xxxxx
And the winner is.....
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Roe Bucks at Leighton Moss
While watching the Osprey at Leighton Moss on Sunday morning, Colin who I was chatting with pointed out two Roe Bucks fighting way off to the left. They gradually moved right across in front of us and carried on towards the road - fighting all the time. I estimate they were fighting for 6-7 minutes before one gave up!!!!
xxxxx
And the winner is.....
xxxxx
And the winner is..... Monday, 26 July 2010
North Lancs and other bits and bobs
Buzzard with a bit of carrion in the grass!
Buzzard number two!
Buzzard number four - noisy bird!
Buzzards number one and three
Whimbrel, Morecambe
Note the size difference between Whimbrel and Curlew
Red-breasted Merganser, Morecambe
Mediterranean Gull, Teal Bay
Curlew, Morecambe
Bar-tailed Godwits, Morecambe
Yellowhammer, Waterworks Lane, Winwick
Juvenile Common Whitethroat, Inner Marsh Farm
Peacock around the van, Crook O'Lune HP
Osprey, Leighton Moss
The feeders next to the van
xxxxx Thursday morning I had a quick visit with Billy to HGF before Bill then spent all day in a specialist veterinary hospital undergoing virtually every test on dogs known to science. Anyway at HGF the four Black-necked Grebes were still present and 2 Common Sandpipers round the shore. A Buzzard also flew over the pool in the rain. Early afternoon I visited Risley Moss to while away the time until I could pick Bill up. The first summer male Hobby was present on its perch – not much else about though. I was a bit restless and soon became bored so I decamped to Inner Marsh Farm as this was only 15 mins from the vets.
Xxxx
On arrival at IMF, the volunteer warden told me that a birder had reported hearing a Wood Sandpiper a short time earlier. On my way down the hill I scanned the pools in the hope that I might pick up the bird. On one of the back pools I spotted a Green Sandpiper preening and then on the pool behind that one three waders asleep in a row with the two outer birds clearly Green Sandpipers. The middle bird however was smaller and appeared to be more slender and was a brownish colour. I decided to focus on this bird just as a birder appeared up the hill asking if I had seen a Wood Sand. This was the guy who had heard one calling earlier. I pointed out the bird I was watching and as it woke up and began to move around it became clear it was indeed a Wood Sandpiper. A bloody long way off though!
Xxxxx
Down from the hide where a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits, many in stunning summer plumage. A Ruff was also here and to the right of the hide another Green Sandpiper was feeding along the shore. On the way back up the hill the field was full of finches flitting around and a few Whitethroats. A Green Woodpecker was also calling. Thursday evening after rescuing Bill I made a quick trip to Rixton. The adult and two juvenile Redshanks were on pool one and an adult Little Ringed Plover on pool two. Otherwise quiet. The Little Owl on the barn opposite Chapel Lane was being scolded by a female Blackbird – on Lady Lane an adult Little Owl was perched on a telegraph pole.
Xxxxx
Friday morning and the four Black-necked Grebes were still present and correct on HGF. A single Common Sandpiper was there and a Sand Martin was feeding over the water – the first in a while and perhaps a sign of return migration. Around 150 Swifts were also feeding over the fields west of the pool. A quick side trip to Newton confirmed that the three Green Sandpipers were feeding on the mud flat at the back of Newton Lake. With Bill coming round a bit I headed back north to Caton.
Xxxx
Friday afternoon we didn’t move from the van, however entertainment was provided by four Buzzards. Pure speculation but based on behaviour I guess there was an adult and three juveniles which spent all afternoon and evening in the field behind the van. One of the meadows had been cut and the presumed female kept finding bits of dead stuff – various parts of anatomy which I guess could have been minced rabbit. The three juvs perched on nearby posts or other perches and called for food – one in particular was very noisy. A female Siskin was on the feeders today, as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Two Tawny Owls were calling in the early hours.
