Birding Aldcliffe

Where's Yer Bean?

2012-02-02T18:48:00.000Z

Dan here.

Geese was the word today, with a whopping six species on Aldcliffe Marsh this afternoon.

Best bird was a grand tundra bean goose, which stood out a mile when with just six pink-footed geese on Heaton Marsh, but was a little trickier to pick out when it joined 2,200 pink-footed geese on the East side of the river!

The bean goose wasn't a large one but had an impressive length of bill. A noble and handsome beast-- more of these please.

Seven Eurasian white-fronted geese were also associating with the hordes of pinks. One of the 2,200 was a collared individual but it was rather too distant to be read.

DH.

Snow-Fakes

2012-01-31T20:10:00.000Z

Dan here.

My vestiges of hope that the trio of snow geese might be wild vagrants melted as I snapped them at close range at Marsh Point today. We were all a bit too cosy.

I'd bet that the closest they've been to Greenland is the Iceland in Morecambe. A while after I took this they were to be seen grovelling at the foot of the tip with those huge baggy-bellied farm geese and the tamest of the greylags.

Anyway... enough of this hilarity. Some wild honkers were about with 300 pink-footed and 3 Eurasian white-fronted geese dropping onto Aldcliffe Marsh about midday, with several hundred more pinks seen on Colloway Marsh, and a thousand more seen in flight over the Oxcliffe area.

DH.

Knot my cup of tea...........

2012-01-30T15:33:00.003Z

Brilliant cold sunny day. Freeman’s much as it was last visit, Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, Coot etc. Marsh Point was a treat with hundreds of birds, Knot 27 unusual for here, Canada Geese 162, Greylag 110, Snow Geese 3 flew in had a quick look about then flew off down river, Lapwing 720, Golden Plover 4, Redshank 60, Oystercatcher 40, Curlew 1, Black-tailed Godwit 8, BH Gull 60, Comm Gull 19, Herring Gull 16, LBB Gull 4.

The track was quiet with just a few Chaffinch. Wildfowlers’ Pool Coot and teal. The Flood saw Redshank 65, Shelduck 2, Mallard 8. The Marsh had 45 Curlew and 1 Little Egret. Gull Bank had Mediterranean Gull 1, BH Gull 160, Golden Plover 87, Dunlin 48, Lapwing 800 and a flock of 120 Starling flying over. Opposite bank were Little Egret 2, Pink-footed Geese 750 approx and did see 4 European White fronts possibly more. A pair of Goldeneye on the river. Found a dead bird looked like a Guillemot will have picture checked. Sewerage works Grey and Pied Wagtail.

Yesterday Little Owl Admiralty Wood and Redwing 6.

Update on dead bird, confirmed Guillemot.

Steve

Pink-Collar Worker

2012-01-28T17:02:00.000Z

Dan here.

Five species of geese were using the saltmarshes this afternoon, including around 450 pink-footed geese.

One PG had been fitted with a collar, which, after a bit of 'scope-work was seen to read 'TNV'. No doubt this will have been collared on breeding grounds in Iceland. I'll forward the sighting and report here if any info comes back.

The touring threesome of white-morph snow geese were conspicuous, while five European white-fronts on Heaton Marsh and a further three on Aldcliffe Marsh blended in a little better.

DH.

Think Pink...

2012-01-26T18:47:00.000Z

Quick jaunt through the Parish today. Freeman’s Pool was quite lively with 20 or so Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Goldeneye, Mallard, Coot, Little Grebe, Heron and BH Gulls. The track was quiet, today a brisk wind was blowing and heavy rain sleet showers. On trig point hill sheltering from the very high tide were 125 Pink-footed Geese I separated out 5 European White-fronts amongst them. The Flood saw Curlew 48, Shelduck 3, dozen Mallard and 26 Redshank. A Buzzard, local, landed in the field.

Steve.

Snow Geese and Rockets..........

2012-01-25T16:18:00.002Z

After a week ill and cabin fever well and truly set in I thought Aldcliffe is my best remedy. Thankfully all was still as it was, apart from the hedges which have been savagely cut back, cyclists be warned! Freeman’s Pool had Goldeneye 4, Little Grebe 2, Tufted Duck 6, Gadwall 5, Mallard, Coot and a Grey Heron, Kestrel did a fly by. A juicy pile of fresh manure had been dumped by the maize field entrance, more to come hopefully, and will attract more than the Chaffinch which I saw there today. The Flood was busy Shelduck 3, Redshank 10, Curlew 28, Pied Wagtail 2 and BH Gull 60. In the field next door a flock of 20 Pink footed Geese were joined by 15 Greylags and 3 Snow Geese giving excellent views, Dan had texted me earlier having seen them and 5 European White-fronted Geese.

As it was a big tide I predicted Rock Pipits and was pleased to find 4 near the walled meadow and a few at the sewage works. Wildfowlers’ Pool had Little Egret 1, Shelduck 2, Teal 5 and Moorhen 17. A Buzzard was circling above. Near the old snuff mill were Greenfinch and a flock of up to 25 Redwing. A very enjoyable hour, just the tonic.

Steve

Cold Fronts

2012-01-15T21:37:00.000Z

Dan here.

Checked Aldcliffe Marsh from the Heaton side of the river this chilly afternoon, and was pleased to see sixteen European white-fronted geese (three 1st-winter birds) in the company of 80 pink-footed geese and 200 greylags.

I've been wondering whether we might see some white-fronts in the early weeks of 2012 given the influx we had in November. Nice birds.

A few waders were on the former tip throughout the day including 32 black-tailed godwits and around 200 lapwings.

It seems that the recent glossy ibis was last seen on the morning of the 12th.

DH.

A Winter's Tale........

2012-01-14T19:11:00.002Z

Admiralty Wood.

Great winter weather and had a trawl around the Parish with daughter Molly today. We made our way through Fairfield Orchard where a great number of volunteers busied themselves, the path is now open, was chatting to one of the main organisers and he had seen a number of Snipe. It looks a bit bare at the moment and will come into its own in a few years when everything grows. They have created three scrapes, planted hedges and more.

Making our way down to the river we saw Nuthatch near the village. In the field was a mixed flock of gulls, Lapwing and Starlings. We walked along the river bank towards Marsh Point and made a note of birds, Little Egret 2, Shelduck 17, Curlew 14, Redshank 8, Mute Swan 32, Greylag Geese 143, Canada Geese 84, Oystercatcher 69, Lapwing 335, Grey Heron 3, Cormorant 2, BH Gulls 49, LBBG 6, HerrG 5, CommG 6, Black-tailed Godwit 23, Goosander 4, Mallard 7, Starling 130.

No sign of the Glossy Ibis the area was frozen. Freeman’s Pool had a few Gadwall of note.

Yesterday Redwing 16 near Lunecliffe. Buzzard, Kestrel and Ravens 2 at river.

Steve.

Glossy Display.....

2012-01-09T17:23:00.001Z

Got the news last night, via Mike Lynch LDBWS site, that a Glossy Ibis was feeding at the back of Keyline builder’s merchants. Popped down at 10-ish to find Dan already getting excellent views of the bird. The bird tended to be just by the fence and looked superb. Dan mentioned it was an adult, speckled neck, and no ring. Great patch tick, and then I got thinking about roost potential and headed to Skerton Weir Heronry at dusk, and after dozens of Cormorants had flown in the Ibis appeared, double patch tick, great day.

Steve.

Hello Kitty!

2012-01-07T19:30:00.001Z

Dan here.

A 2nd calendar-year kittiwake was feeding on the river with a few black-headed gulls off Marsh Point late morning.

This attractive maritime gull can be numerous at Heysham in times of strong onshore winds (a respectable 44 today), but Aldcliffe kitts are a much scarcer proposition. My first here, at least.

Around four hundred pink-footed geese were on the marsh, along with over six-hundred lapwings.

A great black-backed gull was making a baleful noise as it mobbed a buzzard near Freeman's Wood.

DH.

Hunkering for better weather.......

2012-01-04T15:52:00.002Z

Happy 2012 to all, here’s to a prosperous birding New Year.
Freeman’s Pool had six Gadwall, Coot, Mallard, Swan, 2 Wigeon, 1 Oystercatcher and a few gulls. At Marsh Point a Little Egret was making slow headway in the very windy conditions, eventually giving up and landing opposite. Fields saw a few Crows, Magpies and Chaffinch. Hedges were quiet with only Wren, Blackbird seen in the foul weather. On the marsh were a further 2 Little Egret, Curlew and on the mud flats a couple of thousand Lapwing. The Flood had 1 Redshank and 42 BH Gulls. Further down river towards the pylons it was much the same, quiet as the weather deteriorated. 9 Blackbirds near sewage works. Hunkered down Buzzard perched on fence post.

Steve

Snow Joke?

2011-12-30T16:58:00.000Z

Dan here.

