Garden activity

Grey Heron, Pennington Flash

Grey Partridge, garden this evening

Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings in the garden late afternoon

Buntings again

Grey Partridges in the garden, late afternoon

Female having a dust bath

After being absent from the garden for several days, this pair have spent most of the last 2 days in the garden, sun bathing on the lawn, having dust baths and generally wandering around.

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Quiet day yesterday. Three Reed Buntings and two Grey Partridges in the garden. At HGF only one Black-necked Grebe was present - the Golden Plover has moved on. A Corn Bunting was back on territory on Parkside Rd, Newton.

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Today two BNG's were present at HGF this morning. 2 Swallows and 6 Sand Martins also present with 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. When I got home from work the Grey Partridges were busy having a dust bath in the flower bed outside the conservatory (digiscoped from the bedroom window!) and 2 Yellowhammers and 4 male Reed Buntings were feeding nr the bird table at the back of the garden. 2 BNG's were at Pennington Flash this evening.

The lone Golden Plover that has been at HGF for over a week

Female Goosander at Lower Foulridge Reservoir

Red-throated Diver at Upper Foulridge Reservoir

Sunset at Houghton Green Flash this evening

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I was working in Burnley today so I popped round to Foulridge Reservoirs after work. Lovely to be back in the area I used to live in. The Red-throated Diver was on the upper reservoir but predictably right at the back with no footpath around the water. It seemed very lethargic. Six Swallows were also fizzing over the water. On the lower reservoir 14 Goosanders showed very well.

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At HGF today the Golden Plover is still present - I watched it feeding this evening which is a good sign. Five Black-necked Grebes were present. Three of these were tucked up close to the north bank and were whizzing around and lurching in the water. Being thick it took me a few minutes to realise that they were catching insects.

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In the garden nothing to report other than 2 Coal Tits and a male Reed Bunting. The usual pair of Grey Partridges are still spending most of their time in the field nr the back fence but are avoiding coming into the garden for some reason. Odd!

Another migrant

Bird of the day was a very smart and bright Willow Warbler in the south hedge at HGF this evening. It didn't sing but I watched it preening and generally messing around for 10 minutes. The lone Golden Plover was still present this morning and this evening (wonder if it's ill?) and 5 Black-necked Grebes were also still around. This morning a pair of Corn Buntings were on the wires nr Midhops with the male singing - the first at HGF since last autumn.
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This morning a Stock Dove was sitting in the garden suspiciously still. I approached it and the bird flew off when I got to within a few feet - it has a broken leg. It was perched on the roof when I got home from work this evening.
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Four Corn Buntings were in the usual spots in Culcheth this morning. Two Reed Buntings also in the garden and four pairs of Grey Partridges and 2 Buzzards in Winwick this evening.

So long and thanks for all the grass...

Wigeon (duck) Houghton Green Flash

Wigeon (drake) Houghton Green Flash

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This morning I arrived at HGF to find the Wigeon flock had resumed the migration that had been so rudely interrupted by the recent cold snap. I always feel a little sad when they disappear and wish I could go and see the same birds in their breeding ground (wherever that is). This morning only 16 birds were left - I must have sensed they would soon disappear because I spent a large part of yesterday trying to digiscope them - the best two images are above. Anyway a quick recap of the weekend is in order.

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Saturday morning started with a quick trip to HGF. A White Wagtail was showing very well on the lawn of Myddleton Farm. Five Black-necked Grebes were present with 2 Wheatears (male and a female) flitting around nr Midhops Farm and 6 fresh looking Meadow Pipits in the south field. Two Buzzards were floating over the east side.

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In the garden this morning gang warfare errupted when 3 Crows kicked off with 8 Magpies in one of the Ash trees. The only other birds of note were 2 male Reed Buntings who visited the garden this evening. Three Buzzards (different from the HGF birds) floated high over the house this morning. On Waterworks Lane were 2 pairs of Grey Partridges and a Brown Hare.

