Visit to Fleetwood Marsh and Rossall Point highlights include finding 2 Bearded Tits. 2 Bearded Tits record shots attached. 3 Cettis Warblers Heard. 9 Little Grebe 1 Snipe. 2 Wheatear
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 23rd of March 2019 07:20:58 PM
At Cockerham today one large swan flock contained:
4 Bewick's Swan
180+ Whooper Swan
1 Black Swan
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
Ian Campbell said
Mon Feb 18 3:27 PM, 2019
Visit this a.m. for the Water Pipit mainly, which I didn't see !!!, shown the best place to observe by a very helpful local birder and did get Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Great White Egret, Whooper Swan and a brief view of a Cattle Egret as I was driving away up Banks Lane. Cheers Ian
Rob Creek said
Sun Feb 10 10:57 PM, 2019
Sunday 10th Feb
Warton Marsh / Bank Lane area. Lunchtime visit today, never been here before, very like Neston and the Harp Inn on the Wirral. Nice to chat to a couple of local Lancs birders and a Wigan birder, sorry mate if you reading this I didnt catch your name.
- Water Pipit ...minimum 27 Saw the report yesterday and decided if it comes in early Sunday Ill go up there after dropping Michelle off at work. It did...so I did! I was on my own at first then it ended up being 6 of us. The Pipits were a no show for a while then I noticed a small flock of bird dropping in onto the marsh, I got others onto them and within a couple of minutes theyd worked their way over nearer to the concrete pipes and we were in business. They were showing well albeit against the light, and the initial group of c14 were joined by more birds of which I counted 27. I actually then upped it to 33 but a couple were active and I didnt want to duplicate. 30+ were reported later on.
- Hen Harrier 3 Ringtail seen firstly fairly distant then flew a lot closer, and whilst we were watching she? put up a cracking male and we had great views of them both over the marsh. Another or possibly the same Ringtail seen again later.
- Marsh Harrier 2 possibly 3, dark individual seen twice, possibly - Common Buzzard 3 - Kestrel 1 male - Whooper Swan 9 (and probably more) - Little Egret, Curlew, and Skylark seen in a fair abundance
I checked the field near the football pitch for a Cattle Egret reported yesterday but I didnt see it. Then intriguingly a report appeared of one in a field near the Equestrian Centre on Bryning Lane about a mile away so I tried my luck for that. No sign. Then on my way home a report came through of one being seen near the football pitch again, Im assuming it was the same bird. A cracking few hours!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 10th of February 2019 11:00:27 PM
...reported with Pink-footed Geese on Saturday at Banks Marsh, then later at Crossens Outer Marsh. Today, presumably (and likely to be) the same bird reported at Lytham Moss. I know I know...these subspecies are a nightmare and personally I find it difficult to even begin to try and separate some of them. I went to see one on Crossens OM back in 2017, or at least it was the bird that a few people were watching but after careful consideration I put it down to a feral Canada Goose. I remember asking Ian at the time and I remember the answer I got
I was on my own and started scanning through a large field crammed with Pink-footed Geese (c2500-3000). Eventually I found it and Ive attached some images below. This one did show a longish snake-like neck, a marked difference in the bill, and I suppose another important factor, it was with a legitimate carrier flock. Make of it what you will.
Also of note... - 1 Great White Egret in a channel about 500yds down from the field - 5 Little Egret - 1 Kingfisher - 1 Raven
We always have a trip out early in the New Year and with the shorter hours of daylight usually choose to stay fairly local. With Bob K at the wheel, myself, Steve & Chris B we left a cold Rochdale at 8am. Some Waxwings in Chorley was to be our first stop, unfortunately, after a bit of searching they were not found. At Clifton Marsh lots of wildfowl were present along with some Black Tailed Godwit, Curlew. Nice to watch on a crisp sunny morning, next stop was at Warton Bank near British Aerospace. We met a very knowledgeable local birder who told us that a male Hen Harrier would be putting in an appearance, if we waited long enough. Three Buzzards were seen initially then after 15 minutes the male Hen Harrier showed really well for around 10 minutes before catching a prey item and going to ground, great way to start the New Year(not for the prey item though) We searched in vain for the reported Water Pipits but could only find Meadow Pipits.
We headed for Lytham Crematorium to maybe catch up with the local Ring Necked Parakeets, no joy there either. A trip up to the Glasson Dock area is always good in the winter months and the presence of a first winter male Scaup in the basin and three Egyptian Geese on the soon to be modified pool at Glasson made the trip worthwhile. We began the search in the Thurnham area for Whooper and Bewick`s Swans, we had to look very carefully to find the Bewick`s and only 6 or so were found, lots of Whooper`s though. We called in at Fluke Hall near Pilling and located a flock of Red Legged Partridge and as we watched them a Barn Owl began flying about hunting. What a good bird to watch. It was going dark as we headed up to Eagland Hill in the forlorn hope that we might see some sparrows or finches but they had all gone to roost. We headed home to do the same, we managed to see 62 species.
Dave O.
Simon Gough said
Sun Dec 30 7:25 PM, 2018
2 enjoyable days on the Fylde this week, Sunday 30th and Monday 24th, with Colin Rushmer both days and Chris Chandler on Xmas Eve
On Monday we headed for Thurnham to find Bewick's Swans amongst a big herd of Whoopers. We saw as many as 5 together and probably 8 in total, it was good fun picking them out as the numerous birds waddled around on a pasture field. We headed for Knott End but stopped at Braides to take in a huge number of various waders on the roadside fields. Hundreds of Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Redshanks and Curlew, plus some mobile flocks of Starlings and Linnets. Brilliant. At Knott End we enjoyed about 20 Twite on the ferry slipway, showing stupidly well in the sun. Finally we headed for Warton Bank to see what raptors we could muster up. In a mere 40 minutes we picked up Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine, plus Buzzard and Sparrowhawk getting involved on the marsh too. Brilliant stuff.
Today Colin and I headed back to go for the Snow Buntings on St Anne's Beach, this is the third time I've seen the species at that location but they were a lifer for Colin and we got some brilliant views, it was my best sighting of them for ages. We dropped down to Lytham after that and found a great spot to look over Warton Marsh from near the windmill. We got onto active raptors straight away, and then had one sublime passage of watching the wintering male Hen Harrier cruising around but disturbing a juvenile Merlin, which then buzzed it 4 or 5 times until it calmed down or presumably just felt better about itself. The birds were nice and close and showed really well. We managed 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Merlins as well as the sumptuous grey Hen Harrier. The next stop was Freckleton where we had a different view of the river, directly across from Hesketh Out Marsh on the other side, with more marsh and wet meadows to our left on the south bank. We managed to pick up 9 Barnacle Geese with hundreds of Canada Geese. But the main thing here was the sheer number of birds, hundreds if not thousands of Lapwings swirling around, hundreds of Pink-Footed Geese in the air, flocks of Golden Plover, Starling and Dunlin, Wigeon and Teal bombing around. It was marvellous. As it got later we had another quick look at Warton Bank, but the one thing that eluded us again was a Barn Owl, even at this site which is known for them. No complaints though, after a second great day's birding.
If anyone is looking for good views of a male Hen Harrier and a change from the scene at Parkgate and Neston, I would recommend Warton Bank at the moment, and clearly you can add it in to picking up some great species elsewhere on the Fylde
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Nov 18 12:07 PM, 2018
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November around Fleetwood area highlights. Saturday. 1 Bar tailed Godwit Rossall Point 3 Red breasted Merganser. 2 Whooper Swans.
Sunday. 6 Goldeneye on boating lake. 6 Red breasted Mergansers Rossall point. 1 Common Scoter. 4 Ravens Fleetwood marsh near tip. 1 Hooded crow flew over tip up river towards Stannah. This made my weekend as a first for me and self found
Four of us called in at Clifton Marsh near Freckleton just after 8 a.m. today to see the Grey Phalarope. The bird was part way along the twisting channel but in the middle, giving good enough scope views to give Mr. Ausberger a nice lifer to start the day. The bird was very wary, flattening to the surface of the water when a couple of Curlew flew over, as the Audenshaw bird did when I saw it last October. This may have been why it suddenly headed further upstream before flying off beyond the cattle, returning to view later in the morning.
