Stunning image of the Lesser Yellowlegs at Inner Marsh Farm. I am confident this one will win many awards!
Sedge Warbler, Burton Marsh
Hobby, Burton Marsh
Mute Swan JP4 still on Moat Lane pool 1, Rixton
New Kingfisher perches on Moat Lane pool 1
Doxey Marshes with the M6 flyover
Stunning views of a Cattle Egret at Doxey Marshes - you can see all the plumage detail. Fantastic!xxxxx
Summary of the last week’s sightings.
Xxx
Last Monday (26th) I had the usual evening walk around HGF. Four Black-necked Grebes were present (three adults and a juvenile) – everything else was pretty much as was. The BNG’s disappeared overnight with none present on the pool until Friday morning when 2 adults appeared and three were present on Saturday. Typically they disappeared again overnight Saturday/Sunday. The adult Little Grebe was joined by a juvenile on Friday – they both then disappeared overnight. Coot, Pochard and Tufted Duck numbers have varied widely with John Tymon visiting during the afternoons (as opposed to my early morning and late evening visits) and obtaining much higher counts. The Kestrels appear to have bred successfully with juvenile birds being seen on the barn roof at Midhops on the last few evenings.
Xxxxxx
It’s interesting to see that Jonathan is getting a sizable flock of Little Grebes on Silver Lane pools. Normally HGF would have 15-20 birds by this time of year for the post-breeding moult, peaking at 25 or so in autumn and most staying until early winter. Last year the flock dispersed abruptly due to disturbance – I would guess they have now relocated to Silver Lane pools. They are probably better off there though it is sad to see them leave HGF. It also looks like we have seen the last of the Black-necked Grebes for the year too at HGF. Normally birds are present throughout August and into early September. Too much disturbance again methinks.
xxxxxx
Rixton has been underwatched over the last week or so. I did briefly have a mooch around Moat Lane pools on Monday – the 2 juvenile Redshanks were on pool 1 (last time I saw them) and an adult Little Ringed Plover was continually hassled by a juvenile. The Mute Swan blue JP4 is still present on pool 1.
Xxxx
On Sunday morning I had a wander around Rixton mosses. It was quiet to begin with though 4 or 5 Yellowhammers were in evidence. I stopped at the bottom end of Holly Bush Lane to look for Yellow Wags (none) and noticed a large gathering of Swifts feeding over the wheat and rape fields. A few brown jobs flew over towards Risley Moss so I scanned over to them (too far away to ID) and immediately noticed a small raptor rise out of the trees bordering Risley Moss.
xxxx
The bird eventually flew directly overhead and turned out to be a Hobby. The bird circled the Swifts but didn’t seem that fussed about trying for them, abruptly the bird suddenly gained height and sped off in a north easterly direction. Continuing on this heading would take it right into the Manchester mosses – perhaps this is one of the birds seen feeding over Astley Moss? If so this raises a curious question. The RM birds are rarely seen having a pop at hirundines while the Astley Moss birds seem to be past masters at it. If the Hobby I saw is commuting between RM and Astley Moss – what changes its behaviour? Answers on a post card please….
Xxxxx
Also on the mosses were 6 Kestrels (2+2+2) and a Buzzard. On the Moat Lane pools an adult Little Ringed Plover was on pool 1 with 2 well grown juveniles and a male Kingfisher was fishing by perching on top of mud mounds and diving into small pools. Perhaps the water abstraction has concentrated the fish into small pools – it certainly seemed to be successful.
Xxxxx
I haven’t bothered with Winwick this week other than the male Bullfinch keep coming in to the feeders. One thing I have noted is that the feeders at home are very quiet while those at the van in Caton are manic. Could be the fields of cereal crops behind out house are more attractive than the sunflower hearts!
Xxxxx
During the week I was driving back from an overnight work trip and decided to call in at Doxey Marshes (http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/page/doxey-marshes). Never been here before but very easy to find from J14 M6. I parked up by a children’s playground which is right by the entrance to the reserve and looked out over some marsh at grazing livestock and immediately spotted a very distant Cattle Egret. This bird had been in residence for a few days but was generally elusive. I watched it distantly for around 10 minutes whereupon it flew into a drainage ditch and that was that! I had a brief mooch around the reserve – cracking little place with plenty of potential and a wide range of habitat. A heavy downpour soon put a stop to my exploring before I found anything interesting so I continued homeward.
