Thursday 18th December

A very warm December day 9 - 11C, thick low cloud with a blustery strong SW wind

Washington Avenue - Sparrowhawk 

New South Promenade - 200 Knot, 30 sanderlings

The Great grey shrike is still present near the traffic lights on Queensway just over our southern border

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) 

In the New Year 1st - 4th January there will be a national survey of flowering wildflowers - details of how to get involved here http://bsbipublicity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/new-year-plant-hunt-2015.html

Wednesday 17th December

Mild again 5 - 10C mostly cloudy, moderate WSW wind

Marton Mere LNR - Stoat (with prey - looked like it could have been a water rail), barn owl, 54 wigeon, goldeneye, 2 Cetti's warblers, water rail

Stanley Park - 6 great crested grebe, 5 pochards 

Lawson's field - a few fieldfares

New South Promenade - 'Northern' type herring gull 

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) 

In the New Year 1st - 4th January there will be a national survey of flowering wildflowers - details of how to get involved here http://bsbipublicity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/new-year-plant-hunt-2015.html

Tuesday 16th December

Mild for December 6 - 8C overcast with rain at times, increasing SW wind

Lawson's field - Stonechat 

Warbreck Hill - Fox (ran across road at 7.30am)

New South Promenade - 30 Knot, 500 dunlin, 50 redhanks, 2 ringed plovers

.


Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still at Queensway west of the traffic lights.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) 

In the New Year 1st - 4th January there will be a national survey of flowering wildflowers - details of how to get involved here www.bsbipublicity.blogspot.co.uk   8th December post

Weekend round-up 13th-14th December

Poor weather with cool temperatures, rain and gale force winds and wildlife excitment elsewhere locally in recent days have conspired to keep wildlife reports to a minimum

Monday 15th December

Warbreck Hill - Fox (evidence of)

New South Promenade - 'Northern' (argentatus type) herring gull, 500  knot

Sunday 14th December

No reports

Saturday 13th December

Staining Nook - Cetti's warbler, 2 water rails, great spotted woodpecker

Heron's Reach - Jay, goldcrest

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Cetti's warbler, water rail, 250 coots, goldcrest

In the New Year 1st - 4th January there will be a national survey of flowering wildflowers - details of how to get involved here www.bsbipublicity.blogspot.co.uk   8th December post

Tuesday 9th December

A dull December day 0 - 11C overcast with increasing SW wind

Lawson's Field - Water rail, chiffchaff - recently barn owl

Marton Mere LNR - 13 Whooper swans (S)

Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still at Queensway west of the traffic lights.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) 

Weekend round-up 5 - 7th December

A mixed weekend with sun, rain and wind at times -1 - 10C

Sunday 7th December

No wildlife news

Saturday 6th Deember

North Shore go-kart track - 3 Purple sandpipers

Friday 5th December

Cherry Tree Road - Goldcrest

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - Goldeneye, 34 teal, grest spotted woodpecker

Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still at Queensway west of the traffic lights.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) 

Thursday 4th December

A cool Decmber day 0 - 6C sunny spells with a light northerly wind

New South Promenade - 2 Grey seals, 1000 common scoters, 2 swans (sat on sea but too distant for identification)

North Shore - Harbour porpoise, barnacle goose

North Shore Go-Kart track - Purple sandpiper 


Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still at Queensway west of the traffic lights.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Wednesday 3rd November

A cold start and average finish -3 - 7C mostly sunny with a very light northerly wind

New South Promenade - 3 Great crested grebes, 3 red throated divers, 3 eiders

North Shore - 2 Harbour porpoises, eider, 2 red throated divers, rock pipit (S)

North Shore go-kart track - 4 Purple sandpipers, 30 redshank, 80 turnstones

Stanley Park - 6 Great crested grebes, 21 gadwall, 39 shovelers, 64 tufted ducks, 4 pochards

Marton Mere LNR - Pintail, 15 wigeon, 4 water rails, 2 stonechats, fieldfare, 5 redwings, goldcrest, Cetti's warbler, grey wagtail

Lawson's Wetland - Water rail

Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still at Queensway west of the traffic lights.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 2nd December

A cooler day  0 - 8C mostly sunny with a brisk northerly wind

New South Promenade - Red throated diver, 50 cormorants

Marton Mere LNR - Cetti's warbler, sparrowhawk, 1500 starlings (roosted)

Central Pier - 2000 Starlings (roosted)

North Pier - 6000 Starlings roosted

Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still and Queensway west of the traffic lights.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

One of the Meadow pipits from Manchester Square on Monday - by Barry Dean

Monday 1st December

A dull grey day with about average temperatures for December 2 - 8C no wind.

Manchester Square pumping station - 4 Meadow pipits 

Solaris Centre - Sparrowhawk 

 New South Promenade - 3 Great crested grebes

Just over our southern border the Great grey shrike is still and Queensway west of the traffic lights and there are two Snow buntings on the beach opposite the former Pontins site.

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Weekend Round-up 29/30th November

A mostly dull but mild weekend 4 - 11C some sunshine on Sunday afternoon, light variable winds

Sunday 30th November

North Pier - 6000 Starlings (roosted) 

Marton Mere LNR - 50 Wigeon, 20 shovelers, goldeneye, grey wagtail, buzzard, 3 goldcrests, 3 Cetti's warblers, 2 water rails

Lawson's Wetland - Water rail

Saturday 29th November

New South Promenade - Grey seal

The Great grey shrike is still just over our border on the west side of Queensway opposite the track to Eaterleigh Animal sanctuary

Look out for Autumn fungi

Please email your willdife sightings and autumn/winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Friday 28th Novmber

A cool start and warm finish 3 - 11C mostly sunny with increading E wind

Lawson's Field/Heron's Reach - Goldcrest

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 2 red throated divers, great crested grebe, unidentified butterfly (flying along sea-wall), bee sp (came in off the sea)

Thursday 27th November

Dull cool 6 - 8C thick low cloud with no wind

North Shore - 2 Purple sandpipers, 6 lesser redpolls.

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Otters (3pm along north reeds - photos taken), 1500 Starlings (leaving roost early morning could have been more overnight)

Stanley Park - 4 Great Crested grebes, 22 gadwall, 27 shovelers, 59 tufted ducks, great spotted woodpecker. 

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 2 red throated divers, great crested grebe, 50 cormorants

Please email your willdife sightings and autumn/winter nature photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

A lonely daisy - Solaris Centre garden

Wednesday 26th November

A dull cool day 3 - 8C with very light E winds

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, 7 fieldfares. redwing, 17 shovelers, 2 water rails, goldcrest, Cetti's warbler

Stanley Park - 3 Pochards, 3 great crested grebes. 

