Rossall Point 10.30- 11.30am Shore Lark still present this morning allowing close views down to 20 metres on the shingle ridge in front of the Obs tower and occasionally flying no more than 50 meters to the left of the tower.
steven burke said
Sun Nov 16 10:55 PM, 2014
Rob Creek wrote:
A visit over to Starr Gate...
Tide was out and although it had started to come in, it was difficult to get good views out to sea.
Common Scoters- a group 4, then singles flying low far out, then Steve picked up on another 9 flying low. 3 Cormorant fishing 2 Great Crested Grebe far out 3 Shelduck 3 Redshank Oystercatcher here and there Herring Gulls Black-headed Gulls 3 Mallard over 2 Meadow Pipit A few Auk-type low flying far out (could've been Guillemot or Razorbill, unsure) ...and a couple of unidentified dots, too far out!
also 2 geese flew past as we both were heading to starr gate I presumed they might of been pink footed geese, but have recently read that 2 juvenile dark bellied brent geese flew past fairhaven lake nature reserve this afternoon, my have been them ?
Rob Creek said
Sun Nov 16 9:14 PM, 2014
A visit over to Starr Gate...
Tide was out and although it had started to come in, it was difficult to get good views out to sea.
Common Scoters- a group 4, then singles flying low far out, then Steve picked up on another 9 flying low. 3 Cormorant fishing 2 Great Crested Grebe far out 3 Shelduck 3 Redshank Oystercatcher here and there Herring Gulls Black-headed Gulls 3 Mallard over 2 Meadow Pipit A few Auk-type low flying far out (could've been Guillemot or Razorbill, unsure) ...and a couple of unidentified dots, too far out!
Chris Greene said
Mon Nov 10 5:40 PM, 2014
Day out in and around Blackpool with the missus.
Excellent prolonged views of the Great Grey Shrike at Lytham Moss.We were watching the bird for a good forty minutes,occasionally it was getting harassed by linnets,greenfinch etc.,,but it spent lengthy periods perched up on the bushes around Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary.
Other highlights included two Purple Sandpipers amongst the Turnstones and Redshanks, at the go-kart track high tide roost.Also saw a flock of at least 120 Linnets feeding on seeds at the old Pontin's site, plus a few smallish rafts of Common Scoter off Starr Gate.
Cheers Chris.
Chris Greene said
Thu Sep 18 5:20 PM, 2014
1-2:30 this afternoon,Bispham Beach. Low tide,surreal sight of a lone Whooper Swan,on the sea, surrounded by some bemused looking Herring Gulls.Also 6 Sandwich Terns,and plenty of Oystercatchers,Redshanks,turnstones and Sanderling.Also Grey Seal close in.
Cheers Chris
Jonathan Platt said
Sun Mar 23 9:17 PM, 2014
There was a European White-fronted goose with a small party of Pinkfooted geese in fields off Fluke Hall Lane this afternoon. More interesting perhaps was an orange-legged goose with 1500 Pinkfeet on Pilling Marsh from Lane Ends car park. Only saw it for a few seconds before it walked into a gutter and was subsequently flushed minutes later by a helicopter. Looked like one of those pesky orange-legged Pinkfeet from brief view but might be worth keeping an eye open for if in the area.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Jan 30 8:42 PM, 2014
Sorry, should have said that was Yesterday, January 29th.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Jan 30 8:41 PM, 2014
Walk from Fleetwood to the Weatherspoons under Blackpool Tower. Well deserved drink!
6 snow buntings, showing very well about 50yds from the tram stop but moving around a lot due to people & dogs along the beach
hundreds of common scoters out at sea, 2 great crested grebes, could not find anything else.
4 bar tailed godwits
2 knot
70+ sanderlings
12 turnstones
1 shelduck flying south
lots of oystercatchers
no signs of the shag that has been seen recently in Stanley park .
Ian Campbell said
Thu Jan 2 1:57 PM, 2014
Trip to Blackpool area this a.m. Started at Fairfield Rd feeding station nr Singleton at 8.30 just as fresh seed was being put down, within minutes there were 25+ Tree Sparrow present along with lots of Chaffinch.
Then onto Starr Gate for a spot of sea watching, high tide and very rough sea, however I did make out lots of Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver and 1 Great Northern Diver, also lots of Oystercatcher and Knot flying around. I was told that a Great Skua had also been seen this morning.
Cheers Ian
Jonathan Platt said
Mon Dec 30 7:11 PM, 2013
Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Red-breasted Goose (presumed escapee?) on Pilling Marsh from Lane Ends car park yesterday morning. Also two Peregrines. The morning flight of Pinkfeet leaving the marsh at dawn is well worth getting up early for.
steven burke said
Sun Dec 1 8:45 PM, 2013
late post for 30th nov.
blackpool, north pier...
