New Book.

On an initial look at it myself this new book looks good, please take a look for yourself.

Barn Owl Mortality.

Barn Owl. David Cookson

Oh no....not another Barn Owl pic, and the subject - including that of mortality due to the coldest December on record in 2010 - has been discussed before too. You'd think this blog would have something a little more topical/seasonal on it, maybe the forthcoming passage of summer visitors into the country....OK, some other time perhaps!

The kind of weather were not acquainted with set in at the end of last December and people began to wonder what the effect on bird populations would be. The two previous winters had also been unusually and severely cold and it was looking like small birds would be particularly hit.

I was starting to read about widespread reports of birds moving south and west, and then worse, reports of Barn Owl (BO) were being made of dead birds and by early February the total was of 56 which was actually a smaller number than those reported in total by January 2010 when the figure was at least 80 dead BO's, this month in 2010 had also been a month of severe weather. 

The BO obviously finds it difficult - if not impossible - to find small-mammal prey during long periods of snow cover and recently there have been many more reports of birds hunting during daylight hours, with one individual seen in a supermarket car park.

The result of three bad winters - not least the one just about to leave us - will have left some of our BO's in poor condition, this has knock-on implications for the chances of successful breeding for these birds in the months ahead. Here's hoping things are quite as bad as they may sound.

And, talking of owls....

Northern Saw-Whet Owl. Woodmansterne Publications Ltd  

It was my birthday recently - I'll soon be 50 at this rate - and my family and friends sure know the kind of cards I like to receive on such occasions....a little gem don't you reckon!

MEGA NEWS 

A White-winged Scoter has been reported today at Rossbeigh,Co Kerry, Ireland, apparently there on Monday and been so for a month. There's quite a lot to say about this bird but it's easier to take a look and see what's said about it on Birdforum

Birds....

....two of DC's brilliant pics....and a short illustrated story.

Goosanders. David Cookson



First, one of DC's brilliant images. I'm not absolutely sure what this drake Goosander is up to, but it looks like some display it is engaged in.

It was good to be out with JB again today and although I didn't do the circuit at Conder Green from the viewing platform at Conder Pool found a Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, and a Snipe took off from the marsh to relocate about 10m away. On the pool just one Goldeneye seen, 6 Wigeon, and to make it appear that I'm the true birder/recorder I pretend to be I counted 23 Common Gull and 22 Black-headed Gull.

On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock, having left my recorders hat on from Conder Geen I noted estimates of, 100 Dunlin 65 Redshank, 55 Bar-tailed Godwit, 40 Curlew, the count of 54 Goldeneye included some seen from Bodie Hill, 55 Wigeon, and 2 Goosander, 16 Cormorant together was notable, also notable today was the total absence of Lapwing, something I don't ever recall here before, also no Golden Plover. Up to 2,000 Pink-footed Geese were still on Colloway Marsh. On Jeremy Lane 3 Whooper Swan still here.

At Cockersands where the tide still dominated, I counted at least 80 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plover, 9 Eider, and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. We pulled in off the A588 to count the birds in the field for several days opposite Sand Villa to find 47 Whooper Swans representing almost half the number counted of late, also here - spread over a wide area and very difficult to observe with no other access - at least 3,000 Pink-footed Geese, these kind of situations always frustrate as you leave with the feeling you missed finding something of interest tagging along. Of note on Pilling Marsh were c.140 Grey Plover.

And the other brilliant pic....

Wren. David Cookson

And now....A short illustrated story which - to be fair to those who may be offended - contains some strong language and is called....ME AND MY DOGS.

 As JB and I pulled in at Cockersands two women were unloading at least 18 dogs - the pic above doesn't justify that claim of 18 but it's true - from two vans and promptly went off in the direction of the shore. Only two seconds into the exercise one of the dogs took the stand of a canine about to shit, I made the comment to JB that it was likely all 18 of these animals were about to follow suit in due course of the 'walkies' and I regard this as unacceptable, but wait a minute....one of these women was about to collect some 'Gold Awards' because she pulled out of her pocket a bag and promptly scooped up the dogs shit, but wait a minute....

....five seconds later this bitch - no not one of the dogs - threw the bag from the shore - shit and all - onto the road and continued on her way with her charges towards the tide line, like I said....BITCH!

