L.O.S. Fieldtrip to Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB and Parkgate - Saturday 8th February

CALM BEFORE STORM CIARA

Our February L.O.S. Fieldtrip took us out to the Dee Estuary and the venues of Parkgate and Burton Mere Wetlands, deciding on the last minute that Parkgate Old Baths would be our first destination of the day. With some swift reorganising of our meeting point sorted, we all eventually met up at Parkgate where the high tide was predicted just after 10am. It proved not to be one of the better high tides, but I'm afraid it was what it was.

Male and Female Stonechats (c) Paul Pennington and Keith Williams

Two of us walked out to the golf course area and would see very little of note. A pair of Stonechat, the odd Little Egret, a single Greenfinch and a female Reed Bunting, not forgetting the vast numbers of Geese, mainly Pink Footed, as the odd Skylark sang in the sky above.

Little Egret (c) Bobby Loomba

The rest kept the fort at the Old Baths area, with more success. A male and female Merlin, a pair of Peregrine Falcon, and the ever present Marsh Harriers were the main contenders. Other sightings included Blackbird, Song Thrush, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Redshank, Curlew, Grey Heron, Goldfinch and Chaffinch.

Reed Bunting (c) John Preston

After an hour or two we decided to head of to RSPB Burton Mere. First we went out towards the Bunker hide area. Meadow Pipit and Mistle Thrush were seen in the adjacent field. In the same area, a Kestrel hovered on the wind, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch by the feeders, and from the hide itself, a few Ruff.

Kestrel (c) Martyn Jones

We retraced out steps and headed out towards main site and the various hides. Firstly to the ponds alongside the wild flower garden area. Here many Canadian Geese and Tufted Duck. Mixed in with these where a pair of Egyptian Geese - although these birds would have originally come from escapees, there are now self-sustaining breeding pair in the wild here and so they are counted as UK birds and always nice to see.

Egyptian Geese (c) Martyn Jones

We made our way round the reserve. Firstly to the Marsh Covert hide. Here a small flock of Curlew, four Pintail, and many Teal and Shoveler. On leaving the hide four Buzzard drifted above us and away behind the treeline, one of which returned at low altitude as we headed along the trail, giving great views and photo opportunities.

Buzzard (c) Paul Richardson

At this point some of the gang headed back to Parkgate in hope of the Owls. But I'm told they did show, but not for long, and as the weather was unfavourable they eventually gave up the ghost.

Ground Beetle (Carabus granulatus) (c) Paul Richardson

Five of us continued on our way round the Reserve. First up to the hill atop of the Willow Trail. Here a couple of Dunnock, and a mixture of Rook and Jackdaw in some distant tall trees. We then headed across the railway bridge and along the Hillfort Trail. Here at the bottom of the field a small flock of Fieldfare. We took a vantage point over looking the Dee Estuary and four Great White Egret were picked out, but not much else.

Great White Egret (c) Paul Richardson

Then at the bottom of the field Keith and John spotted a fleeting glimpse of a Green Woodpecker. After some searching of the tree lined fence, it eventually took to the air and headed towards the railway lines and some larger trees. As we were heading that way we stopped for a while, but had no luck relocating it.

Teal (c) Graeme Robertson

Onward to the last hide on the reserve. This hide gives fantastic panoramic views of the whole site. To our right a large flock of Wigeon grazed on the grass bank. On the small island in front a flock of Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit. A number of Greylag mixed with Canadian Geese flew in from the pasture. A dozen or so Curlew came and went. Many Shoveler and Teal gave presence with a scattering of Shelduck.

Shoveler (c) Paul Pennington

A single Marsh Harrier appeared to our right, disturbing many a hundred Lapwing amongst other Ducks and Waders. It scoured the whole site, eventually coming out towards the front of the hide giving everyone great views. Making our way back three Raven passed just above us at close quarters

March Harrier (c) Paul Richardson

Other birds of note on this trip: Dunlin, Sparrowhawk, Redwing, Oystercatcher, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and a Coal Tit plus all the usuals.