7 red throated divers 20+ great crested grebes hundreds of common scoters
knott end to pilling (fluke hall lane) a long walk but very rewarding.
a nice flock of 100+ twite, several of them ringed. 1 eider, male oystercatchers lapwings curlews turnstones ringed plovers redshanks dunlins black tailed godwits meadow pipits & linnets 3 little egrets in the fields next to fluke hall lane... 200+ whooper swans, could not find any bewicks loads of red legged partridges 2 tree sparrows on the long walk back good close views of 2 tawny owls.
I cant believe I forgot to mention this earlier but whilst at pilling as the sun was setting (a beautiful one) the most spectacular site of many a thousands of pink footed geese going on to the estuary, amazing
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 1st of December 2013 09:33:30 PM
Jonathan Platt said
Mon Nov 4 3:21 AM, 2013
Five Bewick swans (3 adults, 2 juvs) between the Bradshaw Lane feeding station and Eagland Hill this morning, mixing with a flock of c25 Whoopers. Red-breasted goose on Pilling Marsh from Lane Ends, looking totally unplastic as it flighted into the teeth of a gale over the flooded marsh!
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Jul 4 3:40 AM, 2013
Wednesday, July 3rd. Walk from Fluke Hall(Pilling) to Knott End, inland to return.
Water Rail 2 with good views of both. Wheatear 2m 2f Skylark 2 singing. Great Crested Grebe 1 Coot 14 Tufted Duck 4 Plenty of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. etc.
Jon Bowen said
Sun Feb 24 5:57 AM, 2013
Went in search of the Snow Goose in very apt weather. Unfortunately missed out but did see Merlin Yellowhammer Linnet Corn Bunting Grey Heron Pink Footed Geese (100s) 4 Brown Hares
Simon Johnson said
Sun Jan 20 3:37 AM, 2013
Warton Marsh
Great White Egret - showed well but distant 18 Little Egret Buzzard - sat on a post 150+ Curlew 100+ Pink-footed Geese 20+ Snipe 20+ Golden Plover 100's of Teal 24 Whooper Swan
lots of shooting going on
in feilds north of the marsh - Lytham Moss? 14 Bewick Swan 20 Whooper Swan 4 Grey Partridge
Ian Coote said
Wed Jan 9 1:28 AM, 2013
Fairhaven Lake, Lytham:
The female Long-tailed Duck was showing well in the gloom / drizzle this afternoon. Nothing else of note to report other than plenty of noisy Oystercatchers and 2 Knot on the salt marsh very close to the seawall giving good views.
Mike Baron said
Mon Jan 7 1:58 AM, 2013
Spent this afternoon wandering round The Fylde and surrounds looking for swans. Had a single Bewick's Swan with 54 Mute Swans off Moss Lane at Upper Thurnham.
At Lytham Moss there were 15 Bewick's with 72 Whoopers in field off Wild Lane and then 17 Bewick's inc 1 juvenile with 247 Whoopers in field off Heyhouse Lane. Sparrowhawk also here.
At Pilling Lane ends little to report with visibility poor and birds distant. 1600 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Little Egrets and a very lethargic Peregrine.
The Long-tailed Duck at Fairhaven Lake initially proved surprisingly hard to find and then showed well in front of the cafe. Impressed with the replica Spitfire too!
Phil Owen said
Sun Oct 21 4:11 AM, 2012
After successfully twitching the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, myself, Jason Atkinson and Alex Jones stopped off on our way home and had a few brief views of the Pallas's Warbler at Knott End on Sea.
Full marks to Chris for allowing access to his back garden to view the bird in the Sycamore Tree a couple of gardens away.
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Oct 20 6:38 PM, 2012
Pete Hines wrote:
Found an adult Mediterranean Gull round the corner in a field with Black-headeds at Carr House Stud on Green Dick's Lane (don't ask )
Also saw a Pink-footed Goose among the 1000's from Pilling embankment wearing a pale blue neck collar with black letters TXF.
Ah you were the Med Gull finder Pete! I went round there and all the gulls had gone by 3.30pm. I was told they'd all relocated somewhere near Fluke Hall but I couldn't find them over the tall hedges
Pete Hines said
Sat Oct 20 5:09 AM, 2012
Found an adult Mediterranean Gull round the corner in a field with Black-headeds at Carr House Stud on Green Dick's Lane (don't ask )
Also saw a Pink-footed Goose among the 1000's from Pilling embankment wearing a pale blue neck collar with black letters TXF.
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Oct 20 3:53 AM, 2012
I was there myself this afternoon and what a cracking bird - surely the best looking Phylloscopus. And how generous was Chris letting all and sundry wander into his back garden. He told me his garden list is over 150!
