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The Fylde Coast
(Preview)
Managed to make it to the Fylde Coast and back again with Craggy. Set off about 8am and managed to spot Buzzards and Sparrowhawks displaying over Grane. First stop after nearly running a Redwing over near Freckleton was Fairhaven Lake where a Red-throated Diver in winter plumage s taken up reside...
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sarfraz
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1
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215
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Leighton Moss Today
(Preview)
Just a quick write up about how the day went. Craggy and I went. Just arrived after sunrise. Big welcome by a Song Thrush singing away with other smaller birds - a mini dawn chorus already. We stopped off at the Lillian's hide for a few minutes and most of the pool was frozen. Next stop was the Public...
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sarfraz
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10
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340
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Whose Laughing Now?
(Preview)
Craig Bell, Craggy and I met up and decided to go to High Tide watch and the chosen destination was Parkgate Marsh on the Wirral. We arrived at about 9.30am and stayed until about 1.30-2pm. One of the first birds we spotted , still a rarity but always around, was a Great White Egret. Other species s...
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sarfraz
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3
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327
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Winter Birding. 14/2/2015.
(Preview)
We thought we would have a change and have a trip on a Saturday with myself, Bob K & Steve K for company, with Steve K driving. We quickly worked out a trip into Yorkshire with a couple of new sites on the agenda. We met at a time that had allowed more sleep and we set off into a dense fog patch from Rochdal...
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David Ousey
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0
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212
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Laughing Gull on the Wirral.8/2/2015.
(Preview)
A trip to see the wintering Ring Ouzel`s in North Wales along with the various scoters got us all rarin` to go. Then as often happens a lifer turns up for a couple of the team. So a change of plan, get to New Brighton in Cheshire to see a first winter Laughing Gull. The bird should be on the east coast of Americ...
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David Ousey
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0
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194
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Dovestones RSPB
(Preview)
Was passing by the area on Thursday so made a brief visit. Lots of snow still lying around, would have looked a real winter wonderland last week. A couple of reservoirs, woods ands brilliant moorland are the main habitat. The landscape is very dramatic and probably second only to the Lakes in the...
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sarfraz
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0
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280
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Langden Valley, Forest of Bowland
(Preview)
A quick visit yesterday and before reaching the valley I saw:- a Buzzard, a min of 40 Lapwing, 1 red breasted merganser male on a river, 2 kestrels around the hareden area at the Langden valley:- 51 mallards on the river min 4 wrens a pair of stonechat at langden castle 1 kestrel 2 buzzard On th...
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sarfraz
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0
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180
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Greater Manchester Birding.24/1/2015.
(Preview)
A mini trip around Greater Manchester with myself and Steve K leaving Rochdale around 8am. The weather was kind to us with the recent snow having been washed away in most areas. Binn Green near Greenfield (ex-Yorkshire) was first up and the expected Red Grouse were soon heard then seen with a Raven for...
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David Ousey
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0
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151
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Fylde Coasting. 18/1/2015.
(Preview)
Nearly a full squad of A Teamers for a trip to the seaside, with the promise of some different birds and a couple from last year, who seemed to be wintering. We left a snowy Norden around 7-30am after a few local difficulties, well put Chris, who took the wheel. We got through the various belts of icy fog an...
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David Ousey
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0
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162
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Little B-stard in Bridlington,Yorkshire. 2/1/2015.
(Preview)
A Little Bustard was found near Bridlington,Yorkshire on New Year`s Eve. A couple of the A Team had not seen this species before, so a trip was planned for Friday the 2nd January (not our usual New Year`s Day trip due to poor weather forecast,Big Mistake) Now Steve K not really known for his "quick...
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David Ousey
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0
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162
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Blyth`s spirit reaches the "A" team. 13/14th December 2014.
(Preview)
Way back in 1994 myself and Bob K were lucky enough to see a Blyth`s Pipit at Landguard Point, Suffolk. The bird was catching "blue-bottles" (thanks Brian) and showing very well most of the time and was thought to be only the second record of this species recorded in Britain. When local bird...
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David Ousey
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0
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175
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Sharm el Sheik. November 2014.
(Preview)
Here is my report about birding in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt November 2014. Hope you enjoy it! Dave Ousey.
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David Ousey
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0
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220
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Marshside and Hesketh Out Marsh. 23rd Nov `14.
(Preview)
Another decent day on the Ribble marshes. 10am - 3pm. Marshside - Plenty of the usual species, Pink feet, Wigeon, Teal, Larks and Pipits..etc .Lots of Waders/ Ducks on the shore at high tide. Highlights - Ad male Hen Harrier hunting the saltmarsh most of the morning with excellent close views at the...
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C Bel
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1
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194
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RSPB MARINE DRIVE SOUTHPORT 01-11-2014
(Preview)
Had a day in southport so had quick look at RSPB Marshside Birds seen Cormorant Pink-Footed Geese mostly flying over some large groups Tufted Duck Pochard Shelduck Mallard Wigeon Teal in large number 2 Little Grebes in winter plumage seen on marine lake(photo) Coot see at both RSPB and marine lake b...
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craggy
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0
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204
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Eastern Crowned Warbler in Cleveland. Friday 31st October 2014
(Preview)
Whilst visiting the Isles of Scilly in October 2009, a real "mega" bird had turned up at Trow Quarry, South Shields, Tyne & Wear. The bird, an Eastern Crowned Warbler was a first for Britain. So as we made the long journey home from Scilly, Bob K remarked, "That`s one we have missed...