Fieldfare (c) Keith Williams

In all 64 species were noted. A great day for all, with a sprinkling of giggles and fun along the way. Thankfully a Saturday venture as Storm Ciara would have been a Sunday washout. Phew!!!

Thanks to all who attended and their company. See you next time.

Paul Pennington 

L.O.S. Fieldtrips Officer

L.O.S. Fieldtrip to Marshside RSPB and Lunt Meadows - Sunday 12th January 2020

MARINE DRIVE MAGIC

Our first fieldtrip of 2020 took us firstly to Marshside RSPB and then on to Lunt Meadows. 14 members met up at 9am on the car park at Marshside. The weather was inclement at first but improving as the morning moved on. 

Our first bird of the day was a Marsh Harrier as we gathered our thoughts and belongings. We decided to head off to Sandgrounder's Hide until the rain moved on. Here a distant Peregrine perched along the fence line before moving on. A distant Kestrel was recorded, along with two Great Black-Backed Gulls, Teal, Pintail, Moorhen and the obligatory Mallard. 

From Sandgrounder's we crossed the road and stood by the sand works looking out across Crossen's Outer Marsh. Here Little Egret and Great White Egret were observed at distance. At even more distance, a male Hen Harrier hawked the tideline before coming to rest on a prominence, giving the scope men time to confirm its ID. There was also a solitary Raven. 

By this time the rain had ceased to be, which made for a great birding day to come, so the next port of call was Nel's Hide. Here a flotilla of Tufted Duck, happily mixed with a few Pochard, Pintails, Gadwall and a stunning female Scaup giving good views. On leaving the hide two Goldcrest gave us some real close up viewing. 

Returning to the car park, we headed out towards the incoming tide and out onto the saltmarsh. Here hundreds of Dunlin took to flight forced from their feeding grounds by the incoming tide, also good flocks of Redshank, Oystercatcher mixed with Grey Plover. A single Snipe crossed over head also to note Pink-footed Geese and good numbers of Skylarks disturbed by the incoming tide trying to find dryer ground. Then along the tideline moving from right to left a small raptor, which came to rest on a small dead shrub. With the aid of binoculars and scopes a female Merlin made for some marvellous birdwatching. Eventually after some 20 minutes it moved on at speed along the tideline taking a Dunlin before going to ground. 

Returning to the cars for a spot of lunch, we decided to head over to Crossen's Inner Marsh to look for the recently reported Long-billed Dowitcher. We were not to be disappointed. Some 25 meters away, it gave great views and an opportunity for the odd photograph. Also on the inner marsh, there were good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, Wigeon, and Golden Plover. 

Next a quick reccy to Gravel Lane for the Cattle Egrets that had been reported and a chance to see the Little Owl - but this time we came up short. 

Lastly we headed off to Lunt Meadows. On arrival we made our way to the wooden footbridge which crosses the River Alt. A single female Stonechat and many a Linnet flitted to and fro. As the sun started to set, two Barn Owls gave reasonable views for a short period. 

On a sad note three men appeared in the distance, crossing the middle of the vast arable fields with Lurchers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Hare Coursing was illegal. Inevitably it wasn't long before a Brown Hare was flushed and the dogs were unleashed. We watched in full view, the dogs running the Hare down. The chase went on for some 10 minutes. Unfortunately, two Short-eared Owl were flushed in the process. This would be our only view at distance of the birds we had come especially to see. 

Meanwhile the Hare was heading our way, still with the dogs hot on its tail, only a metre or so behind. Then the Hare made its last throw of the dice - it headed straight in the a large patch of dense reeds and brambles by the river bank. Fortunately here it completely lost the dogs in the dense undergrowth, eventually heading out the other side, and up the embankment. It then headed straight towards us at full tilt, before shooting back down the embankment and across the vast fields to safety. One nil for the Hare, and a very happy ending to the day, but sadly it may not be so fortunate next time.

