Blackpool wildlife sightings: January 2016

Friday 29 January 2016

Thursday 28th January

Mild again 6 - 10C some sunny spells and rain later with a strong south westerly wind

Solaris Centre - Blackbird pair (feeding a fledgling), several sticklebacks, several front swimming waterboatmen, back swimming waterboatman, bloodworm

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, 4 goldeneyes, 4 pochards, great crested grebe, buzzard, sparrowhawk, 30 fieldfares, 2 Cetti's warblers, great spotted woodpecker

Great spotted woodpecker at Marton Mere LNR by Raf Lopato

Please email your sightings and wildlife photos to solaris.centre @ blackpool.gov.uk - without the spaces

There is a Facebook group for all things Marton Mere LNR including news of events and volunteer projects

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

There is also a page specifically for wildlife news at Marton Mere https://www.facebook.com/groups/343548299164728/ please Like, Share and post your sightings and wildlife photos from the nature reserve

Follow Marton Mere LNR on twitter @MartonMereLNR

Marton Mere LNR has a Flickr group - please join
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2903819@N24/pool/

Volunteer Days at Marton Mere LNR are now every Tuesday 10am - 3pm - All welcome. Wear suitable footwear and bring your lunch.
There may also be some volunteering opportunities suitable for school/works/community groups etc. Contact Annie on 07469 038520 or annie.heslop @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) for full details of projects, dates and times.

Thursday 28 January 2016

Wednesday 27th January

Still mild 6 - 11C early rain then some sunshine with a strong south westerly wind

New South Promenade - Kittiwake (N), 18 sanderlings, 59 oystercatchers

Marton Mere LNR - Peregrine, long eared owl, 4 goldeneyes, 2 mistle thrushes, 32 fieldfare, 2 Cetti's warblers

Beechfield Avenue - 22 Goldfinches

Goldfinch

Please email your sightings and wildlife photos to solaris.centre @ blackpool.gov.uk - without the spaces

There is a Facebook group for all things Marton Mere LNR including news of events and volunteer projects

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Tuesday 26th January

Another mild day 6 - 11C overcast with rain at times, strong south westerly wind

Town Centre - Peregrine

Marton Mere LNR - 5 Goldeneyes, 6 pochards, 2 great crested grebes, 8 snipe, 28 fieldfares, water rail, Cetti's warbler, 2 coal tits.

Please email your sightings and wildlife photos to solaris.centre @ blackpool.gov.uk - without the spaces

There is a Facebook group for all things Marton Mere LNR including news of events and volunteer projects

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Monday 25th January

Very mild 7 - 12C some sunny spells with a moderate southerly wind

Lawson's Wetland - Water rail, stonechat

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, pintail (N), 2 Cetti's warblers, 2 goldcrests, sparrowhawk, great crested grebe, 3 goldeneyes, 54 shovelers, 2 water rails, redwing, lesser repoll.

A small proportion of the starling murmuration at North Pier

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Monday 25 January 2016

Weekend 22nd - 24th January

Very mild for late January 6 - 14C some sunny spells, moderate south easterly breeze

Sunday 24th January

Heron's Reach - Snowdrops in flower

Grange Park - 30 Starlings (small murmuration) + 5000 over W to North Pier

Lawson's Wetland - Sparrowhawk, 4 snipe, 2 dunnocks, 2 meadow pipits, wren, bumble bee sp

Marton - Red admiral butterfly

Marton Mere LNR - Woodcock, Mediterannean gull, 2 long eared owls, cetti's warbler, 2 water rails, 30 shovelers, 30 fieldfares, 2 snipe, 2 coal tits, 2 goldeneyes, goldcrest, 2 bee orchid rosettes, blackthorn in flower

Saturday 23rd January

Warbreck Hill - Coal tit

Marton Mere LNR - Siskin, 3 coal tits, 7 long tailed tits, 57 tufted ducks, 8 pintail (N), 23 snipe, great crested grebe, 3 goldeneyes, 3 long eared owls, 10 stock doves, 30 fieldfares

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Friday 22nd January

New South Promenade - Blunt gaper shell, horwrack, lesser spotted catshark egg-case (Mermaid's purse), 15 redshanks.

Town Centre - Peregrine

Marton Mere LNR - 4 goldeneyes, 5 stock doves, long eared owl, peregrine, kestrel

Long-eared owl

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Friday 22 January 2016

Thursday 21st January

A cold start to the day -1 - 6C some sunny spells, increasing south easterly wind

Town Centre - 2 Peregrines

Starr Gate - Great northern diver, 3 red throated divers, 5 shelducks (S), 2 teal (S)

Lawson's Wetland - 10 Snipe, woodcock

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, Cetti's warbler, 2 goldeneyes, 2 water rails.

