In mid-February, I spent a cold early morning hour and a half at Rossall Point, with a brisk north-north-easterly wind. I should have known better than to have a look on a northerly, as it rarely produces any birds on our side of the country, but you never know… It didn’t, it was very quiet.
A few waders were on the shore as the tide ran in, including 90 Oystercatchers, 298 Sanderlings, 84 Dunlins, 105 Turnstones, and 14 Ringed Plovers.
Sanderling
The best bird amongst the 14 Eiders, single Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe, was the first winter Shag on its commute from the Marine Lakes to a favoured foraging area no doubt.
I have been checking the Pinkies in the fields adjacent to Amounderness Way, and there was a single Barnacle Goose with the 450 Pink-feet.
The following day, Gail and I checked our net rides at the Nature Park, to see if they were flooded or not. And they weren’t too bad, certainly workable, but as you will read later, when we went back for our first ringing session they were a little more flooded, causing us a few problems!
It was bitterly cold as we walked round, and with the wind being easterly, all the wildfowl were sheltering on the near bank of the main pool out of sight. A few Gulls were roosting on the various pools, with some resplendent looking Herring Gulls (63 of them), and 45 Black-headed Gulls.
One of our local walks from home includes the duck pond in Cleveleys, and it was interesting to note that on one afternoon visit towards the end of February, there were three first winter Common Gulls amongst all the young Herring Gulls. Something that we haven't recorded here before, after many years of looking.
One of our local walks from home includes the duck pond in Cleveleys, and it was interesting to note that on one afternoon visit towards the end of February, there were three first winter Common Gulls amongst all the young Herring Gulls. Something that we haven't recorded here before, after many years of looking.
On 21st February, we were at Jubilee Quay late morning (part 1 of our WeBS count), and we were just counting the Redshanks when they all flushed. I instantly thought “raptor,” but it was the RNLI in their D class boat paddling along the main channel, presumably on some kind of exercise. I forgave them for flushing the Redshanks, as I have a great deal of respect for the yellow men and women in the orange boats.
The birds settled down, and there was a respectable total of 239 Redshanks, with 16 Teal, and 14 Oystercatchers. A cracking male Sparrowhawk flew the full length of stone quay wall just above the water, but there was absolutely no chance with my photographic skills of getting a shot, and we just preferred to enjoy it instead.
The birds settled down, and there was a respectable total of 239 Redshanks, with 16 Teal, and 14 Oystercatchers. A cracking male Sparrowhawk flew the full length of stone quay wall just above the water, but there was absolutely no chance with my photographic skills of getting a shot, and we just preferred to enjoy it instead.
Redshanks
The following day it was WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) part 2 for Gail and I. We surveyed one of our sites yesterday, and did our second site (reservoir at Thornton) today.
Walking down the path to the estuary, we had a nice encounter with a Roe Deer, in the adjacent field that is nearly all Phragmites now. The deer was watching us, as we enjoyed watching it, and after a few minutes it got fed up of watching us, and moved away.
Walking down the path to the estuary, we had a nice encounter with a Roe Deer, in the adjacent field that is nearly all Phragmites now. The deer was watching us, as we enjoyed watching it, and after a few minutes it got fed up of watching us, and moved away.
Roe Deer
A Common Toad was a pleasure to see, as always, as it crossed the path in front of us heading to a spawning pond nearby no doubt.
Lots of birds were singing as we walked along the footpath through the scrubby hedgerow, including a couple of Song Thrushes. A Sparrowhawk, where the path joins the estuary, and a circling Buzzard riding the warm air currents, were our only raptors.
Out on the reservoir were seven Coots, four Little Grebes, a male Pochard, and 26 Tufted Ducks.
Out on the reservoir were seven Coots, four Little Grebes, a male Pochard, and 26 Tufted Ducks.
Pochard and Tufted Duck
I can remember back in the early 1980s it was easy to record over 100 Pochards, during winter, on what is now the Nature Park and this reservoir, but nowadays they are only recorded in low single figures, and often feature on local bird news groups as they are now so scarce.
The breeding population is stable, but WeBS shows a declining trend in numbers, that is partly thought to be driven by milder winters, keeping more water-bodies on mainland Europe ice free. This ensures that feeding opportunities remain closer to Pochard breeding areas, and there is no need to head west to winter in the UK.
