Preston Docks

Ian Chisnall · Status: Offline

RE: Preston Docks

Carl Fletcher-Poole · Status: Offline

Ian, I wasn't sure if they were one box up from last year but looked at my pictures from 2018 and you are correct, same box. So I would say the likelihood is they are the same. Interestingly enough I was talking to two gentleman who go down and count everyday and they said last year was a disaster for chicks being taken by gulls, almost none from the first batch but from the second batch it was slightly better and he said the Arctic Terns fledged one chick and around the box this year are three Arctic Terns so could the other one be the chick from last year come back? Im no expert but it could be as it hasn't found a mate yet.

Ian Chisnall · Status: Offline

Carl Fletcher-Poole wrote:
There were 3 Arctic Terns at Preston Docks today with 2 nesting on the second platform in the furthest box away on the right side. Almost in the same spot as last year (see pictures) Around 120 Common Terns with lots of nests as well.

That's very interesting - Here's my pic of the Arctic tern nesting in the precisely same spot last year 2018. I wonder if it is the exact same bird or birds

Carl Fletcher-Poole · Status: Offline

There were 3 Arctic Terns at Preston Docks today with 2 nesting on the second platform in the furthest box away on the right side. Almost in the same spot as last year (see pictures) Around 120 Common Terns with lots of nests as well.

Carl Fletcher-Poole · Status: Offline

Sorry Ian I have been on holiday since my visit to Preston Docks and got back yesterday. Glad you managed to see them

john tromans · Status: Offline

10.00. 12.00 Yesterday.

much the same as John Williams who I must have just missed. Excellent viewing and great for photos. To find the Arctic Terns see Carl's previous excellent directions. I did note that the Arctics were away from the box for longer periods tHan the Commons and did not seem to fishing as well. I could only see one chick in their box.

Throughly enjoyed my visit and would recommend getting there...easier than the Farnes!

John Williams · Status: Offline

12.30-14.00

The Common Tern colony is still in full swing, with one pair were seen mating,

Sadly one small chick ambled round a pontoon alone, this is not good here, numerous Herring and Lesser Black Gulls

were on the other side of the dock. Several Coots were mooching around the pontoons too.

It was a challenge to find the Arctic Terns, eventually I found one brooding and another adult on a different raft.

Heavy rain meant many terns were tucked into their boxes desperately trying to their brood warm and dry.

Ian Chisnall · Status: Offline

Dear Mark

I did get down there on Friday early evening and as mentioned the views are so so close up aren't they.

Even with my cheap bridge camera I was able to obtain some record shots of both Common Terns and the sitting Arctic Tern too (attached).

markwoodhead · Status: Offline

......they have two chicks now and still great to see.

Ian, in case you are still unsure, they are on the South side of Preston Marina at the Western end and they are close to the bank and easy to see.

Head for the Boathouse at Preston Marina (you can park near Baffito's) and walk South along Navigation Way and across the bridge. Then along the South side of the Marina and you will see the pontoons ahead of you.

Good Luck!

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 11th of June 2018 07:53:20 PM

Ian Chisnall · Status: Offline

Dear Carl

I'd like to see the Arctic Terns at Preston Docks: Are they far out or close in?

Please can you provide directions to the location?

Thanks

Ian

Carl Fletcher-Poole · Status: Offline

Went to see the Common Terns today but was pleased to see on the second pontoon in the nest box to the right and at the back a pair of Arctic Terns giving excellent views (see pictures). They are sat on eggs no chicks yet but not that many chicks in the common tern colony either at the moment. Great to watch.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Monday 11th July

Couldn't find a town centre thread but sighting was almost opposite the Docks so probably the correct thread.
Approx 3pm...Peregrine slowly gliding over the A583 Lancaster Road near the docks, was coming FROM the direction of the university area.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A late morning visit to see the Tern colony at the docks with Steve Burke.
Nice to finally put a face to the name of Paul Slade who runs the Fylde Bird Club, some interesting info from him and his mate.

This breeding colony is predominantly Common Tern but there are some Arctic's in there too.
- Common Tern 100+
- Arctic Tern 7 (15 present before we arrived)
- Swift and Swallow plenty over
- usual Gulls on the rafts

Images below...
Arctic Tern incubating female and a courting pair.
Common Tern in flight, and an individual that was born in Namibia and later ringed in South Africa. Nobody present could fully ascertain the ring number, 2 6 8 and H present.

Rob Thorpe · Status: Offline

At least 6 Black Tern with Black-headed Gulls along the Ribble, just up-river from the entrance to the docks, viewed from the cycle path along the river bank just after 3pm yesterday (13 May).

