Summer Vistor or Winter Resident?

If you are wondering about the title, I'm afraid you will have to scroll to the end or read this blog to the end.

It hasn't been the best of weeks and a posting wasn't likely. However Tuesday found me out in the afternoon as the sun had appeared, so I thought a quick trip to Fairhaven to see if I could catch up with the Red-necked Grebe. I think this first photo probably reflects the week and this post.

As per usual the subject was always just too far away for me to obtain anything other than record shots and you will find much better images on other blogs and web sites. As always Fylde Bird Club members have some crackers, including one image that made BirdGuides Bird of the Week photo – well done to DM.

While being interested in photography, the interest is also in birds, so it is about bird watching and I was happy to spend some time watching this grebe go about it's business. One thing of note was the constant attention it had of one particular Black Headed Gull that insisted in following it everywhere it went – I'm guessing in the hope of a snatch and grab, should the Grebe return to the surface with a meal.

I spent some time at Fairhaven the week before and the Grebe 'didn't seem well', generally out-of sorts and spending a lot of time asleep. I have to say this week it seemed much brighter, doing much more swimming, diving and feeding, and as these record images show, grooming itself.

There has been a Pochard on the lake for sometime and I was a little surprised to see five near the island along with a Gadwall and the Tufted Ducks that inhabit the lake.

The Grebe appeared with what looked like a Stickleback, still accompanied by the Black Headed Gull.

Having circumnavigated the lake, back to where I started, (I always need the exercise), I managed a poor record shot of the male and female Red-Breasted Mergansers.

Now, early today I was somewhat surprised to manage to capture an image of this male Blackcap. As a consequence this seemed worthy of posting, so the Fairhaven rubbish came with it!

An over-wintering male blackcap, seen and photographed January 14 and 15 2011

Most birders will know Blackcap tend to be summer visitors but more and more appear to be over-wintering in the UK. So a bit of a surprise that had me thinking and effectively will lead me to my next post as I have seen Blackcap locally for the past three years, complete with juveniles, suggesting local breeding, so I may just go back through the archives and throw a post together, reviewing and collating old files...

A Day Out Part 1 (Lytham, Red-breasted Grebe)

I've realised I had better do this report of the day-off in two parts and I have also realised that most of my time is spent 'not seeing things' and not reporting them. In particular I tend not to reference anything unless I have an image to refer to 'as evidence' and more often than not those are rubbish. But as most of the time is 'rubbish' anyway with only highlights... here is a rubbish post! (and before I forget, I do have a tendency to put the wrong name to a bird, so any glaring errors, please do let me know... a bit dyslectic.)

Passing Newton Marsh I called by on a very quiet site, but it was early morning, the sun barely over the horizon, grey overcast and sullen.  However I woke up when scanning Clifton Marsh I watched what to me appeared to be a Marsh Harrier flying south over towards the Ribble. As you can see it wasn't possible to get a photo just a 'glimpse'.

Down at Lodge Lane 4 Bewick Swans and 7 Whoppers with about 20 Canada Geese, while at Fairlawn Avenue, Lytham a lone Curlew on the beach with approx 200 Pintail at the waters edge, some way out.

The Red-Necked Grebe was showing briefly at Fairhaven Lake but I could only manage a record image as you can see, poor light and all. It appears to have a habit of sleeping near the jetty for most of the day, maybe it isn't too well, or just tired as well as lost.

While many folk reading this may be local and know the area and bird life far better than I, there are one or two overseas visitors from outside of Lancashire and even the UK, so sometimes I add items for their benefit. Whereas to us the sky full of Pink-Footed Geese may be a common sight and nothing unusual, for many people (even those in Yorkshire and Kent) this can be a 'major event'... so here are some geese going overhead!

I managed a pair of brambling (no image) at Ansdell, thanks to a tip from Mr M Jones and then off to the car doctor. I've added a Jay just to brighten up  the page... one I took earlier in better conditions.

Postrcript, if you can be bothered, this post is delievered in conjunction with the next, mainly because it was all on the same day and illustrates the diversity we are so lucky to have around the Fylde, when you know when and where to look (which I don't).