The Doldrums

Well, sort of.

I spent three days at Spurn Bird Observatory last week. It was a little later than I would normally visit, but given the spring has been so slow, and because a trip to Scotland had to be cancelled, I thought I'd give it a go.

The Warren Cottage

I arrived early Wednesday morning only to find the wind in the west and very few birds moving and no rarities hanging around. This pattern continued for the remainder of the week and about the best thing I saw was the inside of the Crown and Anchor, where I partook in a couple of pints of Timothy Taylor - the Crown really does serve a cracking pint.

In all seriousness I still loved every minute. It was great to catch up with friends who I only get to see two or three times a year, and actually, its still pleasure to spend time in the area. Just because it isn't producing spectacular visible migration or churning rarities out doesn't mean this place is any less worth a visit. There are plenty local birds here that aren't common on my local patch - there were some stunning looking waders on the Humber shore and the Black Brant put in an appearance. Little Terns and a few different sea birds were a change to my usual fayre and Cuckoos and Barn Owls, whilst not uncommon are always nice to see. A few butterflies such as Wall Brown put in an appearance as well to keep interest up. Typically though, the best bird waited until I'd left to put in an appearance. A juvenile/female type Golden Oriole turned up late on Friday afternoon. Providing I can get the brownie points in, I think I might try for a sneaky trip over in late June to catch the Swift passage before I make the usual trip in autumn. 

If you've never been to Spurn I can't recommend it enough. You can stay at the Warren Cottage for £14 per night (£10 if you are a friend of Spurn Bird Observatory). Its not the ritz but I love it and your money will go to supporting a great cause. Time it right and you will experience some of the best birding in the UK.

Moorland Stunner

Yesterday, I got a message saying a Red-throated Pipit had been found by a fellow Greater Manchester birder on the Greater Manchester/Derbyshire border at Ludworth Moor. This is a bird that I have long wanted to see, and the news that it was a full summer plumaged individual really had me straining at the leash to go. Unfortunately there were family duties that needed doing and by the time I was anywhere near able to go it was looking too late, as reports were saying it had flown off at 17.15.

I was gutted, especially as it had also been seen on the GM side of the border, and would have been another GM 'tick'. So, when news came that it had been re-found I was determined to get up to the moors to see it. Hence at 05.15 this morning I left home in a less than confident mood. It had been quite clear overnight and I honestly expected it to disappear. My fears were only made worse when I arrived at the site an hour later. A few birders were also just arriving, but one had been on site since first light and he had seen no sign. I passed an hour or so just watching the other birds that were around: plenty Wheatears, a Grasshopper Warbler and five Golden Plover flew over. But, the reported Meadow Pipit flock from the previous day was non existent. At around half past seven I decided to walk back to the road and walk along its border with the field as I could see a few more 'Mipits' knocking about, but 20 minutes or so proved fruitless. I walked back to the track and briefly spoke to two birders stood at the junction. I had just left them and walked through the gate back onto the track when they whistled to get my attention - they had found it! I whistled to the other birders up the track - I have no idea if they had heard me - before trying to get on the bird.

Eventually, after moving 50 -75 metres along the road I caught sight of it. It was creeping around in the Juncus Rush tussocks. Although I say creeping, it was moving surprisingly quickly and was really difficult to get onto. As soon as someone said it was in the open and gave directions it would move. But when I did get on it, it was an absolute stunner. Appropriately following my last post, I had forgotten my camera, so I was left to try and get a phonescoped shot. That was easier said than done because it was so active. I did manage it though and the best cropped images are below.

Yes they're rubbish, but they're a record of what I think is now one of my favourite birds. The illustrations in the field guides just do not do it justice. You can see some good photos of this species here though.

I have to say this 'twitch' was very different from some other twitches I've been to recently. Mainly because the number of birders with 'scopes outnumbered the number of photographers. Because of that there was very little 'competition' to get to the front of the crowd and people were just enjoying the bird. Yes, some were digiscoping, but most had already taken the time to look at the bird first.

Even better, I was back home for 09.00 and still in good books with the Mrs.

Things I learned today!

1. Birding in the 'uplands' can be boring

2. Birding in the 'uplands' is cold

3. I have neither the time or the patience to be a photographer

4. I may be turning into 'Victor Meldrew'

For uplands read the Pennines. That's where I decided to head this morning for a bit of birding. Specifically the area around Blackstone Edge and Light Hazzles reservoirs. My reasoning well, I know Twite frequent the area around Light Hazzles and I know that Dotterel have been recorded just south of this area on Axletree Edge in previous years. Its also not a million miles (as the Dotterel flies) from Pendle Hill. So, a little bit of an attempt at finding my own good birds.

