Storyville – West Africa to Preston Dock! Part 2

Hi... I did say sometime ago that I 'wanted to tell you a storwie', and there was a part 2; my apologies it has taken me some time to get around to it – I wish I could say because of the birding, but afraid not. Anyhoo, here we go, part 2 – the images are taken over several days in May (sometimes when the sun was out!)

The Common Terns disappear off fishing, returning with their catch for their mate (or youngsters depending); which can result in aerial antics not only from other Common Terns but other gulls as well and sometimes more than one pursuer. I've included images that demonstrate, this can happen at some distance and some height, indeed the Common Terns climb until out of sight (or my poor eyesight)... but eventually they return.

Occasionally something upsets the terns, in this instance a barge too close to the roosting site, whereupon they ALL take off and the air is full of raucous screaming terns, generally going ballistic.... before returning to base. More noise, posturing, greetings and disputes.

The male seems to do most of the fishing, understandably (although aren't women supposed to be better at catching fish than men?) and as they leave they appear to wash-off the lipstick; leaving someone on their lonesome.

Throughout, different pairs are at different stages, I guess it makes sense for the colony as a whole, some may fail but by spreading the development over a period of weeks, someone will succeed. The male shown mounting the female sat there for about five minutes, perfectly balanced on her back before copulation.

Nests appear at different times, Fylde Bird Club have assisted and encouraged the colony with the painted tyres and supply of pebbles (I think we need a few more but understand the access problems). The birds will leave their nests to greet and grab any incoming fish before returning to brood the eggs or swap, the male does do his turn at brooding sometimes. Some of the nests are in the tyres, others among the pebbles and the odd one on virtually nothing. This year a couple of nests are at the end of the pontoons, quite close to the edge and in a decent wind I have seen the waves lap this far up, so it will be interesting to see if they succeed.

I haven't been out for a while but I know the first few eggs have hatched and a number of young are in the colony. Another update to follow I guess.

For all those who know, and those that don't, these images are taken from a distance on the public promenade with no disturbance to the birds and as you know, double-clicking an image enlarges a slideshow.

retuning from fishing trip

areobatics

in pursuit

time to return

we are not amused

time to return, but still making a point

returning

is never straight forward

local dispute

tyres seem to be the safest place

'lipstick'... yuk!

"are you lonesome tonight, do you miss me tonight, are you sorry we drifted apart?"

ya got ya fish!

five minute balancing act, central axis of gravity?

a personal moment

eggs in pebbles on the right

greeting, same nest, eggs in pebbles on left

returning to brood

the male was rearranging pebbles with his bill

a single egg

too close to the edge?

"Does your memory stray to a brighter summer day".....

 "shall I come back again..."

Storyville – West Africa to Preston Dock!

'I wanna tell you a story...'

primarily in pictures, there aren't any award winning photos here but bear with me and hopefully I can make sense of this (that'll make a change then!).

It goes back over a few years when I first came across the Common Tern at Preston Dock, West Africa to Preston Dock... I ask you!

The male who appears to have started this colony was ringed at Doffcocker Lodge, Bolton on 14 June 2006 hasn't been seen so far this year. I have been down three or four times, mainly when the light was awful and aperture speeds just not fast enough, it started off with about 13 birds and last count was 23+, the plus because they are often mobile and keeping track isn't always easy, so 23 is a seen count with probable others.

It appears as if the birds have been flying off west down into the River Ribble but quite how far they are going is presently unknown to the author... so to the story in pics (not all photos taken on the same day, or same time), more posts on the same subject to follow a sthe story has moved on but I can't keep up!

returning home with the catch

landing with the catch, not always on the correct pontoon
can cause havoc

involves lots of posturing

and may involve another fly past

while others may be in the air on business or looking for a mugging

returning often attracts unwanted attention

more posturing with the mrs... (anyone know what the fish is?)
the male has the fish

results in a tug of war

which can last for sometime, all part of the bonding and courtship process

all the while the live fish in the middle of all this

whereupon the male gives in and the mrs gets her catch and
hopefully she wont have a headache later

while others take an interest

but nothing a common tern cant handle
he's just taking the proverbial
come back when your agile enough!

sun is so much better, included because I have never seen the
feet in this position before

and sometimes you get lucky

Cabin fever... road runners

I have not been out and about for sometime, suffering cabin fever I called in at Newton Marsh but it was very quiet, not unexpected. It was early evening so I decided to run on down to Fairhaven Dunes, just as well I didn't think about it... so many kids and dog walkers. Two male Linnet and four overhead. I've seen a Whitethroat down there regularly in the last few years and I nearly stood on one! Anyway it flew up into a hawthorn bush and posed for me while I rattled off some photos... complete with food for the young. I didn't hang about too long.

Incredibly I didn't know where the north car park is at St Annes by the lifeguard station even though I must have driven past a thousand times, so I thought I'd recce the location for future reference. Now I don't know about you but looking straight out to sea, I would expect to see Ireland, if I could see that far... I mean it is called the Irish Sea, not the Welsh Sea, so what Anglesey is doing in view, I have no idea. Weird!

I called in at Clifton Marsh on the way home. Not much happening, except 14 runners on the road. As I sat and watched they came towards me and I managed a couple of photos, before they heard the shutter sound on the camera and turned tail and ran off in the opposite direction. 12 young Grey Partridge with 2 adults. Again, I've been 'following' Grey Partridge down there for the last thre years or so, clearly 12 young has been a good year, I hope they all make it.

An unexpected surprise was a Corn Bunting that showed up looking a little bedraggled and the worse for wear and sang a song before flying on. About two weeks ago, I caught one nearby washing in a puddle while a mate watched on. I haven't posted that photo yet, wasn't that great!

I was surprised to see two Common Terns, obviously from Preston Docks, 'fishing' over the marsh. It was getting late but grabbed a quick snap as one of them hovered looking for fish.

Whitethroat with spider

Looking out over the IRISH Sea.... Wales, or Anglesey to be more precise... from St Annes!
You can just see the Menai Striaght on the left.. que pasa?

Road Runners

9 juvenile Grey Partridge from 12 plus two adults

Singing Corn Bunting looking  a bit the worse for wear

Corn Bunting

Common Tern 'fishing'

More of the same... but

Sorry, repeat subject matter. Self-indulgence, I wanted to upload these so I might find them again in the future... they were taken 2 and 3 July! I'm running a bit behind... I don't think I need to say too much else

the 'but' in the title and this image to warn you... a change is coming! Honest.