Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[gradders52]

Weather, snow and ice. See a few have been out and about... only on foot here. I realise it is probably going to change and too general a question, but keeping to main routes is it generally OK out and about, or best not to travel too far... especially as many location involve negotiating minor roads? What's the general view, or any explicit knowledge of dodgy 'hotspots'. (Heard of four cars going off the road at one location near Garstang).
Cheers Safe birding.
g
I suppose the real question is – has anyone any advice on where NOT to go?
THANKS

 

[David Smith]

I suppose the real question is – has anyone any advice on where NOT to go?
THANKS

Past your front door
I can't get the car out of our close yet as it's on a slope and no chance of it being cleared by the council.
Someone was telling me one of his neighbours reversed out onto the road then gently slid sideways down the road until being stopped by a stationary car OOPS!

 

[derekg]

Weather, snow and ice. See a few have been out and about... only on foot here. I realise it is probably going to change and too general a question, but keeping to main routes is it generally OK out and about, or best not to travel too far... especially as many location involve negotiating minor roads? What's the general view, or any explicit knowledge of dodgy 'hotspots'. (Heard of four cars going off the road at one location near Garstang).
Cheers Safe birding.
g
I suppose the real question is – has anyone any advice on where NOT to go?
THANKS

Martin Mere was a litle risky with the roads around being icy though Marshside was clear though the paths are still covered in snow.

Also Marshside have a walk on tomorrow at 10am - 12pm its £2 for members and £4 for non. You need to book via the Lytham discovery centre 01253 796292.

Derek

 

[derekg]

A total of 3 Common Buzzard spotted at Cuerden Valley Park this afternoon.
Also Fieldfare and GSW.
The number of Tit flocks about seems to be down with 2 LTT flocks one containing 5 the other 8. Hope the cold snap isn't affecting numbers.

Derek

 

[The Actor]

Wyrewader - Sorry only just come on here. I don't know about access to the mere via the camp as I walk from the hospital when I go.

 

[Jonny721]

We went through the caravan site today and as long as you drive carefully you should be fine. The roads are icy but if you go round the back there aren't any hills to go up or down.

 

[gradders52]

Past your front door
I can't get the car out of our close yet as it's on a slope and no chance of it being cleared by the council.
Someone was telling me one of his neighbours reversed out onto the road then gently slid sideways down the road until being stopped by a stationary car OOPS!

SNAP...."I can't get the car out of our close yet as it's on a slope and no chance of it being cleared by the council." Who knows when the fortnightly bins will be emptied, four weeks to date...

All exploits on foot in arctic gear so far. Same problem with 'sideroad' being on a slope... don't want to make the effort of getting to a main road, driving 10/15 miles only to find access to sites is dangerous/not possible.

Thanks Derek. Was thinking of Martin Mere, but thought it might be dodgy. (At least it'll be quiet).

(I think the Discovery Centre is closed for winter isn't it? It was closed the last couple of times I was down there and that must two months ago. It seems to be closed more often than it's open whenever I go that way. Why they call it the Ribble Discovery Centre I'll never know... even the RSPB HQ didn't know what it was called when I tried to find a telephone number for them after looking on the web... fine if you know what it's called... but if you don't... where do you look... ? It's a hidden gem.)

 

[lalows2]

anyone see any Bramblings in feeding station today? Heard there was one (some?) recently.

Cheers

Dave

 

[derekg]

anyone see any Bramblings in feeding station today? Heard there was one (some?) recently.

Cheers

Dave

Dave - they were showing well yesterday both a male and female - though I just missed them! I've read on the WWT MM sightings page they haven't been seen today. They were seen on the feeders next to the Infocus shop.

Gradders - I called the 'Discovery Centre' this morning and someone picked up and it was open over Christmas when I visited Fairhaven Lake.

Derek

 

[Jonny721]

lalows I didn't see it personally while I was there but it has been seen throughout the day

 

[WyreWader]

We went through the caravan site today and as long as you drive carefully you should be fine. The roads are icy but if you go round the back there aren't any hills to go up or down.

