A 4hr amble along the Prom between the Jetty and Fairhaven Lake. produced a few new wader ticks for the year
Fairhaven Lake: 12 Mute Swan a few Common Gulls amongst the Herring and BH Gulls plus Canada Geese, Mallards & a couple of Pied Wagtails
Granny's Bay & Church Scar - down to the Jetty 1 Ruff 4 Turnstone 200+ Common Redshank 100+ Knot 150+ Sanderling 30+ Dunlin c80 Pintail c40 Teal 8 Skylark 2 Meadow Pipit 400+ Oystercatcher 6 Curlew plus the common Gull species
Richard Thew said
Sat Feb 3 2:32 PM, 2018
A visit back to Fairhaven lake to try and photograph any possible jack snipes flushed by the high tide. After months of planning- didn't do too well on the picture side of things (though I've not checked them all yet) due to the speed of their flight but I did get to see at least 100 common snipes and a minimum of 8 jack snipes (deja-vu). At the end, the last two jack snipes to fly at high tide gave some belting but brief views in flight. Also worth a note was 2 bar tailed godwits, 2 pochard close, 2nd winter great black backed gull, skylark, meadow pipit and linnets. Ta!
Richard Thew said
Fri Mar 11 1:18 PM, 2016
A very good morning though battling a mild headache. several birds of interest included grey wagtail, a flock of linnets, reed bunting, little egret dunlin, knot, common Snipe and the star.... Jack Snipe (about 8 i saw escaping the tide) yeehaa! I must admit Jack snipe are slightly bigger than what I expected thought still smaller than the common Snipe. To watch out for Jack Snipe here, walk a stones throw from the lake along the beach and wait for the high tide. Off to look at preston docks next......
Steve Almond said
Wed Oct 14 3:56 PM, 2015
This morning:
Snow Bunting at jetty Great White Egret 2
Phil Hampson said
Tue Sep 22 5:33 PM, 2015
Black-necked Grebe showed well albeit distantly today. One fracas with Little Grebe was interesting.
Phil
John Rayner said
Wed Sep 16 9:36 AM, 2015
Tried for Wryneck yesterday (15th) after news that it had been seen at 09.15. Arrived about 11.45 and 20-30 birders, some from GM, came and went during the next 3 hours with only a Whinchat to enjoy. After almost a 3 hour wait, at 14.32, the Wryneck suddenly popped up out of nowhere and began preening out in the open for the next 11 minutes giving excellent and prolonged views. It then flew to the right (westwards) and dropped out of sight behind a large patch of gorse. Walking round the perimeter of the compound to view from various points I eventually ended up on a high dune by the west fence line where there is a good overview of the whole site. Eventually picked up the Wryneck again but it was back on its favoured preening perch and now at about twice the range. However, it then flew towards me and landed in fairly deep but patchy grass around low brick structures where it could be 'scoped feeding on the ground. Not a bad place to search from if it is out of view for a long period.
Cheers John
Paul Richardson said
Mon Sep 14 10:43 PM, 2015
Today 14th Sept 0830 - 11am Cool, cloudy, some spots of rain
After a fairly lengthy wait the assembled group of about 15 birders had good views of the Wryneck from the main road side of the pumping station around 10.30 to 11am today. It was quite flighty and wasn't showing for more than about 45 seconds at a time before dropping to feed on the ground, but while up on the bushes it showed well.
Loads of Swallow activity at the beach end of the pumping station, with one late swift flying about too.
Plenty of greenfinch, goldfinch around the pumping station too, as well as 2 chiffchaff being seen.
john tromans said
Mon Sep 14 8:20 PM, 2015
Couldn't resist going for the Fairhaven Wryneck today and I was not disapointed getting good and prolonged views on three separate occasions in bright conditions around lunchtime and despite a poor weather forecast. A cracking bird and giving the best views that I've ever had of one of my favourite birds. Did it by train from Hazel Grove with ease.
Rob Creek said
Mon Sep 14 2:33 PM, 2015
Sunday 13th Feb. Couldn't resist another visit to see the Wryneck, with Simon Gough and later joined by Steve Burke. Some other familiar faces turned up too!
