29th APRIL 2007.
A MOST UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
Arriving directly from the Lonsdale Road LNR, we were still chattering about the Tawny Owl that we had been lucky enough to have seen. We were, in fact, quite early even for us. Leon popped off to ‘make himself comfortable’ and I took up station at the Entrance Lake. This a much overlooked part of the site and we often sit here for a while before entering the main site. As I sat and watched, a Song Thrush appeared on the bank farthest away from me; I was able to watch it for some time, quartering the area in its’ search for food. It flew off suddenly when a large group of Starlings took fright and then flight!
Entering the site proper, we came upon our friend Terry who was working as a volunteer for the day. We told him all about the owl that we had seen and the progress that the Sparrowhawks had made He informed us that the Gargeney that we had hoped to see had not been spotted at all that day. We moved into the Observatory.
A MOST UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
Arriving directly from the Lonsdale Road LNR, we were still chattering about the Tawny Owl that we had been lucky enough to have seen. We were, in fact, quite early even for us. Leon popped off to ‘make himself comfortable’ and I took up station at the Entrance Lake. This a much overlooked part of the site and we often sit here for a while before entering the main site. As I sat and watched, a Song Thrush appeared on the bank farthest away from me; I was able to watch it for some time, quartering the area in its’ search for food. It flew off suddenly when a large group of Starlings took fright and then flight!
Entering the site proper, we came upon our friend Terry who was working as a volunteer for the day. We told him all about the owl that we had seen and the progress that the Sparrowhawks had made He informed us that the Gargeney that we had hoped to see had not been spotted at all that day. We moved into the Observatory.
TERRY, IN FULL WORKING ORDER!Photo; Leon Rusk.
THE GRAZING MARSH, NEARLY DRY!
The weather, as promised, was beautiful; the sky was now clear and blue, a soft breeze blew and refreshed us. The light was very good and so we made the most of it scanning the site. Neil, one of the chaps who has taken Leon and I on a walk before, came in and we told him about the owl and the Sparrowhawks. He said that he would try to get down to see them tomorrow. He also told us some stories of Herons and their nesting habits, as usual; it was good to hear one of the experts talking.
We followed our usual route around the site, visiting the Wildside area and hide first and seeing quite a few small birds. The Reed and Sedge Warblers are really starting to dominate the air with their rasping songs. We could often see them flitting from one reedbed to another.
Having started so early again, we were quite hungry and decided that we should not miss breakfast. On the way back to the restaurant we poked our heads into the Headley hide for a few moments. There were a few large gulls to be seen but no Black-Headed ones. I said that I would have a proper look a little later on; I needed to take my time as the birds are now changing so rapidly I get confused if I rush! The other area of interest, the island between the hide and the Observatory, could not be viewed properly because the sun was in the wrong position. On second thoughts, perhaps it was us that were in the wrong position.
We followed our usual route around the site, visiting the Wildside area and hide first and seeing quite a few small birds. The Reed and Sedge Warblers are really starting to dominate the air with their rasping songs. We could often see them flitting from one reedbed to another.
Having started so early again, we were quite hungry and decided that we should not miss breakfast. On the way back to the restaurant we poked our heads into the Headley hide for a few moments. There were a few large gulls to be seen but no Black-Headed ones. I said that I would have a proper look a little later on; I needed to take my time as the birds are now changing so rapidly I get confused if I rush! The other area of interest, the island between the hide and the Observatory, could not be viewed properly because the sun was in the wrong position. On second thoughts, perhaps it was us that were in the wrong position.
THE GRAZING MARSH, NEARLY DRY!Photo; Leon Rusk.
THE SCRAPE: STILL DEEP ENOUGH FOR SWANS
Whilst we had our breakfast Terry joined us to snatch a quick cup of coffee; he needed this because he was about to take over at …… Explore! He only stayed a very short while and, after making us promise to ‘phone him with any news about anything ‘good’, moved off to meet his doom. The man deserves a medal!
Breakfast finished, we made our way into the Waterlife area. A Grey Wagtail had been seen here earlier but had now, obviously, moved on. As we walked along we wee still talking about the owl and the Sparrowhawks from earlier in the day. We thought that we couldn’t see anything to top those today, but, we were wrong!
