The annual Whimbrel spectacle at Brockholes Quarry, Lancashire, UK.
by Bill Aspin.
Details of the colour-ringed Whimbrel of 24.04.03.
This bird was ringed as an adult breeder (probably a male) on 22nd June 1999 at Mosfell in Grímsnes, Southern-Iceland, 64.07N-20.37W. Apart from a few sightings in the area of ringing during the summer of 1999, this is the first time the bird has been reported since.
Brockholes Quarry, grid ref: SD585305, is one of the best sites in Lancashire to see this
species in Spring, not only for the quality of views,
but also for quantity.
The best time to see the largest numbers of Whimbrel at the site is in the evenings, with the peak time of arrival being the last c1.5hrs of light, as birds fly-in after a days field-feeding further upriver.
Numbers steadily begin to build during the last 10 days of April, peaking during the first week of May. Usually, the numbers fairly rapidly decrease thereafter, as birds continue their northward migration to places such as Iceland and Shetland.
The site has been watched regularly by a small group of birders since August 1998. During 1999-2000, most birds only paused briefly en-route to the Ribble Estuary roost at Longton Marsh, but during 2001-2002 it appeared that an increasing number of birds were using the site to roost, as significant numbers remained until well after dark. However, observations into this are still ongoing.
401 birds on May 1st 2003 is the highest count during the period 1999-2003. In other years during the period, counts in excess of 150 birds have been recorded on several dates. Other maximum yearly spring counts include: 234 on 4th May 2001 and 184 on 4th May 2002.
Occasionally, other species will attach themselves to the Whimbrel flocks; a Bar-tailed Godwit appeared on three evenings during early May 2002. Also, much smaller numbers of Curlew continue to roost at the site during the period, mingling amongst the Whimbrel.
During the times when birders are allowed to drive on-site, park carefully in the second passing place
(where the logbook is located) and please do not obstruct the
access road.
Directions: Access the site by following signs marked 'Quarry access', signposted from the
roundabout at Jcn. 31 of
the M6, southbound.
Please strictly adhere to the following site access details supplied by Hanson
Aggregates:
No Vehicular/pedestrian access along the access road by birders during the following times:
Mon - Fri; 0730-1800hrs, Sat; 0800-1200hrs. When visiting during these times, please park v. carefully outside the main gate
and under no circumstances walk/stand along the access road and avoid all
aspects of the working quarry. There are viewpoints which can be accessed from the
public footpaths running through/around the site.
Vehicular access to the second passing place is granted all day SUNDAY and BANK HOLIDAYS only.
Future site access and future broadcasting of bird-news depends on birders strictly adhering to the above - thank you.