Nothing much to report apart from three lesser snow geese. These white-morph birds have been touring the local beauty spots with greylags.

As ever the question is- are they tickable? They look as plastic as a block of Costcutter cheddar to me.

But I might well change my mind in a couple of days when I draw up the grand Aldcliffe list for 2011.

Season's Stringings,
DH.

Blustery Morning....

2011-12-26T16:05:00.002Z

Blowing a bit of a gale, high tide lots of waders, Lapwing etc being spooked by something which I couldn’t find. Greylags, about 200 at the Wildfowlers’ Pool. Freeman’s Gadwall of note. Track very quiet as very blustery. 6 Little Egrets near pylons. Sewage works 5 Rock Pipits, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey wagtails and half a dozen Pied Wags. Mistle Thrush in field.

Steve.

Quiet Morning....

2011-12-20T16:18:00.000Z

Very quiet down the Old Parish today. Freeman’s Pool 8 Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Coot, Wigeon, Goldeneye. Lapwing 200 at Marsh Point. 3 Little Egrets on marsh. Greylags have returned though lower numbers, 300 or so including 70 near Flood, also on here were 20 Redshank. 2 Song Thrush on track, and two more on sewerage works track along with 6 Redwing, 20 Blackbird and 1 Goldcrest, couldn’t really stop as the track here is under water! Lapwing 3500 on mud.

Steve

Spectacular Mist….lenses that is

2011-12-16T17:18:00.002Z

Had a cycle round in the snow and not much to see, birds were about just couldn’t see em! Bullfinch pair on track along with Robins, Dunnocks, and Blackbirds. Freeman’s Pool much the same as its been of late. A few hundred Lapwing at Marsh Point. Pair of Oystercatcher were at the Flood. Near the sewage works Fieldfare 21.

Steve

Whitening Strikes Twice

2011-12-09T17:52:00.001Z

Dan here.

In the wake of what the Scots have dubbed Hurricane Bawbag the parish was looking a bit bleak and blasted today.

However, a great egret was looking grand in the same spot as the autumn find-- near the legendary pylons where Heaton Marsh and Colloway Marsh collide.

Couldn't find much else of interest, bar an adult Med. Sadly there seems to have been a major clear-out of geese.

Freeman's Pools was hosting six goldeneyes and eleven gadwall. A peregrine falcon and two kestrels were noted.

DH.

The dead tree that’s been standing for donkeys years succumbed to the wild weather.

Buzzard close by being mobbed by crows, Sparrowhawk, Reed Buntings at the maize field.

Steve

Yesterdays Dash.......

2011-12-07T20:08:00.002Z

Freeman’s Pool Gadwall, Goldeneye, Tufted, Coot, Heron, Mallard, Swan and 6 Bullfinch flew onto hedge. On the track Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 5 Song Thrush and 7 Reed Bunting, a couple of dozen Blackbird. A Kestrel was hunting over the cut maize field. A quick wander along past walled meadow so Little Egret, across the Lune were Lapwing, Golden Plover and Redshank. A Skylark flew over. Fence around wood is coming on and had a chat with building manager who is a birder, and was very interested in the Aldcliffe mob and gave a nod. Not sure if the land will be eventually built on, though realistically I guess it is in a prime position.

Steve

Fence post.....

2011-12-02T17:52:00.000Z

Asked the chaps who were fencing off Freeman's Wood, and yes its going all the way round and he emphasised the private land bit. Well at least the birds will be undisturbed for now. Freeman’s Pool dozen Gadwall, Goldeneye 2, Coot, Swan, Little Grebe and a pair of tufties.

The track was quiet, saw 14 Fieldfare, Blackbird and Bullfinch. Bumped into Guy and Ola so walked back towards sewerage works. Little Egret, Linnet flew over. At the works were numerous Meadow Pipits, Pied and Grey Wagtails. A dozen Curlew in the field opposite, a flock of 120 Starlings were flushed by a Sparrowhawk and a pair of Great spotted Woodpecker in the trees.

Steve

Freeman's might not be free.....

2011-11-30T15:33:00.000Z

Heard a rumour a while ago that the estate holder of Freeman’s Wood was planning to fence it off, well it’s started. Not sure about the access, will hopefully find out asap. Could mean very bad news if we can’t have access, I’m hoping that there might be stiles etc.

The pool was much the same as the other day, with a Treecreeper. No geese around that I could see. Little Egrets on the marsh, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank all present. On the track were Blackbird, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Dunnock, Robin. Had a scan through all the gulls, mainly Black headed, with up to 30 Herring Gull. A fairly quiet hour.

Steve.

Geese and Gales...

2011-11-25T15:04:00.000Z

Started off at the sewerage works but not much to see, very windy. A pair of Grey/Pied Wags and 9 Redshank. On the track same, a blustery wind kept me cycling along. When I reached the flood I saw Greylags in the fields beyond, and scanning with bins found a dozen or so Euro white-fronted geese.
Steve

Egrets there was a few........

2011-11-24T14:55:00.000Z

Enjoyable plod around the Parish this morning. High tide saw large numbers of birds on the marsh, mainly Lapwing. The Greylags still on or near the cut maize fields. 14 Little Egrets, at least, spread about the place. 5 Skylark and 2 Ravens near the pylons, in the horse field were 6 Meadow Pipits and 2 Mistle Thrush, plus a few Pied wags.

Freeman’s Pool saw Gadwall 10, Tufted 4, Goldeneye 4, Coot 9, Little Grebe 2 and Mallard, Grey Heron and a Jay on the fence. Wildfowlers’, plenty of Teal and half a dozen or so Fieldfare.

Steve

Birdscape.....

2011-11-22T15:47:00.002Z

Freeman’s Pool/Wood shoveler, goldeneye, tufted, mallard, shelduck, grey heron, coot, little grebe. 60 chaffinch, goldfinch, bullfinch, greenfinch, and mistle thrush, kestrel and large stoat. Marsh Point 34 oystercatcher, lapwing and gulls. Maize field still occupied by hundreds of greylags. Wildfowlers’ Pool mainly teal of interest plus a handful of fieldfare.

Met up with Guy and Ola made our way to the sewerage works. Goldcrest 3, bullfinch 6, blackbird 15+, single fieldfare, meadow pipit, merlin chasing small bird, which escaped. Little egrets 3, curlew, widgeon, cormorant, lapwing, golden plover, canandas etc. red admiral at the cutting.

Steve.

Start of the week.....

2011-11-21T14:22:00.001Z

Brilliant start to the week. Black redstart was a new patch tick found at the sewerage works. The lack of this bird around Aldcliffe has been spoke about a great deal over the years and now finally on the record list. Dan came down and ticked it. The sewerage works is ideal for this bird, and still plenty of insects around, midges especially! Lets hope it stays for a while. Also present were Grey/Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Redshank.

Finally caught up with the Euro white-fronted geese, 17 on the far side of the river. Hundreds of Greylags around the patch, many being on the cropped maize fields. 3 Little Egrets on the marsh. Freeman’s Pool saw Gadwall, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Ducks and a couple of deer. A Kestrel was scanning from the dead tree.

Steve

On The Front Line

2011-11-20T15:57:00.000Z

Dan here.

My recent attempts to sniff out a late rare passerine (please hume-our me) have been scuppered by plagues of distracting geese, and my attempts to get passable photos of them.

At least thirty-four Euro white-fronted geese were in evidence in the murk today, with three seen on the maize stubble fields, and a flock of 33 on Aldcliffe Marsh, which featured just 4 juveniles.

Sadly this group was scared by some ne'er-do-wells and it re-located to stubble fields near Overton.

I'd reckon there have been more white-fronts here in the past week (a nationwide influx) than there have been over the preceding twenty years or more...so forgive my gruesome photos...I'm just a bit excited to see this species here.

Gazing at Greys Grazing

2011-11-17T18:49:00.000Z

Dan here.

Went out this morning with geese on my mind.

However, Aldcliffe Marsh was almost devoid of grey geese, with just five pink-feet in the midst of a whole mess of Canadas.

I heard a distant clamour of greylags and tracked down the regular flock which was feeding in the centre of Colloway Marsh (a few hundred metres south of my jurisdiction, actually!) and also using improved and muddy maize stubble fields NE of Overton.

Associating with them were at least nine european white-fronted geese so I was glad I sat down and 'scoped them.
There's been an interesting and welcome movement of this species across Britain in the past couple of weeks. Bean geese too-- so with a lot of luck a nice little herd of taigas might drop in for a day or two soon.

Fingers crossed.

Passerines highlights within the parish (!) included a group of four goldcrests, three southbound skylarks and a few rock and meadow pipits.

A merlin (arch enemy of pipit-kind) was also seen.

DH.

Quick tour...