Thanks Jonny - I've been parking up at de Vere's & cutting through, but may give the caravan park a try next time.

anyone see any Bramblings in feeding station today? Heard there was one (some?) recently

Dave - I spent half an hour at the feeder hide around lunchtime today & no matter how hard I stared at the chaffinch I didn't see a Brambling, but a birder I'd spoken to earlier said one had been showing well.

Sightings at the Mere today included (from the container hide) 1 x Red Fox - which walked right across the frozen Mere in fairly close proximity to the Gulls & Ducks & they didn't seem too put out by it, I got a few distant photos which I'll stick on my website tomorrow, also from the same hide I also photo'd 1 x Wood Mouse which was feeding on the sunflower hearts I'd thrown out onto the ice.

Onto the birds - at least 5 Water Rails (3 from the container hide, 1 at the drainage stream & one near that empty pond near the bird feeding station), 1 x Sparrowhawk, 5 x Fieldfare, 3 x Reed Buntings, 6 x Long tailed tits.

Back home we had 1 x Song Thrush & 1 x Mistle Thrush in the garden.

I've attached some Water Rail photos, I still have tons more to process.

Cheers

Cliff

 

[derekg]

RSPB Marshside walk was very informative this morning.

6 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, and 2 Peregrine were hunting and viewable from the sand plant.
Also 50+ Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Curlew, Redshank, Pinkfooted 1000+, Barnacle 4, Blue Snowgoose 1, Fieldfare, Stonechat and Song Thrush.

No sign of yesterdays reported Marsh Harriers and to early for the Short-eared owl.

Derek

 

[Springs branch mickey]

Marton Mere has always been a friendly site. what a shame you met some prats.

 

[ColinD]

.......I've attached some Water Rail photos, I still have tons more to process.

Cliff, they are wonderful photos!

 

[Jaff]

Cliff, they are wonderful photos!

Couldn't agree more!

 

[Neil UK]

Well didnt get up early enough this weekend to get to Marton Mere, shame as its only over the road from my house!!! Went for a walk round the park with the missus, masses of Redwings but so hard to take pics of!!!!

Also I have just found out that a mate of mine works at Cuerden Valley Park as a Ranger, I maybe getting some special privileges soon... whoop whoop!!!

 

[Neil UK]

5 Red Breasted Mergansers on the River Ribble opposite Preston Docks.

2 males, 3 females. Will try add a few pics later... if they have turned out ok.

 

[lalows2]

Got the brambling at Marton Mere eventually on Sunday - gulls very disappointing - must be due a goody there soon.
Excellent water rail fotos Cliff esp that first one - brilliant stuff.

Cheers

Dave

 

[David Smith]

Sightings at the Mere today included (from the container hide) 1 x Red Fox - also from the same hide I also photo'd 1 x Wood Mouse which was feeding on the sunflower hearts I'd thrown out onto the ice.
Onto the birds - at least 5 Water Rails
Cliff

Cliff
Nice shots. I enjoyed your web site and the Stanley Park Heron section tells me a few trips there in spring are necessary.

 

[gradders52]

For those that don't know, the River Ribble Estuary is an NNR – National Nature Reserve and operated under the auspices of Natural England. They are undertaking a public consultation... anyone want to have their say can do so... see below.

Some interesting bits and bobs too...

For example, Bewick’s swans are increasingly remaining in continental Europe, while new species are moving in such as little egret. Such changes in bird distribution may necessitate a future reappraisal as to which species are important to the site. The recent decline in numbers of pink-footed geese on the Ribble Estuary appears to be largely due to the extension of sugar beet crops in Norfolk which dramatically increased the number of pink-footed geese wintering in the area to feed on the beet tops, and thus caused a subsequent reduction in numbers of geese remaining to overwinter on the Ribble. However, the climate change also seems to have delayed the return of pink-footed geese to their breeding grounds in Iceland and Greenland, and the birds that are still visiting the Ribble are grazing later in the season, after the wigeon have left and the grass is beginning to grow again.

etc etc

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/ribblennrconsultation_tcm6-15532.pdf

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006123.aspx

g