LANCS: Picture of a bird on blog shock!

Spring arrives at last! After days of interrupted fieldwork it was a real treat to get out to Bowland yesterday - Meadow Pipits in parachute display flight, Red Grouse croaking away in the heather, Curlews bubbling overhead (can't believe how crap they are landing in heather!), Peregrine Falcon causing havoc over the LBBG colony and a couple of pairs of Stonechats in the clough below. Surely this is how Spring should be? Nice to see a few Green Hairsteraks on the wing for the first time in nearly a fortnight as well. Ring Ouzel on the way back was a rare treat this Spring. Didn't see another soul in this remote part of Bowland for over seven hours. Heaven.
Worrying times though as Mrs B was out and about in Bowland as well, somewhere in the Abbeystead area. I'll have to start hiding her bins again before this gets out of control and starts lugging her 'scope and tripod around too.

Well here it is the long awaited bird pic on the blog. Bowland is the breeding stronghold of the Hen Harrier in England nowadays and this bottle of "Sky Dancer" carries Bowland's flagship bird species as its logo. Nice drop of beer too - thanks to Mrs B for buying a few bottles out at Bashall Barn instead of gripping me off with something!

This morning was just as good, perhaps even hotter with hardly a breath of breeze. The absolute highlight was recording 4 Whinchats - a pair plus a male in one square and a female on my march back. The males were as always with species, mind blowing. I sat for quite a bit of time watching them listening to the wide variety of vocalisations (including a Bullfinch like call) and managed to record one bird. Another pair of Peregrines seen this morning and some very handsome Stonechats near the Whinchats too.


On the way back to the car I noticed this Painted Lady, not something I see in Lancs this early in the year. They are normally in the garden in late July / August on the buddleia if we're lucky with the weather. Shouldn't have been too surprised though; a quick look at one of the latest thread on the vismig yahoo group (see new link for visible migration blog on the right) tells all:

"Please forgive me for posting an item that is at the moment not related to the BOG area. So let me explain, whilst birding in Costa Blanca Spain (an area I know very well) I experienced a massive northerly movement of Painted Lady butterflies. The influx started on the 14th of May 09 with butterflies coming in off the sea from North Africa at Punta Prima.

The following day the 15th they were still coming in but in greater numbers. At 9am we went on the coast road to Clot de Gavney NR a distance of about 30 miles and during the whole journey butterflies were heading north many hitting the cars and landing on the roads.

At Clot de Gavney NR the place was 'alive' with Painted lady butterflies. On the 16th not one Painted Lady could be found. Given the distance of the movement thousands and thousands of butterflies must have been involved.

Some what about the BOG area I strongly believe that we should get some of these migrants in the next few weeks, so keep a look out and any good number please report them.

Sorry if I have gone on!"

Posted by Martyn Priestley

So, something to look out for then ......

Couple of Spotted Flycatchers in the Whitendale Valley at the end of my walk were the first of the year for me, Plenty of "normal" people out in Bowland today (not birders). Taking in the sun, BBQ's, camping, just enjoying themselves in the Bank Holiday sunshine. Should be back to normal tomorrow hopefully.


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