A juvenile Common Tern takes to the air at Moat Lane pool
The juvenile terns yesterday (above) and five days ago (below) - notice the difference in plumage!
Juvenile Peregrines, Warton Crag
and Dad nearby keeping an eye on things....
Little Owl, Langcliffe
Drake Pochards well into eclipse plumage at HGF
Harrassed looking female Pied Wagtail at Abbeystead
Oystercatcher posing at Abbeystead
A very orange harvest type moon over Caton
Angry Coot warning me off her youngsters at Rixton Clay Pits
I do like the water lillies at the claypits
Burnet moth
Some kind of spider with its eggs - haven't a clue what species - looks like a kind of stretch spider
Red Admiral, Berry Fen
Dark Green Fritillary, Warton Crag
These Common Blue Damselflies appeared to be duelling while they were mating!
Blue-tailed Damselfly
Large Red Damselfly, Rixton Clay Pits
And more Four-spotted Chaser photos to bore you with!
Collared Dove, HGF
Coot with the hijacked grebe nest at HGFXXXXX
Last Friday afternoon I found myself at the dentist (broken tooth). For various reasons we have retained the dentist we used when we lived in Barnoldswick so our dentist is in Earby, on the road to Skipton. The visit gave me the opportunity to cut across country to get to the van so I headed off via Gisburne, Malham, Settle, Hornby and finally Caton. I wasn’t really birding, however I did take the opportunity to watch some Wheatears above Malham Cove (didn’t stop to see the Peregrines) and numerous Curlews and Mipits etc. Mainly I just took in the stunning countryside.
Xxxxx
On my way down the hill through Langcliffe (above Settle) I found a Little Owl perched on a rock face where the road cuts through a large rocky outcrop. Unfortunately as soon as I stopped the car the owl vanished into one of the crevices. Further down I found an area which brought back some memories. It is now a quad bike track which runs up the fell side. 25 years ago it was little more than a sheep track and I remember my uncle driving his Volvo estate (740 GLE turbo diesel – what a memory!) right up that sheep track and behind a large boulder to mask the fact that we were up there poaching. Aside from the track being wider the area hasn’t changed at all. Just further down a second Little Owl was perched on a fencepost – I managed to digiscope it by hiding behind the car and pointing the scope through the open windows.
Xxxx
On Friday evening I wandered over to Warton Crag to see the Peregrines. On arrival late evening both adults were perched on the rock face while one of the youngsters was making a right old racket. It turned out to be the juvenile female. I haven’t been around for a few weeks and I was surprised to see how fast they have developed. The young male looked like he could take to the air at any time. It was also interesting to see the size comparison – the male although further developed and therefore older is less than two thirds the size of the female.
Xxxx
The adult female eventually left on some business of her own. Various fritillaries and other butterflies flitted around the place and the Jackdaws were deafening as usual. It’s interesting to see that the Peregrines have been feeding almost exclusively on Jackdaws this year and while the young female began another round of calling, the make tucked into a Jackdaw stashed in the larder! So what on earth was she making a fuss for? A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into a bush on the rock face, right above the tiercel. It eventually flew out and across the quarry. I never would have put down a GSW as a fast and agile bird and I though it was taking chances, however even when the GSW flew directly over him the tiercel simply watched it as though it was hardly worth the effort.
Xxx
On Saturday I had my now usual exhausted sleep and didn’t get up until late morning. I then took Billy and headed off to Warton Crag again. There was no sign of the falcon this morning and the tiercel kept doing the odd fly past of the nest, no doubt trying to encourage the youngsters to take off. He then perched on a rocky outcrop nr the nest. The young male was busy with lots of wing exercises; I didn’t see the female do any. By the time I left there was no indication of imminent flight.
Xxxxx
In the afternoon on a hot and scorching day I took Billy for a wander around Abbeystead. I first drove the back roads looking for waders, however it was extremely quiet and a Redshank with 2 young chicks was all I found. I scanned Hawthornthwaite fell and spotted two Peregrines just drifting aimlessly over the fell – looked like a male and a female from the size comparison, however I couldn’t tell whether they were adults or youngsters from that distance. At the car park everything seemed to be silent with hardly any birds moving around or calling. Maybe they were more sensible than me and decided to stay still in the heat.
Xxxxx
As I walked through the wood I began to pick up various tits, thrushes, a few Nuthatches and a Treecreeper. When I got the part where I had found the Redstart territories I was somewhat surprised to find nothing at all. I thought I heard one calling nr the reservoir, however there was no sign near the nest sites. Looks like I was wrong when I thought the females were incubating – perhaps they had well grown young in the nest. It would certainly tie in from a timing point of view with observations at Barbondale.
