As I start to write this in early June, we are very much in late spring. We had some warm weather just at the right time, as lots of bird species were hatching, but just recently it has turned cool and damp, and I hope that the adults are finding enough invertebrate food for their chicks. Time will tell.
Just under a couple of weeks ago, Gail and I had a very quiet walk from Jubilee Quay late morning, in cool and blustery conditions.
A few more plants were flowering, namely Weld, Hop Trefoil, Sea Beet, Flax, Wall Barley, and Hoary Mustard. No pictures I’m afraid, as they were moving from side to side in the 15 – 20 mph south-westerly!
No insects on the wing either because of the weather, and few birds, with a pair of Shelducks, a pair of Eiders close to the mouth of the estuary, and a Grey Wagtail over, making their way on to the pages of my notebook.
Walking back, we spotted a Sea Slater crossing the quay wall. I took a couple of pictures, and should have placed something next to it for scale, as they are quite large beasties, around 3 cm in length.
A few more plants were flowering, namely Weld, Hop Trefoil, Sea Beet, Flax, Wall Barley, and Hoary Mustard. No pictures I’m afraid, as they were moving from side to side in the 15 – 20 mph south-westerly!
No insects on the wing either because of the weather, and few birds, with a pair of Shelducks, a pair of Eiders close to the mouth of the estuary, and a Grey Wagtail over, making their way on to the pages of my notebook.
Walking back, we spotted a Sea Slater crossing the quay wall. I took a couple of pictures, and should have placed something next to it for scale, as they are quite large beasties, around 3 cm in length.
The following day, Gail and I carried out our fourth check of our Pied Flycatcher boxes in the Hodder Valley in Bowland. We ringed two broods of Blue Tits, and we have a few broods of Blue, Great, and Coal Tits to ring next week.
Blue Tit
Two broods of Pied Flycatchers had hatched, but were too small to ring, and three were still on eggs. We trapped a male in one box, and he was already ringed. A quick check of our database, showed that we ringed him last year here as a breeding male from one of our boxes. We aim to ring all the Pied Flycatcher chicks from each box, and both adults as well. This provides a powerful and robust dataset, essential for monitoring this amber-listed species, as it provides data on productivity, and juvenile and adult survival.
Male Pied Flycatcher
Once again, in the woodland we had singing Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, and from across the river Redstart.
On 23rd May, we had a better catch in our Thornton Cleveleys garden light trap, when we recorded 17 moths of 9 species; a Yellow-barred Brindle, four Ruddy Streaks, four Light Brown Apple Moths, two Heart and Darts, a Silver Y, a Shuttle-shaped Dart, two Vine’s Rustic, a Codling Moth, and a Marbled Minor.
On 23rd May, we had a better catch in our Thornton Cleveleys garden light trap, when we recorded 17 moths of 9 species; a Yellow-barred Brindle, four Ruddy Streaks, four Light Brown Apple Moths, two Heart and Darts, a Silver Y, a Shuttle-shaped Dart, two Vine’s Rustic, a Codling Moth, and a Marbled Minor.
Yellow-barred Brindle
The following morning, I was at Rossall Point for high tide, and it made a change not to be still in winter plumage, even first thing. The only visible migration I had were six Swallows east, and the rest of my sightings were from the sea or shore.
A number of waders roosted on the shore, including 296 Ringed Plovers, 220 Sanderlings, 136 Dunlins, and 15 Turnstones. It’s amazing to think that some of the Ringed Plovers will be going as far as Canada and Greenland, and the Dunlins, Sanderlings, and Turnstones to Iceland. Add to this, the fact that some of them will have travelled from West Africa, some 3,000 miles away, with a further 900 – 1,500 miles to travel, depending on whether they are going to Iceland or Greenland (2,000 miles if going to Canada), makes it even more amazing.
The sea wasn’t ‘rocking’, but I recorded 172 Herring Gulls, eight Common Scoters, a Red-throated Diver, two Tufted Ducks, 62 Eiders, eight Manx Shearwaters, five Gannets, four Sandwich Terns, 14 Arctic Terns, and a Red-breasted Merganser.
I then spent some time watching breeding Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets in the dunes, and recorded a few plants.
