You wouldn't have thought it would take up to four people the best part of three weeks to clear a semi-detached house and then clean it from top to bottom, but I hadn't ventured for the fact that 95% of all the goods that China has produced over the last ten years to be crammed into every cupboard, nook and cranny.It was good therefore to be able to take the opportunity to restore my sanity with a trip to Fenn's Moss.
It was hardly peaceful with the RAF training helicopters pratting about, but fortunately they were unable to drown out a calling Cuckoo, nor deter a hunting Hobby whose mastery of the air made the 'copters attempts at manoeuvrability look comical.
Before I had even reached the moss proper, I had bagged my first Ringlet of the year - a lone flyer amongst the ranks of Large Skipper and Meadow Brown.
Dragonflies, as expected were everywhere: the vast majority were Four-spotted Chasers, with a few Broad-bodied thrown in for good measure. The specialty - White-faced Darter was thankfully not hard to find - a male even had the temerity to land on my knee whilst I was sat next to one of the ditches!
A singing Garden Warbler nearby completed a superb morning - it wont be long before I'm back for more..
Until later.
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that the Moss's are in good form,particularly with Cuckoo's and Hobby's making a continued appearance there.
We haven't been there so far this year,but we will be hopefully making a trip out there at some stage.
It really is nice seeing so many Dragonflies about at the moment,and myself,Mel and Leif watched them for a long time darting around Llyn Helyg.
P.S.
I'm really pleased that you're House move went well,but when we went away travelling around Spain and France in 2003,I learnt a very valuable lesson about keeping things you no longer use..........BIN THEM !!!
CHEERS DENZIL
Hi Paul
ReplyDeletePlease see email
Cheers Denzil
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteI returned to normality today after the shock of visiting Shotton Pools.
I recorded only 27 species there in total,the worst by a "Country Mile" since I've been Birding there.
Their decision to carry out so called improvements to the Reserve during the breeding season is "Criminal" and the obvious effects that it has had,have to be seen to be believed.
There was not a single bird of any description on any of the Pools,and the gentleman who was wandering around the place,doing whatever he was doing,was causing non stop agitation to the Warblers in the Reed Beds,in fact the first thing that I noticed when I got there was the sound of their "Alarm Calls"
But to really put the whole thing into perspective,I noticed that the breeding Black Headed Gulls nests had been deliberately removed from the "Tern Rafts" which I believe to be a Criminal Offence,but if I'm wrong regarding that fact,could you or any of your readers please correct me,but I don't think I am.
SHOTTON POOLS NR
TOO UPSET TO EVEN BOTHER LISTING
WORLDS END
03-07-2010
10.00 AM - 4.00 PM
HEN HARRIER - MALE 1
CHIFFCHAFF 8
WILLOW WARBLER 9
COAL TIT 7
SISKIN c30
NUTHATCH 1
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 2
RAVEN 8
COMMON BUZZARD 2
BULLFINCH 6
BLACKCAP 3
LONG TAILED TIT 12
GOLDCREST 3
REDSTART 5
SKYLARK 2
MEADOW PIPIT c50
TREE PIPIT 7
WHINCHAT 9
STONECHAT 7
WHEATEAR 5
COMMON WHITETHROAT 3
KESTREL 1
JAY 1
DIPPER 1
GREY WAGTAIL 5
CHEERS DENZIL
Why did you not ask the chap who was wondering about what he was up to.
ReplyDeleteIf the Countryside Rangers or whatever they call themselves now are involved then the wildlife has no chance because they are clueless.
The Dee Birder
Thanks for replying to my Post(Dee Birder)
ReplyDeleteI knew exactly who the gentleman was.
The thing that has upset me the most is that I was Birding on the Reserve at the time when the Common Terns deserted again this year,and a discussion was taking place amongst a group of people sat by the Ringing Hut,as to why they thought this had happened.
Amongst the suggestions were Mink,and also Ravens which were breeding in the Corus Tower,and the Black Headed Gull colony on the Tern Rafts.
When I returned only a couple of days later I was horified to see that Mink Traps had been set,the entrance to the Ravens breeding site had been boarded up,and that the entire Black Headed Gull colony,which included both eggs and young had been destroyed.
And remember that this was done by people who were running a Nature Reserve.
Sadly I've now concluded my Year List for Shotton Pools NR,which was originally to be completed on the 31st December 2010,and will no longer be visiting the Reserve,purely and simply because I cannot morally have anything to do with anywhere or anyone who intentionally abuses birds and their rights.
SHOTTON POOLS NATURE RESERVE
YEAR LIST FOR 2010
SADLY ONLY FROM 1st JANUARY 2010
UPTO AND INCLUDING 30th JUNE 2010
101 SPECIES RECORDED
It would obviously be too tedious for everyone for me to list them all,so here are the best birds............