We had a look on the river and recorded 80 Dunlins, 360 Lapwings, 60 Redshanks, and an ever-present Rock Pipit.
Gail and I ran our Thornton Cleveleys garden light trap for the first time on the night of 25th/26th February, and we just recorded one moth, a Clouded Drab.
The breeding population is stable, but WeBS shows a declining trend in numbers, that is partly thought to be driven by milder winters, keeping more water-bodies on mainland Europe ice free. This ensures that feeding opportunities remain closer to Pochard breeding areas, and there is no need to head west to winter in the UK.
We had a look on the river and recorded 80 Dunlins, 360 Lapwings, 60 Redshanks, and an ever-present Rock Pipit.
Gail and I ran our Thornton Cleveleys garden light trap for the first time on the night of 25th/26th February, and we just recorded one moth, a Clouded Drab.
Later in the morning, Gail had an Optician’s appointment in Cleveleys, so whilst Gail was having her eyes tested, I stretched my legs along the promenade as far as Rossall School and back.
Feeding out on the Honeycomb Worm reef, were 224 Oystercatchers, 37 Turnstones, a Sanderling, and three Curlews.
There were some signs that spring had sprung, with a couple of Goldfinches heading north, and a Grey Wagtail following suit.
I expected a high-flying Skylark to be doing the same, but it was heading south. I have noticed this many times before with Skylarks, they do seem to like flying into the wind, even when this is opposite to the seasonal migratory direction. Lots of times I have seen them head out across Morecambe Bay in late autumn/winter, when the wind has been northerly!
Feeding out on the Honeycomb Worm reef, were 224 Oystercatchers, 37 Turnstones, a Sanderling, and three Curlews.
There were some signs that spring had sprung, with a couple of Goldfinches heading north, and a Grey Wagtail following suit.
I expected a high-flying Skylark to be doing the same, but it was heading south. I have noticed this many times before with Skylarks, they do seem to like flying into the wind, even when this is opposite to the seasonal migratory direction. Lots of times I have seen them head out across Morecambe Bay in late autumn/winter, when the wind has been northerly!
Skylarks do fly into the wind to aid their rapid vertical ascent, when undertaking a song flight, but they also do it outside the breeding season. I had a look through The Skylark by Paul F. Donald, but could not find anything on the subject. Other species do it as well, but it is more pronounced in Skylarks. Flying into wind will increase the airflow over the wing, generating more lift, and maybe that is simply the reason.
A male Stonechat in the dunes at Rossall School could easily have been a migrant as well, and a hovering Kestrel, and a singing Song Thrush, scribbled themselves on to the pages of my notebook. Far better than waiting in the Opticians…
Stonechat (above & below)
I sacrificed time out in the field over the last weekend in February, to build ten next boxes for Pied Flycatchers, to replace any dilapidated boxes at our Pied Flycatcher nest box scheme at the Boar Park, and any that are not used there will be put up for Tree Sparrows on our good friend’s farm near Nateby.
I had a walk along the Wyre from the Quay on the previous Friday morning, and in the Quay on the falling tide were 161 Redshanks, and eight Teal. At the confluence of the river and the dock channel, were 33 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 12 Wigeon, and nine Oystercatchers, and on the river were a pair of Eider. I look forward to this time every year, to enjoy the passage of Lesser Black-backed Gulls in their spanking crisp white and dark grey plumage, contrasting so well with their flushed yellow legs. Gorgeous.
The following morning, I had a look on the sea off Larkholme, but it was very quiet, with just 22 Cormorants, four Shelducks, single Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe in summer plumage, and seven Common Scoters.
The following morning, I had a look on the sea off Larkholme, but it was very quiet, with just 22 Cormorants, four Shelducks, single Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe in summer plumage, and seven Common Scoters.
A little bit of ‘vis’ was just detectable with a handful of Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches north. A singing Cetti’s Warbler was giving its explosive song from an area of scrub, and damp vegetation in the farm/school fields.
A couple of other snippets from the beginning of March include 70 Magpies roosting in The Towers at Cleveleys early evening, and a Ring-necked Parakeet calling away towards dusk there the following day, and up to 11 Common Frogs in our tiny Thornton Cleveleys garden pond.
A couple of other snippets from the beginning of March include 70 Magpies roosting in The Towers at Cleveleys early evening, and a Ring-necked Parakeet calling away towards dusk there the following day, and up to 11 Common Frogs in our tiny Thornton Cleveleys garden pond.