Xxxx
On a brief note – the Little Bitterns at Ham Wall RSPB have bred successfully. http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1065729998&frmid=14&msgid=878917&cmd=show
Xxx
Last Monday (26th) I had the usual evening walk around HGF. Four Black-necked Grebes were present (three adults and a juvenile) – everything else was pretty much as was. The BNG’s disappeared overnight with none present on the pool until Friday morning when 2 adults appeared and three were present on Saturday. Typically they disappeared again overnight Saturday/Sunday. The adult Little Grebe was joined by a juvenile on Friday – they both then disappeared overnight. Coot, Pochard and Tufted Duck numbers have varied widely with John Tymon visiting during the afternoons (as opposed to my early morning and late evening visits) and obtaining much higher counts. The Kestrels appear to have bred successfully with juvenile birds being seen on the barn roof at Midhops on the last few evenings.
Xxxxxx
It’s interesting to see that Jonathan is getting a sizable flock of Little Grebes on Silver Lane pools. Normally HGF would have 15-20 birds by this time of year for the post-breeding moult, peaking at 25 or so in autumn and most staying until early winter. Last year the flock dispersed abruptly due to disturbance – I would guess they have now relocated to Silver Lane pools. They are probably better off there though it is sad to see them leave HGF. It also looks like we have seen the last of the Black-necked Grebes for the year too at HGF. Normally birds are present throughout August and into early September. Too much disturbance again methinks.
xxxxxx
Rixton has been underwatched over the last week or so. I did briefly have a mooch around Moat Lane pools on Monday – the 2 juvenile Redshanks were on pool 1 (last time I saw them) and an adult Little Ringed Plover was continually hassled by a juvenile. The Mute Swan blue JP4 is still present on pool 1.
Xxxx
On Sunday morning I had a wander around Rixton mosses. It was quiet to begin with though 4 or 5 Yellowhammers were in evidence. I stopped at the bottom end of Holly Bush Lane to look for Yellow Wags (none) and noticed a large gathering of Swifts feeding over the wheat and rape fields. A few brown jobs flew over towards Risley Moss so I scanned over to them (too far away to ID) and immediately noticed a small raptor rise out of the trees bordering Risley Moss.
xxxx
The bird eventually flew directly overhead and turned out to be a Hobby. The bird circled the Swifts but didn’t seem that fussed about trying for them, abruptly the bird suddenly gained height and sped off in a north easterly direction. Continuing on this heading would take it right into the Manchester mosses – perhaps this is one of the birds seen feeding over Astley Moss? If so this raises a curious question. The RM birds are rarely seen having a pop at hirundines while the Astley Moss birds seem to be past masters at it. If the Hobby I saw is commuting between RM and Astley Moss – what changes its behaviour? Answers on a post card please….
Xxxxx
Also on the mosses were 6 Kestrels (2+2+2) and a Buzzard. On the Moat Lane pools an adult Little Ringed Plover was on pool 1 with 2 well grown juveniles and a male Kingfisher was fishing by perching on top of mud mounds and diving into small pools. Perhaps the water abstraction has concentrated the fish into small pools – it certainly seemed to be successful.
Xxxxx
I haven’t bothered with Winwick this week other than the male Bullfinch keep coming in to the feeders. One thing I have noted is that the feeders at home are very quiet while those at the van in Caton are manic. Could be the fields of cereal crops behind out house are more attractive than the sunflower hearts!
Xxxxx
During the week I was driving back from an overnight work trip and decided to call in at Doxey Marshes (http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/page/doxey-marshes). Never been here before but very easy to find from J14 M6. I parked up by a children’s playground which is right by the entrance to the reserve and looked out over some marsh at grazing livestock and immediately spotted a very distant Cattle Egret. This bird had been in residence for a few days but was generally elusive. I watched it distantly for around 10 minutes whereupon it flew into a drainage ditch and that was that! I had a brief mooch around the reserve – cracking little place with plenty of potential and a wide range of habitat. A heavy downpour soon put a stop to my exploring before I found anything interesting so I continued homeward.
Xxxx
On a brief note – the Little Bitterns at Ham Wall RSPB have bred successfully. http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1065729998&frmid=14&msgid=878917&cmd=show
Xxxx
Saturday I picked Jonathan up early doors (for me) and we headed off to the east coast. As soon as we arrived at Flamborough a Barn Owl flitted across the road in front of us and seemed to vanish in someone’s back garden! We took up station for some sea watching with 7 or 8 other birders already present and apparently having a slow day. In the first half hour or so we had the same with just 2 or 3 Manx Shearwaters though other entertainment was had watching Puffins (a few), Fulmars (a bit more), Gannets (lots more) and Kittiwakes (thousands of em!). Oh and plenty of Sandwich and a few comic terns.
Xxxxx
After the birders next to us left it began to get more lively. Jonathan found a Bonxie then shortly afterwards I saw what I am sure was three Skuas together in the air. Two looked like Arctic while the third larger bird looked like a Bonxie. The two presumed Arctics (I’m almost certain they were – a statement that would cause a debate on the Manchester birding forum!!!) headed straight out to sea so I tracked the third bird and eventually identified it as a Bonxie. Shortly afterwards I found 2 Bonxies together – over 90 minutes or so we had at least eight sightings of Bonxies with two together on three occasions. We also had somewhere between 12 and 15 Manx Shearwaters between us.