Arrived before 3pm and the Wryneck was picked up at 3.05pm. It showed well and for lengthy periods up until around 6pm. It dropped down out of sight for a few minutes then appearing again, slowly making its way up branches in what was seemingly becoming its favourite tree near the pillars. It soon became a battle of wits as we had pitched ourselves near the roadside opposite the usual viewing point and both parties of birders were trying to second guess who had it in their sights. Well we were certainly not disappointed as we had excellent views, in the tree, in the Gorse (where at one point it was in full view to us but out of sight to the birders opposite), we had it feeding on the floor which was quite high up level with the UU building roof at one point. (Just to clarify...the ground is level with the roof of the UU building, there were Rabbits on it) It then went one step further and came onto the UU roof but it flew off pretty sharpish. We saw it from all angles showing off its brilliant plumage, blending in with its surroundings, and we even got a view where it was feeding using its long pink tongue. Fantastic!
Other birds of note... Greenfinch Goldfinch Chaffinch Chiffchaff Great Spotted Woodpecker Whitethroat Blackbird Dunnock
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 14th of September 2015 02:36:15 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 14th of September 2015 05:55:57 PM
Simon Gough said
Mon Sep 14 10:33 AM, 2015
Second visit yesterday with Rob Creek for the Wryneck, I'm sure Rob will produce a post at some point. Just wanted to reassure folks that the bird has typically been showing really well after 5pm so it might not be essential to get there too early. It has been reported today on Birdguides so hopefully will play nicely later on.
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Monday 14th of September 2015 10:35:09 AM
Rhys Richards said
Sun Sep 13 8:13 PM, 2015
Great views of the Wryneck at around 12.15pm today showed really well for about 10mins , a lifer for me!!!! Also a s/pl Grey Plover on the beach too
M Gannon said
Sun Sep 13 5:37 PM, 2015
After a twenty minute wait (which was a lot less than most other birders that were there) the wryneck showed at around 2:30 this afternoon. Initially it was very hard to pick out as it blended in perfectly with the bush it was in; in fact, if it hadn't been preening itself, no one would have probably noticed it. Fortunately, it moved to a more exposed part of the bush, allowing good scope views for a minute or two before it dropped back out of view.
The views weren't fantastic, but it was still a cracking bird and a good lifer
Rob Creek said
Sat Sep 12 9:49 PM, 2015
Rob Creek wrote:
Arrived here at 4.30pm due to work and everyone has now gone, the Wryneck apparently hasn't shown since about 11am, but it's just been showing really well and nobody else here but me to enjoy it. I'm gonna stay a bit longer now.
A Lifer for me, well chuffed!!!
Only a quick post before mainly as a heads up for anyone who may have been I n the area that the Wryneck was showing. Little did I know it would keep showing, from 5.17pm right through til gone 6pm. I took some shots periodically to prove the time and that I wasn't seeing things. Last photo taken was 5.51pm as it had moved again slightly and was slightly obscured so camera kept focusing on the twig in front of it.
The bird appeared near the gorse around the pillars, it flew to another tree a few feet away and decided to show well there too. It moved about a cm then started preening, then moved back and preened some more. I was joined by a couple of birders who were overjoyed that I'd located it, and a Fylde birder turned up just as it disappeared but he glanced at my photos for time proof as he wanted to post it on the Fylde Sightings Forum.
This is probably one of the best birds I've ever seen!
Other birds of note... 1 female Sparrowhawk (seen twice) 1 fem/juv? Linnet 2 Siskin over 2 Meadow Pipit Usual Gulls over ...then a stream of a few hundred Corvids over one of the Lytham back roads dropping down into farmland
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 12th of September 2015 09:56:43 PM
Rob Creek said
Sat Sep 12 5:28 PM, 2015
Arrived here at 4.30pm due to work and everyone has now gone, the Wryneck apparently hasn't shown since about 11am, but it's just been showing really well and nobody else here but me to enjoy it. I'm gonna stay a bit longer now.
A Lifer for me, well chuffed!!!
Simon Gough said
Sat Sep 12 4:51 PM, 2015
A visit today for my first ever Wryneck. After a wait of over an hour it showed well at 10.30 for a couple of minutes in the top of bushes in the middle of the compound, disappeared when a shower came in, then I managed to pick it up again just after the rain stopped. So distinctive, hopefully I'll get a bit closer to the next one. No sign again before I left at 12.30
The tide coming in meant a big roost of Oystercatchers and Gulls on the beach and plenty of Shelduck, it didn't flush anything but there were some Knot and Dunlin about and also some nice Grey Plovers moulting out of their summer plumage. A Whitethroat and a busy flock of Goldfinch were within the compound too
steven burke said
Thu Sep 10 10:56 PM, 2015
decided to have a visit & try my luck after work, 5.30-8pm, it payed off for me, a barred warbler showed well through the scope on 4 occasions in the willow tree mentioned in the pumping station grounds. the wryneck decided to be a little less cooperative though & only showed the once & briefly as it sat near the top of the gorse, so I managed a scope view of its head, neck & part of the back, still a good enough view to id it other birds around... 1 peregrine falcon 1 sparrowhawk 11 snipe flew out of the marsh.
