Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Quick dash down to Brockholes Quarry at lunctime today for Common Scoter and there she was, sleeping amongst the Coots. Very little else on the Main Pool with the water level oh-so high.
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Ribble Birding, Lancs. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Colin Bushell
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Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Full day on the Ribble.
Started birding from the prom at Lytham about 7.45 this morning. Good numbers of Dunlin here now on the rising tide; 650 and really surprised I didn't get a Curlew Sand' at least. Very few other waders here though, just 70 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers and a couple of Barwits.
I could see a lot of waders on the shore near the jetty from the slipway so I shot down there. The muddy peninsula was packed with birds, mainly Redshank (550+) and Dunlin (800+) with smaller numbers of Lapwing, Blackwits and Turnstones, 2 Sandwich Terns and 15 Eider on the Ribble. Fairhaven was pretty quiet but did produce 'bird of the morning' in the form of a female Merg offshore and 55 Sandwich Terns were on the beach at St Annes.
Then it was home for a quick bite to eat and out again. Martin Mere WWT was heaving and very busy (forgot it was the school hols) and 'notables' included a couple of Avocets, at least 3 Green Sand's, a Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher. Last stop of the day was Marshside RSPB. Glossy Ibis and Little Egret on view near Sandgrounders and my first Merlin on the Estuary for some time over the saltmarsh where a Marsh Harrier was also hunting. Not much in the way of waders apart from a few summer plum Dunlin and stacks of Blackwits everywhere.
Nice day.
Started birding from the prom at Lytham about 7.45 this morning. Good numbers of Dunlin here now on the rising tide; 650 and really surprised I didn't get a Curlew Sand' at least. Very few other waders here though, just 70 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers and a couple of Barwits.
I could see a lot of waders on the shore near the jetty from the slipway so I shot down there. The muddy peninsula was packed with birds, mainly Redshank (550+) and Dunlin (800+) with smaller numbers of Lapwing, Blackwits and Turnstones, 2 Sandwich Terns and 15 Eider on the Ribble. Fairhaven was pretty quiet but did produce 'bird of the morning' in the form of a female Merg offshore and 55 Sandwich Terns were on the beach at St Annes.
Then it was home for a quick bite to eat and out again. Martin Mere WWT was heaving and very busy (forgot it was the school hols) and 'notables' included a couple of Avocets, at least 3 Green Sand's, a Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher. Last stop of the day was Marshside RSPB. Glossy Ibis and Little Egret on view near Sandgrounders and my first Merlin on the Estuary for some time over the saltmarsh where a Marsh Harrier was also hunting. Not much in the way of waders apart from a few summer plum Dunlin and stacks of Blackwits everywhere.
Nice day.
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Banks Marsh
Another trip to the south shore yesterday at Banks Marsh produced a few bits and pieces. In the very blustery conditions I managed 7 Avocets, a Merlin. a Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers. Lots of Dunlins zipping about on the marsh; very flighty and I couldn't find anything interesting in the few that settled briefly. Best of all, there were several Yellow Wagtails around, including some juvs (rare in Lancs now).
Another trip to the south shore yesterday at Banks Marsh produced a few bits and pieces. In the very blustery conditions I managed 7 Avocets, a Merlin. a Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers. Lots of Dunlins zipping about on the marsh; very flighty and I couldn't find anything interesting in the few that settled briefly. Best of all, there were several Yellow Wagtails around, including some juvs (rare in Lancs now).
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Little Egret on the saltmarsh off Fairhaven Dunes at lunchtime. Flock of 75 Dunlins and 21 Ringed Plovers at the Lytham high tide roost and a couple of Whimbrel on the mud flats. Arctic Tern in Granny's Bay only other bird of note.
Zac Hinchcliffe
Time spent wishing is time wasted!
Zac Hinchcliffe
Time spent wishing is time wasted!
Pretty Quiet again at the quarry today.
I had a Swift over the Log though, which was quite late. Has anyone else had any sightings locally recently?
Zac
I had a Swift over the Log though, which was quite late. Has anyone else had any sightings locally recently?
Zac
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Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Hi Zac,
Thanks for the postings. I'm just back from Brazil (and away again at the weekend), but I hope to pop out tomorrow and see what's about.
Colin
Thanks for the postings. I'm just back from Brazil (and away again at the weekend), but I hope to pop out tomorrow and see what's about.
