Birding in the Lancaster area
Leighton Moss Avocets 2003
1st August...I have been away since the last entry watching Ospreys and Otters at Bassenthwaite. There has been no sightings of Avocets in the meanwhile so that looks like the end of the story for this year. There is a new URL for Lancaster and District Bird Sightings. http://www.lancasterbirdwatching.org.uk Let's hope the Avocets have a better breeding record next year. This has been the most successful page on the site with more hits than any of the others. Many thanks to all my readers and I will endeavor to do even better next year. Any comments, use the Author Link above!
28th July...Morning...No Avocets on the Pools Today, Also none reported yesterday.
26th July...Morning...Four Avocets on the EM Pool plus One Young. I'm not sure whether the other birds have flown South or are out on the Estuaries.
25th July...Twenty Four Avocets were seen on the Flood (am), including Three Young. There were Four Avocets on the Allen Pool, (Teatime) plus One Young. The rest of the birds were probably feeding on the Estuaries.
24th July...From L/Moss Log...Twenty Four Avocets on the EM/Allen Pools.
23rd July...2.30pm...Fifteen Avocets on the EM Pool plus Two Young. Six Avocets on the Allen Pool plus One Young. The water levels are slowly going down again and are also being well churned up by the Cows. This mixing seems to breed plenty of invertebrates the following year.
1st July...Early...Twenty One Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. All Twenty Four birds were seen on the Allen Pool yesterday Afternoon.
20th July...8.30am...Twenty One Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. The birds seem to be feeding up for their return journey to Africa, or perhaps the South of England? More local bird news from the Lancaster District can be found at http://www.classaves.co.uk/birdnews/ Where you will see my occasional contributions.
18th July...Morning...Eleven Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. Ten Avocets on the EM Pool. Thirteen Avocets were present in the afternoon on the Allen Pool. Most of the BH Gulls have left the Colony. The Rains have raised the water level about Two inches.
17th July...1pm...Nine Avocets on the EM Pool plus Two Young. Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus One Young. Yesterdays High Tide has had no effect on water levels. But the heavy rains (from 4pm) may raise the water levels in the pools, it is badly needed. The Allen Pool in particular stinks!
15th July...8.30am...Twenty One Avocets on the flood plus Three Young. The remaining two birds are probably out on the Estuaries.
14th July...10.30am...Seventeen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. Only one bird was feeding the remainder were resting. They had probably been feeding since daylight in the cool of the morning. The Lancaster Fellwalkers photos are at >>Link
12th July...Morning...Seventeen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. Two of the young with an Adult bird have flown to the Allen pool for the last two evenings. When the BH Gull Colony has departed there could be a reunion of the Avocets on the Allen Pool, this happened last year. A Fox Cub seen crossing the nearby railway line!
11th July...Morning...Seventeen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. No sign of the breeding pair on the EM Pool could be found. A Fox was seen in nearby Fields.
8th July...Morning...Twenty One Avocets on the EM Pool plus Three Young. The sitting bird is not getting much support from It's partner and is having to leave the Nest for short periods to feed.
7th July...8.30am...Twenty One Avocets on the EM Pool plus Three Young. This Pool is slowly drying up exposing a Sea of Mud. The next significantly High Tide(9.5m) is on the 16th July. Hopefully this will not cause any problems. There is more danger from Predators.
6th July...8.30am...Twenty Three Avocets on the EM Pool plus Three Young. The early bird catches the worm or in this case a full house! The Flood is presently occupied by Ten young Herons from the local Heronry.
5th July...9am...Seventeen Avocets on the EM Pool plus Three Young. The breeding pair are still hard at it, there should be some good news within the next two weeks! All three young are now fledged and are difficult to tell from the adults at a distance.
3rd July...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. Four Avocets on the EM Pool. The heavy rain on the 30th June has surrounded the sitting bird with water again, the pool has been much churned up by the Cows.
2nd July...2pm...Sixteen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. Four Avocets on the EM Pool. Still sitting!
1st July...Morning...Fourteen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Young. Four Avocets on the EM Pool. The EM birds still appear to be sitting despite appalling Weather and regular visits from a Herd of Cows.