John Watson said
Thu Sep 10 3:14 PM, 2015
Wryneck & 2 Barred Warblers (1 ringed) in willow tree inside pumping station grounds, just W of the lake. Showing occasionally - well what do you expect ! View from sand dune to S of grounds. Note, parking attendants active, but you could park on the road instead.
Chris Sutton said
Thu Sep 10 3:12 PM, 2015
11:30am to 2:00pm. Fairhaven Dunes. - Wryneck x 1 - Barred Warbler x 1 (2 reported by local birders - one a ringed bird) Both birds located in pump station compound by car park at north end of Fairhaven Lake. Go out back of car park and view back over compound (which is adjacent to the car park) - viewing from dunes. Both birds seen in a large willow bush at car park end of the compound. Both birds around a dark hole/gap in the foliage at centre/base of the bush. Wryneck skulking within this gap in the foliage. Local birders reported Barred Warbler showing well early on but was more elusive when I was there - after c 1 hour it seemed to come back from Fairhaven lake area. Wryneck on and off as it dropped from bush to the ground. Chris
Phil Hampson said
Wed Aug 19 3:37 PM, 2015
Drake Greater scaup showing well at the west end of the lake (i.e. Blackpool end) right in the corner between 08:45 and 09:15 . Very confiding and spent most of its the time preening.
Phil
Paul Richardson said
Tue Aug 11 10:56 PM, 2015
Early morning at Fairhaven Lake the drake Greater Scaup showed well. High tide over on the shore was at 0930 and there were large numbers of waders - Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, and several Curlew. Of note for me was the small group of 4 summer plumage Grey Plover - first time I have seen them in summer glory - very distant but great view.
Phil Hampson said
Mon Aug 10 6:33 PM, 2015
A visit to Fairhaven Lake today with John Rayner brought excellent views of the scaup and a black-tailed godwit in nice but not pristine plumage, understandably. Both at the Blackpool end of the lake.
Phil
-- Edited by Phil Hampson on Monday 10th of August 2015 07:14:34 PM
steven burke said
Sun Aug 9 10:35 PM, 2015
a pleasant afternoon/evening around the lake & beach.
drake scaup, showing really well down to around 10yds. 6 tufted duck
the fenced off scrubby area next to the lake produced...
30+ bar tailed godwit 8 grey plover looking absolutely stunning in there summer plumage dunlin knot sanderling redshank oystercatcher curlew ringed plover 31 eider, drifting down the estuary as the tide was coming in late on. numerous common & sandwich terns 3 little egret 3 grey heron swift, swallow & house martin whizzing around plus all the usuals
paul brady said
Mon Jul 20 9:55 PM, 2015
3 common sandpiper today and a nice brood of tufted ducks (minus 1 by way of lesser black-backed gull though!)
James Walsh said
Sat Jun 27 10:15 PM, 2015
Drake Greater Scaup on Fairhaven Lake
Keith Williams said
Mon May 4 10:13 PM, 2015
Scaup on Fairhaven Lake today, Blackpool end of the lake.
Peter Harling said
Wed Apr 22 9:35 PM, 2015
Red-throated Diver still on Fairhaven lake today!
Rob Creek said
Sun Apr 19 9:18 PM, 2015
No sign of the Red-throated Diver. I searched the whole lake and the coastal area but couldn't locate it.
Lots of usuals including... Canada Geese Tufted Duck Black-headed Gulls Lesser Black-backed Gulls Also... Oystercatcher Redshank Shelduck Plenty of Goldfinch about
bernard hooley said
Sat Apr 18 8:10 AM, 2015
hi peter the birds were seen from the boardwalk next to the rnli shop and off the road at the side of the lake bernard
Peter Harling said
Fri Apr 17 6:06 PM, 2015
Thanks for the report Bernard... Where these seen from the area of the lake and shore?
