Today with Adrian Dancy, 5 BN grebes, 3 Little ringed plovers, 2 oystercatchers , plus Widgeon, GC grebes, tufties etc,
Jon Bowen said
Sat Mar 26 5:54 PM, 2011
4pmish
Black Necked Grebe
5 GC Grebe
15 plus Widgeon
10+ Tufties
Karen Foulkes said
Fri Mar 25 4:50 PM, 2011
Mid afternoon 3 Black Necked Grebes 1 Redshank 35 Wigeon
Ivan Ellison said
Fri Mar 25 9:21 AM, 2011
can concur 5 birds present all day on Thursday, spent 6 hours waiting for them to come close enough for good pics, have sent a couple to Ian.
-- Edited by Ivan Ellison on Friday 25th of March 2011 09:21:49 AM
Mike Baron said
Thu Mar 24 7:52 AM, 2011
5 Black-necked Grebes this morning
Mike Baron said
Wed Mar 23 7:56 PM, 2011
4 Black-necked Grebes this evening. Same two from yesterday plus a new pair - 6 birds in total so far
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 23 3:06 PM, 2011
First summer Mediterranean Gull present at 3pm.
Info thanks to Rob Adderley
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Mar 22 6:55 PM, 2011
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Erm, I don't disagree with anything there John nor did I as I'm well aware of the movement between the sites. All I was getting at is wondering why you though they should be going south instead of north to Pennington (and beyond) on occasion
Because they primarily have nested at woolston in numbers,and although as you say they nest in gm,they are more likely to go to woolston eyes which at one point in time not long ago held 60% of the uk population,or they used to anyway-you never know one day they may nest on all our waters as they are becoming a common site in late spring on many of our local lakes and flashesand grebes of all types have always been favorites of mine
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 06:56:55 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Mar 22 5:44 PM, 2011
Erm, I don't disagree with anything there John nor did I as I'm well aware of the movement between the sites. All I was getting at is wondering why you though they should be going south instead of north to Pennington (and beyond) on occasion
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Mar 22 3:11 PM, 2011
Ian McKerchar wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Mike Baron wrote:
2 Black-necked Grebes this morning. One looks like the same bird that arrived last Saturday while a new bird in this morning still largely in winter plumage. Yesterdays pair have gone - at least 4 birds so far.
noticed 2 birds arrived at penny this morning-possibly the same birds that have left houghton green-although they should really be heading south
>
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 12:11:51 PM
Not necessarily so John as they do breed in Greater Manchester too
Theres defo some movement between the pool and penny and vice versa,as Mike will tell you some individuals you can almost identify by plumage at this time of year and although not 100% sure,can be fairly certain. I have seen pairs at penny,that have been at the pool the morning after and vice versa,generally its easier if in a pair is were one is in part summer and the other full,then you can normally say if you have a lot of experience with them like myself and Mike have at the Haughton green ,that they are the same pair.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Mar 22 2:56 PM, 2011
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Mike Baron wrote:
2 Black-necked Grebes this morning. One looks like the same bird that arrived last Saturday while a new bird in this morning still largely in winter plumage. Yesterdays pair have gone - at least 4 birds so far.
noticed 2 birds arrived at penny this morning-possibly the same birds that have left houghton green-although they should really be heading south
>
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 12:11:51 PM
Not necessarily so John as they do breed in Greater Manchester too
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Mar 22 12:09 PM, 2011
Mike Baron wrote:
2 Black-necked Grebes this morning. One looks like the same bird that arrived last Saturday while a new bird in this morning still largely in winter plumage. Yesterdays pair have gone - at least 4 birds so far.
noticed 2 birds arrived at penny this morning-possibly the same birds that have left houghton green-although they should really be heading south
>
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 12:11:51 PM
Mike Baron said
Tue Mar 22 10:41 AM, 2011
2 Black-necked Grebes this morning. One looks like the same bird that arrived last Saturday while a new bird in this morning still largely in winter plumage. Yesterdays pair have gone - at least 4 birds so far.
Pete Welch said
Mon Mar 21 7:12 PM, 2011
Three birds still there at 6.20pm tonight - one was much lighter and from the behaviour I saw I wonder if they are two male and one female i.e. a darker bird shadowing the lighter bird and then the two darker birds doing some bill dipping then neck upright display at each other and the coot? Photos to follow to Ian - if they're any good!
alan patterson said
Mon Mar 21 6:50 PM, 2011
Mike Baron wrote:
3 Black-necked Grebes this morning
Looks as if 2 BNG seen at Woolston on Sunday and not seen there today may have moved to Houghton Green. One of the birds was full summer Plummage and the second was a much lighter coloured bird.
sid ashton said
Mon Mar 21 12:25 PM, 2011
Mike Baron wrote:
Just missed you Sid - I left HGF at 07:35. You could have let me know you were coming...