Xxxxx
I headed off back through the wood and then heard a Redstart calling. Looking up the hill side I found a female and a juvenile – they soon took off. I began setting up my scope anyway and the noise disturbed a Tawny owl which had been perched on a dead tree stump around 20 feet away. I never would have seen it if the bird hadn’t moved. On the way back to the van I spotted a Little Owl flying over a field on the road above Quernmore crossroads. There are two abandoned barns on this road which I have long thought would be ideal for Little Owls but never bothered to stop and have a look. Perhaps I should next time I am there.
Xxxxx
Late evening Karen decided she wanted to go for a walk up to Birk Bank again. As soon as we hit the path I could see a male Stonechat perched in the top of a tree with a second bird (presumably the female) calling nearby. A Kestrel and a Buzzard glided around Clougha and down the hill while a Curlew began alarm calling and flying round us. Presumably she had young hidden away in the bracken. There was the usual world’s supply of Willow Warblers and a few Mipits singing away and three Red Grouse bubbled up the hillside. A family party of four Mistle Thrushes seemed to be having a tiff with another pair of the Storm Cocks. A family group of six Ravens flew over at sunset, wrapping up the birding activity on an idyllic walk in beautiful countryside.
Xxxxx
Sunday was a bit of a non-starter for birding. I did see a Whimbrel take off calling from the saltmarsh at Bolton-Le-Sands – a place we have discovered is good for a picnic and walking Bill next to the sea. This place is full of Skylarks – they are everywhere. When we arrived home on Sunday night I took Bill for a quick mooch to HGF. The place is relatively busy – 25 Coots, a few Pochard and single Tufted Duck and eight Great Crested Grebes. The latter pair which were building a nest have been evicted (has Davina visited during the weekend?). The nest is now controlled by a pair of Coots though I am not sure how well they will fare anyway – I don’t think their chances are any better than the GCG’s. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a juvenile were wandering along the water’s edge.
XXXXXX
Monday night and after work I headed off to a site called Berry Fen which was not too far from a hotel I was staying in. The main attraction here is a drake Blue-winged Teal. It was another sweltering and sticky evening and the sun was directly in my face when I looked out over the reserve. It looked like a mixture of flooded field with a few pools nearby and odd stands of phragmites with a hedge along one side. There were plenty of Sedge Warblers singing away and the usual waterfowl. I found a birder further along the path who said he had seen the Blue-winged Teal in the distance hiding behind some vegetation. I scanned the area he had indicated and soon found the bird, but then it disappeared. It’s curious that this American duck is hardly ever reported here in the morning – only in the afternoon and is surprisingly elusive. The other birder soon left – I picked up the bird a few times afterwards and the view through the scope was a lot better than the digiscoped images indicate. Also here were 16 Black-tailed Godwits and a Little Ringed Plover.
Xxxxxx
Tuesday evening and on my way back from Milton Keynes I decided to have a brief pit stop at Rixton. I first drove down Holly Bush Lane. It was nice to see a large flock of House Sparrows near the farm – I see hardly any in Winwick. Down at the field where I had spotted the Yellow Wags last week there seemed to be an army of Reed Buntings – I counted 13 in this field alone and a few more in neighbouring fields. Also present were a Grey Partridge, 2 Corn Buntings and various Linnets and Skylarks. I didn’t however see any Yellow Wags. After around 20 minutes of scanning I eventually saw a male slipping into the top nest site – very skulky and no calling. Down by the little cross roads of dirt tracks I heard another male calling from the nearby rape field.
Xxxx
I also saw a creche of juvenile Pied Wagtails along the lane - six birds in total of differing ages with the youngest barely old enough to leave the nest. Down by the tip there was a very large gull flock. Most were in a field behind the farm half way along Prospect Lane with some on the tip itself and quite a few in the pool. I decided to count them and got around 620 Lesser Black-backs with a sparse sprinkling of other species. On the pool there was a juvenile Black-headed Gull which I have seen a few times here and I think Jonathan has seen it on the Moat Lane pools too. Wonder if it was reared locally? Also around the fields were large numbers of Lapwings and Swallows.
Xxxx
At Moat Lane I got out of the car and immediately heard a familiar call overhead – one of the Common Terns. One of the birds has a translucent patch in the middle of its left wing – like the feathers have been damaged. This is the most aggressive bird and usually the one that is off fishing (presumably the male?) – it was this bird that greeted me. I walked around to pool two and saw both chicks perched in the water with two photographers with large lenses etc stood by the water’s edge. I’m not sure in the sense of disturbing them that way – they were also stood pretty near where I suspect the Little Ringed plovers have nested. I could see the two adult LRP’s in a corner watching the photographers. I took a few snaps and began walking off when I turned round and saw the chicks had gone. I couldn’t figure out what had happened for a few seconds until I saw them both flying around the far side of the pool – they’ve fledged! I immediately got a big grin on my face. The two juveniles eventually settled down at the side of one of the islands – out of sight of the two photographers! Mum and dad continued to harass from overhead so I left.
