Thursday 18 March 2010

Horrock's Hide 15:30-18:00
8 Goosander
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
13 Oystercatcher
1 Black-tailed Godwit
12 Redshank
2+ Mediterranean Gull
22+ Sand Martin
2 Stock Dove

Monday 15 March 2010

Sailing club @ 18:00ish
6 Pochard
11 Goosander
2 Curlew (over, heading west)
3 Redshank
2 Mediterranean Gull (both adult)

Mon 15th - 9 am

Redshank (2)
Oystercatcher (9)
Black Tailed Godwit (1)
Goosander (17) - Teal Hide
Pochard (7)
Greylag Geese (4) - Ramsdale Hide
Goldeneye (5)
Treecreeper (1) - with LT Tits near canal

11-2
oystercatcher-12
goosander-5
g.c.grebe-27
b.t.godwit-1
redshank-4
no sign of med gulls-seems to be early and late for those.
plus all the usuals

sightings up to 8am this morning:

17 Oystercatcher
1 Curlew
1 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Redshank
2 Dunlin
2 adult Mediterranean Gull

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

Present upto 8am this morning:

1 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Dunlin
3 Redshank
1 Ringed Plover
4 oystercatcher
4 Shelduck
14 Goosander
22 Goldeneye

Info thanks to John Lyon

A magnificent adult 5 Mediterranean Gulls in the roost tonight (possibly even as many as 7!), plus:

7000 BhGulls
300 LBbGulls
25 Herring Gulls
30 Common Gulls

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes

2-5pm
black tailed godwit-1
oystercatcher-4
wigeon-12
redshank-4
great crested grebe-20+
goldeneye-20+
plus all the usual stuff

38 Redwing in horse fields at the Slag Lane (western) end, plus 19 Goosanders this morning.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

Thursday 11 March 2010

Horrock's Hide 06:45-07:45:
3 Shelduck
10 Goosander
10 Oystercatcher
4 Redshank

Adult Med Gull present from about 1530 until Dave Wilson and I left at 1650. Difficult to see in a flock of BH Gulls.

single black tailed godwit present today plus 2 redshank, 11 oystercatchers, shelduck, goldeneye, pochard, goosander, sprawk and willow tit. no med gull.

Woodcock, flew over horrocks hide 10am.

9/3/10 (am)

Noteworthy sightings included:

2 Mediterranean Gulls (adults) still present very early morning on the spit

1 Black-tailed Godwit
2 Redshank
12 Oystercatcher
1 Wigeon
1 Goosander
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk

**(Camera Lens found - see Gen Discussion thread)**

7 Whooper Swans this late afternoon plus 2 adult Med Gulls .

Info thanks to Rob Thorpe

Adult Med Gull present on the spit again 07:15 this morning atleast.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

Mon 8th Mar - am

Redshank 4
Snipe
Oystercatcher
Wigeon in middle of the feeding ducks near carpark
Goldeneye
Great Crested Grebe
Meadow Pipit and Skylarks showing well on Rucks
Little Grebe

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 8th of March 2010 05:20:27 PM

pm
oystercatcher-6
golden eye-down to 26 a bit of a movement yesterday i think
goosander-16
gadwall-28
rest as am

6/3/10 (am)

With Mr Thorpe. Notable sightings included:

1 Ringed Plover
11 Oystercatcher
2 Shelduck
10 Wigeon
8 Goosander
3 Snipe
2 Greylag Goose
8 Lesser Redpoll
2 Stock Dove

1 Muscovy Duck

Rob Thorpe wrote:

---

Forgetting to put telescope in car can result in a very frustrating gull roost!

---

Yep...

In the gull roost and around and about tonight (up to 6:15pm)

Adult Mediterranean Gull
6000 Black-headed Gull
200 LBBGull
3 Herring Gull
50 Common Gull
11 Oystercatcher
12 Goosander

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes

Forgetting to put telescope in car can result in a very frustrating gull roost!

pm
wigeon 1 male
goldeneye-58 largest no for a long time
cormorant-31
pochard-10
tufted
oystercatcher-4
plus all the usual

Adult Mediterranean Gull off the spit again at 07:30 this morning.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

Let this be the last word on the subject this alleged and ill-founded 'snobbery' at Pennington. John is right, this is a sighting forum so let's keep it to such before I wield the mighty moderation finger .should you have a genuine and first-hand occurance may I suggest you take it up with the person involved at the time, education is the key if this alleged 'snobbery' actually exists.

End of, now on with the sightings please...

