Finally back online (although the continuing lack of comments from readers suggests I'm writing for myself at present, despite what Google Analytics might tell me to the contrary).
Anyway, the rain and dark of the weekend seems a distant memory after a day in the almost warm sun at Formby Point today, but Bazzo, Neill and I enjoyed a Sunday on the Fylde all the same, with a few goods birds and the usual amount of laughs and invisible Iceland Gulls (it never shows on a Sunday apparently - how does it know what day it is?????)
Hammering down when we got to Fairhaven Lake, but the Red Necked Grebe didn't seem to mind, fishing happily in the gloom.
Always nice to watch one of these critters, they usually are obliging, but it would have been better to watch it in daylight.....if the RSPB were to install a great big mirror on the landward side of the lake at the right angle, I reckon we could 'scope it from Marshside on a clear day....just a thought.
Enough smoke and mirrors, off we went to Lytham Crem for a bit of discreet parakeet hunting amongst the headstones.
Up to eight of the luminous green freaks have been around the Crem for quite some time now, and have bred for the last three years.
A trio came in squeaking and squawking to feed in branches just above our heads, so strange still to watch 'em happily muscling in to the avifauna.
Good for them I say, the more the merrier, groovy wiggly tails and all.
Mistle Thrush singing away here, as was Dunnock, Great Tit and Wren.
Having paid our respects at the crem, we pushed on through the rain in the Baby Black Death to Fleetwood, where amongst the discarded Cod heads, fish boxes and salty sea dogs (yarrrr!) the Great Northern Diver was still hunting for its dinner in the fish dock, when it wasn't chasing off Red Breasted Mergs.
Hard to digiscope, as it was diving frequently, and these beasts can stay underwater for a long time.
Managed this one blurry shot before the batteries in my soggy camera ran out.
Ah well, great day, great company - before I forget, the Brambling flock at Dempsey Towers is now up to a mighty 12 birds, a record so far this winter.
Oh yeah, and finally, a hearty "Up Yours" to Zemanta, the linking software introduced to this blog's management system - so good, it disabled the thing for 24 hours, and I still can't upload pix in the usual way
It'll probably never let me on again.
Eyes to the skies everyone,eyes to the skies...
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Hi John,
Great to see there are some good birds still hanging about in the north-west. North Wales is dead at the moment! Nice shots of the grebe..
Catch you soon
Hi John , Doesn't Lytham Crem have some resident Green Woodpeckers ? Or have the Ring Necked Squawkers chased them away ?
Hi John
Folk are still 'tuning in' and i certainly enjoy [and learn from your posts]. That said, I guess a comment [and perhaps occasional dialogue, is a two way thing]
Anyway, I think your blog is 'the Bee's Knees [what is the origin of that?] of birding blogs, and is much appreciated.
We have had a Rose Ringed Parakeet in our garden in Delamere for the past 2 days. I have never seen one around here before. Seems to be enjoying feeding off the buds of the trees.
You are not alone, John. We still love your blog ..... please keep informing and entertaining us
Hi John,
"the continuing lack of comments from readers suggests I'm writing for myself at present, "
Well, I for one I have recently become an avid reader of your blog. I've lived in Spain for 20 odd years but grew up in Southport, so I really enjoy reading your exploits on the Sefton coast - and am amazed at the variety of wildlife there in the winter (seal at Formby Point, puffins flying by, dead porpoise, etc).
Just to say thanks for the blog, I don't often get to the Southport area so I don't get the chance to contribute but that doesn't mean I don't like the way you tell em :)
Just want to add my "thumbs up" for the blog, too. I'm a beginning birder and this is an excellent and entertaining education. In fact, the first place I come to. Cheers!
A splendid blog John. I "tune in" regularly and enjoy your news and photos. Keep up the good work!
Hi John! I had problems adding comments yesterday and doesn't seem to have got through! Yesterday morning at Sefton Meadows- 2 short-eared owls, 2 male stonechat,2 kes,1 female sparrowhawk, 15 grey partridge,c 500 pink feet,and a Brown hare. 1 little owl on pylon on cheshire lines path.
Hi John,
We're thinking of going staring at the sea tomorrow, probably Formby Point, could you tell me what the Visibility was like today? It's really foggy here this morning and if it's the same in the Formby area there's not much point in going.
We read your blog every day it's the only one thats kept going so please keep it up.
Hi John, About 150 Golden Plover on Marshside 2 this afternoon. Mike.
Hi John,
Fantastic blog!
Quite interested in Colin's comment regarding the Green Woodpeckers at the crem. Could you shine any light on it?
Regards
Phil
I still read it John!!!
Dave, where is best place for the Short Eared Owls on Sefton Medows???
Andy
Hello all, I'm wondering if anyone could tell me the best area and time to watch Short Eared Owls. I work on Sefton Lane ind estate and regularly go birdwatching behind on Jubilee Wood and also on the other side by the Punch Bowl and Iv'e seen Barn, Tawny' and Little Owls but as yet never seen a Short Eared,should I be walking further up the Cheshire Lines?
I enjoy the blog very much , and read it every week from Manhattan. Keep up the good work. Gavin
Hi John,
I avidly follow the blog and, as a West Lancs expat, really enjoy the news from up there while down here in East Kent. In fact, we have 1000s of Ring-necked Parakeets down here - if you want any more we've got plenty to spare!
All the best,
Rob