From here we headed over to Marton Mere to get good views of the White-winged Black Tern from the western end of the mere. The bird was very mobile hawking all along the shoreline and over the numerous areas of lily pads but was surprisingly well camouflaged when it settled to preen on the pads at 'our' end of the mere. A good collection of common waterfowl, flyover Little Egret and Sparrowhawk, and a couple of Cetti's Warblers quarreling in a willow provided added entertainment.
With both target birds for the day seen by 10 a.m. we repaired to a (fairly) local cafe for elevenses before trying our luck at the volunteer Coastguard Lookout at Rossall Point. The winds proved too light for any major seabird activity over the high tide, with very distant terns and the passage of small parties of Sanderling and Guillemot providing most of the action. Two drake Eider were the only sea ducks noted. We got an interesting talk from the two volunteers running the Lookout, explaining about the new system brought in to replace the lack of local knowledge lost when the Coastguard Service was re-organised around more high tech centres for greater efficiency (and savings!) A quick butty break then we headed home via Cheshire.
Forgot to mention the 100+ flock of Swallows which crossed our path between Freckleton and Marton this morning. Quite a spectacle as they poured over the landscape, feeding as they went.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 23rd of September 2018 08:08:52 PM
Rob Creek said
Mon Sep 17 10:28 AM, 2018
Sunday 16th September.
Skipool Creek near Ramper Pot. Murky weather with light rain, a little misty in places, bit of sun trying to shine through and very muddy at the site.
- Semipalmated Sandpiper (Lifer) A cracking little Wader that looked about half the size of a Dunlin. Showed well albeit a bit distant but good scope views and tried a few digiscoped shots. The Wader flock were put up a few times by a Buzzard and then a Peregrine, and eventually became very flighty and flew upriver out of sight.
Usual expected Waders on the mud flats, a steady trickle of Swallows through, and Pink-footed Geese over in their 100's literally skein after skein
Don't know what had happened up in that area yesterday but the traffic was ridiculous coming home, and to make matters worse my Gmail suddenly stopped and as a result I didn't know about the Pallid Harrier until I got the text off Ian but I was almost home. I would've driven back up if the traffic wasn't as bad.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 17th of September 2018 07:57:07 PM
A couple of quality birds yesterday afternoon with the juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper at Skippool Creek followed by the superb juvenile Pallid Harrier at Bank End, Cockerham
Beautiful juv Pallid Harrier showing well but mostly a bit distant at Cockerhanm Sands this afternoon. Hunting fields to the north of Hillam Lane from the embankment at Bank End. Stunner.
Also Spotted Redshank
-- Edited by Craig Bell on Sunday 16th of September 2018 08:39:47 PM
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Sep 9 5:45 PM, 2018
9/9/18 16:45-17:30pm Went to Skipool for the Semipalmated Sandpiper and it was showing well amongst a mixed flock of Redshank,Dunlin, Ringed Plover and a Single Curlew Sandpiper. Semipalmated Sandpiper record shots attached. One showing the size comparison to Dunlin and Ringed Plover and one on its own both heavily cropped.
08:00-0900_am s Fleetwood Marsh country park short visit. 16 Shelduck 2 Eiders. 2 Greylag Geese. Little Grebe. 1 Common Sandpiper. 2 Swallow. 3 Wheatear. 1 Common Whitethroat. 2 Willow Warblers. Singing Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat present.
Cheers Steven
John Williams said
Sat Mar 31 6:10 PM, 2018
High Tide Watch at Pilling Lane Ends 10.30-14.30
An amazing 140 Golden Plover in a single flock settled to feed amongst sheep on a pasture near the amenity area.
46 Pink Footed Geese grazed on the saltmarsh, at high tide they swam out into middle of the estuary.
3 drake Red Breasted Merganser followed the tide in.
A female Merlin flushed Starlings off the saltmarsh, 2 Kestrels hovered close to the seawall and 2 Buzzards soared over nearby fields.
A couple of Skylarks were in song flight, and a trickle of Meadow Pipits headed North.
Masses of Redshanks sat out the high tide along the seawall/dyke, lesser numbers of Oystercatchers and a dozen Dunlin rested there too.
Shelducks were in abundance, and a group of 10 Teal kept just offshore.
Also on the marsh or adjoining fields were 15 Curlew and 6 Little Egrets.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Mar 21 8:01 PM, 2018
On Fleetwood Marine Lake island:
Purple Sandpiper 6 Knot 2 Turnstone 60+
Just 1 lonely Ringed Plover on Rossall shore.
Steve Almond said
Tue Mar 20 5:10 PM, 2018
Today, walked from Fleetwood to Rossall Point and back during high tide:
Went to Pilling Lane today to see the over wintering Turtle Dove (see pictures) on a very dank and dull day. Took a while to find but the locals were very helpful and eventually I found it in the garden of number 222 sat looking very wet and bothered. Its a lifer for me
Eagland Hill, Bradshaw Ln All views from the car due to the attrotious weather
Pink footed Goose c80 Pintail 2 1m, 1f Chaffinch c40 Barn Owl, nice close fly by views
Knott End
Twite 14 feeding on the high tide line wrack next to the ferry slip
Chris Harper said
Sun Nov 19 4:45 PM, 2017
7.30-9 am this morning from St Anne's beach to Starr Gate and back:
4 Grey Plover, 7 Whooper Swan in off the sea, 1000s of Pink Footed Geese over, Peregrine Falcon, 15 Curlew, Meadow Pipit.
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Oct 15 12:12 PM, 2017
Fleetwood marsh fist light for 1hour. 1000+ Pink footed Geese. 500+ Greylag Geese. 700+ Wigeon 100+ Lapwings. 2 Little Egrets. 3 Pochard 3 Shoveler. 23 Tufted Duck. 3 Little Grebe. Plus usuals.
Rossall Point. 2000+ Pink footed Geese. Constant skeins over. 4 Rock Pipits. 2 Stonechat. 1 Wheatear photo attached. 3 Swallows. 1 Chiffchaff. 16 Eider Ducks. Photo of 1 close to shore. Good movement of Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Alba Wagtails, Skylarks, Thrushes. Not many waders on shore.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 16th of October 2017 07:27:32 AM
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 16th of October 2017 07:28:09 AM
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 16th of October 2017 07:31:46 AM
Finally had the time to visit the Fylde today, primarily for the geese. The day started well with a Waxwing in Harwood Lane, Great Harwood, fifty yards up from my mate's house. Once on the Fylde, we started at Woodland Country Park where we initially failed to find the blue phase Lesser Snow Goose, although we did connect with the bird later in the afternoon on our second attempt. The Eagland Hill feeding station held good numbers of Stock Dove, Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer. We then made our way to Dam Side where we saw the Red-breasted Goose, fairly distant, with eleven Russian White-fronted Goose and a few Pink footed Goose. A Taiga Bean Goose had been disturbed from an adjacent field by hedge cutters, so we failed to see it. Next up was the Thurnham to Cockersand Abbey area where we found several hundred Whooper Swan together with around thirty Berwick Swan, feeding in fields. On the shore behind the Abbey were fifteen hundred Wigeon. Back at Pilling Marsh a huge flock of Pink footed Goose had flown in. Despite a decent search, no Bean Geese were found although a single Greenland White fronted Goose was found. Amongst others :-
Snow goose turned up at Woodlands at about 1100, and I was told about the Bean Goose at Eagland Hill by some other birders.
As this was roughly the same location as the Red Breasted Goose was last seen I checked it out; no sign of the it tho.