North Shore - Red throated diver, 4 dabs, 2 codling, 2 whitings, flounder

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 5 red throated divers

Tuesday 25th November

A cool day for November 1 - 7C rain earlier then sunshine, very light offshore winds

Lawson's Wetland - Jack snipe 

North Pier - 10000 Starlings (roosted)

Central Pier - 1000 Starlings (roosted)

New South Promenade - 2 Red throated divers, 2 great crested grebes

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Monday 24th November

More normal temperatures for November 4 - 10C mostly overcast with some sunny spells, light variable W winds

Solaris Centre - Sparrowhawk (1st of the year here), magpie (2nd of the year here) 

Town Centre - Peregrine

Blackpool North railway station - Grey wagtail

Marton Mere LNR - Redwing, 20 blackbirds, song thrush, 2 snipe, kestrel

The great grey shrike was still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Weekend round-up 22nd-23rd November

A mild weekend with well above average temperatures 7 - 13C some rain and light variable winds

Sunday 23rd November

North Shore go-kart track - 2 Purple sandpipers 

Lawson's Wetland - 2 Stonechats 

Marton Mere LNR - Cetti's warbler, 2 goldeneyes, 36 wigeon

Whitegate Drive - Grey wagtail

Saturday 22nd November

Marton Mere LNR - Weasel, chiffchaff, woodcock, 2 goldeneyes, 27 wigeon, 3 water rails, little owl, 4 Cetti's warblers, possible sighting of 2 long eared owls

The great grey shrike was still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Friday 21st November

Much cooler 2 - 8C dull with rain in the afternoon, increasing SE wind

Starr Gate - 400 Common scoters, 35 red throatted divers (S), 230 cormorants, (S), shag, 11 guillemots  

New South Promenade - Gannet, 5 red throated divers, great crested grebe

The great grey shrike was still present yesterday just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Black headed gull

Thursday 20th November

Slightly warmer than average temperatures 7 - 9C rain earllier followed by sunny spells, light SE wind

New South Promenade - Black redstart

North Shore go-kart track - 3 Purple sandpipers, 51 redshanks, 2 grey wagtails

The great grey shrike was still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Wednesday 19th November

Nearer normal temerpatures for November 5 - 11C overcast start light offshore wind

New South Promenade - Harbour porpoise, black redstart, red throated diver, 30 cormorants

Blackpool & Fylde College Bispham campus - many Pied wagtails (roost)

North Shore - Eider

Central Drive - 5 Magpies, 2 pied wagtails

Marton Mere LNR - Goldeneye, pochard, 32 wigeon, 14 shovelers, 2 water rails, Cetti's warbler 


The great grey shrike was still present yesterday just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Monday 17th November

Mild again although a cooler start to the day 5 - 11C overcast followed by sunshime, light NE breeze

De Vere's Hotel - Jay, speckled wood butterfly

The great grey shrike is still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Weekend 15-16th November update

A fairly mild weekend 4 - 11C sunny spells and generally light E winds

Sunday 16th November

Blackpool zoo - 2 Barn owls, 2 goldcrests

Marton Mere LNR - Blackcap, 5 Cetti's warblers, 10 wigeon, great spotted woodpecker, black tailed godwit (W), 4 water rails, goldeneye, 6 pochards, 1000 starlings

Starr Gate - 3 Red throated divers, 500 cormorants, eider

Saturday 15th November

Marton Mere LNR - Cetti's warbler, chiffchaff, 6 water rails

Starr Gate - 2 Harbour porpoises, grey seal, 10 red throated divers, 22 shelducks (S - a high count for here), 6 wigeon (S), 400 common scoters, eider

North Pier - 6000 Starlings (a larger number at Central Pier)

The great grey shrike is still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss and there is a Greenland white fronted goose a mile and a half over our northern boundary along Amounderness Way

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
 



Cetti's warbler - summer 2013



Friday 14th November

A very mild November day 9 - 13C, joint top temperature for Nov 14th since at least 1996. Early rain followed by sunny spells with a brisk S to SE breeze

Faraday Way/Moorfields industrial estate - Unidentified bat species

North Pier - 12000 Starlings 

Marton Mere LNR - Goldeneye, Jay, Stonechat, 10 Redwings.

Town Centre - Peregrine

Solaris Centre - Song thrush (1st of the year here), wren (2nd of year here), Chaffinch (very common but 1st of the year here)

The great grey shrike is still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss and there is a Greenland white fronted goose a mile and a half over our northern boundary along Amounderness Way

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Peregrine on Bispahm water tower, summer 2013

Thursday 13th November

Mild again 7 - 12C overcast with heavy rain at times, brisk SE wind

New South Promenade - Cetacean sp (probably bottlenose dolphin but only a very brief view), 200 common scoters

The great grey shrike is still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)



Photo taken summer 2013  



Wednesday 12th November

Mild again for mid-November 8 - 12C, generally overcast with a few sunny spells, brisk SE wind

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Peregrines, 3 water rails, great spotted woodpecker, 120 teal, goldeneye, 6 pochards, goldcrest, 2 Cetti's warblers

North Shore go-kart track - 3 Purple sandpipers

Stanley Park - 4 Great crested grebes, 34 gadwall, 33 shovelers, 81 tufted ducks (a good count for the park)

New South Promenade - 11 Curlews (a good count for here), 2 great crested grebes, 200 common scoters

The great grey shrike is still present just over our southern boundary on Lytham Moss

Please send your sightings and autumnal wildlife photos to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 11th November

North Shore Go-kart track - 3 Purple sandpipers

Monday 10th November

A cooler day 3 - 11C sunny spells, rain later, light SE winds.