Xxxx
I should add at this point that I have no problem with people going to see the terns or photographing them. I do have a problem when it comes to trying to get as close as possible to these birds like these two guys were doing and creating a disturbance while doing so. I’m sure the LRP’s were thrilled too. They didn’t need to be down by the nesting island and didn’t need to be there for too long to get a few shots and then leave the terns in peace.
Xxxxx
HGF yesterday evening was pretty much the same. Only six GCG’s, 4 Pochards and 1 Tufted Duck plus the 2+1 family of LRP’s and another adult on the opposite side. Around 30 Swifts were flying over Midhops. This morning is was all change with 15 Tufties and five Pochard present and the GCG’s back to 8. No LRP’s though. I did drive along Lady Lane yesterday evning but I was pushed for time and didn't linger. I saw one owlet flying between the trees and that was it - nice to see at least one has fledged though.
Xxxxx
This morning the male Bullfinch was on the feeders again in the garden and along Waterworks Lane a Jay was flying along the hedge. Jay’s are not a bird I see regularly here. This evening on Waterworks Lane were 2 male Yellowhammers, 2 Grey Partridges calling and 2 Stock Doves.
Xxxxx
At lunch today I wandered around to Moat Lane. Shock. Horror. The brick company had large machinery working away around pool 1 while one of the employees was showing a contractor the gaps in the fences and both were working out how to properly fence off the area. I suspect birding opportunities around these two pools are about to disappear. I settled for a wander around the Clay Pits. Lots of dragonflies of several species and numerous warblers were around plus a noisy Nuthatch. An adult Jay and at least three juveniles were seen. I also scanned the area they have cordoned off for sheep grazing – no sign of any Tree Pipits or anything else other than sheep. On Moat Lane I heard a Lesser Whitethroat singing but on the opposite side to its usual place and at least 200 yds further up the lane. I got talking to a nice chap who owns the old school at the end of the lane – he told me he had a Little Owl in one of the outbuildings!
Xxxxx
On my way down the hill through Langcliffe (above Settle) I found a Little Owl perched on a rock face where the road cuts through a large rocky outcrop. Unfortunately as soon as I stopped the car the owl vanished into one of the crevices. Further down I found an area which brought back some memories. It is now a quad bike track which runs up the fell side. 25 years ago it was little more than a sheep track and I remember my uncle driving his Volvo estate (740 GLE turbo diesel – what a memory!) right up that sheep track and behind a large boulder to mask the fact that we were up there poaching. Aside from the track being wider the area hasn’t changed at all. Just further down a second Little Owl was perched on a fencepost – I managed to digiscope it by hiding behind the car and pointing the scope through the open windows.
Xxxx
On Friday evening I wandered over to Warton Crag to see the Peregrines. On arrival late evening both adults were perched on the rock face while one of the youngsters was making a right old racket. It turned out to be the juvenile female. I haven’t been around for a few weeks and I was surprised to see how fast they have developed. The young male looked like he could take to the air at any time. It was also interesting to see the size comparison – the male although further developed and therefore older is less than two thirds the size of the female.
Xxxx
The adult female eventually left on some business of her own. Various fritillaries and other butterflies flitted around the place and the Jackdaws were deafening as usual. It’s interesting to see that the Peregrines have been feeding almost exclusively on Jackdaws this year and while the young female began another round of calling, the make tucked into a Jackdaw stashed in the larder! So what on earth was she making a fuss for? A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into a bush on the rock face, right above the tiercel. It eventually flew out and across the quarry. I never would have put down a GSW as a fast and agile bird and I though it was taking chances, however even when the GSW flew directly over him the tiercel simply watched it as though it was hardly worth the effort.
Xxx
On Saturday I had my now usual exhausted sleep and didn’t get up until late morning. I then took Billy and headed off to Warton Crag again. There was no sign of the falcon this morning and the tiercel kept doing the odd fly past of the nest, no doubt trying to encourage the youngsters to take off. He then perched on a rocky outcrop nr the nest. The young male was busy with lots of wing exercises; I didn’t see the female do any. By the time I left there was no indication of imminent flight.