Sorry Mike it was a last minute decision
Mike Baron said
Mon Mar 21 12:06 PM, 2011
sid ashton wrote:
Yes Mike the three Black necked- Grebe were there at 07.45. Also present, displaying Great -crested Grebe, a single Cormorant, Tufties and Wigeon. Additionionally on the crop field next to the flash many Skylarks, a single Grey Partridge and a smart looking Fieldfare eating worms
Just missed you Sid - I left HGF at 07:35. You could have let me know you were coming...
sid ashton said
Mon Mar 21 11:10 AM, 2011
Yes Mike the three Black necked- Grebe were there at 07.45. Also present, displaying Great -crested Grebe, a single Cormorant, Tufties and Wigeon. Additionionally on the crop field next to the flash many Skylarks, a single Grey Partridge and a smart looking Fieldfare eating worms
Mike Baron said
Mon Mar 21 8:45 AM, 2011
3 Black-necked Grebes this morning
Mike Baron said
Sun Mar 20 5:14 PM, 2011
Doc Brewster wrote:
Cheers Mike
Black-necked Grebe still there Sunday afternoon, plenty of Wigeon too & Yellowhammers nearby. Thought I might see you down there, maybe nexxt time mate :)
Paul
Just got back from there Paul - we'll eventually collide at some point...
Chiffchaff in south hedge and Little Grebe too plus 8 Great Crested Grebes
Had 2 dead gulls here in last week with just the necks eaten - Peregrine kills?
Cheers
Mike
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 20 4:39 PM, 2011
Cheers Mike
Black-necked Grebe still there Sunday afternoon, plenty of Wigeon too & Yellowhammers nearby. Thought I might see you down there, maybe nexxt time mate :)
Paul
Mike Baron said
Sat Mar 19 8:12 AM, 2011
Black-necked Grebe this morning plus Sand Martin and usual stuff
Ian Coote said
Fri Mar 18 11:20 AM, 2011
Much the same this morning as yesterdays report, except the Greylag and Sand Martins weren't to be seen.
Addition today of a White Wagtail on the waters edge.
much the same today on my 2 visits,wigeon up to 50,and 3 pochard this afternoon,and about 150 mixed gulls by the pool in the middle,including 2 greater black backed gull,10 lesser black backed,herring,common,and black headed.3 mute swans also
Mike Baron said
Fri Dec 3 5:48 PM, 2010
Pool 98% frozen with a narrow strip at the north end packed with wildfowl and a small pool in the middle by gulls.
sat pm scaup-imm male still present wigeon-29 plus the usual stuff
SAME AS TODAY WITH SCAUP STILL PRESENT,AS IT WAS YESTERDAY.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 21 8:30 AM, 2010
sat pm scaup-imm male still present wigeon-29 plus the usual stuff
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Oct 30 10:06 PM, 2010
am & late pm First winter drake Scaup still present. plus 12 wigeon and approx 400 black headed gull
Mike Baron said
Wed Oct 27 7:23 PM, 2010
First winter drake Scaup still present at dusk. Also:
Whooper Swan (cygnet) Goldeneye (female)
Mike Baron said
Wed Oct 27 9:44 AM, 2010
Scaup still present this morning
Mike Baron said
Tue Oct 26 5:58 PM, 2010
Drake Scaup present this evening
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 24 3:20 PM, 2010
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Sep 24 11:02 AM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Everything seems so much easier behind a computer monitor, and no, I wasn't there
I can feel theres going to be an article done on his one
Matt Potter said
Fri Sep 24 9:53 AM, 2010
I wish it was as easy in the field!!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 24 9:49 AM, 2010
Everything seems so much easier behind a computer monitor, and no, I wasn't there
Matt Potter said
Fri Sep 24 8:55 AM, 2010
JOHN TYMON wrote:
looking at the pictures on the galleries,showing the juv little gull and in comparison with a juv kittiwake at the same place the other week side by side-it is supprising how those two could ever get mixed up ,and the pictures really do show there is no comparison between That Juv Little gull and The juv kittiwake even apart from the size difference.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 23rd of September 2010 04:19:26 PM
I have to agree John. There is no way you would get those two mixed up!
Out of intrest, I have looked at pics of Juv Sabs Gull, and there is no way you could get that mixed up with a juv Kittiwake also!
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Sep 23 4:18 PM, 2010
looking at the pictures on the galleries,showing the juv little gull and in comparison with a juv kittiwake at the same place the other week side by side-it is supprising how those two could ever get mixed up ,and the pictures really do show there is no comparison between That Juv Little gull and The juv kittiwake even apart from the size difference.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 23rd of September 2010 04:19:26 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 21 11:11 AM, 2010
Little Gull still present this morning.