North Shore go-kart track - 3 Purple sandpipers (roosted over high tide), 82 turnstones, 96 redshanks

North Shore - 5 Red throated divers, 5 great crested grebes, 350 common scoters, razorbill, grey plover (S)

Marton Mere LNR - Goldeneye (male - new in), 5 pochards, 82 teal, 24 wigeon, water rail, Cetti's warbler, 2 sparrowhawks


Still just outside our area - Great grey shrike near Easterleigh animal sanctuary



Water rail at Marton Mere LNR by Stephen Cheatley 


Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Weekend wildlife round-up 8th - 9th November

A mild weekend 6 - 11C with light S  to SE winds

Sunday 9th November

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Water rails, 2 Cetti's warblers, goldeneye, 5000 starlings (roosted), little grebe, 12 wigeon, goldcrest

Stanley Park - 4 Great crested grebe

North Shore - Bottlenose dolphin (S), 2 goosanders (S), 3 purple sandpipers (roosted over high tide on go-kart track wall), 63 turnstones (roosted), 132 redshanks (roosted)

Just out of our area the great grey shrike was again on Lytham Moss off Queensway

Saturday 8th November

Lawson's wetland - 2 Stonechats (pair)

Stanley Park - 4 Great crested grebes, 27 gadwall, 30 shovelers, 65 tufted ducks

Heron's Reach - Goldcrest

Marton Mere LNR - Barnacle goose (wild?), 91 canada geese, 2 Cetti's warblers, water rail

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 26 Teal


Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

      

Friday 7th November

Mild for early November 10 - 12C Overcast with drizzle early morning, increasing WNW wind

No wildlife reports from yesterday

Lawson's field - 25 Fieldfares, a few redwings

New South Promenade - 24 Kittiwakes (N), guillemot (N), great crested grebe, red throated diver, 400 common scoters, 50 dunlin (N), 35 sanderlings, 3 redshanks, 2 shelducks (S)

Starr Gate - Black guillemot

Of note just outside our area on the south side of Queensway in the rough field/scrub near the traffic lights is a Great grey shrike, a rare visitor to the Fylde from eastern Europe

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Wednesday 5th November

A little above average temperatures for November 7 - 10C sunny with a light N wind

Lawson's wetland - 2 Stonechats (pair)

Stanley Park - 63 Tufted ducks, 25 shovelers, 31 gadwall

Marton Mere LNR - 17 Whooper swans (S), jay, 1500 woodpigeons (roosted?), barnacle goose (wild? with 63 Canada geese), 2 goldeneye (fresh in), 3 pochards, 55 fieldfares

Staining Nook - 40 fieldfares

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 4th November

Much cooler than recent days 4 - 9C overnight rain followed by a mostly sunny day with light N wind

Lawson's wetland - 3 Stonechats

Heron's Reach - Short eared owl (NE)

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Cetti's warblers, barnacle goose, 3 pochard, water rail, 7 redwings, 10000 starlings (roosted), woodcock.

New South Promenade - Grey seal (eating large flatfish), 300 common scoters, great crested grebe

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Monday 3rd November

Cooler than recent days but very mild for November 7 - 11C Sunny spells with cool S wind

New South Promenade - 200 Common scoters, 2 kittiwakes

Solaris Centre - Eristalis (hoverflies still on the wing), large white tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris - queen), dandelion in flower




Hoverfly on castor oil plant



Weekend round-up 1st - 2nd November

Very mild for the beginning of November 9 - 15C Sunny spells with a blustery S veering SW wind

Sunday 2nd November

Marton Mere LNR - 20000 Starlings roosted (number is a 'best guess'), 5 water rails, 2 stonechats, 3 sparrowhawks, peregrine, merlin, goldcrest, 2 whooper swansd (S), 25 redwings, 25 linnets

Lawson's wetland - 2 stonechats

Heron''s Reach - 2 Goldcrests

Stanley Park - 4 Great crested grebes, 36 gadwall, 35 shovelers

Saturday 1st November

Blackpool 6th form College - Kestrel

Warbreck Hill - Goldcrest

Please email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
 

Friday 31st October

Very warm for late October 14 - 18C sunny spells with brisk SSE wind

Heron''s Reach - 70 Fieldfares (SE), several chaffinches (over), 3 goldcrests, 5 skylarks (over), Woodcock

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

Thursday 30th October

A very warm late October day 9 - 17C sunny spells, light southerly wind

Heron's Reach - 8 Whooper swans, 6 fieldfares

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

Wednesday 29th October

A cold start to the day 1 - 11C sunny spells 10mph SE wind

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Jays (1 on ground + 1 S),  2 wigeon, buzzard, 2 water rails, 8 redwings 

Stanley Park - 35 Gadwall, 4 pochards 

Heron's Reach - many Blackbirds (probably a fall of migrants) 6 redwings, 800 pink footed geese (S) 32 whooper swans (flocks of 20 & 12)

Zoo - Goldcrest

PLEASE STAY ON THE PATHS AT MARTON MERE NATURE RESERVE - DO NOT ENTER THE SCRUB AREAS - THANK YOU

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend



Teal from the Fylde Bird Club hide



Tuesday 28th October

A warm late October day 9 - 16C, overcast with southerly winds, heavy rain in the afternoon

Raikes Parade - Chaffinch (perhaps unusual here, possibly a grounded migrant dropped by the rain) 

Starr Gate - 2 Little gulls

Lawson's wetland - Water rail

Marton Mere LNR - 75 Redwings, 8 gadwall, 4 Cett's warblers, no sign of long eared owl but people seen in scrub picking apples may well have flushed it - STAY ON THE PATHS PLEASE

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

Monday 27th October

Mild for October especially at night 13 - 16C, overcast with a blustery SSW wind

De Vere hotel entrance pond - Cetti's warbler.

Anchorsholme Park - Sparrowhawk, grey wagtail

New South Promenade - 5 Little gulls (S), kestrel (N)

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

25th - 26th October weekend round-up

Generally mild by October's standards, 10 - 16C, mostly overcast with blustery SW wind

Sunday 26th October

Marton Mere LNR - Jay (S), stonechat (embankment), goldcrest, chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's warblers, 51 shovelers, water rail, pochard, speckled wood butterfly.

Stanley Park - 1 im  + 3 adult Great crested grebes, 34 gadwall (thought to be the record count here), 45 shovelers, 51 tufted ducks, 2 pochards.

Saturday 25th October

Marton Mere LNR - Stonechat (will this bird winter here?), 2 grey wagtails, 3 goldcrests, 4 water rails, 220 coot, 56 teal, 53 shovelers, little grebe, 6000 starlings (roosted), 22 redwings, 3 snipe (over)

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

Friday 24th October

Mild occassional sunny spells 12 - 14C light but increasing W wind

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, 20 redwings, 4 jays. 3 Cetti's warblers, 3 water rails, red admiral butterfly

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

 

Thursday 23rd October

A mild October day 12 - 14C showers blown in on a SW breeze

Stanley Park - 4 Whooper swans (roosted), 1 imm + 4 adult great crested grrebes. 22 gadwall, 35 shovelers, 39 tufted ducks 

New South Promenade - Sanderling, 20 dunlins, hybrid herring x lesser black backed gull

Marton Mere LNR - 5500 Starlings left roost

Lawson's Wetland - Cetti's warbler

Preston New Road - Shaggy ink cap fungus

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)
Don't forget to book your places on our wildlife wander next weekend

Last weekend's round up

Mild and breezy - typical October weather

Monday 20th October

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl - please view only from the paths DO NOT ENTER THE SCRUB to look for the bird - thatnk you

Sunday 19th October

Marton Mere LNR - 24 Redwings (S), 53 shovelers, 37 teal, 180 coot

Staining Nook - 4 Redwings

Saturday 18th October

Marton Mere LNR - 19 Whooper swans, 4 Cetti's warbler, water rail, southern hawker dragonfly (1st record for at least a couple of year - under-recorded!)

