Pomarine Skua and Great Grey Shrike

Yesterday me and Dave went birding in West Lancashire. First off was the juvenile Pomarine Skua at Pilling. Great close views of a great seabird. Also present were a flock of around 100 Twite and an adult Mediterraean Gull. Next up were all 3 species of swans at  near Upper Thurnham. It was really nice to see a small group of Bewick Swans a species that eluded us last year and are only present in small numbers in the North of England. We finished off seeing the long staying Great Grey Shrike at Lytham moss.
At home in the garden I am seeing a Goldcrest daily probably the same bird that came last winter and spotted a single Lesser Redpoll a few days ago. Lets hope he returns with his friends!

Lesser Scaup

Myself and Dave Evans had a fantastic birding day in North Wales yesterday. First off was the drake Lesser Scaup at Shotton Pools. We then went walking over to some distant swans to have a better view and as we approached a male Hen Harrier appeared giving great views. The swans were a mix of Bewick and Whooper. We then went to Anglesey to Benllech in search of a Velvet scoter seen yesterday. No joy but plenty of other birds to see at sea including Red-throated diver, Common Scoter and Black Guillemot.
It was then over to South Stack where we got crippling views of Chough. We also saw several Ravens.
Last stop was Conwy RSPB where we saw Siskin and several Lesser redpoll. Best of all though was a stunning Firecrest which eventually appeared in bushes near the pond where it has been showing on and off all winter. What a result and the end to a truly excellent and very enjoyable birding day.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and more!

What a great Sunday 15th. Jan. myself and Dave had. We drove to Rufford Park and were almost straight onto 2 or 3 Lesser Spotted woodpeckers drumming and moving around in the trees near the carpark. Theye were joined by Greater spotted woodpeckers which was great to comapre the drumming and the size difference. The drumming is very muffled and they are half the size of their bigger brothers!

Then onto Frampton RSPB where there wer good numbers or ducks, several Whooper and 2 Bewick swans. There were hundreds of dark bellied brent geese and one Barnacle goose. Also present were godd numbers or Golden plover and a nice mixed flock of Linnet and Greenfinch.
We walked to the view over the Ouse marsh and were very lucky to see a male Hen Harrier hunting. Shame it didnt come closer. Dave could see at least another male hunting way out in the distance.

Finally we headed to Millenium green in North Hykeham to check the gull roost. We quickly located to adult Caspian Gulls and saw our compulsory Sparrowhawk in the failing light to round off a top day's birding     

Glossy Ibis!

Went to Leighton Moss ( again!!)  and were straight onto the Glossy Ibis showing very well near the rail crossing. We then went onto Heysham and got decent views of the juvenile Glaucous Gull and got some useful tips from local birder Pete Cook about where to go for the best views of the harbour. Then it was onto Fleetwood marine lake for the Long Tailed Duck. We also had the best views of a pair of Red Breasted Mergansers I have ever had!
Before returning home myself and cousin Dave decided to check out Marton mere. There were plenty of Teal, Pochard, and Wigeon. We also glimpsed a distant Sparrowhawk. Talking to some local birders they mentioned that a pair of Bewick Swans had been seen in a field close by and sure enough we located them along with 2 Mute Swans.
Overall an excellent day out in good warm conditions and a total of 4 new species to add to our lists.