-- Edited by peterpimlico on Friday 17th of April 2015 06:11:35 PM
bernard hooley said
Thu Apr 16 9:45 AM, 2015
had an appointment at the land registry in Lytham so decided to go birding afterwards birds seen as follows cormorant 14 shelduck 10 oystercatcher 11 black tailed godwit 17 redshank 8 common sandpiper 2 black headed gull 17 herring gull 8 lbb gull 4 gbb gull 2 wood pigeon 5 sky lark 2 robin 1 wheatear 2 blackbird 4 magpie 4 carrion crow 2 starling 5 house sparrow 4 twite 2 jackdaw 8 spotted redshank 2
Ian Boote said
Sun Mar 1 12:55 PM, 2015
Keith Williams wrote:
Red-Throated Diver showed very well at the Blackpool end of Fairhaven Lake yesterday.
It was today as well despite the wind.
Keith Williams said
Mon Feb 23 8:52 AM, 2015
Red-Throated Diver showed very well at the Blackpool end of Fairhaven Lake yesterday.
Vicky Harper said
Sun Jan 4 3:41 PM, 2015
Managed to catch up with the GG shrike at 9:30 today on scrubland opposite Eastleigh animal sanctuary after searching last week in the wrong area :/ The bird showed well for 15 minutes then caught prey and disappeared behind some brambles for a short while.
John Watson said
Sun Jan 4 8:49 AM, 2015
Simon, try Lytham crem for RN Parakeets. Almost guaranteed, in trees to the right after entering. I say "almost" because we dipped yesterday having been told that 7 flew into gardens just before we arrived.
Appropriate respect if there's a service, obviously.
Simon Gough said
Sat Jan 3 10:33 PM, 2015
As Rob says the Scaup and GG Shrike were both lifers for me, so with my first Shorelark the weekend before that's 3 top birds on the Fylde in a week. Thanks to our taxi driver as well, a nice luxury for Steve and me to get driven around. I'll head back to Lytham I'm sure, it looked like some cracking birding could be had there, hundreds of birds up in the air and some great habitats.
Reading some posts below about a trek to see the Shrike, I feel quite lucky to have seen it so easily. We avoided 2 hours of steady rain by about 15 minutes too. I bet I break a mirror tomorrow though, I'm never that lucky normally...
Rob Creek said
Sat Jan 3 9:48 PM, 2015
Quick visit for the Great Grey Shrike.
No sooner had we parked the car at the Animal Sanctuary path, Simon was onto his 2nd Lifer after the Scaup minutes earlier. The Shrike showed really well on top of a tree first, slap bang in the middle of the usual brambles, then dropped onto the tops of the brambles themselves which made for better viewing. If that wasn't good enough, it positioned itself to within about 50-60 yards of us in a tree along the footpath where we were stood. Fantastic!
Other birds... 2x Kestrel 1x Common Buzzard 2x Song Thrush Plenty of Blackbird and Robin Rooks, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jackdaws in a flock of approx 250-300 over A few Wren Plenty of Woodpigeon around 1x Pheasant
Rob Creek said
Sat Jan 3 9:36 PM, 2015
RSPB Fairhaven Lake and coastal area (with Steve Burke + Simon Gough)
2 x female Red-legged Partridge ran across the country lane as we approached Fairhaven. 1 x Drake Red-breasted Merganser on main lake infront of car park. 1 x Drake Greater Scaup also on main lake constantly diving. (Seen more easily from the main road) 1 Drake Pochard Tufted Ducks and Mallards in abundance. Great Crested Grebe Common and Black-headed Gulls around 1x Redwing over main lake calling
On the coastal area... 2 Curlew Oystercatchers Pintail in several groups swimming and flyovers Knot in a flock of around 150 low over the sea Sanderling around 50-75 not far behind the Knot Herring and Black-headed Gulls
Next to Lytham Moss
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 3rd of January 2015 09:36:50 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 3rd of January 2015 09:49:21 PM
Vicky Harper said
Sun Dec 28 5:40 PM, 2014
At Lytham Moss from 1-2 yesterday.
Missed the Great Grey Shrike sadly.