Doc Brewster said
Sat Oct 20 1:26 AM, 2012
Popped up to the north Fylde today with Chris Neild in search of 2 little gems that were there yesterday. First stop was Knott End for a Pallas's Warbler that has been in birder Chris Batty's garden, & adjacent gardens, for several days. Chris has kindly given open access to his back garden through the side gate by his garage. Joining several birders already on Chris's back lawn the bird was soon relocated in its favourite sycamore a couple of gardens away. This gorgeous warbler showed on & off for the next couple of hours, even allowing scope views, but most of the time it was much easier with binoculars.
Reluctantly leaving it behind we popped up to the coast for lunch & watch a close flock of drake & female Eiders as well as several Sanderling, 2 Knot, Redshanks & Oystercatchers whilst eating our sarnies & having a warming flask of coffee - although in the sunshine it was very warm for October.
Next stop was only a few miles away but required a long drive down over Shard Bridge & up the other side into Fleetwood. Here we stopped at The Mount - a small local park - and started our search. A much harder bird than the Pallas's, we eventualkly had excellent views of the Yellow-browed Warbler as it fed on a large feeding circuit with Blue, Coal & Great Tits.
Not a bad day out in the NW with these two east coast speciallities just a few miles apart
steven burke said
Mon Mar 26 3:25 AM, 2012
late post for yesterday 24th march.
blackpool,north pier to karting track 10-1pm.
2 red throated divers 2 eiders 1m 1f 1 great crested grebe no common scoters 2 wheatears 1m 1f my first for the year 3 meadow pipits,more over. 100+ turnstones & redshanks oystercatchers, cormorants & usual gulls.
knott end, 2-5.30pm.
no signs off the black redstart,but still had a good few hours there in the lovely sunshine. 200+ sanderlings 12 eiders 6m 6f, close views for a change. hundreds off oystercatchers 50+ curlews 22 redshanks 1 turnstone 24 shelducks 2 peregrine falcons (being very noisey) 1 chiffchaff 3 pied wagtails 2 meadow pipits, more over. 2 rooks 3 siskins plus usual gulls. starlings mimicking waders espeacially curlews
good day out
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Mar 21 3:32 AM, 2012
Tuesday, 20th March.
Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park:
Ring-necked Duck...good views of adult male on first pool on left of car park. Pochard 1f Tufted Ducks 10+ Shoveler 3m Little Grebe 1 GtCrested Grebe 1 Herring Gulls Lesser Black-backed Gulls Great Black-backed Gull 1 Skylarks Meadow Pipit 1
On the River Wyre:
Eider 1m Wigeon 9 Redshank 5 Cormorant 1
Marton Mere:
Cetti's Warbler 1 singing near first hide on left of mere. Water Rail 1 heard. Goldeneye 5 Teal Shoveler 9m 1f Chiffchaff 1 singing. Gadwall 1m Oystercatcher 2 Kestrel 2
etc.etc.etc.
Mike Turton said
Sat Mar 3 8:39 PM, 2012
Had a trip in fylde today started of at stargate Blackpool for bit of sea watching not good conditions AM but did pic out one red-throated diver good few oystercatchers and redshank and odd turnstone on beach.
Then up to Fleetwood as tide went out 9 eider in channel just up from life boat station lots of oystercatchers again redshank and few others on sand bank far side of channel. Had look round marine lake nothing on there apart from a few gulls and few turnstones on grass on road side.
Then over to Knot End for some great views of black redstart befor heading home will be going back soon MIKE
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 08:41:16 PM
steven burke said
Sun Feb 26 3:19 AM, 2012
a walk through stanley park on the way to marton mere with roy ridings...
1 sparrowhawk 1 great spotted woodpecker 4-5 nuthatches 1 pied wagtail the usual tits and finches around,plus all usual birds on the lake inc great crested grebes & tufted ducks. several hybrids around inc chinese goose.
Terry Long said
Tue Feb 7 5:25 AM, 2012
cheers jon , i think ive found it on google earth now with you saying that , yep might do that walk you suggest as well. cheers Terry
Terry Long said
Tue Feb 7 2:09 AM, 2012
cheers Nick , i'm assuming burglars alley is a local name but i'll try and get hold of a os map , thanks again.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Feb 7 1:23 AM, 2012
Terry, here's the directions as given on RBA.
From derelict offices on B5268 Fleetwood road follow Burglars Alley footpath east for half a mile then south. SD340.446.
Hope this helps.
Terry Long said
Tue Feb 7 1:09 AM, 2012
could somebody by any chance please give me some directions from the nearest bus stop to thornton ICI reservoir , i know its off fleetwood road somewhere but a google serch has left me scratching my head. Many thanks for any help.