Xxxxx
Saturday morning I had a wander over to Heysham. Three Eiders and a Turnstone were all I got for my troubles. I then proceeded up along Morecambe front as the tide came in. Two Whimbrels were spotted somewhere near Broadway Groyne and at least 72 Eiders were picked up in various places. Oodles of Redshanks and Curlews. At Teal Bay around 22 Bar-tailed Godwits were joined by 6 Black-tailed Godwits with quite a few Dunlin and a single Knot. Eventually a Med Gull drifted over and plonked itself on the beach past the sports centre. I walked over to view it whereupon the Med drifted back to the car park which I had just left! Another Whimbrel (or perhaps one of the earlier birds) flew over calling and dropped in past the sports centre. A single Red-breasted Merganser was also in Teal Bay. On the feeders today were three Siskins, 2 Coal Tits and a GSW. I suspect the numbers of birds visiting the feeders are quite considerable – at any time during the day there seemed to be at least 20 birds on or around them.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I took Bill for a quick mooch on the Lune past Bull Beck. A Common Sandpiper and two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were on the pebble stretch while nearby a Garden Warbler sang very briefly, as did a Whitethroat. I then drifted off to Leighton Moss. I decided to park up on the road above the reserve, set up my scope and almost on cue an Osprey flew in and perched in the dead tree. I spent a nice while chatting with a guy called Colin Nash and watching the Osprey. Twice it flew off on hunting circuits and returned empty taloned. I suspect the wind was disturbing the surface and making it harder to see fish. A juvenile Marsh Harrier drifted around – also seen were a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, two GSW’s and a Raven. Oh and we watched a spectacle which made our week – will publish these photos separately!!! By the van today two Siskins were on the feeders plus the Coal Tits and a juvenile GSW. A Peacock also paid a visit, foraging on the spilled seed.
Xxxx
On arrival at IMF, the volunteer warden told me that a birder had reported hearing a Wood Sandpiper a short time earlier. On my way down the hill I scanned the pools in the hope that I might pick up the bird. On one of the back pools I spotted a Green Sandpiper preening and then on the pool behind that one three waders asleep in a row with the two outer birds clearly Green Sandpipers. The middle bird however was smaller and appeared to be more slender and was a brownish colour. I decided to focus on this bird just as a birder appeared up the hill asking if I had seen a Wood Sand. This was the guy who had heard one calling earlier. I pointed out the bird I was watching and as it woke up and began to move around it became clear it was indeed a Wood Sandpiper. A bloody long way off though!
Xxxxx
Down from the hide where a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits, many in stunning summer plumage. A Ruff was also here and to the right of the hide another Green Sandpiper was feeding along the shore. On the way back up the hill the field was full of finches flitting around and a few Whitethroats. A Green Woodpecker was also calling. Thursday evening after rescuing Bill I made a quick trip to Rixton. The adult and two juvenile Redshanks were on pool one and an adult Little Ringed Plover on pool two. Otherwise quiet. The Little Owl on the barn opposite Chapel Lane was being scolded by a female Blackbird – on Lady Lane an adult Little Owl was perched on a telegraph pole.
Xxxxx
Friday morning and the four Black-necked Grebes were still present and correct on HGF. A single Common Sandpiper was there and a Sand Martin was feeding over the water – the first in a while and perhaps a sign of return migration. Around 150 Swifts were also feeding over the fields west of the pool. A quick side trip to Newton confirmed that the three Green Sandpipers were feeding on the mud flat at the back of Newton Lake. With Bill coming round a bit I headed back north to Caton.
Xxxx
Friday afternoon we didn’t move from the van, however entertainment was provided by four Buzzards. Pure speculation but based on behaviour I guess there was an adult and three juveniles which spent all afternoon and evening in the field behind the van. One of the meadows had been cut and the presumed female kept finding bits of dead stuff – various parts of anatomy which I guess could have been minced rabbit. The three juvs perched on nearby posts or other perches and called for food – one in particular was very noisy. A female Siskin was on the feeders today, as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Two Tawny Owls were calling in the early hours.
Xxxxx
Saturday morning I had a wander over to Heysham. Three Eiders and a Turnstone were all I got for my troubles. I then proceeded up along Morecambe front as the tide came in. Two Whimbrels were spotted somewhere near Broadway Groyne and at least 72 Eiders were picked up in various places. Oodles of Redshanks and Curlews. At Teal Bay around 22 Bar-tailed Godwits were joined by 6 Black-tailed Godwits with quite a few Dunlin and a single Knot. Eventually a Med Gull drifted over and plonked itself on the beach past the sports centre. I walked over to view it whereupon the Med drifted back to the car park which I had just left! Another Whimbrel (or perhaps one of the earlier birds) flew over calling and dropped in past the sports centre. A single Red-breasted Merganser was also in Teal Bay. On the feeders today were three Siskins, 2 Coal Tits and a GSW. I suspect the numbers of birds visiting the feeders are quite considerable – at any time during the day there seemed to be at least 20 birds on or around them.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I took Bill for a quick mooch on the Lune past Bull Beck. A Common Sandpiper and two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were on the pebble stretch while nearby a Garden Warbler sang very briefly, as did a Whitethroat. I then drifted off to Leighton Moss. I decided to park up on the road above the reserve, set up my scope and almost on cue an Osprey flew in and perched in the dead tree. I spent a nice while chatting with a guy called Colin Nash and watching the Osprey. Twice it flew off on hunting circuits and returned empty taloned. I suspect the wind was disturbing the surface and making it harder to see fish. A juvenile Marsh Harrier drifted around – also seen were a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, two GSW’s and a Raven. Oh and we watched a spectacle which made our week – will publish these photos separately!!! By the van today two Siskins were on the feeders plus the Coal Tits and a juvenile GSW. A Peacock also paid a visit, foraging on the spilled seed.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Caton
Mandarin, Caton
A few Sand Martin holes survived the flood
Adult and juvenile Common Sandpipers, Caton
Juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Caton
Before and after shots of the Lune water levels earlier in the week - the spit of land with the fenceline protruding from the water is where the Mandarin was.