OK, now I need to put the record straight. I love all animals especially wild ones, and as an example never do - nor ever will - subscribe to shooting the poor bastards for fun and particularly birds....but we need to leave that one for another time. We do need to sort out these people with dogs - though please don't ask me how - why don't they make sure they let their dogs shit in their own gardens before venturing out into the countryside with them....but then, that defeats the object of the exercise, because its one of the prime reasons they take them out....to share their shit with everyone else.

The Squeeze!

Cormorant. Copyright Granted

Managed to squeeze in three hours today, one a Conder Green, and two at Cockersands where I found nothing to inspire me to visit this area ever again, but probably will do as soon as tomorrow but in any case before the week is out. Glasson Dock wasn't included in the squeeze but here's another photograph of the Cormorant P.c.sinensis currently on the canal basin/marina for good measure. Incidentally, this bird is unringed and therefore not the previously recorded sinensis on here for - void of checking records - I don't know how long.

Whooper Swans. Pete Woodruff.

At Conder Green a Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, and Common Sandpiper were the only birds of note including the circuit. On Jeremy Lane 3 Whooper Swans remain here with Mute Swans. The photograph above can justifiably be referred to as rubbish, the bird on the left is an immature but the plumage is 'bleached out' in the picture rendering the bird unidentifiable as one.

At Cockersands estimates on what was left of Plover Scar at high tide were, 420 Oystercatchers, 250 Dunlin, a reasonable count of at least 60 Turnstone, 5 Redshank, and a solitary Grey Plover. Offshore, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 11 Eider. In the horse paddock at Bank Houses 12 Blackbirds, up to 230 Golden Plover off Moss Lane, and just 11 Linnet in the winter seed with a Reed Bunting.

Lapwing. Phil Slade

There are a few Lapwings on territory in the fields around Cockersands now and numbers will slowly build, unfortunately - and unknown to the birds - living dangerously, of all the places I do my birding this area is as bad as any other I know, and made a concerted effort last breeding season to find fledged Lapwings without success....No other political, environmental, or conservation comments! 

And finally....There's a  record of an early White Wagtail HERE

Back in 10 minutes....

Well tomorrow actually. Meanwhile, a short video of Pilot Whales I'd love to have been able to film but probably never will, and about which you can see more via the link below the video. 

Pilot Whales, Shetland from Hugh Harrop on Vimeo.

And four excellent photographs not all connected to birds but excellent just the same.

Marsh Harrier. Cliff Raby

Here's one of those 'coming soon' photographs, this one being the male Marsh Harrier which will soon be taking up residence for the breeding season at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve at Silverdale and certainly won't be alone. Of course I think there is much more excitement in finding one elswhere....so eyes peeled!

Great-crested Grebe. David Cookson

This photograph of the Great-crested Grebe has to be placed in the 'stunning' category, and for the photographers amongst you - as I understand it - this image is untouched in the 'fixing' studio.

And a couple of 'whats this got to do with birds' pics kindly sent to me by the man in the credits.

Slaidburn Village. Peter Guy.

A brilliant photograph of the village of Slaidburn one winters day this year. This really is my kind of photography, perhaps not directly linked to birds but certainly some great birding to be had in this area, and indeed many is the time I've had some myself and look forward to more in the future.

And finally....

The Wreck. Peter Guy. 

Stunning is the word once again for this photograph of a wreck on the River Wyre close to Fleetwood Nature Reserve, so you see....another link to the birds and birding.

Thanks to HH/DC/CR and PG for the photographs....much appreciated.

I'D SOONER BE BIRDING! 

Mediterranean Gull.

Mediterranean Gull. Pete Woodruff.



In breeding plumage the Mediterranean Gull (MG) is undoubtedly the most striking of all the larus species, it was very rare in GB prior to the 1950's, now widespread especially on the SE coast of England  - where three figure flocks are now recorded regularly at Folkestone in Kent - since the steady increase in the NW European population since the late 1960's the MG is now a familiar sight to many birders including birds seen regularly in our area in Lancashire. The first documented breeding attempt in Britain occurred in 1968 and was followed by regular breeding from 1976 with the habit of nesting with large numbers of Black-headed Gulls. The first record of MG in Ireland was made in 1956, the first in Lancashire was of a bird at Formby which stayed for seven months from April until November in 1968, with another bird at St Annes in August of the same year.

The results from colour-ringing appears to indicate that most of the Hungarian population winter along the Atlantic coast including Britain, the origins of MG's in Britain also include Netherlands, Germany, and the former Yugoslavia which brings me to the following note....

