Not quite dipping out

The Safari has been out most days this week. Most mornings we've been round Patch 1 at the crack of dawn mostly counting the Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens we come across. The other day we had a 'good' count of three Moorhens although with two juveniles around there should really be at least four present, and a singing Chiffchaff was a nice bonus to the usual 'extras' of Goldcrest(s) and/or Coal Tit(s). 

Visible migration has been slow to get going, Patch 1 has only given us a single Chaffinch and a couple of Greenfinches which could have been local birds although we rarely see them in or over the park and these were quite high 'overs'. The same morning as the singing Chiffchaff we had one grounded at Base Camp too.

'Vis mig' over Base Camp has been limited to a solitary Meadow Pipit - where are they all??? - and a few skeins, up to a maximum of about 55 birds, of Pink Footed Geese. A Golden Plover flying over during an annoying Monty wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-take-me-out-for-a-pee-NOW was a bonus! We've probably had more Red Admirals migrating through the Patch than birds this week, there certainly seems to be a good number of them about.

After breakfast a morning saunter round Marton Mere reserve started at the lively Feeding Station. Good numbers of Chaffinches, Blue and Great Tits and an acrobatic Grey Squirrel doing its best to squeeze at least a nose between the anti-squirrel wires around the feeder.

Along the path a Rabbit crouched motionless on the recently cut meadow area hoping Monty didn't spot it - we were hoping that too and holding on tight just in case he did! Fortunately for the Rabbit and our arm he didn't we were able to walk right past it within only a few feet without it being noticed by the Monster. 

All pretty quiet around the reserve with only a lone Meadow Pipit and a couple of Skylarks heard passing overhead.  Down at the Viewing Platform we heard a Water Rail squeal and a the first of half a dozen Cetti's Warblers sing a quick blast.

A sneaky peek under the refugium gave us our third mammal species of the morning in the shape of our first Short Tailed Field Vole of the year not counting the one being carried aloft by a Buzzard at Leighton Moss earlier in the summer. Also under there were a couple of Great Crested Newts, always good to see and especially good to see a juvenile even if it was trying to do a runner.

We gently picked it up and positioned it on a leaf for a better pic. The adult is a male, told by the white stripe down the centre of the tail which they wave amorously in front of the females during courtship. Seeing the juvenile was good news as it means we've had some local breeding success especially as the surveys undertaken earlier in the year came back negative and with worrying news that most of the ponds looked at had been stirred up so badly by dogs that they were now unsuitable for the newts to breed in - if the water's too turbid the females can't see those frantically waving tails! 

A Sparrowhawk and a brief glimpse of a Reed Warbler at the Heron Hide broke the monotony but then as we were leaving we heard a rustle in the long grass to the side of the hide. We could see the grass being disturbed by something fairly large at times too. Crikey! A family of Stoats exploded in to full view for a few milliseconds before vanishing back in to the undergrowth - excellent views if so fleetingly brief. We've not seen a Stoat for soooooo long so to see at least three was great - and our fourth mammal of the morning. A Goldcrest called from a nearby Willow too.

At the Fylde Bird Club Hide the view is still a bit hindered by the summer's Reed growth, need a strimmer, a large flock of roosting Starlings and/or another good gale to knock them down a bit.

Not a lot about, the usual suspects of Mallard, Coot and a couple of Gadwall with a fly-over Snipe. But then what's that big duck asleep over the far side - blimey a Pintail, (MMLNR #80). It's been a while since we caught up with one of those here too it was turning in to a decentish sort of a day! Shame it slept motionless all the time we were there, probably only dropped in from Iceland or the far north of Europe, perhaps even further afield, earlier that morning.

Moving on it was good to see the Snake's Head Fritillary meadow had been mown, lots of Meadow Cranesbill and Agrimony are present too but the number of Cowslips seems to be declining a bit. Perhaps due to the meadow become inundated with Common Reed for much of the summer.

Nothing else of note - where is that Bittern when you want it?
The following morning dawned rather chilly, the coldest morning since the end of last winter.

