Three Shillings.

Laurel Reflections. Richard Shilling.

I rarely enjoy anything more than posting some of Richard Shillings Landart creations when I've had a day off birding and the need to keep Birds2blog alive. I note Richard has been creating some of his works with leaves recently and to be quite honest I think they are brilliant as the image above illustrates.

  

Maple Sun Diamond. Richard Shilling.

I'm quite sure non of Richards work falls anywhere below brilliant and Maple Sun Diamond is definitely no exception and he takes a good photograph too.

Four Holly Stars. Richard Shilling.

I e-mailed this man recently and told him that if it's at all possible he gets better with time. Anyway make your own mind up about this man and his creations and please visit his website HERE ....I think he's a genius at his art.   

Woodland & Fell.

Stonechat. Peter Guy.

My pessimistic view of the weather almost got the better of me again today as it looked decidedly doggy as I set off to enter Holme Wood, but as well it didn't rule as it developed into a good day and for some time before my birding ended it had been blue sky wall to wall almost and and some nice birds too. I gave Holme Wood, down Grizedale and return three hours at a snails pace noting 20 species along the way of which the following qualify for the blog. The Gold Award was abandoned today....too much competition!

I'm not sure 14 Willow Warblers in three woodland hours is anything impressive but that's the total, 3 Blackcap is a species I get the impression is quite 'healthy' this year, a Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, a lone Redpoll (Lesser) was a nice find, 2 Treecreeper, 4 Dunnock, a Jay, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 4 Wren and 2 Grey Wagtail. The only butterflies seen were singles of Peacock and Orange Tip.

As I got to almost going out of Holme Wood I'd been wondering why had I no sightings of at least a couple of species in a woodland habitat ideal for them when a black and white miniature Magpie type of bird flashed through my line of vision....when I eventually picked the bird up again it was exactly what I had thought and hoped, a male Pied Flycatcher which - if only briefly - burst into song....nice one!

Part two of today's plan was to check out Harrisend where I managed to find 4 Stonechats, being a pair and two female though I saw no evidence of any breeding results despite lingering in their company for some time, 12 Meadow Pipits were counted, 2 Willow Warbler, a solitary male Linnet, and a Buzzard seen. As I reached my farthest point in my quest for birds on Harrisend I spotted a distant 'dot' on a fence post, too bright for Stonechat, too small for Meadow Pipit....there's only one thing for it, I need to extend my visit and get closer to find out what this bird is....

Whinchat. Pete Woodruff.

....nice one, it's a male Whinchat of which I even got at least a half decent picture. As I approached the car parked on the Oakenclough road a Cuckoo struck up somewhere in an area just north of Fell End Farm....another nice one!

   

Wood Warbler. Mike Watson.

The other bird I really should have seen in Holme Wood in ideal habitat - and probably would had it not been for the birds decline - is the Wood Warbler and being a sucker for 'a good pic' this is as good as you could ever wish for in terms of a brilliant image of this enigmatic bird part of whose vocabulary sounds like a ten pence piece spinning on a marble slab. Please take a look at Mike's website HERE 

Whinchat wins the Gold Award again!

Dotterel. David Cookson.

First of all, there are many stunning images of Dotterel around at the moment and none more stunning than this one from David Cookson....Thanks David.

At Conder Green the male Little Ringed Plover was again in the creeks whilst presumably 'the wife' is sitting somewhere out of sight on the backside of Conder Pool, the only other bird of any note was a drake Wigeon obviously not going anywhere this summer. On a circuit I noted at least one Sedge Warbler in the reeds upstream of the road bridge, also 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Linnet were interesting as I don't see that many anywhere these days, a Grey Plover was almost in full summer plumage, and 2 Whitethroat were singing beyond the old railway bridge, 4 Greylag and a 'white farmyard type' were in the creeks making a terrible racket about some disagreement they have.

On the canal basin at Glasson Dock 4 Great-crested Grebe noted along with at least 4 Swift, 12 Swallow, and 6 Sand Martin all hawking over the water. A check through a ploughed field on Jeremy Lane produced my best of the day in a female Whinchat one of which was on here last year on 19 May, also 2 Wheatear in the same field today.

