Leighton Moss RSPB 21.06.22

Posted on June 22, 2022June 23, 2022 by clive45

Warm and sunny

The Team gathered at Leighton Moss for our last trip of the season, some welcomed by a female Mallard on car park duty, others by an almost overly friendly Robin that seemed to want to hitch a lift back to Manchester. Eventually a dozen of us met up in Lilian’s hide to survey what at first appeared to be a rather quiet expanse of water in front of the hide. However, excitement was soon raised as a raptor was spotted perched on a pole in the middle distance. Discussion ensued as to what species it might be, leading eventually to a conclusion that it was a Marsh Harrier – the first of four or five that we were to see over the course of the visit – and this was confirmed when it eventually took off, gliding away, but allowing a better view of its distinctive colouration.

On the way to Causeway hide, our aural skills were tested as we struggled to decide whether the loud song we could hear was from a Sedge or Reed warbler. From the hide itself there was little to see, some Mute Swans floated past and on the small island in the middle of the lake a lesser Black-backed gull kept a watchful eye on its young which seemed to be playing round the feet of a long-suffering Cormorant. Most of the group then opted to continue on to the Lower hide. There, we were treated to another flypast by a Marsh Harrier and were sent news of the appearance at the Causeway hide of a Bittern, which unfortunately did not show itself where we were, although some members did catch sight of an Osprey(!) on their way back to the VC.

After a leisurely lunch and having watched a variety of birds on the nearby feeders, including a rather elusive Marsh tit, we set off to the Skytower which we climbed just in time to witness what was undoubtedly the highlight of the day; the flypast of a Bittern – browner and quicker in flight than some of us had perhaps expected – but a sight to be savoured and a first for many at this reserve, which has worked so hard to establish a resident population of the species.

From the Grisedale hide we had views of a large number of Coot – 59, we were informed by a fellow birder! – yet more views of a Marsh Harrier, one that seemed put out by the presence of crows in what it obviously regarded as ‘its’ favourite tree.

The last port of call of a day was the Eric Morecambe hide. Here, besides the large, noisy colony of Black-headed gulls we enjoyed the sight of Avocet, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Moorhen, Shelduck, Shoveler and a single Little Egret that the gulls attempted, unsuccessfully, to see off. Overall, a spectacle that sent us on our way well satisfied with a day that had proved both challenging and rewarding from a birding perspective.

Bird List (M.Ha)

Mute swan
Greylag goose
Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Pheasant
Great crested grebe
Cormorant
Bittern
Little egret
Grey heron
Osprey
Marsh harrier
Kestrel
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Avocet
Lapwing
Redshank
Black-headed gull
Herring gull
Lesser black-backed gull
Wood pigeon
Swift
Sand martin
Swallow
Dunnock
Robin
Song thrush
Blackbird
Blackcap
Sedge warbler
Cetti’s warbler
Reed warbler
Willow warbler
Chiffchaff
Wren
Great tit
Coal tit
Blue tit
Marsh tit
Treecreeper
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion crow
House sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Bullfinch

Red deer

Photos DC

Conwy RSPB 14.06.22

Posted on June 16, 2022June 16, 2022 by clive45

Fine, but overcast

A combination of Covid and holidays meant that only three of the Team made it for the summer trip to Conwy, but as John Hancock reports there was plenty for them to see:-

On arrival and before entry to the reserve Mike and I turned right towards Conway Castle on the Estuary pathway. Looking across the Estuary with water pouring in – high tide was at 1100hrs – we spotted a heronry with 6 or 7 nests together with 8 little egrets in the next tree. Curlews were also resting by the water’s edge .

On entry to the RSPB car park a Chiff Chaff was calling a welcome to the English visitors from the top of a tree next to the parked cars. A good start! A visit to the cafe where a welcome early coffee was forced upon us together with 2 kit-kats supplied by Anne (No 1 Wife). David then arrived, which proved we had the corrrect date for the Team Tuesday visit. After waiting until 11ish to see if any stragglers turned up we three MUSKETEERS🤭THEN SET OFF TO EXPLORE THE RESERVE.