Went to Pilling Lane End and searched but only White Fronts, Pink Foots and Greylags were present.
I searched up and down the lanes but never saw the Red-breasted Goose. I did see some Red Legged Partridge though.
Called it a day at 1500 hrs.
Dave Ousey said
Tue Feb 14 12:25 PM, 2017
It Had to Happen. 12/2/2017
If you keep trying to do something without any joy, dont give up, stick at it and eventually you will succeed. Now that is one of my many profound statements which can really be applied to the A Teams effort`s to see the Red Breasted Goose near Pilling, Lancashire. We had originally planned to go to see the Pacific Diver at East Chevington, Northumberland, but, after looking at the weather, decided against it.
Steve B, Bob K and myself set off at a leisurely time intending to call at the Pilling area for any news of the goose and then onto Heysham, Pine Lake and Leighton Moss. We reached the all too familiar area and began to sift through the many flocks of Pink Feet without any joy. After a while we decided to head up to Thurnham to watch the Whooper and Bewick Swans. We also managed to find a Pale Bellied Brent Goose in amongst more Pink Feet. Around this time our friends from York, Nige & Mark, had arrived in the area and after waiting around in the area that the Red Breasted Goose had been seen in on Saturday, actually saw it fly in! A hurried call from Nige had us dashing back to the right place, giving my car its first taste of twitch speed. Would it fly off after all our efforts over the last few weeks? We reached the area and after some parking difficulties, dashed along the road to meet the boys who put us straight on the bird, thanks for that lads! The bird was feeding very happily with it travel companions White Fronted Geese as we enjoyed the bird. You are all probably a bit bored with this saga but it has been a real hard bird for us to locate.
Sunday 12th Feb. Since my plans on my Welsh visit were cut short due to safety reasons, I decided I had time to try and tie up some loose ends with the Fylde Geese.
Upper Thurnham. - Todd's Canada Goose reported earlier, no sign. - 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (hrota) - 100's Pink-footed Geese - Whooper / Bewick / Mute Swans ... not counted - 100's of Curlew - 1 large Little Egret - lots of Redwing / Fieldfare
Nateby. - 1 Snow Goose (Blue morph) with Greylags. Seen the species before but never a dark / blue morph.
2 things of note : a few birders at Nateby told me I was in the right area of Upper Thurnham for the Todd's Canada Goose and that it has been really distant from the road and can vanish for long periods whilst probably still there. Secondly the Little Egret I saw just off Jeremy Lane was very big and was next to a Grey Heron, it didn't look that much smaller but it was definitely a Little Egret. A Great White Egret was reported off Jeremy Lane on Birdguides so I must've missed it, or has the large size of this one deceived someone? Who knows!
Dave Ousey said
Tue Feb 7 10:17 PM, 2017
Goosed Again! 5/2/2017
The long staying Red Breasted Goose that has been in the Pilling area in Lancashire has been admired by visitors from far & wide, but not by any of the A Team. One of our members has already been twice without any luck. So it seemed right that as the bird has been in the same field for the last three days that we make an effort to see it. News from Steve K on Saturday said the bird was visible from his car, no problem then. Dave O in different twitch mobile along with Steve B and Chris B left Rochdale at 7am, surely what can go wrong?
We reached the Pilling area and saw a flock of Twite feeding in a favoured weedy field and perching on the wire fences, nice start to the day. We took up our position on Backsands Lane and watched the great spectacle of all the geese(mainly Pink Footed) leaving the overnight roost, some passed right over us and a few landed in the same field that the Red Breasted Goose has recently favoured. After 1.5 hours of this the target bird was not seen, we decided to check out other fields also without much luck. We had a look up towards the Eagland Hill area for Chris B to see the Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer & Corn Bunting. Next stop over to Cockerham to watch the Whooper and Bewick Swans, then Conder Green to again miss out on the Spotted Redshank, well the tide was out.
A decision to go back to the Eagland Hill area looked like being a good one as, on arrival, we were told that the Red Breasted Goose had been seen around 9-30am, it was now 10-30am and no news of the birds appearance had been given to any of the news services. Thanks for that Mr Finder! We were invited into a mans garden to watch the large flock of geese that were feeding on beet. He told us that he had been watching it there earlier in the morning, there was no sign of the bird so, we headed off to Knott End. The Black Redstart near the slipway apartments was much more obliging, we enjoyed watching that. Back to Eagland Hill to watch the huge flocks of geese coming and going and with a passing Peregrine and a perched up female Merlin to entertain us, we must not grumble. Kevin Hughes and his entourage also made the day an enjoyable one. We called in at Fishmoor Reservoir, Blackburn and had pretty good views of the juvenile Glaucous Gull as the sun began to go down. (The Red Breasted Goose was not seen again up to today 7/2/2017)
Dave O.
Kevin Forde said
Tue Feb 7 8:29 PM, 2017
Female Black Redstart: Still in the area to the seaward side of the Bourne Arms and new apartments Knott End. As a note of interest the ferry is "out of service" until the 20th Feb for maintenance.
Little egret.
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Feb 6 2:51 PM, 2017
4th Feb 2017.
Re the Greylags, managed to read 3 neck collared birds ... ORANGE PZT ..SHX ..SJJ. Reported and will post any feedback. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... These three birds were all ringed at Windermere as part of the Cumbrian Goose Project .... an exercise into the understanding of "moult migration".
Roger.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Feb 4 9:48 PM, 2017
With Carys not having to do University work today a day out was in order so we headed up, relatively early, to the Pilling area of the Fylde on a wild goose chase.
First port of call was the Nateby area where a quick search revealed a Greylag Goose flock in a field by Brook Farm and there amongst them was the Blue Phase Lesser Snow Goose. First target achieved really quickly, and photographed too. We then took the route along Wood's Lane, New Road and Bradshaw Lane through the Eagland Hill area to check out the three feeding stations along here. These were teeming with Tree Sparrows and also attracted several Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings. One Corn Bunting came down onto the seed with others on wires by the road. Lots of Stock Doves were seen too.
We then headed on, leading another birder, to Pilling Lane Ends where several fields held feeding flocks of Pink-footed Geese. We soon found the field with the most interesting flock in it though, to the north of Backsands Lane. The stand-out bird was an adult Red-breasted Goose which associated loosely with 23 Russian White-fronted Geese. The fields around here also contained large numbers of Curlew and Lapwings.
Our final call was at Knott End where we searched the small bay behind the Bourne Arms Pub and the Waterfront Apartments. Here we quickly found the Black Redstart that has been around this winter, the bird being reported as a fem or 1w male (I favour the former myself!). It was feeding well on the rocks around the bay but eventually headed off round the wall & we couldn't relocate it. A walk down the slipway allowed us to scope the distant water filled channels (low tide is a long way out here!!) and a nice drake Eider was found hauled out on a distant sandbank. With a biting cold wind cutting through us we retired to the Knott End Cafe for a hot chocolate before heading off again.
We revisited a few of the birds that we had already seen, bumped into a few birding friends for a chat and then headed home after a fabulous day in a lovely area with some cracking birds
A 3 hour wild goose chase today eventually paid dividends with the Red Breasted Goose being seen from Eagland Hill from 14.55 to 15.10. With 100's of Pink Footed and Greylag Geese and 5 Eurasian White Fronted Geese. Arrived there at 13.45 to be told the bird was out of site, but after an hours shivering all the geese were spooked by a microlite and great views were had of it flying and then on the ground.
The previous 2 hours had been spent at Piling Lane Ends searching for the goose without success. However a good supporting cast included female Common Scoter, Peregrine Falcon, Red Breasted Merganser, 100's of Pintail and Shelduck, many Pink Footed Geese, Common Snipe, 100's of Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin and Sanderling, 3 Little Egret, 10 Skylark and Linnet flock. 2 White Fronted Geese were with Pink Footed on fields by car park.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Jan 25 7:38 PM, 2017
Morning visit to Knott End.
