Archive for March, 2014
- January 02, 2016 Ducks!
During a brief break in the rain I had a quick walk around Sands Lake in fading light.
Read More…- January 02, 2016 New Year, New List
A lot of people try to have a big day early in the year to get 70 or 80 of the easy ticks. I’m having a little look in the garden.
Read More…- January 04, 2016 Marshside
First RSPB shift of the year. ON the way I stopped at Southport seafront, where I was less than 100% confident that the finches were twite, and I couldn’t see the shag on the Marine lake (I think it’s slung its hook). Goldeneye and both big and little grebes were in evidence. I also failed to pick out the 1st winter Scaup that people have been reporting from Fairclough’s pool.
Read More…- January 05, 2016 Birthday Birding
Eagerly clutching my new camera, I just had time to quickly nip down to the beach before other appointments. Before I got there, I was distracted by the tits and finches in the wooded part of the dunes along the yellow brick road - I’m pretty sure I saw a Siskin (at the time, the top bird on my Hit List), but not 100% sure. I’d have awarded myself the tick because it was my birthday, but I’m writing this in retrospect and Siskins are no longer a big deal.
Read More…- January 09, 2016 Marshside
A blustery day at Marshside. A Great White Egret was present on the pool opposite Sandgrounder’s, but it moved up towards Crossens when I went after it with my camera. As I chased it, I was able to spectate at a spectacular dogfight between a Merlin and a Skylark.
Read More…- January 10, 2016 Finches and Owls at Martin Mere
The plan was for a whistle-stop tour of numerous Ribble Estuary locations, but after a late start (first Kestrel of the year at Weld Road though) we arrived at Hesketh Out Marsh in the teeth of a gale and lost enthusiasm.
Read More…- January 14, 2016 Out and About
A post for random bird sightings in January.
Read More…- January 16, 2016 Ainsdale NNR
A cold, misty day with a threat of rain saw me looking for Crossbills again at Ainsdale NNR. No luck, but there were Redwings and a Fieldfare at the beach end of Fisherman’s Path, and Jays and Goldcrests EVERYWHERE. A buzzard overhead was the only raptor spotted.
Read More…- January 18, 2016 Cold, cold, cold
Brrrr. So cold at Sandgrounder’s hide today. 1st winter drake Scaup from Fairclough’s and lots of Redshank en route; Peregrine high overhead; intrguing unidentified flyby in front of the hide.
Read More…- January 20, 2016 Double Duck Dip
A sunny morning with wind that was not especially biting was a good time to interrogate the Wigeon at Hesketh Out Marsh to see if they would give up the American interloper among them. With such close examination, it was interesting to see how many of them had a certain amount of green about the face, but there wasn’t a convincing textbook American wigeon to be seen.
Read More…- January 22, 2016 Ainsdale Dunes
Today provided several photographic subjects, including Cormorants and Magpies at Sands Lake and Stonechats further North on the dunes.
Read More…- January 25, 2016 Marshside Odds and Sods
- Female-type Marsh Harrier down by the tideline on Saturday 23rd.
- Snipe today: one flushed at Fairclough’s platform, one dropped in and out in front of the hide.