Common Frog
A few mornings later, Gail and I went out looking for a few early insects. The fact that our garden light trap had drawn a blank, didn’t bode well. We first looked at the Quay, but there was nothing doing there, so we decided to have a look at the dunes surrounding the Marine Lakes. No insects, but a few birds, including 15 Mute Swans, 66 Redshanks, a few Turnstones, and male Stonechat and Red-breasted Merganser.
On 4th March I was at the Point for first light, and even though the sea was quiet, there was some very definite visible migration, more signs that spring has sprung! A few Pink-footed Geese, 57, headed north-east over the bay, as did 13 Whooper Swans.
When I was at my watch-point I kept on hearing Long-tailed Tits calling, I would turn round and see nothing, and thought I was hearing things, and then I picked them up, 14 ‘Lotties’ climbing, and heading high to the east. Migration never ceases to amaze me.
Other passerines on the move were 45 Linnets, seven Meadow Pipits, an Alba Wagtail, three Goldfinches, and two Chaffinches, or at least two Chaffinch call registrations!
On 4th March I was at the Point for first light, and even though the sea was quiet, there was some very definite visible migration, more signs that spring has sprung! A few Pink-footed Geese, 57, headed north-east over the bay, as did 13 Whooper Swans.
When I was at my watch-point I kept on hearing Long-tailed Tits calling, I would turn round and see nothing, and thought I was hearing things, and then I picked them up, 14 ‘Lotties’ climbing, and heading high to the east. Migration never ceases to amaze me.
Other passerines on the move were 45 Linnets, seven Meadow Pipits, an Alba Wagtail, three Goldfinches, and two Chaffinches, or at least two Chaffinch call registrations!
Out on the shore were six Turnstones, 171 Oystercatchers, a nice flock of 77 Grey Plovers, 70 Dunlins, 260 Sanderlings, and 14 Ringed Plovers.
The sea was quiet with just seven Cormorants, nine Common Scoters, seven Red-breasted Mergansers, a single Red-throated Diver, 20 Eiders, and four Shelducks.
In the grounded camp were two male Stonechats, and a Goldcrest.
Back home our moth trap was once again devoid of moths, but I did manage to ‘snap’ a White-legged Snake Millipede that was curled up underneath the trap. They are very common, but fascinating creatures no less.
The sea was quiet with just seven Cormorants, nine Common Scoters, seven Red-breasted Mergansers, a single Red-throated Diver, 20 Eiders, and four Shelducks.
In the grounded camp were two male Stonechats, and a Goldcrest.
Back home our moth trap was once again devoid of moths, but I did manage to ‘snap’ a White-legged Snake Millipede that was curled up underneath the trap. They are very common, but fascinating creatures no less.
White-legged Snake Millipede
The following morning, we packed our feeding station up at our good friend’s farm near Nateby, and as it was such a pleasant morning we had a walk through the woodland, and a look on the wetland. There was a good smattering of bird song, including our first Chiffchaff of the spring. Treecreepers are always a delight to see, and we enjoyed watching one for a few minutes as it made its way from tree to tree.
Out on the wetland, were at least 100 Teal, and 20 Snipe, and a couple of Redwings and a croaking Raven were noteworthy. And we had our first bee of the year, in the form of a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
Out on the wetland, were at least 100 Teal, and 20 Snipe, and a couple of Redwings and a croaking Raven were noteworthy. And we had our first bee of the year, in the form of a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
The weather was trying in early March, and after it stopped raining on Friday morning (6th), I headed up to the Quay for a walk. The tide was running in, but there was still plenty of mud available, and Redshanks numbered 234.
Ten males, and 12 female Teal were feeding along the edge of the mud, and just five Wigeon were in the dock channel. At the mouth of the dock channel were 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with 29 Herring Gulls. The odd Meadow Pipit and Grey Wagtail headed north, and a Rock Pipit was on the embryo saltmarsh.
Ten males, and 12 female Teal were feeding along the edge of the mud, and just five Wigeon were in the dock channel. At the mouth of the dock channel were 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with 29 Herring Gulls. The odd Meadow Pipit and Grey Wagtail headed north, and a Rock Pipit was on the embryo saltmarsh.