A number of waders roosted on the shore, including 296 Ringed Plovers, 220 Sanderlings, 136 Dunlins, and 15 Turnstones. It’s amazing to think that some of the Ringed Plovers will be going as far as Canada and Greenland, and the Dunlins, Sanderlings, and Turnstones to Iceland. Add to this, the fact that some of them will have travelled from West Africa, some 3,000 miles away, with a further 900 – 1,500 miles to travel, depending on whether they are going to Iceland or Greenland (2,000 miles if going to Canada), makes it even more amazing.
The sea wasn’t ‘rocking’, but I recorded 172 Herring Gulls, eight Common Scoters, a Red-throated Diver, two Tufted Ducks, 62 Eiders, eight Manx Shearwaters, five Gannets, four Sandwich Terns, 14 Arctic Terns, and a Red-breasted Merganser.
I then spent some time watching breeding Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets in the dunes, and recorded a few plants.
parent of the juvenile below.
I was at Rossall Point on the mornings of 26th (Tuesday) and 27th May (Wednesday), and they were both different. Tuesday was hot, even at first light, with little movement on the sea, but there were good numbers of waders roosting at hight tide, and Wednesday was cooler, with more movement at sea, and less waders!
On Tuesday, the waders roosting on the shore at high tide included 384 Sanderlings, 363 Ringed Plovers, 59 Dunlins, eight Knots, and 21 Turnstones. Wednesday morning the totals were 206 Ringed Plovers, 112 Sanderlings, and 57 Dunlins.
On Tuesday, the waders roosting on the shore at high tide included 384 Sanderlings, 363 Ringed Plovers, 59 Dunlins, eight Knots, and 21 Turnstones. Wednesday morning the totals were 206 Ringed Plovers, 112 Sanderlings, and 57 Dunlins.
Dunlin
Knot
Both mornings, I was entertained by the singing of a Stonechat, but more to the point where he was singing from. As I approached the Coastwatch Tower, from along the dunes, I could hear him singing loud and clear, but I couldn’t see him. I got closer, the singing got louder, but no sign of this gorgeous orange and black songster. Something made me look up, and there on top of the highest aerial, on top of the tower, was the male Stonechat singing away. What a vantage point! The tower is 46 feet high, the aerial at least 12 feet, so he was singing from the top of a 58-foot song-post!
That tiny spec on top of the centre aerial is the male Stonechat. See below as
well.
As I mentioned above, there was more passage Wednesday morning in the cooler easterly wind, and this was the case with vis, as well as at sea. Ten Swallows headed east, as did six Swifts, and a Lesser Redpoll.
Passage at sea (mostly east) included seven Shelducks, four Black-headed Gulls, 14 Gannets, three Sandwich Terns, 56 Canada Geese, five Auk sp., six Manx Shearwaters, and 14 Common Scoters.
Passage at sea (mostly east) included seven Shelducks, four Black-headed Gulls, 14 Gannets, three Sandwich Terns, 56 Canada Geese, five Auk sp., six Manx Shearwaters, and 14 Common Scoters.
Canada Geese
I picked up two white birds, way out in the bay, heading south directly towards the Point. I had to keep on them for several minutes, until they were close enough to reveal to me their identity, as two Little Egrets. They continued to track south, before veering west, and headed out of Morecambe Bay into Liverpool Bay.
On both mornings, I had noted Painted Lady butterflies whizzing east past me, with a smattering of Red Admirals, but I hadn’t counted them as I was busy watching the sea, but when I called in at Jubilee Quay on my way home, I noted 14 on a small patch of Red Valerian, with a single, very worn, Silver Y.
On both mornings, I had noted Painted Lady butterflies whizzing east past me, with a smattering of Red Admirals, but I hadn’t counted them as I was busy watching the sea, but when I called in at Jubilee Quay on my way home, I noted 14 on a small patch of Red Valerian, with a single, very worn, Silver Y.
Painted Lady
Out on the uncovered shore, adjacent to the dock channel, 635 Herring Gulls roosted alongside seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Roosting Herring Gulls facing into wind.
Our Thornton Cleveleys light trap was out on a couple of nights in late May, and we recorded 36 moths of species; six Light Brown Apple Moths, a Common Pug, six Ruddy Streaks, two Rustic Shoulder-knots, four Heart and Darts, two Bright-line Brown-eyes, two Garden Carpets, two Vine’s Rustics, a Marbled Coronet, a Small Mottled Willow (new for garden), and a Campion.
