Doing the Southport route today including Formby so called in at North Moss Lane - 3 Cattle Egret with Cattle, 1 picking titbits off a cows ear - 100+ Whimbrel in the fields - 1m Yellowhammer
Id only been driving a few minutes nearing Ainsdale village when I could see 2 birds circling with 1 dive bombing the other. I stopped and got my bins, it was a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, but as Im watching them, a bit higher I could see another bird being mobbed by a Gull. An Osprey flying east towards Ormskirk, or at least trying to!
Early morning visit to North Moss Lane, Formby, en-route to Marshside.
- Whimbrel minimum 74 I pulled up on the lane and 2 birders were already scoping something out. I asked if they were on the Cattle Egrets that have been there recently. They said No, weve got 22 Whimbrel. They left minutes after, and I started scanning that particular field. 28, so I scanned again, 33. Scanned again, 40, a last scan produced 43. Got back in the car and slowly drove a bit further up, only a few 100yds when I stopped the car as I saw something moving in a partly ploughed field. Another 31 birds were in this field, feeding a lot closer to the road. Cracking!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 25th of April 2022 10:00:24 PM
Decided to go and have a look at the Elegant Tern before it disappears for the winter. Birdguides had it on at 7am this morning but it was 11.30 before we actually got there !! A walk down to the beach and we were rewarded with about 500/1000 terns sat on the beach. Luckily the Elegant Tern was preening and I quickly picked it up in the flock. A few Common Terns scattered with the predominantly Sandwich Tern flock ,but unfortunately no Roseate Terns with them. A good selection of waders on the beach included a couple of Grey Plovers ,and quite a few gulls as well,spent a pleasant hour or so picking through them all.
Elegant Tern at Blundellsands Sailing Club, Hightown, Merseyside. Friday 6th August 2021
On Sunday 1st August 2021 an Elegant Tern was found at Formby Point on the beach, it would appear to be the one that spent most of the summer at Cemlyn Bay tern colony on Anglesey. It was found on the following days near to Blundellsands Sailing Club. A large sandbank held lots of gulls, terns etc over the high tide, but other times the terns seem to disperse mainly onto the edge of the tideline, making identification very difficult as the sea goes a long way out.
On Wednesday Kevin C and myself decided to try to see the Elegant Tern, we parked at Crosby beach in beautiful sunshine and began the 2/3 of a mile walk north. We did however notice that the tide was a long way out, then after meeting a couple of birders who told us that they had not seen the bird in a 3 hour search. We began to have bad feelings about our chances! After lots of searching we left after 2 hours, but I did say It will be found this evening As we got to Rochdale around 6pm, sure enough the bird had been seen, ah well!
After a message from Rochdale`s premier birder, Alan N for information about the Elegant Tern`s whereabouts, a decision was made to go to see the bird early on Friday morning. The weather forecast was for heavy showers in the Blundellsands area had been noted, but the hide tide prediction was 10-45am, which should surely help us? Lots of showers along the motorway did not dampen our enthusiasm, then news that the bird was still present helped us. We reached the sailing club area and began the search from the dunes, when a rather large shower hit us full on. We headed back to the sailing club and saw 3 birders searching for the tern, after 5 minutes the bird was located and distant views were had of it as it mixed itself in with lots of other terns and gulls. All the birds took to the air after an unseen bird of prey spooked them. We headed onto the beach and began to search for it again without much success, but really enjoying the experience of watching the tide coming in and what the various bird species did. We also managed to bump into 2 of Pennington Flashs top birders Colin D & John T, always good to have a chat. We managed to see 7 gull species, 4 tern species and 8 wading species, with others a total of 28 species. We both enjoyed catching up with the Elegant Tern although a better view would have been nice, the weather had been very kind, but the journey home was heavy rain all the way!
Whilst delivering just outside Formby village mid-morning I was on my way back to the van when I heard a familiar call. - 2 Crossbill calling from the top of a Pine tree
Thought I'd have a look for the Wryneck this morning with Steven's excellent directions to guide me, but no reward. There was a report that it showed at 7.45 this morning but it didn't from then until 12.30 when my growly stomach got the better of me.
Other birds of note: 4 Stonechat, 2 Common Whitethroat, Raven, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker
Someone just asked me where everyone is parking for the Wryneck and I wasn't sure has the direction are as clear has fog to me ,so where are people parking nearest to the area Ainsdale?
cheers John
Sorry John, should of mentioned that in my post. Nearest best & easiest parking is on pinfold lane just off coastal road before bridge over railway.
Someone just asked me where everyone is parking for the Wryneck and I wasn't sure has the direction are as clear has fog to me ,so where are people parking nearest to the area Ainsdale?
Just to note; there is a mass network of paths through the forest and some of which are not even on any of the maps available as I have discovered yesterday (hence, the reason for the confusing directions) because even I went a little wrong (though was very close) but I was thankfully aided by another birder who was in the know The grid reference I gave is as accurate as you can get (SD 291 104) as I used both the paper explorer map and an offline app version with gps which worked perfectly. The wryneck showed yesterday at 9:45 and 11am. I hope this info helps.
