A Woodcock flew out of the grounds of Lime House and into a neighbouring garden earlier. I also saw one last week going into the trees at Grange farm at dusk.
After getting Ian's text about the Gannets at 3.50 I started scanning the sky from our garden in Lowton by the east lancs road. With the birds being reported as heading SW it was worth a long shot. At 4.10 a single juvenile Gannet drifted in from the NE and circled once over by the Heath Lane junction with the east lancs road before floating off westwards. A frantic phone call to Ian ensued as the bird soared away out of GM airspace. Still can't believe I've seen one from the garden.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Friday 11th of October 2013 06:08:29 PM
think this is in right area oppologies if not, while waiting for kids football match to start on Lowton Civic pitch, had a walk through scrub area that leads to Garton Drive, 9.15-10.00
think this is in right area oppologies if not, while waiting for kids football match to start on Lowton Civic pitch, had a walk through scrub area that leads to Garton Drive, 9.15-10.00
Probable Goshawk soaring east/south at quite high altitude this afternoon at 1.20 viewed from the garden. The bird had the jizz of a Sparrowhawk but obviously larger, probably approaching if not equal to Common Buzzard in size. All underparts looked pale and under tail coverts stood out as very pale/white. Watched it for a few minutes through binoculars before it drifted away out of view.
Just out walking the dog by the east lancs at dusk and a Jack Snipe flushed from quite close by. It fluttered around me for a second before disappearing over the road into the field on the opposite side.
Whilst out with the dog this morning I was very sad to see that our local Barn Owl had been killed during the night by passing traffic. It's body was lying in the central reservation of the East Lancs road and was being picked up by a local girl and her grandfather who said they were going to bury it.
Excellent views this morning on the field by Heath Lane of a large female Peregrine making a couple of passes at a Grey Partridge.
It swooped round a couple of times attempting to snatch the bird from the ground. On the second attempt it was almost successful as a large explosion of feathers flew up along with some very loud calls from the Partridge.
The Peregrine then flew of southwards empty clawed as it were.
Mixed flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover in field on the south side of Winwick lane this afternoon at 3.30pm. Looked to be about fifty of each species.
There was an absolutely stunning display of Swifts just off Winwick Lane this afternoon. There must have been at least 500 birds swarming over just one field. An incredible sight!!
Over the last few days - particularly in the afternoons, there's been hundreds of Swifts feeding over the small field on the bend of Heath Lane, Lowton. Really close views of them as they swirled around and quite a spectacle to observe.
I took my camera with a view to attempting a few flight shots and I've ended up with a real good one of a swift with its beak open and a fly in front of it just about to be eaten. Its on my flickr page if anyones interested.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Monday 11th of July 2011 08:14:42 PM
6 Snipe in field east of Sandy Lane by Haydock Park Racecourse, Stock Dove feeding on the racetrack 38 Collared Dove (Dean Dam Farm) and Woodcock (Golborne Park Wood adjacent to Haydock Park Golf Course) by Newton Lane south of the East Lancs
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 9th of February 2011 08:23:25 PM
While doing R/O/W Inspections Today Hesketh Meadow Rd 2 Willow Tits 4 Whitethroat at least 2 was feeding young Elliott Ave Golborne Nesting House Martins Ashton Rd nr disused railway nr pond 1 Grey Heron 2 Whitethroat 1 Blackcap 1 Moorhen Nook Lane Footpath to Bridge St 10+Greenfinch looked to be 2 Family Partys Cheers Jimmy