This Rarity is a Spirited Little Blyth-ter

I've been waiting to use that title for three weeks now, ever since the rare Blyth's Reed Warbler was first sighted at Hope Carr Nature Reserve in Greater Manchester. Blyth Spirit - geddit?

The day after it was found by Phil Rhodes I was messaged by Simon Warford who was asking me if I could go and take a photograph of the bird.  As the reserve is only fifteen minutes from where I live, it wasn't a problem and so I was soon on my way.

This began a saga of four visits each lasting over three hours trying to find the little blyth-ter.  The weather was generally awful on most of my previous visits, ranging from rain, sleet and then proper snow, but this didn't deter me or the 50 or so birders who turned up on one of the days.

Over the next few days the weather slowly improved and eventually some photos started to appear, some of them very good. It's a very tricky bird to see, never mind photograph as it skulks around the bramble patches looking for food.  I was starting to give up of hope of even seeing it though.

It wasn't until my fifth visit earlier today that I actually connected with the bird and luckily managed some decent photos as well.  I happened to be doing some volunteer work around the corner at a school in Lowton, and as it was bright and sunny, I just called in on the off chance on my way home - so glad I did.

Lifer, Year and Greater Manchester tick all in one, with photos to boot - Things are looking up!

If you'd like to read a short report about how the bird was found and its ID confirmed by sonogram, head over to Simon Warford's report on the Leigh Ornithological Society main website here:

http://www.leighos.org.uk/2019/02/blyths-reed-warbler-hope-carr-nr.html

UPDATE:

Simon messaged me today to say that BirdWatch, the magazine from BirdGuides would possibly like to use one of my photos in an article he has written for them. Well that would be good, wouldn't it?

Hope Carr Nature Reserve (Again!)

Twice in one week, eh? Must be good!  What happened was that I sent a plea to a member of the Manchester Birding Forum for a guided tour of all the good spots here and Ray Ashcroft very kindly showed me round tonight.  I decided not to take my camera tonight so I could concentrate on getting my bearings here and talking to Ray without distraction.

Whilst I was waiting for Ray to arrive at the agreed time of 6pm, I spotted a Jay in the trees near the filter beds - all on my own too!  Ray arrived promptly at 6pm and we set off immediately on a route in between the filter beds.  Before we knew it four Green Sandpipers took off from bed 9a - at least Ray said they were, I wouldn't have been able to tell myself.  He pointed out the characteristic wing shape and white marking on the back - and then another one flew out from right beneath us!  This time I got quite a good  look and saw the markings quite clearly.  Five Green Sandpipers is a good tally for this time of year, so Ray was pleased, but we were obviously far too noisy for this bird which is easily spooked.

Ray then showed me round the rest of the area pointing where he'd seen various birds including Kingfisher along the River Glaze and the famous Grey Phalarope of 2007 on one of the filter beds.  We finished off by having a look at the main lake and as well as the usual suspects there was a Little Grebe swimming in and out of the reeds on one of the banks.

All in all an interesting location and one to which I'm sure I'll return in the future.  Thanks Ray.

Hope Carr Nature Reserve

Tonight I ventured out to a small nature reserve on my doorstep but somewhere I had never been before.  It is called Hope Carr Nature Reserve and it gets the odd sighting reported now and then on the Manchester Birding Forum.  After reading the blurb on the aforemention website I printed out the hand drawn map and set off down the East Lancs Road towards the Greyhound Hotel behind which lies the Hope Carr area.

The nature reserve is next to a water treatment (sewage) farm owned by United Utilities.  Not a pleasant environment you may think but actually many of the filter beds are overgrown with vegetation and are obviously no longer in use (although others still are used).  As one who regularly passes the sewage works in Davyhulme near Urmston I was expecting the worse but there was no unpleasant sewage smell when I visted to night.

Apparently this Nature Reserve is well past its hey-day in the 1980's and 90's. Although the main path is still clear and accessible, many of the lakes, ponds and filter beds have become overgrown or colonised by trees and vegetation somewhat restricting the views.

Although I set off a bit late and it got dark quickly, I did get to see the following birds either along the path or on the main lake tonight:

• Kestrel
• Grey Heron
• Gadwall
• Mallard
• Coot
• Moorhen
• Canada Goose
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Woodpigeon

I also saw what I first though was a Blackcap although I am by no means sure, as well another small warbler type of bird.  I had a good sighting of about ten Canada Geese flying overhead and then landing with a great deal of splashing in the main lake.

On the way back to the car I came across a young lad who was waiting for his mate so that they could go fishing together.  I asked him about where he goes and the paths around the area.  He told me that he had seen Kingfishers and many other birds here but often in areas where you were not 'officially' supposed to go. I smiled and thanked him for his help. Just before I got back into the car I had a quick look round the working filter beds - this area looked a lot more promsiing for waders and the like, so I'll need to have a good walk round at a future date.

On returning home I sent a message to one of the birders who posts sightings for Hope Carr on the Forum asking if he might show me round the places he goes to see Green Sandpipers and other waders - I now think the filter beds are where I should be looking for these.

Looking forward to another visit during the day when I have more time to look around in daylight hours.  Too dark for pictures today.