Garstang Area

Gordon Taylor · Status: Offline

RE: Garstang Area

sid ashton · Status: Offline

We watched the bird for an hour or so on Monday and didn't notice any tail-bobbing as with Common and Green Sandpipers. I have checked the literature and could only find one reference to the behaviour in Solitarys. So, did anyone else notice tail-bobbing?....and is it usually to be expected in this species ?

colin davies · Status: Offline

I went to see the bird this evening, and can say that in my opinion it was £4 very well spent and I didn't consider the bird to be particularly distant. I had very good views. We had a chat to the farmer on the way back and he seemed a thoroughly nice, genuine guy who was happy to have such a great bird on his land. No complaints from me, I wish that all twitches were that easy and pleasant.

-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 4th of October 2011 11:15:18 PM

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

As Nick pointed out earlier the £4 "per person" (terminology modified today on Birdguides) isn't for parking, it's for access to the viewpoint. A car of 4 people would still cost a total of £16 whether you park in the village or in the farmers field.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

pete berry wrote:

I see from the postings that a few people were complaining about the £4 for parking,which was going to charity and not into the farmers pocket.I had a good chat with the farmer who seemed very conservation minded.During the course of the conversation I happened to mention I was unable to work and receiving Incapacity Benefit,the guy then insisted on giving me my £4 back,and virtually forced into my pocket,as I was happy to pay like everyone else.

Yes Pete, thoroughly nice people, the farmer's wife even offered to make us a cup of tea

-- Edited by sid ashton on Tuesday 4th of October 2011 01:35:49 PM

pete berry · Status: Offline

I see from the postings that a few people were complaining about the £4 for parking,which was going to charity and not into the farmers pocket.I had a good chat with the farmer who seemed very conservation minded.During the course of the conversation I happened to mention I was unable to work and receiving Incapacity Benefit,the guy then insisted on giving me my £4 back,and virtually forced into my pocket,as I was happy to pay like everyone else.

ps the Sparrowhawk didn't take it,and Im managed to keep my feet dry with just a pair of trainers.

-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 4th of October 2011 12:25:46 PM

John Barber · Status: Offline

We heard during the course of the day that a sparrowhawk made an attempt to take the Solitary Sandpiper. I notice the bird wasn't reported later - hope the sparrowhawk didn't return !

sid ashton · Status: Offline

John Barber and I arrived at Humblescough farm, Nateby at approximately 07.45 this morning and were taken down to the scrape by the farmer - we were first there. We set up our scopes to within 100m of where the Solitary Sandpiper spent most of its time while we were there. As a result of being so close we were able to note how pale brown the bird looked and when it wing-stretched and turned around and on one occasion made a short flight, the dark central area to the rump was clear - also the prominent white eye ring was easily picked up. A lifetime first for both John and I.

When we left Nateby we visited the Glasson Dock area, and Cockersands Abbey - in both cases the tide was a long way out resuling in little bird activity on the sea although we did find 3 Wheatear and a small group of Reed Buntings at Cockersands.

At Piling Lane Ends a huge flock (100s) of Pink footed Geese grazed on the marsh and finally at Skippool Creek many, many Curlew but no obvious Yellow-legged Gull for John

PS if the bird stays and anyone is going up, as Nick says, wellies are essential if you don't want damp socks !!

-- Edited by sid ashton on Monday 3rd of October 2011 06:38:58 PM

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Pete Hines wrote:

You mean you didn't get stung for an additional £4 per head to walk across the field to the viewing area ?!!!.

People parking in the village and walking down got stung for £4. I was asked for £5 to walk across the field to view or walk the long way round through the farm along the public footpath to view for free, which I did. On reaching the viewing area was told it would cost £4 because it was private land and I would have to walk back to view from the back of the field I'd just come across, which was impossible. The viewing area looked distant enough anyway.

I only had £2 on me, didn't see it, got thougherly soaked and stuck in traffic on the return. Bummer. I'm off for a pint via a cash point !.

To be honest, I think the £4 charge was to see the bird from a vantage point on his land and not just car parking. Sorry to hear you didn't manage to see it.

John Barber · Status: Offline

Thanks for the information guys.

Hope to put it to good use early tomorrow morning. And I'll take wellies and plenty of cash !

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

You mean you didn't get stung for an additional £4 per head to walk across the field to the viewing area ?!!!.

People parking in the village and walking down got stung for £4. I was asked for £5 to walk across the field to view or walk the long way round through the farm along the public footpath to view for free, which I did. On reaching the viewing area was told it would cost £4 because it was private land and I would have to walk back to view from the back of the field I'd just come across, which was impossible. The viewing area looked distant enough anyway.

I only had £2 on me, didn't see it, got thougherly soaked and stuck in traffic on the return. Bummer. I'm off for a pint via a cash point !.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Got chance this afternoon to 'pop' out to Nateby to see the Solitary Sandpiper currently residing in a flood in a farmers field.

Directions from RBA were very accurate and to make things even easier the farmer has opened one of his fields up as a car park at a reasonable cost of £4 per head and even has a few young lasses helping out with directions, etc. Even driving up the lane to the farm there are signs that say 'bird this way'. You can't beat a bit of free enterprise eh?

Anyway, the bird gave reasonable but distant views for the 30 or so birders that were assembled whilst I was there. An interesting bird and very similar to a Green Sandpiper. Amongst its other features, its dark mid rump was noted during a short flight though so at least that one was ruled out. Another lifer for me.

If the bird stays for a while, here are the directions to it.

M6 north up to the M55 junction.
Come off here and take the A6 north towards Garstang.
After approximately 8 miles (just after the wind turbine) turn left into Longmoor Lane.
Go through the village of Nateby then turn left into Humblescough Lane.
Proceed along here and take the left fork to the farm where you can park up.

Don't forget your wellies - its really muddy!!

-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Sunday 2nd of October 2011 06:45:41 PM