Sam Ridgway wrote:

---

Well said, I am only a novice and alot of times need help, even on the common bird's.
I only hope I can get to reasonble standard so I can help new and old birder's.
Please don't be so bloody snobbish with the hobby.

---

Read the earlier threads fully and you will see,the regulars at penny are the most helpful birders you would ever meet,and there are definately no snobs among us .lets keep this thread to bird sightings which is the most important thing in the sightings section,and as you can see from the sightings below ,none of the penny regulars keep sighting of birds to themselves.



-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 01:24:33 PM

Well said, I am only a novice and alot of times need help, even on the common bird's.
I only hope I can get to reasonble standard so I can help new and old birder's.
Please don't be so bloody snobbish with the hobby.

Geoff Hargreaves wrote:

---

Mike,as self confessed pennington twitcher i unashamedly leave it to the regulars to find the goodies and then ride on their coat tails,but i,m not alone and i can understand that the regulars who put the hours in might be a bit 'gruff' at whippersnappers popping in for a tick and photo opp,my recipe for pennington is ,check the notice board in the admin block,try and find them on your own ,then ask nicely if anyone can see your target bird.

cheers geoff(trudging the flashes untill sumat turns up at penny)

---

Some birds which are rare and elusive can be easily missed. If I were to walk into a hide I would find it very difficult spotting small, well-hidden, camouflaged species and I am not very good with bird songs and calls too so i a way I would need help with somespecies. Plus I dont have a birding telescope which can see so ar across. Its not just about a tick but with some species they are very charismatic you want to appreciate them for as long as you can.

I dont see it as riding on coat tails. The other day I visited Leighton Moss and I saw my first Bittern which was pointed out by other people of course. As I left that hide I bumped into a couple who had told me about an hour ago they visited LM over 15 times and never saw a Bittern. I told them a Bittern was in view and they rushed off to see it, and luckily it was still out there. There is no harm in telling people what is out there. Whilst there I noticed 2 Snipe right in front of the hide and not few people in the hide had not even noticed them. I actually told people they were there and the few people there which then grew to 10 had wonderfully close vieds of Snipe probing in the mud for a very long period.

At times we will need te help of others to find certain birds but at times we will also be giving out our information.

I would be very offended if for example a Bittern was out in view and some birdwatchers were watching it and did not want to point it out to me simply because I had just arrived. That Bittern or any other bird could end up disappearing and in a way some could miss a high point of the day.

Tues 2nd Mar - Early am

Oystercatcher (6)
Snipe (2) in the open on the spit
Great Crested Grebe (37)
Wigeon (2)
Goldeneye (3)
Pochard (2)
plus all the usual
and one Bar Headed Goose in front of Tom Edmondson hide

A pair of Ravens were circling very high over the side side of the flash at 12:20 today before drifting slowly off SE.

Adult Mediterranean Gull present again this morning, a different bird to the adult here on the 17th Feb. It flew off east at 08:25.

Curlew flew through SE early morning.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

LATE RECORD FROM CHARLIE OWEN TONIGHT
5pm Adult MED GULL-ON POINT

PM
AS YESTERDAY REALLY APART FROM
OYSTERCATCHER-10
REDPOLL-20

Single Ringed Plover and 11 Oystercatcher present early this morning

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

late am early pm
oystercatcher-8
cormorant 25
great crested grebe-27(well up on recent counts)
golden eye-27
pochard-15
tufted-100+
shellduck-2
kestrel-1
plus all the usual stuff

a decent flock 20+ redpoll up near common lane bridge(seen by someone who we spoke to but didn't get the name.


-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 27th of February 2010 02:48:06 PM

Present this morning:

2 Redshank
10 Oystercatcher

info thanks to Barry Hulme

I like to 'settle' down and scan round myself first - then if I spot something unusual I might comment on it, to see if the other hide occupants had seen it. Then when I've had a good look round, then I'll ask is there owt about

I don't like people who race in - say is there anything about and then they're out of the hide again when you say - well there's a nice Common Sandpiper close up here - they want rareities and they want them now - who knows, if they sat there for 5 minutes scanning round they might spot that Slatey-backed Gull lurking in the roost !