Birds and mammals of note:
Barn owl
2+ Reed bunting
4 Roe deer
1 Snipe flushed by deer
Kestrel
Common Buzzard
Charm of 50 Goldfinch
Heron
paul shaw said
Sat Dec 27 4:37 PM, 2014
11.00am -12.15pm
Great grey shrike again showing well in the rain, just 50 yards down the path, very active and obliging with great views.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Dec 14 7:10 PM, 2014
Shrike still showing well early afternoon, plus a pair of Scaup on Fairhaven Lake and 5 Ring-necked Parakeets around the crematorium grounds
Nev Wright said
Sun Dec 14 3:51 PM, 2014
12.30 Great Grey Shrike showing well in the rain in scrubland opposite the entrance to Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary entrance road on Queensway. Take careit's a busy road!! Many thanks to the various birders at Rossall Point giving me directions Cheers Nev
Rob Creek said
Mon Dec 8 9:31 AM, 2014
James Walsh wrote:
Sunday 7th December
Great Grey Shrike showing well @ Lytham Moss Drake Greater Scaup showing well @ Fairhaven Lake
...you went back for more on Sunday then James? Glad you got it! I called in quickly on Saturday also on way back from Blackpool and missed the Shrike.
Other birds in 25 mins... 2 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Dunnock 1 Wren Few Carrion Crow and Magpie around.
James Walsh said
Mon Dec 8 7:51 AM, 2014
Sunday 7th December
Great Grey Shrike showing well @ Lytham Moss Drake Greater Scaup showing well @ Fairhaven Lake
Mark Burgess said
Fri Dec 5 1:33 PM, 2014
Great Grey Shrike still present this morning 9.00am, Easily found as it's as expected always atop a shrub or other high vantage point, Very flighty but confining itself to the bramble and shrubs to the left of the path, Giving good views down to 20 meters or so.
Sarfraz Hayat said
Thu Dec 4 9:50 PM, 2014
Hi all
Thanks for your help! Got there easily and drove around the area bit to see if it could be spotted from the car but no. I had read on the Fylde Bird Club website that it as seen to fly to Division Lane area, which I drove down but no luck. I parked up opposite the road that leads to the sanctuary. It is surprising how busy that area is. I did not pull out my binoculars until I got to the path and down I went. There were lots of brambles which of course is a good thing. I don't think I have ever seen that many before. At first I thought I heard a Shrike and then as I scanned across the tops of the scrub there was one perched and flicking it's tail. Luckily I did not have to walk 5 miles! It perched and one dropped into the scrub but nothing. Flying straight at it from a distance was a Magpie but the Shrike spotted it and dropped out of site. It disappeared out of view but came into sight 20 metres further down where I got fairly close to it. I wish it had bee sunny as I could have taken photographs which I could have been happy with!
I missed the post on the Starlings sadly but it may have been too far. There was a Shore Lark at Rossal and Snow Buntings on the dunes near Lytham but sadly no time for them in the end. Oh well felt happy enough to see the Shrike- especially with one sighted in Rossendale on the 28th of September this year and then most likely the same bird photographed on the 21st of October. People did look for that but no luck. This one makes up for it! I was with the Shrike from 2.30-3.30
Sarfraz
I stopped off at the McDonalds in Warton for a festive pie and from the scrub I heard a brief song which sounded like a Whitethroat but I guess was a sub-song. I have never heard Whitethroat sub-song and it would be too late for them now although I know a few have been recorded still in the country over the last few weeks. I suppose it could be a Blackcap as I have never really heard them in sub-song too. I did not even bother to make the effort to look for it. Too busy eating!
-- Edited by Sarfraz Hayat on Thursday 4th of December 2014 09:55:56 PM
-- Edited by Sarfraz Hayat on Thursday 4th of December 2014 09:56:39 PM
Rob Creek said
Thu Dec 4 6:14 PM, 2014
Sarfraz Hayat wrote:
Hi Rob
Thanks! Will see what I can do. It is not a lifer so not desperate for it but always good to see a Shrike especially with work close by. Is it muddy?
Sarfraz
It's basically farm tracks and footpaths like you'd expect in open moss land. But the bird has been showing again where we saw it, as Mark says...its a footpath virtually opposite the Animal Sanctuary sign, walk down the path literally yards and look to your left towards the industrial units, it sits on top of the brambles around there.
Mark Battersby said
Thu Dec 4 12:59 PM, 2014
The shrike spent all day on Wednesday in the scrub on the land opposite to the road to Easterleigh Animal sanctuary. Park on the side road that leads to the sanctuary, next to the large hoarding, cross the main road and go down the path which is 50 yards to the right. It was flying around that (not very big) area all day. The starlings roost on the North pier is also worth a visit. approx. 100k + birds, although split into several flocks. They start arriving around 3.30pm.