Black Redstart 1imm/f, I think. Black-tailed Godwit 1 Knot(s) Turnstones Redshanks Curlews Oystercatchers Dunlins Shelduck 2 etc.
Then onto Cockerham/Cocker Sands...not sure exactly where I was and then Glasson Dock. Very nice meal at the Lantern Cafe/Bistro.
Wigeons Mallards Golden Plover 700+ Whooper Swan 200+ Pink-Footed Geese 500+...very rough guess. Skeins all over the show. Little Egret 1 Mute Swans Cormorant 3 Redshanks Oystercatchers Dunlins Knot etc.
bernard hooley said
Tue Jan 24 7:19 PM, 2017
visit to Fleetwood yesterday first port of call Fleetwood country park magpie 4 black headed gull 25 herring gull 20 raven 1 coot 15 mallard 10 tufted duck 14 great black backed gull lesser black gull 12 walk along the beach starling 30 feral pigeon 18 oystercatcher 200 + eider 7 redshank 40+ dunlin 8 curlew 1 drained boating lake mute swan 4 turnstone 25 common gull 4 herring gull 10 one with a dab in its beak wood pigeon 4 collared dove 2
stuart lewis-gough said
Tue Jan 24 5:08 PM, 2017
Cheers Rob.
Rob Creek said
Tue Jan 24 6:26 AM, 2017
stuart lewis-gough wrote:
Where on the fylde was this Rob.
In between Cockers Dyke not far from Knott End, and Glasson Dock at the Lancaster end of the A588 you've got fields and farmland all the way along, they could be either in the fields or on the salt marsh when the tide is out. There's masses of Geese though so may not be an instant pick out.
David Ousey said
Mon Jan 23 10:42 PM, 2017
Lancashire winter birding. 22/1/2017
A Red breasted Goose had turned up in Norfolk with a large quantity of Pink footed Geese in December. It didnt stay long in Norfolk and was relocated in North Lancashire in the Cockerham area. Myself and Steve B decided to have a go at seeing it and left Rochdale at 7am on a cool morning. We called at Fishmoor Reservoir, Blackburn to try to catch up with a couple of white winged gulls that had been seen there recently, but as it was still fairly dark we headed up to the Cockerham area. Lots of geese flying around was a truly great spectacle as the sun began rise, we checked a few of the large flocks out but could not see anything except Pink footed Geese. We headed down into the Thurham area and found a flock of around 300 Whooper Swans with 4 Bewick Swans also seen. A field also contained about 6 dodgy looking Canada Geese, after watching them we realised that they were not moving, then a man appeared and picked them up, they were decoys! A message said, Red breasted Goose just flown over Sand Villa near Cockerham. Off we went to try to connect, but on arrival, true to form, the bird had flown out onto the salt marsh! Now for some real birding as we spent a couple of hours sifting through the main flocks and finding: - 11 White fronted Geese (Russian) 2 Bean Geese (Tundra & Taiga) Barnacle Goose, lots of Curlew, 2 Buzzards. Great fun watching the geese push each other around whilst most of them just wanted to feed. We met up with Sarfraz & Paul, fellow Rossendale birders, who both needed Bean Goose. They managed to be put onto the Bean Geese by Rob Creek (GM Birder) well done Rob.
Up to 50 birders were scattered around the area waiting for the Red breasted Goose to reappear, so we decided to have a look at the Lane Ends, Fluke Hall, Eagland Hill & Bradshaw feeding areas. We soon found lots of Tree Sparrows, Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank. As we arrived at the eastern end of Eagland Hill we located a flock of Chaffinch and a few Yellowhammers, Corn Bunting and then Steve B said, There is a Great Grey Shrike in that bush and sure enough, there was! Grab the cameras and take some pictures, some other birders arrived and also saw the shrike. Well done to Steve for finding the bird, we picked up Red legged Partridge as we headed back towards Cockerham. We gave the flocks another good grilling, then at 3pm we decided to leave the area and return to Fishmoor Reservoir to try for the gulls once more. As we were reaching Fishmoor the Red breasted Goose reappeared at the same place we had been watching at around 4pm, isnt that typical.
Sunday 22nd Jan. Morning visit to Cockerham Moss and subsequently rest of the day in cold conditions with Simon Gough. Nice to see Spurner Adam Hutt again, and good to meet Sarfraz Hayett and his crew.
- Red-breasted Goose 1 adult (LIFER) Didn't show until late on in the day as it had flown to the salt marsh early on and wasn't relocated. A very smart looking bird, it's plumage looked as though it had been perfectly painted.
Also present... - Bean Goose 5 (4 Tundra, 1 Taiga hopefully) - Eurasian White-fronted Goose 10 - Barnacle Goose 3 - Pink-footed Goose a few 1000 - Greylag Goose small number in another field - Curlew 100's of them - Golden Plover small flock of c20 - Little Egret c10 - Skylark few present
Also a flock of c30-40 Linnet were flying around, Adam and I thought we heard Twite in amongst them. A little later after Adam had left, Simon and myself had a brief chance to scan them when they came to rest in 1 of the trees along Gulf Lane, we managed to pick out a Twite piece so that was a nice bonus.
I hope the Taiga Bean actually is a Taiga, they are notoriously difficult due to variation within subspecies. This one was self found too and when I got others on to it the general feeling seemed to be positive. Even Adam Hutt said it looked good for Taiga ... my point being ... the East Yorkshire lot don't take Taiga's lightly like they do Tundra's, it usually causes a bit of a stir!
All in all a good day that had made us work for our good sightings, not easy scanning Geese in the cold weather!
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 07:01:55 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 08:48:49 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 06:22:54 PM
black redstart showing well behind the appartments next to the bourne inn. 2 peregrine falcons 1 little egret 3 turnstones oystercatcher curlew redshank wigeon lapwing plus the usuals.
08:00-10:30am Fleetwood to rossall point 1 Snow Bunting near boating lake 5 Red breasted Merganser 3 on lake 2 On sea 3 Stonechat 4 GoldenEye 1 Wigeon Only waders seen Turnstone, Redshank and Oystercatcher
Cheers Steven
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Nov 29 8:31 PM, 2016
Called at a few places on the Fylde today, main spot being Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve in an attempt to see any of the four Bearded Tit that have been seen over the last few days. Just beyond the car park is a pool on the left hand side crossed by a sort of bridge and surrounded by a mall reed bed. Here we watched a male and female for around fifteen minutes, from the bridge. The male was very striking with his slate blue/grey head pattern standing out in the lovely sunshine.
Next stop was Rossall. The tide was a fair way out and the only bird of note on the sea was a fully winter plumaged Red throated Diver. A group of Sanderling was on the beach plus a few Oystercatcher and Redshank. We worked our way down to Starr Gate where the tide was still distant. Nothing much doing other than three Great crested Grebe and many groups of Common Scoter, perhaps numbering three or four hundred birds in total. Not too much seen overall but it was well worth it for the Bearded Tit sighting alone.
Rob Creek said
Mon Nov 21 12:07 PM, 2016
Sunday 20th November
Lunchtime visit with Simon Gough, nice to bump into Chris Greene and his wife, and Steve Burke too!
- 1 Desert Wheatear (Lifer) A gorgeous little bird, very active amongst the dunes going about its business regardless of the birders present but once again there is always someone that has to test the birds tolerance to get a photo rather than enjoying the bird where it was.
