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Lancashire Mandarin Chase. 30/3/2014
(Preview)
With the hour less in bed catching one of our number out and another preparing for an overseas visit, a much depleted "A Team" left Rochdale at 6am with myself at the wheel. First stop, to "tick off" Mandarin, was Preston Grasshopper's rugby club pond, good start no Mandarin`s,...
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David Ousey
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173
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Brook's End to World's End. 16/3/2014.
(Preview)
Whilst one of our number was watching the Great Spotted Cuckoo in Pembrokeshire and another doing his conservation thing the 3 remaining members of the A Team (Steve B, myself and Chris B at the wheel) headed for North Wales. Our target was the Black Grouse at the well named World's End, we left Brooks E...
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David Ousey
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0
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202
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Glasson Dock -Lune Estuary 08-03-2014
(Preview)
Took our bikes up to Glasson docks today and peddled along side Lune Estuary A good variety of birds seen 6 Little Egrets Shelduck overall seen throughout the day 1000+ 22 Swans seen in all 3 Coot 12 Cormorant Oystercatcher in one flock alone 110 Teal seen all day in groups of 20+ Redshank in flocks of 1...
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craggy
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1
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203
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Half a day on the Mersey Way. 1/3/2014
(Preview)
Our almost annual trip to Moore local nature reserve in Warrington was well attended this year, apart from one of the lads choosing down rather than feathers! We met at 6am in Rochdale and with myself at the wheel arrived at Moore around 7am. It was cold but we had the reserve almost to ourselves. After...
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David Ousey
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186
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Black Grouse, 22nd Feb 2014
(Preview)
We came back from the North East on Saturday via the Northern Pennines and saw flocks of 10 & 6 Blackcock feeding on rough moorland & pasture so good to see they seem to be doing okay! Regards, David Nuttall.
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David Nuttall
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191
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Myrtle Warbler in County Durham.16/2/2014
(Preview)
Having been lucky enough to have seen a Yellow Rumped or Myrtle Warbler on Scilly in the early 80s, the appearance of one near Durham didnt get me twitching the same as all my birding mates! Bob K dashed up last week and connected and the York lads did the same,well done to you all. The other 3 members of the...
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David Ousey
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213
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Not a nice day in Notts. 26/1/2014
(Preview)
The recent invasion of Parrot Crossbill's into England meant that we could go and get a new species for two of our members. So a full A Team set of for Budby Common in Sherwood Forest, south of Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Up to 14 Parrot Crossbill's had been seen in the area over the past week and in general...
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David Ousey
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190
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Parkgate Saturday 1 February
(Preview)
A toss up between the Ribble and the Dee - the latter had a bigger tide of 10.2metres so I decided to visit it. The tide was in at 12 noon and I arrived at 10am and managed to get a parking space on the promenade. I had not been there 10 minutes and 2 Ringtail Hen Harriers and a Peregrine made an appearance. ...
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sarfraz
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224
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Burton Marsh Revisited. 12/1/2014.
(Preview)
The American Buff Bellied Pipit had gone missing for a few days from Burton Marsh on the Wirral, but it re-appeared on Saturday,so a trip was arranged as all our group (except me,again) needed this species for a lifer. I felt much better than my last visit as we all arrived at the marsh (except Bob K who wa...
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David Ousey
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185
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New Year's Day Dip! 2014
(Preview)
Happy New Year to all. The arrival of an American Buff Bellied Pipit on the Wirral in December was an unusual sighting. The bird had chosen to spend its time feeding on the tidal wrack caused by the recent gales,high tides etc.So, as all our team (except me) needed to see this species a trip was planned fo...
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David Ousey
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153
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Kings Gap Hoylake
(Preview)
High Tide Watch on Saturday 4th Jan 10.45am-2pm :- Grey Plovers - incl 1 in summer plumage Oystercatchers Bar Tailed Godwits Sanderling Knot Dunlin Redshank the 5 usual gull species some Shelduck Cormorants 2 Peregrines As the tide came in the waders came in closer and closer - there were in ex...
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sarfraz
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176
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MARSHSIDE/HESKETH OUT MARSH, RIBBLE ESTUARY, SOUTHPORT.
(Preview)
Excellent trip to this site on Sunday 27th Nov 2011 with R Archer.. With the big 10mtr tides last weekend covering most of the marsh area it was ideal conditions to see lots of waders/wildfowl/raptors pushed closer in. It didn`t dissapoint.. After going to the site for the last 3 Sundays, lots of the bi...
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C Bel
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6
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298
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Brunnich's Guillemot.Portland Harbour,Dorset 28/12/2013
(Preview)
2013 has really been an exceptional year for great birds so why should December be any different. So when, an unusual guillemot was seen in Portland Harbour on Boxing Day, it seemed like another rarity was on the cards. The bird was quickly identified as an Brunnichs Guillemot, but as we all know, they...
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David Ousey
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173
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Ebony & Ivory.20th/21st December 2013.
(Preview)
20th December. A Great Northern Diver had entertained Steve K on his latest fishing trip to Ladywood Lakes, Mirfield, Yorkshire. He said what a dark, well marked bird it was and that it was even singing/calling a little. Worth a go on a Friday dinner trip after work I thought. Upon arrival I could see th...
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David Ousey
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151
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A Hoopoe in December 14/12/2013
(Preview)
A Hoopoe was found near Rhyl, Wales in November and everyone thought thats late. So when it or another one was found near a caravan site in Pensarn, Wales in December people were really surprised! Chris B needed to see this species so a morning only trip was planned. We departed a cold, dark and bleak New...