2011-11-16T19:18:00.002Z

Freeman’s Pool Gadwall, Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Coot etc. Frog Pond a number of Wigeon. Track saw a few Linnet, plenty of Chaffinch a single Fieldfare feeding on berries. Also, plenty of Crows around today. The fields behind the upper track were being sprayed with manure and attracted a few hundred mainly Black-headed Gulls I found one Med amongst them. Wildfowlers’ Pool had a number of Teal. The geese were some distance away and couldn’t make them out other than Canada none Canada! At least eight Little Egret, eleven yesterday, on the marsh.

I took a quick look on the mud bank near Gull bank and found a Green Sand and Snipe. A Peregrine spooked a huge flock of Lapwing/Golden plover. Sewerage works had a few Rock Pipits and Linnets present.

Steve.

Full Frontal

2011-11-15T18:56:00.001Z

Dan here.

It was a bit of a goosefest this morning, with four adult european white-fronted geese initially on Heaton Marsh-- reassuringly aloof from the greylag hordes. A little disappointingly, they decamped to mingle with a motley crew of greylags and Canadas on Aldcliffe Marsh.

Then I was surprised to find 7 Greenland white-fronted geese at the southern end of the marsh. These much more handsome birds were also all adult.... and also very much at ease with the feral honkers (feeding with them, bathing in the river with them-- even playing cards with them).

Mind you, there were at least a hundred more greylags than usual today, so maybe even they weren't all feral after all.

A skein of 58 pink-footed geese circled over the marsh for a while, before continuing east.

In passerine news, 5 rock pipits were at Stodday sewage works and the recently-harvested maize fields had attracted over 70 chaffinches, six bullfinches, (two sparrowhawks) and a few tree sparrows, mipits and reed buntings.

A lesser redpoll was at the Willow Lane end of Freeman'sWood. A third goldeneye is now at Freeman's Pools.

DH.

Green Back

2011-11-12T23:21:00.000Z

Just a fleeting look on my way elsewhere today.... but a female merlin and a green sandpiper were noted.

DH

In the Euro Zone

2011-11-11T19:55:00.001Z

Dan here.

A few decent birds today, with wildfowl heading the list.

A faint yip-yip-yipping, then distant views of a few sturdy medium-size geese culminated in good views of these five european white-fronts heading South. Perhaps these Baltic breeders were en route to the Severn estuary where the majority winter.

Euro White-fronted Geese: appearing to be 4 adults and a juv.

My first two goldeneyes of the season were on Freeman's Pools. A scan of the estuary at high water revealed five shovelers, six gadwall and a pochard mingling with wigeons and teal near Gull Bank.

A nice female merlin was panicking the saltmarsh lapwings and starlings (around 2000 and 500 birds respectively). Merlins can be a regular sight here in winter.

A woodcock flew over the water from Heaton Marsh, dropping into cover near the cutting.

The hedges and bushes held a few each of goldcrest, song thrush and fieldfare, with around 50 (mainly 1st- winter male) blackbirds, including a dozen or so loudly mobbing an ivy roosting little owl by Stodday sewage works.

DH.

A maize in....

2011-11-09T13:44:00.001Z

One maize field harvested. In the hedge plenty of action 2 Tree Sparrow, Reed Buntings, Linnets, Brambling 1, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Blue Tits, on the track Blackbirds, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Wren, Robin, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush. Heading east Fieldfare 20, at the cutting Redwing and more Blackbirds. Freeman’s Pool Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Coot, Little Grebe and a Kestrel. Flood Shoveler and a Shelduck.

Shooting on the opposite side spread the birds out a bit. Little Egret 1, Lapwing numerous, Curlew, Redshank. Ravens 2, Peregrine Falcon 1 near the pylons.

Steve.

Fair Fieldnotes

2011-11-08T22:10:00.000Z

Dan here.

Work on the brand nature area in Fairfield (top right corner of the parish!) is in full flow.

This morning I met some of the Fairfield Association (who have acquired the land) on site and the landscapers, hedge specialists and conservation officers helping them with the project.

Among many other changes to this sliver of wet farmland, scrapes have been excavated in the juncus areas, aswell as deeper ponds where reeds are to be planted.

It's all going to look impressive. As we walked around I pointed out the manic noise of water rails emanating from cover along Lucy Brook. Overhead, a sparrowhawk was chasing goldfinches and I could hear a nuthatch calling near the orchard.

Outside, Looking In

2011-11-05T23:58:00.001Z

Today I cruelly abandoned Aldcliffe for the other side of the Lune for the second weekend running.

I didn't have so much luck this time, and in fact one of the nicer sights was while wistfully looking back East towards the parish, when eleven whooper swans flew South down the estuary at some considerable height.

Several large skeins of pink-footed geese were also noted using Aldcliffe airspace just after dawn as they dispersed Northward from their Fylde coast roosts.

DH.

Roving Reporter

2011-11-04T17:25:00.000Z

Dan here.

Just a short trip out today...to hand deliver a copy of the latest birdwatching society bird report to a member in Aldcliffe village.

I've been thumbing through my copy and as usual Aldcliffe gets many mentions.

On my way there and back saw a few fieldfares and goldcrests, five little egrets and two ravens.

DH

Gulls On Film

2011-11-02T16:38:00.001Z

Dan here.

Although we have a few Mediterranean gulls at Aldcliffe now and again, these are the first pics I've taken that are almost worthy of public consumption. I managed to creep up on this attractive beast this morning as it fed in a field and got these eye-level shots..

I'm often mocked by my girlfriend for finding this species devilishly handsome. Happen she's jealous. Readers--am I alone in this?

Vestiges of vis mig were in evidence this morning. The following were noted heading over- mostly South:
17skylarks, 6 meadow pipits, 50 fieldfares, one redwing, 30 chaffinches and 35 woodpigeons.

Four tree sparrows were lurking near the maize fields, as were a goldcrest and forty greenfinches.

Online Meds

2011-11-01T20:40:00.000Z

Dan again.

A sunny afternoon dawdle was pleasant but unspectacular bird-wise.

The warmer clearings in Freeman's Woods held at least 12 common darter dragonflies and a migrant hawker. Several red admiral butterflies were also noted.

Two adult Mediterranean gulls were with field-feeding common and black-headed gulls. Fifteen pink-footed goose went over to the South. Ten more were with feral geese on the marsh.

Only a few goldcrests were found today, and so far this Autumn Aldcliffe has been poor for chiffchaffs and other tit-taggers.

DH.

Great Egxpectations

2011-10-28T16:11:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

Glad I went out today, because I finally found a great egret*, a bird which has been on my Aldcliffe wishlist for years.

It was feeding beneath the pylons which cross where Heaton marsh and Colloway marsh meet, in the company of ten little egrets and four grey herons.

A shocking dodgyscoped shot of this new patch tick:

The high tide revealed around 20 rock pipits and a few skylarks that would otherwise be lurking in the marshes, unseen.

Around 8 goldcrests and a single siskin were to be found in the copses and hedgerows, aswell as a lonely redwing and small parties of fieldfares and blackbirds.

Around five red admiral butterflies were noted.

DH.

* these large, scarce egrets are more often referred to as great white egrets, but this name gets my tautology goat. Until Britain gets colonised by dark-morph western reef herons, I've no need for the 'white'.

Aargh! Thanks for listening.

No luck.......

2011-10-27T15:57:00.000+01:00

Despite my attempts at bush searching I didn’t see one warbler or owt. The high tide pushed many birds on land, hundreds of Lapwing, Golden plover, Curlew, Redshank. Dunlin and a flock of 10 Snipe in the fields. Little Egret visiting the Wildfowlers’, Freeman’s saw the usual Grey Heron, Gadwall, Tufted, Little Grebe, Coot and Moorhen, Kestrel in dead tree. A Buzzard, on the hillside. Great spotted woodpecker at the cutting, Reed Buntings near the maize. Plenty of Chaffinches about, a Bullfinch on the track. An influx of Mistle Thrush with 7 seen, Song Thrushes, along with a few flocks of Fieldfare and two large flocks of Starling. A Rock Pipit near seweage works.

Steve

Bushed!

2011-10-16T20:28:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

A peek out of the window this morning suggested that a day of bush-bashing might be worth a try.

Indeed, the completely still, misty and drizzly conditions felt pretty good for searching for a posh passerine, but in the end, it wasn't to be.

Quite a few off-passage songbirds were around early on, with around 50 fieldfares, 30 redwings, 60 (mainly 1st-Winter) blackbirds, 20 song thrushes and a few mistle restless in the copses and hedgerows, and an increase on recent robin numbers.

Two lesser redpolls and small parties of redwings and blackbirds were to seen to spill skywards from Freeman's Wood, which had around 10 goldcrests later in the day.

A blackcap, a chiffchaff and 2 goldcrests were at Stodday.

The visibility soon improved, with sunny spells and freshening winds. From ten till two a steady but light passage of Skylarks occurred, with an estimated 30 per hour overhead, Southeast.

355 pink-footed geese in five skeins also pushed through SouthWest in this period.