Xxxxx
At one point a birder round the corner popped his head round to alert us to a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull following a fishing boat with various other gulls. Thankfully I picked it up after a minute or two of careful study – it even showed off its pale underwings by hovering over the back end of the boat! I suspect I wouldn’t have found it if I hadn’t known it was there. Shortly after we decided to call it quits.
Xxxxx
Next stop was Wykeham Forest. A few birders were already present, however I don’t think they had seen much. One of them spotted a bird flying up the valley – it turned out to be a Turtle Dove and a superb spot. Jonathan then found a female Goshawk which I only saw through my bins – it had disappeared by the time I got the scope out. Another smaller raptor was called as a Sparrowhawk by the Turtle Dove finder –I had thought it a Goshawk as soon as I saw it and Jonathan agreed. Not a female for sure but too stocky with broader wings and shorter tail than a Spar. Over the next couple of hours we fathomed out that there seemed to be 2 pairs of Goshawks, each with at least 2 juveniles at opposite ends of the valley. Sightings were regular (most by Jonathan) with juveniles playing together on several occasions. One bird was observed mobbing a couple of Buzzards!
Xxxxx
Towards the end of our birding session here I spotted a raptor at the far end of the valley. It was a long way out and was hard to see properly. I watched it for a minute or so skipping through the trees – it then came out into the open and circled a lone tree. The bird appeared to be long-tailed and was definitely a Buzzard of some description. Jonathan managed to get onto it shortly before it vamooshed – definitely the best candidate for a Honey Buzzard but not a nailed on bird.
Xxxxx
Jonathan then took me to the area near the nurseries where he had found Turtle Doves earlier in the year. No such luck this time, however a corner of one field seemed to be alive with small birds and was fascinating to watch. Estimates were:
Xxxxx
20-30 Chaffinches
20+ Linnets
15+ Goldfinches
20+ Greenfinches
2 Willow Warblers
17+ Pied Wagtails
Xxxxx
Jonathan also heard a Willow Tit which showed briefly after he did his squeaking trick – another two were heard nearby. I also caught sight of a dove which could have been a Turtle Dove flashing around the corner – again not enough of it to be certain. Slightly disappointing that we didn’t nail a Honey Buzzard, however still a very good afternoon’s birding.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I took Billy for a walk along Burton Marsh. Bit of a risk as I knew if the Yellowlegs turned up at IMF I wouldn’t be able to go and see it. On the Decca Polls were 135 Lapwings, a Stonechat and a Black-tailed Godwit calling nearby. Nothing much else. Suddenly the Lapwings spooked and I started scanning the skies looking for a raptor. I picked up 2 small birds spiralling up together above the pool – one was a Kestrel and the other was a Hobby (my first of two today). The latter bird did some Peregrine type stoops, seemingly just for the fun of it. The Hobby then flew off over the marsh and disappeared. I picked it up again a short time later chasing Swallows back by Denhall Lane – it gave a fantastic display of hunting but didn’t catch anything. Three Little Egrets also flew past – also had two reeling Grasshopper Warblers by the parking area and a third bird briefly landed on the path near the farm.
Xxxxx
Late afternoon temptation got the better of me and I left home and headed for IMF to see the Lesser Yellowlegs. I arrived at the same time as another birder called Frank – we were met on the path by birders leaving who told us the Yellowlegs had flown off earlier onto the marsh. We scanned the various pools – no joy. Other birders arrived and we then spread out along the path to the hide and watched the pools. At least 3 Green Sandpipers were present flitting around and a Ruff and 2 Ringed Plovers landed on the new scrapes.
Xxxx
After 90 minutes of watching and with going home time rapidly approaching I took one last scan of the pools and found what I thought was the bird in question on the front of pool 1. It looked good for Yellowlegs, however I had only seen one of these before and that bird was much closer. I nipped up the path and grabbed Frank for an expert opinion – yes we had the Lesser Yellowlegs. The bird was constantly harassed by Lapwings and never seemed settled. Cracking find for someone.
Saturday I picked Jonathan up early doors (for me) and we headed off to the east coast. As soon as we arrived at Flamborough a Barn Owl flitted across the road in front of us and seemed to vanish in someone’s back garden! We took up station for some sea watching with 7 or 8 other birders already present and apparently having a slow day. In the first half hour or so we had the same with just 2 or 3 Manx Shearwaters though other entertainment was had watching Puffins (a few), Fulmars (a bit more), Gannets (lots more) and Kittiwakes (thousands of em!). Oh and plenty of Sandwich and a few comic terns.