Other birds present... - Common Scoter in abundance on the sea - 1 Red-throated Diver - 10+ Ringed Plover - 1 Sanderling
Just a word of caution to anyone going for this bird...I parked at the end of the track to the Sand Works just off the main road near the airport, when we returned to the car after an hour or so, the car next to mine had been broken into so hide any valuables. Cheers Rob
Male Desert Wheatear still present and feeding in the same area as earlier at Dusk
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 21st of November 2016 12:53:49 PM
Chris Greene said
Sun Nov 20 2:59 PM, 2016
Male Desert Wheatear currently showing well on beach between St Anne's and Starr Gate near sand plant. Nice to bump into messrs Burke,Creek and Gough again. Cheers Chris
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Sunday 20th of November 2016 04:41:22 PM
Fleetwood Marsh 2nd May Highlight being a Cetti's Warbler singing at side of car park but not seen, first time I have heard one here. 6 Whimbrel (photo attached of one) 1 Wheatear 1 Yellow Wagtail (photo attached) 2 Greylag Geese 3 Shelduck 11 Eider on River bank 1 Pochard drake 1 Common Sandpiper Lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks present. Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat all heard.
Fleetwood Marsh country park Good Friday 1 Wheatear first of the year for me. 1 Stonechat female Lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks 9 Shelduck 15 Teal 1 Little Grebe 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 2 Greylag Geese
Almost certainly the green ringed escapee that has been reported in Cumbria several times in the last couple of years.
Rob Creek said
Sun Feb 21 10:18 AM, 2016
James Walsh wrote:
Birdguides are reporting Bufflehead at Hambleton / Shard Bridge today
Hi James, The drake Bufflehead was seen early Saturday morning near the Shard Bridge with some Goldeneye. Later updates say no further sightings, and it wasn't reported on the Fylde Bird Club sightings under the Shard Bridge thread either. Cheers Rob
Visit to Fleetwood Marsh and Rossall Point highlights include finding 2 Bearded Tits.
2 Bearded Tits record shots attached.
3 Cettis Warblers Heard.
9 Little Grebe
1 Snipe.
2 Wheatear
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 23rd of March 2019 07:20:58 PM
At Cockerham today one large swan flock contained:
4 Bewick's Swan
180+ Whooper Swan
1 Black Swan
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
Cheers Ian
Warton Marsh / Bank Lane area.
Lunchtime visit today, never been here before, very like Neston and the Harp Inn on the Wirral.
Nice to chat to a couple of local Lancs birders and a Wigan birder, sorry mate if you reading this I didnt catch your name.
- Water Pipit ...minimum 27
Saw the report yesterday and decided if it comes in early Sunday Ill go up there after dropping Michelle off at work. It did...so I did!
I was on my own at first then it ended up being 6 of us. The Pipits were a no show for a while then I noticed a small flock of bird dropping in onto the marsh, I got others onto them and within a couple of minutes theyd worked their way over nearer to the concrete pipes and we were in business.
They were showing well albeit against the light, and the initial group of c14 were joined by more birds of which I counted 27. I actually then upped it to 33 but a couple were active and I didnt want to duplicate. 30+ were reported later on.
- Hen Harrier 3
Ringtail seen firstly fairly distant then flew a lot closer, and whilst we were watching she? put up a cracking male and we had great views of them both over the marsh. Another or possibly the same Ringtail seen again later.
- Marsh Harrier 2 possibly 3, dark individual seen twice, possibly
- Common Buzzard 3
- Kestrel 1 male
- Whooper Swan 9 (and probably more)
- Little Egret, Curlew, and Skylark seen in a fair abundance
I checked the field near the football pitch for a Cattle Egret reported yesterday but I didnt see it. Then intriguingly a report appeared of one in a field near the Equestrian Centre on Bryning Lane about a mile away so I tried my luck for that. No sign. Then on my way home a report came through of one being seen near the football pitch again, Im assuming it was the same bird.
A cracking few hours!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 10th of February 2019 11:00:27 PM
Last minute decision after dropping Michelle off at work to go on a wild Goose chase!
- Todds Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis Interior) Lifer
...reported with Pink-footed Geese on Saturday at Banks Marsh, then later at Crossens Outer Marsh. Today, presumably (and likely to be) the same bird reported at Lytham Moss.
I know I know...these subspecies are a nightmare and personally I find it difficult to even begin to try and separate some of them. I went to see one on Crossens OM back in 2017, or at least it was the bird that a few people were watching but after careful consideration I put it down to a feral Canada Goose.
I remember asking Ian at the time and I remember the answer I got
I was on my own and started scanning through a large field crammed with Pink-footed Geese (c2500-3000). Eventually I found it and Ive attached some images below. This one did show a longish snake-like neck, a marked difference in the bill, and I suppose another important factor, it was with a legitimate carrier flock.
Make of it what you will.
Also of note...
- 1 Great White Egret in a channel about 500yds down from the field
- 5 Little Egret
- 1 Kingfisher
- 1 Raven
Lancashire Day Out. 2/1/2019
We always have a trip out early in the New Year and with the shorter hours of daylight usually choose to stay fairly local. With Bob K at the wheel, myself, Steve & Chris B we left a cold Rochdale at 8am. Some Waxwings in Chorley was to be our first stop, unfortunately, after a bit of searching they were not found. At Clifton Marsh lots of wildfowl were present along with some Black Tailed Godwit, Curlew. Nice to watch on a crisp sunny morning, next stop was at Warton Bank near British Aerospace. We met a very knowledgeable local birder who told us that a male Hen Harrier would be putting in an appearance, if we waited long enough. Three Buzzards were seen initially then after 15 minutes the male Hen Harrier showed really well for around 10 minutes before catching a prey item and going to ground, great way to start the New Year(not for the prey item though) We searched in vain for the reported Water Pipits but could only find Meadow Pipits.
We headed for Lytham Crematorium to maybe catch up with the local Ring Necked Parakeets, no joy there either. A trip up to the Glasson Dock area is always good in the winter months and the presence of a first winter male Scaup in the basin and three Egyptian Geese on the soon to be modified pool at Glasson made the trip worthwhile. We began the search in the Thurnham area for Whooper and Bewick`s Swans, we had to look very carefully to find the Bewick`s and only 6 or so were found, lots of Whooper`s though. We called in at Fluke Hall near Pilling and located a flock of Red Legged Partridge and as we watched them a Barn Owl began flying about hunting. What a good bird to watch. It was going dark as we headed up to Eagland Hill in the forlorn hope that we might see some sparrows or finches but they had all gone to roost. We headed home to do the same, we managed to see 62 species.
Dave O.
On Monday we headed for Thurnham to find Bewick's Swans amongst a big herd of Whoopers. We saw as many as 5 together and probably 8 in total, it was good fun picking them out as the numerous birds waddled around on a pasture field. We headed for Knott End but stopped at Braides to take in a huge number of various waders on the roadside fields. Hundreds of Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Redshanks and Curlew, plus some mobile flocks of Starlings and Linnets. Brilliant. At Knott End we enjoyed about 20 Twite on the ferry slipway, showing stupidly well in the sun. Finally we headed for Warton Bank to see what raptors we could muster up. In a mere 40 minutes we picked up Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine, plus Buzzard and Sparrowhawk getting involved on the marsh too. Brilliant stuff.
Today Colin and I headed back to go for the Snow Buntings on St Anne's Beach, this is the third time I've seen the species at that location but they were a lifer for Colin and we got some brilliant views, it was my best sighting of them for ages. We dropped down to Lytham after that and found a great spot to look over Warton Marsh from near the windmill. We got onto active raptors straight away, and then had one sublime passage of watching the wintering male Hen Harrier cruising around but disturbing a juvenile Merlin, which then buzzed it 4 or 5 times until it calmed down or presumably just felt better about itself. The birds were nice and close and showed really well. We managed 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Merlins as well as the sumptuous grey Hen Harrier. The next stop was Freckleton where we had a different view of the river, directly across from Hesketh Out Marsh on the other side, with more marsh and wet meadows to our left on the south bank. We managed to pick up 9 Barnacle Geese with hundreds of Canada Geese. But the main thing here was the sheer number of birds, hundreds if not thousands of Lapwings swirling around, hundreds of Pink-Footed Geese in the air, flocks of Golden Plover, Starling and Dunlin, Wigeon and Teal bombing around. It was marvellous. As it got later we had another quick look at Warton Bank, but the one thing that eluded us again was a Barn Owl, even at this site which is known for them. No complaints though, after a second great day's birding.
