Ooohh - what a jay day

The Safari wonders if anyone else will admit to remembering Larry Grayson...

Today's safari started before the sun came up as we picked up the Young Uns before it was properly light for a trip up the motorway.

The day had dawned cold but bright and mist held in the dips and valleys. An early rising Buzzard broke the birding duck, but better was a brilliant spot by AB as we neared our destination...from the road you can see the trees the Little Egret roosting tree and as we approached he called a bird flying away as the Great White Egret - we ground to a swift stop, condensation strewn windows were wound down and the ID confirmed with binoculars - nice one but we neglected to count the visible Little Egrets!

Our target was the grit trays on the Causeway although it was still a bit too early as the sun hadn't come up over the surrounding hills and it was flamin chilly. Artistically misty though...

A Cetti's Warbler sang loudly and kept the gathering crowd guessing as to it's whereabouts. Eventually it gave itself up with stonking views...well stonking for a Cetti's Warbler...a brief reed-top flypast! The friendly Robin here kept his distance today for some reason, no telescope perching for our amusement this morning.

While we waited a Jay or two or three passed over along with numerous Siskins and Lesser Redpolls and few Redwings. A flock of seven Black Tailed Godwits was amusingly misIDd by one of the Young Uns as Tufted Ducks - oops! A long wait ensued before we heard the ping ping of our intended - the Bearded Tits (183). A longer wait was necessary before we saw any and they weren't in the reeds or on the grit trays but overhead! JS nicely captured this behaviour which has been in short supply in recent years - so if there's any hint of reeds near you check em out for Bearded Tits - not sure if Holland's population is doing the same.

With the Beardies under the belt we headed off to another area of the reserve to see what else we could find. The Young Uns went to the hide while we checked out the feeding station for another year bird...again a wait but eventually it fell...

We've still not got a decent pic of a Bullfinch (184). This one is at ISO about a million and 30 seconds exposure time! Two Rats and a Rabbit had a tiff started the day's mammal list.

We ignored the 1st winter drake Scaup the lads had seen from the hide and went to the further hides in search of more and bigger mammals. Just one was seen hidden deep under the trees - a Red Deer hind. All today's mammals began with 'R'.

This stricking tree on its little island is a popular haunt for stags but not today :-(

Photography was tricky with the light in our faces but what made it worse was the gobbet of what looked like Kangaroo snot on the lens - yuk and no wonder we had focus difficulties and flares.

A Marsh Harrier flew around a few times which we managed to completely miss. Then it was back to the grit trays where we didn't have to wait too long before we had some success. Again apologies for the dismal quality.

All to soon it was time to head back to Base Camp after a grand day out in which 71 species were seen, most notably well into double figures of Jays.

Frank then 'forced' us around Patch 1, he must be feeling better as this was his furthest walk - and he demanded to do it - for three or more months. We were rewarded by excellent views of a Goldcrest but little else.

He's tired now though.

Where to next? More Patch 2 stuff tomorrow, will there be any vis to observe as overnight conditions don't look too bad? Then in the afternoon we have a class out on a site near their school - pots and nets will be wielded!

In the meantime let us know what your excuses are for poor photography in your outback.

North Lancashire 31st May 2008

An early start saw us at Warton Crag Quarry before 8 O'clock. arriving at the car park and opening the Land Rover's doors we staight away heard the yik yik yik of the Peregrine Falcon. A quick scan of the cliff face revealed the female resting on a ledge close to the nest. A view through the telescope revealed two fluufy white chicks, technically known as eyas'. Totally unphased by their illustrious neighbours the large Jackdaw colony 'chacked' its way through its daily routine, perhaps enjoying the safety of having such a powerful predator in their midst. A Little Owl called from the right hand side of the cliff face but we were unable to locate it.

The morning was warming up and we had sightings of Common Blue and Green Veined White butterflies and a really bright Speckled Yellow moth. Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs sang from the bushes.
On the verge of the car park was a single specimen of Early Purple Orchid.

The next site visited was Woodwell. In the well itself Greater Spearwort was in flower. A Chiffchaff was heard singing and a Nuthatch called from the woods. The information board at the start of the path declared that some of the Small Leaved Lime trees were actually older than Stonehenge! There was the strong scent of Wild Garlic under the canopy of the woods. A fallen log had an impressive collection of unknown species of bracket fungus (any ideas anyone). A pair of Large Red Damselflies were in tandem by the well.

Back at the Land Rover a very hopeful and daring Robin hopped under the open door waiting for crumbs to be thrown from our breakfast. As (s)he was pecking at her titbits a Green Woodpecker was heard 'yaffling' in the distance.

We then moved from the woods down to the estuary. whilst we were manoevering the Land Rover in to a suitable car parking space (it doesn't fit under the low bridge) a Kingfisher flew right over the bonnet.
The estuary was more like southern Europe than north Lancashire. 3 Spoonbills, 2 Little Egrets and several Avocets graced the pools. 2 huge Ravens were out on the marsh. back along the track to the car park Sedge and Willow Warblers were watched taking food to hungry nestlings.

Our nest stop was the RSPB reserve, Leighton Moss. Here the feeding station was a little quieter than usual but still amnaged to give us fantastic close up views of a pair of Bullfinches and 3 Grey Squirrels, one of which had sussed the squirrel proofing on the bird table and was happily sat with a fine male Chaffinch munching the
sunflower seeds..

The rest of the reserve was also fairly quiet, which is typical for mid day at this time of year. But we couldn't fault the show the 5 Marsh Harriers put on for us, gently wafting their elegant way over the reed beds. Making our way down to the Tim Jackson hide we had a couple of brief sightings of Bearded Tits as they shot overhead to and from nest sites. Looking out from the hide we saw a magnificent set of antlers looking like a giant hat stand, but as the reed is so tall we didn't see the owner. However we did connect with two of his younger brothers lurking under the bushes. A the same time a Kingfisher, perhaps the same one as earlier, gave a masterclass in diving from height. It was difficult to watch the nearby patrolling Emperor Dragonfly for fear of missing the Kingfisher's next dive. we were able to make a younsters day by showing him a lifer - Reed Bunting - how times have changed now that the under 10's are seeing Marsh Harriers before 'common place' birds like the Reed Bunting, good luck to him - may his life list grow ever longer!
The walk back to the Public Hide gave us more and better views of the Bearded Tits.

The Public Hide was very quiet, a few Tufted Ducks and Pochards and the ubiquitous Coots, but little else. A Great Black backed Gull broke the tranquil scene sending the few nesting Black Headed Gulls into a state of raucous panic as it popped in for a snack - on their chicks! We waited patiently hoping that we might fluke a sighting of the Otter but fluked a brief flight view of a Bittern instead.
A Red Deer hind made her way out of the woods and across the fields to the reed bed in the distance.

All in all a great day with over 75 species of birds and good views of Red Deer.

Where to next?