Kittiwake, Seaforth
Med Gull, Seaforth
Little Gull, Seaforth
Common Tern, Seaforth
Juvenile Kittiwake, Houghton Green Flash
Long-tailed Tit, Halton
Curlew, Heysham
Little Egrets, Conder Creek
Greenshank, Conder Creek
Spotted Redshank, Conder Creek
Yellow-legged Gull, Glasson
Oystercatcher at Heysham with fishing line around both legs. The bird was often limping.
Oystercatchers on the helipad roost
Lesser Black-backed Gull at Heysham with a crab. It was hassled by a juvenile and had to work hard to keep its prize.
Wheatear, Heysham
One of the adult Meds at Heysham
Second adult Med
Dusk at Caton - the Mistle Thrushed on the wires behind our van
Siskins on the feeders, Caton
Adult Goldfinch on the feeders
Juvenile Goldfinch on the feeders, Catonxxxx
A summary of the last week or so:
Xxxxx
HGF has had one or two interesting points in the last week. Last Friday the Linnet flock on the wires by Midhops numbered around 200 birds – easily the biggest flock I have recorded here. The flock slowly declined through the week to just over 100 birds this morning. Typically around 140+ birds are present through the winter though they do disappear for days at a time. Given I haven’t seen any significant numbers around Rixton recently I wonder if these birds are wandering around quite a bit and are attracted to a significant food supply. In HGF this would be the spilled grain from recently cut wheat and barley fields. Anyway irrespective of the numbers I like watching them swirling around the fields and then lining up on the wires for a chill!
Xxxxx
On Bank Holiday Monday John Tymon found a juvenile Kittiwake at HGF. I have only recorded Kittiwakes here on two previous occasions – single adults on two dates in March a couple of years ago. Quite a rare bird for HGF – fortunately for me the bird hung around for the next day as I was unable to get around to see it on the day it was found. On Tuesday morning I scanned the water, drew a blank and then the Kittiwake drifted out of the darkest corner of the pool where it had been unobserved. It was quite confiding and just drifted right past me, picking insects off the surface of the water as it swam past.
Xxxxx
The Coot flock has slowly increased to a peak of 96 birds in the last week – other species peaking at:
Xxxx
Pochard 8
Mute Swan 11
Tufted Duck 48
Great Crested Grebe 11
Xxx
Sporadic numbers of Swifts have continued to pass through with birds seen most days – 4 birds on the 31st were the last ones. The local Swallows have also done one though migrants continue to pass through – 21 flew through south at dusk yesterday. Last Saturday morning two Redshanks were present – I hoped they were the regular wintering birds returning, however I haven’t seen them since. On 31st as I approached the pool a Green Sandpiper flew low over the south field, calling, and disappeared off to the SE. A second bird was feeding in one of the corners. The next day a single bird was observed feeding but none since. A covey of 18 Grey Partridges ran across the lawn in the south field in single file on 1st – I always find this type of activity comical to watch!
Xxxxx
The garden has been quiet this last week – a single Coal Tit on the feeders and yesterday evening a large Sparrowhawk passing by being the only birds of note though I haven’t exactly been watching much. Rixton has been very quiet though I did see a Mink run across Moat Lane towards pool 1. Given the low water levels here, perhaps the presence of this predator is the reason why few waterfowl other than Mute Swan JP4 have bothered to stay. Tonight five Wheatears were present in a ploughed field off Holly Bush Lane.
Xxxxx
Last Saturday afternoon while at the van I noticed the wind had been howling a bit for some time and seemed to be intensifying so I headed off to Heysham in the hope that something interesting might be blown in. I had just missed high tide, however I have noticed that good birds are often seen just after high tide on the ebbing tide. Around 2500 Oystercatchers were on the helipad roost – always a spectacular sight. Jonathan was already there in his new kip-mobile – a Kangoo van. It looks quite smart and ideal for the use he puts it to. We had a quick chat and then I decided on some sea watching while Jonathan headed off to Sunderland Point.
Xxxx
For around half an hour I saw absolutely nothing – then I picked out a distant pale morph Arctic Skua which seemed to be harassing something but I couldn’t tell what. The bird came a bit closer and seemed to fly in circuits for the next ten minutes before disappearing. A short while after I saw an even more distant bird – it looked stockier and seemed typical of a Bonxie in jiz, however I couldn’t get good views of the bird and quickly lost it. Around 30 minutes or so later a small flock of 22 Sandwich Terns passed through – and that was pretty much it. The usual two adult Meds turned up on the north harbour wall just before I left.
Xxxxx
At Caton a flock of Mistle Thrushes appeared on the wires behind the van at dusk on Saturday – there were 27 of them. On Monday night I observed 10 birds dropping into a roost site on the caravan park just before I left – clearly the birds are roosting on the site. On the feeders was a good array of birds including at least 4 Coal Tits and 5+ Siskins. Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Nuthatches were also around and two or three Buzzards were regular in the field south of the site. Also here was a Grey Wagtail perched on a fence line – a slightly unusual place for one. On the Sunday night at dusk around 230 Swallows (and three House Martins!) passed through south. I also found a dead Polecat on the road just west of Caton. Having kept ferrets for 30+ years and having a strong interest in mustelids I don’t think polecat-ferret can be ruled out. I had enough ferrets in my time that would pass for pure bred Polecats.