-- Edited by Mark Battersby on Thursday 4th of December 2014 01:11:35 PM
-- Edited by Mark Battersby on Thursday 4th of December 2014 01:19:29 PM
Sarfraz Hayat said
Wed Dec 3 10:07 PM, 2014
Hi Rob
Thanks! Will see what I can do. It is not a lifer so not desperate for it but always good to see a Shrike especially with work close by. Is it muddy?
Sarfraz
Rob Creek said
Wed Dec 3 6:57 PM, 2014
Sarfraz Hayat wrote:
Hi all,
Might be in the area tomorrow for work won't have long. The area the shrike covers, are you allowed to drive around? With work I may have limited time.
Hi Sarfraz, The area the GG Shrike was covering when myself and Steve Burke were there and taking into account the sightings as a whole, unfortunately is not the best for driving around. Most of it is footpaths and a bit of off-roading so to speak around the Animal Sanctuary so although there is some access, it would be limited in my view to staff and farm vehicles. It does seem to show quite well though on the opposite side of the road in the brambles near the traffic lights, and could well be visible just yards from your vehicle. Good Luck! Hope this helps. Rob
Sarfraz Hayat said
Wed Dec 3 6:43 PM, 2014
Hi all,
Might be in the area tomorrow for work won't have long. The area the shrike covers, are you allowed to drive around? With work I may have limited time.
Fairhaven Lake:
12 Mute Swan
a few Common Gulls amongst the Herring and BH Gulls
plus Canada Geese, Mallards & a couple of Pied Wagtails
Granny's Bay & Church Scar - down to the Jetty
1 Ruff
4 Turnstone
200+ Common Redshank
100+ Knot
150+ Sanderling
30+ Dunlin
c80 Pintail
c40 Teal
8 Skylark
2 Meadow Pipit
400+ Oystercatcher
6 Curlew
plus the common Gull species
Snow Bunting at jetty
Great White Egret 2
Phil
After almost a 3 hour wait, at 14.32, the Wryneck suddenly popped up out of nowhere and began preening out in the open for the next 11 minutes giving excellent and prolonged views. It then flew to the right (westwards) and dropped out of sight behind a large patch of gorse.
Walking round the perimeter of the compound to view from various points I eventually ended up on a high dune by the west fence line where there is a good overview of the whole site.
Eventually picked up the Wryneck again but it was back on its favoured preening perch and now at about twice the range. However, it then flew towards me and landed in fairly deep but patchy grass around low brick structures where it could be 'scoped feeding on the ground. Not a bad place to search from if it is out of view for a long period.
Cheers John
After a fairly lengthy wait the assembled group of about 15 birders had good views of the Wryneck from the main road side of the pumping station around 10.30 to 11am today. It was quite flighty and wasn't showing for more than about 45 seconds at a time before dropping to feed on the ground, but while up on the bushes it showed well.
Loads of Swallow activity at the beach end of the pumping station, with one late swift flying about too.
Plenty of greenfinch, goldfinch around the pumping station too, as well as 2 chiffchaff being seen.
Couldn't resist another visit to see the Wryneck, with Simon Gough and later joined by Steve Burke. Some other familiar faces turned up too!
Arrived before 3pm and the Wryneck was picked up at 3.05pm. It showed well and for lengthy periods up until around 6pm. It dropped down out of sight for a few minutes then appearing again, slowly making its way up branches in what was seemingly becoming its favourite tree near the pillars.
It soon became a battle of wits as we had pitched ourselves near the roadside opposite the usual viewing point and both parties of birders were trying to second guess who had it in their sights.
Well we were certainly not disappointed as we had excellent views, in the tree, in the Gorse (where at one point it was in full view to us but out of sight to the birders opposite), we had it feeding on the floor which was quite high up level with the UU building roof at one point.
(Just to clarify...the ground is level with the roof of the UU building, there were Rabbits on it)
It then went one step further and came onto the UU roof but it flew off pretty sharpish. We saw it from all angles showing off its brilliant plumage, blending in with its surroundings, and we even got a view where it was feeding using its long pink tongue.
Fantastic!
Other birds of note...
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Whitethroat
Blackbird
Dunnock
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 14th of September 2015 02:36:15 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 14th of September 2015 05:55:57 PM
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Monday 14th of September 2015 10:35:09 AM
The views weren't fantastic, but it was still a cracking bird and a good lifer
Only a quick post before mainly as a heads up for anyone who may have been I n the area that the Wryneck was showing.
Little did I know it would keep showing, from 5.17pm right through til gone 6pm. I took some shots periodically to prove the time and that I wasn't seeing things. Last photo taken was 5.51pm as it had moved again slightly and was slightly obscured so camera kept focusing on the twig in front of it.
