Greenland White-fronted Goose, Pilling
European (Russian) White-fronted Goose, Pilling
Pink-footed Geese, Pilling
Mixed waders at Scalestone Point groyne, Morecambe
Spotted Redshanks (left and centre), Greenshank and Redshank (right) at Conder Creek during high tide
Spotted Redshank, Conder Creek
Greenshank, Conder Creek
Whooper Swans, Sand Villa
Peregrine, Warton Crag
Falcon
Tiercel
Falcon
Raven, Warton Crag
Scaup, Morecambe
Ringed Whooper, Melling
Whoopers, Melling
Grey Wagtail, Halton
Dipper, Halton
Brambling, Halton
Sunset over Parkgatexxxxx
Monday 28th Feb.
Xxxxx
Spur of the moment trip to Risley Moss tonight. There were no birders there and I was bored so I wandered around to the woodland hide. The only bird of interest was a Goldcrest. Back at the tower 6 Reed Buntings were on the feeders anda single Yellowhammer came into roost. At around 17:40 I noticed a small group of corvids having a pop at something and put my scope on them to find a Short-eared Owl. I watched the owl for around 10 minutes before it floated off high over the tip. A short while later it was back again straight out from the tower but then it just seemed to disappear. Given the scarcity of SEO’s over most of the winter and the sudden increase in numbers over the last week or two I guess these are migrating birds heading back to their territories and just having a pit stop.
Xxxxx
Two Water Rails began by screaming and then started singing (if you can call it that). The Redwings started to arrive – I counted 44 but was distracted by the owl for part of this. The first Woodcock didn’t appear until it was very dark and only four birds were seen. At least ten Snipe also flew off the mosses. Earlier today I found a small flock of Fieldfares at Burtonwood – I had also made a quick lunchtime visit to Rixton and seen just one Green Sandpiper. At the feeding station this morning (brief pit stop) were 33+ Tree Sparrows plus 15 House Sparrows and 2 Yellowhammers.
Xxxxx
Wednesday 2nd March
Xxxxx
HGF had its highest Wigeon count this winter with 54 birds. Still less than half the number seen in previous years. A pair of Grey Partridges ran across Waterworks Lane this morning.
Xxxxx
Thursday 3rd March
Xxxxx
I had intended to go back to Risley Moss, however best laid plans and all that. Consequently I was still stuck on the Wirral late on and decided to head to Parkgate instead. I could see a bank of mist on the opposite side of the marsh which eventually rolled across and made viewing virtually impossible, though not until a glorious sunset was observed. One ring-tail Hen Harrier and a Peregrine seen.
Xxxxx
Friday 4th March
Xxxxx
A single Redshank was at HGF this morning – first for a while. Been a bit poor this winter as usually 3 or 4 birds winter here. A bit of a gull influx early on produced some large gulls which is unusual early morning. Most were Lesser Black-backs. The feeding station was quiet this morning and has been recently – the farmer has severely cut back the hedge. This has demolished the sparrows cover, consequently I think it about timke I wrapped up the feeding station for this winter. Seems ages since I started feeding late last September. I look forward to seeing the Tree Sparrows again later in the year though I suspect a few may hang around the garden for a few weeks yet. On arrival at the van this evening a Tawny Owl was hooting there.
Xxxxx
Had a wander by the Lune this morning. A mixed finch flock were disturbed by 2 Buzzards and flew around the river. Most disappeared though a few stayed in the trees on the opposite banks. 5 Bramblings were present in this bunch. The local Dipper pair were observed carrying nesting material. A pair of Grey Wagtails were also flitting around and 2 drake Goosanders flew upriver. I also wandered over to Melling to try and get the number of the ringed bird. I finally succeeded with the scope on full zoom and the camera also on full zoom. Should be interesting to see where this bird has been.
Xxxxx
Karen and I went to Morecambe for lunch. While sat having a burger in the car park opposite Scalestone point groyne, the 3 Scaup floated slowly past at high tide. There were quite a few waders on the groyne too with 29 Black-tailed Godwits and several hundred Knot and Dunlin. Around 90 Pink-footed Geese flew over and headed out across the bay. After lunch we wandered up to Warton Crag again where both the raven and Peregrine pairs showed well. At the van tonight there was no sign of the Greenfinch flock though the Tawny Owl put in its usual appearance.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I got up in one of those I really can’t be arsed moods. I headed off with Bill to Conder Green simply because I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. A Greenshank showed well in the creek but little else so I wandered down the road to Sand Villa (Cockerham Moss). 74 Whooper Swans were feeding here with a thousand or so Pink-footed Geese. 9 more Whoopers flew in, then the pinks also took off and flew towards Pilling Lane Ends so I followed them.
XXXXX
I rolled up at Lane Ends and started scanning through the geese there when I heard an unfamiliar call. This was Ian Woosey further along the embankment, whistling! I joined Ian for a bit and we scanned through the pinks with not much doing other than a Peregrine way out on the marsh edge. I got headed back to Conder Creek for high tide and found the Greenshank roosting with its best friends, 2 Spotted Redshanks. Glasson was dead so I headed back to Pilling oblivious of the fact that Ian had found some White-fronted Geese. He had texted me, however I cannot get my new phone to work properly and the damn thing has nearly ended in the bin several times.
Xxxxx
Anyway when I got back to Lane Ends Ian was there watching two Russian first winter White-fronted Geese and while I was busy trying, and failing, to digiscope them he also found a first winter Greenland White-fronted Goose. A Peregrine was again out on the marsh, 3 Little Egrets, lots of waders and around 4000 Pinks. Ian also continued his birding success with a Treecreeper and Sparrowhawk nr the car park. I couldn’t be bothered scanning the flock for the Brent that was seen (told you I was in can’t be arsed mode) and I decided lunch sounded good and left.