Jon Bowen said
Mon Feb 6 8:45 PM, 2012
Terry I walked down from the Wyre Estuary Country Park on Sunday. It's about a 20 minute walk but plenty to see along the estuary on your way down. Good luck
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Monday 6th of February 2012 08:46:01 PM
Chris Greene said
Sun Feb 5 6:08 PM, 2012
Late post for 1st to 3rd Feb. a few days around the Fylde coast... Around karting track, opposite Sheraton Hotel : 40+ sanderling , 50+ redshank , 3 purple sandpipers ,40+ turnstone ,plus a few knot and dunlin. Two rock pipits ,busying around the " concrete cliffs ." Good numbers of black-headed, herring , lesser and greater black backs. Fleetwood boating lake : pair of red-breasted merganser , 60+ turnstone ,pair of goldeneye. Also pair of red-breasted merganser on marina at Fleetwood Freeport... Knott End : 300+ oystercatchers , plenty of redshank and turnstone , 4 ringed plover , good numbers of shelduck and curlew. 6 female and 3 male eiders , and approx 30 scoter, out past sandbank, Finally great views of the very photogenic black redstart, which has been resident at the abandoned building site , near the ferry slipway ...
Cheers Chris
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Feb 2 3:41 AM, 2012
A very pleasant hike today, starting at Lytham LifeBoat Station, East to Warton Airfield, inland and return. Wednesday, 1st February.
Warton Marsh: Bewick's and Whooper Swans. Shelducks. Teal. Mallard. Little Egret 1. Great White Egret 1******. Linnets. Meadow Pipits. Greylag Geese.
Green Drive Walk, Lytham: Buzzard 1. Jay 2. Firecrest 1*****.
General Area:
Golden Plovers. Snipe 2. Curlews. Dunlins. Lapwings. etc.etc.etc...46 species in total.
steven burke said
Wed Feb 1 6:30 AM, 2012
spent the day at blackpool north,only walked just over 2 miles and it took most off the day. here from 10.30-5pm,but got the target bird i was after & a few extras.... 1 PURPLE SANDPIPER (lifer) showing well at the karting track on queens promenade opposite sheraton hotel. now not big numbers off birds,but a nice mixed variety at close range... 1 ringed plover 7 sanderlings 6 knot 1 curlew 35 turnstones, but several more along the beach & steps. 100+ redshanks lots off oystercatchers 1 rock pipit plus all usual gulls.
on the sea,which was nice & calm... 17 eiders, 13 males 4 females. did have 83 common scoters at a reasonable viewing range,but hundreds more at distance,could not id any velvets,if there was any. 3 shelducks 18 great crested grebes 96 pink footed geese (over,south) and a fairly large starling roost,probably 5000+ on central pier.
good day
Louise Aspden said
Sun Jan 29 3:36 AM, 2012
I was early for the football today so popped to Granny's Bay at Fairhaven not too many birds about Where I looked but pleased at what there was, couple of Shelduck, about a dozen Oyestercatchers, 2 Curlews and 4 Pintail.
3 new spots for 2012.
Then as the game at Bloomfield Rd was drawing to a close, a nice flock of starlings circled the ground in time to herald an injury time equaliser for the Tangerines.
Not a bad afternoon all told.
Martyn Jones said
Mon Jan 16 10:39 PM, 2012
After visiting Warton Bank and Lytham today, I popped up to Fleetwood and Rossall Point at high tide. At Fleetwood I saw a group of three male and two female Eider Ducks on the sea as well up to eight Turnstones feeding along the water's edge before they came inland to only a couple of metres from me. There were also a few Redshank and Sanderling (or Dunlin) at the water's edge.
A quick walk along the sea wall to Rossall Point at dusk produced a group of 20-30 Turnstones roosting on the pebbly beach and later a goup of about the same number of Sanderling (or Dunlin) doing the same a little further down the beach. I missed them completely until they started making a noise - hunkered down, they look just like pebbles!
Fabulous moody sunset too - a great end to a good day out.
steven burke said
Sun Jan 1 10:15 PM, 2012
here just before 11am only for half an hour before making my way to marton mere. very windy & rough sea that still did not bother the common scoters,hard to get good count but still managed over 100 1 great crested grebe, all usual gulls, cormorants & oystercatchers.
Nik Grounds said
Tue Dec 27 6:50 PM, 2011
Louise Aspden wrote:
I spent Christmas in St Annes and was looking forward to see a good variety of waders but apart from several hundred Oystercatchers I didnt see, or at least recognise, any other species, quite a disappointment.
The local bird club has a site guide here and sightings page here. Hope they are of use for future trips.