Revoe Park - 2 Goldcrests (an under-recorded site)

New South Promenade - 50 Guillemots, 26 gannets, 22 wigeon, 15 pintails


You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

    

Friday 17th October

A mild day 12 - 16C sunny spells with rain later. Breezy 15mph SE wind

Heron's Reach - many Swan mussels, 10 goldcrests, a few skylarks (SE), 6 redwings

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Thursday 16th October

A mild day 8 - 15C sunny spells, light SE wind

Marton Mere LNR - Jay, stonechat, chiffchaff, 6 redwings, 3 goldcrests, 2 great spotted woodpeckers, 3 Cetti's warblers, several common darter and migrant hawker dragonflies.

Stanley Park - Buzzard (over), treecreeper, 23 shovelers, 120+ coot, blackcap, 23 gadwall, 2 wigeon 

Lawson's field - 200 Woodpigeons

New South Promenade - Grey seal (eating large flatfish well offshore), 2 swans (sat on sea well offshore, probably whooper swans), 2 guillemots, 10 unidentified auks, 2 red throated divers, 11 turnstones 

Warbreck Hill - 4 Redwings (S)

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Wednesday 15th October

An average October day 9 - 14C with blustery E wind, showers later

Gynn Gardens -  2 Song thrushes, several redwings 

New South Promenade - 2 Red throated divers, guillemot

Stanley Park - 3 adult + 1 juv Great crested grebes, 27 gadwall, 24 shovelers, 4 pochard, 41 tufted ducks, sparrowhawk, jay, goldcrest 85 jackdaws (over), 6 redwings (over) 

Marton Mere LNR - Stonechat, 6 redwings, 20 skylarks (over), 250 pink footed geese (N), 4 grey lag geese (S), 3 mistle thrushes, 3 Cetti's warblers, water rail

Heron's Reach - 105 Fieldfares (S in three flocks), 40 whooper swans (S), 1000 pink footed geese (N), Cetti's warbler, jay (S), 250 jackdaws (SW)

Staining Nook - Cetti's warbler


You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 14th October

A cool day for October 9 - 13C overcast ith a blustery 15mph NE wind

Gynn Gardens - several Redwings, 2 song thrushes 

Marton Mere LNR - Stonechat, 100 redwings, great spotted woodpecker, Cetti's warbler, water rail 

Stanley Park - 28 Gadwall, 30 shovelers, 34 rufted ducks, 33 redwings (over) 

Solaris Centre - Chiffchaff 

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 2 red breasted mergansers (N), 7 unidentified auks (N), 3 guillemots

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Children's places are limited, to book your child's place please call Dave McGrath on 01253 478023 (office hours)

This event is free but a donation towards the Friends of Marton Mere feeding station would be appreciated 

Wear wellies or waterproof boots and bring binoculars and camera if you have them. 

Weekend round up 11/12th October

An average October weekend 5 - 16C light variable winds

Sunday 12th October

North Shore - 71 Redshanks & 54 turnstones (roosting on go-kart track wall), 5 grey wagtails (S), 3 lesser redpolls, many meadow pipits (S), 12 skylarks (S), 2 swallows (S), 6 lesser spotted catsharks, 6 dabs, whiting 

Anchorsholme - 2 Grey seals 

Starr Gate - 16 Red throated divers, 5 great crested grebes, 7 razorbills, 1000 common scoters

Stanley Park - 380 Coot, 15 gadwall, 11 shovelers, 2 goldcrests

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl (please stay on the paths to view this bird - DO NOT ENTER THE SCRUB), 2 whooper swans, Cetti's warbler,  2 blackcaps, 6 song thrushes, goldcrest

Warbreck Hill - 250 Jackdaws (S), red admiral

Heron's Reach - Cetti's warbler

Saturday 11th October

Stanley Park - Kestrel (over)

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 goldcrests, 4 Cetti's warblers, 64 shovelers, 23 long tailed tits, 3 buzzards, 4 water rails, jay

Heron's Reach - Cetti's warbler, jay, chiffchaff

Staining Nook - Cetti's warbler

Monday 13th October

A slightly cool Ocober day 5 - 13C with moderate NE breeze

Marton Mere LNR - 25 Redwings (left SE) 

North Shore - 58 Pink footed geese (in off the sea), flounder 

New South Promenade - Razorbill 

Solaris Centre - Chiffchaff

Friday 10th October

A slightly warmer than average October day 9 - 15C, blustery 15 mph SW wind

Preston New Road - Blackcap 

Town Centre - Peregrine (over), sparrowhawk (railway station) 

New South Promenade - 3 Lesser redpolls (in off the sea), great northern diver (S), 2 red throated divers (on sea & N) great crested grebe, 2 eiders (S & N), 3 swallows (S at sea), 2 golden plovers (S), 3 auk sp (S), 500 common scoters, steady stream of small birds (probably mostly meadow pipits) south about a mile off shore,

Staining Nook/Heron's Reach golf course pond  area - Cetti's warbler

Lawson's wetland - Cetti's warbler (NW corner)

North Shore - 500+ Meadow pipits (SE),  swallow (E), 58 redshanks, 11 turnstones, kestrel (S 300 yards off shore),  4 codlings, 3 dabs, 3 flounders, 2 bass (6lb & 2lb) 

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Cetti's warblers (NW & NE corners of reedbed)

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and autumnal wildlife photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

This week's wildlife news

A typically autumnal week with about average temoperatures, showers and blustery westerly winds

Thursday 9th October

Heron's Reach - 2 Redwings (over)

Wednesday 8th October

Marton Mere LNR - 4 Water rails, Cetti's warbler, snipe, little grebe, 3 jays (N)

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 61 Teal, wigeon

Knox Grove - Goldcrest, coal tit

Stanley Park - Jay (over), 23 shovelers

Tuesday 7th October

Gynn Gardens - Crossbill, chiffchaff

Stanley Park - Jay (E), 17 gadwall

Metropole Hotel (bushes just to north) - Wheatear, goldcrest

Monday 6th October

Stanley Park - Jay, 276 coot

North Shore - 12 Little gulls (S), 10 pintail (S)