If anyone is looking for good views of a male Hen Harrier and a change from the scene at Parkgate and Neston, I would recommend Warton Bank at the moment, and clearly you can add it in to picking up some great species elsewhere on the Fylde
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November around Fleetwood area highlights.
Saturday.
1 Bar tailed Godwit Rossall Point
3 Red breasted Merganser.
2 Whooper Swans.
Sunday.
6 Goldeneye on boating lake.
6 Red breasted Mergansers Rossall point.
1 Common Scoter.
4 Ravens Fleetwood marsh near tip.
1 Hooded crow flew over tip up river towards Stannah. This made my weekend as a first for me and self found
Cheers Steven
From here we headed over to Marton Mere to get good views of the White-winged Black Tern from the western end of the mere. The bird was very mobile hawking all along the shoreline and over the numerous areas of lily pads but was surprisingly well camouflaged when it settled to preen on the pads at 'our' end of the mere. A good collection of common waterfowl, flyover Little Egret and Sparrowhawk, and a couple of Cetti's Warblers quarreling in a willow provided added entertainment.
With both target birds for the day seen by 10 a.m. we repaired to a (fairly) local cafe for elevenses before trying our luck at the volunteer Coastguard Lookout at Rossall Point. The winds proved too light for any major seabird activity over the high tide, with very distant terns and the passage of small parties of Sanderling and Guillemot providing most of the action. Two drake Eider were the only sea ducks noted. We got an interesting talk from the two volunteers running the Lookout, explaining about the new system brought in to replace the lack of local knowledge lost when the Coastguard Service was re-organised around more high tech centres for greater efficiency (and savings!
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 23rd of September 2018 08:08:52 PM
Skipool Creek near Ramper Pot.
Murky weather with light rain, a little misty in places, bit of sun trying to shine through and very muddy at the site.
- Semipalmated Sandpiper (Lifer)
A cracking little Wader that looked about half the size of a Dunlin. Showed well albeit a bit distant but good scope views and tried a few digiscoped shots. The Wader flock were put up a few times by a Buzzard and then a Peregrine, and eventually became very flighty and flew upriver out of sight.
Usual expected Waders on the mud flats, a steady trickle of Swallows through, and Pink-footed Geese over in their 100's literally skein after skein
Don't know what had happened up in that area yesterday but the traffic was ridiculous coming home, and to make matters worse my Gmail suddenly stopped and as a result I didn't know about the Pallid Harrier until I got the text off Ian but I was almost home. I would've driven back up if the traffic wasn't as bad.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 17th of September 2018 07:57:07 PM
A couple of quality birds yesterday afternoon with the juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper at Skippool Creek followed by the superb juvenile Pallid Harrier at Bank End, Cockerham
Beautiful juv Pallid Harrier showing well but mostly a bit distant at Cockerhanm Sands this afternoon. Hunting fields to the north of Hillam Lane from the embankment at Bank End. Stunner.
Also Spotted Redshank
-- Edited by Craig Bell on Sunday 16th of September 2018 08:39:47 PM
Semipalmated Sandpiper record shots attached.
One showing the size comparison to Dunlin and Ringed Plover and one on its own both heavily cropped.
Cheers Steven
9 Eider Ducks on River.
2 Wheatear.
1 Whimbrel.
1 Cettis Warbler.
5 Reed Warbler.
Sunday 7/5/18 05:40-08:30 am Rossall Point.
1 Tree Pipit.
300+ Dunlin.
9 Sanderling.
100+ Ringed Plover.
3 Gannet.
1 Red throated Diver.
Sandwich terns everywhere.
Large raft of Manx Shearwater
3 Wheatear.
1 Sedge Warbler.
2 Whitethroat.
Kincraig on way back for the Black necked Grebe. Record short attached.
Cheers Steven
16 Shelduck
2 Eiders.
2 Greylag Geese.
Little Grebe.
1 Common Sandpiper.
2 Swallow.
3 Wheatear.
1 Common Whitethroat.
2 Willow Warblers.
Singing Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat present.
Cheers Steven
An amazing 140 Golden Plover in a single flock settled to feed amongst sheep on a pasture near the amenity area.
46 Pink Footed Geese grazed on the saltmarsh, at high tide they swam out into middle of the estuary.
3 drake Red Breasted Merganser followed the tide in.
A female Merlin flushed Starlings off the saltmarsh, 2 Kestrels hovered close to the seawall and 2 Buzzards soared over nearby fields.
A couple of Skylarks were in song flight, and a trickle of Meadow Pipits headed North.
Masses of Redshanks sat out the high tide along the seawall/dyke, lesser numbers of Oystercatchers and a dozen Dunlin rested there too.
Shelducks were in abundance, and a group of 10 Teal kept just offshore.
Also on the marsh or adjoining fields were 15 Curlew and 6 Little Egrets.
Purple Sandpiper 6
Knot 2
Turnstone 60+
Just 1 lonely Ringed Plover on Rossall shore.
Sanderling 30
Grey Plover 1
Ringed Plover 6
Eider duck 15
Wheatear 1 male
On a small rocky island in boating lake:
Turnstone 30
Redshank 25
Knot 4
Purple Sandpiper 2
All views from the car due to the attrotious weather
Pink footed Goose c80
Pintail 2 1m, 1f
Chaffinch c40
Barn Owl, nice close fly by views
Knott End
Twite 14 feeding on the high tide line wrack next to the ferry slip
7.30-9 am this morning from St Anne's beach to Starr Gate and back:
4 Grey Plover, 7 Whooper Swan in off the sea, 1000s of Pink Footed Geese over, Peregrine Falcon, 15 Curlew, Meadow Pipit.
1000+ Pink footed Geese.
500+ Greylag Geese.
700+ Wigeon
100+ Lapwings.
2 Little Egrets.
3 Pochard
3 Shoveler.
23 Tufted Duck.
3 Little Grebe.
Plus usuals.
Rossall Point.
2000+ Pink footed Geese. Constant skeins over.
4 Rock Pipits.
2 Stonechat.
1 Wheatear photo attached.
3 Swallows.
1 Chiffchaff.
16 Eider Ducks. Photo of 1 close to shore.
Good movement of Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Alba Wagtails, Skylarks, Thrushes.
Not many waders on shore.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 16th of October 2017 07:27:32 AM
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 16th of October 2017 07:28:09 AM
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 16th of October 2017 07:31:46 AM
Red-breasted Goose (1)
Lesser Snow Goose (1)
Russian White fronted Goose (11)
Greenland White fronted Goose (1)
Pink footed Goose (c.5000)
Whooper Swan (c.400)
Bewick's Swan c.30)
Wigeon (c.1500)
Stock Dove
Tree Sparrow (c.12)
Yellowhammer (c.12)
Lesser Redpoll (c.35)
Kestrel (2)
Waxwing (1)
Record shots of the two star geese attached.
Arrived at 1000 to get some goose ticks.
Snow goose turned up at Woodlands at about 1100, and I was told about the Bean Goose at Eagland Hill by some other birders.
As this was roughly the same location as the Red Breasted Goose was last seen I checked it out; no sign of the it tho.
Went to Pilling Lane End and searched but only White Fronts, Pink Foots and Greylags were present.
I searched up and down the lanes but never saw the Red-breasted Goose. I did see some Red Legged Partridge though.
Called it a day at 1500 hrs.
It Had to Happen. 12/2/2017
If you keep trying to do something without any joy, dont give up, stick at it and eventually you will succeed. Now that is one of my many profound statements which can really be applied to the A Teams effort`s to see the Red Breasted Goose near Pilling, Lancashire. We had originally planned to go to see the Pacific Diver at East Chevington, Northumberland, but, after looking at the weather, decided against it.