Louise Aspden said
Tue Dec 27 6:05 PM, 2011
I spent Christmas in St Annes and was looking forward to see a good variety of waders but apart from several hundred Oystercatchers I didnt see, or at least recognise, any other species, quite a disappointment.
steven burke said
Sun Oct 30 11:17 PM, 2011
went to north pier blackpool for an hour before going to marton mere,and glad i did managed to see at least 200 common scoters on the sea,but obviously more in the distance towards south pier. other birds... cormorants, oystercatchers, redshanks, 2 great crested grebes g b b gulls, l b b gulls, herring gulls, common gulls, b h gulls. 2 grey seals.
Jon Bowen said
Sat Mar 5 3:32 PM, 2011
Ring-Necked Duck showing well this morning @ Bispham, reported on The Flyde site as Bispham Marsh which was actually 2 ponds off Kincraig Rd opposite the Spa.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Feb 15 8:11 PM, 2011
A few stops on the Fylde today with John Barber for company.
First stop was Fleetwood Marsh NR for the Ring Necked Duck. The bird was easily found and gave good views as it was tucked in close to the near banking due to the biting wind. Had a quick wander before returning to the car for a brew. Other stuff present were: -
4 Mute Swan 1 Little Grebe c10 Coot c10 Tufties Blackheaded gull LBB gull Herring gull Common gull
From here we went for a mooch along the front at Fleetwood near to the boating lakes. Not much on the lakes but on the shore line were hundreds of gulls and Oycs with a few Sanderling and Dunlin thrown in for good measure. Scanned the gulls with the hope of finding something decent but no joy unfortunately.
After this it was a quick visit to Wyre Country park for a look and a sandwich but not much seen here apart from a few mixed gulls and a Curlew.
We then took a chance and headed for Mythop Lane near Staining where a few days ago a White fronted goose was reported. After a bit of hunting around, we eventually discovered a field in the far distance holding upwards of around 1500 Pink feet. A very distant check through them though couldn't turn any of them into a White fronted so off we went to our last stop, the Iceland gull at Preston docks.
The bird wasn't present when we arrived but after a wait of about 20 minutes it eventually turned up and gave good views.
A good but very cold day!!
Mike Chorley said
Fri Feb 11 8:14 PM, 2011
Went 'ringing' today with Messers Rigby & Rayner
Ring-necked Duck at Fleetwood Marsh, showing very well, then good fly-over and brief perched views from the Parakeets at Lytham Crematorium.
Completed our hat trick over in Yorkshire with the Gull at Mirfield.
Reasonable assortment of grebes and other ducks at Fleetwood Marsh. Low tide at Fleetwood Marine Drive, so only 3 Eider, but plenty of gulls - also feeding on starfish-and a good selection of waders.
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Feb 10 7:09 PM, 2011
Started off at Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park
Drake Ring Necked Duck showing very well on pool near car park
Onto Cleveleys
1 Purple Sandpiper on groyne c14 Turnstone 10+ Eider on sea close in 300-400 Sanderling on shore 200-300 Knot flying around Herring Gulls feasting on starfish Black Headed Gulls
Some of the locals commented that they had never noticed so many birds on the shore.
A brief look on the fields at Mythop
Teal Wigeon Little Grebe
Finishing at Lytham Crem
4 Ring Necked Parakeets calling quietly, at least one male bird present
Mike Baron said
Tue Feb 1 6:48 PM, 2011
Sunday am from Starr Gate - approx 1 hr after high tide on calm, flat seas
870+ Common Scoter 55+ Great Crested Grebes 2 Red-throated Divers 2 Red-breasted Mergansers 19 Eiders 90+ Knot on beach
Dennis atherton said
Sun Jan 9 3:27 PM, 2011
Diver still showing at 3-00 today in the third marina. A very mobile bird but did stay in the dock area
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 9 3:17 PM, 2011
Originally posted by Anne Wilkinson today:
Great Northern Diver still showing really well in the fish dock (1st dock as you drive onto marina). it moves about a lot beneath the pontoons and in all stretches of open water.
Ian Woosey said
Mon Jan 3 4:42 PM, 2011
3/1/11
Best bits of a tour of the north Fylde:
Pilling Lane Ends:
1 Bewick`s Swan swimming around with Shelduck herd of at least 130 Whoopers 1 Peregrine 3 Little Egret Pinkfeet aplenty, leaving the marsh from roosting Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Redshank, Curlew etc
Shore Lark still present this morning allowing close views down to 20 metres on the shingle ridge in front of the Obs tower and occasionally flying no more than 50 meters to the left of the tower.
also 2 geese flew past as we both were heading to starr gate I presumed they might of been pink footed geese, but have recently read that 2 juvenile dark bellied brent geese flew past fairhaven lake nature reserve this afternoon, my have been them ?