Friday 3rd October

Very warm for October 11 - 18C Brisk southerly breeze

Stanley Park - 3 Treecreepers, 2 peregrines (over), 22 gadwall, 26 tufted ducks, mistle thrush

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Jays (over), 9 wigeon, 2 water rails, snipe 

New South Promenade - 2 Wigeon (S), 2 red throated divers, 5 razorbills, 3 gannets (S)

Thursday 2nd October

Sunny and mild but cold early morning 3 - 17C Light southerly breeze

North Shore - Red throated diver, razorbill, 15 auks sp, 2 gannets, 2 grey wagtails 

Zoo/Heron's Reach - 2 Jays (S)

Heron's Reach - Wheatear (SE), 3 goldcrests, Cetti's warbler, Fox (dead)

Faraday Way/Moorfield industrial estate - Chiffchaff (singing)

Marton Mere LNR - 5 Jays, 24 swallows, Cetti's warbler, 14 wigeon, water rail, 370 meadow pipits (over)

Stanley Park - Jay, 17 gadwall, 2 grey wagtail

Wednesday 1st October

Mild for October 13 - 16C increasing SW wind. showers

North Shore - Rock pipit, eider, red throated diver, razorbill, seabass, cod

Marton Mere LNR - 6 Wigeon, 3 pochards, 25 shovelers, 11 gadwall, 3 water rails, 2 Cetti's warblers 

Heron's Reach - a few Willow warbler/chiffchaffs, great spotted woodpecker, 150 pink footed geese (N), 2 swallows (S)

Staining Nook/Heron's Reach golf course - Cetti's warbler  

New South Promenade - 7 Gannets (S), rock pipit (S), 2 red throated divers (N)

Solaris Centre - Mediterranean gull (W) 

Stanley Park - Jay (W), sparrowhawk, 3 great spotted woodpeckers, 16 gadwall, 7 pochards


You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 30th September

Mild slightly above average temperatures for September 11 - 18C. Light southerly wind

New South Promenade - Sandwich tern, 2 gannets, guillemot, red throated diver, 2 redshanks, ringed plover, 2 turnstones

North Shore - Rock Pipit, 45 turnstones, dab, flounder, plaice (juvenile)

Marton Mere LNR - 27 Shoveler, 2 chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's warblers, 8 jays (record count here), black tailed godwit (N), water rail, 2 grey wagtails, buzzard, sparrowhawk, 2 kestrels. Dragonflies; several migrant hawkers, several common darters

Staining Nook - 6 Jays (S), 2 chiffchaffs  

Heron's Reach - 8 Goldcrests, 5 great spotted woodpeckers (together)


You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Monday 29th September

Sunny spells warm, foggy before dawn, very light wind

New South Promenade - 2 Harbour porpoises, grey seal, 1000+ common scoters, Sandwich tern, red throated diver, guillemot

North Shore - Razorbill, red throated diver

Heron's Reach - Treecreeper

Marton - 350 Pink footed geese (N)

Weekend round up 26th - 28th September

Slightly above average daytime temperatures for September but cool at night 4 - 18C. Light variable winds

Sunday 28th September

Marton Mere LNR - Little grebe, 750 starlings, kingfisher, 2 water rails, 35 wigeon, 110 coot, 2 snipe, Cetti's warbler

Warbreck Hill - Jay (N)

Stanley Park - Wigeon, 15 gadwall, 4 pochards

Heron's Reach - 2 Toads, 2 migrant hawkers, several house martins, blackcap

Saturday 27th September

North Shore - 2 Grey seals 

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 40 Teal, great spotted woodpecker

Friday 26th September

Staining Nook - Spotted flycatcher, 2 chiffchaffs

Thursday 25th September

Warm at night, average temperatures duruing the day 13 - 17C. Brisk SW wind 10 - 20mph

Not a lot of news today

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Heron's Reach - 1000 Woodpigeons (E), 2 red admirals, comma

Marton Mere LNR - 3 singing Chiffchaffs + other willow warbler/chiffchaffs calling, 2 Cetti's warblers

 Heron's Reach golf course - Wheatear

Staining Nook - Great spotted woodpecker

Marton - Goldcrest

Starr Gate - 4 Manx shearwaters, 4 Sandwich terns, 4 red throated divers

You can email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Update from last week

A warm mid-September at least during the day, some nights were quite chilly 4 - 22C Light winds

Wednesday 24th September

Staining Nook - 3 Jays (S), 3 singing chiffchaffs + others calling unseen

Salisbury Gardens - Spotted flycatcher, sparrowhawk

Heron's Reach/Zoo - flock of 60+ mixed Great, blue and long tailed tits

Tuesday 23rd September

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Gynn Gardens - Goldcrest

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 39 Teal

Monday 22nd September

Staining Nook - Spotted flycatcher, 2 jays, 3 goldcrests, 2 chiffchaffs

Sunday 21st September

Warbreck Hill - 250 Pink footed geese (S)

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Spotted flycatchers, kingfisher, black tailed godwit (N), 2 water rails, 2 cetti's warblers, 20 shovelers

Saturday 20th September

Central Promenade - Lesser Octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) 1st record for Blackpool for some time

Friday 19th September

Marton Mere LNR - Jay (W)

Watson Road Park - Jay, goldcrest

South Shore railway bushes - 4 goldcrests

Thursday 18th September

Marton Mere LNR - Jay (SE)

Tuesday 9th September

Cool and overcast, cold overnight 6- 16C Light SW breeze

Solaris Centre - Goldcrest

New South Promenade - Grey Seal, c500 common scoters

Monday 8th September

Sunny spells, a little cooler than the September average 9 - 16C Light MW breeze

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 15 Teal, wigeon

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Solaris Centre - Whitethroat (rare here)

Weekend round up 6/7th September

Warm and sunny cool clear nights 11 - 19C light winds

Sunday 7th September

Marton Mere LNR - 4 Buzzards, sparrowhawk, 3 Cetti's warblers

Stanley Park - 304 Coots, goldcrest

Solaris Centre - Chiffchaff, goldcrest

Saturday 6th September

Marton Mere LNR - Buzzard, Peregrine, 3 Cetti's warblers, 100 coots, 3 goldcrests, chiffchaff, great crested newt, toad, Butterflies; many small tortoiseshells, many small whites, many speckled woods, red admiral, Dragonflies; several migrant hawkers, several common darters, brown hawker, 2 emperors (brief sighting of a possible black darter), Plants; hare's foot clover

Friday 5th September

Mild and sunny 11 - 18C very light winds

Bispham beach - Octopus jellyfish


Marton Mere LNR - 20 Gadwall, 2 pochard, 22 shoveler, 5 wigeon, Cetti's warbler

Solaris Centre - Chiffchaff

Talbot Road - Goldcrest (on the pavement!)

