Shrike twitch - DONE!

The safari set off on late and still very frosty cold (-3C) Patch 1 walk this morning full of anticipation for the day ahead. A female Sparrowhawk flew low overhead and flap flap glided in to the distance. Meanwhile one of the Peregrines was giving its vocal chords plenty of early morning exercise from the top of the tower. not a bad start to the day.

Then it was back home to put together a flask of coffee, some Wensleydale and brown sauce butties and grabbing a pocketful of doggie bickies.

After picking up our Extreme Photographer we hit the motorway and headed east. The safari's limit is about an hour's travel these days and the shrike was just inside this limit. Sally Sat-Nav dulcet tones took us right to the site, which was adjacent a pub favoured by my grandad many many years ago. This safari took us to a road we haven't been on since the mid 1960s!

Parking up there were a few birders already on site and they had seen the bird that morning but it had gone to ground. Hopefully it hadn't gone far - certainly not over the hill to the other site a mile or so away it was at last week. It hadn't. After a short wait and a chat with some old acquaintances we haven't seen for a number of years Extreme Photographer saw it fly in to a prominent perch at the top of a nearby tree where I missed it cos I was looking at a Great Tit at the other side of said tree. Perfect position for some good photos - not too far away, blue sky backdrop, full morning sunlight illuminating it. Great Grey Shrike (111) in the bag! A useful unexpected bonus tick for the year. By next December it might have made up for not finding something 'simple', like Goldcrest!

Unfortunately no sooner had we swung our scopes round it flew past us and down the hill where it was more distant, against a grotty grey, hazy industrial townscape and directly into the light. A good many digiscope shots were taken but these two are the only ones anywhere near worth posting - you can just about make out it is what it is if you squint hard!

After a coupla minutes it disappeared along a broken down dry stone wall and wasn't seen for some timeThe supporting cast included a fearless Reed Bunting which landed a wing-tip away on the wires not realising the danger obviously, a few chaffinches and a tidy female Kestrel. Satisfied with the tick, if not the photos, we decided to chance our luck another site. Pointing the Land Rover up and over the hill we aimed for Brennand and the elusive stuff that lurks there.

As Frank is still only allowed short walks so we didn't do the whole valley but only went about half way. Buzzards outnumbered Kestrels but no other more exciting raptors were seen. At our butty stop we did get another tick for the year, Siskin (112) a nice fly-past song flight, later we saw a flock of about a dozen over the forest. Some Crossbills had been as seen recently as yesterday but no such luck today. all in all it was very quiet up there - bring on the insects, plants and reptiles to make the walk a bit more worthwhile.
A newborn lamb added a little interest, its mother kicking up a stink as we walked past seemingly not knowing wether to run and leave or stay and defend it, we walked quickly on to let her get to know her new offspring.

With time still in hand we set off for another moorland site hoping for at least Red Grouse, as the whole area is managed for them as can be seen in the 'patchwork' effect on the photo below. If it enlarges that is)

Again not much was about but we did eventually catch up with a pair of Nuthatches and all our wisshing and willing was rewarded with a good 'yaffle' from a Green Woodpecker (113). Try as we might we couldn't find it but it was duly ticked off - our rule is; if you would count it on a CBC or BBS BTO survey then it goes on the list. More buzzards were seen here along with a few Lapwings just returning to their upland nesting fields. What a lovely sound their song is. A good few Stock Doves were also flying around somewhat out of habitat as there aren't any arable fields for miles.
Best thing we saw here was a willy-willy. There wasn't a breath of wind not enough to ruffle our hair but a few feet away in the field some large pieces of loose grass and straw were being whipped up in a mini tornado.
It all got a bit much for our Extreme photographer, beautifully warm in the afternoon sunshine. Absolutely silent at times too - not a human made sound, or sound of any description to be heard, occassionaly broken by the bleating of a sheep or a rustle of wind in the trees - gorgeous.

