Firstly thanks to everyone for all those kind messages of support, I'm still having a bit of a 'mare with the blog uploading software - it must have heard me bitchin'.
Secondly re the Green Woodpecker/Parakeet celebrity death match in Lytham Crem, I'm afraid I don't know anymore about it Phil, but I'll try to find out, likewise Ron, I've still to hear a satisfactory explanation for shellfish wrecks of the size we've had in the last week or so - algal blooms, weather conditions, water temperature and tidal action have all been cited to me as a reason - maybe they just like the beach?
Speaking of the coast, I wasn't in work today, but I know visibility was good John E, and Bazzo did very well with a "walking seawatch" (results shortly), unfortunately the forecast I have seen for tomorrow is for mistier, greyer weather - may still be worth a scan though.
Right if there's no more questions, I spent this morning watching the feeders at Dempsey Towers, as I don't get much of chance even with the slowly lengthening days now.
Still 5 Bramblings coming in, and they even managed to drive Gringoes off the feeders, so well done them.
Greater 'Pecker, singing Dunnock, Robin and Wren , and a bit of a Blackbird influx.
Once the birds had been fed, Mrs D agreed to take me for a pub lunch (hussar!), and although I saw nothing on the way over the mosses (and a helluva lot less on the way back), I did bump into Pete Antrobus for the first time in years.
"The 'Pod" (don't ask) was on survey work duties, but reckoned he'd had a Great White Egret in flight over Ince Blundell earlier in the day - gotta be worth keeping an eye out for.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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The worldâs biggest ever wildlife survey - the RSPBâs Big Garden Birdwatch - takes place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 January 2011 and we need you.
Last year, over half a million participants recorded 8.5 million birds across 280,000 gardens, helping us monitor the birds visiting our gardens over the winter period.
In Lancashire more than 9,000 people took part in last yearâs survey, recording the starling as the most common garden bird in the county.
This year weâre looking for even more people in Lancashire to take part. We really could do with your help as the more results we receive, the clearer the picture we can paint of the situation. We are particularly interested in finding out what effect the freezing conditions have had on species of garden birds.
Taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch is simple and itâs suitable for all the family. The survey provides a fun and educational activity in the depths of winter.
Carolyn Jarvis, the RSPBâs People Engagement Manager for Northern England, said: âBig Garden Birdwatch is great for the whole family to do together.
âIt only takes an hour, but taking part can make a real difference to our knowledge of garden birds, helping us to work out which ones are doing well and which ones need help.â
"If you havenât got children, use the Birdwatch as a great excuse to sit back and watch the wildlife outside your window for 60 minutes of your day."
Results from 2010 survey provided a good understanding of how birds were coping with the prolonged cold spell we experienced at the start of last year. Unusually high numbers of countryside birds like fieldfares, bullfinches and yellowhammers were spotted in Lancashire gardens. More usually found in fields and farmland trees and hedgerows, these birds visited our gardens for food when they couldnât find enough in their usual haunts.
To do your bit for garden birds, simply spend one hour over the weekend 29/30 January 2011 counting the birds in your garden or local park and record the highest number of every bird species seen at any one time.
The RSPB is also running lots of Big Garden Birdwatch events and activities across the UK leading up to and over the weekend of 29 and 30 January.
On 22 and 23 January, staff at the RSPBâs Ribble Discovery Centre, at Fairhaven Lake near Lytham-St-Annes, will be equipping visitors for the Big Garden Birdwatch, offering bird feeder making activities for children and bird identification advice (2-4pm). The bird feeder making activity for children costs £1. For more information, call 01253 796292.
On 28 January, RSPB Leighton Moss, in Silverdale near Carnforth, is hosting an evening meal and talk event, with nature expert Alan Stamford who will be discussing the best ways to look after garden wildlife. The event costs £16 (£14 RSPB members) and runs from 7 to 9.30pm. Booking is essential. For more information call 01524 701601.
On 29 January, the RSPB and Preston City Council Park Rangers are hosting a guided walk around Avenham Park, Preston at 1pm starting at the Pavilion (call 01772 906471). There will also be a guided walk on Sunday 30 January at Witton Country Park in Blackburn at 1pm. Call 01254 55423 for more information.
For further information and online resources to help you with your birdwatch, visit the RSPB website, www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. An online results form will be available from Saturday 29 January until 18 February 2011.
Alternatively, call 0300 456 8330 to request a Big Garden Birdwatch form to be sent to you (calls charged at standard rate). The hotline number will be in operation until 28 January.
"Walking" seawatch at Formby Point between 0820 and 1110 today produced:
Red Throated Diver 105
Great Crested Grebe 34
Common Scoter 210
Red Breasted Merg 4
Goldeneye 3
Kittiwake 1
Black Guillemot 1
Razorbill 18
Over at Sefton Park Palm House on 23 January, the RSPBâs Liverpool Local Group are setting up a variety of bird feeders and will be on hand to give advice on bird identification and looking after wildlife in your garden (noon to 4pm).
At least a dozen Little Gulls off the Fylde coast this morning, didn't get Bazzo's Black Guilly though
cheers
D
Plex Moss had 11 Corn Buntings on Sunday in a tree next to the new house
Just wanted to say that I enjoy the blogs enormously. Many thanks to Pete Robbo who pointed me in this direction:) I am relatively new to this but as I live so close to Crosby beach and am down there so often with my camera it seems foolish not to know as much as I can about what visits and lives on my beach.
Can I ask do you ever organise walks and talks along the beach?
I too would love to know the reason behind the large amount of shell debris on the beach I have never seen so much in all the years that I have lived here.
Hi John! Just replying to Dave & Andy regarding Short-eared Owls at Sefton Meadows.The best place is around Jubilee Wood or anywhere that side of Sefton Lane.
The best times to see them are early morning or an hour or so before dark in evening.
Not as many wintering here as in the past but at least 3 if not 4 there at the moment.
2 dark phase and 1 light phase.
If no joy here then cross over the A59 and follow path behind Moorhey Rd in Maghull over the M58 towards Melling and they are often round Woodhall Farm and fields next to canal here! Or try Rimrose Valley behind the old Taylors Arms pub!
Hi Dave Just regarding the Short-Eared Owls on Rimrose Valley. Are they seen regular there and is the old Taylors Arms the Pub by the canal bridge off Gorsey Lane?
Many Thanks John
Re Susan's comment - I think (and I'm no expert) that the recent shellfish wreck might be caused by the freezing conditions last month. If anyone is out looking and finds small fresh Native Oysters please let me know. There might be some large worn specimens but we don't know how long they've been out there, possibly 50/100 years or more but small ones smooth on the inside with mother-of-peal and rough/un-worn 'rings' on the outside should be reasonably modern.
Many thanks
Dave