A shoveler was on the Wildfowlers Pools and eleven gadwalls and five wigeon were on Freeman's Pools.

Four migrant hawkers and two common darter dragonflies were out in sheltered spots.

Crossbill Traffic (so hard to get through to you)

2011-10-14T19:28:00.002+01:00

Dan again.

A bit of visible migration this morning (0830-1230), but lower figures than might have been expected, especially with big numbers of winter thrushes moving a few miles either side of the patch.

Fieldfares were in shorter supply than yesterday and chaffinches, also a key feature of local vis-mig logs, were barely into double figures.

I didn't scribble much down on account of the strange paucity of vis, with only skylark, meadow pipit, linnet, alba wagtails and c.50 redwings getting into mid-double figures.

All that being said, the morning was fun nonetheless, with a party of seven crossbills briefly circling the walled meadow as if to land, before gaining height and chip-chip-chipping off West.

This is a new species for my own Aldcliffe list, if my memory serves me well.. Mr. Carter-- have you recorded them here before?

Two Southbound bramblings were also nice to see and hear. Single figures of tree sparrow, swallow, reed buntings, mistle thrushes and high Eastbound snipes were also noted overhead.

Five chiffchaffs and 3 goldcrests were seen. A green sandpiper was at Freeman's Pools and a greenshank is still using Aldcliffe Marsh.

DH

Air-Fare

2011-10-13T20:25:00.001+01:00

Given the forecast for a dry and calm morning I thought I'd get out early-ish to do a spot of vis mig. However it was almost eleven before I was out and communing with dots in the sky, but luckily there was some passerine passage until well into the afternoon.

Most were heading S.E. over my vantage on the saltmarsh edge.

1100h-1445h... in no particular order:

swallow           7
alba wagtail    11
jackdaw          7
meadow pipit 210
skylark            79
linnet               39
reed bunting     7
yellowhammer  1 S
siskin                (a few- heard only)
redwing            2   E
fieldfare            67 E
tree sparrow     2

The yellowhammer was particularly pleasing, since this species is very scarce in this part of Lancashire. The last one seen here was a long-stayer several Autumns ago.

The first redwings and fieldfares of the season are always lovely to see and hear too. After the vis session A further 120 of the latter species dropped into the hedgerows for a minute or two before heading off, West.

Decent numbers of long-tailed tits and smaller numbers of blue and coal tits were frantically hedge-hopping South. A single chiffchaff and two goldcrests were trying to keep up.

Five blue tits, obviously wanting to crank the pace yet more, parted with their long-tailed congeners by rising in small circles to about 20 metres, before flying West across the marsh and estuary.

Wader-wise 28 dunlins, 2 black-tailed godwits 2 snipes and 160 all-European golden plovers were the pick of the waders on the 'Aldcliffe' stretch of estuary, where a rock pipit was also in evidence.

A greenshank was on the marsh, as were up to nine little egrets. Eight tree sparrows were in the yet to be harvested maize, and six gadwalls were on Freeman's Pools. A minimum of five buzzards were noted.

Now enjoy some my cropped pics of speeding specks which highlight the magical views possible while out vis-migging:

The Mighty Skylark

The Stately Reed Bunting

Fieldfare: The Wildebeest of the Heavens

DH.

Skein If You Wanna Go Faster

2011-10-11T23:09:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

An early afternoon visit was quite wet to begin with, but as the cloud lifted a few birds moved through, namely 24 meadow pipits, six skylarks and three swallows (all South-East) and these Southbound skeins of pink-footed geese:

124

On the deck, a 7-8 goldcrests were dotted along the hedgerows, a greenshank was still haunting the marsh and a siskin was heard in Freeman's Wood. A grey partridge was heard and the whooper swan was grazing alongside cattle beneath the pylons.

DH.

Spotted!

2011-10-09T21:02:00.001+01:00

Dan again.

An adult spotted redshank was in the Gull Bank area of the estuary this afternoon, near a brute of an adult Mediterranean gull while a lone adult whooper swan was quietly feeding on the marsh behind.

A greenshank was on Aldcliffe Marsh, while a single wheatear was just yards outside our recording area!

A gadwall was on Freeman's Pools and a common buzzard was noted overhead.

Light Rain, Light Grilling

2011-10-08T16:41:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

Around 500 golden plovers were on the patch today, so I thought I'd better get grilling given the superb run of yank wader finds in the NW that began one day after I quit these shores for a fortnight.

Two grey plovers were the best I could pick out. Three snipes, eight dunlin and a thousand lapwings were on our stretch of the estuary too.

Two lots of pink-footed geese moved through SW, with 62 (pictured) and a bird trying to form a skein of one an hour later.

A single green sandpiper was at one of the ponds and a skylark was heard.

DH

Back to autumn.......

2011-10-07T13:53:00.000+01:00

Plenty of activity today with all the common birds. The hedge near the top of pools by the river saw flocks of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, and a single Swallow over the maize. On the pool were Little Grebe 6 and Coot. A Kestrel was doing the rounds. On the river were 15 Mute Swan. Wildfowlers’ saw 1 Green Sandpiper and a number of Teal. On the marsh was a single Wheatear, 1 Little Egret, roughly 1500 Lapwing, plenty of Curlew. Heard a few Skylarks above.

At the old cutting a flock of 35 Linnet were very active, along with Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. A Peregrine spooked all the waders and a Sparrowhawk then bombed through the cutting. A beautiful Hawthorn Shieldbug landing on my arm finished the morning off nicely.

Steve

Hot Patch....

2011-09-28T14:21:00.000+01:00

Freeman’s Pool had Little Grebes, Coot, Grey Heron and two Kestrel. A quick stroll through the wood revealed Jays, Chiffchaff, Linnets and usual finches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal Tits.

A good 900 BH Gulls present on the river, a fast incoming tide disturbed Canada’s, Curlews and Redshank. Two Ravens were flying about the patch. On the track saw Chiffchaff, Wrens etc, Skylarks flying over and a handful of Meadow Pipits, also 6 Swallow were busily feeding in the unseasonably hot weather, which also brought out plenty of butterflies and dragon flies. Three Little egrets were on the marsh, a Grey Wagtail near the pylons and a peregrine bombing over.

Steve

Owtabout? Nowtabout!

2011-09-19T13:10:00.002+01:00

A mid-morning visit was rather uneventful.

A small amount of visible migration was taking place, but not assiduously recorded! As ever, meadow pipits were most numerous (circa 50 per hour), but eight skylarks, two alba wagtails and a siskin were also noted heading through, SE.

A lesser and two common whitethroats and a handful of chiffchaffs were also seen. A treecreeper was calling in the railway cutting area and a young peregrine was keeping Gull Bank free of waders.

Five shovelers were at Freeman's Pools.

DH

Not too late for a swift one

2011-09-18T12:20:00.002+01:00

Given the calm conditions I thought I'd get out early and try clocking some visible migration.

The passerine movement had several lulls when dark cloud thickened, but in blue or broken skies there were some good pulses.

Between 0730 and 1130 the following flew over the estuary, mostly heading SE:

meadow pipit 535

swallow 315

swift 1

skylark 28

siskin 20+

alba wagtail      30
grey wag            4
linnet                  4
goldfinch            7
chaffinch           10
jackdaw             3
reed bunting       2

The swift (lovingly pictured above) was pleasingly late in the year. It coincided with the heaviest swallow movement (280 SE in half an hour from 0840h).

The hedgerows were quiet-- perhaps understandably given the songbird exodus weather overnight, but two restless flocks of blackbird (8 and 7) and a coal tit were clear signs of Autumn, as was an acorn-bearing jay.

Long-tailed tits were also prominent.

Wader-wise, a bar-tailed godwit with a mangled leg (pictured), 30 dunlins and 15 golden plovers were the best I could muster. DH

The Majestic Meadow Pipit

Ouch

Migrating Skylarks

Fluff-on-a-Stick

One for the Lads

2011-09-17T21:58:00.001+01:00

Without any sign of vagrant waders or much evidence of the magic of migration I had to be content with micro-birding nuances that only hardened Aldcliffers would appreciate.

Sixty lapwings were at the fringes of the flood this afternoon. Although the estuary and marshes often have hundreds and sometimes thousands of peewits, sixty at this particular spot is really something- eh patchers?

Another small pleasure was the discovery of 5 stock doves at Stodday ETW. I see one or two of this subtly attractive species down here every so often, but a quintet isn't bad at all. Eh, lads?

A greenshank was on the marsh and circa 10 dunlins, 12 ringed and 6 golden plovers were at Gull Bank.

DH

Planet Dearth

2011-09-16T18:36:00.000+01:00

A damp and rather disappointing afternoon visit for Guy and myself.

Just a few each of robin, chiffchaff and goldcrest in the hedges. A wheatear flew downriver. A lesser whitethroat was heard to call.

Two green sandpipers were seen and two or three siskins flew over, unseen.

