Pennington Flash 'Big Birdwatch' event, Sunday 29th January 2012
Dennis atherton said
Mon Jan 30 7:27 AM, 2012
Im Gutted i missed this event, i was away all weekend and couldent get out of it, not even birding niether i just saw some of John Tymonss pics, the birds of prey looked great, the great grey owl looked superb, those bright sharp eyes, superb, great stuff John, i hope you all had a good day Best Den
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jan 30 5:31 AM, 2012
Nice to meet you, Louise, and everyone else who came to a cracking event. Well done to Peter Alker for all his organisation and great to have a long chat to Ian and his family :) Cheers Paul
steven burke said
Mon Jan 30 4:51 AM, 2012
Martyn Jones wrote:
I finally tracked down the Lesser Spotted McKerchar today at Penny. Rarely seen (hence the name) and easily flushed, the McKerchar's territory is as wide as his knowledge of birds and he usually doesn't stay in one place for very long. So it was good to finally come face to face with him today (in fact there may have been several juvenile McKerchar's about too, but I'm not quite sure). Site tick, county tick, year tick and lifer all in one go.
well done martyn,but you were not the only one & as you say site tick,county tick,year tick and lifer all in one go (at least 1 juvenile). nice to off finally met you ian always nice to get close to birds of prey,photo opportunity but the long eared owl was small & pale. still cracking birds, especially the great grey owl
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Jan 30 3:20 AM, 2012
Martyn Jones wrote:
I know they were captive, but wasn't it great to get so close to the birds of prey, especially the owls? John Tymon said that they were much smaller than wild birds and I would have to agree, as the Long-eared Owl was tiny compared to the one I saw at Marton Mere recently.
I did the guided walk from Penny to Lightshaw Flash, and although there wasn't much about today it looks very promising for the spring, particularly with the new path down from the canal. Thanks to Pete Alker for leading the walk, I didn't get to see him at the end of the trip as I was distracted by the birds of prey.
Apart from the Great Grey which was a monster,they did look smaller but looking at them propper they were not far off the real thing and for once they were the correct color not washed out-beltin afternoon,and advantage took to photograph the only great grey owl and steppe eagle im likely to see again at penny
Louise Aspden said
Mon Jan 30 2:16 AM, 2012
Well done Martyn, its one tick I didnt get, despite trying. I was nice to have a chat to the Doc though. Added three to my year list too, Willow Tit, GC Grebe and Stock Dove, (thanks Doc, it looked like a pigeon to me).
Martyn Jones said
Mon Jan 30 1:49 AM, 2012
I finally tracked down the Lesser Spotted McKerchar today at Penny. Rarely seen (hence the name) and easily flushed, the McKerchar's territory is as wide as his knowledge of birds and he usually doesn't stay in one place for very long. So it was good to finally come face to face with him today (in fact there may have been several juvenile McKerchar's about too, but I'm not quite sure). Site tick, county tick, year tick and lifer all in one go.
Martyn Jones said
Sun Jan 29 7:05 PM, 2012
I know they were captive, but wasn't it great to get so close to the birds of prey, especially the owls? John Tymon said that some of the owls were much smaller than wild birds and I would have to agree, as the Long-eared Owl was tiny compared to the one I saw at Marton Mere recently.
I did the guided walk from Penny to Lightshaw Flash, and although there wasn't much about today it looks very promising for the spring, particularly with the new path down from the canal. Thanks to Pete Alker for leading the walk, I didn't get to see him at the end of the trip as I was distracted by the birds of prey.
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Sunday 29th of January 2012 07:31:49 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jan 29 5:04 AM, 2012
I look forward to being there representing Focalpoint Optics, we will be bringing a range of binoculars & scopes and goody bags. Please drop into Horrocks Hide & say hello, I will be the one in a Kamo jacket (trying to keep warm!!!) and a Swarovski cap :) Look forward to meeting forum members :) Cheers Paul :)
Louise Aspden said
Sat Jan 28 1:18 AM, 2012
A timely reminder thanks Ian, I will try to get down.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 28 12:59 AM, 2012
Just a reminder about this event on this coming Sunday (29th) at Pennington Flash. Please try to show your support by coming along at some point.