Warbreck Hill - 2 Oystercatchers (over), kestrel, willow warbler/chiffchaff, 2 pipistrelle bats, red admiral butterfly

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 46 Teal, 3 shovelers

Regency Gardens - Goldcrest

Gynn Gardens - 2 Sedge warblers, goldcrest, chaffinch

Metropole Hotel bushes - Greenland Wheatear

Cedar Square - Goldcrest


Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Thursday 4th September

Warm and sunny 11 - 22C with light wind

Seasiders Way - Small copper butterfly

Watson Road Park - Goldccrest 

Pleasure Beach - Goldcrest, grey wagtail 

Gynn Gardens - Goldcrest 

Marton Mere LNR - Black tailed godwit (on scrape then S), grey wagtail, sparrowhawk, buzzard, kestrel

Wednesday 3rd September

Warm but overcast 11 - 22C hottest Sept 3rd since at least 1996. Light NW wind

Starr Gate - flock of 90 Sandwich and common terns roosting on the beach with several more fishing at sea

Marton Mere LNR - 200 swallows, 1000 starlings, water rail, Cetti's warbler, 3 willow warbler/chiffchaffs, great spotted woodpecker, several migrant hawker dragonflies

North Shore - 5000 Common scoters, 2 red throated divers, grey plover (S), 4 shelducks (S), 20 turnstones

Various locations - Flying ants


  Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 2nd September

Sunny and warm 11 - 19C. Very light variable wind

Marton Mere  LNR - Kingfisher, sparrowhawk, kestrel, 14 gadwall, 3 Cetti's warblers 

Stanley Park - Teal, gadwall, wigeon, 3 adult + 1 juv great crested grebes 

Solaris Centre - 6 Swallows (N), 6 sand martins (N)

Heron's Reach - 5 Lesser redpolls (over), many speckled wood butterflies

Zoo - 3 Swifts

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 15 Teal 

Marton - Migrant hawker




Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Monday 1st September

Mild with sunny spells. Light NW breeze

Stanley Park - 3 adult + 1 juv Great crested grebe, 2 wigeon, 2 gadwall 

New South Promenade - Little tern

Town Centre - Peregrine reported as fairly regular 'recently'

Marton Mere - Marsh harrier (E), water rail,, 3 Cetti's warblers, 14 gadwall.
Late news from earlier in the spring; Brimstone butterfly seen laying eggs  - very exciting news as this species is spreading westwards through the Fylde.

Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Sunday 31st August

Stanley Park - 6 Buzzards (over)

Marton Mere - 2 Shovelers, peregrine, 3 buzzards, 3 Cetti's warblers, water rail, several common darter and migrant hawker dragonflies, peacock butterfly

North Shore go-kart track - Chiffchaff, 2 wheatears, white wagtail, sparrowhawk, migrant hawker, small tortoiseshell butterfly

Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Saturday 30th August

St Paul's Marton - Mistle thrush

Stanley Park - 13 Tufted ducks, swift, great spotted woodpecker, chiffchaff, 12 mistle thrushes (E), 30 swallows, nuthatch, treecreeper, 40 goldfinches, 2 wigeon, pochard

Warbreck Hill - Kestrel, 2 hawthorn shieldbugs

Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Thursday 28th August

Stanley Park - 2 Wigeon, 2 gadwall, 11 tufted ducks

Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Wednesday 27th August

Sunny cool over night 7 - 20C light frost in shady areas of Heron's Reach. Light but increasing offshore breeze

Stanley Park - Wigeon, 2 teal, shoveler, sand martin, 12 house martins

Warbreck Hill - 6 Swifts, 2 pipistrelle bats


Watson Road - Swift

Reads Avenue - 2 House martins

St Walberga's Road - 20 Swallows

Heron's Reach - Wheatear, 14 pink footed geese (S), many swallows

North Shore Go-kart track - 35 Turnstones. 6 redshanks, 35 swallows, 2 pied wagtails, plaice, common darter dragonfly

Tuesday 26th August

Sunny spells, about average temperatures for August 12 - 18C, gusty 15mph E wind

New South Promenade - Grey seal, Arctic skua, 11 grey lag geese (N)

Stanley Park - Nuthatch, treecreeper, 2 pochards

August Bank Holiday weekend

Mixed weather varying from mild and pleasant to very cold, wet and windy

Monday 25th August

Marton - Migrant hawker dragonfly

Herron's Reach - 200 Swallows, 4 goldcrests

Sunday 24th August

Lawson's Wetland - Swift

Marton Mere LNR - 6 Black tailed godwits (W), gadwall, water rail, 100 coots, Cetti's warbler, lesser whitethroat,  5 chiffchaffs

New South Promenade - Common starfish, many green shore crabs,  compass jellyfish, masked crab, brown shrimps, common prawns, several Idotea balthica

Saturday 23rd August

Gynn - 27 Turnstones, 5 wheatears, 13 shelducks(N), 3 dabs, flounder, whiting, weaver fish, Dover sole 

Faraday Way - Fox 

Marton - Swift

Friday 22nd August

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 9 Teal, grey wagtail

Town Centre - Peregrine

Marton Mere LNR - 10 Willow warblers


Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Wednesday 20th August

Heavy showers early morning rhen sunny spells, cool for August 12 - 15C Moderate NW breeze

Solaris Centre - Grey wagtail (over - 1st record of year here)

South Pier - Many sand gobies, Iceland cyprine, many striped venus shells, green shore crabs, swimming crab shed skins, edible crab (claw only - large!) speckled sea louse, brown shrimp, pod razors, bean razors, edible cockles,

New South Promenade - Common starfish, many common prawns, many sand gobies, several blennies 

Lawson's field - Swift, 6 house martins

Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 19th August

Very heavy early morning rain followed by sunny spells, cool for August 9 - 16C. Blustery NNW breeze

New South Promenade - 5-Bearded rockling, many sand gobies, many common prawns, many brown shrimps, many green shore crabs, juvenile turbot

Stanley Park - 11 Pied wagtail, 50 goldfinches, female gadwall

Monday 18th August

Cold, breezy with showers. Daytime temperatures are about average 13 - 17C

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Solaris Centre - Wheatear (only second record in 10 years here) 