DH

Ful Mars for Trying

2011-09-15T18:23:00.001+01:00

A calm and mellow day with moderate use of Aldcliffe airspace and a nice mix of species.

Visible migration was dominated by meadow pipits and the first pink-footed geese of the Autumn.
Around 450 of the former were heading South, East and even North-East between 0945 and 1345

The geese, fresh from Iceland, came through South in skeins of 42, 32 and sixteen.

Otherwise, 'vis' was limited to single figure counts of skylark, grey wagtail and linnet. Hirundine (martin) passage seemed non-existent.

An out-of-habitat nuthatch and coal tit were by the walled meadow and evidenced some seasonal dispersal of some kind. A few whitethroats, chiffchaffs and a goldcrest were also in the hedges.

Clearly haven been driven inland by recent high winds, a fulmar (pictured thru the heat haze above) was both a welcome patch-tick and a rather sorry sight at the same time.
It was sat on the mud at Gull Bank amid lapwings and starlings, two species that these seafaring tubenoses must seldom come into contact with.

Other estuary birds included a juvenile ruff, 40 juv. dunlins, a goosander and an eider.

Singles of greenshank and green sandpiper were lurking elsewhere. A kingfisher was diving into the flood and up to five common buzzards were circling.

The brown hare (not strictly a bird) is hanging in in small numbers here despite some illegal hunting by decorators and their lurchers.

This one looked mortified, not only at being photographed, but also at having been caught running from a tiny stoat.

A Grade A Grey Day

2011-09-14T20:31:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

Had a quick look round the obvious spots on my way back from a thoroughly mediocre 'seawatch' at Plover Scar, near Cocker Abbey (just 2 gannets, some PG skeins, a kittiwake and a thorough soaking).

On the patch proper two grey plovers were an Aldcliffe year-tick on the estuary mud, and three green sandpipers were on the Flood.

Four snipe and a gathering of around a hundred hirundines were at Freeman's Pools late afternoon.

A wheatear was also seen.

DH

Inland Seawatching

2011-09-12T22:02:00.001+01:00

High winds and a high tide which swamped the saltmarshes gave scoping the birds of the estuary a seawatching feel around midday.

No true seabirds noted, though the visit's highlight, pintails, are most often seen in stormy conditions down here. One was consorting with 30 wigeon in the Gull Bank area, and another three were seen heading South a little later.

A surprisingly scarce visitor to Aldcliffe these days ... I think these are the first pintails I've seen here in three or four years.

The lowlight was letting an in-flight wagtail escape identification. On tail length it seemed to be a flava wag, but as I didn't get any plumage detail on it, and as the howling wind masked any calls a probable year-tick got away.

Bah!

Singles of greenshank, green sandpiper and were also seen. Two shovelers and three tufted ducks were at Freeman's Pools.

DH

Whooper Duper

2011-09-11T19:09:00.001+01:00

I only had chance for a brief look today, but a nice 1st- Winter Mediterranean gull was on the water just off Gull Bank.

Beyond, a slightly unseasonal adult whooper swan was feeding on the saltmarsh underneath the pylons, in a loose flock of a mutes.

Seemed to be a bit of a Southward push of swallows this afternoon, with around 30 seen heading downstream within half an hour.

Three off-passage sand martins were at the Wildfowler's Pools, where this soft-focus wader pic was snapped..

Elsewhere, Steve W. had a peregrine and two each of raven and chiffchaff.

Quiet for now

2011-09-10T19:39:00.001+01:00

A short evening walk round the northern end of the patch produced two green sandpipers, 2 blackcap and a chiffchaff near the flood. 3 little grebes and 14 heron were on Freemans pool.

Looking at the LDBWS website it looks like it could be a good week with Katia on the way....fingers crossed.

Guy

Objet D'arter

2011-09-09T17:32:00.000+01:00

A short visit turned up a party of five wheatears on the marsh, a few chiffchaffs and a fly-through sand martin.

Waders included single greenshank and green sandpiper and a few each of dunlin and ringed plover.

A great crested grebe was swimming under the power lines. An adult peregrine was seen.

The afternoon sun brought out some dragonflies including this common darter.

DH

Sand Bank

2011-09-08T17:40:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

A lull in this week's blustery weather made birding more comfortable this afternoon.

After August's adult, an attractive juvenile curlew sandpiper was a pleasing find on the estuary, where a whimbrel (my only one for this passage period) and a greenshank were also to be found.

The curlew sand was in the company of 3 dunlins and 15 ringed plovers were nearby.

A green sandpiper was at Freeman's Pools.

As the wind dropped just a few robins and greenfinches could be heard in the hedgerows. Aside from a juv. common whitethroat, no warblers were apparent. It seems that a comprehensive clear-out of late August's numerous chiffchaffs and lesser whitethroats has taken place.

Two grey wagtails were at Stodday.

The sun came out for the first time in days, and a few dragonflies ventured out-- 3 brown and 2 migrant hawkers and a famished-looking common darter.

DH

Unproductive, Untitled..

2011-09-07T17:46:00.000+01:00

Dan once more, with some slim pickings from the patch.

Seven or eight off-passage sand martins were wheeling over Freeman's Pools, where a lone green sandpiper fed. A goldcrest was heard calling from the wood nearby.

A wind-wobbled scoping of the the estuary gulls revealed nothing of interest apart from the percentage of first-year black-headeds-- around a third were in juvenile or first-Winter plumages as opposed to just 5% in recent visits.

Fascinating stuff.

A goosander was at Gull Bank and a peregrine falcon hunted overhead.

DH

Live Ringers

2011-09-06T18:44:00.000+01:00

Birds hard to come by on a visit in stormy conditions this afternoon, but a flock of 35 ringed plovers by the churning estuary was a good count for Aldcliffe.

Heavy rainfall has made for waterlogged fields and The Flood is living up to its name.

DH

Right Idea, Wrong Location.

2011-09-05T16:25:00.001+01:00

Respect due to Aldcliffe stalwart Guy McClelland for finding a rose coloured starling this morning, but with a little bit taken back for doing so on the Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway, and not at Aldcliffe!

I think it's the only rosy pastor in Britain at present, in an unremarkable year for them. There should be a picture of his bird here http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery9

I could have done with some of Guy's magic on the patch today. A short afternoon visit turned up very little of interest.

Five dunlins were on the estuary near the pylons, where no Meds were to be found among the black-headed gulls.. A flock of 18 pied wagtails were on the paddocks, but I suspect they had only come from as far afield as the sewage works a few yards away.

I couldn't even locate any green sandpipers, which are usually pretty dependable given a bit of patience. I suspect they were tucked into some hidden nook in the blustery conditions.

DH.

Going Gets Ruff

2011-09-02T17:56:00.000+01:00

Dan once more.

Going down the old patch got me a ruff, three greenshanks and five each of dunlin and golden plover at Gull Bank just before high water.

A fourth greenshank and a common sandpiper were on Aldcliffe Marsh proper. Three green sandpipers were dotted elsewhere.

DH.

It's Nice to Have Two Hobbies

2011-09-01T15:30:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

The smaller birds of the estuary had even more to torment them today, because aswell as peregrines and sparrowhawks, they also had hobby to worry about.

One juvenile hobby appeared in a clamour of swallows in the railway cutting area of the patch, and was seen well as it took several shallow stoops at various species over the water's edge. It pursued some starlings with all the dogged tenacity of a merlin. Nice bird.

As I followed it Southwards in my scope I became aware of a second, identically-sized falcon which joined it over the Stodday stretch and seemed to be hunting in tandem with it.

I couldn't get any detail as it flew into the midday glare but I took it to be another subbuteo.

At least one headed as far down as Conder Green.

Second best today was seen seconds before all this, with a large-looking (male?) juvenile ruff standing on the last sliver of Gull Bank with lapwings and a few dunlins before high water engulfed it.

The Spring tide covered the East-bank marshes once more, and a greenshank, common sandpiper and a skylark were seen feeding at the foot of Dawson's Bund, while an attractive 1st-Winter Med gull flew inland above it.

The morning's birding was less exciting, but casually-noted visible migration of c.20 each of Southbound meadow pipits and swallows (with a few sand martins) passed through mid-morning, and three hedgerow goldcrests and a flock of 25 linnets were of note. All very Septemberish.

A great crested grebe rode the surging tide up to the pylons, where I took this perfunctory shot.

Tide Up

2011-08-30T21:30:00.000+01:00

Hello- Dan here.

A Spring high tide which covered the saltmarshes prompted a walk along Dawson's Bank, from where 2 wheatears, a common sandpiper, a greenshank and 2 skylarks were seen feeding along the high water mark.

A green sandpiper was feeding on the little-frequented Bank Pool, and a late-ish swift was hawking over the large expanse of tidal water. It, or another, was in the company of house martins elsewhere in the parish later in the afternoon.