A circuit of Cockersands armed only with binoculars round my neck, 6 Wheatear, c.30 Eider, and another sp Grey Plover. From the road back to the lighthouse end I heard a Lesser Whitethroat which represents a first here in my records book, no more than 4 Tree Sparrows here again today....where are all the Cockersands Tree Sparrows? 2 Skylarks, a Sedge Warbler briefly in song as were 2 Wren which were good to hear. In the 1.5 hour it took me to do this walk I counted just 3 Lapwing chicks with several dead ones presumably lying around in all the 'worked fields' since my last visit here which I experience each and every year here and elsewhere, but from which I am never able to become complacent about. Oh dear....ended on a down note....never mind!

Spotted Redshank. Stuart Piner.

And really finally this time....

Thanks to Stuart Piner for this brilliant image of the Spotted Redshank at  Conder Green which we have all been able to watch as it transforms from its bright winter plumage to its black summer one....Thanks for sharing this Stuart, this bird is that little bit special to me.  

Take A Good Look.

Click the link below to read about a pretty nasty piece of work against our birds. I found this on Alan Tilmouth's website, and in Alan's own words....'Another good example of what still goes on here in the NE'  thanks for sharing this Alan.

Read all about it in The Northern Echo

On a lighter and much more interesting note here are a couple of excellent examples of wildlife photography...

Lapwing Chick. Brian Rafferty.

A truly superb piece of photography by BR having caught this image at Abbeystead - doesn't just twitch and tick birds this man - whilst on the quest to see/photograph Dotterel very early one morning. If it was down to me to put a title to this picture it would certainly be....'New life on a new day'....thanks for this Brian.

Duckling's. Paul Baker.

Another superb image of new life in nature with my thanks to Paul over there in BC Canada.

Hopefully I should get a couple of hours birding in tomorrow.

CS,SS & SR.

Common Sandpiper on nest. Peter Guy.

Once again I am indebted to Peter Guy for the brilliant image of a Common Sandpiper on it's nest....Many thanks Peter.

The (CS) Common Sandpipers breeding in GB and wintering in West Africa are estimated at a rather uncertain 18,000 pairs, though another estimate is that of 24,000, but according to data from WeBS figures there is an indication of a decrease in numbers since the mid-1980's. Most of the migrant population passes through Southern Britain in March - May and July - October on its way between breeding sites in Scandinavia and wintering grounds in Iberia and North West Africa, British breeding birds have been recovered as far South as West Africa. Small numbers overwinter in GB and there are WeBS reports of 154 individuals at 105 sites between November 2004 and March 2005.

An overwintering site to add to the above figures is that of a bird which has wintered in our own locality at Conder Green in the winter's of 2008/9 and 2009/10 which is to be added to sites already known in this area which hold/have held wintering Common Sandpipers. Incidentally the closely related (SS) Spotted Sandpiper carries a record of a pair at Uig Bay, Skye in 1975 with a nest containing four eggs but the breeding attempt unfortunately failed, the species also carries records of 'several' wintering birds.

Spotted Redshank in winter plumage. Pete Woodruff.

Another bird regularly overwintering now at Conder Green is the (SR) Spotted Redshank, the unique wader which transforms from its winter coat of white - on its underparts - to its incredibly black breeding plumage in the summer. In fact this species can be seen at Conder Green almost all year round according to my records, for example it was absent from here only between 1 May - 20 June in 2008, and 18 May - 16 June in 2009.

I finally traced my Grey Wagtail records at Conder Green and I have been claiming not to have seen this species here for some time, in fact apparently I've not seen a Grey Wagtail at Conder Green since 23 January 2009 and that's heading up to 16 months ago....Mmmmm!         

The Ring Ouzel.

Ring Ouzel male at nest with young. Peter Guy.

A set of circumstances means I'm at the computer again today amongst other things....not good for mind or body actually but life can be dangerous at times can't it.

First I must thank Peter Guy for the image of the Ring Ouzel feeding young at the nest, not a photograph achievable to everyone and in many respects thank goodness for that. It seems many birders have had success in the trek up the Langden Valley this spring to see this enigmatic bird along with other 'upland specials' on offer, and I've seen and spoken to lots of happy people at the car park at this result though I've not yet been up there myself.

The Ring Ouzel is mainly restricted to the uplands and not well covered by breeding bird surveys. The species has always been less common in Ireland, it bred in most counties in the early 90's but by the mid/late-90's had decreased in range considerably and then only the most mountainous areas were occupied. The contractions of the species were cause for alarm and some dedicated surveys were undertaken in some selected regions and a population decline of >50% was revealed during the 1990's.

