Stanley Park, Blackpool (2 Viewers)

[mikfoz]

Thought it was time, seeing as we've been firmly directed towards a whole forum for Lancashire birding, to try kicking off a more specific thread about a particular location for people to chuck in their musings, wanderings and ticks.

I've wandered up there the last couple of evenings armed with bins and camera and had quite a productive time. Got a lovely Grebe shot last night despite being lumbered with a dog and a grumpy kid. Tonight I got a great view of some very early Grey Heron chicks and a photo or two of them and managed to finally spot a Tree Creeper which is a lifer for me. Also got another nice G. C. Grebe pic and some sundry snaps of Robins etc. Sadly the light was going by the time I got a view of the Tree Creeper so all I got were some pics of a blurry bird zooming up and down a pin sharp tree trunk. Those little devils just won't stay still.

I'm starting to appreciate this location I've blissfully wandered through for years in a new light as a birding location. I must have had some sort of blindfold on up until now...

 

[sleipnerofasgard]

Well done Mike, paid my second visit to Marton Mere a few weeks ago for my first ever LEOs after dibbing out the week before and picked up the Firecrest in Stanley Park too, only the second one i've seen with a 20 year gap, so i have no doubt i will return again in the coming months

Frank

 

[Neil UK]

Stanley Park the end near the golf course is definately turning out to be a haven alately. Even had the pleasure of a Robin eating out of my hand a few weeks back there!!

 

[Alan67]

I agree, Stanley Park is great. I've had some very enjoyable trips there. Went today and managed to find a Goldcrest:

 

[mikfoz]

Went up this morning despite the dreadful light. Plenty of common birds about. I was just becoming frustrated with the light and thinking I wouldn't catch a glimpse of the Goldcrest everyone's been on about when there it was in front of me. It was on the road side of the lake about halfway towards the main path opposite the Zoo entrance and stuck around for about 5 minutes, singing away. Even so, it was almost impossible to get a good pic of it showing its crest so this is the best I could do.

 

[WyreWader]

I was just becoming frustrated with the light and thinking I wouldn't catch a glimpse of the Goldcrest everyone's been on about when there it was in front of me.

Mik, there are good numbers of Goldcrest at the park at the moment - it's a Firecrest that's caused quite a stir, although it's over a week now since it was last reported as seen there.

BTW - I fully agree re Stanley Park being a top birding location, some of my best photos have been taken there over the last few years, & how lucky are we to have a Heronry at the park!

Regards

Cliff

 

[mikfoz]

Knew it was a something-crest... 8-P

I still liked seeing the little chap anyway.

 

[mikfoz]

Better feed this thread...

The Herons are doing quite well on the Heronry at the moment and are well worth a look.



As you can see, you get a pretty close look.

 

[DaveN]

Superb Heron photo, Mike.

 

[BlackpoolBirder]

I also Bird around the park and have noticed that since the Firecrest Apeared at the start of march many more birders are giving the park a look! Its A great place Early morning especially in spring as whole knows what will be there! it also pulls in some unusual birds along with the commoner migrants... Highlights of the park for me however are the Woodpeckers Often near "heron Island" or the Spotted flycatchers in spring... But early morning visits are definately worth while as the public haven't had chance to throw there dogs in every bit of greenary! and birds to be seen fairly close include the crests, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wood warbler (when they arrive), Garden warbler (as formentioned), Willow Warbler and the oppurtunity to see the odd osprey passing over! I know all these sound like they will not be found in the oark but believe me with a bit of time and effort all these can be ticked off in the park!

Regards and good birding,

Craig!

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

I also Bird around the park and have noticed that since the Firecrest Apeared at the start of march many more birders are giving the park a look! Its A great place Early morning especially in spring as whole knows what will be there! it also pulls in some unusual birds along with the commoner migrants... Highlights of the park for me however are the Woodpeckers Often near "heron Island" or the Spotted flycatchers in spring... But early morning visits are definately worth while as the public haven't had chance to throw there dogs in every bit of greenary! and birds to be seen fairly close include the crests, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wood warbler (when they arrive), Garden warbler (as formentioned), Willow Warbler and the oppurtunity to see the odd osprey passing over! I know all these sound like they will not be found in the oark but believe me with a bit of time and effort all these can be ticked off in the park!