30th June...The start of the Monsoon Season, no reports.
29th June...(From the Leighton Moss Log) Twenty Three Avocets seen on the Flood and EM Pools from the Viewpoint. To see what I was up to go to >>Link
28th June...8.30am...Twentyone Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Two Avocets on the EM Pool. The EM birds are still incubating. A rare siting of all Twenty Six birds today, it would appear that the six birds not seen since 19th June are all non breeders.
27th June...Afternoon...Twelve Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Four Avocets on the EM Pool. The Nesting bird is still there which is maybe as well as it rained all day.
26th June...Midday...Twelve Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Four Avocets on the EM Pool. There still appears to be an Avocet on a Nest, we will have to await the outcome?
25th June...Morning...Twelve Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Eight Avocets on the EM Pool. I saw Four Foxes on a newly cut field, the other side of the Railway Line from the Flood this Morning! The chance of any more chicks is looking unlikely.
23rd June...Midday...Nineteen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. One Avocet on the EM Pool, on Eggs.
22nd June...8.30am Sixteen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Four Avocets on the EM Pool. Still incubating on the EM pool! I've just seen a report on the Lancaster Birdwatching Societies Site Dog Fox (walked across the Allen Pool @ 12.30pm calling on all the islands and was probably the reason for no Avocets) This was on the 20th June. see 19th June Report.
21st June...8.30am...Eighteen Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Two Avocets on the EM Pool. The EM Birds appear to have Eggs.
20th June...8.30am...Nine Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. Two Avocets on the EM Pool. The flock seems to have split up with 1/2 feeding on the Estuaries. The Allen Pool seems to have been abandoned, (it is badly polluted by the BH Gulls)!
19th June...8am...One Avocet on the Allen Pool, the nest has been abandoned and is being used by a BH Gull Chick. Twelve Avocets on the EM Pool. Ten Avocets on the Flood plus Three Chicks. There appears to be Twenty Three adult birds present, a record! There may possibly be a breeding attempt on the EM Pool???
18th June...2pm..0ne Avocet on the Flood, (on Eggs). Four Avocets on the Flood plus Four Avocets on the EM Pool. Gusty Gale force winds make viewing almost impossible from the Viewpoint. Can't tell Chick from adult in these conditions.
17th June...10am...Twenty One Avocets on the Flood and EM Pools, (including Three Chicks). Two Avocets on the Allen Pool, one on Eggs. The birds on the Flood and EM Pools where very flighty today. After I had counted them Ten flew off to the Estuary!
16th June...11am...Two Avocets on the Allen Pool, One on Eggs. Nine Avocets on the EM Pool plus One Chick. Nine Avocets on the Flood plus Two Chicks. The situation has not changed for two days, (let's hope these Eggs Hatch).
14th June...10am...One Avocet on the Allen Pool on Eggs. One Avocet on the Eric Morecambe Pool plus One Chick. Fifteen Avocets on the Flood plus Two Chicks. Again It's possible the missing Chicks/Adults have moved elsewhere. 5 pm... there are now Two Avocets on the Allen Pool which gives the remaining Nest a better chance of survival. I will check again in two days , a new hatching would be a nice surprise.
13th June...Morning...Five Avocets on the Allen Pool, no Chicks. One Avocet plus One Chick on the Eric Morecambe Pool. Eight Avocets plus Two Chicks on the Flood. Two Avocets on Eggs. There were Four Nests with Eggs on the 11th, it is possible that one of the clutches has hatched and they have been moved to another Pool? The other empty Nest is more doubtful. The Allen Pool Chick of the 11th has been walked to the EM Pool. I saw a Stoat on the last Two visits!
11th June...2pm...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus One Chick. Eight Avocets on the Eric Morecambe Flood plus Two Chicks. The Allen pool Chick seems to be healing It's damaged leg well. The Flood is viewed from The Viewpoint, click on this link to see the view from this point. Four birds on Eggs.
10th June...12Noon...Eight Avocets on the Allen Pool, No Chicks. Eight Avocets on the Eric Morecambe Flood plus Two Chicks. The two largest Chicks have been walked here since the 8th June. 2pm...The Third Chick found on the Allen Pool, unfortunately it seems to have a damaged Leg.