xxxxxLast Monday we started what was supposed to be a week’s holiday at Crook O’Lune – it didn’t quite turn out that way – best laid plans of mice and men and all that! Monday was a wash out – it rained all day at the van. I did wander around the Lune just upriver from Bull Beck in the morning. The Lune had overflowed its banks here and thus restricted access along the river. A couple of Common Sandpipers were scurrying around the edge of a flooded field and various ducks and geese were congregating here. I spotted an odd looking duck in the grass and almost dismissed it before deciding to scope the bird. Good job too as it turned out to be a female Mandarin! Later in the day a Sparrowhawk flew through the caravan park.
Xxxx
The following day I wandered back to this area around the Lune during the evening. There was no sign of the Mandarin, however I had noticed large numbers of gulls building up. This evening there were 340+ Black-headed, 23 Common, 6 Lesser Black-backed and 2 Herring. An adult Little Ringed Plover was also wandering along the edge of a pool in the field. At the van the number of birds visiting the feeders is starting to increase with numerous young birds of various tit and finch species present and also a female Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Nuthatch also flew over and in the field behind the van there were 12 Mistle Thrushes feeding.
Xxxx
Wednesday morning there were 14 Mistle Thrushes feeding in the field behind the van. I decided to pay a visit to Heysham – I got there at around 8am when the tide was full or not far off. I set up at the north harbour wall and immediately spotted a Gannet flying left to right. A few minutes later I found a Razorbill which was close enough in for me to see the white line on its bill. The bird looked knackered and just seemed t float along. And that was it for around half and hour when a Sandwich Tern flew across right and then suddenly I spotted a dark morph Arctic Skua. The bird was flying across from the left and was not too far out. I scanned along with the bird and then got to a point where I needed to step around the legs of my tripod to adjust position. I lost the skua! I scanned around for a couple of minutes with no joy when I suddenly found it again flying along the channel and chasing what looked like a very brown juvenile Common Gull. The skua chased it for around 500-600 meteres and then for some reason suddenly broke off. It then proceeded with a few vertical climbs and then dives and various other aerobatics before heading out of the bay in the direction of Barrow. I watched it well out when it suddenly dropped onto the sea and I lost it. Stunner!!!
Xxxxx
Late morning Karen and I went for a run out to a place called Muker to see the buttertubs! These are geological features which Karen had seen a few times as a child. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttertubs_Pass)
Xxxxx
The run out from Hawes is superb through stunning countryside and past the Ribblehead Viaduct too. Although strictly a non-birding session I couldn’t help notice a few things. Like a Little Owl perched on a limestone pavement. And a female Merlin which erupted out of the heather as we drove passed and flew up the hillside. Oh and the numerous Wheatears which milled around the road, two of which decided for suicide runs across the front of the car. And best of all, a female Ring Ouzel which was happily feeding on the turf around the buttertubs! No bins needed or a long trek up a valley or hill!
Xxxxx
Late afternoon I nipped back to my now favourite spot on the Lune. The water level had left not a lot of cover and a pebble bar in the river was now covered in all sorts of birds. Among those present were 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, an adult Ringed Plover, 8 Common Sandpipers and 8 Goosanders. Just further down on a narrow strip I found another adult Common Sandpiper with 2 very downy juveniles. A male Kingfisher fished nearby. The gull flock this afternoon was not as large as previously although a Great Black-backed Gull was there. At the van a Sparrowhawk was also present again.