Breeding birds from GB and Ireland appear to depart in September to winter in SW France and NW Africa and there is a second peak of birds at coastal observatories in October, these are probably migrants originating in Fennoscandia where the population appears to be more stable. The reasons for the decline of the Ring Ouzel in this country are not fully understood, but studies have suggested that - for one thing - the extent of heather cover was important in the determination of site occupancy. Population declines were also noted two years after high spring rainfall in Morocco which was known to reduce juniper pollination the consequence of which 18 months later was the lack of abundance of the berries that form an important food source for the wintering Ring Ouzels.

Photograph by Neil Wright/BirdLife Malta.

Please take note of this image of a Marsh Harrier which appears to have had an extremely lucky escape from the hunters guns. Please link to the BirdLife Malta website from my sidebar on the left to keep up to date with this sickening and disastrous situation in Malta and in particular to read an Open Letter to the Prime Minister regarding attacks on conservation areas and the people connected.

As I write there is a report of Savi's Warbler in the Leighton Moss area, and site directions/instructions are available at Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve some of the staff of which are policing the area.

  

Filling the holes!

Crested Lark thanks to Colin Bushell.

There may well be quite a few 'holes' to fill on Birds2blog during the coming day's as some unplanned disruption to my birding kicks in. However, its never really too difficult to find some interesting material to fill the gaps and above is just one example, that of Colin Bushell's latest trip abroad was to Lesvos in April, and the brilliant image of the Crested Lark, and....

       White-winged Terns thanks to Colin Bushell.

....the White-winged Terns are photographic evidence of the success of this trip. You should take a look at Colin's website Ribble to Amazon and keep up to date on this exciting trip he made recently along with many others in the past both abroad and much closer to home....Thanks for the images Colin, and by the way the article below may well interest you.

I note one of my latest unique visitor's to Birds2blog has added the 50th country to do so and is that of Suriname....no I don't know where it is either and if I can be excused my ignorance have never heard of the place, so there now follows a short geography/history lesson and if you don't like the sound of that on a birding blog it's goodbye to you but please come back soon! 

Suriname has an estimated population of 481,267 and is located in Northern South America bordering with the North Atlantic Ocean between French Guiana and Guyana. It was first explored by the Spaniards and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667.

With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declare a Socialist Republic which continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian admins until 1987 when international pressure forced a democratic election. In 1990 the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government returned to power a year later in 1991 and has ruled there since.

Learn something every day on Birds2blog!!

Another Bite....

Snipe thanks to Brian Rafferty.

....of the cherry for the Dotterel which appear to have departed Abbeystead Lane leaving no more than 9 Golden Plover behind. Also from the lane 6 Wheatear still on the move and taking five in the field and grabbing a meal.

At the junction of the Trough Road and Abbeystead Lane a Redshank on a post has now sadly become a rare inland/upland sight. Photograph thanks to John Bateman. 

On to Stoops Bridge JB saw male and female Pied Flycatcher whilst I wandered off for a while and just saw the male. Also noted male Redstart again, Willow Warbler which I maintain are down in number from my observations so far this year although I did see one later at Marshaw collecting nesting material, Mistle Thrush, and a Blackcap in song. In the Tower Lodge area I found just one male Redstart on the backside of the plantation today, 3 Redpoll were in flight over here, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Common Sandpiper were on the stream, and I heard a Green Woodpecker 'yaffle' and also heard a Wren which represents another species down in number in my records. At Cam Brow at least 6 Sand Martins were in and out of nest holes in the bank. 

At Scorton Picnic area where JB and I had a quiet 'cuppa & buttie' whilst watching Nuthatch, Jay, and Coal Tit on the feeder, after which on JB's suggestion I wandered off and did the circular here which I have only ever once done before and noticed - as last time - the tranquility of the woodland walk and bird song is marred by the constant 'rubber burning' from the M6 not many metres away at one point of the walk on the east side, but I did note 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, and 2 Grey Wagtail were on the River Wyre. At Street Bridge I heard another singing male Blackcap a bird - in contrast to Willow Warbler/Wren - appearing to be in good number this year, and an Orange Tip butterfly the only one noted on the day.

