Zipped down to the front at Ainsdale after work this afternoon in the hope of catching up with the Black Redstart, which was seen again yesterday (and earlier today) feeding on the level area by the Rangers' fenced yard.
Why I thought it would be any easier to see the elusive little weasel than it was before Christmas I don't know - at least Duncan Rothwell and Chris Tynan were both on hand to offer me counselling as the bird remained resolutely hidden in the Pontin's compound.
Glorious afternoon though, with a pair of Stonechats about (which habitually chase off the Black Red when it does pop out of Pontin's to zip about the area), a few Meadow Pipits (early migrants?) and a Pied Wagtail.
I guess you just have to be lucky with this bird, and I wasn't.
On the way out I had a very quick look at the Sands Lake - with the tide halfway out, there weren't too many gulls, just Black Headed and Commons, the Mute Swan family were playing up to the day trippers, and there were at least 35 Tufties on the water, but only two Shovelers and a single female Pochard.
The horrific realisation slowly dawned that the only way to be sure of connecting with the Black Red is to book a week in Pontin's, and I headed home to break the good news to Mrs D.
When I told her, she didn't say anything. Still hasn't.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....
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John Bannon wrote...
Hi John
Tawny Owls nocturnal shennanigans hereabouts of late.
Been out tetrading as usual, including tree passing at Nuck's Wood, where avian interest, included Gadwall, and Woodcock and at least two Jack Snipe flushed...and no fisherman.
About 100 Whoopers - some 33% young birds, on the soon to be dry, flooded fields, with 500 plus Lapwing, dozen or so Snipe and odd Ruff.
Blooody hot -17 C yesterday afternoon and butterflies included Tortoiseshell. Peacock and Holly Blue with female Merlin chasing Fieldfares.
16 gullible/adaptable species in full song, but Mipits, Linnets, Corn Bunts and Skylarks, not yet taken in by mid-winter/summer heatwave.Very early Oystercatchers and Shelducks having nuptial goings-on though.
Average temp for early/mid-Feb when I was a lad, was brass monkeys, with three feet of snow and frost so hard, that Ross Kemp would be too scared to go out in it.
Anyway, at least the Birds of Lancashire has been published, before the end of the world as we know it.
Eyes to the baking skies !
Posted by: John Bannon | February 13, 2008 11:22 PM