Delayed Holiday Post!!

I have just (well, two weeks ago now) returned from a wonderful family holiday in the Algarve, Portugal. We stayed in the Albufeira Sol in the 'new' bit of the town, and if anybody is thinking of staying there I can recommend it as a family hotel. The food was also excellent. As this was our annual family holiday I didn't try to do too much birding. That's often the case on our family holidays - usually I just end ip finding some suitable habitat nearby and birding there as a 'local patch' for a couple of weeks. This time unfortunately there was nothing really suitable nearby which was disappointing.

The saving grace however was the fact that we didn't have a pool view. In fact some would have been a bit miffed with the view that we had but I was well chuffed. As you can see in the photo's we were looking out over a rough patch with a few lime trees and scrubby bushes, and it was from our balcony that I did all my birding. Considering the limited opportunity I was more than happy with what I saw in a half hour or so each morning.

House sparrows and collared doves were ubiquitous. However the first good bird was a crested lark that perched up on the old farm buildings. This was swiftly followed by a good number of red-rumped swallows feeding around the villa opposite. Sardinian warblers seemed like they were in every bush. The two big highlights though were the appearance of 8 or so azure-winged magpies and a juvenile woodchat shrike in the lime trees. I had fantastic views of both, if a little distant. The red-rumped swallows came so close and were so numerous that I spent quite a bit of time studying the variable colouration of the rumps. Some 'rumps' do indeed look white (as per the field guide comments) whilst others are very definitely red. They are also quite different in their 'jizz' compared to barn swallows; I just hope I manage to remember that next time I'm at Spurn watching the swallows whizz past.

Rubbish shots of Red-rumped Swallow

When we were sat in the airport waiting to board the plane on the outbound journey, I received a text from a friend telling me he had found a sabine's gull at Pennington Flash - a local patch of mine. This bird would have been a patch tick as well as a borough and county tick for me so I was really gutted to have missed it, but made up for the finder. All the time I was in Portugal I was checking the news feeds and manchester birding website whenever I had WIFI access, and amazingly, the bird was hanging around. I was  hoping beyond hope it might just hang on until I returned. Remarkably it was still present the day I got home, so as soon as we dropped the cases off at home I grabbed my 'bins and shot off to Pennington Flash. I'm not generally a lover of gulls, but this little larid is a stunner, especially in flight. I only had a few minutes to watch it - a twitch and run visit. I had hoped to get back to grab some shots, but it left before I could return.

Red-footed Falcon in Staffs

I haven't done very much serious birding at all in the last few weeks. Typically its a quiet time of year for birds anyway (apart from the various national 'Mega's that have turned up this June and July!) and I've had loads on with the family. I have to admit I haven't even been keeping an eye one the twitter feeds so have been quite unaware of some of the better local birds. So, when a friend text me yesterday to see if I wanted to go for the Red-footed Falcon in Staffs I was a bit taken aback as I didn't even know there was one around. I was also slightly miffed as I had a day out planned with the family which I couldn't get out of.

Red-footed Falcons are stunning little birds, perhaps my favourite Falcon so I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to see one that was literally an hour away, I just had to go for it on Sunday (today) instead. Twitter confirmed the bird was still present at around 09.00 and I was on the road just after 10.00am. My Sat Nav was playing stupid games and after initially struggling to get it to work, it then sent me off at the wrong exit on at least three roundabouts. Thankfully nothing that caused any problems, but enough 'diversions' to get my temperature up! Anyway I arrived just after 11.00am and the number of cars confirmed the bird was probably still present, and sure enough after a 2 minute walk there it was. Hardly the most salubrious of locations, but an absolute cracking bird.

The bird showed really well all the time I was there, even coming to within a few feet at one point. The photo's above are phonescoped as the camera shots were just a bit distant. These were hand held and the light wasn't great either. Even so I'm quite pleased with the results.

A great bird for the year. Would love to find one on my own patch.

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.