9th June...Afternoon...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus One Chick. Four birds on Eggs. The Two chicks not found today are the oldest and three quarter grown. Hopefully they have just gone over the bank and will be back tomorrow? If not it is looking like a Fox or Stoat or some similar predator is taking the Chicks.
8th June...Morning...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Three Chicks. Four birds on Eggs. No sign of the other birds, (probably out on the Estuary).
7th June...Morning...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Three Chicks. Four birds on Eggs. During the night two Nests were Robbed/Abandoned. A BH Gull was eating the Eggs from one of the Nests. Several Avocets were seen on the Barrow Scout Fields early morning. 2 pairs guarding chicks + 4 pairs with Eggs, the remainder in disarray.
6th June...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Three Chicks Found. Six birds on Eggs. No sign of the fourth chick today, hopefully the second batch of Nests will do better than the first. Info:- 2 pairs have laid again, 1 pair never hatched any Eggs (Nest Flooded), of the 4 birds not breeding 2 are sub adults and probably won't breed. A 20% survival rate so far for the Chicks.
4th June...Afternoon...Eighteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Five birds on Eggs, possibly a sixth?
3rd June...Morning...Twenty Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Five birds on Eggs. There were three distinct non breeding pairs today. I suspect one of the early breeders has nested again, otherwise the figures don't add up to Twenty! At least one of the non breeding pairs has an immature bird as one of the pair so is unlikely to breed.
2nd June...Morning...Eighteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Five birds on Eggs. There should be more chicks within the next ten to fourteen days.
31st May...Morning...Another full House (see 30th May)
30th May...Afternoon...Twenty Avocets on the Allen pool plus Four Chicks. Five birds on Eggs, (a full house today).
29th May...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Five birds on Eggs.
28th May...Afternoon...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Four birds on Eggs and a possible fifth. Roundup to date:- 3 pairs guarding Chicks (off duty birds not always present on the Pool) + 5 pairs incubating Eggs + 1 pair mating + 1 pair out on the Marsh/Estuary = 20 Birds in total.
27th May...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Two on the Eric Morecambe Pool. Four birds on Eggs.
26th May...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Two birds on Eggs.
25th May...Afternoon...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. A lovely sunny day!
24th May...Morning...Twenty Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. One bird on Eggs. A few showers today but not as wet as forecast.
23rd May...Afternoon ...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. One bird on Eggs. The water level is falling slowly and there was even a visit from that stranger The Sun, plus of course Gale Force Winds!
22nd May...Afternoon...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. The Chicks look strong enough to survive the Monsoon Season, (formerly called Bank Holiday). One bird on Eggs.
21st May...1pm...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. At least one bird on Eggs.
20th May...Morning...Twenty Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. Once again the wanderers have returned to shelter from the strong gusty winds. The same bird as yesterday still sitting tight. All the birds have paired up but there only appears to be five or six pairs likely to breed, (one pair may relay having lost all there Chicks).
19th May...1pm...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks. The water level has risen over the last two days and destroyed the Nest of the sitting bird. The larger Chicks are feeding mainly on the grass covered Breakwater. There is another bird probably sitting on Eggs (Avocets are able to lay again if the first clutch is destroyed).
16 May...1pm...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Five Chicks, still one bird on Eggs the other two pairs seem to have lost interest yet again. They are probably too young!
15th May...11am...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Five Chicks, one bird sitting on Eggs.
14th May...Midday...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Five Chicks found, a family of two Chicks that were not being brooded or guarded yesterday could not be found. There is definitely another bird sitting on Eggs, with a strong possibility that two more may follow. The 10 Metre Tide on the 16th, (if accompanied by a Westerly Wind) is the next critical time.
13th May...Midday...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Nine Chicks, sixteen Avocets present in the afternoon. Another Avocet is almost certainly sitting on Eggs, with another pair very likely to do so soon. The Sub Arctic Conditions continue.
12th May...Morning...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Ten Chicks, the cold windy very wet weather overnight has killed three of the smaller chicks.
