Decided to visit this site for the first time on my way home from Preston Dock. A great reserve, and a very quiet one too; I only saw 3 other people while there

Birds included:

2 marsh harrier (circling over the sea wall)
1 hobby (first seen shooting over the farmland behind the reserve, scaring a flock of linnets in the process, and then, spotted far off in the distance, perched in a piece of farmland machinery)
2 kestrel
1 greenshank
7 ruff
6 avocet
10+ common tern (including one fledged juvenile)
2 arctic tern (only two of the terns that i was able to check through the scope were arctic terns, but there might have been more swooping over the pools)
4 wigeon
1 whitethroat
40+ linnet
6 meadow pipit
30+ Dunlin

08.00-11.00

4 Avocets, 4 Ringed Plovers, 10 Dunlin, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 3f Wheatears, 4 Linnets, 4 Grey Partridges & 4 Redshnks.

1 Black Swan with 16 Mutes on the marsh.

Lots of "Alba" wagtails and Meadow Pipits on the newly ploughed fields, plenty of gulls here too, mainly adult Herring.

Good variety of birds - highlights were:
Merlin, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Avocets [numerous], Wheatear.

Stunning morning out in the marsh with a definite feeling of spring in the air. Plenty of activity with a large flock of Pink footed Geese feeding out in the distance.
Birds of prey in evidence were singles of Merlin, Spartowhawk and Peregrine.
Plenty of waders with 2 Greenshank and single Black tailed Godwit standing out amongst the Redshank, Curlew, Little Egrets and Grey Herons.
Large number of Wigeon 300+ and good numbers of Shelduck, a Mallard with smaller numbers of Teal
First singing Skylark if the year and 4 Tree Sparrows were the other highlights plus a Great White a Egret in the distance on Crossens

As part of a full day bird race 27 Bewick Swans the highlight at Hundred End. Rough Legged Buzzard reported at 2pm after we'd moved on

10.00-14.00

1 Great White Egret, 14 Little Egrets, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 1m Stonechat and 6 Whooper Swans.

A further 122 Whooper Swans on farmland nearby.

In the hedges near the car park a large flock of Linnets also contained 6 Tree Sparrows and 4 Reed Buntings.

A newly ploughed field nearby held a large mixed flock of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.

The masses of Pink Footed Geese and Wigeon on the marsh flushed every time a jet left Warton, but the Little Egrets, Shelduck, Redshank etc,

just ignored the planes.

4 Cormorants arrived on the marsh as the tide came, and they fished areas which just moments before had been grassland, they could'nt dive properly

and their backs were still above water as they rooted around below the surface, although they did'nt appear to catch anything.

-- Edited by John Williams on Monday 24th of November 2014 06:41:49 PM

A quick visit yesterday, late afternoon.

1 Sparrowhawk
2 Kestrel
6 Little Egret
2 Grey Heron
Several Curlew
4 or 5 flighty Greenshank
2 Redshank
1 Oystercatcher

Anyone visiting this "wild and lonely place" in the next few weeks needs to know that the footpaths to the east of the car park are currently closed. This is due to work being done on the flood defences. The official notice says from 6 June for six months.

The disappointment today was partly compensated by the sight of a huddle of 9 Little Egrets on one of the small lakes on the marsh.

11.30-14.00

36 Avocets, 2 Common Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Grey Herons, 2 Grey Partridges, 4 Reed Buntings, 1 Linnet and a family of 4 Common Whitethroats.

Lots of Shelduck and Mallard . A single flock of 60 Lapwings, plus numerous around the marsh. 6 Redshanks chasing each other about.

A couple of huge Starling flocks were flushed from by the Ribble, but I couldn't see what upset them.

I'm pretty sure the terns had young as one them of them chased off any large gulls that got too close, something a single Avocet sometimes would do too, and they were very good at it.

6 juvenile Shelduck amongst the mass of loafing adults. A flock of 10 Canada Geese flew north.