A good days safariing nearly tourned sour on the way home. For some unknown reason we were discussing car insurance when around a tight bend appeared a car heading directly for us. Evasive action was taken without going over the edge in to the stream - fortunately our adversary didn't clip the back end of the Land Rover and all was well.

The sunshine brought out lots of convertables this arvo - a times I thought we were on the Strip at Las Vegas or cruising the west coast highway.

Bloomfield Road provided a 1-0 win. Hard fought and scrappy. At times almost unbearable at the other end but a ground-out win is better than an easy draw. 50 points attained, no chance of relegation and 10 more games to play. A top half finish is deffo on the cards - a play-off place maybe???

Where to next? Looking forward to Patch 2 tomorrow - hope it's good.
In the meantime let us know who's nearly crashed in your outback this weekend.

Crocus crocus everywhere

The safari went out early to get photos of the Crocuses round the corner from Base Camp. A tiny few of the million bulbs planted. In between these bright yellow patches are thousands of Daffodils, which this year are late so won't be ravaged by children picking them for Mothering Sunday next weekend.

Looking east...

Looking west...

Having planted all those I still can't recall actually having seen an insect visit them, nor Daffs come to think of it - have you?

Back at Base Camp we saw what appeared to be a crab's claw lodged in the liner of the pond, either dropped by a gull or popped out of the back end of a gull. But no on closer inspection by Extreme Photographer, Raf, it turned out to be the leg of a pale Frog. Next too it, hidden in the folds of the butyl was another - whoopy - two Frogs - could mean spawn and taddies if the fish don't get there first!

Where to next? Off to the footy in a mo. SEA - SEA-SEASIDERS --- SEA-SEA-SEASIDERS

In the meantime let us know what's popped up unexpectedly in your outback.

Spring flowers

A few images of Crocuses from the front garden at base Camp this arvo. In the late autumn and early winters of 1997 - 1999 we planted 1,000,000 spring bulbs in Blackpool; 333,000 a year for three years leading up to the Millennium. Mostly Crocus and Daffodils. Seem to remember it was a lorra lorra holes! Any way one of the larger patches of Crocuses is on wifey's way to work and she noted that "they are looking spectacular today". Nice to know they are still going strong after 10 years. Will try to get a pic if we get more sunshine tomorrow morning.

Frank had half his stitches and his drain (yuk) out today and is now allowed three 20 minute walks a day on his lead. That is enough time to do the shortened Patch 1 walk around Magpie Wood. In the pre roost build up this evening there were about two dozen Magpies, a Woodpigeon and flitting around in the Brambles beneath them a Song Thrush.
The Peregrines must have been out and about still as their roosting ledge was bare. The Starlings were on their way to the pier for the night - never, repeat, never look up with your mouth open when thousands of well fed Starlings are flying over head!

Back at Base Camp six Goldfinches were having a last blast on the feeder, top count of the day, beating the previous best by four!

Where to next? Patch1 is back in action - sort of - excellent news.

In the meantime let us know what good news you have had from your outback today.

The safari is having a day at Base Camp today. These pics are from yesterday's high and low tides. Not quite the full 10m job of a coupla days ago but still in the high 9s.
The sea is full...

The sea is empty...

Followed by our Land Rover at sunset...what a beauty it was but we were unableto leave the office for the best of it.

This morning dawn had just about been and gone by Frank's walk, 6.30, it was well light. Dunnocks were singing everywhere, a pair of Greenfinches played 'chase-me' found the tall Leylandii hedge and Collared Doves were coo-coo-coo-ing.

Later, after nipping back under the covers for a well needed snooze, we could hear the Peregrine calling from the top of the tower - not bad for an 'under the duvet tick'! It's 225 yards from the bedroom window to their roosting ledge - it's gonna be an exciting summer if they nest up there! Measured by Magic maps - a very useful tool for land managers/conservationists etc.
Where to next? Base Camp garden is looking good in the (early) spring sunshine - still very frosy this morning though.
In the meantime let us know what's just outside in your outback.
For those wanting to see Bald Eagles, Seals and, hopefully, Orcas live from the comfort of your own home click here

It’s a beautiful day!

