The 2 x Mediterranean Gulls were by Lowercroft Res amongst a flock of 20 Black-headed Gulls at 10.30 this a.m, moving twice but sticking closely together, and still there at 11.30.
Martin Loftus said
Sun Mar 12 3:16 PM, 2023
Both Mediterranean gulls present around the middle lodge at 12pm
Absolutely outstanding numbers of Redwing and fieldfare slowly passing through the reservoirs and the surrounding fields. Low estimations of 4000+ redwing and 500+ fieldfare
One field had 2 perched up juvenile sparrowhawks and one kestrel all looking bemused and overwhelmed by the constant influx of prey flying around them.
Martin Loftus said
Thu Oct 6 5:03 PM, 2022
4:30pm
A really nice looking adult winter plumage Mediterranean gull on the top lodge with 30+ black-headed gulls. All foraging in the field next to the sub station thing.
x 2 Adult Mediterranean gulls flew through heading North, both on their own, 5 mins apart.
Whilst we are on the subject of Mediterranean Gulls, I received a letter from Belgium last week regarding the rung Mediterranean gull that has turned up here every spring for the past 7 plus years.
Ring number: E929220
Ringing date: 17.05. 2011
Ringing Place: Antwerp, Belgium (51.13 N - 004.22 E)
Reported by me on 15.03.2022 (10 years 9 months and 29 days since it was rung as a chick. 528km from original ringing coordinates)
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 4th of July 2022 07:57:07 PM
Martin Loftus said
Sun May 22 4:45 PM, 2022
9am -10am
X3 Common Terns before the resident male chased one away.
X2 Curlew over
X4 linnet
Yesterday there was a single Greylag Goose with the Canada's. No sign today.
Martin Loftus said
Tue May 17 6:17 PM, 2022
4pm
Both common Terns still present.
Martin Loftus said
Sun May 15 9:12 AM, 2022
7am
Both common Terns still present. I witnessed them mating a few times also. The irony is that there is absolutely nowhere for them to safely brood a chick anywhere on the lodges.
Martin Loftus said
Mon May 9 5:33 PM, 2022
10am
x2 Common Terns
The rung (male) was hunting and displaying to a female on the top lodge, and every time he caught a fish he would land and give it to her along with doing a courtship display.
I also managed a partial ring number 326 and possibly 11 .
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 9th of May 2022 05:34:28 PM
Again like clockwork the Common Tern appeared briefly at the same time as Sunday, flew down to the bottom lodge where it caught a fish. It then spent 5 mins flying around the middle and top lodge calling loudly. It landed in the same spot for 5 mins with the fish but never ate it. occasionally calling. (Im thinking this behaviour was a display to try and attract a mate.) Then it flew off high towards Elton Res, with the fish.
Only thing of note was this Common Tern sat on the overflow control pipes on the top lodge. It had a ring on yet the details were facing the wrong way for the photo. It flew off in the direction of Elton Reservoir after a 5 mins rest.
Both Mediterranean gulls present in the compound of Meadowcroft farm on the middle lodge. Allowing me to get really close enabling me to finally achieved something I've been trying and obsessing about for the past 5 years, and I know Rob Archer has for longer than me. I finally got the full ring number off the Gull complete with photographic evidence. I've been in contact with the Belgian scheme that rung the bird and they were reluctant to take the sighting with us not having 100% confidence in the full number or photographic evidence.
So today I can say with utmost sincerity that the ring number is: E929220. I have just sent my sighting back to the scheme with all the relevant details and photos, where I eagerly await the birds history details.
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Tuesday 15th of March 2022 04:56:56 PM
Both Mediterranean gulls still present on the water on the middle lodge with approx 50 black-headed gulls. Before all flying off to roost in the direction of Belmont.
Juvenile peregrine flew over carrying prey, getting harrased off at least 10 corvids
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Thursday 10th of March 2022 05:29:51 PM
The breeding pair of Mediterranean gulls have turned back up for their 8th consecutive year. Coincidentally the farmer was muck spreading on his field on Slaidburn Drive, giving me some excellent veiws of them whilst they were pre occupied.
Richardson's Cackling Goose still present, but on field to North above the reservoir with 9 other Canada Geese.
Rob Creek said
Thu Apr 29 3:03 PM, 2021
Thursday 29th April
- Richardsons Cackling Goose
Still on middle res mid-morning, a smart looking Goose, this bird is a bit skittish and never came close to the edge of the res, always seemed to be favouring the company of 2 Canadas that were also on the timid side. Dont know if that behavioural observation would help the birds legitimacy but there you go.
I clocked the Cows in the field as I made the short walk from the path and over the small field to the reservoir edge, but as I walked back to the path near the break in the wall, I hadnt bargained on a huge Hereford Bull being no more than 25yds away. You cant see much of the field when you are stood at the res so I was a bit shocked to see it so close!
Thanks to Martin Loftus for the heads up parking and bird location.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 29th of April 2021 03:08:34 PM
5pm
Pair of Common Tern on the top lodge. One with a ring on the right leg.
