Fair Fieldnotes

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.

DH

Outside, Looking In

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

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

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.

DH

Online Meds

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.