Info thanks to Peter Welch
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 20 8:58 PM, 2010
11am then
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Sep 20 8:41 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Having just received some images of today's 'Kitti Gull' I can confirm that the bird present at 11pm was indeed a very juvenile looking Little Gull, complete with dark crown!
I'd have thought it would be a bit dark to photograph birds at that time? Or did the photographer have a large flash?
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 20 7:34 PM, 2010
Having just received some images of today's 'Kitti Gull' I can confirm that the bird present at 11pm was indeed a very juvenile looking Little Gull, complete with dark crown!
Judith Smith said
Mon Sep 20 5:04 PM, 2010
Brian Martin, who does the WeBS counts at HG Flash, and was there this morning, said the juv Kittiwake he saw today was the same bird as he noted yesterday.
Mike Baron said
Mon Sep 20 5:02 PM, 2010
Rob Smallwood wrote:
Mike - I was teasing the unfolding of reports, not questioning your original sighting - great find, and well done for getting the news out and giving people a chance to see the bird.
Had you not reported it, I suspect that none of the other gulls reported would have been seen - and it just goes to show how populations can change throughout the day.
Thanks Rob
I do understand how bizarre this must sound to some - can't help wondering what has brought three HGF rarities in the same day when nothing of import is popping up anywhere else locally.
I might just have to break the holiday now and come back for the Little Gull!
Cheers
Mike
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Sep 20 4:58 PM, 2010
Mike - I was teasing the unfolding of reports, not questioning your original sighting - great find, and well done for getting the news out and giving people a chance to see the bird.
Had you not reported it, I suspect that none of the other gulls reported would have been seen - and it just goes to show how populations can change throughout the day.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 20 4:56 PM, 2010
Henry Cook wrote:
Don't worry John. I knew what you meant by the word 'regular'. In the context of Sabine's Gull, regularly also means annually. I think Ian was being a bit pedantic! Excellent find for the flash.
I'm afraid I don't 'do' pedantic and I've looked it up and know what it means
Henry Cook said
Mon Sep 20 4:37 PM, 2010
Don't worry John. I knew what you meant by the word 'regular'. In the context of Sabine's Gull, regularly also means annually. I think Ian was being a bit pedantic! Excellent find for the flash.
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Sep 20 3:49 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Juvenile Sabines Gull present this morning.
Info thanks to Mike Baron
Crackin bird for the pool mike well done and a great deserved find-just wish i hadn't left my mobile at home,or i would have sneaked out of work and caught it. Mike would have no problem with identifying sabines gull,as apposed to kittiwake-he has seen both regularly,and knows the pool better than me-its a great little place that does get every so often brilliant birds. Again Well done Mike Enjoy the break
Does anyone really see Sabine's Gull regularly in the UK? Even the saltiest seawatchers in Cornwall or Eire might get a handfull in autumn if they're lucky. To be fair to Mike, and certainly not casting aspersions on his original identification, I think he'd be the first to say he doesn't see Sabine's regularly at all.
I also believe that there was a Kittiwake present yesterday which was different to today's bird! Clearly, it's all possible and should necessarily be dismissed too quickly
I'll stick with my original quote- A crackin' bird for the pool-well done Mike.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 20th of September 2010 09:12:57 PM
Mike Baron said
Mon Sep 20 3:47 PM, 2010
Bit of an elation followed by frustration day today. Just to put my side of the story.
I arrived this morning just to take the dog for a quick walk prior to setting off on holiday. Consequently I had only my bins - didn't expect to do any birding. At no point did I see a Kittiwake (or a Little Gull which would also be a patch tick). Aside from the Sab's the only other gulls present were 4 BHG's.
The juvenile Sab's flew past me in perfect viewing conditions at a distance of no more than 40-50 yards. It then wheeled around a few times and then settled on the water - I then left to put out the news.
I am not going to try and justify my competence or my credentials - that is for others to decide. Neither am I going to insult anyone's intelligence by posting a detailed description here.
I can appreciate how people might think when the rarity reported is gone and the main confusion species is present - I would probably think the same way unless I knew the birder well.
I also take Ian's point about seeing Sab's - I haven't seen that many though I had very close views of a juv on the beach on the Wirral last year and photographed it.
If I had made a mistake I would be the first to put my hands up and say sorry guys - cocked that one up. If I had any doubts I wouldn't have reported it as a definite and would have asked a friend such as JT to go and take a look.
I have no doubts, I didn't make a mistake and I stand by my sighting.