The bird appeared near the gorse around the pillars, it flew to another tree a few feet away and decided to show well there too. It moved about a cm then started preening, then moved back and preened some more. I was joined by a couple of birders who were overjoyed that I'd located it, and a Fylde birder turned up just as it disappeared but he glanced at my photos for time proof as he wanted to post it on the Fylde Sightings Forum.
This is probably one of the best birds I've ever seen!
Other birds of note...
1 female Sparrowhawk (seen twice)
1 fem/juv? Linnet
2 Siskin over
2 Meadow Pipit
Usual Gulls over
...then a stream of a few hundred Corvids over one of the Lytham back roads dropping down into farmland
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 12th of September 2015 09:56:43 PM
A Lifer for me, well chuffed!!!
The tide coming in meant a big roost of Oystercatchers and Gulls on the beach and plenty of Shelduck, it didn't flush anything but there were some Knot and Dunlin about and also some nice Grey Plovers moulting out of their summer plumage. A Whitethroat and a busy flock of Goldfinch were within the compound too
the wryneck decided to be a little less cooperative though & only showed the once & briefly as it sat near the top of the gorse, so I managed a scope view of its head, neck & part of the back, still a good enough view to id it
other birds around...
1 peregrine falcon
1 sparrowhawk
11 snipe flew out of the marsh.
- Wryneck x 1
- Barred Warbler x 1 (2 reported by local birders - one a ringed bird)
Both birds located in pump station compound by car park at north end of Fairhaven Lake. Go out back of car park and view back over compound (which is adjacent to the car park) - viewing from dunes. Both birds seen in a large willow bush at car park end of the compound. Both birds around a dark hole/gap in the foliage at centre/base of the bush. Wryneck skulking within this gap in the foliage. Local birders reported Barred Warbler showing well early on but was more elusive when I was there - after c 1 hour it seemed to come back from Fairhaven lake area. Wryneck on and off as it dropped from bush to the ground.
Chris
Phil
Phil
-- Edited by Phil Hampson on Monday 10th of August 2015 07:14:34 PM
drake scaup, showing really well down to around 10yds.
6 tufted duck
the fenced off scrubby area next to the lake produced...
male & female wheatear
1 whitethroat
1 chiffchaff
reed bunting
linnet
goldfinch
greenfinch
along the beach...
30+ bar tailed godwit
8 grey plover looking absolutely stunning in there summer plumage
dunlin
knot
sanderling
redshank
oystercatcher
curlew
ringed plover
31 eider, drifting down the estuary as the tide was coming in late on.
numerous common & sandwich terns
3 little egret
3 grey heron
swift, swallow & house martin whizzing around
plus all the usuals
Lots of usuals including...
Canada Geese
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gulls
Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Also...
Oystercatcher
Redshank
Shelduck
Plenty of Goldfinch about
the birds were seen from the boardwalk next to the rnli shop and off the road at the side of the lake
bernard
-- Edited by peterpimlico on Friday 17th of April 2015 06:11:35 PM
cormorant 14
shelduck 10
oystercatcher 11
black tailed godwit 17
redshank 8
common sandpiper 2
black headed gull 17
herring gull 8
lbb gull 4
gbb gull 2
wood pigeon 5
sky lark 2
robin 1
wheatear 2
blackbird 4
magpie 4
carrion crow 2
starling 5
house sparrow 4
twite 2
jackdaw 8
spotted redshank 2
It was today as well despite the wind.
Appropriate respect if there's a service, obviously.
Reading some posts below about a trek to see the Shrike, I feel quite lucky to have seen it so easily. We avoided 2 hours of steady rain by about 15 minutes too. I bet I break a mirror tomorrow though, I'm never that lucky normally...
No sooner had we parked the car at the Animal Sanctuary path, Simon was onto his 2nd Lifer after the Scaup minutes earlier.
The Shrike showed really well on top of a tree first, slap bang in the middle of the usual brambles, then dropped onto the tops of the brambles themselves which made for better viewing.
If that wasn't good enough, it positioned itself to within about 50-60 yards of us in a tree along the footpath where we were stood. Fantastic!
Other birds...
2x Kestrel
1x Common Buzzard
2x Song Thrush
Plenty of Blackbird and Robin
Rooks, Carrion Crows, Magpies,
Jackdaws in a flock of approx 250-300 over
A few Wren
Plenty of Woodpigeon around
1x Pheasant
2 x female Red-legged Partridge ran across the country lane as we approached Fairhaven.