Tide was out and although it had started to come in, it was difficult to get good views out to sea.
Common Scoters- a group 4, then singles flying low far out, then Steve picked up on another 9 flying low.
3 Cormorant fishing
2 Great Crested Grebe far out
3 Shelduck
3 Redshank
Oystercatcher here and there
Herring Gulls
Black-headed Gulls
3 Mallard over
2 Meadow Pipit
A few Auk-type low flying far out (could've been Guillemot or Razorbill, unsure)
...and a couple of unidentified dots, too far out!
Highlights included:
Purple Sandpiper 1
Eider 2m
LT Duck 1m
Red-throated Diver 1
Red-breasted Merganser 2f/imm
Turnstones
Sanderlings
Redshanks
Ringed Plovers
Oystercatchers
Pinkfeet Geese 11
Linnets
starr gate...
6 snow buntings, showing very well about 50yds from the tram stop but moving around a lot due to people & dogs along the beach
hundreds of common scoters out at sea, 2 great crested grebes, could not find anything else.
4 bar tailed godwits
2 knot
70+ sanderlings
12 turnstones
1 shelduck flying south
lots of oystercatchers
no signs of the shag that has been seen recently in Stanley park .
Trip to Blackpool area this a.m. Started at Fairfield Rd feeding station nr Singleton at 8.30 just as fresh seed was being put down, within minutes there were 25+ Tree Sparrow present along with lots of Chaffinch.
Then onto Starr Gate for a spot of sea watching, high tide and very rough sea, however I did make out lots of Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver and 1 Great Northern Diver, also lots of Oystercatcher and Knot flying around. I was told that a Great Skua had also been seen this morning.
Cheers Ian
blackpool, north pier...
7 red throated divers
20+ great crested grebes
hundreds of common scoters
knott end to pilling (fluke hall lane) a long walk but very rewarding.
a nice flock of 100+ twite, several of them ringed.
1 eider, male
oystercatchers
lapwings
curlews
turnstones
ringed plovers
redshanks
dunlins
black tailed godwits
meadow pipits & linnets
3 little egrets
in the fields next to fluke hall lane...
200+ whooper swans, could not find any bewicks
loads of red legged partridges
2 tree sparrows
on the long walk back good close views of 2 tawny owls.
I cant believe I forgot to mention this earlier but whilst at pilling as the sun was setting (a beautiful one) the most spectacular site of many a thousands of pink footed geese going on to the estuary, amazing
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 1st of December 2013 09:33:30 PM
Seen from the sea wall. Early migrants:
Wheatear 1
Common Gull 1
plus
Shelducks
Curlews
Black-tailed Godwits
Oystercatchers
Redshanks
Lapwings
Meadow Pipit 1
Skylarks
BH Gulls/Herring Gulls/LBB Gulls/1 GBB Gull
Sedge Warblers 3
Whitethroats
Chiffchaffs 2
Tree Sparrow 3
Linnets
Swifts
Swallows
House Martins
etc.
Fairly quiet over the high tide.
Scoter 1
Redshank 4
Dunlin 2
Turnstone 50+
Sanderling 50+
Ringed Plover 3
Oystercatcher 1
Wheatear 1f
Meadow Pipits
etc.
Then Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve.
Water Rail 2 with good views of both.
Wheatear 2m 2f
Skylark 2 singing.
Great Crested Grebe 1
Coot 14
Tufted Duck 4
Plenty of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
etc.
Merlin
Yellowhammer
Linnet
Corn Bunting
Grey Heron
Pink Footed Geese (100s)
4 Brown Hares
Great White Egret - showed well but distant
18 Little Egret
Buzzard - sat on a post
150+ Curlew
100+ Pink-footed Geese
20+ Snipe
20+ Golden Plover
100's of Teal
24 Whooper Swan
lots of shooting going on
in feilds north of the marsh - Lytham Moss?
14 Bewick Swan
20 Whooper Swan
4 Grey Partridge
The female Long-tailed Duck was showing well in the gloom / drizzle this afternoon. Nothing else of note to report other than plenty of noisy Oystercatchers and 2 Knot on the salt marsh very close to the seawall giving good views.
At Lytham Moss there were 15 Bewick's with 72 Whoopers in field off Wild Lane and then 17 Bewick's inc 1 juvenile with 247 Whoopers in field off Heyhouse Lane. Sparrowhawk also here.
At Pilling Lane ends little to report with visibility poor and birds distant. 1600 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Little Egrets and a very lethargic Peregrine.
The Long-tailed Duck at Fairhaven Lake initially proved surprisingly hard to find and then showed well in front of the cafe. Impressed with the replica Spitfire too!