I found an adult MG about 1/4 mile NE of the esplanade at Knott End on Preesall Sands this week on Tuesday 1 March. The bird was squat on the sands for the entire time I spent with it save just one moment when it stood to reveal a colour ring before squatting again. I alerted an appropriate Fylde birder to the bird but attempts to see and read the ring were unsuccessful and we will now have to wait to see if the bird can be relocated. However, the colour of the ring already indicates that this bird was marked at one of four locations in Poland, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, or Hungary....So we wait!

The photograph above has been featured on Birds2blog on a previous occasion, but  - although I say this myself - it ain't bad is it, and by the way beware....it isn't an adult bird.   

It's Friday!

Grey Wagtail. David Cookson

We - its Friday JB/BT/PW - started with the traditional visit to Aldcliffe where up to 7,000 Pink-footed Geese were on the marsh along with a Little Egret seen in flight on Heaton Marsh. On the Lune Estuary at almost high tide as viewed from the Conder Green picnic area by way of a change, c.250 Bar-tailed Godwit, a solitary Black-tailed Godwit with 2 Grey Plover, 7 Goosander, 2 Red-breasted Merganser drake, 36 Goldeneye, and 2 Greylag, 2 Brown Hare were running around on the marsh seemingly puzzled by being surrounded by water and wondering what to do next....maybe swim!

At Conder Green 2 Spotted Redshank were accompanied by a Greenshank, and on Conder Pool 2 Goldeneye noted. On the canal basin at Glasson Dock Mondays Cormorant P.c sinensis was obligingly on the small jetty in the NW corner with a Phalacrocorax carbo today proving very useful for comparison, also of note on here 6 Goldeneye, 3 Pochard drakes - they are mysteriously nearly always drakes on here - and a Great-crested Grebe. From Bodie Hill 2 Reed Bunting seen. By the way....in two years I've seen only one Grey Wagtail at Conder Green.

On Jeremy Lane the 3 Whooper Swans of late are still in a field with Mute Swans being an adult and two immatures. At Cockersands, 21 Eider off Plover Scar, 12 Blackbirds in the horse paddock at Bank Houses, c.200 Golden Plover were in a field with Lapwings, and 4 Whooper Swans seen from here on 22 February were again in the same field behind Bank End Farm.

In fields opposite Sand Villa from the A588 72 Whooper Swans counted with a single Bewick's Swan, and on Pilling Marsh a Little Egret and up to 5,000 Pink-footed Geese which were apparently accompanied by 3 White-fronted Geese and a dark and light-bellied Brent Goose which I failed to locate given the time allowed with BT as my chauffeur....sorry BT not a complaint you understand! 

And finally....

Wigeon. Brian Rafferty

BR has produced yet another 'pic with a difference' showing this drake Wigeon taking some wing excersise on the water, not as easy as it looks, and a good balancing act I reckon....Thanks for the pics DC/BR much appreciated.    

No surprises....

....no amazement's...and no Stonechats. Now this is serious so listen up please.

Red Grouse. Pete Woodruff.

I parked my car in Quernmore at the crossroads near what is known locally as the Temperance Hotel which  - in the days of yesteryear - had a connection with Methodists and the scourge of alcohol....but this is Birds2blog not History2blog so here endeth the first lesson. I got back to my car over five hours later having walked down Rigg Lane, up Clougha Pike, and across the top of Birk Bank. During this long crawl I collected no more than 10 species and - discounting Red Grouse - counted no more than 21 birds in a 'no stone unturned' survey of upland birds.....thats 21 birds in five hours, riveting stuff upland birding in March in the 21st century. 

OK....so its only 3 March, though at times the day could have fooled you into thinking it was almost May with not a breath of wind and wall to wall sun, but as I walked along Rigg Lane I had equal amounts of warm sun on my neck, and a nip of cold in my hands, but all in all a beautiful day and I could think of nowhere better than to be up Clougha/Birk Bank for a few hours serious birding. But the records which follow are 'grim' March or not.

As I walked along Rigg Lane it was good to hear a Song Thrush in full voice, at least 6 Blue Tits were in pursuit of one another, also 2 Robin, a Dipper flew over the road, gained height, and flew over two fields then back over the road again before disappearing from view, the highest and longest flight I ever saw before by a Dipper, a Curlew was also overhead, the first for me this year having found its way to the fringes of the Forest of Bowland.