Jon Taverner wrote:

---

As a fairly regular visitor to Pennington Flash and a relative newcomer to Birding and therefore inexperienced, perhaps my perspective might be of interest. Without wishing to embarrass them. the help and friendship shown by the regulars, especially by John Tymon, Charlie Owens, Barry Hulme and John Lyon have been exceptional. I still make mistakes in identification but they point out my errors without sarcasm or ridicule so that I learn. The vast majority of other frequent visitors and those who make the occasional trip have also been friendly. As John points out, there are times when one wants to 'chill out' and wander around alone - an excellent way to forget about the stresses and problems that we all face from time to time. We also have different personalities - there are many of us who are naturally outgoing and sociable whilst there are others who prefer to keep themselves to themselves because that is the way they are. I, personally, have never come across anybody who has been rude or inten
tionally unhelpful - I tend to make a quick judgement about whether someone wants to talk or whether they want to be left alone. As the 'hobby' embraces people from all walks of life and who have different interests and priorities, I genuinely believe that we are fortunate to have so many people , in the county, who wish to pass on their sightings and their knowledge.

---

your embarrassing me now Jon Seriously we are a very friendly bunch at penny,and if you see a big sweaty and mutinous Leyther carrying a big len,bins,rucksack coming towards you,say hello it'l be me,and unless im in a almighty rush,ill stop to chat,and so will the rest most of the time,and if you see someone with an even bigger lensim talking 3 foot long,and on his kneesbecause the things too heavy to carry stood up,that will be Jon Taverner,and im sure he will stop given any chance with that lens and have a chat
Charlie Owen,will help anyone,but you will have to find him first as he will be skulking in some reeds somewere,deciding where to photograph a kingfisher later in the yearso just be happy enjoy the birding,and get back to nice thoughts-see ya ont rucks-john

As a fairly regular visitor to Pennington Flash and a relative newcomer to Birding and therefore inexperienced, perhaps my perspective might be of interest. Without wishing to embarrass them. the help and friendship shown by the regulars, especially by John Tymon, Charlie Owens, Barry Hulme and John Lyon have been exceptional. I still make mistakes in identification but they point out my errors without sarcasm or ridicule so that I learn. The vast majority of other frequent visitors and those who make the occasional trip have also been friendly. As John points out, there are times when one wants to 'chill out' and wander around alone - an excellent way to forget about the stresses and problems that we all face from time to time. We also have different personalities - there are many of us who are naturally outgoing and sociable whilst there are others who prefer to keep themselves to themselves because that is the way they are. I, personally, have never come across anybody who has been rude or intentionally unhelpful - I tend to make a quick judgement about whether someone wants to talk or whether they want to be left alone. As the 'hobby' embraces people from all walks of life and who have different interests and priorities, I genuinely believe that we are fortunate to have so many people , in the county, who wish to pass on their sightings and their knowledge.

Reading Mike`s original post, yes, it is quite true that there are some ignorant birders who frequent Pennington Flash - but in all walks of of life you will come across grumpy b@$£@+ds. Visit any major nature reserve and you will encounter these people. Why they choose to be unhelpful I don`t know - they must have their own reasons. Many is the time I`ve walked past someone, made eye contact, and said "awreet", and I`ve been completely blanked (they might not have understood me though ? ). At the end of the day, whichever hobby you follow you will encounter snobbery.........birding, I`m afraid is no different

BTW - 7 Oystercatchers present this morning - info from Barry Hulme

-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Friday 26th of February 2010 11:19:57 AM

sometimes circumstances,may mean on any particular day,the regulars at pennington may say to someone they don't know when asked for the 20th time that day is there anything about,you may say no nowt,and to the regulars,that can be the case,but for 35 years ive spent more of my time showing other people birds than watching myself,but sometimes,if youve had a 60 hour week in the factory,and you have 2 hours of a weekend to have a mooch,you may genuinly have no time to stand about for half an hour chatting.
Also these days there is the thing where everyone wants to be put on an exact tree you could see say a treecreeper at penny or redpoll,when its much better and of more benefit to go and have a mooch and find stuff,its much more rewarding.
take a look at the posts on here,if i didn't want anyone to see owt at penny,there would be nowt on here ,look at the galleries,how many shots from penny on there.
I totally dissagree if its pointed at me as,ive spent half my life helping people at penny,and don't always think people are not being helpfull,they may have more important things on thier mind,and just want a quiet walk and see a few birds,and relax because they need it after a long week at work.
as for the other regulars at penny ,they can comment for themselves.
But remember the best birder penny ever had frank horrocks ,would only show birds to people he thought would at least have a look themselves first.
And as for snobbery from the regulars at penny,i find the absolute opposite,quite often i have been ignored by new visitors to Penny,when i have asked them something,because i am not the typical stereotype,covered in swarovski ,birder that are of the present day,and because they dion't know me ,they think of me as a lesser birder than themwhen the best birder I know charlie owen has a £30 pair of bins in his pocket,so would be almost always ignored by everyone who didn't know him.