Just before reaching the Dulverton hide, Leon asked what all the commotion was and why the crowd? We were soon to find out! We new it must be something out of the ordinary because two of the resident experts, Rupert and Dan, were laughing. “What is it?” inquired Leon. “A Pelican!” came the answer. I looked around for the cameras but saw none; I wasn’t going to appear on ‘Candid Camera’! We followed the direction that everybody was looking in and …. there it was! A Great White Pelican, no less! It was huge, it looked like a flying door! The bird, brilliant white with black edges to its’ wings, soared around the site. It really made flight look elegant and effortless. The chaps thought that it might be the bird that was resident at St James’ Park ding its’ spring fly about. Leon quickly ‘phoned Terry and told him to get over to the Dulverton hide to see a Pelican. I wonder if he looked about for cameras. Quite a good crowd gathered to see the bird, most of whom I would think were impressed.
Breakfast finished, we made our way into the Waterlife area. A Grey Wagtail had been seen here earlier but had now, obviously, moved on. As we walked along we wee still talking about the owl and the Sparrowhawks from earlier in the day. We thought that we couldn’t see anything to top those today, but, we were wrong!
Just before reaching the Dulverton hide, Leon asked what all the commotion was and why the crowd? We were soon to find out! We new it must be something out of the ordinary because two of the resident experts, Rupert and Dan, were laughing. “What is it?” inquired Leon. “A Pelican!” came the answer. I looked around for the cameras but saw none; I wasn’t going to appear on ‘Candid Camera’! We followed the direction that everybody was looking in and …. there it was! A Great White Pelican, no less! It was huge, it looked like a flying door! The bird, brilliant white with black edges to its’ wings, soared around the site. It really made flight look elegant and effortless. The chaps thought that it might be the bird that was resident at St James’ Park ding its’ spring fly about. Leon quickly ‘phoned Terry and told him to get over to the Dulverton hide to see a Pelican. I wonder if he looked about for cameras. Quite a good crowd gathered to see the bird, most of whom I would think were impressed.
THE SCRAPE: STILL DEEP ENOUGH FOR SWANSPhoto: Leon Rusk.
MORE POTENTIAL HERON FOOD
As the bird moved away, so did we; after saying thanks for the ‘heads-up’. We continued making our way around the site in our usual fashion; moving next to the feeder area, which was almost deserted apart from a rat, and then on to the Wader Scrape hide by way of the Sheltered Lagoon. It had gone fairly quiet as we moved around, although we had seen so much it hardly seemed to matter!
We met up with Philip in the Scrape hide; he hadn’t seen the Pelican and we decided to swap ‘phone numbers so that we might keep each other informed of anything interesting in the future.
Having moved on to the peacock Tower, the quiet seemed to have reached all parts of the site. We could see the Little Ringed Plover quite well and we had some cracking views of the Sedge Warbler that has taken up residence in the reeds just outside of the tower itself. Just like last Friday he was singing his little heart out.
We met up with Philip in the Scrape hide; he hadn’t seen the Pelican and we decided to swap ‘phone numbers so that we might keep each other informed of anything interesting in the future.
Having moved on to the peacock Tower, the quiet seemed to have reached all parts of the site. We could see the Little Ringed Plover quite well and we had some cracking views of the Sedge Warbler that has taken up residence in the reeds just outside of the tower itself. Just like last Friday he was singing his little heart out.
MORE POTENTIAL HERON FOODPhoto; Leon Rusk.
We visited the WWF hide and then made our way to say farewell to Terry. I told him that I would probably not stay at ‘the office’ very long and might even return to see if anything else turned up. In the end though, sue turned up and we stayed a little longer than planned!
BIRDS SEEN: Coot, Moorhen, Magpie, Canada Goose, Starling, Swift, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Feral Pigeon, Blue Tit, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Mallard, Common Sandpiper, Heron, Wood Pigeon, Tufted Duck, Common Tern, House Martin, Sand Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Kestrel, Wren, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Little Grebe, Blackcap, Ring Necked Parakeet, Wren, Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Reed Warbler, Pochard, Ruddy Duck, Great White Pelican, Sedge Warbler, Greylag Goose, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Common Snipe, Green Woodpecker.
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