11th May...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Thirteen Chicks, two Avocets on the Eric Morecambe Pool. All four of the Clutches have now hatched, however there are two more pairs showing signs of breeding. Time will tell! The next danger period is around the 16th of May (another 10 Metre + Tide).
10th May...Morning...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Nine Chicks. Yet another clutch hatched this morning. Both yesterdays and today's hatchlings were escorted to the Mainland or another Island this morning. Both groups of chicks were attacked by a non breeding pair of Avocets. This battle went on for an hour, much pecking and shaking of the chicks, even flying with them...Afternoon...Amazingly all Seven chicks involved in this mornings mayhem have survived. Let's hope these two murderous birds don't come back next year. One more clutch to hatch, could be tomorrow?
9th May...Morning...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Six Chicks. Another clutch has hatched overnight. There are still two pairs mating and investigating Nest Sights. Whether they make the grade this year only time will tell. It is not too late in the season!
8th May...Morning...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Two Chicks. Yet again the wanderers have returned, sheltering from the strong winds.
7th May...1pm Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Two Chicks, the two surviving youngsters are growing fast on a diet of insects and larvae.
6th May...Evening...Ten Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Two Chicks, one Avocet on the Eric Morecambe Pool. Another clutch should hatch in the next week.
5th May...Afternoon...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Two Chicks, the other two have probably been killed by the very cold wet and windy weather. One Avocet on the Flood. The fifth pair seem to have abandoned breeding yet again.
3rd May...Morning...Ten Avocets on the Allen Pool plus four Chicks, the parent birds and Chicks have left the Nesting Island. The young spend most of the time being brooded under the wings of the adults, looks like a bird with ten legs. No sign of the other adult birds. The fifth pair hopefully have found a nest site, they will not start to incubate till all the Eggs are laid.
2nd May...1pm Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Four Chicks, four Avocets on the Flood.
1st May...1pm Twelve Avocets on the Allen pool, this seems to be the core of the breeding population. Four active nests, the fifth pair were again trying to establish a nesting site. The sixth pair have not shown any interest in breeding. Avocets have been seen off Jenny Browns Point and in the Kent and Keer Estuaries.
30th April...Morning...Eighteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, seven birds were displaying and then flew off onto the marsh. The total number of birds in the area is uncertain, (perhaps between eighteen and twenty four)?
29th April...Morning...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen pool. Afternoon...Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool (the return of the wanderers) see 26th April. Still four active Nests.
28th April...1pm Thirteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, one on the Eric Morecambe.
27th April...Morning...Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool, two on the Eric Morecambe. The Fifth pair were seen mating. Afternoon...Fourteen Avocets on the Allen pool, strong gusty winds all day.
26th April...9am Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool, plus two on the Eric Morecambe. The fifth pair have returned to their chosen Island, (there is still hope they may breed). Two Avocets were seen today on the River Kent. (Birdguides)
25th April...1.30pm Eight Avocet on the Allen pool, (the four breeding pairs). The other eight birds are probably sheltering on Carnforth Marsh or Barrow Scout Fields from the foul weather.
24th April...9am Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool, four Avocets on the Eric Morecambe pool. Another pair of birds look as though they will be interested in breeding!
22nd April...9am Eight Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Eight on the Eric Morecambe. No change at the Nest Sites.
21st April...1pm Ten Avocets on the Allen Pool plus Six on the Eric Morecambe. There are six pairs four of which are definitely breeding, with possibly a fifth to come.
19th April...11am Fifteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, four Nest Sites. Another pair seem likely to breed.
8th April...9am only Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool, the other birds will probably turn up at High Tide when the Marsh Floods.
17th April...5pm Sixteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, six pairs. Nest sites as yesterday. It is doubtful whether all the pairs will breed. The Ten Metre plus tides have done no damage the wind being in an easterly direction.
16th April...2pm Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, Four pair are guarding Nest Sites.
15th April...1pm Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, Four pair are guarding Nest Sites.
14th April...1pm Thirteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, three or possibly four pair are settling down to breed. Tides rising daily.
12th April...3pm Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool, so far only two pair have settled down to breed. It is possible there is a Nest Site on the Marsh?
11th April...12pm Thirteen Avocet on the Allen Pool, investigating Nesting Sites.