Xxxxx
After the birders next to us left it began to get more lively. Jonathan found a Bonxie then shortly afterwards I saw what I am sure was three Skuas together in the air. Two looked like Arctic while the third larger bird looked like a Bonxie. The two presumed Arctics (I’m almost certain they were – a statement that would cause a debate on the Manchester birding forum!!!) headed straight out to sea so I tracked the third bird and eventually identified it as a Bonxie. Shortly afterwards I found 2 Bonxies together – over 90 minutes or so we had at least eight sightings of Bonxies with two together on three occasions. We also had somewhere between 12 and 15 Manx Shearwaters between us.
Xxxxx
At one point a birder round the corner popped his head round to alert us to a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull following a fishing boat with various other gulls. Thankfully I picked it up after a minute or two of careful study – it even showed off its pale underwings by hovering over the back end of the boat! I suspect I wouldn’t have found it if I hadn’t known it was there. Shortly after we decided to call it quits.
Xxxxx
Next stop was Wykeham Forest. A few birders were already present, however I don’t think they had seen much. One of them spotted a bird flying up the valley – it turned out to be a Turtle Dove and a superb spot. Jonathan then found a female Goshawk which I only saw through my bins – it had disappeared by the time I got the scope out. Another smaller raptor was called as a Sparrowhawk by the Turtle Dove finder –I had thought it a Goshawk as soon as I saw it and Jonathan agreed. Not a female for sure but too stocky with broader wings and shorter tail than a Spar. Over the next couple of hours we fathomed out that there seemed to be 2 pairs of Goshawks, each with at least 2 juveniles at opposite ends of the valley. Sightings were regular (most by Jonathan) with juveniles playing together on several occasions. One bird was observed mobbing a couple of Buzzards!
Xxxxx
Towards the end of our birding session here I spotted a raptor at the far end of the valley. It was a long way out and was hard to see properly. I watched it for a minute or so skipping through the trees – it then came out into the open and circled a lone tree. The bird appeared to be long-tailed and was definitely a Buzzard of some description. Jonathan managed to get onto it shortly before it vamooshed – definitely the best candidate for a Honey Buzzard but not a nailed on bird.
Xxxxx
Jonathan then took me to the area near the nurseries where he had found Turtle Doves earlier in the year. No such luck this time, however a corner of one field seemed to be alive with small birds and was fascinating to watch. Estimates were:
Xxxxx
20-30 Chaffinches
20+ Linnets
15+ Goldfinches
20+ Greenfinches
2 Willow Warblers
17+ Pied Wagtails
Xxxxx
Jonathan also heard a Willow Tit which showed briefly after he did his squeaking trick – another two were heard nearby. I also caught sight of a dove which could have been a Turtle Dove flashing around the corner – again not enough of it to be certain. Slightly disappointing that we didn’t nail a Honey Buzzard, however still a very good afternoon’s birding.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I took Billy for a walk along Burton Marsh. Bit of a risk as I knew if the Yellowlegs turned up at IMF I wouldn’t be able to go and see it. On the Decca Polls were 135 Lapwings, a Stonechat and a Black-tailed Godwit calling nearby. Nothing much else. Suddenly the Lapwings spooked and I started scanning the skies looking for a raptor. I picked up 2 small birds spiralling up together above the pool – one was a Kestrel and the other was a Hobby (my first of two today). The latter bird did some Peregrine type stoops, seemingly just for the fun of it. The Hobby then flew off over the marsh and disappeared. I picked it up again a short time later chasing Swallows back by Denhall Lane – it gave a fantastic display of hunting but didn’t catch anything. Three Little Egrets also flew past – also had two reeling Grasshopper Warblers by the parking area and a third bird briefly landed on the path near the farm.
Xxxxx
Late afternoon temptation got the better of me and I left home and headed for IMF to see the Lesser Yellowlegs. I arrived at the same time as another birder called Frank – we were met on the path by birders leaving who told us the Yellowlegs had flown off earlier onto the marsh. We scanned the various pools – no joy. Other birders arrived and we then spread out along the path to the hide and watched the pools. At least 3 Green Sandpipers were present flitting around and a Ruff and 2 Ringed Plovers landed on the new scrapes.
Xxxx
After 90 minutes of watching and with going home time rapidly approaching I took one last scan of the pools and found what I thought was the bird in question on the front of pool 1. It looked good for Yellowlegs, however I had only seen one of these before and that bird was much closer. I nipped up the path and grabbed Frank for an expert opinion – yes we had the Lesser Yellowlegs. The bird was constantly harassed by Lapwings and never seemed settled. Cracking find for someone.
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