MARSH WARBLER
CETTIS WARBLER
WATER RAIL
BARN OWL
LITTLE OWL
LITTLE TERN
WHITE WAGTAIL
GREENLAND WHEATEAR
RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE
WHEATEAR
SPOTTED REDSHANK
TWITE
WHIMBREL
SANDWICH TERN
CHEERS DENZIL
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteSHOTTON WORKS DISCHARGE POOL
07-07-2010
WOOD SANDPIPER 1
GREEN SANDPIPER 1
CHEERS DENZIL
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteA stunning day,in stunning scenery,enjoying some stunning birds.
WORLDS END
08-07-2010
8.45AM - 6.00PM
50 SPECIES RECORDED
LONG TAILED TIT 9
CHIFFCHAFF 7
BLACKCAP 7
JAY 2
LINNET 23
BULLFINCH 2
WILLOW WARBLER 5
NUTHATCH 2
TREECREEPER 2
GOLDCREST 2
COMMON BUZZARD 6
COAL TIT 4
RAVEN 5
PEREGRINE FALCON 3
YELLOWHAMMER 1
SPARROWHAWK 1
MEADOW PIPIT c30
TREE PIPIT 3
WHEATEAR 2
KESTREL 4
STONECHAT 3
HEN HARRIER - FEMALE 1
SKYLARK 2
WHINCHAT 12
COMMON WHITETHROAT 5
REDSTART 5
SISKIN 2
GREY WAGTAIL 4
DIPPER 2
CHEERS DENZIL
Hi Paul, hows it going? Missing your regular blog posts, hope the move is going on.
ReplyDeleteHi Denzil, just looking here to check if you had updated about any good sightings at Shotton pools as we'd just had our membership info through the post and I'm shocked reading what you have said! I can't condone this kind of behaviour and although my dad probably won't care and still want to join Im not too sure I would be interested. A Nature Reserve should be just that a reserve for nature, whatever way it pans out, it's not always good news. Protection of all species should be the goal but clearly Shotton pools has only one concern.. the tern colony. Seems to me the Terns are smarter than the people running it and would rather test somewhere safer for themselves than nest where the people want them to nest!
Hi Paul
ReplyDelete1 Hobby over Minera Lead Mines and Country Park,Nr to Worlds End.
Cheers Denzil
Hi Ash
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice to hear from you again,and I hope that the photography is still turning up some more great Shots.
I've said everything that I wanted to regarding what happened at Shotton,and now as far as I'm concerned the matter is closed.
I will not be contacting the RSPB regarding the matter either,but I have now finished my days 'Birding' there,and will not be renewing my Permit.
As you've probably seen I've been going up to Worlds End alot recently,and I would definitely say that you should go up there.
It's a place that is only worth visiting during the Spring and Summer months,as far as birds are concerned,but the atmosphere and the scenery at any time of year,is exhilerating to say the least.
I had pretty poor views of a female Hen Harrier yesterday,but fantastic views of hunting Peregrines over the Moors,and got some nice photographs of a male Redstart sitting out in the open along the Offa's Dyke Path.
But the 1 thing that will live with me for a long time to come,is the male Hen Harrier that I saw on my last visit there,the bird passed within a short distance of where I was sitting on the Moors,and to see such a beautiful bird in such beautiful and tranquil surroundings,put a lump in my throat,and made my eyes water.
CHEERS DENZIL
HI Denzil, Thanks for getting back to me. I can understand you wanting to talk no more about it. I'm just disgusted that it's happened. A shame too as I was looking forward to joining, maybe I still will as my dad is insistent on joining if only to take a look at what it's like.
ReplyDeleteThe photography is still going well, as always i'm still posting to my flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/15863412@N00/ if you would like to view the images ( it's free to view). I've noticed Worlds End getting mentioned a lot and although I have no transport I'll have to get my dad to go take a trip up there, it sounds like there's some interesting species up there. It would be nice to view your images Denzil are they online anywhere? Also do you have an email address I can get in touch with you directly Denzil if I have any interesting sightings to report.
Cheers
Ash
Actually just had a another think about it and I won't be joining at all. Anyway enough about that.
ReplyDeleteHi Ash
ReplyDeleteIt would be a pleasure to give you my email address,it is.......
johnnicklin234@btinternet.com
Cheers Denzil
Hi "Denzil",
ReplyDeleteRegards the "activity" you describe at the tern colonoy - surely some illegal activites have gone on? Surely you should submit a report to the police because what it sounds like is that the Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981 has been breached? Deliberate disturbance of nesting birds resulting in the death of young and abandonment of the nests? You already have all the details and therefore all you would need to do is to submit your report?
Very very concerned.