Xxxxxx
I then had to leave Caton and head back home for a couple of days. Consequently Wednesday night I managed to get to HGF before dusk to find 4 Black-necked Grebes in residence - three adults and a juvenile.
Xxxx
The following day I wandered back to this area around the Lune during the evening. There was no sign of the Mandarin, however I had noticed large numbers of gulls building up. This evening there were 340+ Black-headed, 23 Common, 6 Lesser Black-backed and 2 Herring. An adult Little Ringed Plover was also wandering along the edge of a pool in the field. At the van the number of birds visiting the feeders is starting to increase with numerous young birds of various tit and finch species present and also a female Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Nuthatch also flew over and in the field behind the van there were 12 Mistle Thrushes feeding.
Xxxx
Wednesday morning there were 14 Mistle Thrushes feeding in the field behind the van. I decided to pay a visit to Heysham – I got there at around 8am when the tide was full or not far off. I set up at the north harbour wall and immediately spotted a Gannet flying left to right. A few minutes later I found a Razorbill which was close enough in for me to see the white line on its bill. The bird looked knackered and just seemed t float along. And that was it for around half and hour when a Sandwich Tern flew across right and then suddenly I spotted a dark morph Arctic Skua. The bird was flying across from the left and was not too far out. I scanned along with the bird and then got to a point where I needed to step around the legs of my tripod to adjust position. I lost the skua! I scanned around for a couple of minutes with no joy when I suddenly found it again flying along the channel and chasing what looked like a very brown juvenile Common Gull. The skua chased it for around 500-600 meteres and then for some reason suddenly broke off. It then proceeded with a few vertical climbs and then dives and various other aerobatics before heading out of the bay in the direction of Barrow. I watched it well out when it suddenly dropped onto the sea and I lost it. Stunner!!!
Xxxxx
Late morning Karen and I went for a run out to a place called Muker to see the buttertubs! These are geological features which Karen had seen a few times as a child. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttertubs_Pass)
Xxxxx
The run out from Hawes is superb through stunning countryside and past the Ribblehead Viaduct too. Although strictly a non-birding session I couldn’t help notice a few things. Like a Little Owl perched on a limestone pavement. And a female Merlin which erupted out of the heather as we drove passed and flew up the hillside. Oh and the numerous Wheatears which milled around the road, two of which decided for suicide runs across the front of the car. And best of all, a female Ring Ouzel which was happily feeding on the turf around the buttertubs! No bins needed or a long trek up a valley or hill!
Xxxxx
Late afternoon I nipped back to my now favourite spot on the Lune. The water level had left not a lot of cover and a pebble bar in the river was now covered in all sorts of birds. Among those present were 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, an adult Ringed Plover, 8 Common Sandpipers and 8 Goosanders. Just further down on a narrow strip I found another adult Common Sandpiper with 2 very downy juveniles. A male Kingfisher fished nearby. The gull flock this afternoon was not as large as previously although a Great Black-backed Gull was there. At the van a Sparrowhawk was also present again.
Xxxxxx
I then had to leave Caton and head back home for a couple of days. Consequently Wednesday night I managed to get to HGF before dusk to find 4 Black-necked Grebes in residence - three adults and a juvenile.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
HGF Mega!
Little Egret, Houghton Green Flash
Little Ringed Plover, Rixton
Little Owl, Croft
Juvenile Linnet, Seaforth
Juvenile Common Sandpipers, Seaforth
Dunlin, Seaforth. Somewhat spoiled bythe glare from the sun.xxxxx
Last Friday morning, still suffering from the effects of a virus that struck in mid week, I took Bill for the usual wander to HGF. Three Little Grebes were present and a Grey Partridge flew off the north bank, however everything else was pretty much as was. I also managed a quick trip into Seaforth today. Two adult Meds were present on the spit – one with a peppered head which looked familiar from recent visits and another which appeared to have already moulted most of its head except for the mask. Four Common Sandpipers and the usual array of waders were present – unfortunately no interesting terns. At one point everything lifted and I stuck my head out of the hide to see a Peregrine fly over. I did, however miss one as another birder saw to birds fly over.
Xxxxx
Late evening I walked Bill around Newton Lake. One Green Sandpiper briefly stalked out of the undergrowth and showed for around a minute before disappearing back from whence it came. Of interest were two juvenile Lapwings which were present on the mud with their parents – also two Little Grebes at the back of the pool and a Teal which was asleep.
Xxxxx
Early Saturday we had a quick mooch around Moat Lane pools in Rixton. The Redshank was as usual on pool two with both juveniles present and flying! Two Little Ringed Plovers were also present with three small balls of fluff. Six Herons were on pool one – otherwise it was quiet. The garden this morning seemed to be teeming with juvenile tits and finches – the male Bullfinch was also feeding.