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 26th of February 2010 11:37:43 AM

If that were true Geoff then I would be extremely dissapointed with those Pennington regulars. We all started off as beginners and with extremely few exceptions have all twitched someone else's birds. The Pennington regulars, without exception, get their news to me as soon as they possibly can (as most are not on this forum or indeed regular computer users). They know full well what I do with their bird sightings (Birdnet Information and then this forum) and provide me their sightings so I can do just that. As this is the case, I doubt they then feel aggrieved when birders turn up to see the bird they themselves have released the news of

Mike,as self confessed pennington twitcher i unashamedly leave it to the regulars to find the goodies and then ride on their coat tails,but i,m not alone and i can understand that the regulars who put the hours in might be a bit 'gruff' at whippersnappers popping in for a tick and photo opp,my recipe for pennington is ,check the notice board in the admin block,try and find them on your own ,then ask nicely if anyone can see your target bird.

cheers geoff(trudging the flashes untill sumat turns up at penny)

thanks brandon and craig for your comments. i dont mean to belittle the majority of birders but there is an element of work it out for your self . i appreciate your comment because they are in the main true, but there are quite a few people who regard themselves unaproachable on our subject. im not getting at any one on our forum and i understand you opinions, and i am not trying to cause some kind of controvesy. but feel the subject should be aired. thanks again for your posetive response, regards mike

You have a point Mike regarding 'us' birders sometimes thinking these sites are ours and ours alone. As I have stated previously in this thread, with few exceptions the regular dog walkers around Pennington are pleasant and considerate, many have a genuine interest in wildlife too. I personally have no problem with them, other than the ones who allow their dog to gallop at you and jump all over you without even attempting to restrain them, though they have been rare. However, I cannot agree with your comments regarding birders opinions of 'non-birders or those of little experience', nor your blanket treatment of our more 'talented or experienced birders'. How can you tell they are either talented or experienced? There are one or two birders at Pennington who might admittedly come across as ignorant or dismissive but I'm afraid that is just their nature, they do the same to the genuinely talented and experienced too . You get that anywhere and everywhere and as Craig says, more than any other county site Pennington gets a large proportion of 'visiting birders' many from outside the county, so please don't tar everyone with the same brush. I have been a Pennington regular for very nearly 30 years (now that makes me sound old ) and on the whole cannot agree with some your comments, particularly those like it 'happening all the time'. Then again Leythers (folk from Leigh) can be a funny breed

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 25th of February 2010 10:19:04 PM

Got to agree with craig, whenever we three venture into penny's many hides it's a pleasure to be treated without malice

Only last saturday we were there as dusk fell and were greeted with hello and any relevent info we asked for by several diferent people (that includes mr tymon btw)
and we are casual birders AT BEST!

As long as you say hello and respect other peoples space people will be forthcoming and pleasant.
Well they are for us anyhow and my 6 year old is no fun in a hide as his attention span lasts as long as a goldcrests beak!

I'm not going to disagree Mike, but have to say that most of the regular Birders I know at Pennington are a pretty friendly bunch and will normally chat/show folk what is around. Sometimes you will get day visitors who might not necessarily know whats about so I suppose could seem less friendly.

I wont disagree because I've experienced it myself at a place not too far from Pennington - one that has a reputation for hobbies - when I was told utter bulls*** by one of the regular few, and the only reason for it that I can gather, is that I was not a 'local' or 'regular'. Sad really.

not a reply to the last topic but an observation ref the comments made over the last few months. why do our more talented and experienced birders think that ps has been provided for their exclusive domain. dog walkers are critisised for disturbing birds, non birders or those with little experience are highlighted and looked down upon . this happens all the the time and to people like me who see birding as simply a hobby and not an infactuation is going toward snobbery. some of these people are downright rude when i have been in the hides at pennington and got negative or flimsy responce when i have asked whats going on. these people are just reluctant to share information. this is not a rant but a genuine honest observation, any comments, regards mike haylett

Late news for yesterday 24th, up to 6:10pm

100 Lesser Black-backed Gull
40 Herring Gull
30 Common Gull
4000 Black-headed Gull
2 Oystercatcher
60 Lapwing
15 Goosander

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes

late am/pm
common snipe-9
goosander-14
pochard-50
tufted-100+
great crested grebe-4(low for the time of year)
cormorant-27
plenty shoveler/teal/mallard/gadwall
goldeneye-22
shellduck-6
oystercatcher-2
plus all the usual bits and bobs


-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 21st of February 2010 04:09:57 PM