's nothing worse than being deliberately ignored is there? Some people can be very ignorant - if it ever happens to me I just carry on regardless . Life's too short to let some people's biases and narrow mindedness get to you!

As a middle aged female photographer and wildlife enthusiast I find that I'm often ignored by what are mainly male enthusiasts.

As I stand next to my husband trying to add to the conversation I sometimes feel like I'm invisible!!
He gets pretty irritated by it all and says 'they' somewhat let the male side down!! LOL

Ah well - it's still not nice being ignored because of what you are or how you look is it though???

Grow a thick skin like I have!!

Ivywall

I wouldn't ignore you! :t:

I'm another 'typical' birder/photographer but I seem to get lots of friendly nods and hello's. Maybe it's just folk are very friendly round here. Just look 'em in the eye and smile and if they still snub their noses than as Pat says they're not worth bothering with.

I'm gonna have to keep my eyes peeled for a yellow Triumph in the future now. :-O Come to think of it I was at MSW on Sunday. Spent most of the afternoon in Rufford hide with the rest of the clan. Was wearing jeans and a black hoodie. Didn't see much though. The Bullfinches are still there but that was about it.

 

[The Actor]

I wouldn't ignore you! :t:

I'm another 'typical' birder/photographer but I seem to get lots of friendly nods and hello's. Maybe it's just folk are very friendly round here. Just look 'em in the eye and smile and if they still snub their noses than as Pat says they're not worth bothering with.

I'm gonna have to keep my eyes peeled for a yellow Triumph in the future now. :-O Come to think of it I was at MSW on Sunday. Spent most of the afternoon in Rufford hide with the rest of the clan. Was wearing jeans and a black hoodie. Didn't see much though. The Bullfinches are still there but that was about it.

I saw the Bullfinches, or one of them at least. I'd gone by 2 but I had been in all the hides. I'll be back there again at some point. I'll post on here before I go.

 

[oncebittern]

Leighton Moss this afternoon/evening. Cold, wet, and grey - don't you just love June weather :C

Most of the birds were keeping their heads down I think, but did manage some good views of Marsh Harriers from the causeway, one doing great loops, over and over...displaying I presume?

Got some good close views of one of the many Little Egrets too which was pleasing; seen them many times before of course, but always at distance. Today one flew into the little bay to the left of Eric Morcambe, and after 1/2 hours wait, came into view right below the hide :t:

Other goodies were a nest full on wrens on the verge of fledging, and some super views of the Peregrine chicks at Warton. Its a while since I've been there, and they have really grown in that time. Anyone know if they've been ringed yet?

 

[kwyll]

Common terns aggressive by nature....?

Was at preston docks the other day,when 1 of the terns spotted a couple of crows flying over the water.It did an about tern (hehe) in the air and started dive bombing them...spectacular to watch..!, it did not take long before it forced them both to land.......!which led me to think are they aggressive birds by nature....?Peace.!

 

[derekg]

Anyone know if they've been ringed yet?

I was talking to a guy up there the other weekend and he told me they had been ringed not long after hatching.

Derek

 

[oncebittern]

I was talking to a guy up there the other weekend and he told me they had been ringed not long after hatching.

Derek

Thanks Derek.

I had always assumed that as the rings obviously had to be big enough for an adult bird, ringing was usually left until shortly before fledging.

Just shows that you're never to old to learn something new

 

[gradders52]

I also agree with Warton Crag, could spend all day up there watching the Peregrine and you don't have to get out the car,
Derek

If you don't have to get out of the car, is there somewhere to park? Grid reference, any advice.
Cheers
g

 

[grey_beard]

If you don't have to get out of the car, is there somewhere to park? Grid reference, any advice.
Cheers
g

You view the birds from the car park on Crag Road which runs from Warton to Crag Foot.

More info here:
http://www.lancswt.org.uk/Our%20Reserves/warton_crag.htm

HTH

Gary

 

[ivywall]

Went to Hodbarrow at the beginning of the week expecting to see tons of Sedge Warblers...none there but plenty of Meadow Pipits in the gorse bushes.

Our Bull Finches are real regulars to the garden now. There's a pair (looking a bit worn out) and a very dapper young male.
Lots of youngsters of all kinds too.



Pat

 

[derekg]

Spent the day down at South Stack Cliffs RSPB reserve on Anglesey.
What a great place for sea birds up close, some good photos and plenty of lifers.
It's not Lanacashire I know but well worth a look if you fancy a day out birding.

Photos and sightings on my blog

Derek

 

[Neil UK]

Was at preston docks the other day,when 1 of the terns spotted a couple of crows flying over the water.It did an about tern (hehe) in the air and started dive bombing them...spectacular to watch..!, it did not take long before it forced them both to land.......!which led me to think are they aggressive birds by nature....?Peace.!

Up at Preston Docks on most of my lunch breaks now with the ole camera. The terns I seem to have missed last week as not seen them for a while. But up at Lockside Road there is lots of juvenile Long Tailed Tits flitting around in the trees, see pic below