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Sunday started off with a very early trip to HGF. Six Black-necked Grebes now present - all seen in the same scope view. Six Redshanks were also around. As I was again in can't be arsed mode I went to Pennington for a mooch. From Horrocks Hide 23 Snipe and 8 Goldeneye were the highlights. The Teal Hide was better with good views of the pair of Little Ringed Plovers trying out potential nest scrapes. As it was developing into a gorgeous morning I decided there had to be a Swallow around so I parked myself on a bench nr the Ice Cream van spot and scanned the main flash. After around 15 minutes I spotted one with around 70 Sand Martins. Spring is definitely here!

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I then went for a wander around the mosses with not a lot to report. A Wheatear was in a field nr the M62 and a pair of Red-legged Partridges were playing dare with a cat. They let it walk within 10 feet before running off a few yards and stopping to watch again. The cat seemed also to be in can't be arsed mode. As I drove past the field where the Desert Wheatear was found I spotted another Swallow flying around the field!

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Off then to Rixton mosses. Four Wheatears (2 males, 2 females) were in the field next to the landfill site - the others appear to have moved on. A Sparrowhawk was soaring over Myddleton Lane when I got home. Sunday evening the male Brambling was back in the garden with 3 male Reed Buntings. At HGF late evening a Golden Plover was casually strolling around in the south field. From the markings on th breast I could swear it is the same bird I flushed last Wednesday. So what is it still doing here on its own? 83 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over from the NE heading towards Fiddlers Ferry area.

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This morning still six BNG's at HGF. I also saw a Swallow and a House Martin flying around. The Golden Plover is still present in the south field. Wigeon flock as I stated was down to 16. At lunch today I had a quick trip round Rixton mosses. The Wheatears have all done a bunk but 4 Corn Buntings were showing well. Best of all was a Stoat which was dragging a small mammal down Woodend Lane. I followed it for around 200 yds before the Stoat dropped its prey. For the life of me I hadn't been able to figure out what the prey was so I went for a look. It was a young rabbit - the Stoat had chewed off its ears! Fortunately the Stoat came back for th rabbit - just a few yards away two cock Pheasants started a fight!

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This evening the male Brambling and a male Reed Bunting were in the garden - so too was a Heron! At HGF late evening the farmer was rolling the south field - the Golden Plover was still present though and seemed not bothered at all! Another Swallow sighting was to be had on the way home - flying around in Croft.

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Today I started watching an Osprey webcam. This is one of my favourite places - we regularly go on holiday nearby and I have seen these Ospreys many times. The female is twenty odd years old, has nested at Loch of the Lowes since 1991 and has so far laid 53 eggs and raised over 40 young. Amazing! She arrived back this year on Friday 20th, the male arrived this morning. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we can not only watch her live but also hear all the sounds around the nest. As I write this I can see her feeding on a fish (in the dark) and can hear all sorts of background sounds! All last summer I tuned in most nights to watch the Ospreys and listen to the sounds of other birds and animals settling in for the night. It was very peaceful and relaxing and I am looking forward to experiencing it again this year, especially as for the first time in years we will not be visiting the area in 2009!

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http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/swt/swt.php

TFI Friday

It seems like it's been a long week and I am knackered again - but then so is everyone else at work. The effects of what seems to have been a long winter?
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Yesterday the male Brambling was in the garden again. The Grey Partridges stayed in the garden from around 7am to 3-30pm. Seven Greenfinches and 3 Goldfinches on the feeders and for the second day a male Song Thrush came in to sing for the last 30 mins or so of daylight.
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Today the Grey Partridges were present again in the garden for most of the day. At 7-30am they were on the right hand lawn - when I went out to move the swing seat they simply hopped over the small privet hedge and onto the left lawn. They finally left at 3pm but were still present in the field right behind the garden this evening.
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At HGF this morning 5 Black-necked Grebes were still present, however 20 Wigeon have now left. 6 Linnets and 6 Meadow Pipits were in the south field. At lunch I had a quick trip round Rixton moss - there were eight Wheatears present. Two were in the field next to the landfill site and six in a field off Woodend Lane with 2 Yellowhammers. A pair of Grey Partridges were in a field next to the railway lines off Damhead Lane, Glazebrook.
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This evening I had a quick trip round Cadishead Moss. A Wheatear was in field 33 off Woolden Rd with 8 Linnets. Two Oystercatchers were by the stream to the east with 4 Tufted Ducks on the stream. A Buzzard, 2 Grey Partridges and 2 Yellowhammers were in fields off New Moss Road.