Along the embankment were 2 Large Skipper, 5 Meadow Brown and a single Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

Surprisingly, Clegs were biting just as much here as they were at Moore yesterday evening.

from 6am this morning

120+ Avocet
Redshank
Lapwing
Shelduck (lots)
Shoveler (1)
Gadwall
Tufted Duck
4 Whitethroat
Linnet
6 Wheatear
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
3 Peregrines
Buzzard
Kestrel
16 White Wagtails
Arctic Tern

-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Monday 28th of April 2014 12:59:37 PM

Interesting hour and a half around the high tide (which was 9+ m today) - first time I've seen the water lapping at the foot of the sea wall here.

Main feature of note was lots of Shelduck getting quite frisky.
Also several hundred Pink-footed geese a long way out near the estuary wall.
Quite impressive when they all took off at one point.

Also
Curlew
Teal
Mallard
Mute Swan
Little Egret

Everything was a good way out, in spite of the high tide - a better 'scope would have helped me!

Very isolated spot, VERY windy at the observation shelter which could do with some sides!!

Has a certain something though!

11.30
On way to here from Banks marsh were about 100 Whooper Swans, with 1 Black Swan feeding amonst them

26th January 2014 PM

Had a quick trip here while visiting Marshside. Very wet, windy and exposed but looks like a great site if the weather is right. Spent some time at the viewing platform and could see lots in the distance. Gulls and other stuff. Just to far away to be possitive what it was. .

Other than that:

Mallards
Shelduck
Ross Goose (Possible escapee or hybrid)

Regards

Dave

Trip across this afternoon mainly to try and pin down Bewick's Swan. Good walk out to 100 end and although generally quiet birds seen included
Red head Smew
Marsh Harrier
Merlin
Buzzard
2 Grey Heron
flock of 40 or so Linnet
50+ Wigeon
30+ Teal
10 Redshank

Tracked down the Swans to just off the main road so managed to get close to a herd of circa 100 Whooper Swans and after about 40 minutes of checking picked out the single Bewick's Swan, so good afternoon

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 29th of December 2013 06:29:06 PM

Late morning short stop - excellent views of the local Barn Owl.

8.30 - 11.30
20 Linnet
2 Merlin
Barn Owl
3 Buzzards
2 Kestrels
2 Great White Egrets
1 Greenshank
3 Goldeneye
1 Smew (redhead)
Little Egrets
Pied Wagtails
Constant trickle of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks
Big flocks of Starling and Pink Footed Geese

Great couple of hours despite the odd hailstorm

15.00-18.30

2 Greenshanks, 12 Curlews, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Dunlin, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 22 Redshanks, 2 Pintail, 4 Wheatears and a single group of 7 Swallows.

A steady passage of Meadow Pipits throughout, lots of Teal on the pools, but unusually just 1 Shelduck.

Also 2 Red Admiral butterflies.



-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 28th of September 2013 09:44:35 PM

09.30-13.00

Lots of Shelduck and Mallard, but all the Wigeon, Teal and Shovelers have moved on.

1 pair of Gadwall on the pools, also 1 Little Egret and a single Grey Heron.

The highlight though was a pair of Arctic Terns that were flying up and down the shallow pools picking titbits off the surface Marsh Tern/Little Gull style.

After a while they were joined by another pair. On occasions they would rest on fence posts, but when they settled on a mud bank they were immediatly chased off by

a pair of Black Headed Gulls. Eventually all 4 terns disappeared towards Lytham.

1 Common Whitethroat was by the car park, as was a Great Tit, which was a surprise in a place as isolated from mature woodland as this.

A pair of Grey Partridge were also near the car park.

Anxious Redshanks were chasing each other all over the marsh, whilst the 4+ pairs of Oystercatchers were more sedate.

1 Snipe flushed off the marsh. Lots of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits about, the larks showing particularly well.

Surprisingly there were no raptors, but several Great Black Backed Gulls patrolled the marsh.

A Herring Gull, was feasting on what looked like one of it's former colleagues, the ultimate in recycling.

