Skein Birding and Beyond.......: Big Green Bus

About Graham Clarkson

Born & brought up in Marshside, I started birding there in the mid 1970s & made my first birding trip to Martin Mere in 1977. I've lived, worked & birdied in Abu Dhabi, Northern Ireland & Gloucestershire & I've spent time working in Kazakhstan & Madagascar. I enjoy birding my various West Lancashire patches, making frequent birding visits throughout the north-west of England and North Wales. I stray elsewhere in the UK & enjoy birding abroad from time to time. I'm particularly interested in wildfowl (especially pink-footed geese) with an interest in waders & raptors, bird counts & surveys & conservation. I'm trying to get the hang of photography & digiscoping - I'll get there eventually.

My degree from Edge Hill University is in conservation biology. I've guided on numerous birding days out & trips & guided birding holidays to Lesvos, Andalucia, Extremedura, Majorca, Camargue, Hungary, Finland & Florida. I enjoy showing people birds & habitats & helping them learn more about birds & enjoy birding. I'm currently involved with the Birdwatching and Beyond course at Edge Hill and a brand new venture; Skein Birding.

As well as birding I'm interested in captive breeding & reintroduction projects & zoos, how they're managed & how they contribute to conservation. I'm a proud Lancastrian & love the Lancashire countryside & landscapes. I'm an Evertonian & also keep up with what's happening at Southport, PNE & Bristol Rovers. Gardening, dogs (I have a Labrador & a Tibetan Terrier) and keeping chickens (especially Marsh Daisys & Scots Dumpy Bantams). Ruth & I have two marvellous boys who both love nature too. I hope you find the blog and subjects covered interesting; please feel free to leave a comment.

Saturday, 15 September 2012

Big Green Bus

Didn't really do any proper birding today but did manage to get out and about. First adventure was out walking the dog early doors. I could hear lots of pink-feet from the house and we walked the short distance to Crabtree Lane where they were feeding. Half an hour spent stood behind a beech hedge next to the level crossing was worthwhile, I managed to get a fairly accurate count; 7300. A shame I didn't have my scope and camera. All credit to the dog for staying still while I counted the geese.

The second adventure of the day was a free a bus trip from Burscough to Mere Sands Wood (stopping at Martin Mere, Windmill Farm and Homestead farm). It was great! All four of us on a lovely, green, old double decker and a smashing welcome when we got to Mere Sands Wood; the Lancashire Wildlife Trust had laid on free pond dipping, which Jacob and Samuel really enjoyed.