The cold hadn't brought anything new to Patch 1 though. After breakfast we set off east down the country roads to a little river we know. Looking downstream from the bridge it looks like this and moments later a Kingfisher sped through and straight under the bridge and out of sight. 

Our gaze followed the Kingfisher and fell upon our hoped for quarry for the day. A Dipper was feeding a few yards beyond the far side of the bridge - a little distant but hey ho at least Dipper (YBC #151) makes it on to our Year Bird Challenge tally doing what they do best - dipping!

Perhaps we might get a closer shot downstream so off we went passing a few Robins and a small flock of Long Tailed Tits as we walked along the river bank.

We got all the way to the end and only managed to flush another distant Dipper. On the way back we spotted another, quite likely the same one, that hadn't spotted us so we secreted ourself behind a tree and waited for it to walk/swim up the stream a bit and in to view. Thankfully it obliged.

Back at the bridge our first Dipper was nowhere to be seen but a Grey Wagtail flew down and had a bob around on a rock mid-stream.

A short but productive morning out.

This morning we went back to the nature reserve but it was desperately quiet. Looking under the refugium again had us disturbing the Short Tailed Field Vole again but now there were three juvenile Great Crested Newts - nice. As we hadn't made a note or taken a pic of the underside of the one the other day it was impossible to tell if one of these was that one or if none of these three were that one.

The best of the rest was a passing Mistle Thrush and we didn't even see a Blackbird all morning - told you it was quiet!

So quiet the next best thing we found was a fresh Shaggy Ink Cap fungus.

It didn't help when later we discovered we didn't quite stay long enough to see the Otter and a couple of Ravens, a species which has become much more numerous in the local area but which we've still not seen there.  Dohhhhh!!! can't win em all!

Where to next? We'll be out somewhere tomorrow but we're not sure where yet -0 could well be weather dependent.

In the meantime let us know who's doing the dipping in your outback.

Wasn't all it was cracked up to be

The Safari was up early today in eager anticipation of the change of wind direction to southerly. It was cold out though everywhere was white frosty, it was misty too.

As soon as we opened the car door at the wetlands we heard a Cetti's Warbler burst into song which was then answered almost immediately by another on the opposite side.

We set off with high hopes, passing the first Cetti's Warbler, a Chaffinch and a Blackcap singing in the hedge. Further away Blackbirds and Song Thrushes sang heartily.

Nearer the reserve we began to hear Chiffchaffs but in the distance did we hear a Grasshopper Warbler? We stopped and listened - nothing, walking on a little further we thought we heard it again and stopped - nothing - - we put it down to either losing our hearing a bit or we were just catching the trill at the end of a Wren's song. 

It was cold and we wished we'd worn a hat. We don't think anyone would have been sitting on this well frosted bench in a hurry.

It took a while for us to hear the morning's first Willow Warbler whereas there were several Blackcaps. Lancashire's earliest Reed Warbler was still where we'd left him last week but all the Teal on the scrape were still Teal - not a Garganey to be seen, not were there any waders of any description over there either.

It was all becoming a little disappointing the anticipated opening of the migrant floodgates hadn't materialised.

We wandered as far as the bridge passing more singing Cetti's Warblers but no more Reed Warblers and no sign of any Sedge or Grasshopper Warblers. Two silent Reed Buntings perched atop  the reeds 30 or so yards apart did their best to break the monotony.

Retracing our steps back down the embankment we picked up a Sparrowhawk at about double tree-top height making its way steadily north until it was out of sight over the ridge. Quarter of an hour later it or a second was soaring over the mere being mobbed by about 15 Sand Martins. some of the martins dropped to feed low over the water and we went to the viewing platform in the nope they would be close enough for the lens but by the time we got there they'd lifted off, joined their chums and done a bunk.

So that was about the sum of it. And then we read this later this arvo "Despite the weather, today did not live up to expectation bird wise but it was beautiful day on the islands". from today a little way down the coast at Hilbre Island - so it wasn't just us! But we did see on the Bird Club sightings page that a Grasshopper Warbler had been heard on the nature reserve - not where we thought we'd heard ours but much later so it could have moved or was it the Two Bird Theory - did we or didn't we???