Full marks to Chris for allowing access to his back garden to view the bird in the Sycamore Tree a couple of gardens away.
Ah you were the Med Gull finder Pete! I went round there and all the gulls had gone by 3.30pm. I was told they'd all relocated somewhere near Fluke Hall but I couldn't find them over the tall hedges
Also saw a Pink-footed Goose among the 1000's from Pilling embankment wearing a pale blue neck collar with black letters TXF.
Reluctantly leaving it behind we popped up to the coast for lunch & watch a close flock of drake & female Eiders as well as several Sanderling, 2 Knot, Redshanks & Oystercatchers whilst eating our sarnies & having a warming flask of coffee - although in the sunshine it was very warm for October.
Next stop was only a few miles away but required a long drive down over Shard Bridge & up the other side into Fleetwood. Here we stopped at The Mount - a small local park - and started our search. A much harder bird than the Pallas's, we eventualkly had excellent views of the Yellow-browed Warbler as it fed on a large feeding circuit with Blue, Coal & Great Tits.
Not a bad day out in the NW with these two east coast speciallities just a few miles apart
blackpool,north pier to karting track 10-1pm.
2 red throated divers
2 eiders 1m 1f
1 great crested grebe
no common scoters
2 wheatears 1m 1f my first for the year
3 meadow pipits,more over.
100+ turnstones & redshanks
oystercatchers, cormorants & usual gulls.
knott end, 2-5.30pm.
no signs off the black redstart,but still had a good few hours there in the lovely sunshine.
200+ sanderlings
12 eiders 6m 6f, close views for a change.
hundreds off oystercatchers
50+ curlews
22 redshanks
1 turnstone
24 shelducks
2 peregrine falcons (being very noisey)
1 chiffchaff
3 pied wagtails
2 meadow pipits, more over.
2 rooks
3 siskins
plus usual gulls.
starlings mimicking waders espeacially curlews
good day out
Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park:
Ring-necked Duck...good views of adult male on first pool on left of car park.
Pochard 1f
Tufted Ducks 10+
Shoveler 3m
Little Grebe 1
GtCrested Grebe 1
Herring Gulls
Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Skylarks
Meadow Pipit 1
On the River Wyre:
Eider 1m
Wigeon 9
Redshank 5
Cormorant 1
Marton Mere:
Cetti's Warbler 1 singing near first hide on left of mere.
Water Rail 1 heard.
Goldeneye 5
Teal
Shoveler 9m 1f
Chiffchaff 1 singing.
Gadwall 1m
Oystercatcher 2
Kestrel 2
etc.etc.etc.
good few oystercatchers and redshank and odd turnstone on beach.
Then up to Fleetwood as tide went out 9 eider in channel just up from life boat station lots of oystercatchers again redshank and few others on sand bank far side of channel.
Had look round marine lake nothing on there apart from a few gulls and few turnstones on grass on road side.
Then over to Knot End for some great views of black redstart befor heading home will be going back soon
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 08:41:16 PM
1 sparrowhawk
1 great spotted woodpecker
4-5 nuthatches
1 pied wagtail
the usual tits and finches around,plus all usual birds on the lake inc great crested grebes & tufted ducks.
several hybrids around inc chinese goose.
cheers Terry
From derelict offices on B5268 Fleetwood road follow Burglars Alley footpath east for half a mile then south. SD340.446.
Hope this helps.
I walked down from the Wyre Estuary Country Park on Sunday. It's about a 20 minute walk but plenty to see along the estuary on your way down. Good luck
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Monday 6th of February 2012 08:46:01 PM
Around karting track, opposite Sheraton Hotel :
40+ sanderling , 50+ redshank , 3 purple sandpipers ,40+ turnstone ,plus a few knot and dunlin. Two rock pipits ,busying around the " concrete cliffs ." Good numbers of black-headed, herring , lesser and greater black backs.
Fleetwood boating lake : pair of red-breasted merganser , 60+ turnstone ,pair of goldeneye. Also pair of red-breasted merganser on marina at Fleetwood Freeport...
Knott End : 300+ oystercatchers , plenty of redshank and turnstone , 4 ringed plover , good numbers of shelduck and curlew. 6 female and 3 male eiders , and approx 30 scoter, out past sandbank, Finally great views of the very photogenic black redstart, which has been resident at the abandoned building site , near the ferry slipway ...
Cheers Chris
Wednesday, 1st February.
Warton Marsh:
Bewick's and Whooper Swans.
Shelducks.
Teal.
Mallard.
Little Egret 1.
Great White Egret 1******.
Linnets.
Meadow Pipits.
Greylag Geese.
Green Drive Walk, Lytham:
Buzzard 1.
Jay 2.
Firecrest 1*****.