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Nothing exciting to report apart from a small plop on my head by a black headed gull (you can laugh, I did) Plenty of gulls as expected but not as many as my last visit last summer. 40 herring gulls with most in their 1st winter, 12 lesser black backed gulls and 80 black headed gulls. 1 female goosander was on the River. A nice relaxing end after the excitement of the Jack snipe at fairhaven Lake. Bought some chips from the green frog and had a bit of fun taking pictures to finnish the day.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

It is with regret but only right, that I must amend my post from Sunday 9th August (relating to Saturday evening, 8th August)

"...Yellow-legged Gull (juv) - after a couple of candidates were picked out and debated on, a Gull was eventually picked out and the features all seemed to fit and between us we were fairly sure it was the Yellow-legged. An online photo was the initial guide, then the long primaries giving it a pointed rear end look, and the heavy bill for a juvenile. Obviously I will send a photo for confirmation..."

To those birders I was with (ref my post) I must apologise for my part of an incorrect ID, the Gull we eventually picked out and
scrutinised has been confirmed as a juvenile Lesser Black-backed, NOT the Yellow-legged, and just to add that the darkish smudge behind the eye that we were looking at is shared by Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gull.
Many thanks for your help on this Ian.
confuse

Phil Hampson · Status: Offline

No sign of the Ring-billed gull this morning between 07:30 and 08:15. Many gulls of differing ages make this and interesting pace to go to look at them at close range.

Phil

Phil Hampson · Status: Offline

Ring-billed gull present from 07:30 - 09:50 during a visit today with John Rayner. Initially was on 8th pontoon asleep, swam along and then climbed onto no 3 and then moved back gradually to the 7th! It was either preening, stretching or sleeping when on the pontoons. Totally made up for the dip on Monday. Really nice to see it swimming. When it eventually left it flew down the dock and then gradually gained height then flying off over Morrison's.

Phil

M Gannon · Status: Offline

I arrived at the area overlooking the pontoons around 1:30, but by 2:30 there was no definite sign of the ring billed gull, I saw several bird that could of been it, and through my pictures I've realised that one of them was the bird, but I didn't realise it at the time. However, with the help of another birder, I managed to get a definite sighting of the bird at around 2:40, right when I was about to leave. It was a bit further away than I had hoped, but the bird looked great in the telescope. I managed to watch it for a couple of minutes before it flew of towards the area where all the boats were parked up

While I was scanning through the gulls, I saw a couple of common tern chicks peeping their heads out of their tyre on a pontoon that was mostly devoid of gulls.

Paul Richardson · Status: Offline

A similarly sociable time was had by all today - I arrived at about 11am to find the Ring Billed Gull had just flown off somewhere. So I flew off to have lunch and watch the terns on the other side of the water, and by the time I got back over the Ring-Billed Gull was back on its pontoon. smile

Lawrence Hindley · Status: Offline

After a nearly three hour wait from 3.30pm to 6.20 we finally saw the Ring Billed Gull. Got great views of preening behaviour and it showed really well. A really nice bird.

May I say thanks to the two bird watchers who located it, they were real gents. In fact all the guys who rocked up through the afternoon were good company and made a long wait a real pleasure.

Thanks to all.

Lawrence

Gary Gorner · Status: Offline

9-8-2015

was going to the blackpool airshow and decided to twitch the juv ring billed gull along the way. the gull was showing on the 3rd pontoon but was quite mobile .
another lifer for me and also a tick for Ruby biggrin

well found by ?in the first sighting of this bird as it takes a good eye to find it amongst all the other gulls .

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Ring-billed Gull present this afternoon up until 16.15 hrs at least. Initially there was no sign of the bird after scanning the dozen or so pontoons. Then there it was on the second pontoon as mentioned earlier. Stayed there for a few minutes before flying out into the dock.

steven burke · Status: Offline

Ring-billed gull was on the second pontoon behind the green frog van just after 11am posing nicely for photos, another lifer smile

Nice to see many common terns with juveniles of all different ages at a closer range.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Ring-billed Gull still present this morning at 8.00am favouring the 4th pontoon behind the Green Frog mobile restaurant

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A late decision to take Mum out for a drive to see the Ring-billed Gull proved to be a good one.

Good to see Chris Chandler, Ian Lyth, and the Elton birder, I know we've met before but sorry I didn't catch your name.

Ring-billed Gull - was showing well although was on one of the far platforms. It settled down after a while and looked like it wasn't going to move again. We got back to the car to go but I drove to the closer car park for one last look. Glad I did as the Gull had flown onto the 3rd platform and was posing spectacularly well, and nobody present was throwing food that I was aware of!!! A cracking bird.

