Reedlings and Yellowlegs - 23/24/25 October 2012

For our autumn half-term break we headed to Silverdale for a few days camping at Gibraltar Farm, chosen because it's a stone-throw away from Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve. And what a lucky break in the weather... It's hard to believe but there was hardly a breathe of wind off Morecambe Bay for 3 days!

Day 1 (am): A walk to the bottom meadow overlooking the shore and we found a good mixture of birds but no great numbers. Mostly Redshank and Oystercatcher at first, but a rising tide brought Lapwing, Curlew, Shelduck and a couple of Grey Heron. Plenty of gulls too but mostly Black-headed.

Day 1 (pm): Off to Leighton Moss for the main purpose of the trip, a look at the Bearded Tits (or Bearded Reedling) that feed on the grit trays during October. We headed to the causeway, found the viewing point and waited... and waited... but no joy. A wander around and a few hides later, we had ticked off Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Curlew, Redshank, Little Egret, Shoveler, Grey Heron, Pochard, Lapwing, Goosander, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Black-tailed Godwit. We checked the grit trays again but again - no joy.

Day 2 (am): Breakfast deferred, we chanced an early trip back to the causeway and found twenty or so others had beaten us to it! The birds had not shown yet so we found a reasonable spot and waited quietly. We didn't wait long before we had some rustling within the reedbed and a female briefly popped her head out before it all went quiet again. However, a little after 10am, a pair of Bearded Tits finally hopped from the reeds onto the grit tray and munched away (grit is required at this time of year as it aids the digestion of the reed seeds they eat due to the lack of insects). Very similar in shape to Long-tailed Tits but now confirmed as a unique family (panuridae), the female is a fine bird but the male, with his long black moustache, is awesome.

Day 2 (pm): We made the short journey to Aldcliffe Marshes for a reported Lesser Yellowlegs and after a good walk checking a few pools, we found it, out in a part-flooded muddy field. It was a juvenile bird feeding amongst a dozen Redshank and we were lucky to catch it before something flushed the birds up and it disappeared for the day. We stayed for a look around and found Greenshank, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Cormorant and 20+ Snipe.

Day 3 (am): Walking off breakfast on the cliffs at Gibraltar Farm we saw Redshank, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Teal, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Lapwing, Curlew, Goldfinch, Mistle Thrush and a Wheatear.

Day 3 (pm): After a shopping trip to Carnforth, we looked in on the new Allen Hide which, like the Eric Morecambe hide, is brilliant. The light was awful by this time but we did spot a number of Little Egret, Grey Heron, Curlew, Kestrel and a Goosander.

Birding done, we hit the local pub.

Mission accomplished - a pair of Bearded Tits at Leighton Moss

 Dusk view of the bay from our porch

Last bird of the trip - a moulting male Goosander

Bolton Abbey - 21 March 2012

Bolton Abbey in Wharfedale is another favourite walk of mine and I try to get there three times a year. From the Abbey I headed NW away from the river, through Westy Bank Wood and up over Middle Hare Head. I stopped here for a while to take in the courtship flight of a pair of Lapwing, majestic anywhere but in this remote environment I convinced myself that they were putting on a show just for me!

I continued across the moorland with only the occasional Willow Grouse for company. On reaching the NW point of Lower Barden Reservoir, I found a pair of Mallards sitting elegantly above the run-off from the small pool above the reservoir. Returning along the North side of the reservoir, a large flock of Curlew passed overhead heading West and a couple of flighty Oystercatchers were piping around the dam wall. Arriving at the gate at the end of the moorland path, I joined three birders watching a Short-eared Owl soaring over the southern moorland, too far away for my 8x42's but I got a good view of it through one of their scopes. Thanks guys.

Moving on to the River Wharfe, I first came across a number of Grey Wagtails flying from bank to bank via the many rocks in the river. Then a Pied Wagtail imitating their behaviour. Further downstream was my highlight for the day, half a dozen well spread out Goosander, which I hoped would be there having seen them last year.

Had lunch at my usual spot downstream of the Strid, watching Wrens dart about on both sides of the river. After which, and further downstream, I sat watching a Grey Heron bathing in the river and shaking itself dry, dog-like!

No Dippers or Kingfishers this time but another great day at the Abbey.

 Truly wild Mallards

 Goosander on the Wharfe

My usual lunch spot

Shep the Heron shaking itself dry on the Wharfe