Back at Base Camp after breakfast we did a bit of work in the garden enjoying the lovely warm sunshine. A Blackcap sang from a nearby neighbour's garden and a Buzzard soared the wrong way low over the roof-tops. The gulls alerted us to the presence of a raptor and we grabbed the camera but took so long looking the way it should have been going that we only just caught up with it before it disappeared behind the chimney pots.

The warm sun was always likely to bring out some insects so we had the macro lens handy. The first butterfly of the year fluttered through the garden, a Speckled Wood, unfortunately it didn't stop. Strange to think that they've only been in the area for a fraction over 20 years, they're so common now. A very mobile hoverfly was flitting around the climbing roses but again didn't perform for the camera.

A giant queen Buff Tailed Bumble Bee had to be rescued from the dining room and later a queen Red Tailed Bumble Bee was the first of its kind we've seen this year.

Far easier to get a pic of provided the wind didn't pick up too much were our Cowslips in the pot by the back door.

Where to next? Working tomorrow but we should be able to get out early again for an hour or so.

In the meantime let us know who's not turning up when expected in your outback.

Some more ticks on the bird lists

The Safari is still struggling to get out much although we have added a few more birds to our various lists.

First up was a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Garden #30) flying up the street while putting Monty in the car for a trip somewhere or other. We haven't seen one round these parts for a couple of years, the numpty that cut down the big Sycamore because he didn't like sweeping up the autumn leaves didn't help matters! Next up was a Cormorant (Garden #31) flying inland quite high up, another species that isn't quite annual at Base Camp and again Monty was involved, we were out in the back garden giving him a work out with a flattened water bottle - yes we've spent a fortune on toys but his favourite is a squashed old plazzy bottle. Our final addition also involved Monty, this time a late night out before bed-time. A flight of 13 Whooper Swans (Garden #32) were heard long before they were seen passing right over heard eerily illuminated from beneath with an orangy glow from the street lamps. Bizarrely we had another two before dawn the following morning. Whooper Swans have been annual over the last few years after no records between 2010 and 2013.

This morning the recently rubbish Patch 2 came up with a new species for the year when a flock of 27 Wigeon (P2 #77) flew by just behind the  light surf, best of the rest was a single Dunlin which flew in to join a small number of Sanderlings scampering around dodging the incoming waves.

Yesterday there was a bit of a sunrise going on so we took the camera out to try to do a bit of art but were just a tad miffed by the number of plane con-trails.

Pick a favourite

Later we had another short session while the last of the day's warm sunshine was shining brightly on the Caster Oil plant's flowers. 

Lots of these Drone Flies were slurping up nectar.

There were a couple of other species flying around too but we only managed a snap of one of them.

Any one any ideas? CR may well know, he's pretty clued up on hoverflies.

Where to next? Still in the throes of some pretty stressful family stuff so the weekend might not provide as many opportunities for safari-ing as we might like.

In the meantime let us know who's slurping up the last of the nectar in your outback.

Flower power

The Safari arrived at work to a beautiful sunrise yesterday. It didn't last very long and didn't develop any further than this.

But the light morning and lack of wind encouraged us to get out asap. From the wall the sun rising behind us was illuminating the clouds in the distance out to the west.

The promised sun continued to shine most of the day which brought out a Red Admiral to nectar on the Castor Oil plant with the multitude of hoverflies. A Grey Wagtail flew over the gardens, not a rare sighting but neither are they regular here.

Our lunchtime visit to the sea wall gave us a decent count of over 500 Common Scoters but not a great lot else save for a low flying male Eider headed down towards the estuary.

As we were leaving work at the end of the day we spotted a few more than several little snails sat perched up in the flowers of the French Marigolds. We can't ever remember seeing that before - surely we have, have we?