Xxxxx
In the afternoon on a hot and scorching day I took Billy for a wander around Abbeystead. I first drove the back roads looking for waders, however it was extremely quiet and a Redshank with 2 young chicks was all I found. I scanned Hawthornthwaite fell and spotted two Peregrines just drifting aimlessly over the fell – looked like a male and a female from the size comparison, however I couldn’t tell whether they were adults or youngsters from that distance. At the car park everything seemed to be silent with hardly any birds moving around or calling. Maybe they were more sensible than me and decided to stay still in the heat.
Xxxxx
As I walked through the wood I began to pick up various tits, thrushes, a few Nuthatches and a Treecreeper. When I got the part where I had found the Redstart territories I was somewhat surprised to find nothing at all. I thought I heard one calling nr the reservoir, however there was no sign near the nest sites. Looks like I was wrong when I thought the females were incubating – perhaps they had well grown young in the nest. It would certainly tie in from a timing point of view with observations at Barbondale.
Xxxxx
I headed off back through the wood and then heard a Redstart calling. Looking up the hill side I found a female and a juvenile – they soon took off. I began setting up my scope anyway and the noise disturbed a Tawny owl which had been perched on a dead tree stump around 20 feet away. I never would have seen it if the bird hadn’t moved. On the way back to the van I spotted a Little Owl flying over a field on the road above Quernmore crossroads. There are two abandoned barns on this road which I have long thought would be ideal for Little Owls but never bothered to stop and have a look. Perhaps I should next time I am there.
Xxxxx
Late evening Karen decided she wanted to go for a walk up to Birk Bank again. As soon as we hit the path I could see a male Stonechat perched in the top of a tree with a second bird (presumably the female) calling nearby. A Kestrel and a Buzzard glided around Clougha and down the hill while a Curlew began alarm calling and flying round us. Presumably she had young hidden away in the bracken. There was the usual world’s supply of Willow Warblers and a few Mipits singing away and three Red Grouse bubbled up the hillside. A family party of four Mistle Thrushes seemed to be having a tiff with another pair of the Storm Cocks. A family group of six Ravens flew over at sunset, wrapping up the birding activity on an idyllic walk in beautiful countryside.
Xxxxx
Sunday was a bit of a non-starter for birding. I did see a Whimbrel take off calling from the saltmarsh at Bolton-Le-Sands – a place we have discovered is good for a picnic and walking Bill next to the sea. This place is full of Skylarks – they are everywhere. When we arrived home on Sunday night I took Bill for a quick mooch to HGF. The place is relatively busy – 25 Coots, a few Pochard and single Tufted Duck and eight Great Crested Grebes. The latter pair which were building a nest have been evicted (has Davina visited during the weekend?). The nest is now controlled by a pair of Coots though I am not sure how well they will fare anyway – I don’t think their chances are any better than the GCG’s. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a juvenile were wandering along the water’s edge.
XXXXXX
Monday night and after work I headed off to a site called Berry Fen which was not too far from a hotel I was staying in. The main attraction here is a drake Blue-winged Teal. It was another sweltering and sticky evening and the sun was directly in my face when I looked out over the reserve. It looked like a mixture of flooded field with a few pools nearby and odd stands of phragmites with a hedge along one side. There were plenty of Sedge Warblers singing away and the usual waterfowl. I found a birder further along the path who said he had seen the Blue-winged Teal in the distance hiding behind some vegetation. I scanned the area he had indicated and soon found the bird, but then it disappeared. It’s curious that this American duck is hardly ever reported here in the morning – only in the afternoon and is surprisingly elusive. The other birder soon left – I picked up the bird a few times afterwards and the view through the scope was a lot better than the digiscoped images indicate. Also here were 16 Black-tailed Godwits and a Little Ringed Plover.
Xxxxxx
Tuesday evening and on my way back from Milton Keynes I decided to have a brief pit stop at Rixton. I first drove down Holly Bush Lane. It was nice to see a large flock of House Sparrows near the farm – I see hardly any in Winwick. Down at the field where I had spotted the Yellow Wags last week there seemed to be an army of Reed Buntings – I counted 13 in this field alone and a few more in neighbouring fields. Also present were a Grey Partridge, 2 Corn Buntings and various Linnets and Skylarks. I didn’t however see any Yellow Wags. After around 20 minutes of scanning I eventually saw a male slipping into the top nest site – very skulky and no calling. Down by the little cross roads of dirt tracks I heard another male calling from the nearby rape field.
Xxxx
I also saw a creche of juvenile Pied Wagtails along the lane - six birds in total of differing ages with the youngest barely old enough to leave the nest. Down by the tip there was a very large gull flock. Most were in a field behind the farm half way along Prospect Lane with some on the tip itself and quite a few in the pool. I decided to count them and got around 620 Lesser Black-backs with a sparse sprinkling of other species. On the pool there was a juvenile Black-headed Gull which I have seen a few times here and I think Jonathan has seen it on the Moat Lane pools too. Wonder if it was reared locally? Also around the fields were large numbers of Lapwings and Swallows.