Colin
Must be really awful for work to drag you away from the biodiversity of beautiful gorgeous sunny Preston to boring sh*#holes like Brazil and Costa Rica. How do you put up with it?
Hi Zac-I remember that big winter flock of Twite at Marshside when I used to go there over 20 years ago.
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Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Hah! Nice one Stu,
Off to Marshside in the morning in hope of the GW Egret. There's already been one Twite in the Linnet flock in the Banks area I think.
Back to packing |;|
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
North Ribble Marshes.
Finally found time for some local birding on the Ribble Estuary this afternoon. Newton Marsh was quite "birdy" with plenty of Teal and Wigeon on the pool plus a few Shoveler. Some of the drakes are now starting to look pretty smart too. A Little Egret flew in and put 20+ Snipe up and a single Blackwit was feeding in the shallows. Nice to see 5 Corn Buntings up on the cables with the Starlings as well.
Drove round to Freckleton for a walk out to Naze Point next. I could see that Longton had no geese as soon as I started to walk on the footpath so it looks as though last winter's early gathering of Pink-feet here was a one-off. Still time yet but I guess they were displaced from more traditional grounds. Nice to see 50+ Whoopers in the fields between Naze Pool and the Clifton Marsh though. Otherwsie the pool was as expected - loads of Teal, Black-tailed Godwits plus 3 Little Egrets in the trees. Wandered down to the river to go through the gulls gathering at the Douglas as the tide dropped but couldn't find anything interesting. Single Greenshank, Barwit and Oystercatcher with the Redshanks and Dunlins and 4 Gadwall of note. Bird numbers are building up though with 300+ Wigeon on the marsh and 350+ Golden Plovers roosting on the mud. A Brambling calling in the small wood at Naze Point was a "patch tick" for me, otherwise just the usual 3 or 4 Jays, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 50+ Redwings and Fieldfares. Little Egrets were up to 13 as I strolled back past Naze Pool. Nice afternoon, now back to work!
Finally found time for some local birding on the Ribble Estuary this afternoon. Newton Marsh was quite "birdy" with plenty of Teal and Wigeon on the pool plus a few Shoveler. Some of the drakes are now starting to look pretty smart too. A Little Egret flew in and put 20+ Snipe up and a single Blackwit was feeding in the shallows. Nice to see 5 Corn Buntings up on the cables with the Starlings as well.
Drove round to Freckleton for a walk out to Naze Point next. I could see that Longton had no geese as soon as I started to walk on the footpath so it looks as though last winter's early gathering of Pink-feet here was a one-off. Still time yet but I guess they were displaced from more traditional grounds. Nice to see 50+ Whoopers in the fields between Naze Pool and the Clifton Marsh though. Otherwsie the pool was as expected - loads of Teal, Black-tailed Godwits plus 3 Little Egrets in the trees. Wandered down to the river to go through the gulls gathering at the Douglas as the tide dropped but couldn't find anything interesting. Single Greenshank, Barwit and Oystercatcher with the Redshanks and Dunlins and 4 Gadwall of note. Bird numbers are building up though with 300+ Wigeon on the marsh and 350+ Golden Plovers roosting on the mud. A Brambling calling in the small wood at Naze Point was a "patch tick" for me, otherwise just the usual 3 or 4 Jays, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 50+ Redwings and Fieldfares. Little Egrets were up to 13 as I strolled back past Naze Pool. Nice afternoon, now back to work!
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
North Ribble Marshes
I visited Newton Marsh at lunchtime, mainly birding from the car. A Little Egret was flying around as I arrived at the entrance pool and there were plenty of Wigeon and Teal with smaller numbers of Shoveler. Seven Blackwits were feeding on the fields and up to 12 Snipe fed at the muddy margins. The rough grassland was quite productive though with 3 Stonechats and a nice flock of 36 Corn Buntings and a couple of Tree Sparrows using the overhead telegraph wires. Scanning the hedgerows I picked up a Buzzard but little else of note, although a skein of 80 Pink-footed Geese heading south was a nice sight.
I visited Newton Marsh at lunchtime, mainly birding from the car. A Little Egret was flying around as I arrived at the entrance pool and there were plenty of Wigeon and Teal with smaller numbers of Shoveler. Seven Blackwits were feeding on the fields and up to 12 Snipe fed at the muddy margins. The rough grassland was quite productive though with 3 Stonechats and a nice flock of 36 Corn Buntings and a couple of Tree Sparrows using the overhead telegraph wires. Scanning the hedgerows I picked up a Buzzard but little else of note, although a skein of 80 Pink-footed Geese heading south was a nice sight.