I parked up at The Whitehouse at around 08.00 and was instantly glad I'd nipped back in for my hat and gloves before leaving home. The temperature on the car was showing 6 degrees, but there was a very stiff breeze blowing which made if feel much, much colder.

  

Blackstone Edge Reservoir

I was fairly sure as soon as I left the car that this was not going to be particularly productive. The wind was strengthening all the time and there was the odd spot of rain around, but I decided to crack on anyway. Unfortunately on a day like this, the moors are not as I like to think of them - full of purple heather and alive with the song of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. It was dead. And it was cold. Really cold. I didn't see a bird for at least 20 minutes and then it was only a Carrion Crow. I eventually spotted a single male Wheatear and then 15 minutes later a Reed Bunting! About three quarters of an hour in I came across a pair of Wheatears amongst a pile of boulders and decided to try and get a couple of photographs. After 5 minutes I was bored. Before 10 minutes were up I had packed it in and moved on. I would love to be able to post pictures of birds on this blog, but unless they decide to hop up in front of me, wait for me to get the camera out and then pose I'm afraid it wont happen. I'd suggest  you visit this blog if you want to see good pictures of birds on a regular basis.

A little further along the path are these large, exposed boulders. I was wondering whether these were anything to do with the name 'Blackstone Edge' as well as wondering if the black colouration was anything to do with the air pollution that affected the area during and after the industrial revolution.  Maybe, maybe not. However, I did notice that the large boulder had a poem engraved on it (below). Now, call me a whinger, call me daft, or indeed, call me Victor Meldrew, but this just feels wrong. If someone had done this in spray paint people would have been up in arms. Ironically I'd have been less bothered if it had been graffiti as it could be cleaned off  and I cant see spray paint lasting very long in the exposed environment up here anyway. The engraving is permanent - well 'ish'.

Later I took the dog out for a couple of hours round my local patch. It was still windy and properly wet, but I finally managed to give my Paramo Pajaro jacket a decent try out and it performed magnificently. If you are after a waterproof, comfortable jacket for birding I cant recommend this one enough. It might be a bit warm for summer use but it took a proper soaking today and still kept me warm and dry. Very happy with my purchase!!









We're Down!

Well, thats it. Two years after winning the FA cup my beloved Wigan Athletic FC are relegated to League 1 football. Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I surprised? No. The run of games under the last manager was dreadful. I don't understand why the chairman didn't sack him sooner but he must have had his reasons. Giving the new manager just six games to turn it around was never going to work, and it didn't. Still, lots of games in the immediate locality next year! Fleetwood away should be a blast!

Mixed Weekend

So, a bit of a mixed bag this weekend. Spent Saturday morning up on the moors above Horwich. The more time I spend up on these moors the more I enjoy them. Although this visit was not exactly fruitful from a bird perspective.

View from Georges Lane looking south

I was parked up by 06.30 and out of the car and walking along Georges Lane within 5 minutes. There was plenty of activity from the common birds, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinches, Willow Warblers etc. Corvids were very noticeable as well. But, the passage I had hoped for was non existent . I didn't see a single bird flying over for the best part of an hour, and there was no sign of any Wheatears, Whinchats or the other passage migrants I was hoping for, so I decided to call it a day and move to a different part of the area. Just as I was walking back to the car I did have a single Redshank fly over north which was probably a tick for this site, and two Curlew back near the car was a nice sight. They're common enough birds but I love seeing them in their breeding habitat.

Burnt Edge and Holdens Farm with the mast in the distance

Burnt Edge, Walker Fold and Holdens Farm and Plantation together form one of my favourite areas of the moors. There is some great habitat, its relatively quiet and best of all there is a convenient bench above the valley that allows you to sit in comfort and scope the entire area, whilst still being well placed to spot any passage happening. Unfortunately not this time, and a single Wheatear at the back of Slack Hall farm was the only one in the area. After half an hour I decided to move on again and managed to find another Wheatear along the road back to the car park. Just after seeing this bird, the rain started and I decided to call it a day.