The safari was out too early to enjoy an apparently spectacular sunrise. (Nothing noted as outstanding on Patch 1 by the way – a House Sparrow might be nice as we don’t have it on our Walking Tick List yet!)) By the time we got to Patch 2 the sun was well up and driven off most of the morning’s frost. The beach was enormous; we got there a few minutes after low tide. Not a lot on it and what there was was a long, long way away! The usual gulls but a reasonably thorough scan of those within range didn’t pull out anything unexpected. Oystercatcher and Redshank numbers were pitiful and Sanderlings have become extinct.
The sea was like a sheet of glass and with the low morning light reflecting off it the 350 or so Common Scoters looked like they were floating in a hazy ether rather than on water. A fair number for this winter but too far out to see if there were any ‘white-wingers’ amongst them. Absolutely beggar all else out there!
Lunchtime – House Sparrow is now on Walking Tick List (57)

11 of them in the grounds where some kind visitors have set up a few feeders. Also took the opportunity to get some sunshine shots across gardens at work – bizarre circular cloud above right hand turbine out to sea - no planes in the sky at all so what is it?

At lunchtime the tide was almost full but there was little to show for it. The Common Scoters were all still present and correct, hardly a gull in sight just a handful of Black Heads sitting it out just off the sea wall. A more distant one travelling north was very Kittiwakey but not tickable, not to worry cos they’ll be coming past in numbers before too long.
The sun was warm, so much so that my ear on the sunny side actually felt like it was burning! Even a little bit of welcome heat penetrated my coat and briefly eased my poorly shoulder. Remember Frank’s escapade with the Fox about a week ago? I’m still suffering badly from shoulder wrench.

Where to next? Hmm day off tomorrow with a vets visit but then there is Great Grey Shrike not too far away for a weekend target. after 'Pool have beaten Ipswich of course - back to Bloomfield Road on Saturday arvo...3-0 please.

In the meantime let us know what target species might be mooching around your outback.

Pleasant surprise

The safari was out early on the severely curtailed Patch 1 walk but we can now reach the turning to the street from which we can see if the Peregrine is roosting on its usual ledge. It’s a bit distant for viewing with the naked eye in the gloomy light of early dawn and this morning we couldn’t see it; the wind was from the east so it could well have been round the back. Frank is feeling better and says 'thanks' to all who have been concerned for him. He won't be doing any surfing for a while in his Hawaii five-0 t-shirt ...but he is fit enough to go to work every morning now...rarin' to go he is...