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David Ousey
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150
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Baikal Teal,Marshside,Lancashire. 1st & 7th December 2013
(Preview)
I know its a bit late but I have got behind with all the comings & goings of this month. The last month of this already memorable 2013 year has been extraordinary and was to end on a real high for us all. It all started with the finding of a possible Baikal Teal near Marshside, Southport, Lancashire. Th...
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David Ousey
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138
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Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt -18th -25th November 2013
(Preview)
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt -18th -25th November 2013by David Ousey (david.ousey @ yahoo.com)Hotel Royal Albatros Modena, Nabq, Sharm el Sheikh After enjoying last years holiday in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt, we decided to go again and avoid the English climate. The 5 1/2 hour flight from Manchester and t...
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David Ousey
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175
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Marshside "BAIKAL" 30th Nov 2013
(Preview)
A couple of hours at Marshside this afternoon to have a look at any Peregrine, Merlin and Harriers turned into a memorable days birding !!! Straight after pulling up at the 1st gateway on the "Marine Drive", getting the scope out to scan the close-up wildfowl flock on the saltmarsh scrape a...
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C Bel
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3
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579
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A Tale of Two Greens
(Preview)
I had to make a work-related trip to London and with a few hours to spare I decided to visit the London Wetland Centre. For those who have not been it is a big nature reserve run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in one of the biggest cities in the world. From Euston I got a tube to Green Park and then t...
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sarfraz
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166
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Dee Estuary, Parkgate, Wirral
(Preview)
13:00-15:00 Cormorant, c200 stood on sandbanks in the estuary, Grey Heron, 2, Little Egret, c10, Pink Footed Goose, c500, Teal, c500, Shoveler, pair, Buzzard, c6 on the drive in, Peregrine, 3 perched birds with one eventually taking flight over the estuary, Merlin, 1 perched female, Hen Harrier,...
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David Nuttall
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165
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Southport, 17th Nov 2013
(Preview)
12:00-14:00 Grey Heron, 1, Little Egret, c8 on the marshes and 11 later at roost on Marine Lake, Mute Swan, c12, Ross' Goose, 1 with Grey Lags, Grey Lag Goose, c60, Pink Footed Goose, c1000, Canada Goose, c200, Barnacle Goose, 1 with Pink Feet, Teal, c1000, Mallard, c200. Wigeon, c2000, Shoveler, c4...
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David Nuttall
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169
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Yorkshire Coast, 28-30th Oct 2013
(Preview)
we had a few days in Scarborough last week with the following sightings between the Ice Creams! R.T.Diver, c10 especially at Flamborough Head, Slavonian Grebe, 1 on Hornsea Mere, Whooper Swan, herds of 4 & 2 in off the sea, Goshawk, pair at Wykeham, Red Kite, 1 near Harrogate on the way over, Pereg...
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David Nuttall
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174
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Hartlepool Hat trick. 20/10/2013
(Preview)
Press ? for Keyboard Shortcuts. Hartlepool Hat-Trick. 20/10/2013 The town of Hartlepool has got a good reputation for attracting rare birds, White-throated Robin & Western Orphean Warbler of recent times. So, when 3 rare birds were seen on Saturday we got a trip up ther...
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David Ousey
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181
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SPURN TRIP 4/6th October 2013
(Preview)
Our annual trip came around again and it did not disappoint. There were new birds for the year, a twitch, sunny weather and finally a loss which has become a found! Me and Bob K left Rochdale early in dreadful weather on Friday and it looked good for, bad weather,good birds etc. By Hull the rain had s...
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David Ousey
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207
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Glossy Ibis, Horwich Moors
(Preview)
Finally caught up with them. A must see. Coming up to a few metres away. Some have had them a few yards away. These rare visitors are giving very good close views. They can move around so d keep a track on their whereabouts on the forums.
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sarfraz
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212
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Redisher Woods /Moorbottom Road and Holcombe Moor 24/09/2013
(Preview)
Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Curlew 1 Meadow Pipits large numbers in small flocks on Holcombe moor Sparrowhawk heard Pheasants heard Green Woodpecker heard Goldfinch in ones and two's Magpie 6 and 7 in flocks 5 flocks seen Cheers Craggy
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craggy
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184
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Cathedral in the mist. 22/9/2013
(Preview)
We had planned to go to Hilbre Island on the Wirral, but, the winds did not look very promising, so, we decided to go to find the Blue winged Teal's in Lincoln. A fully employed "A" team met in Newhey for a 6am departure with Bob K at the wheel. My idea of a shortcut over the tops turned into a bit of...
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David Ousey
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221
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Darwen 23/09/2013
(Preview)
Sunny Hurst Woods to Jubilee Tower around Darwen Hill Willow Warbler 2 Chiffchaff in song House Martin and Swallow mix 40 to 50 in one group Stonechat 8 Goldfinch in two flocks of 30 and 20 Chaffinch 10 Meadow pipit lots in groups 6 to 10 Coal tit 4 Sparrow Hawk 1 having a go at the goldfinch Red Grouse 5 w...
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craggy
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199
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An Italian in Norfolk 6/9/13
(Preview)
Whilst searching through a few websites, about birding, I noticed that Lee Evans considers the Italian Sparrow as a full species. Quite a bit of science has been applied to this and it appears in the second edition of the Collins guide. So that when an apparent, Italian Sparrow, turned up in Norfolk, I...
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David Ousey
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1
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218
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Salgados Lagoon, Nr Albufeira, Portugal, 26th Aug 2013
(Preview)
10:00-13:00 I managed to spend 3 hours or so on this super reserve which is a coastal lagoon a short bus ride from the hustle of Albufeira. It produced some great sightings for me including Greater Flamingo which was a new species personally. Most of the waders were in a shallow bay on the north side of t...
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David Nuttall
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300
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