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
after yesterdays fiasco & over 6 hours mooching around today around the NNR forest & Ainsdale dunes I managed to get good views of the elusive wryneck the little blighter then decided to sit at the top of a bush for 50 mins as the sun went down, still a little distant for great photos but managed some decent ones plus some good videos with it sticking its tongue out every now & then. other birds of note...
2-4 buzzards 2-4 kestrels 1 sparrowhawk 1 spotted flycatcher 8+ stonechat 4+ whitethroat 1 jay swallows & house martins over long tailed tits, blue tits, great tits & coal tits 2 willow warbler 2 goldcrest 1 treecreeper great spotted woodpecker heard, 1 seen yesterday tawny owls heard
if anyone does want directions.. from the entrance at the north of the forest take the west end walk path through the forest then down the west side of forest, when you get to a cross in the path, left takes you back into the forest, straight on is the carry on of the west end walk, but take the right path which goes slightly out to the dunes but keep to the left always keeping the forest to your left side, keep going right to the end where directly in front of you there will be an open metal gate & a path on the left going back into the forest. beyond the gate is the favoured area, I had it about 100+ yards through the gate but in the enclosure sat on a bush. good luck.
When you click through on the quoted grid ref within the Birdguides website, it links off to Streetmap.co.uk and this shows the location in an area marked as woodland on the OS Map. If you put the grid ref into Google you get a spot on the grassy dunes when you use the satellite view.
I looked at the map again today; Rob, Steve and I were in the wrong places yesterday for the time we gave it. I am not blaming the directions at all, as clearly they have worked for some people over the last couple of days.
Afternoon visit for a few hours yesterday (Sunday) to Ainsdale Dunes and forest NNR with Simon Gough and we met up with Steve Burke.
- no sign of the reported Wryneck despite plenty of searching. The OS grid refs that are reported on birdguides SD 291103 and SD 291104 will have you slap bang in the middle of the forest.
Tried another visit today (Monday) as I was working in Southport so called here after Marshside around 1.45pm and met up with Steve Burke again but after hours of stood around and scanning the dunes and hawthorns I'm afraid I had no sign of the Wryneck, I think someone has had better luck though!!!
Other birds... - Stonechat 15+ allover the dunes - Whitethroat 6 - Kestrel 5 - Common Buzzard 3 - Swallows and House Martin through - Jay 1 faffing around at the forest edge near the sand
I decided on a short visit to Formby and Ainsdale despite recovering from a bug. I was influenced by the reports of a Wryneck that has been seen in the area. The wryneck was more distant then my 1st view at Cley in spring but they are such an unusual bird and it was still well worth the effort, (and I've double confirmed that my eyes weren't originally deceiving me that my first one definitely wasn't a statue). The os map reference for this is; SD 291 104 and it's on a bend from a sandy dune like track. Other highlights included whitethroat, Buzzard, kestrel, mistle thrush and a family of nuthatches briefly close at formby. No birds were seen on the beach which was very busy.
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
Saturday...Walk from the point to cabin hill ... Main highlights were waders... Oystercatcher, Sanderling, knot, dunlin. Some ringed plover and many stunning grey plovers. There was also a poss sandwich tern and four bar tailed godwit my first confirmed. Also, three hunting kestrels. I'd say wader numbers were into the high thousands but this is the start
-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 13th of September 2015 10:28:35 AM
-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 13th of September 2015 10:30:36 AM
Fri sept 11th. 9am-11:15am. Formby point. House martin 182(south),+45 from the west. Swallow 165(south)+ 14 from the west. Sand martin 15(south),meadow pipit 3,pied wagtail 4(south); on the beach Great bb gull 8,c gull 2,Herring g 72,Lesser bb gull 14,C tern 5,Sandwich tern 69,curlew 2(south), oystercatcher 1,Sanderling 40,Shelduck 3(north),Dunlin 50+(north),Cormorant 140(south),Gannet 16 ad/imm,C scoter 409(south),Razorbill ad win 1,Great c grebe 1 ad and Red throated diver Ad 5.
Sept 4th. 9:10am-10:35 am. C scoter 20;gannet imm 1; cormorant 42; oysercatcher 80+;sanderling 100+; dunlin 2,000+;redshank 1;grey plover 30+;common tern 8;arctic tern 2ad; sandwich tern 42(off shore) and 477 ad/imm on the beach..+the usual gulls in various numbers. South along edge of the dunes 100+ alba wagtails. Sun,cloud,mod N.
Sept 3rd. Viewed from the dunes and beach. Good number of Grey plover with 70+ birds ;Golden plover 1; sanderling 60+;dunlin 300; ringed plover 12;few herring gull,common gull and 1 adult kittiwake...
August 28th. Viewed from the dunes at formby point. 9-10:30am. Very few waders just 5 oystercatchers and 1 sanderling. Offshore 5 c tern, sandwich tern 12, c scoter 31, few swallows passing south and 32 Gannet feeding then moving south.
Walking the beach area today between Formby and Southport primarily looking for stranded Turtles , found a single Snow Bunting . Fine close up views of the bird on a fine sunny day.. ..