Marton - 3 Swifts

Warbreck Hill - Peregrine, green sandpiper (over at night), curlew (over at night)


Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Saturday 16th August

Cool, breezy with heavy showers. About average temperatures 14 - 17C

Stanley Park - 199 Coot, pochard

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 6 Teal, 2 great crested grebes, great spotted woodpecker

Warbreck Hill - Curlew (over), willow warbler/chiffchaff 

Friday 15th August

Sunny spells slightly cooler than average, temperatures 10 - 18C . very light wind

Town Centre - Peregrine

St Walberga's Road - Swift 

Heron's Reach - many Willow warblers/chiffchaffs calling

New South Promenade - Red brested merganser (N)  

Marton - 2 Migrant hawkers

Thursday 14th August

Sunny spells with a brisk NW breeze. Temperatures warmer than average at night but cooler than average during the day 14 - 17C

North Shore - Raven (S), 3 turnstones, redshank, 'a few' swallows, 2lb cod, 1lb Dover sole 

Stanley Park - 14 Pied wagtails, nuthatch

Tuesday 12th August

Cloudy with some sunny spells, average temperatures for August 12 - 18C, blustery onshore winds

Marton Mere LNR - 7 Snipe

Saturday 9th August

Mild then very windy and cool - remnants of hurricane Bertha 12 - 20C westerly winds to >30mph on Sunday

Sunday 10th August

No news

Saturday 9th August

Starr Gate - 200 common scoters, 17 Sandwich terns, 8 shelducks (N), 6 gannets, 2 Manx shearwaters

Warbreck Hill - Peregrine, moths: rusty dot pearl, early thorn, lychnis

Friday 8th August

Cool overnight with sunny spells diring the day 8 - 19C variable light winds

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 10th August is the Wildlife Trust's National Marine Week

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 2 common sandpipers (S), whimbrel (S), eider (S), 4-bearded rockling, 2 5-bearded rocklings, many blennies, many sand gobies, beadlet anemones, tower shells, necklace shell, many common prawns

Starr Gate - Grey seal, 335 common scoters, 12 Sanwich terns, 8 shelducks (S) 31 Manx shearwaters

Thursday 7th August

A mild mostly sunny day with average temperatures 12 - 19C and light onshore winds.

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 10th August is the Wildlife Trust's National Marine Week

Kingscote Park - 3 Swifts, 2 swallows, frog, 3 migrant hawker dragonflies; butterflies, 10 speckled woods, 2 large whites, 2 small whites, green veined white, common blue; moths, straw dot, Agriphila straminella, heart & dart; 2 7-spot ladybirds, many harvestman spiders

Stanley Park - 2 Common sandpipers

Lawson's field - Wheatear

Wednesday 6th August

Rain in the morning then brightening to a warm afternoon 15 - 20C, light offshore wind

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 10th August is the Wildlife Trust's National Marine Week

Warbreck Hill - 4 Swifts, 2 swallows

New South Promenade - 2 Common sand stars, queen scallop, moon jellyfish (large), 2 5-bearded rocklings, many sand gobies, many common prawns, many brown shrimps, several blennies, 2 necklace shells, several pieces of dead mans fingers

Email your Blackpool wildlife sightings and photographs to sammyandsally @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces)

Tuesday 5th August

Sunny, light offshore breeze, cool overnight 9 - 19C

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 10th August is the Wildlife Trust's National Marine Week

Solaris Centre - Ergot fungus (1st I've seen since Aug 2009) 

Warbreck Hill - 6 Swifts

Stanley Park - Common Sandpiper, 2grey wagtails, coal tit 

New South Promenade - 4 Common terns (successfully catching sand-eels and other small fish), 6 whimbrels (S)

Monday 4th August

Sunny, light offshore wind, average temperatures for August 12 - 19C

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 10th August is the Wildlife Trust's National Marine Week

Gynn - Grey seal

Marton - Holly blue, peacock butterflies

St Walberga's Road - 6 Swifts

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig lake - 4 Teal, 1 adult + 2 imm great crested grebes

Weekend 2nd/3rd August

About average temperatures for August 12 - 22C,  windy (gusts to 30mph) from the SW with torrential squally showers

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 10th August is the Wildlife Trust's National Marine Week

Sunday 3rd August

Stanley Park - 210 Coot

Lawson's Field - 21 Swallows

Warbreck Hill - Iron prominent moth

Gynn - 10 Kittiwakes, Mediterramean gull, whimbrel, Manx shearwater

Saturday 2nd August

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 4 Teal

Marton - 30 Swifts

Warbreck Hill - Phoenix moth

New South Promenade - 3 Grey seals, 8 grey plovers (S), 300 common scoters   

Friday 1st August

Much cooler, 15 - 17C, torrential squally showers brightening later. 10 - 20 mph WSW

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 3rd August is National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
See http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014-watch-list/ click on 27. Cheshire/Lancashire for details of Blackpool watches

New South Promenade - Bottlenose dolphin (S)

Starr Gate - 18 Whimbrel (S)

Tuesday 29th July

Cooler, but still slightly warmer than average, and windier than of late, 15 - 19C 15 - 20mph W wind heavy showers at lunchtime

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 3rd August is National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
See http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014-watch-list/ click on 27. Cheshire/Lancashire for details of Blackpool watches

Stanley Park - 3 adult + 1 juv great crested grebes 

Marton Mere LNR - Barn owl, 60 goldfinches, 50 swallows 

North Shore - 8 Sandwich terns, 110 common scoters 

New South Promenade - Grey seal, fulmar

Monday 28th July

Another warmer than average day 13 - 21C. hazy sunshine and a light onshore breeze

 19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 3rd August is National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
See http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014-watch-list/ click on 27. Cheshire/Lancashire for details of Blackpool watches

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - Reed warbler, great spotted woodpecker, 3 teal, 2 adult + 2 immature great crested grebes 

Warbreck Hill - Kestrel 

New South Promenade -  2 Bottlenose dolphins (distant traveing SSW)

Gynn - Grey seal

Central Beach - Many moon jellyfish 

North Shore - 3 Flounders 

Solaris Centre - Weasel (were did that come from?)