We were back at Jubilee Quay the following morning, and the main point of interest on our walk, was the number of Painted Lady butterflies. We recorded a minimum of 72 individuals, along with 10 Silver Y moths that all looked quite worn. The Painted Ladies were moving through, but the Red Valerian was very attractive to them, and we could sit and watch them foraging for nectar, with their proboscis deep within the flower. We also had four Common Blues, and just one Red Admiral.
On 29th May I had to pay a visit to my client's farm near Slaidburn in Bowland to work out where to locate two ponds that we will establish in an area of woodland that we will be planting this winter. Potential pond sites were located, and I decided to have a look on the large scrape to see how the Little Ringed Plovers were getting on.
I stopped on the track and switched my engine off. Straight away I picked up the Little Ringed Plovers in a 'romantic' embrace (see picture below). Two Common Sandpipers were also present, but I couldn't work out what they were up to, and an Oystercatcher was sitting tight on a clutch of eggs. A few Black-headed Gulls dropped in for a bathe and a preen and then headed off.
A few species were jotted down in my notebook as I had a quick drive around the farm tracks including, singing Sedge and Willow Warblers, a singing Cuckoo, Canada Geese with goslings, Brown Hares with leverets, and a pair of Redstarts.
The wet weather that we have been having recently has been challenging, and it will certainly have been, and will be, over the coming days, challenging for any birds with young in the nest.
On 31st May, I carried out a check of our boxes in the Hodder Valley, with my good friend, and fellow birder, ringer, and naturalist, Craig. Everything was looking good, and the spell of good weather that we had last week was perfect timing. We ringed a good few chicks from the boxes; 32 Blue Tits, 21 Pied Flycatchers, nine Coal Tits, and six Great Tits.
We also managed to trap one of the female Pied Flycatchers at the nest and ring her, so we have managed to ring/record all the females from the five occupied boxes. However, we still need to catch four of the five males, and ring the remaining two broods of chicks, so that will be a job for Gail and I later in the week.
It wasn't until the 2nd June that I managed to get out in the sunshine in the afternoon at Jubilee Quay, and record a few plants. A few Common Blue Butterflies, Buff-tailed Bumblebees, and Red-tailed Bumblebees were on the wing.
There were still 19 Painted Lady butterflies on site, although some were now looking quite worn, but only one Silver Y. There were still plenty of Herring Gulls roosting over the high tide, 244, along with five Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
On 31st May, I carried out a check of our boxes in the Hodder Valley, with my good friend, and fellow birder, ringer, and naturalist, Craig. Everything was looking good, and the spell of good weather that we had last week was perfect timing. We ringed a good few chicks from the boxes; 32 Blue Tits, 21 Pied Flycatchers, nine Coal Tits, and six Great Tits.
We also managed to trap one of the female Pied Flycatchers at the nest and ring her, so we have managed to ring/record all the females from the five occupied boxes. However, we still need to catch four of the five males, and ring the remaining two broods of chicks, so that will be a job for Gail and I later in the week.
It wasn't until the 2nd June that I managed to get out in the sunshine in the afternoon at Jubilee Quay, and record a few plants. A few Common Blue Butterflies, Buff-tailed Bumblebees, and Red-tailed Bumblebees were on the wing.
There were still 19 Painted Lady butterflies on site, although some were now looking quite worn, but only one Silver Y. There were still plenty of Herring Gulls roosting over the high tide, 244, along with five Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Last Friday afternoon (5th), Gail and I completed what will probably be our final check this breeding season, of our boxes in the Hodder Valley, and I thought I would provide an update.
It was in the main all good news. All the chicks have fledged successfully (empty flattened nests), including the three broods of Pied Flycatchers that we ringed last week. The only part failure that we recorded, were three dead Great Tit chicks out of a brood of six in one of our boxes. I suspect that during this period of wet weather that we are in, the adults perhaps struggled to find enough food. But at least they managed to get half their brood away.
We had just two broods of Pied Flycatchers to ring yesterday, and all 14 (two broods of 7) chicks looked fit and healthy, despite the weather, and should fledge sometime next week.
It was in the main all good news. All the chicks have fledged successfully (empty flattened nests), including the three broods of Pied Flycatchers that we ringed last week. The only part failure that we recorded, were three dead Great Tit chicks out of a brood of six in one of our boxes. I suspect that during this period of wet weather that we are in, the adults perhaps struggled to find enough food. But at least they managed to get half their brood away.
We had just two broods of Pied Flycatchers to ring yesterday, and all 14 (two broods of 7) chicks looked fit and healthy, despite the weather, and should fledge sometime next week.