Xxxx
On the morning of Bank Holiday Monday (gloriously sunny day though little wind) I headed out early with Bill. First stop was Conder Creek where practically the first bird seen was a Spotted Redshank. Three Little Egrets were feeding in the creek with a fourth on the pool. Four Greenshanks, at least 1 (possible 2) Common Sandpipers and a handful of Snipe created more interest. I wandered over to Glasson while it was early hoping to avoid the crowds. There was no one around except two dog walkers and there were plenty of birds on the low tide mud. I eventually found the adult Yellow-legged Gull on the mud – as soon as I found it a bloke in a canoe flushed everything and I lost it. A single Red-breasted Merganser was also swimming out along the channel.
Xxxx
From here I had a quick wander over to Bank End. Driving down the lane a Red-legged Partridge had a number of goes at playing chicken with the car – it eventually flew off after the fourth near miss. The marsh had plenty of wagtails – mostly Pied but one or two looking good for White. I also eventually found a juvenile Yellow Wagtail – my target bird. A few Mipits were around but not much else. Sunderland Point was packed with people and devoid of birds so I quickly left. I then wandered over to Heysham. Little of interest though I watched one Oystercatcher struggling with fishing line wrapped around its leg – when I reviewed the photos I realised the line is wrapped around both legs. The bird seems to be in a permanent three-legged race! Sadly I don’t expect it will survive – I suspect the line will gradually cut into its legs. An adult Med was feeding off the wooden jetty with the BHG’s and one, possibly two Wheatears were on the mound.
Xxxxx
Wednesday I had an evening wander with Bill to Newton Lake. One Green Sandpiper was feeding on the mud on the near side of the spit – a second bird flew out of some vegetation and landed on the far side of the spit out of sight. The Teal numbers have significantly increased over the last few days – 33 birds were present. The Gadwalls had all disappeared; two Little Grebes were still there though. A flock of Magpies began hounding a large raptor perched in the Willows at the back of the pool – I never discovered whether it was a Buzzard or the escaped female Harris’ Hawk. It could have been either. Two Grey Wags were on the front of the pool.
Xxxx
Thursday while working nearby I dropped in to Seaforth. It was a bit quiet – an adult Med, three Little Gulls, three Sandwich Terns, around 120 Common Terns, a starving Fox and an adult Kittiwake were the sum total (most found by Pete Kinsella and Tony Conway). Oh and a Yellow Wagtail with a second unseen calling bird. A few House Martins were feeding over the pool. To be honest I was knackered (again) and more interested in playing with the digiscoping gear.
Xxxxx
HGF has had one or two interesting points in the last week. Last Friday the Linnet flock on the wires by Midhops numbered around 200 birds – easily the biggest flock I have recorded here. The flock slowly declined through the week to just over 100 birds this morning. Typically around 140+ birds are present through the winter though they do disappear for days at a time. Given I haven’t seen any significant numbers around Rixton recently I wonder if these birds are wandering around quite a bit and are attracted to a significant food supply. In HGF this would be the spilled grain from recently cut wheat and barley fields. Anyway irrespective of the numbers I like watching them swirling around the fields and then lining up on the wires for a chill!
Xxxxx
On Bank Holiday Monday John Tymon found a juvenile Kittiwake at HGF. I have only recorded Kittiwakes here on two previous occasions – single adults on two dates in March a couple of years ago. Quite a rare bird for HGF – fortunately for me the bird hung around for the next day as I was unable to get around to see it on the day it was found. On Tuesday morning I scanned the water, drew a blank and then the Kittiwake drifted out of the darkest corner of the pool where it had been unobserved. It was quite confiding and just drifted right past me, picking insects off the surface of the water as it swam past.
Xxxxx
The Coot flock has slowly increased to a peak of 96 birds in the last week – other species peaking at:
Xxxx
Pochard 8
Mute Swan 11
Tufted Duck 48
Great Crested Grebe 11
Xxx
Sporadic numbers of Swifts have continued to pass through with birds seen most days – 4 birds on the 31st were the last ones. The local Swallows have also done one though migrants continue to pass through – 21 flew through south at dusk yesterday. Last Saturday morning two Redshanks were present – I hoped they were the regular wintering birds returning, however I haven’t seen them since. On 31st as I approached the pool a Green Sandpiper flew low over the south field, calling, and disappeared off to the SE. A second bird was feeding in one of the corners. The next day a single bird was observed feeding but none since. A covey of 18 Grey Partridges ran across the lawn in the south field in single file on 1st – I always find this type of activity comical to watch!