Steve B, Bob K and myself set off at a leisurely time intending to call at the Pilling area for any news of the goose and then onto Heysham, Pine Lake and Leighton Moss. We reached the all too familiar area and began to sift through the many flocks of Pink Feet without any joy. After a while we decided to head up to Thurnham to watch the Whooper and Bewick Swans. We also managed to find a Pale Bellied Brent Goose in amongst more Pink Feet. Around this time our friends from York, Nige & Mark, had arrived in the area and after waiting around in the area that the Red Breasted Goose had been seen in on Saturday, actually saw it fly in! A hurried call from Nige had us dashing back to the right place, giving my car its first taste of twitch speed. Would it fly off after all our efforts over the last few weeks? We reached the area and after some parking difficulties, dashed along the road to meet the boys who put us straight on the bird, thanks for that lads! The bird was feeding very happily with it travel companions White Fronted Geese as we enjoyed the bird. You are all probably a bit bored with this saga but it has been a real hard bird for us to locate.
Dave O.
Sunday 12th Feb.
Since my plans on my Welsh visit were cut short due to safety reasons, I decided I had time to try and tie up some loose ends with the Fylde Geese.
Upper Thurnham.
- Todd's Canada Goose reported earlier, no sign.
- 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (hrota)
- 100's Pink-footed Geese
- Whooper / Bewick / Mute Swans ... not counted
- 100's of Curlew
- 1 large Little Egret
- lots of Redwing / Fieldfare
Nateby.
- 1 Snow Goose (Blue morph) with Greylags.
Seen the species before but never a dark / blue morph.
2 things of note : a few birders at Nateby told me I was in the right area of Upper Thurnham for the Todd's Canada Goose and that it has been really distant from the road and can vanish for long periods whilst probably still there.
Secondly the Little Egret I saw just off Jeremy Lane was very big and was next to a Grey Heron, it didn't look that much smaller but it was definitely a Little Egret.
A Great White Egret was reported off Jeremy Lane on Birdguides so I must've missed it, or has the large size of this one deceived someone? Who knows!
Goosed Again! 5/2/2017
The long staying Red Breasted Goose that has been in the Pilling area in Lancashire has been admired by visitors from far & wide, but not by any of the A Team. One of our members has already been twice without any luck. So it seemed right that as the bird has been in the same field for the last three days that we make an effort to see it. News from Steve K on Saturday said the bird was visible from his car, no problem then. Dave O in different twitch mobile along with Steve B and Chris B left Rochdale at 7am, surely what can go wrong?
We reached the Pilling area and saw a flock of Twite feeding in a favoured weedy field and perching on the wire fences, nice start to the day. We took up our position on Backsands Lane and watched the great spectacle of all the geese(mainly Pink Footed) leaving the overnight roost, some passed right over us and a few landed in the same field that the Red Breasted Goose has recently favoured. After 1.5 hours of this the target bird was not seen, we decided to check out other fields also without much luck. We had a look up towards the Eagland Hill area for Chris B to see the Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer & Corn Bunting. Next stop over to Cockerham to watch the Whooper and Bewick Swans, then Conder Green to again miss out on the Spotted Redshank, well the tide was out.
A decision to go back to the Eagland Hill area looked like being a good one as, on arrival, we were told that the Red Breasted Goose had been seen around 9-30am, it was now 10-30am and no news of the birds appearance had been given to any of the news services. Thanks for that Mr Finder! We were invited into a mans garden to watch the large flock of geese that were feeding on beet. He told us that he had been watching it there earlier in the morning, there was no sign of the bird so, we headed off to Knott End. The Black Redstart near the slipway apartments was much more obliging, we enjoyed watching that. Back to Eagland Hill to watch the huge flocks of geese coming and going and with a passing Peregrine and a perched up female Merlin to entertain us, we must not grumble. Kevin Hughes and his entourage also made the day an enjoyable one. We called in at Fishmoor Reservoir, Blackburn and had pretty good views of the juvenile Glaucous Gull as the sun began to go down. (The Red Breasted Goose was not seen again up to today 7/2/2017)
Dave O.
Female Black Redstart: Still in the area to the seaward side of the Bourne Arms and new apartments Knott End. As a note of interest the ferry is "out of service" until the 20th Feb for maintenance.
Little egret.
4th Feb 2017.
Re the Greylags, managed to read 3 neck collared birds ... ORANGE PZT ..SHX ..SJJ. Reported and will post any feedback.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
These three birds were all ringed at Windermere as part of the Cumbrian Goose Project .... an exercise into the understanding of "moult migration".
Roger.
With Carys not having to do University work today a day out was in order so we headed up, relatively early, to the Pilling area of the Fylde on a wild goose chase.
First port of call was the Nateby area where a quick search revealed a Greylag Goose flock in a field by Brook Farm and there amongst them was the Blue Phase Lesser Snow Goose. First target achieved really quickly, and photographed too. We then took the route along Wood's Lane, New Road and Bradshaw Lane through the Eagland Hill area to check out the three feeding stations along here. These were teeming with Tree Sparrows and also attracted several Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings. One Corn Bunting came down onto the seed with others on wires by the road. Lots of Stock Doves were seen too.
We then headed on, leading another birder, to Pilling Lane Ends where several fields held feeding flocks of Pink-footed Geese. We soon found the field with the most interesting flock in it though, to the north of Backsands Lane. The stand-out bird was an adult Red-breasted Goose which associated loosely with 23 Russian White-fronted Geese. The fields around here also contained large numbers of Curlew and Lapwings.
Our final call was at Knott End where we searched the small bay behind the Bourne Arms Pub and the Waterfront Apartments. Here we quickly found the Black Redstart that has been around this winter, the bird being reported as a fem or 1w male (I favour the former myself!). It was feeding well on the rocks around the bay but eventually headed off round the wall & we couldn't relocate it. A walk down the slipway allowed us to scope the distant water filled channels (low tide is a long way out here!!) and a nice drake Eider was found hauled out on a distant sandbank. With a biting cold wind cutting through us we retired to the Knott End Cafe for a hot chocolate before heading off again.
We revisited a few of the birds that we had already seen, bumped into a few birding friends for a chat and then headed home after a fabulous day in a lovely area with some cracking birds
With Ian Lyth & Paul Greenall.
Goose sightings same as Mark B.
Re the Greylags, managed to read 3 neck collared birds ... ORANGE PZT ..SHX ..SJJ. Reported and will post any feedback.
Starr Gate.
Snow Bunting. 2 on beach.
Sanderling.
Turnstone.
Roger.
Nateby
Snow Goose (Blue morph)
Greylag Goose 100+
Tree Sparrow 6
Fluke Hall
Red-Legged Partridge 20+
Pink footed Goose 400+
Shellduck 30+
Redshank 50+
Curlew
Damside, Back Sands Lane
Red-Breasted Goose
White-Fronted Goose (Siberian)18
Pink-Footed Goose
Curlew
A 3 hour wild goose chase today eventually paid dividends with the Red Breasted Goose being seen from Eagland Hill from 14.55 to 15.10. With 100's of Pink Footed and Greylag Geese and 5 Eurasian White Fronted Geese. Arrived there at 13.45 to be told the bird was out of site, but after an hours shivering all the geese were spooked by a microlite and great views were had of it flying and then on the ground.
The previous 2 hours had been spent at Piling Lane Ends searching for the goose without success. However a good supporting cast included female Common Scoter, Peregrine Falcon, Red Breasted Merganser, 100's of Pintail and Shelduck, many Pink Footed Geese, Common Snipe, 100's of Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin and Sanderling, 3 Little Egret, 10 Skylark and Linnet flock. 2 White Fronted Geese were with Pink Footed on fields by car park.
Black Redstart 1imm/f, I think.
Black-tailed Godwit 1
Knot(s)
Turnstones
Redshanks
Curlews
Oystercatchers
Dunlins
Shelduck 2
etc.