4 Small Tortoishell butterflies were on the embankment.

Also, 1 hairy caterpillar very similar to the that of the Oak Eggar moth, but here it may well be the larva of the Grass Eggar, comments from moth experts welcome.

stopped off as a final port of call for 1/2 hour before heading home.
fairly quiet
1 Ringed Plover
1 Stonechat
Pheasant
Redshank
Meadow Pipit

09.30-12.00

1 Spotted Redshank with 6 Common Redshanks on a shallow pool.

300+ Pink Footed Geese still scattered around the marsh, but the only swan was a single Mute.

Masses of Shelduck, Mallard and Teal, and a single group of around 40 Wigeon, no sign of Shoveler though.

A few Meadow Pipits along the embankment, a couple of Herring Gulls were pair bonding, so to was a pair of Lesser Black Backs.

4 Great Black Backed Gulls were patrolling the marsh, the only raptor was a lone female Kestrel.

No sign of any Egrets, but 3 Grey Herons were skulking in a ditch out of the biting wind.

Despite the icy wind and horizontal snow, 3 Brown Hares were chasing each other around the marsh.

Redshanks were also chasing each around, a pair of Oystercatchers seem settled, whilst singles of Curlew and Snipe flew over.

For anyone who hasn't heard a Richard's Pipit has been found at Hesketh Out Marsh this afternoon seen intermittently in long grass on east bank 13.45 - 14.15. Relocated 15.40, showed until 16.05 at least in Crane Field.

I picked this up off Facebook so haven't seen it myself but thought it worth sharing

12.00-16.00

1 Barn Owl hunting over the part flooded farmland, 1 Buzzard, 1 Skylark, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Curlew and a single Meadow Pipit.

300+ Whooper Swans massed on farmland mixed with Pink Footed Geese and gulls. Masses of Shelduck on the marsh but only a few Mallard and Teal.

Surprisingly no Wigeon. Skeins of Pink Footed Geese constantly flying over.

Hi Martyn - nice to meet you there! I made a complete list of birds I had seen and seen by others, also in the hedges on the way to the reserve.

Organised by the RSPB £3 for members, £5 for non-members. The walk took us to an area out that the public do not really get access to! Was a brilliant day, no new ticks but a good list! Birds of particualr interest to me were Merlin, Grey Plover, Spotted Redshank, White Fronted Goose, Knot



Species seen:-



1. Eider (female),

2. Spotted Redshank - 2 in flight

3. Merlin - 2 birds seen, one gave a spirited chase to a Skylark all the way from this side to the other side and we do not even know the outcome. The Skylark deserved freedom after all that.

4. Kestrel

5. Peregrine

6. Sparrowhawk

7. Short-eared Owl - 2 seen but might have been 1 bird, flew over our heads!

8. Marsh Harrier - 1

9. Curlew

10. Oysercatcher - large flock

11. Redshank

12. Bar-tailed Godwit - some were saying both species present

13. Black-tailed Godwit - some were saying both species present

14. Grey Plover - 1

15. Golden Plover - flock

16. Lapwing

17. Carrion Crow

18. Magpie

19. Little Egret

20. Grey Heron

21. Great Black-Backed Gull

22. Common gull - 1

23. Herring Gull

24. Black-headed Gull

25. Lesser Black-Backed Gull

26. Meadow Pipit

27. Skylark

28. Goldfinch

29. Linnet

30. Snipe

31. Blackbird

32. Mallard

33. Wigeon

34. Cormorant

35. Teal

36. Shelduck

37. Greylag

38. White Fronted Goose - 1 with greylags

39. Pink-footed Goose

40. Pheasant

41. Jackdaw

42. Robin

43. Wren

44. Long-tailed Tit

45. Mute Swan

46. Starling

47. Knot

48. Woodpigeon

49. Collared Dove

50. Feral Pigeon

51. Dunlin - not seen by me

52. Sanderling - not seen by me

53. Kingfisher - not seen by me

NO Buzzards seen at all!


A successful and pleasant day ended with a treat! I stopped at Booth's in Hesketh Bank and had two pieces of fruit toast, a carrot cake and a mocha! I felt very satsfied and content!