Thank you all who attended and your great company, another fantastic trip, with some fantastic birding. 

On a final note: If your binoculars steam up, keep them close to your chest, and be careful what you wish to see through your scope. 

Until next time.

Paul Pennington

L.O.S. Fieldtrips Officer

L.O.S. Fieldtrip to St. Aidan's RSPB - Sunday 8th December 2019

GUSTY FOR THE GUTSY

A difficult 'Decide on the Day' event for our December fieldtrip. The group met as usual on Doctors Nook and the weather would eventually make our final decision. The western side of the country would be ruled out as the forecast was very poor, so it was decided to head over the border, eastward bound, to the destination of St Aidan's RSPB.

On arrival, our group of gutsy birders gathered, only to be confronted by a rather nasty looking incoming heavy shower. As we collected our belongings, the first real spot of the day. A Green Woodpecker flew across the car park only just above our heads.

At St. Aidan's there is a huge old Walking Dragline Excavator, called the Bucyrus Erie BE 1150, but more affectionately known as 'Oddball'. Little Owls roost and nest nearby but we had no luck in finding them.  However the Kestrels that nest in the machinery were seen many times throughout the day.

Kestrel (c) Martyn Jones

We all headed for the comfort of the reception to take shelter from the incoming weather. Here we would gather some information for the site, have a coffee, and wait some 20 minutes for the heavy shower to pass over.

Male Pochard (c) Keith Williams

Eventually we headed out onto the reserve. From the top by the coal dragline the whole site is visible, and for those whom have never been, I can only describe it as an caldera of wetland. The site has a great population of Kestrels. We watched as the birds hovered on the wind hawking the grassy embankment before taking a well earned rest on the massive excavator. Further on, good numbers Curlew and Wigeon, gave great views.

Male Stonechat (c) Martyn Jones

Now in the depth of this once opencast mine, we followed a pair of Stonechat and a number of Meadow Pipit flitted across the path. Above us, just above the steep hillside a single Buzzard was harassed by two Carrion Crows, then the Crow decided to have a pop at one of the Kestrel. Further along the path a Red Kite soared above the hillside and yet again the Crow took a dislike.

Meadow Pipit (c) John Preston

We headed towards the causeway, via a path that dissects the whole site. Huge numbers of Moorhen to our left on the boggy wetland. The lagoons to our right Pochards, Goldeneye, Shovelers, Teal, Gadwalls, with a handful of Tufted Ducks, and a single Snipe over. Also a Cetti's Warbler burst into that unmistakable song undercover of the reedbed, accompanied by the squealing of a Water Rail.

Female Goldeneye (c) Keith Williams

On reaching the causeway, a Peregrine Falcon sped its way across the water, lifting hundreds of panicked Lapwing into the air. Also Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, great numbers of Black-headed Gulls and what can be only described as a cover of Coot as far as the eye could see.

Grey Heron (c) Martyn Jones

Crossing the Causeway we would follow the Aire and Calder Navigation, a brief stop by the weir on the River Aire would only pick up some of our more common birds; Grey Heron, Blue and Great Tit.

Lapwings (c) Martyn Jones

Eventually we arrive at Astley Lake, here a single Linnet amongst the couple of hundred Lapwing and Black Headed Gull. A couple of Common Gull and as we wound our way back for some lunch, a Volery of Long-tailed Tits meandered its way by A charm of Goldfinch also passed as we retraced our steps back to the comfort and warmth of the RSPB Reception, anticipating a welcome brew and lunch.

Brown Hare (c) John Preston

After a spot of lunch, some information had come in of a large flock of Geese on the Owl Wood side of the reserve. So to kill some time before 3pm we set off. This turned out to be a rather muddy trek, circumnavigating a hill of arable set aside. Alas, not a goose in sight. But on reaching the furthest point, good numbers of Redwing a handful of Fieldfare and a single female Yellowhammer.

