Blah, blah, blah, still blethering, blatting and birding.
Let me know what you’re seeing and I’ll return the favour.
Seawatch when the wind and tide are right, twitch when the mood takes you, but always bird bird bird.
All words and pictures copyright John Dempsey, unless otherwise stated.
John Dempsey Birdblog 
Hello John,
New web site format brilliant-ad free heaven!!
I am by no means a good Birder and unfortunately at the age of 82 with breathing problems I have to be careful and pick my days to be out and also where I can go.
I do therefore look forward to your blogs and birding adventures.
I get the impression that maybe you feel that you are bloging without much response and probably think sometimes ‘why am I doing this’. Don’t worry I know quite a few people in my small area that look forward to your missives!
Best regards,
B.M.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks Bernard.
LikeLike
John I’m on crutches and desperate to pin down the spot to see the dusky warbler. Walked total of 3miles Monday and failed to find the hawthorns.Please can you tell me where Pinfold path is and how to get there from the coastal road bridge over the reserve. Local dog walkers were no help ..Got home knackered, sore and peed off !!
LikeLike
Sent you an email with grid reffed map Bob, let me know if you need anymore help, it can be tricky to find the bird…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi John
I came across your blog about a year ago and have found it both interesting and informative. On several occasions I have wanted to contact you but couldn’t seem to find an email address. However a recent post encouraged me to try again and I’ve eventually found this route to you. So I have 2 questions.
The first relates to the recent post about the Little Owl at Banks. This is one bird I have never seen and have always struggled to identify a potential site. After the post I tried in vain to find the correct barn. So I would grateful if you could provide details of its location. Also is there a time of day when it is more likely to be about.
My next question relates to seawatching. I have the good fortune to own a 2nd home on the Fife coast and enjoy spending time at Fife Ness, although it would be even better if my skills were improved, but hopefully that will come with practice. I had not appreciated that the Sefton coast could also provide such opportunities until I read some of your posts. So my question relates to which locations are suitable? I’m based in Southport so somewhere near there would be better. I know you’ve mentioned the ‘tobacco dump’ but am not sure where that is? Also what conditions are best for this such as time of day, wind direction or state of tide.
Once again many thanks for your blog and keep up the good work.
Mike Grice
LikeLike
Hi Mike – glad you like the blog.
Try Gravel Lane, Banks for the Little Owl – it perches up on the barns and farming equipment north of the micro-brewery but is a bit hit and miss.
Stay in your vehicle if you are driving as they can be a bit jumpy and be sure not to block access to any of the farmyards or houses.
Re the seawatching Formby Point is the best spot on the Sefton coast, the Tobacco Dump is the large area of nettles to the north of it, about a ten minute walk though the dunes south from the National Trust’s Victoria Road car park.
I love seawatching but our part of the Irish Sea can be very hard work.
A westerly an hour or so either side of high tide is best, but even in stormy conditions returns can be poor.
Seawatching here is best from May through to October – some folk have done ok from Southport Pier, but it doesn’t stick out enough for me.
Best of luck at Fife Ness – it is a remarkable place for migration, with this autumn’s Siberian Thrush there showing what can show up.
All the best.
LikeLike
Hi John , can you please give me a pointer or two to locate the dusky warbler site on the reserve. I’m on crutches and walked 3 miles monday without finding Pinfold path or the hawthorns. Where do I head to from the coastal road bridge over reserve.Local dog walkers/ramblers did their best but sent me the wrong way . I’ll be ever in your debt if you help Thanks Bob
LikeLike
Hi Bob, sorry to hear about your difficulty. The area is a good walk in from either the Pinfold Lane bridge or my office at the ADC. You will need wellingtons as the area is heavily flooded. Walk
LikeLike
the reserve and take the first right hand track through the pines (before the lake) follow it onto the open dunes and north. The area of the path where the warbler hangs out is along the fence line of the NNR sheep enclosure. I will send you a map with grid refs via email. It can be very elusive!
LikeLike
Faint heart never won dark (not fair) warbler John.I’ll be having a hobble in that direction. Thanks Bob
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wellies essential!
LikeLike
Thanks John for your explicit directions to locate the dusky warbler.Sure it was a struggle , but I got there ! Despite a three hour vigil with five other seasoned birders about , no sightings occurred. I feel maybe conditions the previous night prompted a move. In hindsight I should have gone much sooner to have a look. The outing was still a joy though with many common but interesting birds about. Returning along edges of the wooded area, I was struck by the numbers of goldfinches. They were everywhere in twos, threes, and I even saw five together at one point Couldn’t make one turn into a firecrest though !Keep up the good work on your blog Regards Bob
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great effort Bob, unlucky with the Dusky… I’m afraid it has been seen in the same area this morning. It can be very elusive.
LikeLike
Thank you for a great blog. Please can you sign me up for email notifications? Best wishes, Ben
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ben, glad you like the blog. For email alerts simply tick the box below the comments bit at the end of any entry.
LikeLike