1 x Drake Red-breasted Merganser on main lake infront of car park.
1 x Drake Greater Scaup also on main lake constantly diving.
(Seen more easily from the main road)
1 Drake Pochard
Tufted Ducks and Mallards in abundance.
Great Crested Grebe
Common and Black-headed Gulls around
1x Redwing over main lake calling
On the coastal area...
2 Curlew
Oystercatchers
Pintail in several groups swimming and flyovers
Knot in a flock of around 150 low over the sea
Sanderling around 50-75 not far behind the Knot
Herring and Black-headed Gulls
Next to Lytham Moss
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 3rd of January 2015 09:36:50 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 3rd of January 2015 09:49:21 PM
Great Grey Shrike showing well in the rain in scrubland opposite the entrance to Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary entrance road on Queensway.
Take careit's a busy road!!
Many thanks to the various birders at Rossall Point giving me directions
Cheers
Nev
...you went back for more on Sunday then James? Glad you got it!
I called in quickly on Saturday also on way back from Blackpool and missed the Shrike.
Other birds in 25 mins...
2 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Dunnock
1 Wren
Few Carrion Crow and Magpie around.
Great Grey Shrike showing well @ Lytham Moss
Drake Greater Scaup showing well @ Fairhaven Lake
Thanks for your help! Got there easily and drove around the area bit to see if it could be spotted from the car but no. I had read on the Fylde Bird Club website that it as seen to fly to Division Lane area, which I drove down but no luck. I parked up opposite the road that leads to the sanctuary. It is surprising how busy that area is. I did not pull out my binoculars until I got to the path and down I went. There were lots of brambles which of course is a good thing. I don't think I have ever seen that many before. At first I thought I heard a Shrike and then as I scanned across the tops of the scrub there was one perched and flicking it's tail. Luckily I did not have to walk 5 miles! It perched and one dropped into the scrub but nothing. Flying straight at it from a distance was a Magpie but the Shrike spotted it and dropped out of site. It disappeared out of view but came into sight 20 metres further down where I got fairly close to it. I wish it had bee sunny as I could have taken photographs which I could have been happy with!
I missed the post on the Starlings sadly but it may have been too far. There was a Shore Lark at Rossal and Snow Buntings on the dunes near Lytham but sadly no time for them in the end. Oh well felt happy enough to see the Shrike- especially with one sighted in Rossendale on the 28th of September this year and then most likely the same bird photographed on the 21st of October. People did look for that but no luck. This one makes up for it! I was with the Shrike from 2.30-3.30
Sarfraz
I stopped off at the McDonalds in Warton for a festive pie and from the scrub I heard a brief song which sounded like a Whitethroat but I guess was a sub-song. I have never heard Whitethroat sub-song and it would be too late for them now although I know a few have been recorded still in the country over the last few weeks. I suppose it could be a Blackcap as I have never really heard them in sub-song too. I did not even bother to make the effort to look for it. Too busy eating!
-- Edited by Sarfraz Hayat on Thursday 4th of December 2014 09:55:56 PM
-- Edited by Sarfraz Hayat on Thursday 4th of December 2014 09:56:39 PM
It's basically farm tracks and footpaths like you'd expect in open moss land. But the bird has been showing again where we saw it, as Mark says...its a footpath virtually opposite the Animal Sanctuary sign, walk down the path literally yards and look to your left towards the industrial units, it sits on top of the brambles around there.
-- Edited by Mark Battersby on Thursday 4th of December 2014 01:11:35 PM
-- Edited by Mark Battersby on Thursday 4th of December 2014 01:19:29 PM
Hi Rob
Thanks! Will see what I can do. It is not a lifer so not desperate for it but always good to see a Shrike especially with work close by. Is it muddy?
Sarfraz
Hi Sarfraz,
The area the GG Shrike was covering when myself and Steve Burke were there and taking into account the sightings as a whole, unfortunately is not the best for driving around. Most of it is footpaths and a bit of off-roading so to speak around the Animal Sanctuary so although there is some access, it would be limited in my view to staff and farm vehicles. It does seem to show quite well though on the opposite side of the road in the brambles near the traffic lights, and could well be visible just yards from your vehicle. Good Luck!
Hope this helps.
Rob
Might be in the area tomorrow for work won't have long. The area the shrike covers, are you allowed to drive around? With work I may have limited time.