Then onto Cockerham/Cocker Sands...not sure exactly where I was and then Glasson Dock. Very nice meal at the Lantern Cafe/Bistro.
Wigeons
Mallards
Golden Plover 700+
Whooper Swan 200+
Pink-Footed Geese 500+...very rough guess. Skeins all over the show.
Little Egret 1
Mute Swans
Cormorant 3
Redshanks
Oystercatchers
Dunlins
Knot
etc.
magpie 4
black headed gull 25
herring gull 20
raven 1
coot 15
mallard 10
tufted duck 14
great black backed gull
lesser black gull 12
walk along the beach
starling 30
feral pigeon 18
oystercatcher 200 +
eider 7
redshank 40+
dunlin 8
curlew 1
drained boating lake
mute swan 4
turnstone 25
common gull 4
herring gull 10 one with a dab in its beak
wood pigeon 4
collared dove 2
Cheers Rob.
In between Cockers Dyke not far from Knott End, and Glasson Dock at the Lancaster end of the A588 you've got fields and farmland all the way along, they could be either in the fields or on the salt marsh when the tide is out. There's masses of Geese though so may not be an instant pick out.
Lancashire winter birding. 22/1/2017
A Red breasted Goose had turned up in Norfolk with a large quantity of Pink footed Geese in December. It didnt stay long in Norfolk and was relocated in North Lancashire in the Cockerham area. Myself and Steve B decided to have a go at seeing it and left Rochdale at 7am on a cool morning. We called at Fishmoor Reservoir, Blackburn to try to catch up with a couple of white winged gulls that had been seen there recently, but as it was still fairly dark we headed up to the Cockerham area. Lots of geese flying around was a truly great spectacle as the sun began rise, we checked a few of the large flocks out but could not see anything except Pink footed Geese. We headed down into the Thurham area and found a flock of around 300 Whooper Swans with 4 Bewick Swans also seen. A field also contained about 6 dodgy looking Canada Geese, after watching them we realised that they were not moving, then a man appeared and picked them up, they were decoys! A message said, Red breasted Goose just flown over Sand Villa near Cockerham. Off we went to try to connect, but on arrival, true to form, the bird had flown out onto the salt marsh! Now for some real birding as we spent a couple of hours sifting through the main flocks and finding: - 11 White fronted Geese (Russian) 2 Bean Geese (Tundra & Taiga) Barnacle Goose, lots of Curlew, 2 Buzzards. Great fun watching the geese push each other around whilst most of them just wanted to feed. We met up with Sarfraz & Paul, fellow Rossendale birders, who both needed Bean Goose. They managed to be put onto the Bean Geese by Rob Creek (GM Birder) well done Rob.
Up to 50 birders were scattered around the area waiting for the Red breasted Goose to reappear, so we decided to have a look at the Lane Ends, Fluke Hall, Eagland Hill & Bradshaw feeding areas. We soon found lots of Tree Sparrows, Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank. As we arrived at the eastern end of Eagland Hill we located a flock of Chaffinch and a few Yellowhammers, Corn Bunting and then Steve B said, There is a Great Grey Shrike in that bush and sure enough, there was! Grab the cameras and take some pictures, some other birders arrived and also saw the shrike. Well done to Steve for finding the bird, we picked up Red legged Partridge as we headed back towards Cockerham. We gave the flocks another good grilling, then at 3pm we decided to leave the area and return to Fishmoor Reservoir to try for the gulls once more. As we were reaching Fishmoor the Red breasted Goose reappeared at the same place we had been watching at around 4pm, isnt that typical.
Dave O.Morning visit to Cockerham Moss and subsequently rest of the day in cold conditions with Simon Gough.
Nice to see Spurner Adam Hutt again, and good to meet Sarfraz Hayett and his crew.
- Red-breasted Goose 1 adult (LIFER)
Didn't show until late on in the day as it had flown to the salt marsh early on and wasn't relocated. A very smart looking bird, it's plumage looked as though it had been perfectly painted.
Also present...
- Bean Goose 5 (4 Tundra, 1 Taiga hopefully)
- Eurasian White-fronted Goose 10
- Barnacle Goose 3
- Pink-footed Goose a few 1000
- Greylag Goose small number in another field
- Curlew 100's of them
- Golden Plover small flock of c20
- Little Egret c10
- Skylark few present
Also a flock of c30-40 Linnet were flying around, Adam and I thought we heard Twite in amongst them. A little later after Adam had left, Simon and myself had a brief chance to scan them when they came to rest in 1 of the trees along Gulf Lane, we managed to pick out a Twite piece so that was a nice bonus.
I hope the Taiga Bean actually is a Taiga, they are notoriously difficult due to variation within subspecies. This one was self found too and when I got others on to it the general feeling seemed to be positive. Even Adam Hutt said it looked good for Taiga ... my point being ... the East Yorkshire lot don't take Taiga's lightly like they do Tundra's, it usually causes a bit of a stir!
All in all a good day that had made us work for our good sightings, not easy scanning Geese in the cold weather!
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 07:01:55 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 08:48:49 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 06:22:54 PM
black redstart showing well behind the appartments next to the bourne inn.
2 peregrine falcons
1 little egret
3 turnstones
oystercatcher
curlew
redshank
wigeon
lapwing
plus the usuals.
1 Snow Bunting near boating lake
5 Red breasted Merganser 3 on lake 2 On sea
3 Stonechat
4 GoldenEye
1 Wigeon
Only waders seen Turnstone, Redshank and Oystercatcher
Cheers Steven
Next stop was Rossall. The tide was a fair way out and the only bird of note on the sea was a fully winter plumaged Red throated Diver. A group of Sanderling was on the beach plus a few Oystercatcher and Redshank. We worked our way down to Starr Gate where the tide was still distant. Nothing much doing other than three Great crested Grebe and many groups of Common Scoter, perhaps numbering three or four hundred birds in total. Not too much seen overall but it was well worth it for the Bearded Tit sighting alone.
Lunchtime visit with Simon Gough, nice to bump into Chris Greene and his wife, and Steve Burke too!
- 1 Desert Wheatear (Lifer)
A gorgeous little bird, very active amongst the dunes going about its business regardless of the birders present but once again there is always someone that has to test the birds tolerance to get a photo rather than enjoying the bird where it was.
Other birds present...
- Common Scoter in abundance on the sea
- 1 Red-throated Diver
- 10+ Ringed Plover
- 1 Sanderling
Just a word of caution to anyone going for this bird...I parked at the end of the track to the Sand Works just off the main road near the airport, when we returned to the car after an hour or so, the car next to mine had been broken into so hide any valuables.
Cheers
Rob
Male Desert Wheatear still present and feeding in the same area as earlier at Dusk
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 21st of November 2016 12:53:49 PM
Male Desert Wheatear currently showing well on beach between St Anne's and Starr Gate near sand plant. Nice to bump into messrs Burke,Creek and Gough again. Cheers Chris
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Sunday 20th of November 2016 04:41:22 PM
Highlight being a Cetti's Warbler singing at side of car park but not seen, first time I have heard one here.
6 Whimbrel (photo attached of one)
1 Wheatear
1 Yellow Wagtail (photo attached)
2 Greylag Geese
3 Shelduck
11 Eider on River bank
1 Pochard drake
1 Common Sandpiper
Lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks present.
Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat all heard.
Cheers Steven
1 Wheatear first of the year for me.
1 Stonechat female
Lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks
9 Shelduck
15 Teal
1 Little Grebe
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
2 Greylag Geese
Cheers Steven
Almost certainly the green ringed escapee that has been reported in Cumbria several times in the last couple of years.
Hi James,
The drake Bufflehead was seen early Saturday morning near the Shard Bridge with some Goldeneye.
Later updates say no further sightings, and it wasn't reported on the Fylde Bird Club sightings under the Shard Bridge thread either.
Cheers
Rob