Redwing (c) John Preston

It was now Owl 'o'clock, about 3.30pm. Short-eared Owls to be precise. We made our way back down into the reserve. The coal dredge high above us and adjacent to the grassy slopes were we hoped to see our goal. Four Owls had been seen the night before, but as the light faded and the wind blew, it was not to be.

Waxing Gibbous Moon (c) Martyn Jones

Eventually we called it a day. We had been lucky with the weather really. But on the other hand not so lucky Owl wise I'm afraid. All in all 51 species recorded, not a bad return.

Thank you to all for your company as always . Wishing all our members a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Paul Pennington

Fieldtrips Officer

Whipping the Flash into Shape

A group of fourteen volunteers from the Pennington Flash Volunteer Group planted over 100 assorted berry tree whips on the edge of the kidney pond at Pennington Flash this week.

Led by L.O.S. Chairman David Shallcross and Wigan Biodiversity Officer Kieran Sayer, the whips were soon dug in to fill in the gap left where the previous trees had been felled to give access for the heavy machinery to enter the area for groundworks.

The group also did some litter picking and work on installing a new wooden floor in the storage container we have recently acquired.

All photos courtesy of PFVG member Chris Saunders.

Starling Murmurations

The Open University are asking for any photos or reports of starling murmurations between 1st November 2019 and 1st March 2020 to be submitted to their nQuire website:

https://nquire.org.uk/mission/starling-murmuration/data

'Please share your photos of starling murmurations and your experiences of observing them so that we can explore this great winter spectacle together.'

You could also record them in the comments underneath this post to inform L.O.S. members where to see them locally.

Here's a thing!

The area that has been known as "Bickershaw Rucks" or just "Bickershaw" now has its official signboard at the Smith's Lane entrance: Bickershaw Country Park! The board shows the northern circuit footpath very clearly, and on a walk round it today (admittedly with a lot of detours to snoop around copses and ponds!) I counted 234 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare (I'm sure there were more!) 64 Goldfinch, 2 Kestrels and 2 Buzzard, as well as hearing a Cetti's Warbler and a variety of our common species - 26 in 2 hours.

There are even some new benches around the site, once the concrete sets, though you may want to take along a bum-warmer as they are metal!! We need more observers there - it's an area where you work for your sightings, but let's use it so we don't lose it.

A Letter From Our Conservation Officer

Dear LOS Member 

You will probably already know that Wigan Council is consulting with various stakeholders about future plans for Pennington Flash. The aim is to put together a "Masterplan" and there have been some quite radical ideas going about. We know people are worried about the introduction of new "leisure pursuits" which could potentially be damaging to the habitat and disturbing to the wildlife. 

The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, working with an Ecology Consulting firm called "Footprint Ecology", has put together a dedicated reporting page for Pennington Flash, and we would like to encourage all birders who visit Pennington to report their sightings via this web page. This is a particular push for 2020, and part of the focus is to get more data about what happens to birds when there is disturbance in any part of the Country Park. So please report ANY species of bird, mammal or insect, but of particular interest are any unusual sightings or unusual concentrations of birds in a particular location. For example, if there's a sailing race happening, you may see 32 Great Crested Grebe on the water in front of Ramsdale's reedbed. The web page allows you to report this down to that amount of detail, by means of a clickable map. 

This is the special feature of this data gathering - it needs to be very detailed as to where things are seen. Much of what is on record at GMEU, for example, is just down as "Pennington Flash" and does not indicate where in the Country Park something has been seen. 

The web page is really easy to use, although the map does take a little while to load. You don't even have to register - just insert your name and email address - but if you do register and login, you won't have to enter those details every time. Everything else is pretty much self explanatory. 