10th April...10am Twelve Avocets on the Allen Pool and Two on The Flood, (Six Pair). All the breeding efforts could be washed away by the High Tides of 17th,18th,19th April if there is a strong Westerly Wind.
8th April...9am Again Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, three pair seem to settling down to the task in hand!
7thApril...10am Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool (six pairs), at least two of the pairs are defending territories.
5th April...Am Twelve Avocets reported on the Allen Pool...pm nine to eleven Avocets on the Allen Pool, (two pairs are protecting nest sites from the gulls).
3rd April...2pm Eight Avocets on the Allen pool, now the weather is warm and sunny the remainder have dispersed over the Marsh.
2nd April...1pm Still Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool, sheltering from the strong winds and feeding. Three pair seem to have chosen their Nest Islands.
1st April...3pm Fourteen Avocets on the Allen Pool.
31st March...10am Nine Avocets on the Allen Pool + two on the Eric Morecambe Pool + one on the Flood...3.30pm Eleven Avocets on the Allen Pool + one on the Flood. There are now Five Pairs on the Allen Pool, but the situation is still volatile and there is much movement too and from the other feeding areas.
30th March...Thirteen Avocets reported?
29th March...Nine Avocets on the Allen Pool + Two on the Flood.
28th March...10.30am Eleven Avocets on the Allen Pool, still four pairs.
27th March...1pm Seven Avocets on the Allen Pool, at least three birds on the Flood. The low sun makes for very difficult viewing.
26th March...1pm Eight Avocets on the Allen Pool, (three pairs) mostly resting. The other two or three birds out on Carnforth Marsh feeding.
25th March...2.30pm Ten Avocets on the Allen Pool. Previously eight had been feeding on the Eric Morecambe pool and the Flood. Four Pairs + two others (possibly last years young). In the Evening eleven Avocets were reported (JW), see 11th/12th March.
24th March...Midday, four Avocets on the Allen pool + four on the Eric Morecambe Pool...4pm, four Avocets on the Allen pool + two on the Eric Morecambe Pool + two on the Flood. There are now at least four pairs in the area.
23rd March...Seven Avocets reported on the Allen pool.
22nd March...AM: Seven Avocet reported on the Allen Pool...PM: Four Avocet on the Allen Pool (two pairs) + Three on the Flood (see 15th March)! A possible third pair?
21st March...Six Avocet on the Allen Pool, two pairs and two others.
20th March...Five Avocet on Allen Pool + One on Eric Morecambe Pool, mostly feeding with breaks for mating. (This could be the total but there could be other birds out on the marsh which is flooded with the High Tides).
19th March...Five Avocet on Allen Pool.
18th March...12.35pm six Avocet on Allen Pool (two pairs and two spares). Nest building behavior [forming a scrape].
17th March...7.30am five Avocet (two pair and a spare) on Allen Pool. 8.30am...only three on Allen Pool.
16th March...Report of 1 Avocet at Eric Morecambe Pool, three still at Allen Pool.
15th March...Three Avocets on the Allen Pool all day, spending most of the time feeding. The single bird keeps well away from the pair. Another Avocet? was seen on the flood in the morning from the Crag Road Viewpoint. The flood is to the left of the Eric Morecambe Pool in this picture.
14th March...8am Two Avocets on the Eric Morecambe Pool (J Wilson) which shortly flew off...9am I Spotted three Avocets on the Allen Pool, an obvious pair were mating. The pair then drove off the other bird which looked like an immature male. The three birds were in the same general area all day, (it is unclear how many birds there are at present there could as many as eleven or as few as six).
13th March...Reports of two and sometimes three Avocets on the Allen Pool all Day. Another report of two Avocets seen on the Kent Estuary from Jenny Browns Point.
12th March...Six Avocets on the Allen pool in two groups of three. These then split up and a pair were seen investigating one of last years Nest Sites.
11th March... Five Avocets were seen on the Eric Morecambe Pool, at least one was a juvenile.
03 March...Two Avocets still present on the Allen Pool early morning. (Then no sightings till the 11th).
02 March...Two Avocets on the Allen Pool (the first arrivals).