This morning there was some Blackbird and Robin activity in the garden and we also thought we heard a Chiffchaff but we were looking after Monty and couldn't get out for a proper look. We did however get a good look at a flock of about 60 Jackdaws that came in from the south east and circled the water tower several times. They'd flap round and round for ages then one or two would start to glide followed almost instantaneously by all the others. This happened a few times, never noticed them do that before, have we? After about half an hour they drifted off together to the north east.

Not a lot happened for the rest of the day, much of the time young Monty was firmly affixed too our foot or ankle - is he a puppy or a hairy Piranha? At least legs are repairable which the furniture isn't...no doubt he'll eat the furniture once he's eaten us!

Where to next? Not much chance of getting out tomorrow due to puppy duties again but we'll keep our eyes and ears open, not for any wildlife but for the snapping jaws of the man-eating pupster!

In the meantime let us know who's doing all the chewing in all your outback.

Don't think two out of three was good enough

The Safari has been a bit busy this week but we have been able to get out and see some great wildlife.
It started on Wednesday morning with a fine sunrise as we turned into the work's car park.

We got out on to Patch 2 as soon as we were able, crossing the road and climbing the steps up to the mirror ball we saw a bird on the sea wall, blimey a Stonechat (P2 #35) a Patch 2 lifer! We sort of predicated it arriving last week, but got the location wrong by 50 yards. We just about got the scope on it, it was almost too close for it, and got a poor record shot with the phone...shoulda taken the proper camera!

Poor pic, great find!

Then more spookiness happened, looking at the beach to the north there were a lot of gulls to look through so we took the scope to the gate where, on the top of the wall, was a discombobulated Sea Mouse, we mentioned not seeing them for ages in our last post - weird or what?

Later in the day we had a school group coming and while we waited listened to this Starling singing away imitating an Oystercatcher.

The youngsters had a great time in the sunshine, a much better day than their postponed day a couple of weeks ago. They found loads but a Blue Tailed Damselfly nymph was their best find.

Once school was done we had an evening meeting but had an hour to kill so had a quick look on the big park for Treecreepers and Nuthatches without success, bit late in the day really. We did find a ringed Coot from 2014, wonder how many of the others ringed at that time are still alive - keep an eye out for them they could be anywhere in the country by now.

From there we headed to the nature reserve for our meeting seeing a Barn Owl (104, MMLNR #69) away in the north east field as soon as we crossed the bridge. A heavy shower sent it running for cover and that was the last we saw of it. The sunset was a fine spectacle though.

Behind us a Pied Wagtail (MMLNR # 70) flew over and a little later a Mistle Thrush (105, MMLNR #71) appeared on the barn roof.

The following morning news broke of a Black Redstart seen at the bottom end of Patch 2 so at lunchtime we had a rather warm walk down that way but had no luck. All we could find were a Pied Wagtail and a Magpie (P2 #36). Walking back to work we then saw a record breaking eight Magpies on the neighbouring hotel roof.

A quick look at the sea gave us a fluke, an angler's boat flushed about 500 - 600 Common Scoters and hoping for a Velvet Scoter we gave them a good look through when they were in the air. We didn't find a Velvet Scoter but a female type Long tailed Duck (106, P2 #37) instead - happy days.

After work we met up with CR at the pier for the Starlings bumping into a gang of birders from Leeds who had come over for the spectacle.

It was another great sunset.

The Starlings came in their droves and as the tide was out landed on the beach. They covered an area we estimated as about nearly an acre

They don't murmurate so much when the tide is out but do look spectacular when they lift, shame the whole flock doesn't go as one - where are the dog walkers on the rare occasions you need them.

That's not all of them, there were a decent number of earlier arrivals murmurating and going to roost. We guessed at somewhere in the region of 70000.

Today we were able to get to the nature reserve around lunchtime where we met MJ, KB and TS who immediately put us onto an adult Mediterranean Gull (107, MMLNR #72). We'd gone there to see if the Iceland Gull would put in an appearance, sadly it already had and left not long before we'd arrived. Fortunately it reappeared later; always good to get such a stunner on the nature reserve list, Iceland Gull (MMLNR #73).

