[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #5788

Screaming, a peak of 42 at 9.20pm. Still active in local groups to 22.10pm, individuals later

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Canada goose northward moult migration #5648

I saw those too Andrew. They were flying very low is all I can add.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Canada goose northward moult migration #5620

Pete, there were six CG in a line paddling up the Kent Channel on the incoming tide at Teal Bay a couple of days ago. Whether they were migrating I’ve no idea. They were swimming North though. I have to admit I thought ‘unusual bird at this location’ but didn’t post anything.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts (again) #5524

Up to 14 birds now apparent in the Freehold area as of last night.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts (again) #5503

A count of five now screaming around Eastern Freehold 8th and 9th May

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts (again) #5486

….I was just about to post exactly this. About 8.45am. 2 birds over Grasmere Road. They should be dribbling in over the next few days with the main colony in about 2 -3 weeks usually…

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swift #5451

Certainly have Andrew. Not seen any this morning either 🙂

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Silverdale Moss & Lapwing #5406

I had a trawl around Abbeystead and Dolphinholme yesterday afternoon and it was striking how few lapwing I encountered. Also in February and March there were very few inland flights of daily commuting flocks….this used to be a regular sight over Lancaster.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Whimbrel – Quernmore #5405

Same time, same places, similar numbers as previous years. Interesting. A farmer local to the Damas Gill Reservoir told me several years ago that the fields around the water are used as a roost whilst the birds are passing though and have been for many years.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Morecambe Prom and Teal Bay #4639

Worth a check. I have clocked 2 and also 3 twite in the ‘rocked off’ Teal Bay parking spot by the lone thorn bush. They fly to the bush then back to feed in front of the groyne, out of sight amongst the green growth. If you have a narrow car you can squeeze between the rocks and park up as you used to do.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: JBP #4368

Coastal waders are no longer unusual on Crosshill Park (Torrisholme CC, Westgate CC, the Vale of Lune or Bare CC aligning Barley Cop Lane and Powderhouse Lane. The most common visitors are Oystercatchers, up to 40 or 50 on occasions. Redshank and sometimes Godwits are also visitors depending upon soil moisture. The wetter the better, associated with a high tide. This was not the case 20 years ago. There is a more than ample earthworm population for them to exploit. In addition, there are always 3 or 4 regular trampling gulls, dancing for their supper.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Geese #4037

2 large skeins PF geese over Lancaster around 1.30 and 3pm …. estimated at 100 each

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3883

No sightings Mon am or pm in perfect viewing conditions. None this morning Tuesday either. I would guess that’s about it for Freehold swifts this year but well worth looking out for migrants through.

Quite a few swallows heading due south, a little egret for the shore, a buzzard over the city and a tit party through the gardens this morning.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3880

No swifts Sat morning when I looked between 7am and 9am. Finished work after dark Saturday so no record. No swifts this morning, Sunday. Just one so far this evening favouring what looks to be an area over Borrowdale/Grasmere Road so there may be a nest in that area. Over the last hour it has descended to rooftop height then reappeared 200 or more feet up several times.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3866

And still 3 swifts low at rooftop level as late as 8.20pm in Freehold. These must be nest attenders as the overcast drizzly conditions don’t encourage the migrating bird. They pass through on on a committed Southerly direction at speed.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3861

It is on the late side by about a week so far. I assume this is because we had a very cold April and a very wet May. I’ve seen 6 or 7 birds this morning, Friday over Windermere/Derwent. They are the same as the ones you’ve recorded over Borrowdale. I have recorded nests attended in September but not for many years.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3859

A continuing and rather baffling saga. 6 birds in drizzle last night then unusually 9 birds between 6am and 8am this morning in overcast skies definitely not on a migratory journey but just blogging/feeding with perhaps 1 or 2 nest visiting though this is tricky to confirm. This evening 5 birds to rooftop level and 6 more not descending from height.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3852

13 swifts over Freehold circling between 7pm and 8pm, 4 lower but none anywhere near rooftop level. Mostly on the edge of visibility and just audible to locate. Sky overcast but dry.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3848

Up to 12 swifts over Freehold from 7pm to as late as 8.50pm … overcast. They remained high most of the time with only 4 descending to about 100 ft

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3828

18 swifts over freehold on Saturday night around 7.30 in very overcast conditions. Just 6 on Sunday 15th August as late as 8.40pm in partial cloud and a visible sunset.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Swallow nesting behaviour #3804

Interesting. Thank you. That sounds the most likely solution.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3803

If they are local to you, you will encounter them in the hour around sunset now unless there is a late nest.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3800

No birds all day until 8.15pm when the rain band passed over. Clear blue sky after sunset and up to 9 birds screaming together at 21.05pm

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3798

I’ve not seen any swifts around the houses from dawn until late evening. Last night a bunch of 13 dropped out of the sky to scream about from 8.20pm onwards but maintaining a height of about 150 feet or more. Only 4 dropped down to eaves height around 9.05pm. The rest had disappeared. not seen a single one today but some will appear before sunset.

[eddybayton]

in reply to: Freehold swifts #3780

Mon 9th August. Overcast, high cloud. Dry. Still. 27 swifts screaming around at 8.10pm. Appearing to be two groups/colonies separating then rejoining.

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