Yellow-legged Gull (juv) - after a couple of candidates were picked out and debated on, a Gull was eventually picked out and the features all seemed to fit and between us we were fairly sure it was the Yellow-legged. An online photo was the initial guide, then the long primaries giving it a pointed rear end look, and the heavy bill for a juvenile. Obviously I will send a photo for confirmation.

Gulls - lots of large Gulls of various stages including juveniles to adults of Lesser Black-backed, and some Herring Gull too!

Common Tern - seemed to be everywhere, and a lot out on the platforms. Good to see they've successfully bred in good numbers

Sand Martin - 1
Swallow - many

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 9th of August 2015 12:09:34 AM

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Ring billed gull on the docks in his 2nd summer. (Comes in very close if you bribe him with cake.) Found next to where the green frog mobile restaurant on the roundabout of pedders way. Postcode; PR2 2RZ. There are several concrete platforms on the water and this is where he is usually.

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Late report from yesterday. Iceland gull present at 1000am, coming for bread. At first not visible but soon came out.

Gary Gorner · Status: Offline

arrived at about 9.00am but no signs of the Icland gull

me and Vernon had a walk around in pouring rain and strong winds but failed to find it . So we decided to move on and go for the red necked grebe which we did manage to locate on Fairhaven Lake at Lytham st annes.Only the second one ive ever seen

but not as nice as the one last year on Penny Flash. We were still feeling a bit down

missing the Gull so we went for a lifer tick in lytham crem and found 6 parrots

We were running late as we were going to go for the owls at marton mere but we made the decision to try for the gull again before it went dark.As soon as we pulled up the gull was spotted straight away another lifer tick

and amazing to see such a rare gull in these parts. The size difference between the black heads was very obvious and it was bigger than a juv lesser black back which it kept chasing away from its pontoon thingy.Also watched it in flight right infront of us. unfortunately id used all the bread up in the morning visit.

A nice hatrick of target birds and so glad we didnt go to martin mere it was worth getting wet for

Holly Page · Status: Offline

Iceland gull showing really well 13.30. I'm not too well up on my gulls but it was really easy to pick out. It was sat in the water when I arrived but then had a fly about right over my head and went to stand on the concrete thingys in the water so I got good views from pretty much every angle.

Really chuffed to catch up with it after dipping last week (according to someone we bumped into last Sunday, it apparently often doesn't turn up on Sundays!!)

Anne Wilkinson · Status: Offline

Iceland gull still showing really well in Preston Dock opposite Macdonalds. I didn't even have to get out of the car today before I saw it stood on some pontoons. Every time anyone threw any food to the BH Gulls it flew in and grabbed most of it. I have never had such wonderfully close views of this species before. There is no ice here now btw.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Showed its socks off this morning, also good butty from adjacent butty bar.

Big retail park on site for those who may need to drag reluctant partners!

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Parked up at 15.20 this afternoon and picked the bird up within a minute or two, stood on the ice behind the main body of gulls which were being fed bread by someone by the railings. Took my eye off it for a moment and it had gone although picked it up again in flight 30 metres or so towards the middle of the dock, where it landed again on the ice.

Vivien Finn · Status: Offline

Iceland Gull still present at Preston Docks 12 30 pm Monday Dec 27th.
Showing very well from car park near chippy van. Cheers Sid for info.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

John Rayner wrote:

I easily found the juv Iceland Gull this morning and went back to my car for camera and bread ..........
Cheers, John

Maybe not camera shy, perhaps it prefers McDonalds

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

John, exact same thing happened to me a few weeks back. I think the bird may be a little camera shy.

John Rayner · Status: Offline

I easily found the juv Iceland Gull this morning and went back to my car for camera and bread whereupon it immediately flew west down the Ribble (at 09.15).

Cheers, John

Steve Christmas · Status: Offline

Juv Iceland gull present and correct at 3.30pm today.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Sid's quote :-
(Seriously though it appears to be around early in the morning after roosting there overnight returning, as you saw, later on in the afternoon after disappearing elsewhere during the day.)

I think that's it Sid. I went on 5th December around mid day (our daughter lives in Preston and we were visiting her) and after spending 45 mins or so at the docks, I left without seeing it.

There were no sightings for a few days on the Fylde site, so I didn't bother this weekend. May just try again this coming weekend but I will make sure I arrive early.

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 08:50:36 PM

George Warburton · Status: Offline

Sid

If you go to see the gull, you are only 20 minutes away from the LEOs

Best wishes

George

sid ashton wrote:

George Warburton wrote:

Mon 13 December 2010 - 12.15

Plenty of gulls on ice but no sign of Iceland Gull.

