Field Trip Notes. Before and after the walk I'd stopped off at Euxton Hospital to check for the Waxwings noted there yesterday. None present at 0815-0830 and 1230hrs, one of the trees near the entrance seemed to be mostly stripped, the other still full of berries and being eaten by Blackbirds and a ...

Brinscall Lodge 1415hrs: Muscovy Duck (4), Mallard (21, several domestics/hybrids), Canada Geese (4), Moorhen (6), BH Gulls (10). Buzzard (1 over at high altitude). Heatherlea Woods: very busy with dog walkers etc, relatively quiet re wildlife. Treecreeper (1), GS Woodpecker (1), Robin (1), LTTits (...

In the garden last night at 2100hrs, heard a pair of Tawny Owls calling, approx. 150m apart. Both sounded like a hoarse or broken version of the classic male hoot, possibly Juvs or females. Pair of bats seen near the house at 1830hrs today, feeding in drizzly conditions. Registered strongly at 45 kH...

Get better soon John. I like Water Rails (and other things that skulk about unobtrusively), they have such a distinctive squealing call...

Apologies for the delay in reporting. 2 walks at the weekend SHORT: Withnell Nature Reserve Saturday 1450 to 1615 hrs. Birds seen/heard: Starlings, Robins, Goldfinch, Magpie, Jackdaws, Blue tit, Great Tit, Wren, Moorhen, Mallard inc several domestic/hybrids, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird,...

Pair of Greenfinch in the garden during the breakfast feeding frenzy, amongst the more frequently seen birds: Coal Tits (2), Robin (2), Jackdaw (1), Nuthatch (2), +4 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits, Blackbirds (3), Dunnock (1), Chaffinch (2) and approx. 10 House Sparrows. Its been a good season for House Sp...

Walked up to Drinkwaters and back 1715 to 1845hrs yeasterday. Large skein of approx 120 Geese over E at 1725hrs - they were at altitude so couldn't 100% confirm sp. but looked and sounded like Pink-footed. Also a few Meadow Pipits still flying on the moors approaching dusk. Kestrel hunting near Drin...

I realise they are not easy to count - its not an exact science! But I counted 44 over the house at 1025hrs today, a mixed flock of House Martins and Swallows flying generally eastwards.

Yesterday afternoon had 6 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral and 1 Painted Lady on our Buddleia - all at the same time. It was a pleasure to watch them

Paul - I thought I saw you in the distance as you were descending to White Coppice, we must have missed each other by a few minutes. I walked up the Hill from Brinscall last night 1940 hrs, back by 2145hrs. Lots of Meadow Pipits, Red Grouse heard too. Didn't hear the Grasshopper Warbler at Drinkwate...

Since returning from Orkney about 10 days ago have seen/heard Greenfinches around the garden daily in Brinscall. At least one pair, possibly 2 pairs - they are currently very vocal. Good to have them back with their rattling/wheezing song after a few quiet years. Orkney highly recommended, I saw Gre...

I found out the cause of the recent purple splotches on my car, neighbours' cars, footpaths and gardens etc. Yesterday evening walked up Well Lane and across the moors south of Heatherlea Woods, along the top of the bluff to the White Coppice-Great Hill path, up to Great Hill and back to Brinscall. ...

The peanuts and suet blocks are being eaten too, by House Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits, and the GS Woodpeckers. We also have a pair of Collared Doves eating the sunflower hearts. I've adjusted the bird table to stop Woodpigeons as these eat and eat and eat, no other birds get a look in. CDs can sti...

Lots of juveniles in and around the garden. Counted 7 Great Tits feeding, probably a family group, mostly youngsters. House Sparrows (approx. 12) seem to be having a good year. Yesterday evening an adult Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding sunflower seeds to a juvenile on the bird table - unusual a...

I'm no Little Englander but I do like using and introducing the Old English or pre-Norman conquest/French-Latin names for things. I grew up in Carlisle and we still use many words which are unknown in Lancashire. Also: Spuggy for Sparrow, Cushet for Pigeon - don't know the origin of these... Thanks ...