The bird race starts at 9am and finishes at 11:30 but you can always join in at any time up to 11:30 but obviously, you might be cutting down your chance of scoring points! Pop in and give it a go, you'll receive a copy of how the race works (it's not your 'usual' bird race, is really simple and literally anyone could win it) and your own Bird Race Checklist to work from. There will be prizes for the members of the winning team of bird food consisting of 1kg peanuts, 1kg wild bird food mix and 1kg niger seed. Prizes will also be given for 2nd and 3rd place if enough teams enter.
There will also be a static display of birds of prey including Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Eagle Owl, Snowy Owl, Great Grey Owl and Steppe Eagle (yes, really...a Steppe Eagle!!!). If anyone wants a photo with one sat on their arm there will be a small charge of £1.
There is a photo quiz and a collective noun quiz too but these are just for fun, plus Focalpoint Optics will be there plus a variety of other organisations and activities. Oh, and I'll be flogging old GM bird reports at a knockdown price too
So, head down to join in, say hello or just come and enjoy the birds and birding at Pennington Flash.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Dec 27 8:31 PM, 2011
On Sunday the 29th January 2012, Pennington Flash is hosting a 'Big Birdwatch' event, running from 9am. The event hopes to cater for all ages and experience and I would encourage everyone to try and support it.
There are many exciting and interesting events lined up, not least; a guided walk to the new Lightshaw Meadows which will also include a wander through parts of the area not usually open to the public, a bird race with a twist devised by me, Focal Point Optics demonstration, a bird quiz, nest box building and lots, lots more!
Further information can be found on the official event poster here
Please try and get down to support this local event, hopefully it will be the first of many more and perhaps one day, our own mini Birdfair
Cheers Paul
well done martyn,but you were not the only one & as you say site tick,county tick,year tick and lifer all in one go
nice to off finally met you ian
always nice to get close to birds of prey,photo opportunity but the long eared owl was small & pale. still cracking birds, especially the great grey owl
Apart from the Great Grey which was a monster,they did look smaller but looking at them propper they were not far off the real thing and for once they were the correct color not washed out-beltin afternoon,and advantage took to photograph the only great grey owl and steppe eagle im likely to see again at penny
I did the guided walk from Penny to Lightshaw Flash, and although there wasn't much about today it looks very promising for the spring, particularly with the new path down from the canal. Thanks to Pete Alker for leading the walk, I didn't get to see him at the end of the trip as I was distracted by the birds of prey.
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Sunday 29th of January 2012 07:31:49 PM
Cheers Paul :)
The bird race starts at 9am and finishes at 11:30 but you can always join in at any time up to 11:30 but obviously, you might be cutting down your chance of scoring points! Pop in and give it a go, you'll receive a copy of how the race works (it's not your 'usual' bird race, is really simple and literally anyone could win it) and your own Bird Race Checklist to work from. There will be prizes for the members of the winning team of bird food consisting of 1kg peanuts, 1kg wild bird food mix and 1kg niger seed. Prizes will also be given for 2nd and 3rd place if enough teams enter.
There will also be a static display of birds of prey including Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Eagle Owl, Snowy Owl, Great Grey Owl and Steppe Eagle (yes, really...a Steppe Eagle!!!). If anyone wants a photo with one sat on their arm there will be a small charge of £1.
There is a photo quiz and a collective noun quiz too but these are just for fun, plus Focalpoint Optics will be there plus a variety of other organisations and activities. Oh, and I'll be flogging old GM bird reports at a knockdown price too
So, head down to join in, say hello or just come and enjoy the birds and birding at Pennington Flash.
There are many exciting and interesting events lined up, not least; a guided walk to the new Lightshaw Meadows which will also include a wander through parts of the area not usually open to the public, a bird race with a twist devised by me, Focal Point Optics demonstration, a bird quiz, nest box building and lots, lots more!
Further information can be found on the official event poster here
Please try and get down to support this local event, hopefully it will be the first of many more and perhaps one day, our own mini Birdfair