Lancashire Birding (1 Viewer)

[ivywall]

I trust you all had a great Xmas and New Year? Bing's dream came true

Those water rail images are brill!

We've had a few unusual visitors in the garden since the cold and snowy snap. There's a fieldfare that comes numerous times every day but try as I might I can't photograph the b..er. He sits and looks at the hide from his tree and only comes down when I've gone in Grrr
I'm not up to getting around all over as yet and OH is very busy with college (final year).


Pat

 

[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.

Apologies but these were Goosanders, just checked on pics now and DEFINATELY Goosanders.

 

[Jonny721]

Probable American Bittern, Marton Mere, 16th Jan, on birdguides this evening

"probable flew from just west of FBC Hide towards the east end with a Bittern this evening; use Blackpool Zoo car park"

 

[Neil UK]

Probable American Bittern, Marton Mere, 16th Jan, on birdguides this evening

"probable flew from just west of FBC Hide towards the east end with a Bittern this evening; use Blackpool Zoo car park"

Was there this morning, alot more people than usual but noone mentioned seeing it. Saw my first 2 LEO's.. bout bloody time!!!

 

[Jonny721]

No sign between 11 and 4 today. Allot of people around in the evening, probably 50 but I don't think anyone else saw it. Amazing views of 2 Great Bitterns though aswell as Cetti's Warbler and Yellow Legged Gull.

 

[derekg]

I resisted a trip over to Marton Mere and the possible American Bittern and headed to Hesketh Out Marsh only to bump into BBC Radio Lancashire doing a live feature from the place.

Sightings included 2 Merlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzard, Wigeon, Shelduck, Teal, 2 Cormorant, 1 GBB Gull, Redshank, Curlew, Snipe, 11 Whooper overhead, Pinkfooted overhead and near the Ribble, 2 Bewicks on the Warton side, Lapwing, Little Egret and c20 Fieldfare in the field near the carpark

Derek

 

[Robert L Jarvis]

As it was a decent day I went to Marton Mere to try for a better view of the LEO. Rewarded with sighting of 3 LEO and later in the afternoon a 15 second view of Bittern. Heard Cettis but missed out seeing it and a Water Rail.

Otherwise the usual birds there but no Redwing or Fieldfare seen.

 

[gossypots]

Where is the best place to see the long eared owls at the mere ? Can you park on the caravan complex still ?

 

[Robert L Jarvis]

Yes you can park there. Park some where on the lower road at the eastern end near the open viewing platform. Walk back to the east and round along the path crossing over the drainage cutting. You come to a Y, take the right fork, walk on through a kissing gate which takes you out of the reserve. Walk on to a T and turn left. In about 100 yards in the last two largish trees on your left the Owls were in there. Hope that helps.

 

[gossypots]

Thanks Robert , much appreciated.

 

[The Liverbirder]

Corn Buntings

Colleagues - coming from a part of the country where these are as rare as rockin' horse proverbial, and never ever ticked one, how common are Corn Buntings in the NW, particularly Homer Green/Ince Blundell? Was in the area last Saturday and had distant views of what may have been CBs on telegraph wires there. Only had the bins, scope 176 miles away (finite boot space and a large family mean no room for life's luxuries!). Twenty in number, and up and down into the stubble field, I noted the upper breast dark spot and streaking but being brutally honest, I could not differentiate between Meadow Pipit in the light and at the distance. Call me amateurish, or niaive or have a chuckle at my expense but any assistance would be appreciated.

 

[gradders52]

Colleagues - coming from a part of the country where these are as rare as rockin' horse proverbial, and never ever ticked one, how common are Corn Buntings in the NW, particularly Homer Green/Ince Blundell? Was in the area last Saturday and had distant views of what may have been CBs on telegraph wires there. Twenty in number, and up and down into the stubble field, I noted the upper breast dark spot and streaking but being brutally honest, I could not differentiate between Meadow Pipit in the light and at the distance. Call me amateurish, or niaive or have a chuckle at my expense but any assistance would be appreciated.

You're not alone! No help whatsoever, but I've had exactly the same problem! Exactly the same LBJ's in stubble fields, up onto overhead wires at distance and difficult to differentiate, CB's M'pits etc (let alone add in flocks of goldfinch/greenfinch/linnets!)... but when you see them you can tell, getting close enough is the problem (or much better optics!).

Dunno about Homer Green/Ince I'm afraid. However, I have seen CB's 'Over Wyre', without doubt. Same hunting ground for Pink Footed Geese, Eagland Hill, Bradshaw Lane, Lancaster Road etc. SD4145
see
http://www.fyldebirdclub.org/bwsites.htm

 

[vanellus]

Will be accompanying my better half to Preston a week on Friday. She at a conference until noon Sunday, me with a full day and a half to myself and the birds.

Had thought of Martin Mere and/or Leighton Moss. Anyone got better ideas?

Only have limited experience of Lancashire - Forest of Bowland stunning - but perhaps one for the spring/summer?

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Will be accompanying my better half to Preston a week on Friday. She at a conference until noon Sunday, me with a full day and a half to myself and the birds.

Had thought of Martin Mere and/or Leighton Moss. Anyone got better ideas?

Only have limited experience of Lancashire - Forest of Bowland stunning - but perhaps one for the spring/summer?

Perhaps if you say what you are most hoping to see?

Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Jonny721]

Martin Mere and Leighton Moss are great reserves and you will get some great birds there however if you do have the time I would pop down to Marton mere, especially in the evening if the weather is good.

 

[lalows2]

Colleagues - coming from a part of the country where these are as rare as rockin' horse proverbial, and never ever ticked one, how common are Corn Buntings in the NW, particularly Homer Green/Ince Blundell? Was in the area last Saturday and had distant views of what may have been CBs on telegraph wires there. Only had the bins, scope 176 miles away (finite boot space and a large family mean no room for life's luxuries!). Twenty in number, and up and down into the stubble field, I noted the upper breast dark spot and streaking but being brutally honest, I could not differentiate between Meadow Pipit in the light and at the distance. Call me amateurish, or niaive or have a chuckle at my expense but any assistance would be appreciated.

They certainly used to be quite numerous in that area but I'm going back to the early 80s. Corn Buntings were common along the field margins on our farm not far from there...not sure about now but must be some left, certainly on Plex Moss east of Southport and good numbers in the vicinity of Martin Mere eg Curlew Lane.

Cheers

Dave

 

[The Liverbirder]

Depress Me

If anyone wants to really depress me, have a look in the stubble field on the NE corner of the cross roads where Long Lane and Broad Lane meet at Homer Green. There are some telegraph wires running from the SW corner of said field to the NW corner and the birds were there. I will not be back for 2 - 3 months, the stubble will have a gone and I may, in the mean time, be cursing Lifer No. 248 that got away. Go ahead, (don't) make my day! :-C

 

[derekg]

Will be accompanying my better half to Preston a week on Friday. She at a conference until noon Sunday, me with a full day and a half to myself and the birds.

Had thought of Martin Mere and/or Leighton Moss. Anyone got better ideas?

Only have limited experience of Lancashire - Forest of Bowland stunning - but perhaps one for the spring/summer?

or try Hesketh Out Marsh and Marshside, very good for raptors at the moment.

Derek

 

[Jaff]

... good numbers in the vicinity of Martin Mere eg Curlew Lane.

Cheers

Dave

Yep. Plenty round here. One of the most reliable spots in Lancs IMO. I believe a flock of c70 was reported flying around the fields of Martin Mere not too long ago. Is that depressing enough?

 

[The Liverbirder]

Suicidally so!