-- Edited by Sarfraz Hayat on Wednesday 17th of October 2012 11:33:10 PM

High Tide today at Hesketh Out Marsh with the RSPB.
Seen from the RSPB owned embankments through the locked gate:

2 Kestrels
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Merlin (later seen trying to grab a Skylark)
1 Marsh Harrier
1 Short-eared Owl
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Female Eider
Golden Plovers
Skylarks
Wigeon
Teal
Redshank
Shelduck
Lapwing
1 Little Egret
1 Grey Heron
2 Mute Swans
Oystercatchers
Cormorants
Starlings
Mallards
1 female Pheasant

Highlight was a Short-eared Owl which flew quite low over

Distant Knot flocks
1 skein of about 30 Pink-footed Geese

-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Wednesday 17th of October 2012 10:07:59 PM

10.30-14.00

1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshanks, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Buzzards, 2 female Goosanders, 5 Grey Partidges, 10 Mute Swans and a single flock of 28 Linnets.

The Spotted Redshank and Greenshanks were with a group of 18 Common Redshanks on the large pool viewable from the two old logs, which make excellent seats, on the bank

200yds West of the "bus shelter" hide.The pair of Goosanders were on the same pool together with large numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Mallard. Also 8 Curlew and lots more Common

Redshank about.

20 Little Egrets and 5 Grey Herons were scattered around the marsh, with 8 egrets standing shoulder to shoulder with a heron in one gulley, I did'nt know they were that friendly?.

A very nervous flock of around 80 Starlings were constantly moving around the marsh, and in the afternoon were joined by numerous smaller flocks, 150+ in total when I left at 2pm.

A single skein of 76 Pink Footed Geese flew North, and at one point 5 Snipe flushed off the marsh. Meadow Pipits and Skylarks seemingly everywhere.

No Lapwings, which was a surprise, and no hirundines either.

1 Harlequin Ladybird.


-- Edited by John Williams on Monday 8th of October 2012 10:22:38 PM

-- Edited by John Williams on Monday 8th of October 2012 10:26:29 PM

15.30-17.30

1 Buzzard, 4 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Curlew, 4 Linnet, 1 Common Whitethroat, 50 Teal, 6 Herons plus numerous Shelduck and BH Gulls etc.

Lots of Swallows and House Martins many flying high and drifting south over the farmland.

Large numbers of Gold and Greenfinches along the hedgerow on the approach track.

Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper butterflies are numerous along the embankment.

The marsh below the "Bus Shelter" at the main viewing area as largely dried out and become overgrown with Creeping Thistle.

I found it preferable to walk along the embankment towards Banks for about 200yds, where the pools are more viewable and a log provides a good seat.

12.00-12.30

4 Redshank, 1 Pheasant 38 Shelduck

First time I've been here, did'nt find access road too bad, must of been

repaired, it's quite narrow though and busy with tractors etc.

Probably not the best time to visit, but with lots of exposed mud, large

expanse of marsh and quite a few dead trees for raptors to sit on, it

seems to offer cracking potential for autumn/winter.

On my way to visit my brother in Banks dropped in briefly at Hesketh Out Marsh this morning - prior to that I had called in at Curlew Lane off Red Cat Lane, close to Martin Mere on the look out for Corn Buntings, a place I generally see them - found 6 including 2 singing males.

At Hesketh watched a ring tail Hen Harrier, Redshank and many, many Shelduck. A word of caution for anyone planning to visit - the road down to the reserve from Shore Road is really pot-holed now so care is needed.

Later went over to Marshside - all of the winter usuals present from Nel's hide, big numbers of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintail and on the marsh hundreds of Pink Feet, singing Skylarks and 4 Little Egrets.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 18th of February 2012 11:12:20 AM

seen single merlin , peregrine and Barn owl this afternoon plus a single Great white Egret.Also 2 Red-legged partridge on farmers field.