Xxxxx
The garden has been quiet this last week – a single Coal Tit on the feeders and yesterday evening a large Sparrowhawk passing by being the only birds of note though I haven’t exactly been watching much. Rixton has been very quiet though I did see a Mink run across Moat Lane towards pool 1. Given the low water levels here, perhaps the presence of this predator is the reason why few waterfowl other than Mute Swan JP4 have bothered to stay. Tonight five Wheatears were present in a ploughed field off Holly Bush Lane.
Xxxxx
Last Saturday afternoon while at the van I noticed the wind had been howling a bit for some time and seemed to be intensifying so I headed off to Heysham in the hope that something interesting might be blown in. I had just missed high tide, however I have noticed that good birds are often seen just after high tide on the ebbing tide. Around 2500 Oystercatchers were on the helipad roost – always a spectacular sight. Jonathan was already there in his new kip-mobile – a Kangoo van. It looks quite smart and ideal for the use he puts it to. We had a quick chat and then I decided on some sea watching while Jonathan headed off to Sunderland Point.
Xxxx
For around half an hour I saw absolutely nothing – then I picked out a distant pale morph Arctic Skua which seemed to be harassing something but I couldn’t tell what. The bird came a bit closer and seemed to fly in circuits for the next ten minutes before disappearing. A short while after I saw an even more distant bird – it looked stockier and seemed typical of a Bonxie in jiz, however I couldn’t get good views of the bird and quickly lost it. Around 30 minutes or so later a small flock of 22 Sandwich Terns passed through – and that was pretty much it. The usual two adult Meds turned up on the north harbour wall just before I left.
Xxxxx
At Caton a flock of Mistle Thrushes appeared on the wires behind the van at dusk on Saturday – there were 27 of them. On Monday night I observed 10 birds dropping into a roost site on the caravan park just before I left – clearly the birds are roosting on the site. On the feeders was a good array of birds including at least 4 Coal Tits and 5+ Siskins. Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Nuthatches were also around and two or three Buzzards were regular in the field south of the site. Also here was a Grey Wagtail perched on a fence line – a slightly unusual place for one. On the Sunday night at dusk around 230 Swallows (and three House Martins!) passed through south. I also found a dead Polecat on the road just west of Caton. Having kept ferrets for 30+ years and having a strong interest in mustelids I don’t think polecat-ferret can be ruled out. I had enough ferrets in my time that would pass for pure bred Polecats.
Xxxx
On the morning of Bank Holiday Monday (gloriously sunny day though little wind) I headed out early with Bill. First stop was Conder Creek where practically the first bird seen was a Spotted Redshank. Three Little Egrets were feeding in the creek with a fourth on the pool. Four Greenshanks, at least 1 (possible 2) Common Sandpipers and a handful of Snipe created more interest. I wandered over to Glasson while it was early hoping to avoid the crowds. There was no one around except two dog walkers and there were plenty of birds on the low tide mud. I eventually found the adult Yellow-legged Gull on the mud – as soon as I found it a bloke in a canoe flushed everything and I lost it. A single Red-breasted Merganser was also swimming out along the channel.
Xxxx
From here I had a quick wander over to Bank End. Driving down the lane a Red-legged Partridge had a number of goes at playing chicken with the car – it eventually flew off after the fourth near miss. The marsh had plenty of wagtails – mostly Pied but one or two looking good for White. I also eventually found a juvenile Yellow Wagtail – my target bird. A few Mipits were around but not much else. Sunderland Point was packed with people and devoid of birds so I quickly left. I then wandered over to Heysham. Little of interest though I watched one Oystercatcher struggling with fishing line wrapped around its leg – when I reviewed the photos I realised the line is wrapped around both legs. The bird seems to be in a permanent three-legged race! Sadly I don’t expect it will survive – I suspect the line will gradually cut into its legs. An adult Med was feeding off the wooden jetty with the BHG’s and one, possibly two Wheatears were on the mound.
Xxxxx
Wednesday I had an evening wander with Bill to Newton Lake. One Green Sandpiper was feeding on the mud on the near side of the spit – a second bird flew out of some vegetation and landed on the far side of the spit out of sight. The Teal numbers have significantly increased over the last few days – 33 birds were present. The Gadwalls had all disappeared; two Little Grebes were still there though. A flock of Magpies began hounding a large raptor perched in the Willows at the back of the pool – I never discovered whether it was a Buzzard or the escaped female Harris’ Hawk. It could have been either. Two Grey Wags were on the front of the pool.
Xxxx
Thursday while working nearby I dropped in to Seaforth. It was a bit quiet – an adult Med, three Little Gulls, three Sandwich Terns, around 120 Common Terns, a starving Fox and an adult Kittiwake were the sum total (most found by Pete Kinsella and Tony Conway). Oh and a Yellow Wagtail with a second unseen calling bird. A few House Martins were feeding over the pool. To be honest I was knackered (again) and more interested in playing with the digiscoping gear.
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