I called in at the cemetery on my way home, and it was nice to see a few plants flowering, in the form of Red Dead-nettle, Common Fumitory, and Lesser Celandine.
Common Fumitory
Red Dead-nettle
The following morning, Gail and I attempted our first ringing session at the Nature Park. When I loaded my mist net poles on to the roof rack of my car at 0530, it was clear and frosty, and then when we came out of the house at 0600 it was foggy! Not the conditions we were hoping for.
On site, our net rides were quite wet, and we only managed to put up one 40-foot net. We knew that this, combined with the foggy conditions, would mean that we would be lucky to ring anything, and that was the case.
On site, our net rides were quite wet, and we only managed to put up one 40-foot net. We knew that this, combined with the foggy conditions, would mean that we would be lucky to ring anything, and that was the case.
Flooded net ride.
The sun did burn the fog away after a couple of hours, but it was too late by then, and I suspect that the bay to the north was still ‘locked down’ with murk. As we put the single net up, we were serenaded by four Cetti’s Warblers, and at least two squealing Water Rails. Little Grebes were ‘singing’ as well, and on the main pool there were at least eight birds, with nine Coots and four Tufted Ducks.
A Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, and a male Stonechat, were the best of the rest.
On 10th March, Gail and I carried out our annual maintenance check of our Pied Flycatcher nest box scheme in the Hodder Valley near Chipping.We have 45 nest boxes in this area of ancient semi-natural woodland, and today we replaced 5 boxes, and put an additional one up, so there are 46 boxes waiting for the birds to arrive.
A Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, and a male Stonechat, were the best of the rest.
On 10th March, Gail and I carried out our annual maintenance check of our Pied Flycatcher nest box scheme in the Hodder Valley near Chipping.We have 45 nest boxes in this area of ancient semi-natural woodland, and today we replaced 5 boxes, and put an additional one up, so there are 46 boxes waiting for the birds to arrive.
Lots of Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage were flowering alongside Dog’s Mercury, and Lord’s-and-Ladie’s were growing nicely. Among the greens and browns of the woodland floor, and delicate yellows and greens of the Saxifrage and Dog’s Mercury flowers, vibrant red from the Scarlet Elfcups added a splash of colour.
Dog's Mercury
A few birds accompanied us as we walked up and down the flanks of the wooded valley carrying ladder, nest boxes, and tools, including Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Mistle Thrush.
As you know, Pied Flycatchers nest in upland, wooded valleys in the west of the UK, but in the early 1990s we had a pair nesting in the Fylde!
We used to monitor some nest boxes, and carry out bird surveys, for British Nuclear Fuels at their plant at Salwick, that has quite a bit of woodland in it. I received a phone call from our contact at BNFL, Jim, when we carried out a visit on site, to say that one of the BNFL Police Officers had seen a black and white bird going into one of our boxes.
At this point I could not for the life of me think what it could be, and Pied Flycatcher was certainly not on my mind. It was also quite late in the breeding season, and the Tit species that we monitored had all fledged, so that confused me even more.
I went on site to have a look, found which box it was, watched from a distance, and sure enough there was a male and female Pied Flycatcher going in and out of the box with insect food. I put my ladder up, lifted the lid, and was greeted by a brood of Pied Flycatcher chicks!
What was interesting, was that the box that they had chosen, was probably as close to their upland, wooded valley habitat that they could find. The box was on Oak, and next to a ditch, with Oak and water being two physical attributes associated with Pied Flycatchers.
Nature never ceases to amaze me.
Last Saturday morning didn’t go as planned. The plan was to get up at 2:30 am, watch the Chinese F1 sprint race, go back to bed, get up again at 5:30 am and go birding at Larkholme. The first bit went to plan, but not the second. I convinced myself at 5:30 am that it wouldn’t be that great on the sea particularly, as the wind was north-westerly, and that is probably true. But what a lightweight…
Gail and I got out mid-morning, and we went for one of our regular walks along the Wyre from the Quay. The tide was falling, and I suspect the tide had dropped enough for the waders to move on to other foraging sites, as we just had 14 Redshanks and six Oystercatchers. Wildfowl numbers are dropping now and we counted only five Wigeons and two Teal.
A few Meadow Pipits and Alba Wagtails were heading high, north, with the odd Woodpigeon as well. But what lifted our spirits were the Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. It was warm along the Quay, and we both had to lose a layer of clothing to prevent overheating, and at least ten of these gorgeous butterflies were on the wing.