3 Black Necked Grebes
1 Redshank
35 Wigeon
-- Edited by Ivan Ellison on Friday 25th of March 2011 09:21:49 AM
Info thanks to Rob Adderley
Because they primarily have nested at woolston in numbers,and although as you say they nest in gm,they are more likely to go to woolston eyes which at one point in time not long ago held 60% of the uk population,or they used to anyway-you never know one day they may nest on all our waters as they are becoming a common site in late spring on many of our local lakes and flashes
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 06:56:55 PM
well aware of the movement between the sites. All I was getting at is wondering why you though they should be going south instead of north to Pennington (and beyond) on occasion
Theres defo some movement between the pool and penny and vice versa,as Mike will tell you some individuals you can almost identify by plumage at this time of year and although not 100% sure,can be fairly certain.
I have seen pairs at penny,that have been at the pool the morning after and vice versa,generally its easier if in a pair is were one is in part summer and the other full,then you can normally say if you have a lot of experience with them like myself and Mike have at the Haughton green ,that they are the same pair.
Not necessarily so John as they do breed in Greater Manchester too
noticed 2 birds arrived at penny this morning-possibly the same birds that have left houghton green-although they should really be heading south
>
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 12:11:51 PM
Looks as if 2 BNG seen at Woolston on Sunday and not seen there today may have moved to Houghton Green. One of the birds was full summer Plummage and the second was a much lighter coloured bird.
Just missed you Sid - I left HGF at 07:35. You could have let me know you were coming...
Just got back from there Paul - we'll eventually collide at some point...
Chiffchaff in south hedge and Little Grebe too plus 8 Great Crested Grebes
Had 2 dead gulls here in last week with just the necks eaten - Peregrine kills?
Cheers
Mike
Black-necked Grebe still there Sunday afternoon, plenty of Wigeon too & Yellowhammers nearby. Thought I might see you down there, maybe nexxt time mate :)
Paul
Addition today of a White Wagtail on the waters edge.
43 Wigeon
23 Tufted Duck
1 Pochard
6 Great Crested Grebes
2 Mute Swans
1 Greylag (rare one here)
2 Oystercatchers
1 Redshank
7 Skylarks
2 Grey Partridges
2 Kestrels
much the same today on my 2 visits,wigeon up to 50,and 3 pochard this afternoon,and about 150 mixed gulls by the pool in the middle,including 2 greater black backed gull,10 lesser black backed,herring,common,and black headed.3 mute swans also
2 Dunlin
47 Wigeon
100 Coot
5 Tufted Ducks
24 Mallard
5 Teal
1 Kestrel
6 Common Gulls
2 Mute Swans
SAME AS TODAY
WITH SCAUP STILL PRESENT,AS IT WAS YESTERDAY.
scaup-imm male still present
wigeon-29
plus the usual stuff
First winter drake Scaup still present.
plus 12 wigeon
and approx 400 black headed gull
Whooper Swan (cygnet)
Goldeneye (female)
I can feel theres going to be an article done on his one
I have to agree John. There is no way you would get those two mixed up!
Out of intrest, I have looked at pics of Juv Sabs Gull, and there is no way you could get that mixed up with a juv Kittiwake also!
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 23rd of September 2010 04:19:26 PM
Info thanks to Peter Welch
I'd have thought it would be a bit dark to photograph birds at that time? Or did the photographer have a large flash?
Thanks Rob
I do understand how bizarre this must sound to some - can't help wondering what has brought three HGF rarities in the same day when nothing of import is popping up anywhere else locally.
I might just have to break the holiday now and come back for the Little Gull!
Cheers
Mike
Had you not reported it, I suspect that none of the other gulls reported would have been seen - and it just goes to show how populations can change throughout the day.
I'm afraid I don't 'do' pedantic and I've looked it up and know what it means
I think Ian was being a bit pedantic!
Excellent find for the flash.
I'll stick with my original quote- A crackin' bird for the pool-well done Mike.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 20th of September 2010 09:12:57 PM
I arrived this morning just to take the dog for a quick walk prior to setting off on holiday. Consequently I had only my bins - didn't expect to do any birding. At no point did I see a Kittiwake (or a Little Gull which would also be a patch tick). Aside from the Sab's the only other gulls present were 4 BHG's.
The juvenile Sab's flew past me in perfect viewing conditions at a distance of no more than 40-50 yards. It then wheeled around a few times and then settled on the water - I then left to put out the news.
I am not going to try and justify my competence or my credentials - that is for others to decide. Neither am I going to insult anyone's intelligence by posting a detailed description here.
I can appreciate how people might think when the rarity reported is gone and the main confusion species is present - I would probably think the same way unless I knew the birder well.
I also take Ian's point about seeing Sab's - I haven't seen that many though I had very close views of a juv on the beach on the Wirral last year and photographed it.
If I had made a mistake I would be the first to put my hands up and say sorry guys - cocked that one up. If I had any doubts I wouldn't have reported it as a definite and would have asked a friend such as JT to go and take a look.
I have no doubts, I didn't make a mistake and I stand by my sighting.
Cheers
Mike