Main lake was showing Little Grebe, Oystercatchers, Curlews, several varieties of Duck and lots of Canada Geese. We also spotted a Song Thrush. On the walk round, Black Cap and Reed buntings were in evidence. Chiff Chaffs could be heard, as well as a wheezing Greenfinch, but this remained hidden much to our frustration as it only sounded inches away.

Our group, small in numbers but big on anticipation, trumbled onto the Estuary hides, with me playing at Sherpa Tensing, carrying all the gear!!!! I was a little behind when I heard excited shouts and spotted beckoning hands, waving from the hide fence, from where I managed to get photos of what was voted ‘Bird of the Day’ – a Common Sandpiper.

In sum – a good day had by all, and the visit finished off with another visit to the cafe for lunch, where much to my annoyance Mike forced me to eat a big cake🥵 before setting off for home! And BLESS the little Chiff Chaff that was still singing from the same tree in the car park! (JH)

Photos JH

Windy Bank Wood 07.06.2022

Posted on June 8, 2022 by Simon

Warm and mainly sunny

A dozen TT members gathered in Bent’s Garden Centre car park on a welcoming warm and sunny morning. Early arrivals had already seen Kestrel, Pied Wagtail and Swift -a good start to the list. Once everyone had assembled, a conversation revealed that no-one was actually 100% sure of the route but that probably if we just followed our noses and combined vague memories- that would suffice.

So off we set as a Buzzard soared above some distant trees – and a swallow perched obligingly on a nearby wire. Birdsong could be heard all around though the birds themselves proved hard to find in the leafy trees. Patience was rewarded eventually when a singing Song Thrush, several Goldfinch and a Robin were all spotted from the field. Moving on to the bridge over the River Glaze our expectations were high, but initially there were only a few Mallards to be seen. But soon Swallows swooped down and a Song Thrush moved along the bank foraging for tasty morsels and a pair of Gadwall were spotted. But maybe the stars of the show were several Banded Demoiselles skimming and dancing across the water.

As we moved away from the water, a Cormorant appeared in flight and a small skein of Canada Geese flew above us, while a Crow landed in a nearby field. By now the group were happy to settle for a pleasant stroll in the lovely warm sunshine, considering any actual birds to be a bonus. A few members of the group became quite mesmerised by a couple of model aeroplanes beyond a farm, almost missing a pair of Lapwings in amongst a flock of sheep and a Buzzard being mobbed by ..…was it the Raven that could be heard cronking?

We now turned off the main track , listening to the distinctive song of a Blackcap, which of course remained hidden and a Chiffchaff could be heard chiffchaffing away in the trees. We were now wandering through meadows full of wildflowers, including many Marsh Orchids, accompanied by birdsong from every direction. A Jay was perched on a fence post and a couple of Sand Martins flew high in the sky, while another elusive Blackcap sang its tuneful song .

A few of us were distracted by the scratchy song of the Whitethroat- and even had a fleeting glimpse of it as it dived down into the brambles. Then a Painted Lady appeared on the path before us and posed delightfully on a nearby buttercup. At the furthest point of the walk a Moorhen with chicks swam on a shallow pool while two Buzzards soared somewhat threateningly above us.

As we continued round the loop through more meadows and through areas of woodland, surrounded by more birdsong and wildflowers galore, it was easy to appreciate the peace and beauty of the British countryside even if bird sightings had been few and far between. But then much concentrated searching was rewarded at last by views of Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff .

Lunch was now calling so we headed back to the cars, stopping again at the bridge where a group of Canada Geese and goslings had appeared on the bank and a House Sparrow flitted through the grass across the way.

Another pleasant morning in fine weather and good company had been successfully completed. (MHo)

Bird List (MHo)