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.
No comments:
Post a Comment