Sunday morning and just as I was getting ready to take No1 son to his football I got a text telling me about a Hoopoe in Royton near Oldham. Now, Ive seen Hoopoes before in this country and abroad. Last October I had one down to six feet. But this one was in Greater Manchester and would take me to 200 species in the county. I couldn't not do the football, but at 1pm I was Royton bound. On arrival there were maybe 15 birders in what can only be described at the most un-birdy place Ive ever been birding. Basically a street on a housing estate, albeit with very nice houses. The bird was feeding on a back lawn and was out of sight, but after about 2 hours on site it eventually showed and species 200 for GM was in the bag. I have to say the residents were extremely understanding and even came out with regular updates on what the bird was doing in the gardens. One guy let people in, but as soon as they looked over the fence the bird flushed. But, I don't care I saw it. Bad news - I forgot my camera.

Raptor Heaven

I spent a fantastic day on Friday at a place that I have visited a couple of times now. Unfortunately I don't want to say where it is because of the potential risk of people persecuting the birds I went to see.

Anyway, it was quite an early start to try to beat the traffic, and I was picking up a friend en-route to another friends house so we could car share and save a bit on the costs. As it happened we managed really good time and were on site a little after 08.00. Too early in some respects, particularly for raptors, but perfect timing for the eclipse! The cloud cover was mixed, but actually made it better for photography - when there was no cloud it was simply too bright to get a decent shot. However, as you can see below, once the right amount of cloud covered the sun we got some great shots (for me anyway). The pictures below are in time order, top to bottom, for the height of the eclipse.

It was quite eerie at the height of the eclipse, and birds definitely went quiet for a brief time. But it was great to be out in the countryside to experience it.

As for the birds, well, once again I had a great day here. Siskin were plentiful as were Chaffinches. The odd Goldcrest and Redpoll were heard and I did pick up on one or maybe two Crossbills. However the main target for the day were the raptors and we weren't disappointed. Buzzards were seen regularly all across the area. We also had a couple of Kestrels and Sparrowhawks. There was one small falcon that left us slightly confused. Its behaviour suggested Kestrel, but it didn't hover in the exact same way and it looked much smaller and shorter tailed. The distance that we were viewing at didn't help, but I'm counting it as a Merlin. However the star of the show was the Goshawk. We had two birds. Again one very distant but one that gave brilliant views as it flew from one side of the lake to the other. This bird is a great example of that well known saying that birders often use - 'you'll know one when you see one'. It is completely different from any Sparrowhawk. Deep chested, broad hipped, different feel altogether from its close relative.

Its a pity that I don't feel able to say, in public, where this location is. Its a great place to visit and I've seen Goshawk here every time I've been, along with a number of other raptor species. As I mentioned above, there are unfortunately too many people out there that would use the information for the wrong purpose.

Wirral High Tide

I've been spending a bit of time on the Wirral recently. Last Saturday I went to see the Laughing Gull at New Brighton Marine Lake. A new species for me and quite a distinctive one for a 'gull'. I even managed to pick it out with just the Bins from the other end of the lake which is pretty good for me given my dislike of Larids! I would even go as far as to say its actually quite an attractive gull, and it was a lifer so a double bonus. Unfortunately my camera batteries ran out and the photo from the phone wasn't even worth posting.

I also went to Burton Mere Wetlands, which is the 'new' RSPB reserve on the south western shore of the Wirral. Its quite an attractive place, but I can't think of anything you wouldn't see out on the estuary itself without the annoyance of large groups taking over the hides and generally being disruptive. I think I am just becoming less tolerant in my middle age. The thing is I wouldn't mind if these were kids or even families, but they're not. They tend to be the 'older' age groups and they really should know better as they seem to be quite experienced. At least you'd assume so given the amount they must spend on their optics and clothing.

Anyway. I was back again today at Meols for the high tide. It was much quieter - for birds and people!

The expected species were on show and the only 'unusual' thing was a Glaucous Gull that I noticed immediately on getting out of the car. Unfortunately it moved off pretty quickly and when another birder came along it had long gone.

Most birds were quite distant, and the haze wasn't great but it was possible to see quite a number of Common Scoter whizzing around. Waders were in short supply though, with just a few Knot, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatchers. As you can see below, these were quite distant - these shots were on full 20x zoom.

So, I headed off to West Kirby to see if that was any better. Unfortunately it was really busy with walkers, windsurfers etc so birds were in even shorter supply. So what was supposed to be a full day ended up just a few hours instead, but still enjoyable.