This is the link to the data entry web page 

Here's a link to Footprint Ecology

Members have expressed a little suspicion about bringing in outside ecologists. Please be reassured that this is not a big firm which works for big developers - the two consultants involved have both been keen birders from a young age, and their work is almost exclusively for local councils and nature conservation groups such as the Wildlife Trust. I have spoken at some length to Durwyn Liley of Footprint, and will be meeting him in early December. He is more than ready to listen to LOS and others from the local area, and to use our records as well as those generated during the survey year. I think it is a positive sign that the Council have commissioned this survey before rushing into development of the Country Park or additional leisure projects. 

I hope you will consider contributing to the survey whenever you visit the Flash from now and through 2020. 

Thanks! 

Paul Richardson 

Conservation Officer

L.O.S. Fieldtrip to Leighton Moss RSPB - Sunday 3rd November 2019

PATIENCE PREVAILS

Our third L.O.S. Fieldtrip of the season took us to Leighton Moss RSPB, always a popular destination for the Society and Guests.  With travel arrangements made, the group of 16 gathered as planned just before 9am on the RSPB Leighton Moss car park. Conditions favoured us, in the eye of the storm so to speak. Slightly overcast with intermittent bursts of sunshine, but more importantly deadly still. This would help with the quest ahead.

Rogues' Gallery minus 3 (c) Anne Johnson

We had a strategy, a target bird. One that is popular with visitors to the site at this time of year. The Bearded Reedling (Tit). We headed out on the reserve and out towards the Grisedale Hide area. Firstly we stopped off at the feeding station. Here the usual birds Chaffinch, Blue tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, and Greenfinch, all at close quarters flitting between the feeders.

Blue Tit and Chaffinch Face Off (c) John Preston

Working our way slowly towards the afore mentioned hides, stopping occasionally at various points. One such stop, the famed feeding log, Nuthatch, more Blue Tit, Coal tit etc, plus a Marsh Tit, which was a lifer for James, one of our younger birders. Above us high in the Alders, Goldfinch mixed with Siskin. A little further on, a Water Rail darted across the path then back into the scrub and the security of the reedbed.

Marsh Tit (c) Anne Johnson

We worked our way down the well maintained gravel footpath, ( which it was hard to believe a week earlier was under a good foot of water ) through the corridor of head high Phragmites reedbed, eventually arriving at our destination, with the hope of seeing our target birds, the Bearded Reedlings.

Keith Williams feeding a Robin (c) Mandy Robertson

Here the manicured opening of the reedbed, cut back to make an open space, some ten by ten square meters, with two small grit trays posted in the left and righthand corners. Now for the waiting game.
Sixteen of us stood by the reedbed opening and waited. Some fifteen minutes passed and nothing, and as one of our members would describe, remarkably birdless.

Teal (c) Martyn Jones

As the Grisedale Hide was only a very short distance along the pathway, the majority of headed off there, and left three of us on watch, in case the Bearded Reedlings turned up. At the hide, Marsh Harrier, Teal, Snipe and Pintail were the main attractions for the majority of the group

Drake Pintail (c) Graeme Robertson

Three of us still waiting for the Bearded Reedlings to show, Water Rail squealed around us in the reedbeds, Long Tailed Tits manouvered through the scrub Willow. Then there was movement, something caught our eye through the reedbed, was this the Bearded Reedlings? A message was sent to the rest of the Group in the Grisedale hide, but as the group regathered by the grit trays, a false alarm! A solitary Male Reed Bunting came and went.

Mute Swan in Flight (c) John Preston

This time the party decided to visit the close by Jackson hide, again leaving three of us on watch. We entertained ourselves by hand feeding a very tame Coal tit and Robin as we waited.

Cheeky Robin (c) Mandy Robertson

The three of us had now been waiting near on two hours holding the fort for the others. Then!! through the tranquillity, was that the faint ' ping ping' we could hear, the unmistakable call of the Bearded Reedling? Was this the moment? Then like some magical illusion, two males, three females, closely followed by two further females, appeared from within the Reedbed. The Bearded Reedlings were here, and in force.