So two great gulls thoroughly enjoyed. In the meantime TS had gone and done a circuit and round the far side opposite us had a Bittern fly towards and past him low along the reed edge. It landed between him and us but we all missed it. We waited and watched and watched and waited but sadly it didn't show itself again. We've not seen one anywhere since 2013 and that one was here at the nature reserve - about time for another sighting then!

Where to next? We'll be back at the nature reserve with our fingers crossed, might go somewhere else first though.
in the meantime let us know who's been secrecy cloaked in your outback.

Last gasp success

The Safari was out at the crack of dawn again this morning, still on a mission for that once far more common bird. As night started to lose its blackened grip we heard the wink wink wink wink wink of hundreds of Pink Footed Geese coming towards us probably from their roost at the 'Place we do not mention by name' and heading to their daytime feeding grounds on the marshes to the north. A small flock of Tufted Ducks came zipping past low over the scrub from their overnight feeding on the golf course lakes. On the path by our feet was a very fresh Fox dollop still steaming in the cool morning air, it must have only been a few yards in front of us but we didn't see it.

We didn't go to the Viewing Platform today but went down to the screen at the newly named Heron Hide where half way down the path we just had to stop for several minutes and gawp at the sunrise - sights like that makes you feel good to be alive.

A Chiffchaff 'hweet'ed from the bushes to the right.

The colours changed and intensified as the sun broke the horizon. More and more Pink Footed Geese were flooding north all the while. How privileged we are to witness the massive skeins we have here; it's real wilderness, nature in the raw - just don't look up with your mouth open.

Continuing our mooch towards the bridge we heard a Goldcrest in the scrub and Cetti's Warblers in the reeds but there was nothing of note other than geese flying over. Although there didn't seem to be many about today one Robin gave an early morning photo opportunity.

 

Water Rails screamed and Reed Buntings bounced in and out of the reeds flying round and diving back in and sometimes shooting off to the south east, just how many were there? What there wasn't many of were Starlings we don't think we could have missed the roost leaving the reeds by getting there too late but we saw only about 200 come out while it was still rather darker than lighter. The lack of a large Starling roost doesn't bode well for Bittern sightings as we're convinced they are a main prey item for the later as it skulks through the reeds at night picking its feathery victims off from below...easy pickings and lots of them!

The bright low sunlight struck the dazzling white speculum of a Gadwall as it banked coming in to land on the scrape. Already there were a few Teal and a juvenile Moorhen skulking through the vegetation at the back - why are Moorhens so much more numerous than Spotted Crakes?

A small amount of vis started and by small we mean small with only five Meadow Pipits, two Grey Wagtails and two Chaffinches yep it was really that good. Out on the rapidly diminishing muck heap in the field by the barn a Buzzard was sat at the summit getting incessant grief from a Carrion Crow and Magpie. All of a sudden there was a loud whoosh of Woodpigeons exploding out of the large Willow trees in the corner of the reserve, a Peregrine blasted through them a fraction above the tree tops but without success - no breakfast for him this morning. Also exploding out of the scrub was a rather stout queen Bumble Bee with took off to a great height.

The sun was higher now and catching the taller trees showing their developing autumnal colours to great effect.

A flockette of four Pied Wagtails went south as did a couple of skeins of Pink Footed Geese, had they been to the marshes and changed their minds?

Outside the gate two Redwings landed in the scrub to our right, our first of the season. Further down the track almost back at the car we were bemoaning the fact that we hadn't seen our target species, Skylark, or a Bittern on Twitter. We'd no sooner pressed 'send' when we heard the distinctive trilleep as one flew over - result Skylark (MMLNR #104) in the bag at long last. Not 30 seconds later another one flew over!
In the Elderberry bush by the gate to the car park we found a Woodpigeon tucking in to breakfast - time for us to do the same!

As Wifey so rightly says the magic of nature is all around us, we just need to learn how to see it; today not a lot of learning was required the magic was very obvious!

Where to next? Maybe another early morning start tomorrow.

in the meantime let us know who's braving fire in the sky in your outback.