WyreWader
Cliff Raby
Hi Colin.
I had a twenty minute break to eat my pie at Newton Marsh this lunchtime so also did some birding from the car.
There were two fellas in high vis yellow jackets that had just finished painting the bollards, so most of the birds were keeping their distance.
There were still plenty of Wigeon & Teal about & in addition there were two Little Grebe, which I think is the first time I've seen Little Grebe at Newton Marsh. (**A quick edit - I've just read your blog entry & note that you spotted 3 Little Grebe there yesterday, doh, I wish I'd read that before posting |:$| )
Regards (& BTW, thanks for the tip re. where to see a Merlin, I'll definitely be looking out for one:t
Cliff
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Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Back in the UK
Back in the UK for a long(ish) spell at the end of an intense guiding season overseas.
Thanks for the news about the quarry water levels Lammy - the wader passage at Brockholes was sadly missed last year. Be interesting to see how things develop this year.
Anyway, not too much to report from the Ribble this week. Usual wildfowl and only small numbers of Corn Buntings at Newton Marsh; Glossy Ibis and 9 Little Egrets at Warton Bank yesterday (after dipping on the Martin Mere Cattle Egret) and a ring-tail Hen Harrier at Marshside this afternoon. Bit "flat" at the moment - should liven up with this cold spell hopefully.
Back in the UK for a long(ish) spell at the end of an intense guiding season overseas.
Thanks for the news about the quarry water levels Lammy - the wader passage at Brockholes was sadly missed last year. Be interesting to see how things develop this year.
Anyway, not too much to report from the Ribble this week. Usual wildfowl and only small numbers of Corn Buntings at Newton Marsh; Glossy Ibis and 9 Little Egrets at Warton Bank yesterday (after dipping on the Martin Mere Cattle Egret) and a ring-tail Hen Harrier at Marshside this afternoon. Bit "flat" at the moment - should liven up with this cold spell hopefully.
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Afternoon Ribble Excursion.
I managed to get out to the North Ribble Marshes this afternoon and it was just nice to get some fresh air after a couple of days of misearble damp weather. All quiet at Newton Marsh apart from a single Stonechat so we moved on, stopping at Warton Bank. Scanning the saltmarsh we soon picked up half a dozen Little Egrets before spotting the Glossy Ibis out there too. Plenty of Pink-feet flying around and 7 Bewick's Swans overhead too. A Raven was unexpected here but despite prolonged searching for Hen Harrier there was no sign and we settled for a Peregrine instead.
On tyhen to Lytham where Fairhaven was pretty quiet but a nice raft of quackers held 2 Mergs, 21 Pochard, 5 Tufties and 4 Goldeneye. Back to Preston then stopping at Lytham Moss for a good swan herd comprising of 82 Whoopers and 30 Bewick's ending a nice afternoon.
Happy New Year everyone!
Colin
I managed to get out to the North Ribble Marshes this afternoon and it was just nice to get some fresh air after a couple of days of misearble damp weather. All quiet at Newton Marsh apart from a single Stonechat so we moved on, stopping at Warton Bank. Scanning the saltmarsh we soon picked up half a dozen Little Egrets before spotting the Glossy Ibis out there too. Plenty of Pink-feet flying around and 7 Bewick's Swans overhead too. A Raven was unexpected here but despite prolonged searching for Hen Harrier there was no sign and we settled for a Peregrine instead.
On tyhen to Lytham where Fairhaven was pretty quiet but a nice raft of quackers held 2 Mergs, 21 Pochard, 5 Tufties and 4 Goldeneye. Back to Preston then stopping at Lytham Moss for a good swan herd comprising of 82 Whoopers and 30 Bewick's ending a nice afternoon.
Happy New Year everyone!
Colin
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Had a bit of time on the estuary this afternoon. Glossy Ibis still at Warton Bank with 7 Little Egrets, 10 Bewick's Swan and 19 Whoopers. A female Merlin was perched on a stump and across the Ribble there was a ringtail Hen Harrier over Bank's Marsh.