Xxxx
Mid afternoon and another walk with Bill – this time to Risley Moss. The usual guys were already present – as was the first summer Hobby which was perched in its usual dead tree. The Hobby repeatedly took to the air hunting insects and good is distant views were had for around an hour. A couple of Yellowhammers and a Buzzard were the best of the supporting cast and HGF began tugging at me so I headed off there. What a cracking decision that was!
Xxxxx
As soon as I arrived at the south bank I could see a large white blob on the far side of the pool and I knew immediately what it was. I quickly set the scope up and was soon gazing at a juvenile Little Egret. If I had seen this bird at Parkgate or Burton Marsh I wouldn’t have given it a second glance – however this was HGF and only the second Little Egret I have seen here. I quietly walked around the pool to get better views and having digiscoped it, I left the bird feeding. Shortly after the first of the dog walkers arrived – a guy who stood on the south bank and sent his dog to walk around the pool on its own. It was clearly an old dog and approx half way between a terrier and a spaniel in size. It approached the egret but showed no particular interest in the bird, however the egret was having none of it. The bird flew straight up and back down, landing directly in front of the dog. It then spread its wings and lunged with its bill at the dog before backing off. Following this confrontation the dog continued its way around the pool and the egret resumed feeding. Amazing!
Xxxxx
I resumed scanning the pool and was pleased to see two Black-necked Grebes on the water – an adult and a juvenile. It was also pleasing to see 18 House Martins feeding over the south field – by far the largest count of this species here this year. Nearly forgot – I drove past Lady Lane this morning and two owls were in the tree – an adult and a juvenile. Late evening I nipped over to Newton Lake where three Green Sandpipers were showing well (in between the showers) – a Common Gull was also present with the Black-heads.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I drifted round Waterworks Lane on my way to HGF. I was somewhat surprised to see around 40 House Sparrows in the hedge by the feeding station. Obviously they were helping themselves to barley – it was very heartening to see such a large flock (by Winwick’s recent standards) in the village. Quite a few Swallows feeding over this field too. At HGF there was no sign of the egret or the two Black-necked Grebes from yesterday although a different, somewhat drabber, adult bird was now present.
Xxxxx
Early afternoon I wandered over to Rixton via a few pit stops. Six Corn Buntings were seen outside Holcroft Hall Farm on the way – I then diverted around to Cadishead Moss. A female Tufted Duck and a single duckling were floating down the River Glaze. Around the pig pens were around 150 Lesser Black-backed Gulls – I then drove to the end and found a large flock at rest in the turf field beyond Woolden View Farm (field 53 on the chat moss map). I estimated around 1040+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present in total at both sites. I scanned the birds for something interesting or a ringed bird, however nothing doing.
Xxxxx
After I while I headed off down Dam Head Lane in Glazebrook. I saw a Sparrowhawk flash past over the fields and one field to the west of the lane had at least 140 Swallows feeding over it. I finally parked the car at the side of the lane opposite the midden pile and just a bit further down and just sat and watched. Shortly a male Yellow Wagtail appeared and I could hear another calling nearby but couldn’t see it. I then began to see Yellow Wags flitting over – I eventually saw four birds, 2 adults and 2 juveniles drop into a particular spot in the field. I thought there might have been a third juvenile but I couldn’t seem to pin them down.
Xxxxx
It was peaceful and relaxing just sitting there and watching the antics of the wags. I was somewhat startled when a Quail began singing quite close to the car. I haven’t heard one here before and I had drawn a blank after several attempts on the bird heard at Rixton Mosses. I quickly phoned Jonathan to let him know and to ask him if he had picked up this Quail (no). The bird sang a couple of times afterwards and then went quiet. At Moat Lane pools the LRP’s and their three balls of fluff were still present plus the Redshanks. A new Mute Swan was on pool 2 with the Dunham Massey bird still on pool 1. On the mosses the usual suspects were in evidence and on the far side of the field at the bottom of Holly Bush Lane I could see four distant Yellow Wagtails flying around together in a group. A Sparrowhawk (male) flew over the mosses and headed towards Risley Moss.
Xxxxx
Late evening I walked Bill around Newton Lake. One Green Sandpiper briefly stalked out of the undergrowth and showed for around a minute before disappearing back from whence it came. Of interest were two juvenile Lapwings which were present on the mud with their parents – also two Little Grebes at the back of the pool and a Teal which was asleep.