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David Ousey
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0
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196
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Spurn. 10th to 12th October 2014
(Preview)
Early October and its Spurn time again! Our dear wives look forward to it just as much as we do, I think. After all the exciting few weeks that we have had recently at Spurn, we thought that with the weather, not appearing to be very good for migrants, that it could be quiet, correct! Caravan booked at th...
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David Ousey
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7
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331
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Sunnyhurst Woods Darwen 17-10-2014
(Preview)
52 Mallard on old mill pond Blue-Great and Coal Tit in some nice large mix groups Goldcrest calling but not seen Blackbird M/F in good numbers 1 Kestrel hunting along earnsdale reservoir dam embankment 3 Wren 4 Nuthatch but a lot more calling birds Woodpigeons lots Small stream that runs through the...
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craggy
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4
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237
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Spurn Revisited. Sunday 21st September 2014.
(Preview)
After last weeks 71 species and a hand full of "year ticks" we found ourselves going to Spurn again! The reason, a certain Masked Shrike that had been found on Saturday morning, the third recorded in Britain. We waited for news before "going over the hill" into Yorkshire and aro...
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David Ousey
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1
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211
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Flamborough Head & West Yorkshire Sites. Sunday 31st August 2014.
(Preview)
Just myself and Chris B for a trip to the east coast with me driving. We met in Newhey at 6am and arrived at Flamborough at 8am with the roads nice and quiet. The weather was dull at first and becoming sunny around midday. There had been some good birds during the week with easterly winds and good sea watchi...
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David Ousey
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1
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247
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RE: Spurn. 14/9/2014
(Preview)
With a counter attraction on the Wirral of Cattle Egret, Red necked Phalarope & Pectoral Sandpiper, we put it to the vote and went to Spurn on the east coast. We thought there was more potential of something "rare" turning up and we were not disappointed. A full "A" team was a...
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David Ousey
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3
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299
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Mersey Meanderings. Sunday 17th August.2014.
(Preview)
Myself and the two Steve`s decided on visiting a couple of new places of birding interest last Sunday. These sites often get mentioned on RBA, but, we have never visited them, they are Carr Lane Pools in Hale and Pickering`s Pasture in Hale Bank, near Widnes. The weather all day was showery with sunny...
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David Ousey
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1
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244
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BEMPTON CLIFFS 05-08-2014
(Preview)
Was at Whitby for a while so called into Bempton Cliffs It was not the height of the breeding season but it was a sight to be seen The Puffins were still there about 20 to 30 of them, not on the cliffs but on the sea nice to see though Fulmar - Kittiwake - Herring Gull all in good numbers Gannets in their hundre...
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craggy
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0
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236
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Excrsion into Yorkshire. Sunday 3rd August 2014.
(Preview)
Myself and Steve K did a trip into deepest Yorkshire, after our plan to go into the Midlands to see a Pacific Golden Plover, had to be changed after the plover departed! We left Rochdale with Steve driving around 7am on a really nice morning. We arrived at Broomhill Flash, near Barnsley at 8-10am. A sear...
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David Ousey
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0
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239
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Aston Rowant, Bucks.
(Preview)
I recently managed a hour on this chalkland reserve which is fantastic for butterflies with the following being noted: Silver Spotted Skipper, c30, Small Skipper, c10, Brimstone, 2, Brown Argus, c12, Common Blue, c12, Chalkhill Blue, c30, Peacock, c6, Gatekeeper, c6, Small Heath, c6, Red Kite, c...
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David Nuttall
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0
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200
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Northern Lancashire.Sunday 20th July 2014
(Preview)
An almost full compliment of A-Teamers (communication/time zone problems?) left Rochdale at the later time of 7am for a day out in North Lancashire. First stop Conder Green with myself driving in my new car. The hoped for Spotted Redshank that is always reported could not be found anywhere. Lots of...
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David Ousey
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0
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254
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Shatterford & Martin Down, Hampshire.
(Preview)
Shatterford, New Forest. Little Egret, 1, Grey Heron, 1, Buzzard, 2, Curlew, calling birds, Stock Dove, pair, Nightjar, 1 was disturbed by a party in front of me and flew around for 30 seconds in broad daylight before going back into cover. Swift, c40 hawking over the marshy areas, G.S.Woodpecker, 2...
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David Nuttall
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0
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235
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Short Toed Eagle. Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Sunday 22nd June 2014.
(Preview)
A few days before a family holiday is not the ideal time to go rushing off on a twitch at the other end of the country, now is it? So when a Short Toed Eagle was first seen in Hampshire and later in East Sussex, I thought I will have to miss that one, even after a couple of my fellow A Team birder friends had tried...
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David Ousey
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0
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216
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Local Birding in Tunisia.13th to 20th June 2014.
(Preview)
A family holiday spent at the Sahara Beach Hotel in Skanes, Monastir, Tunisia. It was our fifth visit to the area so I already knew where to go birding. Managed to do some birding every day, but mainly in the morning, usually around 6-15am as it became very warm around 9-30am. The area around this hotel i...
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David Ousey
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0
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213
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Cant see the Wood for the Trees.11/5/2014
(Preview)
After a damp trip up Pendle Hill to see the Dotterel the day before, I hoped for a dryer day for our usual trip to Bolton Abbey Woods. Myself, Chris B and Bob K aboard in Chriss car left my house for Bolton Abbey and a few other places! The weather throughout the day remained kind to us apart from a couple of sh...
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David Ousey
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4
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276
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Norfolk Wanderings. 25/5/2014
(Preview)
Four intrepid souls risked another 24 hour birding trip,well it was only 23 hours really! An 11pm start after a gripping European Cup Final with Bob K at the helm. We had a little rain through Lincs and as we arrived at Dersingham Bog a little "sea fret" was in the air. Down into the bog we desce...
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David Ousey
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1
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255
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