Rob
Visited today hoping to get some photos of Red Squirrels. We were disappointed as me and my 4 year old daughter saw the backside of just one running away from us!! However all was not lost as we went down onto the beach. Along the sea line we saw:
Oyster catcher Black Tailed Godwit Redshank As of yet unconfirmed wader (Poss Grey Plover) But the highlight and made the trip worth while was the very confiding views of Sanderling.
Quick visit for a snowy Red Squirrel shot. Only saw one rest must be in bed. Other things Long Tailed Tits, Siskin, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Coal Tits, Jay, and Kestrel.
visit to formby yesterday Main thing was that the famous red squirrels have fallen victim to the Pox spread by greys. There was an estimated 1000 at the height several years ago that then dropped to 400. It was reported these were recovering, but yesterday there was not one seen on any of the numerous feeders. I would have expected some if they were recovering.
A first visit, for me, to Formby point... This morning with Wigan RSPB group, aiming to get the best out of the 1.0 pm very high tide. This PLAN was very successful, as arriving before 11.0am we were able to watch a large wader flock handle the incoming tide. The waders were estimated at over 4000 and I give a personal estimate of the breakdown
Bar Tailed Godwits 1000 PLUS. Knot 1000 PLUS Dunlin 800 Oystercatchers 500 Ringed Plover 200 Sanderling 50 Grey Plover 20 ALSO; Cormorants 100 Common Terns 30 Sandwich Terns 40 Common Gulls 30 FEW Lesser Black Backed. MOST WADERS STILL IN BREEDING PLUMAGE Amazing views of the Godwits and Knot marching en masse, with Sanderling as outriders, as the tide encroached. Later forming their mobile patterns against the sky. Off shore we got distant views of Manx Shearwaters as they moved round the bay.
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 11th of August 2010 06:56:56 PM
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
After a disappointing morning at Crosby, we went on to do some sea watching at Formby Point. Brilliant views of 15 Little gulls moving north and feeding close inshore as they went. Also saw Gannets, Razorbills, Guillemots, Sandwich and Common terns but no Arctics or Skuas.
Interesting observation about the Skuas Jimmy. On seawatches on the Little Orme, Conwy, over the last few years i've seen skuas close in, often in calm, generally poor conditions for seeing most species like shearwaters etc. Unlike many seabirds the two common species (Great and Arctic) can pass the UK coast fairly close in to shore. If they are becoming less regular from the coast perhaps they have diverted their migration round the turbines. There have been plenty of reports of skuas moving past the Point of Ayr around the turbines and closer to shore though. Regular observation during their migration is the only way to tell and its possible the liver cruises have just been unlucky recently. Thanks. Henry.
On the Liver Cruise Today Not seen much this year on these
Today Peregrine sitting in usual place Hamilton St Station Building Guillemott floated by the boat very close over a Thousand Pink Feet seen on Crosby Beach could have just come in or more than likely disturbed by Southport Air Show 4 Common Scoters flying out of the river mouth 1 Shearwater in the distance 9 Red Arrows in the distance all the usual gulls around the boat
Note I have been going on these for a few years now and ever since the wind farms were put in place the numbers of Skua Sightings have gone down whether this is a coincidence or not i dont know but there was no power from them today as they was not turning at all.
Sightings today on Trip with with local RSPB Group
15+ Manx Shearwaters 20 + Gannets 2 Med Gulls on the beach At least 3 Little Terns with in the large flock of roosting Common and Sandwich Terns Lots of Bar Tailed Godwits and Knot in Various Plumages Sanderling and Dunlin on the Tide Line.
Trip to formby today with local group sightings 2 possibly 3 arctic skuas harrassing terns 100+ sanderling ,1 turnstone 30+ ring plover lots of dunlin sandwich terns with young still in tow g b b gull herring gulls common gulls l b b gulls b h gulls 100 s of knot a few bar tail godwits kestrel with prey in the dunes family party of stonechat near to car park probably missed a few waders with the heat haze and also going on a day when the tide was wrong but very enjoyable all the same
tomorrow voyage on the rspb mersey cruise we live in hope of something turning up cheers jimmy
just a update on the gannet ring we found just got details from the bto today ringing details age nestling ringing date 14 june 87 place scar rocks county dumfries +galloway ringer north solway r g really glad we got a reply with the information of the bird being 20 yrs old so with a bit of luck would have produced 14 or 15 young nice to have this information from the bto ringing site jimmy
went with the wigan rspb group on the midweek trip to marshside and then to formby organised by tom morton at marshside all the usual stuff plos a juv marsh harrier from the car park then to formby birds seen at least 7 arctic skuas 3 light phase 4 dark phase 4 arctic terns loads of sandwich and common ,7 kittiwakes roosting 1 little gull lots of knot ,sanderling ,ring plover ,bar tailed godwit also found 1 dead gannet with aring on which is to be sent to british museum to rind out the history of the bird jimmy
the little blighter then decided to sit at the top of a bush for 50 mins as the sun went down, still a little distant for great photos but managed some decent ones plus some good videos with it sticking its tongue out every now & then.
?
Good Pics and some as near as 3 metres, despite dog walkers.
as the tide encroached.