Another walk on Sunday produced 4 Blackcap, two of which were a male and female from the woodland trail at Lancaster University, and another in full song which gave excellent views.
The song of the male Blackcap runs equal with that of the Nightingale, as the best songbirds to be heard in the UK.
Also seen, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, and 2 Mistle Thrush one being on the woodland tail where a Nuthatch seen, and my first of the year Orange Tip, and 2 Speckled Wood.
Yesterday Mike wanted to accompany me on a visit to Harrisend and Hawthornthwaite, but needed to be back home by 12.30pm, so off we went to get on Harrisend by 8.30am. I'll avoid any drama, other than to say the morning was a disaster, in that we found not one Stonechat on either of the fells, although the visit to the latter was much briefer than I would have liked. My best contact for Stonechat tells me in an e-mail, that despite being in Bowland every weekend since mid-February, he saw his first bird yesterday up Langden.
On Harrisend, a good number of Willow Warbler, especially around the old Hawthorn surrounded by gorse where there was a highly mobile up to six birds. Also at least 20 Meadow Pipit, a male Reed Bunting, a Snipe in flight, 5 Red Grouse, and we may have heard/seen 3 Curlew.
On Hawthornthwaite, a smart male Wheatear, 12 Meadow Pipit, 4 Red Grouse, a Redshank, and Curlew. A lone Swallow seen as we passed Yates's Farm.....Where are all the Swallows?
Black-tailed Godwit.
The song of the male Blackcap runs equal with that of the Nightingale, as the best songbirds to be heard in the UK.
Also seen, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, and 2 Mistle Thrush one being on the woodland tail where a Nuthatch seen, and my first of the year Orange Tip, and 2 Speckled Wood.
............................................................
On Harrisend, a good number of Willow Warbler, especially around the old Hawthorn surrounded by gorse where there was a highly mobile up to six birds. Also at least 20 Meadow Pipit, a male Reed Bunting, a Snipe in flight, 5 Red Grouse, and we may have heard/seen 3 Curlew.
On Hawthornthwaite, a smart male Wheatear, 12 Meadow Pipit, 4 Red Grouse, a Redshank, and Curlew. A lone Swallow seen as we passed Yates's Farm.....Where are all the Swallows?
...............................................................................
Photo Credit. Howard Stockdale.
A Black-tailed Godwit colour marked RGY - RNR was seen at Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve on 17 April. I'm grateful to Howard Stockdale for the excellent image of the bird, and to Pete Potts for the history following my submitting it to him.
With the exception of 9 sightings, it was seen and recorded nowhere else other than 85 times in Kent, and has a history as long as your arm. Here condensed....
2012.
29 Sep ringed as an adult probable female at Harty, The Swale, Kent.
07 Oct Oare Marshes
10 Dec Queensborough Harbour. 7 subsequent records at this location
2013.
03 Feb Queensborough Harbour
26 Apr Rutland Water, Leicestershire
05 July Oare Marshes. 22 subsequent records at this location
2014.
16 Jan Oare Marshes
22 Mar Motney Hill
22 Mar Motney Hill
06 Apr Motney Hill
2015.
22 Jan Elmley
05/07/12 Feb Motney Hill
18/25/28/29/ Apr Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve
09 July Oare Marshes. 20 subsequent records at this location
2016.
01 Jan Conyer 4 subsequent records
31 July Oare Marshes 16 subsequent records at this location
2017.
09 Mar Queensborough
09/23/24 Apr Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve
2018.
16 Nov Oare Marshes
2019.
17 Apr Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve
Sorry to hear about the dearth of Stonechats, Pete. Could it be that they're just a bit late in arriving?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
Early spring passage of Stonechat got underway on 15 February Richard, an extremely early date for this event. At the time of my seeing a bird at Cockersand on this date, I suspected this was the case, and was proved right with a considerable movement the following few days.
ReplyDeleteThe e-mail mentioned in the post makes worrying reading as I see it, though to be positive, hopefully JW's lack of no sightings since mid-Feb is pure coinsidense.