After scoring with a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Cheshire early morning with Melanie, I headed into Lancs for the afternoon and it was quite good. The wintering Common Sand was on view at Conder Green pool plus 2 Spotshanks and 2 Greenshanks, then nearby 5 Bewick Swans amongst the Whoopers at Thurnham moss. Then to Pilling Lane Ends saltmarsh in the hope of catching up with the Tundra Bean Geese that had been in the area for a while, geese flying everywhere not looking good when 3 birders said "they were showing well in the fields near Fluke Hall earlier but the flock was flushed", 2000+ Pink Feet were settling on the saltmarsh about a mile away so off i set with another birder who had also just arrived. As it was high tide the flock was relatively close but alot were resting on the sea with no legs visible, after 10 mins scanning 3 Greenland White Fronts were picked out and a further 20 mins and 2 Tundra Bean Geese were located(4 were reported present this am), my first in a few years, also here an Avocet was a surprise flying along also loads of Little Egrets plus usual waders. I finished the afternoon at nearby Bradshaw Lane/Eagland Hill with good views of the Short Eared Owl at Scronkey and the feeding station held 30+ Tree Sparrow, 15 Yellowhammer and 5 Corn Bunting and the usual feeding station rats.

Mr woosey you better get a bit fitter for our onslaught up the hills of north manchester next week looking for our very own Dotterel.


You do the hills.....................I`ll check the fields !

Three manky birders, warfy, woosey and Simon Johnson ventured up Pendle Hill this morning in the attempt to finally get Mr Woosey Dotterel at his sixth attempt, sorry Ian, all climbed well, with woosey lagging behind towards the top when he reached the top we had the oxygen ready for him but the climb was worth it with a pair of Dotterel showing well fairly close to the trig point, well done that man! well deserved.

Mr woosey you better get a bit fitter for our onslaught up the hills of north manchester next week looking for our very own Dotterel.


-- Edited by Simon Warford at 19:31, 2008-04-26

Had a day in Lancashire (ex Oldham RSPB Group). Got Ross' Gull at Lytham north of Fairhaven lake. Several hundred Grey Plover. Wood Sandpiper, Black Tailed Godwit,Ruff and LRP at Mythop Flash, Ross' Goose at Pilling and 3 Scaup, 17 BT Godwit and LRP at Condor Green. Travelled back to Manc for the Redstart at Pennington but dipped!serves me right! 4 little Gull was a bonus