His 'work' t-shirt says, very appropriately 'Steps to Health'. He was in a very worn out 25+ year old BTCV t-shirt the other day - wonder if anyone else has any of those left, must be a collectors item by now!
Patch 2 was better this morning, little wind, no frost, no rain, no fog…what’s the world coming to? We put the scope on the sea wall and scanned – first bird right down on the tide line was a Lapwing…weird or what? Very occasionally we see small flocks of them flying past but never stood on the beach on their own.
Otherwise it wasn’t that spectacular a small smattering of Oystercatchers and the regular gulls. One thing we have noticed is there seems to be a dearth of young Common Gulls…same in your outback? Two 1st winter Cormorants were sat on the beach, which is fairly unusual.
Apart from the exceptional Lapwing waders weren’t particularly outstanding 28 Sanderlings and 14 Redshanks with three Turnstones on the outfall pipe were all we could muster.
The sea was double quiet. Still just about flat calm so a mammal might have been expected but no such luck. All that was out there were a pair of Great Crested Grebes and a couple of dozen or so Common Scoters. Eleven swans flying north about a mile and a half out were most likely Whooper Swans (WT 56) on an early leg of their return trip to Iceland. A Pied Wagtail also flew northwards, at height over the seawall. The first bits and pieces of vis mig of the season, which was nice.
Lunchtime saw the sea full to bustin’ again – not quite as high as yesterday’s tide and fortunately we are still experiencing high pressure and correspondingly calm conditions with a gentle easterly breeze. Just as well as the sea would have been at about the same level as the carpets in our office!
Not a lot out there. An increase in Common Scoters to about 100 were the only noteworthy birds nearby. In the distance however, it was a different tale. Looking to the south visibility was good despite the grey skies. We could easily see the turbines at Seaforth Docks at Liverpool 20 miles away, poking up above the houses on the ‘Southside’ at Birkdale. To their right over the trees of the Ainsdale/Formby pinewoods was an enormous cloud of what were almost definitely waders, Knot and/or Dunlin – there were tens of thousands of them, possibly forced off a roosting area by some numpty with a dog. Some great shapes were being thrown then they spread out in a long thin line which must have been at least two miles long! (Any readers on the Southside witness this wildlife spectacular? – please leave a comment with a link if you have/know of notes/blogs/pics etc etc. Another flock to the left of the turbines, possibly over Plex Moss or Downholland Moss looked to have the clustered ‘V’ formation of a large flock of geese but we won’t be claiming the two Tundra Bean Geese that have been lurking amongst the Pink Feet over there – not from this distance c.10 – 12 miles as the crow/goose/wader flies.
Where to next? Can’t wait for more of the same tomorrow.
In the meantime let us know if the sea is full in your outback – if indeed you have sea.

Late edit - just had our first wild Bald Eagle. Not sure if we can count it on our 'walking' tick list cos we saw it from the discomfort of our knackered 'puter chair on a live web-cam. Will it still be there when we click back? And what other goodies will the camera serve up?

Full to the brim

The safari is still in quiet mode but Frank is now allowed three five minute walks each day until his drains (yuk) come out. So we are a bit restricted on Patch 1 to how far we can get, without running, in two and a half minutes. However, this morning there was a first – the first fresh cobweb of the year – just a single strand but a definite sign of ‘spring’ spider activity.
Patch 2 is a little easier if weather conditions allow. This morning Patch 2 suffered from a very thick fog which took a good while to clear, we didn’t get a chance to get out until the high tide.
Today the lunchtime high tide was the highest for over a decade at 10.3 metres. So we had a short drive towards the town centre to have a look at where it reached on the new seawall at St Chad’s Headland. The calm, sunny, mild weather was due to a high pressure system (1025mb) and this has the effect of reducing the sea level by somewhere in the region of 10 – 20cm (4 – 8 inches) with barely a swell at the top of the tide. Put it this way if today’s weather was a raging south-westerly with a ‘low’ pressure of around 940mb I wouldn’t have been standing there to take any pics as I would have been under water! About 75 + ‘our’ 10 – 20 cm higher + a good bit more for the wind surge equals well over a metre higher than in the picture = almost coming over the wall and certainly up the steps and onto the ‘Headland’. Thankfully all was serene.
Lots of lumps of driftwood were floating around, after being picked up from the estuaries and beaches by the exceptionally high tide, looking like something far more exciting from time to time. One such log can be seen near the sea wall.Back at Patch 2 part of the seawall there was a lovely male Pied Wagtail that sadly wouldn’t stay still enough for a photo. A Sea Slater provided welcome invertebrate interest.
Out at sea no more than 100 Common Scoters floated about on the gentle swell and close in shore there were a few Black Headed Gulls. Disappointingly that was yer lot!
With a very high tide comes a very low tide and last night’s sunset over the vast expanse of beach was a real beaut.There were 18, yes, one eight – eighteen - blokes out digging Lugworms. Literally thousands of silhouetted gulls were also way out on the exposed mudflats in the failing light so no way of finding an odd one out.
Where to next? More of the same until the weekend hopefully without pre-work fog.
In the meantime let us know how foggy it’s been in your outback recently.