General Area:
Golden Plovers.
Snipe 2.
Curlews.
Dunlins.
Lapwings.
etc.etc.etc...46 species in total.
1 PURPLE SANDPIPER (lifer)
now not big numbers off birds,but a nice mixed variety at close range...
1 ringed plover
7 sanderlings
6 knot
1 curlew
35 turnstones, but several more along the beach & steps.
100+ redshanks
lots off oystercatchers
1 rock pipit
plus all usual gulls.
on the sea,which was nice & calm...
17 eiders, 13 males 4 females.
did have 83 common scoters at a reasonable viewing range,but hundreds more at distance,could not id any velvets,if there was any.
3 shelducks
18 great crested grebes
96 pink footed geese (over,south)
and a fairly large starling roost,probably 5000+ on central pier.
good day
3 new spots for 2012.
Then as the game at Bloomfield Rd was drawing to a close, a nice flock of starlings circled the ground in time to herald an injury time equaliser for the Tangerines.
Not a bad afternoon all told.
A quick walk along the sea wall to Rossall Point at dusk produced a group of 20-30 Turnstones roosting on the pebbly beach and later a goup of about the same number of Sanderling (or Dunlin) doing the same a little further down the beach. I missed them completely until they started making a noise - hunkered down, they look just like pebbles!
Fabulous moody sunset too - a great end to a good day out.
1 great crested grebe, all usual gulls, cormorants & oystercatchers.
The local bird club has a site guide here and sightings page here. Hope they are of use for future trips.
cormorants, oystercatchers, redshanks, 2 great crested grebes
g b b gulls, l b b gulls, herring gulls, common gulls, b h gulls.
2 grey seals.
First stop was Fleetwood Marsh NR for the Ring Necked Duck. The bird was easily found and gave good views as it was tucked in close to the near banking due to the biting wind. Had a quick wander before returning to the car for a brew. Other stuff present were: -
4 Mute Swan
1 Little Grebe
c10 Coot
c10 Tufties
Blackheaded gull
LBB gull
Herring gull
Common gull
From here we went for a mooch along the front at Fleetwood near to the boating lakes. Not much on the lakes but on the shore line were hundreds of gulls and Oycs with a few Sanderling and Dunlin thrown in for good measure. Scanned the gulls with the hope of finding something decent but no joy unfortunately.
After this it was a quick visit to Wyre Country park for a look and a sandwich but not much seen here apart from a few mixed gulls and a Curlew.
We then took a chance and headed for Mythop Lane near Staining where a few days ago a White fronted goose was reported. After a bit of hunting around, we eventually discovered a field in the far distance holding upwards of around 1500 Pink feet. A very distant check through them though couldn't turn any of them into a White fronted so off we went to our last stop, the Iceland gull at Preston docks.
The bird wasn't present when we arrived but after a wait of about 20 minutes it eventually turned up and gave good views.
A good but very cold day!!
Ring-necked Duck at Fleetwood Marsh, showing very well, then good fly-over and brief perched views from the Parakeets at Lytham Crematorium.
Completed our hat trick over in Yorkshire with the Gull at Mirfield.
Reasonable assortment of grebes and other ducks at Fleetwood Marsh. Low tide at Fleetwood Marine Drive, so only 3 Eider, but plenty of gulls - also feeding on starfish-and a good selection of waders.
Started off at Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park
Drake Ring Necked Duck showing very well on pool near car park
Onto Cleveleys
1 Purple Sandpiper on groyne
c14 Turnstone
10+ Eider on sea close in
300-400 Sanderling on shore
200-300 Knot flying around
Herring Gulls feasting on starfish
Black Headed Gulls
Some of the locals commented that they had never noticed so many birds on the shore.
A brief look on the fields at Mythop
Teal
Wigeon
Little Grebe
Finishing at Lytham Crem
4 Ring Necked Parakeets calling quietly, at least one male bird present
870+ Common Scoter
55+ Great Crested Grebes
2 Red-throated Divers
2 Red-breasted Mergansers
19 Eiders
90+ Knot on beach
Great Northern Diver still showing really well in the fish dock (1st dock as you drive onto marina). it moves about a lot beneath the pontoons and in all stretches of open water.
Best bits of a tour of the north Fylde:
Pilling Lane Ends:
1 Bewick`s Swan swimming around with Shelduck
herd of at least 130 Whoopers
1 Peregrine
3 Little Egret
Pinkfeet aplenty, leaving the marsh from roosting
Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Redshank, Curlew etc
Fluke Hall:
Pinkfeet galore
Red-legged Partridge, Stock Doves, Linnets etc
Knott End:
1 Rock Pipit
1 Turnstone
24 Knot
1 Peregrine
Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Shelduck etc