Drowned!

This morning started promisingly with a male Brambling in the garden being the first bird I saw. This is the first bird in Winwick since I saw a male in the garden 16 days ago. This mornings bird was well into moult towards breeding plumage and was a cracker. The usual pair of Grey Partridges were wandering round on the left lawn and 2 male Reed Buntings (one adult, one immature) were also present. Nine Stock Doves were in the field behind the house.
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I headed off to HGF with Bill thinking it's windy and cold but at least its fine. Half way through the south field the wind suddenly cranked up to hurricane and a torrent of rain started. We were soaked! I could barely see anything and when I got to the pool I couldn't hold the scope straight so I gave up. The only bird of note was a Golden Plover in the south field (full breeding plumage!) which flushed by the path - clearly it hadn't seen or heard me until the last second.
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I went back to HGF this evening in less windy and fine weather. Five Black-necked Grebes present plus a new Great Crested Grebe - a juvenile which still has the face and neck stripes! 11 Pied Wags and 7 Linnets were in the south field, 58 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 31 Tufties on the pool. Around 20 Sand Martins were also present.
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A quick note on the Ring Ouzel. At least three other birders connected with it and surprisingly it was still present at 3-45pm - the last time it was recorded. It hung around even when disturbed by the farmer fertilising the field and also when some tosser drove his Spaniel straight at it.
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Eight Grey Partridges present today at HGF - one in the south field and three nr Midhops having a scuffle. Aside from the garden pair, just one other pair showing in Winwick in the field off the bend in Waterworks Lane.

Houghton Green Flash - 2008 review part 2

Black-necked Grebe weekly maximum count 2007 v 2008

Little Grebe weekly maximum count 2007 v 2008

Great Crested Grebe weekly maximum count 2007 v 2008

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I've finally found time to continue my summary of HGF in 2008. By the way yesterdays Ring Ouzel was patch list 108 in just over four years of watching.

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2008 was a good year for the Great Crested Grebes. These birds tend to peak in numbers in late summer when a few juvenile birds are usually present. In Spring there was just the usual one or two pairs knocking around. On 3rd April I recorded nesting material taken into the small reedbed in the corner but I saw little obvious activity after that. On 22nd June the birds emerged from the reedbed with a juvenile on an adults back - it looked to be a day or so old. This is the first time they have bred here! On 25th June a second juvenile was observed and both youngsters successfully fledged! The peak count for the year was 11 birds recorded on several occasions in late summer and early autumn. The numbers present this year were higher throughout by one or two birds than in 2007.

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The Black-necked Grebe season started off in disastrous fashion. The first bird back was on the 13th March compared with 11th in 2007 and 25th in 2006. A few days later a second bird appeared and then a week after the first appearance they were gone. There was a single record of one bird a few weeks later but that was the first wave over! Compare this with 2007 where the birds peaked at 11 in the first wave and were present for five weeks longer. I have no doubt this was due to disturbance from dog walkers - most of the birds appeared to either go straight to Woolsten or to a certain private reserve in GM. The second wave was marginally better with 4 birds present, however this is still below the peak of 7 from the previous year and again in 2007 they stayed five weeks longer!

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The Little Grebe flock builds up in late summer and autumn for moult (as with the Great Crested's). These birds are actually quite rare visitors outside this period. The flock was generally building a week or so earlier than the previous year and peaked at 23 birds (24 in 2007). The main observation though is the rather abrupt departure of most of the flock in early September, around 4-5 weeks earlier than usual. Parallels here with the Black-necks - again I can only think of disturbance being the main cause.