Few hours here this am including a walk across towards Crossens..
2 Marsh Harrier
3 Peregrine including a male taking a Teal and a tussle as a Great Black Backed Gull attempted to steal it.. The Pere won..
2 Merlin
2 Buzzard
3 Kestrel
Short Eared Owl
c15 Little Egret
Raven
c50 Whooper Swan

Rob Archer

-- Edited by rob archer on Tuesday 20th of December 2011 05:27:34 PM

Couple of hours here this morning and saw the following of note;
4 Marsh Harriers
1 Hen Harrier
2 Merlin
2 Peregrine
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrel
Avocet
5 Little Egret
4 Whooper Swan

Rob Archer

Couple of hours here this am.. Saw the following of note;
3 Peregrine
Merlin
3 Marsh Harrier
Buzzard
Kestrel
Spotted Redshank
c50 Golden Plover
Avocet
2 Little Egret
Great White Egret
2 White Fronted Geese amongst the Pink Feets
c70 Whooper Swan
Stonechat

Rob Archer

-- Edited by rob archer on Tuesday 15th of November 2011 04:05:36 PM

Afternoon visit Sun 6\11\11 with Craig Bell. Clear and sunny with a superb sunset.. Main birds of note;
3 poss 4 Peregrine
Merlin
Hen Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Buzzard
Kestrel
Great White Egret
Avocet

Rob Archer

Next to nothing today. A few Shelduck,Lapwings and two Avocet(always nice to see)

Think we will now give this place a miss until winter.

Dropped in briefly on Sunday afternoon and managed to relocate a Ring Ouzel that I had been told about when chatting in the Marshside RSPB Sandgrounders Hide. Not in the area I was told it was but an extensive search turned it up near the sheepfield N.of the car park, along with at least 5 Wheatears.
Paul

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 4th of April 2011 10:11:55 PM

Dropped in there Friday after Lesser Scaup at Marshside. Nothing at all from the strange and useless pavilion stricture but 2 Grey Partridge flushed from by the hedge on my way up. Road is really not too bad. Just drive slowly so you can steer over the potholes. And mine's a low car.

-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 2nd of April 2011 08:42:48 PM

You did better than "we three" Jonathan. We arrived at 2-45 for high tide at 3pm to find work in progress(well just about) and assume it was cut off so no high tide Not much about 1 jet 1 passenger jet load of Shelduck one or two Curlew one or two Redshank Not much else.

A jet from Warton was buzzing the marsh when I first arrived, so not much about. After it disappeared a couple of buzzards flew by and a female sparrowhawk landed on a post. I turned inland just in time to see a short-eared owl floating northwards over the hedge. Found a peregrine out on the marsh, then Graham Clarkson and Dave Mallet turned up. Graham found a distant barn owl, whilst I was searching for it I found another! Two female hen harriers appeared over the marsh, as did a female merlin. Finally, a third barn owl came flying along the sea wall towards us, before landing on a fencepost 30ft away, giving us fantastic views for a minute or more.

Pete Astles wrote:

---

Hi

I have heard this place is very hard to get to dodgy sump busting single track road for a mile or two. Just wondered was that your experience ?

Thanks

---

Whilst not the best road in the country, it is no problem if drive with a little care and thought. Probably less than a mile too!

Hi

I have heard this place is very hard to get to dodgy sump busting single track road for a mile or two. Just wondered was that your experience ?

Thanks

High tide today, 5 avocet , plenty of redshank , curlew , dunlin , hen harrier ( fem) , marsh harrier , at least 2 merlin , thousands of pinfoot in the distance , shellduck , mallard , teal , pintail , reed bunting , skylark , m pipit , highlight for me was a very early SWALLOW ( viewed by several people) and a single sand martin .

Twite were always regular at Banks Marsh (just slightly further west) up to the mid 2000's at least when I used to visit fairly regularly. Trouble was that managing to catch up with them often coincided with a high tide, for the obvious reasons. No doubt they still get out there.

Rob Bell wrote:

---

errr
.... when I look back through blogs and sightings on other web sites I cant see any sightings of Twites at hesketh outmarsh in its entire history. Robert

---

Rob the entire history of RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh is relatively short - it was only opened to the public in autumn 2009 so it's not so surprising that reported Twite sightings are far between and few from there. However there is no reason why they shouldn't turn up at Hesketh now that Mount Baker at Marshside has been all but demolished. That site and further along at Ainsdale have always been favourite spots for winter Twite - have faith

I visited the site yesterday afternoon (Monday).