Weekend 26 - 27th July

Cooling a little over the weekend with showers on Sunday 13-26C

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 3rd August is National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
See http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014-watch-list/ click on 27. Cheshire/Lancashire for details of Blackpool watches

Sunday 27th July

North Shore - Grey seal, 2 sea bass, flounder

Marton Mere LNR - Marsh harrier, barn owl

Saturday 26th July

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 5 Teal

North Shore - Grey seal, 110 common scoters

Starr Gate - 120 House sparrows 50 Sandwich terns, 320 common scoters, 40 Manx shearwaters, 15 common terns, whimbrel, black tailed godwit

Gynn - 2 grey seals, 10 avocets (S)

Friday 25th July

Hot and sunny again, warmer than average for July 14 - 29C - hottest Blackpool day since early July 2009, light offshore breeze

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 3rd August is National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
See http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014-watch-list/ click on 27. Cheshire/Lancashire for details of Blackpool watches

New South Promenade - 4 Grey seals, common tern, shelduck

North Shore - 2 Grey seals

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Carleton Crematorium - 3 Jays, goldcrest, 2 sparrowhawks

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 5 Teal, great spotted woodpecker, Mediterranean gull, sparrowhawk, chiffchaff

Thursday 24th July

Hot and sunny again 14 - 28C light but increading offshore breeze

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

26th July - 3rd August is National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
See http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014-watch-list/ click on 27. Cheshire/Lancashire for details of Blackpool watches

Solaris Centre - Butterflies: Common blue, meadow brown, large white, small white; 2 leaf cutter bees (of unknown species)ladies bedstraw (new in sandy grassland here as a result of less frequent mowing) apparently it deters fleas and was the original colouring for Double Gloucester cheese

New South Promenade - Salmon (large 3-4ft leapt out of the water), redshank (1st one back on our stretch of the beach), juv Mediterranean gull, 2 gannets, house martin (1st here this year!), 10-spot ladybird, peacock butterfly, common blue butterfly, meadow brown butterfly

Lawson's wetland - Buzzard

Marton - 11 Swifts, holly blue butterfly

Heron's Reach - Purple loosestrife (excellent display at rear of zoo)

Heron's Reach golf course - Little grebe (calling), female Gadwall + 4 well grown juvs

North Shore - 3 Manx shearwaters, shelduck, 5 Sandwich terns 

Warbreck Hill - 2 Pipistrelle bats 

Stanley Park Lake - Purple loosestrife (excellent display on the floating wildflower rafts)

Wednesday 23rd July

Hot and sunny, 14 - 28C is well above average for July,  light offshore breeze

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

Marton - Pipistrelle bat 

Warbreck Hill - Peregrine, pipistrelle bat

Bispham Cliffs - 2 (Possibly 3) bottlenose dolphins, 2 grey seals, 3 shelducks  (S), 100+ dunlins (S), 3 Ssandwich terns, 3 Manx shearwaters, 5 gannets

New South Promenade - 50+ Dunlin (S), 2 gannets (becalmed on sea), 2 common terns, 4 great crested grebe

Tuesday 22nd July

Warm and sunny, 11 - 24 C, light on shore breeze

19th July - 10th August is the Big Butterfly Count

Marton Mere LNR - Stoat, 200+ swallows, 10+ house martins, barn owl

Marton - Sparrowhawk. Butterflies: 3 holly blues, red admiral, 2 peacocks, large white, small white, 12 speckled woods 

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Bispham Cliffs - 28 Manx shearwaters, 5 gannets, 10 Sandwich terns

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 8 Teal, 80 mallards, 2 adult + 2 juv (1 well grown, 1 2nd brood) great crested grebes; Big Butterfly Count - Small skipper, 2 large wghites, holly blue, common blue, 10+ speckled woods, meadow brown

Monday 21st July

Warm and sunny 15 - 20C, light westerly wind

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 2 common terms, 2 sandwich terns

Solaris Centre - Big Butterfly Count - Large white, meadow brown

Warbreck Hill - Migrant Hawker dragonfly

Tuesday 15th - Sunday 20th July

Warm weather this week with generally light winds

July 19th - August 10th is the Big Butterfly Count - very easy to join in and there are smartphone apps to help you record your butterfly sightings

July 26th - August 3rd is the Sea Watch Foundation's National Whale & Dolphin Watch for details of all the watches in Blackpool click on Cheshire/Lancashire

Sunday 20th July

Central Promenade - Old lady moth 

Marton Mere LNR - Barn owl, common sandpiper, butterflies: 2 commas, 4 gatekeepers, 3 small tortoiseshells, 15+ peacocks

Solaris Centre - Peacock butterfly

New South Promenade - 5-bearded rockling

Saturday 19th July

North Shore - 3 Grey seals, 5 whimbrels, Mediterranean gull

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - Mandarin, adult + 3 juv great crested grebes

Warbreck Hill - Moths: Lime speck pug, broad bordered yellow underwing, Phyllonorycter geniculella

Lime speck pug

Phyllonorycter geniculella - less than 5mm long

Friday 18th July

New South Promenade - Pelican Foot shell (5th record for Fylde coast on National Biodiversity Network)

Pelican's Foot shell

Solaris Centre - Butterflies: common blue, red admiral

Thursday 17th July

Town Centre - Sparrowhawk

Stanley Park - Pochard, 160 coot

Warbreck Hill - Common darter dragonfly

Wednesday 16th July

Town Centre - Grey wagtail 1

North Shore - 4 Manx shearwaters

Starr Gate - 12 Manx shearwaters, 38 dunlins

Marton Mere LNR - Grasshopper warbler, little egret, lesser whitethroat, grey wagtail, brown hawker dragonfly

Tuesday 15th July

Cherry Tree allotments - Grasshopper warbler

Marton Mere LNR - Barn owl, curlew

Monday 14th July and the weekend round-up

Cooler today 12 - 17C, overcast with some light  rain and 20mph SW wind

Monday 14th July

New South Promenade - 3 Manx shearwaters

Sunday 13th July

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - Mandarin, 93 mallards, adult + 3 juv great crested grebes

North Shore - 60 Manx shearwaters

Bispham Cliffs - Sea bass

Stanley Park - 2 adult + 3 juv great crested grebes

Marton Mere LNR - Barn owl

Marton - 2 Pipistrelle bats

Warbreck Hill - Saprrowhawk

Saturday 12th July

Starr Gate - 375 Common scoters

Mereside - 15 House martins

North Shore - 3 Harbour porpoises

South Shore - 20+ Bottenose dolphins, 4+ harbour porpoises, 7+ grey seals, 10 gannets, 10 common terns

Warbreck Hill - Comma butterfly, common footman, Eucosma cana, Oegoconia sp moths (latter two appear to be new for Blackpool)

North Blackpool Pond Trail Holyoake Avenue - Good show of ribbed melilot and red clover

North Park Drive/East Park Drive - Good show of Autumn Hawkbit