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All told it was a mixed year for Grebes with breeding GCG's being balanced by the poor showings by Black-necked and Little Grebes. Both of the latter are susceptible to disturbance, the BNG's particularly so. My observations of people using the pool in 2008 highlighted:

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Lots more people visiting - I estimate from a max of 7 or 8 in 2007 to upwards of 50 different people regularly walking dogs etc in 2008.

More kids using the pool for swimming and sailing inflatables etc - kids were also observed driving golf birds at the birds

A large increase in litter around the banks

More dog walkers who encouraged there animals to enter the water and even chase the birds.

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So far 2009 for the BNG's looks like a more normal year - possibly the poor weather is keeping people away and thus minimising disturbance. Only time will tell.

When the west wind blows....

... a male Ring Ouzel shall drop in to HGF!

Last night I was wondering if something good would turn up when the wind had died - I wasn't disappointed. This stonking male Ring Ouzel was on the "lawn" in the field south of the pool. Unfortuantely I didn't have my Canon which is still bust, hence the dodgy digiscoping and I didn't have time to watch the bird for long because I was late for work. Funnily enough I only picked the bird up when I was walking away from the pool - I don't think it was there on the way in. As I left it hopped over the hedge and onto the south bank - I suspect it will soon be flushed by dog walkers.

Five Black-necked Grebes present this morning with seven GCG's, 31 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal and 54 Wigeon. A quick visit to Rixton at lunch produced 5 Wheatears in fields off Prospect and Holly Bush Lanes with 60+ Lapwings, a Buzzard and a female Sparrowhawk which glided low over the field right past my car.

This evening I had a good look around HGF and the fields around Winwick but as expected no further sign of the Ring Ouzel. Two pairs of Grey Partridges were at HGF with eight pairs also in fields off Waterworks and Highfield Lanes.

A better photo of the Ring Ouzel can be found at this website (you will need to register) courtesy of Paul Brewster aka The Doc.

http://www.focalpointoptics.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3302

This morning I did watch two Black-necked Grebes engaged in a courtship display. The male started by sitting up in the water with wings spread and bent at the carpal joint. The female swam in front and then both stood up in the water and walked across it for a short distance with the male behind the female. Absolutlely superb!

It's oh so quiet!

Digiscoped Redshank at Pennington Flash

Drake Shoveler at Pennington Flash

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Sunday I woke up in can't be bothered mode. I scanned a flock of gulls in the field behind the garden - 82 BHG's with 12 Common, 4 LBBG's and 3 Herring. The field has just been harrowed, hence the attraction. I then went for a wander round Moore but I wasn't really in the mood for finding anything, so I didn't. For a nice morning it was unusually quiet. I walked down Lapwing and the Lesser Pecker was damned inconsiderate in not perching on the end of my scope. The Tawny Owl was keeping his head down and the only birds of note were 2 Buzzards, a male Bullfinch and 3 Redwings.

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I then went for a wander with Billy around Pennington Flash. Horrocks Hide was predictably windy and cold and the only bird of note was the female Brambling at the feeding station. Late afternoon after a spell of gardening I took Bill for a wander round HGF. It was very, very windy and very, very cold. Only 2 Black-necked Grebes were present - looks like the others have gone for a wander to Wigan Flashes! Incidentally Jimmy Meadows had seven birds on Saturday evening. I did get a count of seven on Sat lunch (based on where the birds were diving) but couldn't repeat it which I always do with diving birds.

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Nothing else much of note with the Ruddy Duck pair having gone walkabout and the Teal pair back. Sunday evening before dusk I drove round Waterworks Lane (on my way to a family bun fight for Mother's Day) and clocked 5 pairs of Grey Partridges in various fields.

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This morning 2 male Reed Buntings were in the garden early doors. At home time a male Sparrowhawk dashed through the car park at work. At HGF this evening six Black-necked Grebes were present (the birds back from Wigan Flashes?) and the Wigeon flock was down to 54 - almost certainly the start of their migration back to Iceland or wherever they come from. 5 Linnets were in the south field and 6 pairs of Grey Partridges were in the fields off Waterworks and Highfield Lanes this evening. 15 Sand Martins and a Buzzard were also present at HGF with the usual cast.