A stoat was hot on the heels of a rabbit down the cycle track. A peregrine was hot on the heels of five dunlins over the estuary. Two snipes and a green sandpiper were at point 8 on the site map.

Gull Bank Holiday

2011-08-29T14:21:00.000+01:00

Dan reporting for the parish posse.

The Aldcliffe Boys (and girl) were out in force around midday, but the same can't really be said for the birds.

However, between us we managed few migrant species including a wheatear, a grasshopper warbler (an adult, on colouration), a black-tailed godwit, two greenshanks, and five wigeon.

A high-tide Gull Bank wasn't much cop for gulls, since the roost was repeatedly dispersed by pesky jet-skiers.

The Wildfowler's Pools had a green sandpiper, a few teals and a snipe.

Sunday

2011-08-28T21:49:00.003+01:00

Blustery morning and heavy showers added to the autumnal feel and it's still August. Few more Coot on Freeman’s, 15, along with Little Grebe. 4 Buzzard were seen near the pylons, and a Grasshopper Warbler and Whitethroat. 4 Little Egret on the salt marsh.

Steve

Muddy Migrants

2011-08-27T15:21:00.002+01:00

Dan here.

The fly-ridden mud of the 'Flood' attracted a few juvenile invertebrate-lovers today, such as this swallow, little ringed plover, and also a wheatear.

Fifteen black-tailed godwits flew through, two green sandpipers lingered and a greenshank was on the estuary. A stock dove was noted. Five little egrets were on the saltmarsh.

A party of six buzzards wheeled overhead.

DH.

Shifting Sands

2011-08-26T10:40:00.003+01:00

Dan here.

Some hirundine passage here on a cool, still and otherwise quiet morning.

The presence of local and off-passage house martins and swallows blurred the picture for those two species, but sand martins were simple enough, with 85 South-East along the Eastern edge of the estuary between 0830 and 0930.

Other visible SE-bound migration included a grey wagtail, a swift and 8 meadow pipits.

As in recent days, a few lesser and common whitethroats, blackcaps and particularly chiffchaffs in the hedgerows.

Two green sandipers were seen at the Wildfowler's Pools, and four greenshanks and a common sandpiper were just upstream of the pylons.

Two peregrines were keeping the peewits aloft early on.

DH

Some interesting sightings today from JWB/BT LDBWS. Especially Little Egrets
FREEMANs POOL: Grey Heron-6.Mute Swan-2.Coot-9.
Gadwall.Little Grebe.-8 (inc:pr in
plumage still feeding one young)
Kingfisher. (2/3circuits of the pool &
hovering over the island).
(Hedgerow). LTTits-flock of 17 (in with them )
Blue Tit-5 Coal Tit-3.Dunnock.Wren.
WILDFOWL POOL: Teal-3.Green Sandpiper.
ALDCLIFFE MARSH: Little Egret-9 (also 1 on Heaton Marsh)
Canada Geese-230+ Greylag Geese-c150+
Cormorant-5.Grey Heron-2.
Steve

Thursday

2011-08-25T12:19:00.003+01:00

Spent an hour down the patch this morning. Two Ravens were on the usual pylon.Thought I would checkout the meadow near here, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat along with finches and tits. Two Little Egrets were on the marsh, Lapwings, Curlews and plenty of Greylags also present. Two crows mobbing a Kestrel. Couldn't quite get my eye in today as no scope. A Green Sandpiper at the Wildfowlers' and half a dozen Teal. Freeman's Pools quiet as work being carried out.
Steve

Hi Steve!
I too had a nose this morning so much the same as you, but also 3 wheatears (my first down here since Spring), a second winter Med, and another tree sparrow.
DH

Two by Two

2011-08-24T18:38:00.000+01:00

Couldn't find too much in a rainy visit, not even in that (formerly) magic bush.

However, 2 common sandpipers, 2 greenshanks and 2 green sandpipers is better than a poke in the eye.

DH.

Early 'Start

2011-08-23T11:49:00.000+01:00

Yesterday's tripit, the previous day's tree sparrow and this morning's first-Winter male common redstart have all been spied in the same hawthorn bush near walled meadow.

I hope that bush continues to bring me the pick of the passerines every day. That would be nice and convenient.

I've got a soft spot for redstarts. This one was in the company of several juvenile willow warblers and chiffchaffs, and I caught several glimpses as they flitted from tree to tree along the track.

DH.

A Flying Tripit

2011-08-22T19:21:00.000+01:00

Dan again.

Only had chance for a flying visit in the early evening today, but an off-passage tree pipit made it worth the trip. Casting my mind back, I don't think I've had an Autumn tripit on the patch before, with the others being April fly-overs.

Pool waders consisted of three green sandpipers and a few lapwings. A greenshank and a common sandpiper were by the pylons.

DH.

Where were you in April?

2011-08-21T18:11:00.003+01:00

Dan here.

A fun afternoon of birding down on the patch.

Foremost was a nice osprey which as ever, was heralded by a whole host of irate gulls.
It circled fairly high over the estuary at Snatchems for a few minutes before the sight of the coast lured it WSW.

The first merlin of the Autumn appeared and shot low over Colloway Marsh.

A peregrine was merely scaring the local lapwings and starlings for some time before trying its luck over town. It returned ten minutes later with what looked to be a white domestic dove in its claws.

Five buzzards, two kestrels and a sparrowhawk completed the raptor tally.

Freshwater waders comprised just two green sandpipers and a greenshank. A single golden plover was with several hundred peewits near Gull Bank.

Best passerine was a vociferous tree sparrow just South of Aldcliffe Hall Lane.

Grovelling apology: I ordinarily text out my Ospreys to the more keen local birders...but I've lost my mobile. Sorry Steve.

DH.

No sign of any raptors during a walk round with mini me this morning. An unprecedented 24 heron were in the Freemans pool area with 6 little grebe including 1 juvenile. I didn't see any raptors but had some success with passerines. A garden warbler, 2 goldcrest, 2 common whitethroat and a sub-song willow warbler were in the area round the abandoned football pitch. 2 blackcap and a chiffchaff were on the top path. A greenshank was at wildfowlers. There seems to be a lot of these round the area. It's a bit worrying that a birder with the calibre of Dan hasn't got a mobile going in to the autumn migration. Please find it Dan, there are so many birds I will never see if you can't get the news out!

Guy

Dull Bank

2011-08-20T16:43:00.000+01:00

Spent a bit longer on the patch today, but there wasn't much to set the pulse racing. Indeed, it was further fuel for my theory that Saturday is the dullest day of the week, bird-wise.

However, freshwater waders weren't too bad, adding up to 5 little ringed plovers (3 of which pictured below) a greenshank, 2 green sandpipers and a snipe.

Estuary waders and gulls were thoroughly routine, though the sight of 9 wigeon and 45 teal struck a mid-autumnal chord.

A stock dove was noted. A wood pigeon was nest-building. A lesser whitethroat sang briefly. Time went by.

DH.

Brown Muds, Green Sands, Red Ads..

2011-08-19T23:53:00.002+01:00

Dan here.

A 2nd-winter Mediterranean gull on the estuary was perhaps the best find in a somewhat brief late morning visit. One each of bar-tailed and black-tailed godwit were also noted on the mud.

Waders on the flood comprised two little ringed plovers and a single green sand. Ten adult pied wagtails were new here, but all were scattered by a swooping first plumage peregrine.

A further two green sandpipers were noted using the Wildfowler's Pools.

Three swifts were hunting over the marsh. A few red admirals were feeding in areas sheltered from the stiff breeze.

DH.

A Tale of Two Piccies

2011-08-16T21:02:00.000+01:00

Dan and his state-of-the-art camera here.

Up to four greenshanks were presenting photographic opportunities this afternoon. Other waders on the patch included 4 green sandpipers.

Three off-passage sand martins were at Freeman's Pools, where 2 shovelers appeared to be new in. Several small parties of swifts flew through the parish, heading South.

The only bird of note at Gull bank was an adult Mediterranean gull, as dodgyscoped below!

DH.

Parish Register

2011-08-14T16:22:00.002+01:00

Had a walk round the southern end of the patch with Aldcliffes' newest parishioner. The only noteable sighting was 3 LRP's on Flood - two of which I thought were juveniles. Looking at Dan's recent postings though one may have been a female.

There was a bit of screaming going on from Ola so her first visit wasn't the happiest. Hopefully she will grow up to be a birder under the passive influence from her father. I grew up on the Headland in Hartlepool and although I never saw a white throated robin, the constant presence of gulls, cormorants and wrecked auks has subsequently influenced me.

Guy

Hello Guy and daughter.... there were indeed 2 juvenile plumage little ringed plovers today-- and a further 3 adults. Two greenshanks were knocking about too. One of them (inexpertly) photographed for Ola, below.

The day's green sandpiper tally was five. A glimpse of a berry-gobbling garden warbler was reminder that passage passerines must be quietly slipping through the patch all the while.

Dan.