A brief call in at Conder Green produced an almost 'dead' pool with a single Little Ringed Plover seen, one was in the creeks but it wasn't proved to be a second bird.

Christ Church at Abbeystead.

On our way round today we called at Christ Church at Abbeystead to find the place deserted in relation to the House Martins. Sorry to go on about this but the fraction of the church in the picture above is of the south side which - combined with the north side - holds up to sixteen old nests non of which were occupied in 2009 and at this point in time are not in 2010....Mmmm! 

And finally....

If you'd like to see some stunning pics of Dotterel then you need to go post haste here Mike Watson's Diary.

   

Variation's without a theme.

Well if you follow Birds2blog you'll know by now that I don't/can't get out to do the thing I love the best at weekends which in this case includes a so called bank holiday, but I'll tell you what, I have some excellent images in my library at the moment some of which I have been sent without request by some great guys I have got to know through my love for birding....hows that for friendship. The images here - with the exception of Paul Baker who can be found on Flickr - can all be seen on their respective authors blogs which I would ask you to look at from time to time and are strongly recommended, they can be linked to via my side bar.

If we start with this smart little thing - and you're anything like me - you won't have a clue as to what this bird is and won't ever have heard of it. This is the Bewick's Wren and I'd like to cover Thomas Bewick sometime on the blog but for now this little creature was given its name in honour of Bewick by John James Audubon who is remembered as the father of American ornithology....thanks for the pic goes to Paul Baker over there in BC Canada.

Gary Jones lives in Preston and apart from some excellent images on his blog Gary is both a wildlife photographer and keen mountaineer. I've shown some of Gary's images including the Sand Martin's before, this is a brilliant flight shot in my opinion....Thanks for this Gary.

Mark Fellowes has some excellent images on his website, please take a look sometime. The last time I visited Mark's site this stunning macro image of a 'fly' was unidentified but if that's not the case now I shall edit the post to correct this. A superb diversion from birds and thanks for that Mark.

It's a while since I showcased some work by Richard Shilling as another diversion from the birds so I'd like to put that right with a couple of his latest landart creations this one he calls 'Red Green Laurels'....

....and this one 'May Day Colour Totem'.

When it comes to having a creative mind Richard leaves me out in the cold and the more you look at and study his work the more creativity and hard work you appreciate goes into the making. Keep up the good work Richard for goodness sake!

Birding tomorrow....hopefully.

The Hen Harrier.

Hen Harrier female with young at the nest thanks to Peter Guy.

I consider myself very fortunate to have met and got to know many people like Peter Guy with whom I share the same passion for wildlife and who have given me permission to publish such excellent images like the one above of the female Hen Harrier at the nest with young.

Its rather tragic that the Hen Harrier carries with it such a sad history as one of Britain's most persecuted birds. The development of game-shooting estates around slightly earlier than the mid 19th century led to a direct conflict with grouse and pheasant interests and it is around this time that the decline sees to have set in. A combination of ground-nesting and site fidelity made the birds easy targets, make no mistake about it, serious efforts were made to eradicate the Hen Harrier especially across much of the upland grouse moors, and by 1900 they are believed to have been restricted to Orkney, Outer Hebrides, and Ireland according to the First Breeding Atlas, but during the two World Wars when keepering was in decline the reduction in moorland management allowed the heather to grow tall enough for successful nesting, and increased afforestation of the uplands led to young plantations which were also suitable for nesting sites. The Second Breeding Atlas revealed the colonisation of the Isle of Man, but at the same time the Hen Harrier had disappeared from other parts of GB and Ireland and the reasons for these losses differ, changes in agricultural practices in some areas, and in others the maturity of afforestation both of which led to changes in habitat with a loss of deep ground cover needed for nesting.

There was a systematic persecution on grouse moors in Scotland and England and productivity in this habitat was significantly below that of unmanaged uplands, and in England where almost all of the birds were on grouse moors the evidence was that the persecution continued and there is no doubt that Hen Harrier numbers were constrained by illegal killing of breeding birds.

Perhaps if I decide to do another piece on the history of the Hen Harrier and following some up to date research I may well find some positives to address regarding this magnificent creature which many birders I have spoken to recently who have trundled up the Langden Valley in the Forest of Bowland have enjoyed spectacular views of this equally spectacular bird. Meanwhile, such a sad story to accompany such a beautiful image.

Thanks once again for the photograph Peter I really appreciate it.