Regards and good birding,

Craig!

I haven't seen many Ospreys in the Fylde but if I was looking for one I would go to Marton Mere not Stanley Park. The park is relatively underwatched though, it has had a few scarce gulls in the past and even Roseate Tern and Smew.

Stephen.

 

[mikfoz]

Yeah, I've noticed a lot more people plainly there just for birding and asking about the Firecrest as well.

One pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers have a nest in the dead tree by the little bridge at the corner of the lake opposite the Heronry so the small bit of scrubby woodland in that area is a great place to spot them quite close up.

 

[mikfoz]

Finally saw it happen

Finally saw a GCG catch a fish.



Got some more cool closeups as well.



This is the same GCG as with the fish about 2 minutes before it caught it. It took about five minutes for it to swallow it and I really thought it was going to have to spit it out.

Not bad for a trip to the park I nearly didn't take.

 

[David Smith]

Whereabouts in Stanley Park?

I live some 55 miles away so it would never be a regular patch but I recently called in (week-end:-C) and wonder if I have the right place as-although only there for 30 minutes) I didn't see much at all.
I drove in through a main gate and down a 'lane' that had cars parked all along. Leaving the car there I walked ahead, past a small cafe' and found a relatively large lake.
If I have the right place can you tell me how to find the Herons and any of the other birds?
Thanks

 

[mikfoz]

I live some 55 miles away so it would never be a regular patch but I recently called in (week-end:-C) and wonder if I have the right place as-although only there for 30 minutes) I didn't see much at all.
I drove in through a main gate and down a 'lane' that had cars parked all along. Leaving the car there I walked ahead, past a small cafe' and found a relatively large lake.
If I have the right place can you tell me how to find the Herons and any of the other birds?
Thanks

The Herons are up at the end of the boating lake. If you come in the way you arrived and parked (this is where I usually pull in) and down to the lake you then need to follow it clockwise. You'll see a bridge towards the road. Don't cross this, just follow the path round the lake and you'll see an island with a load of trees on it. There are no boats or fishing allowed in this section. There's also some nice light woodland to poke through. You can't miss the heronry. The path follows right round the lake at this point until you reach the bridges and then back over them and into the park once more.

If you check out my gallery you'll see a lot of shots taken in the park. Cliff also gets some great pics there and I bump into him quite often.

 

[David Smith]

Thanks for that-I actually went counter clockwise and as I was taking my elderley relative I had to go when she had had enough wallking.........she is fearsome:eek!:

 

[BlackpoolBirder]

Treecreeper Nest on Budlia Island (where the two bridges meet!!!) Plenty of Blackcap singing along with Chiffchaff's and Willow warblers... Not long until the spotted Fly catchers should arrive!!!

 

[mikfoz]

That explains why I get most of my Trecreeper sightings in that area. Suspected as much.

 

[Neil UK]

Went over this morning, got some lovely shots which will post up later. Also was anyone over there this morning aswell? Just asking as 3-4 birders in a group, who seemed to be keeping a secret to themselves, by whispering amongst themselves and walking away from me. One of them had the decency to actually have a slight conversation with me, as I was watching a Sparrowhawk attempt to take a grey squirrel.

The reason they may of been whispering between themselves was possibly the Sparrowhawk nest that I then saw. So Mik get over there with your 500mm lens, you would get some amazing shots.

 

[Tao Wild]

My I suggest the stance of this Lancashire forum be that THE LOCATION OF NO BREEDING SPECIES SHOULD BE POSTED.

Eggers are once again very active in this county and surrounding areas and could easily access the forum for information. They are particularly interested in schedule 1 species such as Peregrine, Merlin, Little Ringed Plover (which should not be posted at breeding sites during the breeding season) etc plus owls and the like but to keep it simple, I suggest everything should be avoided.