The Case of the Vanishing Wall

2011-08-13T18:02:00.000+01:00

Couldn't find too much today, but shouldn't complain about getting good views of a greenshank, two little ringed plovers (1 ad 1 juv) and three green sandpipers just fifteen minutes walk from my street.

A few glimpses of sun brought out some knapweed-botherers, with a few each of peacock, green-veined white, red admiral and meadow brown along the top track.

Wall brown butterflies used to be quite common around Aldcliffe, but I haven't seen a single one in several years. They seem to have been replaced by speckled wood down here.

The weather wasn't too good for dragonflies, but one each of emperor and brown hawker were seen patrolling.

DH.

Not the white rump I was hoping for...

2011-08-11T14:29:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

A wader-focused scout around today yielded an attractive adult curlew sandpiper on the estuary mud at Gull Bank.

It was in the company of five black-tailed godwits as the tide dropped, part of a reasonable variety of waders including 15 ringed plovers, 20 dunlins, 32 bar-tailed godwits and 650 lapwings.

On the smaller water bodies of the parish a juvenile little-ringed plover, a greenshank, 2 snipe and four green sandpipers were to be found.

Less mud-oriented species included a juv. sedge warbler, and a southbound party of 17 swifts.

DH.

Less of the Same

2011-08-09T22:20:00.000+01:00

Four green sandpipers, two snipe, a juv. ringed plover and a greenshank were the best birds on the various freshwater pools this evening.

DH

The Year of The Flood?

2011-08-08T22:32:00.001+01:00

Dan here.

'The flood' should be in good condition for attracting passage waders over the next couple of weeks, and indeed this evening saw it holding 6 green sandpipers, 4 snipe and a juvenile little ringed plover*.

'Gull bank' was also decent for waders, with 14 ringed plovers (scarce this far up the estuary), 150 bar-tailed godwits and 40 dunlins gathering on the marsh edge. A juvenile plumage mediterranean gull was in the vicinity too.

A seventh green sandpiper was at the Wildfowler's Pools, as were six teal.

17 or 18 swifts were whirling over Freeman's Pools, a reasonable figure for quite late in the swift season.

*I hope to check 'the flood' more often in the coming weeks... with wood sand, ruff, curlew sand and little stint all having been recorded there in autumns past. Maybe the scene of Aldcliffe's first pec this year? Some big talk there.

DH.

Update...

2011-07-31T12:09:00.000+01:00

Today Freeman’s Pools were quiet, a Kestrel doing the rounds. A Green Sandpiper on one of the smaller pools. At marsh point were 65 LBB Gulls, 26 Herr Gull and 6 GBB Gulls, along with a few dozen BH Gulls. Wildfowlers’ Pool had 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, Lapwing, Mallard and Moorhens.

2 Wheatear were on the marsh, a roughly 8 Pied Wagtails in the area. Chiffchaff’s at the cutting, about 4. 7 Common Sandpiper at gull bank. Apprx 350 greylag now presnt, increasing numbers of BH Gulls and Lapwing. Cormorant 7.

Midweek, 7 Greenfinch at the cutting, again up to 7 Common Sands, and a Med Gull scoped. 1 Bar-tailed Godwit present. 30 Curlew on the marsh and single Little Egret.

Steve

Shanks on the Banks

2011-07-20T23:59:00.001+01:00

Dan here.... but no pictures today blurry photo lovers...

A good high tide roost of waders and gulls along the estuary at Gull Bank this afternoon Over a hundred redshanks, 5 greenshank, 70 adult dunlins, 4 common sandpipers and a bar-tailed godwit were to be picked out here.

Elsewhere an adult mediterranean gull was roosting in a field.

DH.

It's nice to have a Hobby

2011-07-18T18:36:00.000+01:00

Dan here, bringing you the latest Aldcliffe wildlife news and the best in bird photography....ahem...

An adult hobby was hunting swifts over much of the parish in heroic fashion this afternoon.

Observed for about fifteen minutes over the marsh, the wood, trig-point hill and Aldcliffe village, and briefly again over the wood.

Increased numbers of gulls included the first commons for weeks and 3 mediterranean gulls (2 ads and a juv).

Waders included four green sandpipers and a juvenile little ringed plover.

2011-07-14T16:53:00.000+01:00

Common Cause........

2011-07-11T12:42:00.002+01:00

Highlight this morning was 24 Common Sandpiper on the mud opposite gull bank. Also, in the hedges were Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats etc. A Peregrine was screeching from the pylon, and up to 7 Ravens were showing interest in a carcass, think it was a cow. A flock of 30 Starling, Shelduck with young, Lapwing, Curlew and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the marsh.

The Flood saw 1 LRP, Wildfowlers’ 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 LRP. Freeman’s Pool saw 1 Little Egret which was good to see, also, 2 Common Sandpiper, 30 Lapwing, Little Grebe etc. Pair of Kestrel was also present. House Martin, Swallow and Swift numerous.

Steve

Dan here with a different slant on the day's birds (5 green sandpipers, 2 skylarks in song over marsh and one over the maize fields, 3 little ringed plovers including a juvenile, an early-ish common snipe) and some insect sightings:

A few dragonflies were braving the nagging wind, namely 8 emperors, 2 brown hawkers, 2 black-tailed skimmers and 5 of the season's first common darters. One of the latter pictured above. Sadly a speedy but inquisitive female/juv male. hawker species evaded identification. What an amateur!

Butterflies were largely unremarkable with a few red admirals, meadow browns and speckled woods, though a single painted lady was my first of the year. DH.

Hedges for Sedges.........

2011-07-09T14:11:00.000+01:00

Plenty going on this morning, 2 LRP on the island and I think a youngster though not positive, also 2 Common Sandpipers, 30 Lapwing, 4 Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Swan, Oystercatcher. Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting. Two Kestrels were doing the rounds followed by numerous Swallows. A few House Martins and Swifts over the pools. Also, two Sedge Warbler in the open wooded part, along with Whitethroats, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Greenfinch etc. The Grasshopper Warbler was present the other day showing well, today quiet.

On the track, 2 Sedge Warbler, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Whitethroats. On the Wildfowlers’ were 3 Green Sandpiper. Plenty of butterflies around, including two Red Admiral.

Steve.

In the family jay

2011-07-06T19:41:00.000+01:00

A family party of 6 jay were in freemans woods this evening.
Talking about famillies, my wife has just gone in to labour with our first child. will I ever bird at Aldcliffe again?

Guy

Young Plove

2011-07-04T22:46:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

Waders at the various pools in the parish this afternoon included three green sandpipers, five common sandpipers and five little ringed plovers.

Happily, one of the LRPs was found to be a juvenile, under the watchful gaze of its parents.

A grasshopper warbler was singing strongly and showing well atop an umbellifer in Freeman's Wood.

Dragonflies on the patch today included 5 black-tailed skimmers, 6 emperors, 2 four-spotted chasers, and 2 brown hawkers. It seems that common darters have yet to emerge.

DH.

Common Uprising.....

2011-07-02T10:39:00.002+01:00

Following on with the Common Sandpiper theme, there were at least 18 today in the same spot, I reckon there could have been more on the rocks as well. Also, 2 Bar tailed Godwits, Lapwing, Redshank, Curlew, Swan, Cormorant and half a dozen Grey Heron present. Shelduck with juvs, Herring Gull, LBB Gull and BH Gull. A family of 5 Ravens on the marsh. House martins, Swallow and Swift. On the track were Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Both Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and quite a few Robins noted.

The Flood had 1LRP, Wildfowlers’ 1 LRP and 1 Green Sandpiper. Freeman’s Pool 1 LRP, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Grebe, Coot with 1 young, Moorhen with 5 chicks. Reed Bunting 2, and 1 Kestrel.

Steve

Hypo-Active

2011-06-30T17:01:00.001+01:00

Dan reporting.

Three green sandpipers and five little ringed plovers on the freshwater edges looked set to be the wader headline today, until I spied a whopping twelve common sandpipers on the estuary opposite Gull Bank.

This species is regular in twos and threes here in April and Autumn, but a dozen here and another single at Freeman's Pool in June must be some sort of record for Actitis hypoleucos. An odd year for waders so far.

I tried to scope them up to age the birds, but an off-lead woofer queered my pitch and the party twittered off upstream.

The strong and cool Westerly breeze seemed to be keeping most dragonflies out of sight, but a female black-tailed skimmer was lurking on a path in the wood.

Butterflies noted in the sunnier spells included 4 large skippers, 2 green-veined whites and circa 25 fresh-looking small tortoiseshells.

DH

I'll take the high road

2011-06-28T12:43:00.002+01:00

A cuckoo was flushed from the top path this morning near the flood. It is only the third time I have had this species down here in eight years so it was a bit of a welcome surprise.
The warbler population remains fairly stable with 8 common whitethroats, 4 chiffchaff and ones and twos of blackcap, lesser whitethroat, sedge warbler and willow warbler.
A lapwing chick was at darter pool and a LRP and common sandpiper on the island at Freemans pools.
A sparrowhawk was carrying prey in to Freemans Wood and was seen soon after with empty talons.
A juvenile pied wag was at Wildfowlers.

