Way too bright and sunny first thing this morning for mega exciting passage at Marshside, even so, a constant chirrupping and bleeping of Skylarks and Mipits overhead, with titmice flocks, Jays etc around the golf course early doors, when the errant shots of lousy golfers weren't keeping me on my toes.
Big nos (2,000+) of Pinkies on the outer marsh, with small groups drifting inland from 8.30am onward.
Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail and Reed Bunting going through too, while the Sandplant compound held the usual finch flock (mainly Goldfinch, with Gringoes and Linnets), much Mipitry, Robins, Wren and a Wheatear.
All spooked by one of the local Kestrels, and several walkers insisting on using the raised boundaries of the site as a path - so sticking out like a sore thumb...(fieldcraft whinge over)
At least a colour ringed Blackwit was at the bottom of Marshside One with the flock:
Left leg: Yellow over white
Right leg: Red over red flag.
I'll send the Godwit details off to the wader boffins and let you know where that one has been later.
One or two Ruff in with the flock too.
Didn't get a chance to get down to Nels, but the water level seemed pretty high after the recent rains - Little Egrets looked particularly pleased with themselves.
Thanks, before I forget, to Ron Jackson who sent me this link to his video of Spotted Redshanks at Nels recently.
Very nice.
All the Lapwings and Starlings flushed off Marshside Two by a passing Peregrine, but most of the Wigeon and Teal stayed put.
A Common Buzzard was hovering about over Churchtown as I left, panicking yet more birdies over on the landward edge of the reserve, but no more so than the opportunist GBBs.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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A juvenile Little Stint on the wet mud on the upper beach off the boardwalk at Birkdale yesterday morning with a mixed wader flock; 32 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover and 3 Sanderling with another c30 Dunlin joining them later. Small groups of Skylarks moving through. Lot's of tit and finch activity around Royal Birkdale and the Selworthy Road cuttings with a Goldcrest or two as well but no winter thrushes yet.
Parties of Skylarks, Mipits, Wagtails and Finches were coming in from the North off the sea over the high tide at Leasowe this morning with Ruby Tiger and Common Footman Moth caterpillars on the wave wall. At the same time Small Copper and Speckled Wood Butterflies were on the wing together with male Vapourer Moths over the inland path.
Now that itâÂÂs time to dig out your woolly socks from the bottom drawer, the RSPB at the Ribble Discovery Centre, at Fairhaven Lake near Lytham St Annes' "Ribble Rambles" are a perfect way to experience the amazing autumn migration on the estuary, with huge flocks of wading birds showing off their aerial prowess. Although they promise to be thrilling, these walks around GrannyâÂÂs Bay are also relaxing, being a couple of miles long with plenty of stops to take in the sights and sounds. The next walk is on Sunday 24 October from 10 am, lasting about two to three hours. If youâÂÂre really lucky you might even spot one of the local birds of prey coming in to take advantage of an easy lunch!
ThereâÂÂs also plenty of indoor entertainment with the winter talks programme kicking off with âÂÂLife on the SeashoreâÂÂ. Hugh Jones will be giving an illustrated talk about the unusual life that is found around BritainâÂÂs coasts on Thursday 21 October at 8 pm (finishing at 9-9.30 pm).
Julie Vale, retail and membership assistant with the RSPB at the centre says: âÂÂWeâÂÂre as busy as ever with things going on over the winter, with our shop stocked full with Christmas goodies the events programme is in full swing. We would love you to come along and see us.âÂÂ
The walks are free and you can just turn up -no booking is required, however please wear suitable clothing and meet at the centre 10 minutes beforehand. Booking is required for the talks and cost ã4 (or ã3 for RSPB members). For a full list of events at the Ribble Discovery Centre please see: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/ribblediscoverycentre or for further information or booking please phone the centre on 01253 796292.
Hello John,
Just to let you know the 3 Peregrines are still at the Anglican Cathedral, usually to be seen high up on the tower. The 2 adults had already settled in for the night when just after 6pm today the big juvenile returned; she(?) circled the tower a few times, landed briefly and then headed off over Rodney Street.
John, I'm pretty sure I've had a Richard's Pipit at Weld Road about 0915 this morning. A pipit got up from the ground close to me and flew away with a distinctive harsh call, quite unlike the typical Mipit calls I'd been listening to for several minutes.
It dropped to earth quite some distance ahead of me, but before landing it hovered for several seconds.
The call was a harsh 'shrip', or similar, quite distinct from the more familiar Meadow or Tree Pipit calls.
I saw a Richard's at Crossens some years ago, and this is exactly how that bird behaved. It was the call and the hovering this morning that I recalled from the previous occasion.
Regards, Derek.
Hi John
That falcon looks like the lannerish thing I saw about the same time. Its yet another lost falconers bird and was causing havoc amidst the lapwings when I saw it. Apparantly the chap who lost it is advertising it as a lanner.
Cheers
TB