As you know, Pied Flycatchers nest in upland, wooded valleys in the west of the UK, but in the early 1990s we had a pair nesting in the Fylde!
We used to monitor some nest boxes, and carry out bird surveys, for British Nuclear Fuels at their plant at Salwick, that has quite a bit of woodland in it. I received a phone call from our contact at BNFL, Jim, when we carried out a visit on site, to say that one of the BNFL Police Officers had seen a black and white bird going into one of our boxes.
At this point I could not for the life of me think what it could be, and Pied Flycatcher was certainly not on my mind. It was also quite late in the breeding season, and the Tit species that we monitored had all fledged, so that confused me even more.
I went on site to have a look, found which box it was, watched from a distance, and sure enough there was a male and female Pied Flycatcher going in and out of the box with insect food. I put my ladder up, lifted the lid, and was greeted by a brood of Pied Flycatcher chicks!
What was interesting, was that the box that they had chosen, was probably as close to their upland, wooded valley habitat that they could find. The box was on Oak, and next to a ditch, with Oak and water being two physical attributes associated with Pied Flycatchers.
Nature never ceases to amaze me.
Last Saturday morning didn’t go as planned. The plan was to get up at 2:30 am, watch the Chinese F1 sprint race, go back to bed, get up again at 5:30 am and go birding at Larkholme. The first bit went to plan, but not the second. I convinced myself at 5:30 am that it wouldn’t be that great on the sea particularly, as the wind was north-westerly, and that is probably true. But what a lightweight…
Gail and I got out mid-morning, and we went for one of our regular walks along the Wyre from the Quay. The tide was falling, and I suspect the tide had dropped enough for the waders to move on to other foraging sites, as we just had 14 Redshanks and six Oystercatchers. Wildfowl numbers are dropping now and we counted only five Wigeons and two Teal.
A few Meadow Pipits and Alba Wagtails were heading high, north, with the odd Woodpigeon as well. But what lifted our spirits were the Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. It was warm along the Quay, and we both had to lose a layer of clothing to prevent overheating, and at least ten of these gorgeous butterflies were on the wing.
Small Tortoiseshell (above & below)
We also had a eight 7-spot Ladybirds, and I suspect we would have had a lot more if we had looked for them, these were just individuals that crossed our path, so to speak.
7-spot Ladybird
We decided to have a look at the dunes at the Marine Lakes, but even in areas that we thought would be sheltered it was cool in that north-westerly.
Sometimes though, you have an experience that renews your faith in humanity, and you think perhaps that nature might have a chance. Gail and I were stood straining our ears and eyes skywards, listening to and watching, a Skylark displaying over the dunes. A young guy came up behind us, with a dog on a lead (a good start), and a can of lager in his hand, and asked what the beautiful bird song was that we were listening to. We pointed out the Skylark, he was obviously thrilled, he thanked us and was on his way. That made our morning that did…
Sometimes though, you have an experience that renews your faith in humanity, and you think perhaps that nature might have a chance. Gail and I were stood straining our ears and eyes skywards, listening to and watching, a Skylark displaying over the dunes. A young guy came up behind us, with a dog on a lead (a good start), and a can of lager in his hand, and asked what the beautiful bird song was that we were listening to. We pointed out the Skylark, he was obviously thrilled, he thanked us and was on his way. That made our morning that did…
Another sign that spring has sprung, is the fact that our small garden pond is now full of frog spawn. We were starting to worry that we weren't going to get any this year, despite there being up to 11 Common Frogs in the pond, both males and females. Then on 11th March there was a single clump, seven days later than our first last year, and this morning (16th) there are five clumps. Fabulous!
On this day (16th March) in 2018, Gail and I were at Mersehead RSPB on the Solway in south-west Scotland, and spring most certainly had not sprung! It was a cold, dreich day, with frequent showers, and a cool easterly wind. Mersehead is one of our favourite reserves, so it is always a pleasure to be there whatever the weather.
It was all about wintering wildfowl on this morning, and we were delighted with the 587 Barnacle Geese, nine Gadwall, 66 Teal, 15 Pintails, 23 Wigeon, and 15 Shovelers. Finishing as always with a hot coffee in the visitor centre, and watching the comings and goings at the feeding station.