The next four hours through the gate from the car park on Rigg Lane produced an enjoyable silence and calm whilst almost void of bird-life, at the end of which I had encountered an almost unbelievable 5 species and 25 birds with 2 Chaffinch, 15 Red Grouse, 5 Wood Pigeon over, 2 Buzzard, and a Kestrel....what more is there to say!

KT reported 7 Raven over Bowerham in Lancaster via a text message to me....hows that for a dedicated birders wife, and yesterday I saw a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

Clougha Geology. Pete Woodruff.



Clougha has some very interesting geological features, I must read up on the history of this area some day.

The Cormorant.

Cormorant. Pete Woodruff.



On Monday I found the Cormorant in the photograph above at Glasson Dock. In all my years birding it is by far the best opportunity I ever had of studying this species at close quarters in particular in the photograph once I got it off the card in my camera and on to the computer. I know at least one consultant of mine  - with my appreciation for comments on this bird - who agrees with the claim that it is indeed a strong contender of the subspecies 'Continental Cormorant' sinensis. 

Cormorant ID is shrouded in confusion when it comes to claiming sinensis, in the past some believed ID was achieved by the amount of white feathering on the head but this is now known to be erroneous and claims are now based upon the shape/size of the gular patch. Breeding adults are whiter-headed than the British Cormorant but the amount of white in the latter varies increasingly with age and older carbo may be very white headed and are not separable from sinensis by this feature. They breed in the Netherlands, south and central Europe east to Asia, India, and China and are more migratory than British Cormorants with some moving south to Egypt and the Persian Gulf.

In Mitchells day the Cormorant in Lancashire was regarded as 'numerous' only on the Mersey sandbanks with just single figures at other coastal sites, but Oakes added the Lune, Wyre, and Ribble to the list of major sites but never quoted any figures.

The first British record of Cormorant of the subspecies sinensis was of a bird at Christchurch in Hampshire in 1873 and was accepted by the BOU 58 years later in 1931. Evidence of conclusive proof was provided when a bird found in Newhaven, Sussex in February 1936 had been ringed in Germany in May three years earlier in 1933.

Tomorrow - if the weather is suitable - it is quite possible I'll go up Clougha/Birk Bank, if I do I'll be more than a little surprised to find a Stonechat up there, if I find two I'll be more than a little amazed, but....birds never cease to amaze me!

The Med Has It!

Brown Hare. John Bateman

Lots of Brown Hare activity at Cockersand now being the month of March and thanks to JB for the photograph and for accompanying me on my birding today. And....heres another pic below with two more to follow.

Waxwing. Brian Rafferty

RS has got me going with the Waxwings and one outside his window at home got him going too, in any case we're soon about to have seen the last of them until who knows when. Photographs of Waxwings don't come any better than the one above....Thanks BR.

We decided to head off to Knott End this morning but the Conder Green magnet pulled us in there first but we just took in the pool briefly which held just 2 Goldeneye and 2 Little Grebe of note, and a Spotted Redshank obliged in the creeks. At Knott End an adult Mediterranean Gull eventually took the prize for the day. A brief look into the Rawcliffe area produced a Buzzard. I hear of sixteen counted in the area recently, I'm not aware of the status in 2011 but historically this sounds like a mega count to me.

In the stubble fields off Fluke Hall Lane c.180 Golden Plover with c.100 Lapwing, and 10 Skylark noted. At Fluke Hall just 14 Linnet of note. On Pilling Marsh, at least 5,000 Pink-footed Geese, and at Sand Villa I counted at least 75 Whooper Swans with no Bewick's Swans seen here today. 

At Cockersands, c.700 Dunlin and a Grey Plover, though I think JB may have seen more of the latter and other species, if he did you can find out HERE On Jeremy Lane 3 Whooper Swans seen as yesterday being an adult and two immatures. Off Bodie Hill, 2 Bewick's Swans, 20 Goldeneye, c.100 Black-tailed Godwit, and c.30 Bar-tailed Godwit. On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock I concentrated on mainly c.650 Black-headed/Common Gulls to no avail, and otherwise noted just 2 Little Grebe with yesterdays c.2,000 Pink-footed Geese still on Colloway Marsh.

And the penultimate pic....

Kingfisher. David Cookson  

As far as I'm concerned photographs of the Kingfisher don't come any better than this one....Thanks DC.

And....

Bluethroat. Phil Slade.

Photographs of the Bluethroat don't come any better than this one either....Thanks PS.

And a good time was had by all!