This Sunday, 24th Jan, there is a conservation day at Lawson's Wetlands meet at the cul-de-sac end of Lawson's Road near junction with Lancaster Road 10am - 3pm all welcome bring your lunch and wear your wellies

Waiting for the starling murmuration at North Pier

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Thursday 21 January 2016

Wednesday 20th January

Cool start then mild -1 - 6C sunny with a light south easterly wind

Town Centre - Peregrine

North Pier - 50000 Starlings

Solaris Centre - Song thrush

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Long eared owls, barn owl, 5 little grebes, great crested grebe, 2 goldeneyes, 6 pochards, 91 tufted ducks, 153 wigeon, 2 Cetti's warblers, water rail, goldcrest, sparrowhawk, coal tit, 4 reed buntings

Stanley Park - 2 Great spotted woodpeckers, 6 redwings, nuthatch

Offshore - Whiting, codling (reported by anglers)

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

This Sunday, 24th Jan, there is a conservation day at Lawson's Wetlands meet at the cul-de-sac end of Lawson's Road near junction with Lancaster Road 10am - 3pm all welcome bring your lunch and wear your wellies

Peregrine on St John's Church - taken from North Pier

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Tuesday 19th January

About average temperatures for mid-Junuary 3-5C sunny spells, very light easterly wind

Tuesday 19th January

Town Centre - Peregrine

North Pier - 30000 Starlings (a very rough guesstimate)

Solaris Centre - Song thrush, 2 wrens, blackbird (collecting food for nestlings)

Marton Mere LNR - 3 Long eared owls, little owl, barn owl, 2 kestrels, woodcock, little grebe, 2 Cetti's warblers, 4 water rails

Stanley Park - 15 Redwings, 2 nuthatches, treecreeper

Devonshire Road - Sparrowhawk

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Monday 18th January

Town Centre - Peregrine

New South Promenade - 35 Redshanks

This Sunday, 24th Jan, there is a conservation day at Lawson's Wetlands meet at the cul-de-sac end of Lawson's Road near junction with Lancaster Road 10am - 3pm all welcome bring your lunch and wear your wellies

Barn owl by Raf Lopato

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Monday 18 January 2016

Weekend 15 - 17th January

Much cooler -3 - 5C rain with some snow, light to moderate south easterly wind

Sunday 17th January

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, 39 gadwall, 39 shovelers, 400 teal, 2 goldeneyes, 6 pochards, 100 lapwings, 4 snipe, 3 goldcrests, 2 Cetti's warblers, 2 water rails, buzzard, treecreeper, 5 tree sparrows, 2 coal tits, blackthorn flowers.

Salisbury Woodland Gardens - Treecreeper, goldcrest, sparrowhawk

Stanley Park - Goldeneye, 18 gadwall

Saturday 16th January

Warbreck Hill - Goldcrest, coal tit

Marton Mere LNR - Little grebe, 125 wigeon, buzzard, 32 fieldfares, 2 coal tits, 2 reed buntings

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat, water rail

Friday 15th January

Marton Mere LNR - 97 Tufted ducks, 4 goldeneyes, 75 wigeon, 5 pochards, sparrowhawk, goldcrest, 2 coal tits.

Lapwing

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Friday 15 January 2016

Thursday 14th January

Normal temperatures for January 2 - 5C some sunny spells with a brisk cold northerly wind

Marton Mere LNR - Bullfinch, 2 long eared owls, 3 goldeneyes, 4 pochards, 10 stock doves, great spotted woodpecker, 2 coal tits, 4 reed buntings

Lawson's Wetland - 3 Snipe

Male reed bunting

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Thursday 14 January 2016

Wednesday 13th January

Temperatures near normal for mid-January 3 - 6C mostly overcast with showers, moderate south easterly wind

New South Promenade - Kittiwake (N), 2 pintails (S)

Marton Mere LNR - 6 Pochards, 3 goldeneyes, 29 shovelers, 2 long eared owls, 9 stock doves, 4 mistle thrushes, 2 coal tits

Lawson's Wetland - 3 jack snipe, stonechat

Jack snipe

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Wednesday 13 January 2016

Saturday 9th - Tuesday 12th January

Cooler than of late with near normal temperatures for mid-January 0 - 8C mostly cloudy with some rain and winds of variable strength and direction

