A RATHER BLUSTERY DAY
This was our fifth trip of the season with a new twist as we made it a 'decide on the day' for where to take our adventure and, as I waited for our troops to gather, a song entered my head - this one from the 'Adventures of Winnie the Pooh':
Oh, the wind is lashing lustily
And the trees are thrashing thrustily
And the leaves are rustling gustily
So it's rather safe to say
That it seems that it may turn out to be
It feels that it will undoubtedly
It looks like a rather blustery day, today
It seems that it may turn out to be
Feels that it will undoubtedly
Looks like a rather blustery day, today.
Watch it here on YouTube:
After a short discussion, the hardy souls decided that somewhere with some form of cover to protect us from the weather would be the safe option. So
Leighton Moss RSPB seemed ideal.
Warton Crag would be our first stop with views of Raven and Peregrine Falcon hopefully.
On arrival not a bird to be seen. Fortunately we didn't have to wait to long as a flock of
Jackdaws some 200 strong returned to the Crag to entertain us with wonderful aerial displays as we continued to search the rock face in search of our goal.
Then the eagle eyed
Peter Hodson picked up a
Peregrine and it's mate at the far left hand end of the Crag. Unfortunately no Ravens. But a little blip like this would not put our hardy birders off.
So feeling a little more upbeat, although a little windswept, off to
Allen and
Morecambe Hides just a short journey away.
The
Allen Hide produced a strong gathering of 200 plus
Black-tailed Godwits and similar numbers of
Lapwings, a smattering of
Dunlin, and a pair of
Shelduck.
So onward to the
Morecambe Hide. Here we saw
Wigeon,
Redshank,
Pintail,
Greylag Geese, a single
Kestrel, and two
Knot plus many more
Lapwings. There had been a
Greenshank reported so we set about scouring the satellite islands. Then the rain and wind came with gusto. I'm sure I heard one of our troops singing '
Bring Me Sunshine', after all we were in the
Morecambe Hide. Luckily for us, two
Greylags forced the
Greenshank from its shelter on the leeward side of one of the islands, which gave us good views.
The rain went as quickly as it came, so it was time to head for the main
Leighton Moss reserve. After a short break, a bite to eat, and some warming expensive coffee, it was time to go in search of the Great Grey Shrike which had been reported earlier that day.
A quick visit to the
Causeway Hide on our way to the
Lower Hide. A single
Dabchick, the usual
Cormorants,
Wigeon,
Tufted Duck,
Teal and
Pintail plus a few
Mallards.
On the way to the
Lower Hide a very tame group of Titmice greeted us in search of seed.
Blue Tits,
Great Tits, a couple of
Coal Tits and a favourite of mine a single
Marsh Tit. I even tricked a Great Tit to sit on my hand pretending to have a palm full of seed.
On reaching the
Lower Hide area, we searched for a good 30 minutes for the Great Grey Shrike, but alas we dipped. But it was well worth a try. The hide itself produced two
Great White Egrets, so all was not lost.
Last port of call would be
Lillian Hide. At the entrance to the hide high up in the Alder trees were a handful of
Siskin. From within the hide all the usual birds and 8
Snipe, one of which was out in the open right in front of the hide).
45 species were recorded from a big effort by everyone. The weather became kinder as the day wore on, so it was worth the effort. Well done to all who attende
d and hope to see you all on the February Trip.
Thank you for you company, as usual a great day.
Paul Pennington
L.O.S. Fieldtrips Officer
