Windy Migger

Out with the italics, because it's Dan reporting on his windy watchpoint:

1200-1700 vis comprised

1+3+5 sand martins and 1 swallow, all battling NW.

All starlings noted (c400 in small parties) were Eastbound. Migrating flocks?

To summarise? Nowt about!

DH

Pointing stuff out.....

An early start made a quick walk through Freeman’s Wood worthwhile, Treecreeper, Chiffchaffs, Great spotted Woodpecker, Linnets, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Wrens, Robins, Jays all singing. The pool saw 2 LRP’s, a dozen or more Shelduck, Shoveler new in, Little Grebe which was good to see. Met up with Guy and we had a stroll along the river bank and didn’t see much apart from Dan on trig point hill! We had a wander up and joined in the vismig! Guy spotted a Swallow, our first this year. Other stuff was on Dan’s list, maybe it will appear here, some interesting birds.

On the Flood were a handful of Meadow Pipits and 2 Pied Wagtails; the LRP’s couldn't be located. 

Steve

Dan's vis-mig efforts:

Today: movement was minimal during my stint 0800-1100, the highlights being a northbound merlin, and a party of 23 fieldfare high to the N.E. Otherwise just 8 MP per hour (!) 4 redpoll sp and four 'alba wags'.

Yesterday afternoon was better with an 1130-1630 vigil producing 575 meadow pipits, 155 sand martins and a few siskins and redpoll spp.

A pre-vis stroll yesterday yielded an early-ish willow warbler, two tree sparrows and passage chats comprising a stonechat and six wheatears.

DH

crikey

6 LRP's were in the Aldcliife area yesterday evening. Thanks to Mick and Tom for putting it on the LDBWS site.

5 were still at the flood this evening with approx 100 meadow pipits. 20 linnet were on the stubble fields. The lbbgs have moved on from the island on freemans pool allowing the oiks and c. 8 shelduck to reoccupy it.

Guy

Is it a bird, is it a plane..........

Hardly "divine wind"!!!

After an early frost the sun warmed up and another fresh spring morning ensued. I began at Freeman’s Pool, a Chiffchaff or two was heard, Tufted Duck 7, Shelduck 7, Gadwall 2 and numerous Coot, 2 Little ringed Plover were on the island. A Kestrel flew over. Grey Partridge, a pair nearby.

Wildfowlers’ Pool had a number of Teal and Moorhen etc. The Flood saw another 2 Little ringed Plover, looks promising. Was hoping for a Wheatear but none seen, a few Meadow Pipits flew north. A Buzzard flew east. Peregrine 2 near the pylons and Ravens heard, the sound coming from the corner pylon. Mistle Thrush 2 in the meadow, Chiffchaff at least 3 heard and a Goldcrest seen. A Sparrowhawk was also seen. There was a number of Shelduck sorting each other out, see film. On the opposite bank were 1160 Pink footed Geese, which were disturbed by a very low flying microlight, dangerously flew up river under pylon wires, totally bonkers! See film!

                                                                                     

Steve

Ploughing on

3 LRP's were on the flood this afternoon. A territorial arguement ensued and one of the birds flew off and was later relocated at Freemans pools. This bird was quite restless. The presence of 30 LBBG's may have had something to do with this. Some of these birds flew off west, presumably to Walney. It upsets the balance of the patch having these beasts around, even the oiks had temporarily vacated the island.  4 meadow pipits and a pied wagtail were grounded at the flood. A sand martin was seen flying through and a chiffchaff was heard near wildfowlers. 12 teal were also in that  area. it was good to see the field being ploughed. This was a maize field about 4 years and was a breeding site for lapwings and also drew tree sparrows to it in the autumn. Hopefully it's change of use will be permanent this time.

Guy