Pete come on admit it you went to twitch the grounded ship didnt you or was it to get the biscuits the Long eared owls were the nearest thing you could go and see to make it look like you were birding

Popped up to see the owls,5 showing well including one at the front of the bushes out in full view.All birds 25ft. from path.Also filled the boot with packets of McVities Chocolate Wholemeal biscuits that had been washed ashore at Blackpool from the ship grounded offshore,the whole beach is covered in them,gulls were stuffing their faces on the broken packets.

Top one, I'll been watching the weather this week, if its looking ok I'll be up there. I'll let you know how I get on.

Many thanks

Steve

Follow the bridleway as per instructions earlier in this thread. Then, follow the path that comes off the bridleway and takes you to the mere. We found them in the first set of bushes. They sit quite low down. Not easy to find. They can be viewed from either the mere path or the bridleway. The views we had were closer from the mere path, but one of the birds was showing better from the bridleway although more distant.

I managed to get photos, but the owls were hidden in the bushes, so the photos aren't that good really. If you're lucky, you might get better views. Someone told us that the previous day they were sat out in the open more, but the weather had been better - they don't seem to like the wind!

Ok, I,ve been trying to see LEO's all winter, I going to go to the Mere this coming weekend. Could you please point me in the right direction to see the LEO's at the Mere. This will be my final tick for the English owls. I'm going try and get some good pictures while I am there.

Thanks

Steve


-- Edited by Steve Johnson at 18:58, 2008-01-28

-- Edited by Steve Johnson at 18:58, 2008-01-28

5 Long Eared Owls present today.

Managed to see 4 of them, with one of the Owls in particular giving a fabulous view.

Then went to see Slavonian Grebe and Great-Grey Shrike at two other sites not too far away from there on the way home.

A great days birding.

Went to see the LEOs yesterday. Eventually found them (after getting help from a woman who we spoke to last year!) - they were in a different place from where they were said to be last year. Unfortunately the birds were in quite dense cover, but we managed to make out four birds.

Superb views of two LEO's this morning - in a small bush 30 feet from a path. Unfortunately some little *****ers have been throwing sticks and stones at the birds (from the Ranger) - they are now harder to find.

Also 28 Bewicks Swans and 7 Whoopers down the road at Lytham Moss.

Mike

I need to get up there to see them.

Don't know if I can make it this month but might try in February.

Going off past years, anyone any idea of how long they are likely to hang around for??

Cheers

Phil

Went today with work friend, 3 L.E.O. still present in same place as my last post .
Cheers Ian

Went this a.m. with Peter Johnson, spent 2ish hours searching for the owls with no luck. About to leave at 12ish (I had to get back to watch City) when asked a birder if he had seen any. He immediately pointed out 2, which gave good views(once you knew where to look) and Peter then found a 3rd. Fantastic, probably made all the better because we had given up hope!! another new bird for me
Thanks to all who took the trouble to offer advice.
Happy New Year
Cheers Ian

When we've seen them in past years with oldham birders they seem to have been more to the east end of the hawthorns quite near to where the footpaths cut off from the bridleway to round the eastern end of the Mere. Apparently there was another roost nearer to the west end, which was where we were sent a couple of years back by locals who referred to it as "the usual spot", but we've never seen them there.

-- Edited by Scouser at 00:33, 2007-12-29

Cheers Daverochdale.
If I fail now I'll probably never see them.

Im at uni in blackpool and go to the mere alot, had 3 LE Owls the other day sat next to each other, once you know where they are you never really miss them - its telling people the hawthorn where they usually are thats the problem!

I park off Chain Lane (Staining) on a small road called The Nook. Then follow the bridlepath down towards the mere to around SD343354, here you are on the bridleway with the golf course behind you and the mere infront (the bridleway runs west) - with lots of hawthorn in the way. Its just a matter of looking through them until you find an owl shape blob. There is a path that takes you around the mere but you see the owls from the bridlepath. If all else fails, ask any birder there they should know.

Probably doesnt make any sense but hope its some help.

Dave

Thanks a lot for advice, a Long Eared Owl would be a first for me.
Cheers Ian

In the winter months you can get to the mere by going into "Marton Mere Caravan Park" think it's a Haven camp or something like that. You can drive through the caravans and park up near the metal hide. Need to check in with the security guy at the entrance.

Not been for a while now but there was always a warden on site next to a great big blue metal container, plus a notice board with sighting on it, failing that i am sure you will bump into a local and someone will point you in right direction
have a good day keep birding

Thinking of going to Marton Mere near Blackpool in the next couple of days as Long Eared Owls are reported as being present. Does anyone know the place?, i.e. where am I likely to find the owls?. Any help/advice gratefully received. Cheers Ian