Tuesday 12th January

Preston New Road - Peregrine

Marton Mere LNR - Treecreeper, 2 coal tits

Monday 11th January

Town Centre - Grey wagtail

Marton Mere LNR - 6 Pochards, 115 wigeon, 3 goldeneyes

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Sunday 10th January

North Shore go-kart track - Purple sandpiper

Starr Gate - 5 Kittiwakes, 17 pintails (S)

Marton Mere LNR - 3 goldeneyes, 5 stock doves, 30 linnets, 14 snipe, water rail, 5 pochards

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Saturday 9th January

Starr Gate - Long tailed duck (S), 5 wigeon (S), 8 teal (S), 2 goldeneyes (S), 15 pintails (S), 800 common scoter (S), 13 red throated divers (S)

Marton Mere LNR - 3 Long eared owls, 6 Cetti's warblers, goldcrest, buzzard, 85 tufted ducks, 6 pochards, 4 goldeneyes, 140 wigeon, 320 teal, 4 water rails, 4 mistle thrushes

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat, jack snipe

Tufted ducks

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Friday 8 January 2016

Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th January

Still mild 2 - 8C mostly cloudy with short sunny spells and some rain, variable winds strong westerlies on Thursday

Friday 8th January

Marton Mere LNR - Long eared owl, 3 water rails, 3 Cetti's warblers, 20 shovelers, 400 teal, 3 snipe, 3 goldeneyes, 2 shelducks, 2 coal tits

Poulton Old Road - Goldcrest

Thursday 7th January

Marton Mere LNR - 83 Tufted ducks, 3 goldeneyes, 17 shovelers, sparrowhawk, coal tit, long eared owl

Lawson's Field/Heron's Reach - Yellowhammer

New South Promenade - 10 Teal (S), 6 Kittiwakes (N), 6 red throated divers (5S, 1 N)

Wednesday 6th January

Marton Mere LNR - 175 Wigeon, 3 goldeneyes, 57 tufted ducks, 5 stock doves, 27 fieldfares, redwing, goldcrest, coal tit, 500 pink footed geese, 10 shovelers, 4 pochards

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Tufted ducks by Alicia Hayden

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

Tuesday 5 January 2016

2016 so far

A mild start to the new year 1 - 8C mostly dull and overcast with some light rain, winds light to moderate south easterly

Tuesday 5th January

Marton - Blackcap

North Shore go-kart track - Purple sandpiper, 25 turnstones

Lawson's Wetland - 5 snipe, jack snipe, stonechat, water rail

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 200 pink footed geese (NE), 35 redshanks

Marton Mere LNR - Kingfisher, 2 long eared owls, chiffchaff, 2 goldeneyes, 3 pochards, 5 stock doves, 2 Cetti's warblers, water rail

Monday 4th January

Preston New Road - Siskin, 2 coal tits

Marton Mere LNR - Redwing, long eared owl, great spotted woodpecker, 2 coal tits, 3 tree sparrows, 20 gadwall, 110 wigeon, 3 goldeneyes, 2 pochards, shelduck, 7 Cetti's warblers, water rail

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Solaris Centre - 30 House sparrows, lesser celandine in flower

New South Promenade - 21 Redshanks

Stanley Park - Nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker, goldeneye, 15 gadwall

Salisbury Woodland Garden - Nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker

Sunday 3rd January

North Shore go-kart track - Rock pipit, 25 turnstones

North Shore - 500 Comon scoters, 6 eiders

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Long eared owls, 2 pochards, kestrel, 2 shelducks, 100 wigeon, 300 teal, 4 Cetti's warblers

Lawson's Wetland - Jack snipe

Saturday 2nd January

Marton Mere LNR - 3 Long eared owls, little owl, 2 woodcocks, 250 pink footed geese, 28 lapwings, 15 snipe, 2 goldcrests, 19 linnets, 82 tufted ducks, shelduck, 6 Cetti's warblers

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat

Friday 1st January

Marton Mere LNR - 7 Tree sparrows, 3 long eared owls, goldcrest, 25 lapwings, buzzard, 3 stock doves

Lawson's Wetland - Stonechat, jack snipe

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 2 Pochards, 12 teal, water rail

Stonechat at Lawson's Wetland

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

There is also a page specifically for wildlife news at Marton Mere https://www.facebook.com/groups/343548299164728/ please Like, Share and post your sightings and wildlife photos from the nature reserve

Follow Marton Mere LNR on twitter @MartonMereLNR

Volunteer Days at Marton Mere LNR are now every Tuesday 10am - 3pm - All welcome. Wear suitable footwear and bring your lunch.
There may also be some volunteering opportunities suitable for school/works/community groups etc. Contact Annie on 07469 038520 or annie.heslop @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) for full details of projects, dates and times.