Couldn't get any details from it. Possibly the same pair from previous years.
5pm: top lodge
X3 oystercatcher
X1 common tern
X2 Great crested Grebes
X2 swallow
3pm
x2 Male Wigeon & 58 Canada Geese on the middle lodge.
X1 LBB Gull & a Great crested Grebe in the top lodge.
3pm: of note
90+ Pink-footed Geese in the farm fields on the top lodge. This eclipses my previous record of 3 by a country mile!
X4 Little Egrets off Bently Hall Rd
X20+ Redwing
X2 female goosander on the top lodge
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 16th of February 2024 07:21:41 PM
Loop from my house this morning:
of note:
x1 stunning looking adult Great Black backed gull on the middle Lodge.
X1 snipe flew past me
x2 buzzard
x2 Sparrowhawk
x60+ redwing
x5 bullfinch
and I accidentally flushed 3 woodcock from the path on one of the fields off Bentley hall Rd, one of which nearly gave me a heart attack!
12pm
Over 350+ Fieldfare flew through the top lodge heading NW.
+37 Redwing
12pm - 1 pm
Of note:
X2 Common Tern
X8 Oystercatcher flock flying around the middle lodge then flew off SW.
3pm
X3 Pink-footed geese on the middle lodge
X2 Mediterranean gulls foraging distantly on the fields off Bentley hall rd.
12pm - 1:30pm
X3 little egrets on Slaidburn Drive fields.
X2 Pink-footed geese on middle lodge with the Canada geese
X2 Mediterranean Gulls on the field of the farm on the top lodge.
X2 Curlew calling from around top lodge.
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Saturday 18th of March 2023 08:31:41 PM
Both Mediterranean gulls present around the middle lodge at 12pm
Both flew off North at 1pm
The long returning pair of Mediterranean gulls returned this morning for their 9th consecutive year.
One has the tiniest, hard to read ring (E929220).
Rung as a chick. In Antwerp, Belgium on 17.05. 2011 Making it just short of 12 years old.
Also of note: middle lodge
X24 redwing
X1 treecreeper
X1 Greylag goose
X1 Pink-footed goose
X2 Buzzards
X1 goosander (f)
X7 cormorants
5pm
Single Pink-footed goose on the middle lodge with the Canada geese.
X19 Redwings roosting in a tree near Walshaw nursing home.
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 10th of March 2023 05:48:47 PM
3pm
X4 little egrets in the fields off Slaidburn Drive/Bentley hall road
This am of note:
X1 little egret in fields off Slaidburn Drive
Middle lodge
X6 common gulls (2 adults 4 juveniles)
X2 Oystercatcher
X2 great spotted woodpecker displaying to each other.
X1 Greylag with the Caneda geese.
Wet 2 hour circuit this morning.
Top lodge had most of the birdlife:
X1 Common gull
X1 Lesser black-backed gull
X 20+ black headed gulls
X3 goosander (2f 1m )
X1 Buzzard
X60 + flock of Redwing foraging in the sheepshead field
With 30+ starlings
X3 Mistle thrush
X2 Fieldfare.
On way back home I had X2 bullfinch, X3 Jays , and another
Small flock of x35 Redwings near Walshaw Nursing home.
And a new patch tick with a Treecreeper
3pm
X3 Stonechats on the top lodge.
X5 fieldfare in the trees near the sheep shed.
I also accidentally flushed a woodcock from one of the fields off Bentley Hall rd on the way home.
3:30 - 4:30pm
Absolutely outstanding numbers of Redwing and fieldfare slowly passing through the reservoirs and the surrounding fields. Low estimations of 4000+ redwing and 500+ fieldfare
One field had 2 perched up juvenile sparrowhawks and one kestrel all looking bemused and overwhelmed by the constant influx of prey flying around them.
4:30pm
A really nice looking adult winter plumage Mediterranean gull on the top lodge with 30+ black-headed gulls. All foraging in the field next to the sub station thing.
Extensive 3 hour walk round Lowercroft and the surrounding area this afternoon, in biblical weather!
Best bird of note was a very late Wheatear on Bentley Hall rd.
Quite a lot more meadow pipits about making their way south in small groups.
X1 buzzard
X1 kestrel
5pm
X2 Wheatear in the over flow channel at the top lodge
Small clusters of swallows passing through at intervals, counted 60+
5pm
Small group of swallows flew through being pursued by a hobby.
Single Wheatear on the side of the middle lodge.
5pm
x 2 Adult Mediterranean gulls flew through heading North, both on their own, 5 mins apart.
Whilst we are on the subject of Mediterranean Gulls, I received a letter from Belgium last week regarding the rung Mediterranean gull that has turned up here every spring for the past 7 plus years.
Ring number: E929220
Ringing date: 17.05. 2011
Ringing Place: Antwerp, Belgium (51.13 N - 004.22 E)
Reported by me on 15.03.2022 (10 years 9 months and 29 days since it was rung as a chick. 528km from original ringing coordinates)
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 4th of July 2022 07:57:07 PM
9am -10am
X3 Common Terns before the resident male chased one away.