There was a good size flock of Linnets in the trees to the right of the car park. I did see a single Twite sitting on a fence post past the hide. The highlight of the day however was stunning views of a Short Earred Owl quartering in the bright sunlight, absolutely stunning. Standing on top of the ridge by the first gate on the right hand side of the car park, the bird was coming within 20 yards, totally unfazzed! A truely memorable ocassion.

If they had yellow bills I don't see how they could be Linnets Rob? Sounds like a good feature for Twite.

errr
Never going to trust someone with a BOU sticker any more without checking thoroughly myself. I felt I had to say the birds I saw were probably linnets and not Twites because when I look back through blogs and sightings on other web sites I cant see any sightings of Twites at hesketh outmarsh in its entire history. I hope no-one has made any unnecessary journeys to see the 'phantom twites' as a result of my posts. if you have i really apologise! will have to brush up on my finch ID skills.

Sorry!

Robert

Hi all,
when I was here on the 18th Feb I wrote about the Twites I'd seen near the car park. There was a flock of around 30 of them no more than 10 feet away from me and someone from the BOU was there with me who also confirmed they were. They had obvious stubby yellow beaks rather than grey ones as in a female linnet. They also had longer tails, were more orangey in colour and quite heavily streaked.
When I look through earlier messages for Hesketh I dont see any other sightings of Twite since end of 2009, however I know what I saw and they were definitely not linnets. Has anyone else seen them there? Would be interesting to know.

Rob

Like Pete Welch, this was a first visit for me to Hesketh Out Marsh yesterday afternoon but in much better weather than he had. It took a bit of finding. The car park isn't marked on my new OS map but it is at SD422251. The key is to spot the sign for Dib Road from the main road. The RSPB signs are there as well but could be missed when driving. The car park is much bigger and better than the RSPB website says but I agree with Pete, take care on the last 200 yards as you approach. The "shelter" would give protection from the rain but not from the wind. I found the site a bit claustrophobic despite the wide expanses - I wanted to be able to see the Ribble but gates block off access. According to the map you can get to walk along the River Douglas if you walk to the east (right) from the car but it's a fair walk and I didn't have enough time. Better planning on my part is needed next time. The main birds seen were:

Marsh Harrier flying low over the fields half a mile to the east of the car park.
Linnets - a flock of about 40 birds flying noisily around the car park area.
Shelduck - 100s
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Redshank
Mute Swan
Heron
Skylark

Very, very windy first trip to Hesketh today with my little uns. From the hide/top embankment were:

Merlin
200+ Shelduck
Widgeon
GBB

Then from the walk along the bank to the right of the car park:

3 Skylark
50+ Swans too distant to ID all but mainly Whoopers
Kestrel
20+ flock of Linnet
and best of all a Hen Harrier showing to about thirty yards away briefly

Lovely wild place and I'll be back - anyone that's going - don't go in a car with low suspension...the entrance track is "interesting" :)

On the way back on Plex Moss three Corn Buntings singing from the wires was a bonus.

Day off work, so thought I'd try Hesketh Out Marsh again. The first time I tried, a couple of years ago, I couldn't find it. Now that I'm online......easy.

Car park area:

C15 Linnets
1 Kestrel

From the hide?

Shelduck: far too many to count
A few Widgeon & Mallard
1 ringtail Hen Harrier
1Marsh Harrier f

From the bank E of the car park:

C200 Hooper Swans in field to SE
+35 finch-like birds on wire (easy to count) also to SE. Only had a rear
view; poss. Twite but long way off, and the light was rubbish.

Amusing moment-watching a killer Pheasant launching itself vertically
about four feet into the air to have a go at the low passing Marsh Harrier.
It only just missed. Also, some extreme basket weavers are trying to turn
the hedge to the right of the car park into a living fence....hmm

Almost forgot the skylarks: several doing song flight.A real treat on a cold
February morning.

-- Edited by Tony Darby on Tuesday 22nd of February 2011 08:52:22 PM