Wednesday 4 August 2010

Anticipation and a query

The Safari has just learnt that the Lake District Red Kites were released yesterday - how long before one passes over Base Camp? Although one was seen not overly far away before this release. Here's hoping anyway.
And another thing - are Little Egrets invisible whren they move between estuaries or do they track far out to sea hugging the waves and then circle back in? We only ask as they are fairly numerous on all the estuaries in these parts, Dee, Mersey, Ribble, Wyre, Morecambe Bay, Walney Island but we've never seen one fly past during a watch on Patch 2 nor overhead on Patch 1. They are as rare as rocking horse doo-doo at the nature reserve and they don't fly at night cos we've watched 30 odd going to roost at Leighton Moss so just how do they move between estuaries without being seen? Do they change into Stealth Egrets? Here's hoping anyway.
Where to next? Gonna hit those rockpools with vengeance tomorrow morning...and try waterproofing one of the camera - the cheaper one!
In the meantime let us know if there are any stealth birds in your outback?

5 comments:

cliff said...

Where in the lakes have the Kites been released Dave?
I've been to 2 of the Kite feeding stations (Bellymack Farm & Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian) & what a fantastic spectacle they were. Wouldn't mind hooking up with them locally rather than having to cross the border.

Good point re the Egrets, I've seen two at Marton Mere over the years, one in flight at dusk, the other fishing on the small creek running away from the Mere. But, given you tend to see more Egrets than Herons around the coast these days, you rarely see one in transit, whereas conversly Grey Herons can often be seen overhead. Dunno why that is, like you say they must be in stealth mode, SteaGrets maybe?

Cliff

Warren Baker said...

The Egrets fly over land quite often here Dave, although they are quite tricky to spot if the sky is not grey, of course you dont have that problem :-)

Good luck with the Kite spotting

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Cliff - Grizedale forest so right down our end of Lakes don't know if there'll be a feeding station - personally hope not so that they spread out more and don't become dependent on the freebies.

Abosolutely no probs with grey skies here Warren.

Cheers

Davo

Unknown said...

Fisons sounds like this is one for you;
Please report your Jellyfish Sightings!
The EcoJel project aims to assess the opportunities and detrimental impacts of jellyfish in the Irish Sea.
http://www.jellyfish.ie/index.asp
They need your help!
We are into the jellyfish season and the EcoJel team are interested in your recent jellyfish sightings. They have a handy Jellyfish ID card with colour photos of all the jellyfish you are likely to see:-
http://www.jellyfish.ie/downloads/IDCard.pdf
You can report your sightings via a form on their website:-
http://www.jellyfish.ie/jellyfish_sight.asp
Big Thanks!
Anno.

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Sunday name again Anno - on-line form duly filled in. (with the proviso we haven't 100% id'd the jellies yet.

cheers

D/F