X2 Curlew over
X4 linnet
Yesterday there was a single Greylag Goose with the Canada's. No sign today.
4pm
Both common Terns still present.
7am
Both common Terns still present. I witnessed them mating a few times also. The irony is that there is absolutely nowhere for them to safely brood a chick anywhere on the lodges.
10am
x2 Common Terns
The rung (male) was hunting and displaying to a female on the top lodge, and every time he caught a fish he would land and give it to her along with doing a courtship display.
I also managed a partial ring number 326 and possibly 11 .
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 9th of May 2022 05:34:28 PM
4pm
Again like clockwork the Common Tern appeared briefly at the same time as Sunday, flew down to the bottom lodge where it caught a fish. It then spent 5 mins flying around the middle and top lodge calling loudly. It landed in the same spot for 5 mins with the fish but never ate it. occasionally calling. (Im thinking this behaviour was a display to try and attract a mate.) Then it flew off high towards Elton Res, with the fish.
x3 Oystercatchers Also
4pm
Only thing of note was this Common Tern sat on the overflow control pipes on the top lodge. It had a ring on yet the details were facing the wrong way for the photo. It flew off in the direction of Elton Reservoir after a 5 mins rest.
3,30pm
Both Mediterranean gulls present in the compound of Meadowcroft farm on the middle lodge. Allowing me to get really close enabling me to finally achieved something I've been trying and obsessing about for the past 5 years, and I know Rob Archer has for longer than me. I finally got the full ring number off the Gull complete with photographic evidence. I've been in contact with the Belgian scheme that rung the bird and they were reluctant to take the sighting with us not having 100% confidence in the full number or photographic evidence.
So today I can say with utmost sincerity that the ring number is: E929220. I have just sent my sighting back to the scheme with all the relevant details and photos, where I eagerly await the birds history details.
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Tuesday 15th of March 2022 04:56:56 PM
3pm till 5pm
x2 Mediterranean gulls still present. Constantly flying to and from the middle lodge to the fields on Slaidburn drive for foraging and resting.
x2 Oystercatchers
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Sunday 13th of March 2022 08:57:09 PM
3:30pm -4:30pm
Both Mediterranean gulls still present on the water on the middle lodge with approx 50 black-headed gulls. Before all flying off to roost in the direction of Belmont.
Juvenile peregrine flew over carrying prey, getting harrased off at least 10 corvids
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Thursday 10th of March 2022 05:29:51 PM
2pm
The breeding pair of Mediterranean gulls have turned back up for their 8th consecutive year. Coincidentally the farmer was muck spreading on his field on Slaidburn Drive, giving me some excellent veiws of them whilst they were pre occupied.
Also 2 little Egrets in the same field.
4:30pm
X3 little Egrets at High Crompton farm on Bentley Hall Road
This Am:
Flock of 60+ redwings around Meadowcroft farm
Only 1 Little Egret in the field off Bentley Hall road.
X1 Female sparrowhawk stalking the redwings.
This pm
X2 little Egrets still on the fields off Bentley Hall road and Slaidburn Drive. Been present daily for the past 4 weeks now.
1pm
X2 Little Egrets foraging on the field off Bentley Hall road/ Slaidburn Drive.
This Am:
Kingfisher near the overflow pipes on middle lodge.
Good numbers of Redwing in the surrounding Hawthorn hedges.
big female sparrowhawk hunting along the hedges on Bentley hall road.
7:05pm
Two very vocal curlew over the lodges towards Affetside.
12noon
Grasshopper warbler reeling from the marsh below the cause way on the middle lodge.
Nipped down early evening yesterday, just before the rain and got excellent views of the Cackling Goose, my goodness it's a mini Canada Goose !!
Cackling Goose still present this afternoon. It's a bit of a shock seeing how small they are compared to Canada Geese (see images)
9:45am
Cackling goose showing really well in the middle lodge
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 30th of April 2021 10:56:35 AM
Richardson's Cackling Goose still present, but on field to North above the reservoir with 9 other Canada Geese.
- Richardsons Cackling Goose
Still on middle res mid-morning, a smart looking Goose, this bird is a bit skittish and never came close to the edge of the res, always seemed to be favouring the company of 2 Canadas that were also on the timid side.
Dont know if that behavioural observation would help the birds legitimacy but there you go.
I clocked the Cows in the field as I made the short walk from the path and over the small field to the reservoir edge, but as I walked back to the path near the break in the wall, I hadnt bargained on a huge Hereford Bull being no more than 25yds away. You cant see much of the field when you are stood at the res so I was a bit shocked to see it so close!
Thanks to Martin Loftus for the heads up parking and bird location.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 29th of April 2021 03:08:34 PM
Had a look in the evening at the small Canada Goose at Lowercroft Reservoir, an interesting bird!
8:50am
Cackling goose still present but on the other side of the middle lodge.