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It's well worth checking out Jonathan'sblog - I love the photo of a Little Owl in it's tree hole - cracker! One of the Peregrine shots from Warton Crag is a bit good too!

Turned out cold again...

Cattle Egret with his big bruvva at Frodsham. Now that my 30D is bust I am reduced to digiscoping - I always seem to want to do this at long range and in poor lighting conditions too.

Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck hybrid at Seaforth.

Wheatear at Seaforth.

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News of a Ring-necked Duck at Seaforth yesterday resulted in me being on the road early this morning. I arrived at Seaforth and found no one else there which I found surprising. Anyway a quick scan of the Tufty flock and there was my target bird. I did think at this point that the bird had some pro-tufty features but then I talked myself out of it, mainly on the grounds that it had been reported as RND all day yesterday and surely the local birders can't have got it wrong. My suspicions were confirmed however by a local guy whose first words were along the lines of - cracking bird for a hybrid.

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This bird does tick a lot of boxes for RND and superficially looks like one, however the bump on the peaked crown has a bit of a tuft and the underwing panel is white (should be grey). Oh well - chalk another one down to experience!

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I do like Seaforth at this time of year though and the RND was not my only reason for being there. I picked up 5 Wheatears (2 males, 3 females) down the fence side with about a dozen Mipits. A guy in the hide said to me he always felt warmer when he had seen his first Wheatear of the year! Approx 20 Goldeneye were on the pool with 80+ Black-tailed Godwits and 140+ Redshanks.

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I then headed off to Frodsham to have a look at the Cattle Egret. Said bird buggered off to a very distant pool within 30 seconds of my arrival, though it did come back briefly before buggering off an equal distance in the opposite direction.

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At lunch I took Billy for a walk to HGF and was delighted to see 6 Black-necked Grebes now on the pool. 10 Sand Martins were also whizzing around and 2 Chiffchaffs were singing in the east and south hedges. 5 Redshanks around the pool, Wigeon flock still at 69 and 7 Reed Buntings in the south hedge.

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In the garden today were 3 Reed Buntings and the usual pair of Grey Partridges. At dusk I paid another visit to HGF and stood on the north bank listening to the various sounds (except the M6). A Heron and a Buzzard both flew in at dusk to roost around the south edge. The last bird singing was a male Song Thrush nr Myddleton Hall - he has an exquisite song!

Home again

Red Kite at feeding station, Laurieston (near Loch Ken)

Digiscoped shot of a Buzzard and a Red Kite together in a bush. Note the size difference between the two!

Pheasant at Ken-Dee marshes RSPB reserve

Greylag Goose, Loch Ken. Lots of these birds are scattered all around the Loch.

Greenland White-fronted Geese, Loch Ken

White-fronted geese against a moody looking sky

Charlie the Chaffinch posing

Charlie the Chaffinch singing (Ken-Dee Marshes reserve car park)

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I am now back home and not happy - I could easily stay in D&G permanently. This morning was almost culture shock - going to work instead of loafing around and a bitterly cold, grey and windy morning in comparison to the warm, balmy day yesterday. Anyway, to recap a few recent sightings:

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Tuesday 17th.

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I managed a quick hour at Loch Ryan. Turning into the road up the east side of the Loch I noticed a ring-tailed Hen Harrier hunting over gorse at the side of the road nr Leffnoll Point. It seemed slightly bizarre next to a main road for some reason. I then parked up at the picnic spot north of Cairyan and immediately watched 3 Rock Pipits flitting around. Despite being sunny it was very windy, making the loch choppy and viewing conditions difficult. 7 Red-throated Divers were seen with around 80 Eiders, 3 Guillemots, 6 Shags and a Black Guillemot also around.