A local watcher said it was there at 15.00 Sunday so I went to Freckleton for hundreds of Fieldfare and Fairhaven for a few Linnets and Bar tailed Godwits.

Back at the docks at 15.00 and whilst I couldn't see it, three birders arrived shortly after and picked it immediately.
A first for me and I got a video to prove it.
As you appear to have been there all night George surprised that you didn't see the bird early on.

Seriously though it appears to be around early in the morning after roosting there overnight returning, as you saw, later on in the afternoon after disappearing elsewhere during the day.

P.S. At first I did actually read the time present as 20.10 - 12.15 It's been a long day.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Monday 13th of December 2010 10:00:32 PM

Ian Woosey · Status: Offline

14/12/10

Iceland Gull present from 09:10 onwards,

3 Waxwings opposite Morrisons petrol station,

2 small skeins of Pink-feet over.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

George Warburton wrote:

Mon 13 December 2010 - 12.15

Plenty of gulls on ice but no sign of Iceland Gull.

A local watcher said it was there at 15.00 Sunday so I went to Freckleton for hundreds of Fieldfare and Fairhaven for a few Linnets and Bar tailed Godwits.

Back at the docks at 15.00 and whilst I couldn't see it, three birders arrived shortly after and picked it immediately.
A first for me and I got a video to prove it.

As you appear to have been there all night George surprised that you didn't see the bird early on.

Seriously though it appears to be around early in the morning after roosting there overnight returning, as you saw, later on in the afternoon after disappearing elsewhere during the day.

P.S. At first I did actually read the time present as 20.10 - 12.15

It's been a long day.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Monday 13th of December 2010 10:00:32 PM

George Warburton · Status: Offline

Mon 13 December 2010 - 12.15

Plenty of gulls on ice but no sign of Iceland Gull.

A local watcher said it was there at 15.00 Sunday so I went to Freckleton for hundreds of Fieldfare and Fairhaven for a few Linnets and Bar tailed Godwits.

Back at the docks at 15.00 and whilst I couldn't see it, three birders arrived shortly after and picked it immediately.
A first for me and I got a video to prove it.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

I was awakened early by foxes shrieking in the garden - watched them running around for a while then decided to get on the road and give that juvenile Iceland Gull another chance to show itself. Arrived at the dock shortly after 08.00 and after about 30 minutes it flew within a few meters of where I was standing in the car park. It was still present when I left just before 10.00. A really distinctive bird with its biscuit coloured plumage. Have seen adult Icelands in the past but this young one was worth the trip.

Nik Grounds · Status: Offline

Nick Isherwood wrote:

Would it be just a coincidence that RBA are reporting an Iceland gull just up the coast from there this afternoon???

Another juvenile Iceland Gull was reported at Bourbles Pit, Pressall (SD377478) on Wednesday and today.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Sid,

I went to the docks this morning and saw the Iceland gull straight away in front of me passing right to left at about 10 feet away. I went back to the car for the camera and despite walking up and down the dock for half an hour I just couldn't re-locate it. Chatted to quite a few other birders there too, some of which thought it might have moved onto one of the other docks.

Would it be just a coincidence that RBA are reporting an Iceland gull just up the coast from there this afternoon???

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Phil Owen wrote:

.... we decided to pop in for a look at the 1st winter Iceland Gull which was showing really well on the wall amongst the Black Headed Gulls.

The bird seems very settled and approachable and was only a matter of feet away giving some great views through the bins and some good photo opportunites.

I once spent a taxing couple of hours in the snow on the banks of the Mersey looking for white winged gulls and vowed that I would never do that again. Guess what, I did it again - at Preston Docks this afternoon

Same result, no Iceland Gull despite Phil's guidance. I was in the company of other birders who all questionned their sanity - one bloke even started chucking bread in the water

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Apologies certainly not necessary Phil

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Ian McKerchar wrote:

This might seem really pedantic and is not intended to be but the Iceland Gull at Preston Docks is a juvenile and yes, there is a difference

It's actually a fairly difficult business to call a true first-winter as such and hence the terms first calender year/second calender (etc) year often become more acurate (if not more than a little confusing though!). In this instance however, 'juvenile' fits this bird (and those of it's kind) best, especially as both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls more often retain all of this plumage until late into their first spring

Apologies Ian, I meant Juvenile!!!

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

This might seem really pedantic and is not intended to be but the Iceland Gull at Preston Docks is a juvenile and yes, there is a difference

It's actually a fairly difficult business to call a true first-winter as such and hence the terms first calender year/second calender (etc) year often become more acurate (if not more than a little confusing though!). In this instance however, 'juvenile' fits this bird (and those of it's kind) best, especially as both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls more often retain all of this plumage until late into their first spring