Pied Flycatcher
We trapped a male Pied Flycatcher in box 24 which was already ringed, and when I checked the details, it was quite interesting. We trapped him in a box in 2025, and aged him as a second calendar year bird, so he is now two years old. However, we also trapped him in another box (box 2) on 22nd May!
If this male Pied Flycatcher looks familiar, it is because I
have already posted a picture of him when we trapped him
in box 2!
Some male Pied Flycatchers are polygamous, where they will mate with more than one female, known as polygyny. In such cases, they will mate with a secondary female, often a territory quite a distance from the primary female, but will return to the primary female, and provision the chicks of this coupling, leaving the secondary female to rear the brood on her own. However, if the two nesting territories are located close together, as in this case at our nest box scheme, the male will often split his time and provide food for both broods.
When we trapped him in box 2 on 22nd May, he was feeding the young in this box, and again when we trapped him last Friday in box 24, he was feeding the young in this box. Interestingly, the young from box 2 have fledged successfully (flattened empty nest), so he will be able to focus his full attention in feeding his brood in box 24, which based on the dates, is his secondary female. We have never recorded this before, so it is all interesting stuff.
When we trapped him in box 2 on 22nd May, he was feeding the young in this box, and again when we trapped him last Friday in box 24, he was feeding the young in this box. Interestingly, the young from box 2 have fledged successfully (flattened empty nest), so he will be able to focus his full attention in feeding his brood in box 24, which based on the dates, is his secondary female. We have never recorded this before, so it is all interesting stuff.
More interesting stuff regarding a male Pied Flycatcher, was notification from the BTO that one our Pied Flycatchers that we ringed as a chick in June 2021, has been recorded as a breeding male in a box belonging to North Lancs Ringing Group at Newton (6 km NNE), in June 2026. This of course makes him four years old, with the typical life expectancy of a Pied Flycatcher being two years.
We had another poor catch in our garden light trap yesterday morning, with just 14 moths of six species; a Ruddy Streak, a Brown House Moth, eight Heart and Darts, a Garden Carpet, a Dark Arches, and two Large Yellow Underwings.
Dark Arches
Late morning, Gail and I had a blustery walk along the Wyre estuary from Jubilee Quay, and it was quiet. We enjoyed watching a couple of Little Egrets feeding in a pool on the mud, as they darted forward, flicking left and right, with little bursts of speed.
Little Egret
We recorded a few plants, and noted our first Cinnabar Moth of the year, and ten Painted Lady butterflies were still busy on the Red Valerian.
Over on the right you will see that I have updated the ringing totals for Fylde Ringing Group up until the end of May. Two new species for the year were ringed during the month, and these were Lapwing and Curlew.
Below you will find details of the top four ringed during May, and the top seven 'movers and shakers' for the year.
Top 4 Ringed in May
1. Blue Tit - 49
2. Pied Flycatcher - 22
3. Curlew - 15
4. Great Tit - 14
Top 10 Movers and Shakers for the Year
1. Blue Tit - 67 (up from 3rd)
2. Coal Tit - 48 (down from 1st)
3. Lesser Redpoll - 25 (down from 2nd)
4. Pied Flycatcher - 23 (straight in)
Great Tit - 23 (straight in)
5. Curlew - 15 (straight in)
6. Willow Warbler - 14 (down from 4th)
7. Chiffchaff - 12 (down from 5th)
Siskin - 12 (down from 5th)
On this day in 1996, we were checking our boxes in Roeburndale, Middle Wood to be precise, near the village of Wray. In the 1990s we could still find breeding Wood Warblers, and we used to regularly find the nests of Wood Warblers here, and at Barnacre, near Oakenclough. We handed our boxes over to North Lancs Ringing Group some years later, as the member of our group who monitored the boxes in Middle Wood retired from ringing, so I don't know whether Wood Warblers still breed there, but I would be surprised if they did. They certainly don't breed at Barnacre anymore, and it is now a very scarce breeder, and has been on the red list since 2009. Very sad.
On this day, we found a nest of Wood Warblers with six chicks in, but they were too small to ring. In addition to the Wood Warblers we ringed a brood of five Willow Warblers, a brood of six Redstarts (trapped the male in the box), and we ringed 31 Pied Flycatcher chicks.
My notebook tells me that we also had two singing Cuckoos, and I wonder if Cuckoos still breed there, as it is another red-listed species on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern.