Guy

Much the same as Guy apart from Cuckoo!

Freeman’s Pool 10.30, Common Sandpiper 2, LRP 1, Pied Wagtail 2, Lapwing 25, Swan 2, Moorhen with 5 newly hatched young, Oystercatcher with young..

Freeman’s Wood, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow, White, Les White, Blackcaps, Greenfinch, Jay, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk 2. Wildfowlers’ Pool, Green Sandpiper 1, LRP 1, a few Lapwing, Shelduck. Track numerous Whitethroats, Linnet 2. Flood 1 LRP, Collared Dove. Plenty of Swifts, House Martins and Swallows. River Common Sandpiper 3, Lapwing 400ish, Shelduck plus 17 young. Raven 7, Kestrel 1. Cormorant with large fish, plus 6 on the bank. Goosander with 7 juv, has to be the same ones from the weir.

Steve

The young ones

2011-06-25T19:02:00.000+01:00

9 lapwing chicks were located in total today. Many more adults are peewitting in the centre of the fields so there may be a few more around.
An oystercatcher chick is on Freemans island. 2 coot broods are also in the area.
6 chiffchaff were singing at Freemans wood with about the same number of common whitethroat.
A jay and kestrel were also in this area.
A willow warbler and sedge warbler were singing also.

Guy

Crow Patrol

2011-06-24T23:55:00.000+01:00

A downright chilly late afternoon visit yielded two green sandpipers and two little ringed plovers at the Wildfowler's Pools. Three youngish lapwing chicks there also.

A noisy party of five ravens visited Aldcliffe Marsh, to the great displeasure of oystercatchers and carrion crows.

Out on the windswept estuary the shelducklings seemed to have lost a sibling, a stock dove flew in to drink, and four adult eiders drifted up on the rising tide.

DH

Tringa Trio

2011-06-23T16:24:00.002+01:00

Dan reporting once more... with added boring and pointless pontifications on local waders.

Three green sandpipers were gracing the pools today.

A kind of emblematic bird for Aldcliffe, Tringa ochropus is a regular, if unobtrusive species around the smaller water bodies on the patch. Aldcliffe is one of most reliable places to see green sandpiper in NW England.

These are beginning to return from their far Northern breeding grounds a little earlier than usual.

Indeed, in most years June is (along with May) often the only blank month for this species, with at least one or two in most other months.

July, August and September usually bring peak passage of GE here (don't be alarmed--it's just BTO-ese) with up to 10 birds, but there's usually a small Wintering presence using the puddles, ponds and ditches.

During cold snaps they sometimes resort to the running freshwater of Lucy Brook (alongside Coronation Fields and into Fairfield), but last Winter seemed to be too hard for them, as they appeared to abandon the patch for milder climes.

Ice is a bit tough on the bill, no doubt.

Anyhoo- back to late June, and just one little ringed plover (an adult) found today. Perhaps any local breeding efforts have come to nowt this year.

At least 5 juvenile lapwings are partly concealed around the area (having spread out from their natal grounds on the maize fields). So, even if lapwing breeding hasn't been a roaring success here, it hasn't been the abject disaster it looked to be 6 weeks back.

A post-breeding flock of L. adults out on the estuary were being perturbed by a peregrine. Not much else there save some ad. black-headed gulls, and shelduck pair with six ducklings.

Aside from c.20 common whitehroat fledglings dotted around I couldn't find too much else of note, bird-wise.

The showery and windy conditions didn't favour dragonfly or butterfly sightings either.

Instead, I took advantage of the currently clear water in the canal with a bit of fish-spotting.... and with many roach, gudgeon and lesser numbers of 3-spined stickleback on show my freshwater year-list leapt to three.

DH.

Skimmer of Hope

2011-06-21T17:53:00.000+01:00

Dan again.

Today's best birds were insects, somehow or other.

I was lucky to find three dragonfly species here ahead of any darter emergence.

Two male black-tailed skimmers were unexpected, one 'flushed' from bare ground near the Wildfowler's Pools, and another from a bankside nearer Freeman's Pools. Let's hope this species is in the process of colonising the parish.

I scoped the more sheltered parts of the latter site and also noted 3 or 4 rather active four-spotted chasers, which wisely became less showy when a male emperor turned up.

Back to birds....

Two green sandpipers struck a quasi-autumnal note, and a party of 4 shovelers feeding on the wind-whipped estuary was a slightly odd and unseasonal record for the patch.

Three little ringed plovers still around...all adults.

DH.

Another untitled blog thanks to ongoing pun drought.

2011-06-20T21:55:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

Three adult little ringed plovers were seen in the parish this afternoon. No sign of Guy's green sand from yesterday.

Plently of juvenile birds noted today, including several 'percher' swallows. Young crows, lapwings, wood pigeons, whitethroats and coots were also in evidence.

The insect list on this warm midday circuit was led by three emperor dragonflies, the first I've seen here this year.
Plenty of common blue and blue-tailed damselflies in tandem.

DH

Return passage?

2011-06-19T18:50:00.000+01:00

A pleasant 60 minutes stroll this morning.

1 lesser whitethroat visible on the top path. 2 linnets were also here.
1 willow warbler singing closeby and several common whitethroats.
1 sedge warbler carrying food and another calling near Darter pool. A male reed bunting was also singing here.
A green sandpiper at Wildfowlers is probably the first sign of return passage in the parish. A black tailed godwit, redshank and lrp were also present here.

A moorhen and 3 chicks at Freemans pools.
Thankfully we don't have any lesser bbg's predating lapwing chicks. I saw at least 4 in the maize fields on Wednesday afternoon but these seem to have disappeared by today. They are usually pretty mobile so hopefully they have moved to the field margins.

Retrospectively, I wished I'd checked Freemans wood. It's usually pretty good in windy but bright conditions.

Guy

Untitled due to Pun Failure

2011-06-16T17:14:00.000+01:00

Hi. Dan here, reporting on a pleasantly sunny afternoon on the patch.

The local lesser whitethroats seem to have got their second wind, with four singing vigorously. Three skylarks were in song over the saltmarshes too.

A family of common whitethroats and several juvenile long-tailed tits were in Freeman's Wood . Several grasshoppers were in song by the locustella warbler territory there, to confuse.

In fact, insects were perhaps more notable than birds, with around 300 common blue damselflies, and lesser numbers of blue-tailed damsels in the verges and pond margins.

Butterflies of note included 10 large skippers dotted about the verges, mostly feeding on purple vetch flowers.

The estuary showed an increase in black headed gulls (typical of mid to late summer here), and two broods of shelduckling were at the water's edge.

200 greyish bar-tailed godwits `just downstream of the pylons were presumably the oversummering Conder Green flock. Two adult little-ringed plovers noted in the parish today. No juveniles in tow as yet.

DH

Tuesday......

2011-06-14T17:41:00.001+01:00

Freeman’s Pool/wood, 23 Lapwing on the island, 2 Oystercatcher. Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser. Chaffinch with fledged , Greenfinch with fledged. Treecreeper.

Track, Goldfinch with fledged, LRP at Wildfowlers’ Pool along with 2 Shelduck. Linnet, Whitethroats, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush.

Steve

Boogie Nights......

2011-06-05T08:40:00.000+01:00

This evening myself, Dan and Guy all rendezvoused near the Wildfowlers’ Pool. Dan had suggested the idea in the hope of hearing Quail.

There was plenty of flying things that none of us could identify, bats, the track being a brilliant tunnel for them. Robins catching moths, LRP, Grey Partridge and pheasants all calling and party revellers near the walled meadow, but no Quail heard. Dan and I then went to Freeman's Pool and heard Grasshopper Warbler; we went onto the old field part and had a fantastic singing display. I have heard these birds in the daytime, but their night time song is amazing, really loud, it just kept going on for minutes at a time.

Steve.

Flush With Success

2011-06-04T13:00:00.000+01:00

Dan here.

My fave find of the year so far was the discovery of a quail on Aldcliffe's hallowed ground this morning.

It flushed out from my feet from the trackside verge between the Wildfowler's Pools and Darter Pond at 0545h. It flew 15 yards up the track before hanging sharp right over the hedge and dropping into the field that contains Frog Pond.

The flight was strong and even, as I suppose would befit something that was recently in Africa. The flight jizz was a little like a small, stripy woodcock.

I'd been in the area from half past three and had heard no Q song, which is a shame since I had a friend's hand-held tascam and had been making good recordings of sedge warbler, whitethroat and reed bunting sounds.

Other birds fresh-in comprised 2 gadwalls, a little egret (not common here mid-summer)... and a black swan, which had obviously just made the commute from Australia.

DH