Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Jonny721]

Scaup for me

 

[Jonny721]

I was just wondering is there any place up in the north east Lancashire area where you can get Red Grouse and Ring Ouzel in close proximity i.e. not miles apart. Hoping to try and see both species tomorrow.

Thank
Jonny Scragg

 

[derekg]

Though not in Lancashire I finally managed one of my bogey birds today with 30 Crossbill showing well this afternoon at Hanchurch Woods, Hanchurch nr Stoke

Derek

 

[Boom]

Dunsop Valley in the Forest of Bowland could be fruitful-park at Dunsop Bridge and walk up any of the tracks-shouldn`t be a problem for Grouse- will need more luck for Ring Ouzel but they are present.

It`s a great spot anyway-especially for Raptors

cheers

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

The Langden Valley might be your best bet for both in close proximity but I don't know how many Ring Ousels are up there this year.

 

[gradders52]

The Langden Valley might be your best bet for both in close proximity but I don't know how many Ring Ousels are up there this year.

Where's Langden valley?

and where's Hanchurch Wood?
ta
g

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

It is in the Trough of Bowland west of Dunsop Bridge. If you are travelling from the west on the trough road there is an area of grass and pine trees south of the road where there are usually several cars parked and sometimes an ice cream van. There is a driveway you can walk up, past a building then the footpath proper takes you towards Fiensdale etc.

No maps to hand for grid references sorry.

Stephen.

 

[derekg]

and where's Hanchurch Wood?
ta
g

Hanchurch Wood is Just off M6 J15. Turn right at the first roundabout and head for Hanchurch. When you get to the turning for Hanchurch go straight on and look for a sign for a picnic site on the right. Turn right down the turning and follow the road past the picnic site until you get to 2 small parking areas either side of the road. Park up take the footpath to the right and the Crossbill are showing well about 100 yards down. Over 100 have been reported so well worth a trip.

Derek

 

[Jonny721]

Roughly how far up the road from Dunsop Bridge is this area of Pines and grass?

 

[gradders52]

Thanks

It is in the Trough of Bowland west of Dunsop Bridge. If you are travelling from the west on the trough road there is an area of grass and pine trees south of the road where there are usually several cars parked and sometimes an ice cream van. There is a driveway you can walk up, past a building then the footpath proper takes you towards Fiensdale etc.

No maps to hand for grid references sorry.

Stephen.

Unbelievable, I've driven this road(s) since... before MOT's! Dunsop Bridge a favourite place before everyone else found it... no car park then. (Did you know it's the centre of England). Ridden them on my m'bike (EARL Xmas Day was always best NO-ONE on the road. Excellent fun... sod the presents... what presents!), push bike, I've even run most of the fells... but I never knew where I was... I didn't know it was called Langden Valley. Only this year started 'bird watching' so useful to know where to look next time I'm there... or at least where to say I saw this n that (Dunnock probably!).

And Derek if you think I'm going 'sarf' on the M6... forget it... into Staffordshire???
leave Lank eeee shire???
no chance!
(See you there)
Thanks
g

 

[ivywall]

Unbelievable, I've driven this road(s) since... before MOT's! Dunsop Bridge a favourite place before everyone else found it... no car park then. (Did you know it's the centre of England). Ridden them on my m'bike (EARL Xmas Day was always best NO-ONE on the road. Excellent fun... sod the presents... what presents!), push bike, I've even run most of the fells... but I never knew where I was... I didn't know it was called Langden Valley. Only this year started 'bird watching' so useful to know where to look next time I'm there... or at least where to say I saw this n that (Dunnock probably!).

And Derek if you think I'm going 'sarf' on the M6... forget it... into Staffordshire???
leave Lank eeee shire???
no chance!
(See you there)
Thanks
g

Sounds like a good excuse to visit my very favourite place and childhood haunt. I know the Trough since well....... (if gradders52 stands for owt it's familiar to me )

Can't say too much about Staffs ... OH is half Staffs/half Scouse - what a mixture LOL LOL Will be visiting the Burton on Trent area soon - not through choice but family duty. I think we'll have a scout about there too.

Pat

Some garden/local stuff -

 

[The Actor]

I don't know if I imagined this or not but I'm sure that there was a mention of Grey Wagtails somewhere in this thread.

Anyhow, I was in Lancaster's Williamson Park today and I managed to get on to the old reservoir and there was a female showing there. I only had about 15 minutes there but she put on a decent display and even caught a Common Blue damselfly for me. I couldn't get a decent photo but I did get a few poor ones.

There's also Coot and a smallish brown bird with beige underparts that I dfidn't get a good enough look at to ID. And a fast dragonfly and a couple of rabbits.

I'd have liked to have spent at leat an hour there but I had to leave to catch the bus.

 

[kwyll]

I was just wondering is there any place up in the north east Lancashire area where you can get Red Grouse and Ring Ouzel in close proximity i.e. not miles apart. Hoping to try and see both species tomorrow.

Thank
Jonny Scragg

Hi johhny,pendle hill is the place for both apparently.Just loaned a book from the library entitled "A birdwatchers guide to lancashire" by ken lawson....in the pendle hill section he mentions both.....

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Pendle Hill has grouse (especially by the path leading from Ogden Clough to the trig point) but can be a bit tricky for ouzel, with the main stronghold being in Bowland. I would try Whitendale.

 

[derekg]

Brockholes Wetland.

1 Teal, 1 Garganey both molting and not easy to find and ID.
2 Common Sandpiper, 4 LR Plover, 3 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Jay

Derek

 

[gradders52]

Grouse Moor/Shooting season

I was just wondering is there any place up in the north east Lancashire area where you can get Red Grouse and Ring Ouzel in close proximity i.e. not miles apart. Hoping to try and see both species tomorrow.

Thank
Jonny Scragg

If I'm not mistaken (and I might be so check) but the Grouse shooting season starts on August 12 and many of the moors are 'closed and off-ilmits'. Just a thought... and of course wont be quite as many birds about thereafter! Better be quick with a trip?

 

[derekg]

Martin Mere WWT (10.00 - 12.30)

Redshank, Marsh Harrier, Tawny Owl, Avocet, Water Rail, Whooper Swan.
Missed out on on the Peregrine due to 2 idiots walking across the mere!!

Also missed out on the Honey Buzzard spotted at Brockholes Wetland yesterday lunch time !!!!!

Derek

 

[WyreWader]

I don't know if I imagined this or not but I'm sure that there was a mention of Grey Wagtails somewhere in this thread.

The River Brock is usually good for Grey Wagtails, I've photod them there many times going upstream from Bilsborrow. My only recent visit was with Granddaughter in tow to Brock bottom a few days ago, I didn't see any Grey Wagtails but there was a Dipper sat out in full view.

& on the subject of Granddaughter, I took her to the beach at Cleveleys this morning (just north of The Venue(Royal)), & there were lots of both Ringed Plovers(inc. juveniles) & Turnstones amongst the pebbles, which I grabbed a few shots of between collecting seashells & generally entertaining a 5 year old. I need to go back with a bigger lens, a tripod & without my beloved granddaughter.

Cheers

Cliff

 

[Jonny721]

Not one, Not 1 Red Grouse. Me and my dad went up to Jubilie Towers yesterday with him insisting that "last time I came up here I saw 50 Grouse". Well we walked up on the moors for an hour and there was no sight, sound or sign that Grouse had been in that area for weeks. :-C:C

 

[Neil UK]

Off to MARTON Mere tonight after work, anyone else heading over?