Rob Thorpe wrote:

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Birdguides reports a Little Egret at Carr Mill Dam, Lancs today.

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A mere wing-flap away from Orrell WP (or PF, for that matter, if it follows the East Lancs)........

Birdguides reports a Little Egret at Carr Mill Dam, Lancs today.

Little owl in oak tree on Lady Lane, Croft this evening, on the west side of the lane opposite the bungalow (behind the silage bales). I've been watching this bird (or birds, as there's often two) for many months but it's the first time I've seen them for over a week, so I was getting a little worried about their well-being in this harsh weather.

Apologies for off topic slightly - not a bird but a Stoat in partial ermine [about 50% ermine 50% normal colouring, mainly brown along the back] yesterday at the roundabout just before Workington on the A66 was an amazing sight - and good camo as it hunted through light snow and tussocky grass. Shame I was at the front of the traffic at the roundabout when I saw it!

Only just out of county,Bucklow Gardens Lymm,much to my delight I saw a white/black blackbird feeding under bushes.

cheers geoff

Fantastic views of drake Goosander fishing in the mountain river in Langdale valley yesterday. I hadn't realised they would be in a 10ft wide torrent guess it could be a hard weather tactic? Also Fieldfare and Redwings high up on the fells - but mainly single birds. Otherwise quiet odd mipit and a pair of Ravens over Lingmell.

sean after reading about you trying to register with the north wales birding forum i thougt i would give it ago . So i got it up on my phone filled in the application form yesterday checked my status 5 mins ago i am now a member. Maybe you need to resubmit your application. good luck steve

I tried to register with the North Wales forum over a month ago to report my sightings from the north wales coast and nothing happened...

Anyway - Snipe flew past my office window in Birchwwood yesterday which was an uplifting sight - guess it was flying away from Risley Moss in search of new feeding grounds? Even pointed it out to a non birding colleague who commented on the bill - I'll learn em yet!

I've messaged the mods Sean. Hope they sort it out for you soon.

Sean Sweeney wrote:

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I have tried registering on the North Wales Bird Forum on Wednesday evening, but have not been approved as a member so still can't submit posts two days later!?

I also sent an e-mail to the 'contact us' address on their website, but have heard nothing back. I am unsure who the forum administrator is as I could find no reference to it on the website and have had nothing back from any e-mail so far.

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Sounds like a job of work for you there Henry

I have tried registering on the North Wales Bird Forum on Wednesday evening, but have not been approved as a member so still can't submit posts two days later!?

I also sent an e-mail to the 'contact us' address on their website, but have heard nothing back. I am unsure who the forum administrator is as I could find no reference to it on the website and have had nothing back from any e-mail so far.

All I can say is that if it had been a mega bird they are not very responsive to news from outsiders on that forum. Makes me appreciate once again how good the GMForum really is, hats off to you Ian, as I don't think you would have let a day pass without a reply to a sighting of a RL Buzzard in GM area from an outsider, whether it was a confirmed or suspected!?

Sean, there was a Rough Legged Buzzard at Inner Marsh Farm that I was lucky enough to see in January last year - not that far from Pentre Halkyn as the RLB flies

-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 6th of January 2010 10:44:00 PM

Not this winter, but there was one on the Dee at Hoylake for a bit last winter Sean.
Interesting observation though and probably worth reporting so the local birders can keep an eye out.

As I travel about a lot with work, am often trekking out of County or am staring out of a window on a train here and there, as I am sure many of you are, I thought an Out of County "Bits, Bobs, Odds and Sods" might be an idea for those little sightings we all see, but maybe don't afford a thread/blog of their own. Anyway, today I saw a Little Egret flying out from woods in North Wales on the A55, at the Northop Hall Services, flying from S to N towards to the Dee, possibly from a roost site as it was 8am. Lots of Buzzards naturally and many Lapwings flying all over the place, as thawed fields seem in short supply. Had a Red-breasted Merganser in Caernarfon too. Also had a suspected Rough-legged Buzzard in flight on my way home today. It was a very white individual (no mottled patterns on the wings like Common Buzzard), had a clear black marking on each wing and a black belly (not mottled, but clearly demarkated from the neck and head area), white everywhere else, except slight darkening on the edge of the secondary's tips. I saw this on the way home, in good light, when in the back seat of a colleagues 4x4, so only saw it for approx 7-10 seconds, but was clearly different to all other Buzzards seen today (approx 30 birds from Manchester to Caernafon return) and others I have seen anywhere in the UK personally. I am cautious to state it was definitely a RL Buzzard, but it looked like a first year bird. I have seen them in Norway in their juv plumage (1st CY), which was like this bird, but with it only being a fleeting observation (although very close - 15 to 25m away) I am mindful not to assume it was. Obviously, I would like to see it again, as with many birds like this, as all birders normally do. If anyone is in the Pentre Halkyn area keep an eye out, as they usually stick to a territory for a while if enough food for them. I remember the A55 area further west having them in the past, but not heard of anything there this winter??