Xxxx
At Moat Lane I got out of the car and immediately heard a familiar call overhead – one of the Common Terns. One of the birds has a translucent patch in the middle of its left wing – like the feathers have been damaged. This is the most aggressive bird and usually the one that is off fishing (presumably the male?) – it was this bird that greeted me. I walked around to pool two and saw both chicks perched in the water with two photographers with large lenses etc stood by the water’s edge. I’m not sure in the sense of disturbing them that way – they were also stood pretty near where I suspect the Little Ringed plovers have nested. I could see the two adult LRP’s in a corner watching the photographers. I took a few snaps and began walking off when I turned round and saw the chicks had gone. I couldn’t figure out what had happened for a few seconds until I saw them both flying around the far side of the pool – they’ve fledged! I immediately got a big grin on my face. The two juveniles eventually settled down at the side of one of the islands – out of sight of the two photographers! Mum and dad continued to harass from overhead so I left.
Xxxx
I should add at this point that I have no problem with people going to see the terns or photographing them. I do have a problem when it comes to trying to get as close as possible to these birds like these two guys were doing and creating a disturbance while doing so. I’m sure the LRP’s were thrilled too. They didn’t need to be down by the nesting island and didn’t need to be there for too long to get a few shots and then leave the terns in peace.
Xxxxx
HGF yesterday evening was pretty much the same. Only six GCG’s, 4 Pochards and 1 Tufted Duck plus the 2+1 family of LRP’s and another adult on the opposite side. Around 30 Swifts were flying over Midhops. This morning is was all change with 15 Tufties and five Pochard present and the GCG’s back to 8. No LRP’s though. I did drive along Lady Lane yesterday evning but I was pushed for time and didn't linger. I saw one owlet flying between the trees and that was it - nice to see at least one has fledged though.
Xxxxx
This morning the male Bullfinch was on the feeders again in the garden and along Waterworks Lane a Jay was flying along the hedge. Jay’s are not a bird I see regularly here. This evening on Waterworks Lane were 2 male Yellowhammers, 2 Grey Partridges calling and 2 Stock Doves.
Xxxxx
At lunch today I wandered around to Moat Lane. Shock. Horror. The brick company had large machinery working away around pool 1 while one of the employees was showing a contractor the gaps in the fences and both were working out how to properly fence off the area. I suspect birding opportunities around these two pools are about to disappear. I settled for a wander around the Clay Pits. Lots of dragonflies of several species and numerous warblers were around plus a noisy Nuthatch. An adult Jay and at least three juveniles were seen. I also scanned the area they have cordoned off for sheep grazing – no sign of any Tree Pipits or anything else other than sheep. On Moat Lane I heard a Lesser Whitethroat singing but on the opposite side to its usual place and at least 200 yds further up the lane. I got talking to a nice chap who owns the old school at the end of the lane – he told me he had a Little Owl in one of the outbuildings!
xxxxx
While I was talking to this chap one of the adult terns flew down Moat Lane and then angled over the A57. From the direction it seemed to be heading towards the ship canal west of Warburton Bridge - there appears to be a wide section here nr the River Bollin. If the tern kept going further, on this heading it would reach Rostherne Mere.
xxxxx
After work I went back to Moat Lane. There was still plenty of work going on so I wandered over to talk to the guy who seemed to be in charge. The jist of it is that the waer levels have to be controlled as part of the permit for the brickworks to operate - this is set by the Environment Agency, Apparently the water levels are too high and they have to lower them - the work this afternoon was to install a pump which will now operate for the next two weeks to lower the water levels. The pumping equipment will be guarded 24/7. The Insurers have also got antsy about people wandering around the pools - consequently the area will be fenced off. He was a really nice guy and I suspect a different approach would be taken but for the pressure from elsewhere.
xxxxx
xxxxx
After he left I wandered over to pool 2 - I got the feeling that he didn't really mind if I nipped (at least until the fences are up). Both adults and the two juveniles were present. The youngsters were regularly taking to the air and flying over as far as the fishing pools. I found a juvenile Little Ringed Plover close to the area the photographers were in yesterday and I also proved a theory of Jonathan's - two singing male Lesser Whitethroats with the second one at the back of pool 2 nr Moss Side Lane. Almost forgot - the gull numbers are now so high they have triggered a requirement under the Environmental Permit for the landfill site and gun scarers were introduced today.