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I suddenly heard a few alarm calls behind me and turned to see a large female Peregrine flying around the hill to the east. Birds were scattering in all directions and she put on a good show. Down to the old wooden pier and 3 more Black Guillemots were observed. It was still 4 hours before high tide so I made a quick pit stop at the southern end of the Loch before heading off home. 6 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the shoreline and I estimated the Scaup flock at 200+ birds. A quick trip to Mersehead in the afternoon produced a Jack Snipe from the Bruaich hide. Late afternoon approx 200 Scaup drifted into the channel nr Kippford.

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Wednesday 18th

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A quick trip to Mersehead early on. I noticed one group of Barnacle Geese comprising around 200 birds from the Bruaich Hide - scanning them revealed over 20 ringed birds. I recorded the codes on the darvic rings for 18 of these birds. Half of the birds (green ring, left leg) were ringed in Spitzbergen with the oldest being AHV - he is 18 years old. The other half (orange ring, left leg) are birds that have been ringed at Mersehead since 2000. Incidentally the bird with the transmitter aerial I saw at the weekend is Google - one of seven Barnacle Geese ringed at Mersehead this year and fitted with tracking equipment. Their progress can be monitored at:

http://www.wwt.org.uk/research/tracking/maps.asp

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Leaving the hide I immediately heard the distinctive song of a Chiffchaff. It's funny how I have been yearning to hear this song knowing that in a few weeks it will be irritating the life out of me! The warbler showed well and followed me all the way down the hedge to the farm. There we parted company and I then scanned 40 or so Linnets looking for a Twite but to no avail.

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In the afternoon I went looking for White-fronted Geese. Someone had reported them in fields on the east side of Loch Ken just an hour earlier - I found only Greylags and a single Red Kite. I then headed off up the west side to Ken-Dee Marshes RSPB reserve. As soon as I got there I spotted the Greenland White-front flock on the slope of a nearby hill approx 500 yds away. I was soon joined by Chris and Pat Baines who run the D&G Yahoo birding group. Very nice people too and I enjoyed their company. No Eurasian White-fronts were obvious - the flock eventually totalled 69 birds. I then headed off to the hides where 15 Snipe, 3 Redshank, a Curlew and a Goldeneye showed.

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Thursday 18th

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A quick trip to Laurieston this afternoon for feeding time at Ballymach Farm. Approx 30 birds were present, however my Canon EOS30D decied to develop a fault after 20 mins or so of shooting. It looks like it will have to go to the service centre - I have not been able to fix it. On the way home tonight we made a pit stop at Southwaite Services north of Penrith. I kept thinking at the time that there were a lot of Pied Wags around. As we drove to the slip road I glanced at a bush by the side of the road - at least 100 Pied Wags were roosting in that bush!

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Today I started off with my usual pre-work trip with Billy to HGF. It was nice to see the Wigeon flock more or less still all present - I had thought they might have left by now. A nice surprise was a third Black-necked Grebe - all three birds were huddled together as though making a statement about the cold weather. A White Wagtail showed well on the north bank and 2 Ruddy Ducks and a juvenile Mute Swan were new. A pair of Teal were also present along with 9 Great Crested Grebes.

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At lunch I escaped to the Moat Lane pool Rixton for 20 mins. Nothing of interest to report other than a female Sparrowhawk flying over the pool. At home this evening a male Reed Bunting and a single Long-tailed Tit were in the garden.

Bloody cold!

Leucistic Barnacle Goose, Mersehead

Barnacle Geese, Mersehead

Whooper Swans, Mersehead

Buzzard, Kippford

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This morning was very cold, windy and grey in sharp contrast to yesterday which was warm, sunny and definitely heralded Spring.

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First thing I nipped over to Mersehead again for an hour or so. I would estimate that over 5000 birds were dotted around the reserve this morning, including three leucistic birds. At the Bruaich Hide the 2 Little Egrets were still present - I then noticed three swans which were surprisingly hard to pick up at the back of the pool. Two adults and a juvenile Whooper! Literally ten minutes later a further 106 Whoopers descended on the pool, though they all kept to the back and kept their distance.

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At lunch we went for a picnic in the car to Rockcliffe. It was near high tide and the wind was strong, however I was able to pick up over 400 Scaup in the bay. A Sparrowhawk also flew across the bay.