Xxxxx
Early Saturday we had a quick mooch around Moat Lane pools in Rixton. The Redshank was as usual on pool two with both juveniles present and flying! Two Little Ringed Plovers were also present with three small balls of fluff. Six Herons were on pool one – otherwise it was quiet. The garden this morning seemed to be teeming with juvenile tits and finches – the male Bullfinch was also feeding.
Xxxx
Mid afternoon and another walk with Bill – this time to Risley Moss. The usual guys were already present – as was the first summer Hobby which was perched in its usual dead tree. The Hobby repeatedly took to the air hunting insects and good is distant views were had for around an hour. A couple of Yellowhammers and a Buzzard were the best of the supporting cast and HGF began tugging at me so I headed off there. What a cracking decision that was!
Xxxxx
As soon as I arrived at the south bank I could see a large white blob on the far side of the pool and I knew immediately what it was. I quickly set the scope up and was soon gazing at a juvenile Little Egret. If I had seen this bird at Parkgate or Burton Marsh I wouldn’t have given it a second glance – however this was HGF and only the second Little Egret I have seen here. I quietly walked around the pool to get better views and having digiscoped it, I left the bird feeding. Shortly after the first of the dog walkers arrived – a guy who stood on the south bank and sent his dog to walk around the pool on its own. It was clearly an old dog and approx half way between a terrier and a spaniel in size. It approached the egret but showed no particular interest in the bird, however the egret was having none of it. The bird flew straight up and back down, landing directly in front of the dog. It then spread its wings and lunged with its bill at the dog before backing off. Following this confrontation the dog continued its way around the pool and the egret resumed feeding. Amazing!
Xxxxx
I resumed scanning the pool and was pleased to see two Black-necked Grebes on the water – an adult and a juvenile. It was also pleasing to see 18 House Martins feeding over the south field – by far the largest count of this species here this year. Nearly forgot – I drove past Lady Lane this morning and two owls were in the tree – an adult and a juvenile. Late evening I nipped over to Newton Lake where three Green Sandpipers were showing well (in between the showers) – a Common Gull was also present with the Black-heads.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I drifted round Waterworks Lane on my way to HGF. I was somewhat surprised to see around 40 House Sparrows in the hedge by the feeding station. Obviously they were helping themselves to barley – it was very heartening to see such a large flock (by Winwick’s recent standards) in the village. Quite a few Swallows feeding over this field too. At HGF there was no sign of the egret or the two Black-necked Grebes from yesterday although a different, somewhat drabber, adult bird was now present.
Xxxxx
Early afternoon I wandered over to Rixton via a few pit stops. Six Corn Buntings were seen outside Holcroft Hall Farm on the way – I then diverted around to Cadishead Moss. A female Tufted Duck and a single duckling were floating down the River Glaze. Around the pig pens were around 150 Lesser Black-backed Gulls – I then drove to the end and found a large flock at rest in the turf field beyond Woolden View Farm (field 53 on the chat moss map). I estimated around 1040+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present in total at both sites. I scanned the birds for something interesting or a ringed bird, however nothing doing.
Xxxxx
After I while I headed off down Dam Head Lane in Glazebrook. I saw a Sparrowhawk flash past over the fields and one field to the west of the lane had at least 140 Swallows feeding over it. I finally parked the car at the side of the lane opposite the midden pile and just a bit further down and just sat and watched. Shortly a male Yellow Wagtail appeared and I could hear another calling nearby but couldn’t see it. I then began to see Yellow Wags flitting over – I eventually saw four birds, 2 adults and 2 juveniles drop into a particular spot in the field. I thought there might have been a third juvenile but I couldn’t seem to pin them down.
Xxxxx
It was peaceful and relaxing just sitting there and watching the antics of the wags. I was somewhat startled when a Quail began singing quite close to the car. I haven’t heard one here before and I had drawn a blank after several attempts on the bird heard at Rixton Mosses. I quickly phoned Jonathan to let him know and to ask him if he had picked up this Quail (no). The bird sang a couple of times afterwards and then went quiet. At Moat Lane pools the LRP’s and their three balls of fluff were still present plus the Redshanks. A new Mute Swan was on pool 2 with the Dunham Massey bird still on pool 1. On the mosses the usual suspects were in evidence and on the far side of the field at the bottom of Holly Bush Lane I could see four distant Yellow Wagtails flying around together in a group. A Sparrowhawk (male) flew over the mosses and headed towards Risley Moss.
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