Xxxxxx
Sun evening at the van 25 Redwings dropped in to roost and a high flying Peregrine sped over heading NW. Oh and it seems the site Peacock has survived the winter and was doing its rounds today!
Monday 28th Feb.
Xxxxx
Spur of the moment trip to Risley Moss tonight. There were no birders there and I was bored so I wandered around to the woodland hide. The only bird of interest was a Goldcrest. Back at the tower 6 Reed Buntings were on the feeders anda single Yellowhammer came into roost. At around 17:40 I noticed a small group of corvids having a pop at something and put my scope on them to find a Short-eared Owl. I watched the owl for around 10 minutes before it floated off high over the tip. A short while later it was back again straight out from the tower but then it just seemed to disappear. Given the scarcity of SEO’s over most of the winter and the sudden increase in numbers over the last week or two I guess these are migrating birds heading back to their territories and just having a pit stop.
Xxxxx
Two Water Rails began by screaming and then started singing (if you can call it that). The Redwings started to arrive – I counted 44 but was distracted by the owl for part of this. The first Woodcock didn’t appear until it was very dark and only four birds were seen. At least ten Snipe also flew off the mosses. Earlier today I found a small flock of Fieldfares at Burtonwood – I had also made a quick lunchtime visit to Rixton and seen just one Green Sandpiper. At the feeding station this morning (brief pit stop) were 33+ Tree Sparrows plus 15 House Sparrows and 2 Yellowhammers.
Xxxxx
Wednesday 2nd March
Xxxxx
HGF had its highest Wigeon count this winter with 54 birds. Still less than half the number seen in previous years. A pair of Grey Partridges ran across Waterworks Lane this morning.
Xxxxx
Thursday 3rd March
Xxxxx
I had intended to go back to Risley Moss, however best laid plans and all that. Consequently I was still stuck on the Wirral late on and decided to head to Parkgate instead. I could see a bank of mist on the opposite side of the marsh which eventually rolled across and made viewing virtually impossible, though not until a glorious sunset was observed. One ring-tail Hen Harrier and a Peregrine seen.
Xxxxx
Friday 4th March
Xxxxx
A single Redshank was at HGF this morning – first for a while. Been a bit poor this winter as usually 3 or 4 birds winter here. A bit of a gull influx early on produced some large gulls which is unusual early morning. Most were Lesser Black-backs. The feeding station was quiet this morning and has been recently – the farmer has severely cut back the hedge. This has demolished the sparrows cover, consequently I think it about timke I wrapped up the feeding station for this winter. Seems ages since I started feeding late last September. I look forward to seeing the Tree Sparrows again later in the year though I suspect a few may hang around the garden for a few weeks yet. On arrival at the van this evening a Tawny Owl was hooting there.
Xxxxx
Had a wander by the Lune this morning. A mixed finch flock were disturbed by 2 Buzzards and flew around the river. Most disappeared though a few stayed in the trees on the opposite banks. 5 Bramblings were present in this bunch. The local Dipper pair were observed carrying nesting material. A pair of Grey Wagtails were also flitting around and 2 drake Goosanders flew upriver. I also wandered over to Melling to try and get the number of the ringed bird. I finally succeeded with the scope on full zoom and the camera also on full zoom. Should be interesting to see where this bird has been.
Xxxxx
Karen and I went to Morecambe for lunch. While sat having a burger in the car park opposite Scalestone point groyne, the 3 Scaup floated slowly past at high tide. There were quite a few waders on the groyne too with 29 Black-tailed Godwits and several hundred Knot and Dunlin. Around 90 Pink-footed Geese flew over and headed out across the bay. After lunch we wandered up to Warton Crag again where both the raven and Peregrine pairs showed well. At the van tonight there was no sign of the Greenfinch flock though the Tawny Owl put in its usual appearance.
Xxxxx
Sunday morning I got up in one of those I really can’t be arsed moods. I headed off with Bill to Conder Green simply because I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. A Greenshank showed well in the creek but little else so I wandered down the road to Sand Villa (Cockerham Moss). 74 Whooper Swans were feeding here with a thousand or so Pink-footed Geese. 9 more Whoopers flew in, then the pinks also took off and flew towards Pilling Lane Ends so I followed them.
XXXXX
I rolled up at Lane Ends and started scanning through the geese there when I heard an unfamiliar call. This was Ian Woosey further along the embankment, whistling! I joined Ian for a bit and we scanned through the pinks with not much doing other than a Peregrine way out on the marsh edge. I got headed back to Conder Creek for high tide and found the Greenshank roosting with its best friends, 2 Spotted Redshanks. Glasson was dead so I headed back to Pilling oblivious of the fact that Ian had found some White-fronted Geese. He had texted me, however I cannot get my new phone to work properly and the damn thing has nearly ended in the bin several times.
Xxxxx
Anyway when I got back to Lane Ends Ian was there watching two Russian first winter White-fronted Geese and while I was busy trying, and failing, to digiscope them he also found a first winter Greenland White-fronted Goose. A Peregrine was again out on the marsh, 3 Little Egrets, lots of waders and around 4000 Pinks. Ian also continued his birding success with a Treecreeper and Sparrowhawk nr the car park. I couldn’t be bothered scanning the flock for the Brent that was seen (told you I was in can’t be arsed mode) and I decided lunch sounded good and left.
Xxxxxx
Sun evening at the van 25 Redwings dropped in to roost and a high flying Peregrine sped over heading NW. Oh and it seems the site Peacock has survived the winter and was doing its rounds today!
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