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It was a quiet day otherwise - we just went for a long walk with Billy. Driving back to the cabin at Kippford this evening a couple of Red-legged Partridges were running in the road and then scanning the river from the cabin, a pair of Goosanders swam upriver.

Mersehead

Hen Harrier RSPB Mersehead

Rook, Mersehead

Curlews and a Black-tailed Godwit in flight - Mersehead

Leucistic Barnacle Geese, Mersehead

Ringed Barnacle Goose with tracking antenna, Mersehead

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I am currently enjoying a well earned break in Dumfries & Galloway. The trip very nearly didn't start too well though. Only a few miles up the M6 a Magpie flew out from the Parkside Colliery site carrying a large branch (large for a Magpie anyway). It was extremely windy and so half way over the motorway the Maggie dropped its branch - it then bounced off the middle of my windscreen! Fortunately no damage done.

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While travelling through the city of Dumfries and having stopped at some traffic lights, I spotted a white-winged gull flying round the grounds of a large building nearby. It turned out to be a leucistic Common gull - just a single black mark on one primary on the right wing. Interesting bird.

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Having driven up on Saturday I managed to get a pass out for an hour or so in the afternoon and headed off to RSPB Mersehead - one of my favourite reserves. The first thing I saw was a ring-tailed Hen Harrier flitting across the front of the hide. It flew over the back of the pool and then disappeared. Five minutes later it reappeared over the reedbed and dropped down into it.

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The Hen Harrier spooked the 1000 or so Barnacle geese which had been skulking in the fields beyond the back of the pool. One of the leucistic birds was seen in flight. Two Little Egrets were showing well in the flooded field behind the hide. The pool was busy with various wildfowl and plenty of Curlews and other waders. 3 Buzzards were also present.

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This morning I made a quick trip back to Mersehead and found the Barnacles showing much better. The two Leucistic birds were in the field by the farm. Nr the hide were three ringed birds, one of which had an a tracking antenna on its back. It will be interesting to get some feedback on the movements of this bird. The Little Egrets were present on the pool but out of sight for most of the time.

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Mid afternoon and we took Bill for a walk to Balcary Point at high tide. Seven Red-throated Divers were loafing about in the bay. Six Red-breasted Mergansers and a female Goldeneye were also present. Lots of waders, mainly Oystercatchers and Curlews with a pair of Ringed Plovers. The water around Hestan Island was full of auks - they were too far out to ID.

2000 miles

The title reflects the number of miles I have driven in the last 2 weeks - and had to work each day on top. I'm bloody knackered!
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A few choice photos below in a master class - I am thinking of entering these in this years BBC Wildlife Magazine wildlife photographer of the year competition. I think I'm a dead cert for all the categories.


Little Owl in Lady Lane, Croft. I'm putting this in the wildlife in action category!

Little Owl again (can you spot it?) - this time in the wildlife interacting with habitat category! Or should I put it in the area of outstanding natural beauty one?

This one is going in the rare species category. Or the how to bugger off very quickly when someone points a camera at you category!

One of seven male Corn Buntings singing in Holly Bush Lane this afternoon. This is going in the special effects and use of lighting category - my best one yet!

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As you might be able to tell, too busy running round the country and not much in the way of birding.

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At HGF this morning the Black-necked Grebes were still present and I could have easily predicted every other species seen before I set off. In fact I am on first name terms with them, their Albert and a few distant cousins.

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At Moat Lane a Linnet was something new and 7 Corn Buntings (all males and all singing on the wires) were on Holly Bush Lane with 2 Yellowhammers. Two more CB's were in the usual spot in Culcheth on the way home plus the Little Owl in Lady Lane.

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This morning a male Reed Bunting and 2 Grey Partridges visited the garden - the Song Thrush did a bunk 2 days ago. Best part of the day was watching 5 GP's this morning in Waterworks Lane. The 2 pairs were engaged in some scuffling and some serious fighting did break out between the males. Most of the time though they were chasing each other round the field like something out of a Benny Hill sketch - hilarious!