The fields at Freckleton were littered in Lapwings, Golden Plovers and Fieldfares but the freezing cold eastery put me off and I left the pool before any egrets came in to roost. Stonechat and 21 Corn Bunts at Newton about the only things of note but Buzzards seem to regular between there and Lea nowadays.
Have to try the south shore at the weekend.
The fields at Freckleton were littered in Lapwings, Golden Plovers and Fieldfares but the freezing cold eastery put me off and I left the pool before any egrets came in to roost. Stonechat and 21 Corn Bunts at Newton about the only things of note but Buzzards seem to regular between there and Lea nowadays.
Have to try the south shore at the weekend.
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Had a bit of spare time this afternoon so I popped down to the Ribble for a couple of hours. First stop was Preston Docks where there were plenty of BHG's, a few LBBG's, Herring and Common Gulls but nothing of note really. I was just thinking that I hadn't seen anything of note at the docks for some time when I glanced up to see a huge Raven over the houses and heading in a northerly direction!
With the light fading I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at Newton Marsh. The pool was totally flooded and Wigeon were spread out but close enough to search through for anything from "across the pond". No joy there, just a few Teal and Shoveler. Distant Little Egret had me wondering when we're gonna get a Cattle Egret in this part of the world (even went round to Freckleton to check it just in case!). Not much else apart from a Buzzard in the fields so I finished the afternoon at Clifton Marsh where a Barn Owl showed really well, even being mobbed by a female Merlin at one stage. Pair of Stonechats and 10 Stock Doves made it into the notebook before heading back home.
Nice afternoon.
With the light fading I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at Newton Marsh. The pool was totally flooded and Wigeon were spread out but close enough to search through for anything from "across the pond". No joy there, just a few Teal and Shoveler. Distant Little Egret had me wondering when we're gonna get a Cattle Egret in this part of the world (even went round to Freckleton to check it just in case!). Not much else apart from a Buzzard in the fields so I finished the afternoon at Clifton Marsh where a Barn Owl showed really well, even being mobbed by a female Merlin at one stage. Pair of Stonechats and 10 Stock Doves made it into the notebook before heading back home.
Nice afternoon.
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Quck visit to the N Ribble Marses after a trip out to East Lancs for the Slav' Grebe (see blog for pics). Pair of Stonechats and 40 "Pinks" south at Clifton Marsh and Buzzard perched on a hedgerow only birds of note there. Warton Bank was quite good despite an ibis "no-show" with 13 Whoopers, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Merlins, a Peregrine and best of all a ringtail Hen Harrier.
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Quiet afternoon on the Ribble.
Bit of time on the estuary this afternoon produced the Glossy Ibis, at least 15 Little Egrets, 48 Whooper Swans, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk at Warton Marsh. No sign of any harriers or shorties though. Plenty of Pink-feet flying around over the estuary but could be just local movements.
Bit of time on the estuary this afternoon produced the Glossy Ibis, at least 15 Little Egrets, 48 Whooper Swans, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk at Warton Marsh. No sign of any harriers or shorties though. Plenty of Pink-feet flying around over the estuary but could be just local movements.
Colin Bushell
Well-known member
Back on the Ribble Patch.
Finally found time to get back on patch this afternoon. As is often the case, my first outing for a long time proved very good. Wheatear and White Wagtail in with the Mipits out on the marsh (I was hoping for a Water Pipit though - they've been showing well just "off patch" over at Warton Bank), House Martins in with a few Swallows, Sedge Warber singing from a creek and a Whimbrel in with the Curlews. Single Little Egret flying about too.
Back at Freckleton I went for the short walk as far as the Naze Pool (and not the Point) given the weather outlook. Good idea as it happens - v. liitle on the pool apart from 150+ Blackwits but an Osprey in the distance over the Ribble was a fine end to the afternoon.
Colin
Finally found time to get back on patch this afternoon. As is often the case, my first outing for a long time proved very good. Wheatear and White Wagtail in with the Mipits out on the marsh (I was hoping for a Water Pipit though - they've been showing well just "off patch" over at Warton Bank), House Martins in with a few Swallows, Sedge Warber singing from a creek and a Whimbrel in with the Curlews. Single Little Egret flying about too.
Back at Freckleton I went for the short walk as far as the Naze Pool (and not the Point) given the weather outlook. Good idea as it happens - v. liitle on the pool apart from 150+ Blackwits but an Osprey in the distance over the Ribble was a fine end to the afternoon.
Colin