Female Bearded Reedling (c) Paul Pennington

A quick call to the Jackson Hide, the rest of the group gathered to witness these wonderful, dainty little birds at close quarters, with their distinctive plumage. Then some 15 minutes later, as quickly as they came, vanished back into the vast reedbed. Certainly the highlight of the day.

Male Bearded Reedling (c) Anne Johnson

After the excitement of the morning, goal achieved, we returned to the car park for a spot of lunch, a group photo, and as we planned out next move, a fly over of Whooper Swans.

Marsh Harrier (c) Paul Morgan

Three would head off towards the Allen and Eric Morecambe hides, the rest would eventually meet up with them later. The main body of the group would head out via the Causeway. Along the way we would see a female Kestrel, Pochard, Shoveler, Mute Swan, and the usual Cormorant.

Lapwing (c) Martyn Jones

Eventually we met up with the rest at the Allen and Eric Morecambe Hides. Here there were a large flock of Black-tailed Godwit accompanied by the odd Dunlin, Wigeon, numerous Lapwing and Redshank. a handful of Little Egret as well as a single Common Sandpiper. A distant Peregrine Falcon sat on the fence posts and a scattering of Shelduck swam in the pools.

Did you spot the Dunlin in there? (c) Graeme Robertson

Other birds of interest on the day included Lesser Redpoll, Cetti's Warbler. Treecreeper, Bullfinch, a skein of Pink-footed Geese and a single Goldcrest.

Goldcrest (c) Keith Williams

All in all a fabulous day out. Target achieved, along with some 66 species. Leighton Moss is always worth the effort. So on that note, we mustn't forget the social aspect of these trips which are aimed at various levels of birding knowledge and which are filled with the usual great humour. Everyone is welcome.

View from Allen Hide (c) Anne Johnson

Thank you all for your company and support.

Paul Pennington 

L.O.S. Fieldtrips Officer

L.O.S. Presentation - Friday 1st November 2019

Wildlife Wonders of Scotland

A presentation by our Chairman, David Shallcross

David tells us "this is a story of the species I have encountered summer and winter in or around the Cairngorm National Park in Scotland".

We meet in the Derby Room upstairs at Leigh Library at around 7:15pm for a 7:30 start. Car parking is free. Everyone is welcome and entry is free, although we would appreciate it if you'd buy a raffle ticket or two.

So do come and join us, bring a friend, become a member. Just ask one of us on the door for information on how to join our friendly society.

L.O.S. Young Birders' Club Starts A New Season

The L.O.S. Young Birders' team got the new academic year (2019/2020) off to a flying start yesterday afternoon with yet another visit to Gilded Hollins Primary School in Lowton, Leigh.

This is our eighth time at Gilded Hollins – we first went there in 2012 and, in fact, it was the very first school the team ever visited. Since then the Young Birders' Club team of Martyn Jones, Brian Fawcett, Teresa Fayle, Tony Bishop and I have worked with almost 2,000 children in twelve different schools as well as nine other groups including Brownies, Cubs and Leigh Rotary Club.

Yesterday’s presentation involved three of the team, Tony, Martyn and myself, and the two hour interactive session with 30 Year 4 pupils in Mr. Taylor’s class concentrated very much on bird identification. We started by looking at some key points in bird ID involving 12 common birds from Wren to Mute Swan. The children then spent a few minutes working in pairs to construct a Bird ID Dial. This was followed by two quizzes and then the finale was a rather noisy ‘Birdy Bingo’ game which the children thoroughly enjoyed.

It was great fun; the children were marvellous – enthusiastic and attentive. We can now look forward to more school visits with the added bonus of extra reinforcements as Brian is just back from his long 'reverse migration' trip to France.

George Pike

LOSYBC Team