Back on my childhood patch for a day out with former school friends - sunny but with a cold breeze, which reduced the insect activity except down at ground level, so the only hirundine seen all day was a single Swallow while we were driving over from Formby station.
41 species seen (about 30 more than this area held in my early birding days!) plus lots of unseen Cetti's Warblers and a Barnacle Goose that had probably wandered from the feral flock at Knowsley.
Plenty of Sedge Warblers (but no Reed heard/seen) and Common Whitethroats. 4 Avocets, 2 Common Sandpipers chasing each other, Buzzard and Kestrel, 3 Stock Dove on site with a large flock distantly on fields across the Alt, where some of the Lapwing still hold territories. Shoveler in display (2F 1 M), single Shelduck, Greylag Goose creche and just the 4 commoner species of gulls.
Stephen Wende said
Mon Feb 19 4:38 PM, 2024
Green Winged Teal still present today.
2 Goldeneye
8 Goosander
2 Pintail
1 Marsh Harrier
2 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Chris Harper said
Sun Feb 4 5:55 PM, 2024
Visit from 10am-12:30pm today.
The Richardson's Cackling Goose was on route to Great White pool seen from the second viewing ledge. The drake Green Winged Teal was on the pool itself. In the flock of 3000+Pink Footed Geese picked up 3 Greater White Fronted.
Also present 2 Goldeneye, 10 Goosander, Common Snipe, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Cettis Warbler, 10 Meadow Pipit plus numerous Eurasian Teal, Shoveler, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall...
A visit to my (much improved) early birding haunts yesterday. (18/01/24)
Mostly frozen except for small areas of clear water on the three main pools. We couldn't pick out the Richardson's Cackling Goose among the Canada Geese despite viewing the flock from several angles and neither could anyone else, it seemed. Maybe off for the day again. A 'flasher' Grey Heron was sunning itself in front of the mixed flock of waterbirds.
The Green-winged Teal showed well on the ice on Great White Pool, getting jostled around from time to time by the rest of the flock. Seemed to react least when a male Sparrowhawk shot low across the back of the pool, on one of several appearances.
Biggest surprise was a drake Goosander which literally popped up in the open area on Main Pool as we were taking a second scan of the waterfowl there. Even more surprising than the Aylesbury type in with the Mallards, given how much smaller the hole was than the ones at Alexandra Park lake. The Pinkfeet over the other side of the Alt flushed a couple of times, probably due to the quartering Marsh Harrier
A couple of Stonechats and several Robins were the only small birds of note, 2 over-flying Lapwings the only waders and a Stock Dove was a nice addition to the trip and year list.
We came home via the local mosses, with Long Lane still proving a good spot for winter thrushes and a Little Egret along Broad Lane the final tick of the trip.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Friday 19th of January 2024 05:10:40 PM
Steven Nelson said
Tue Jan 16 10:23 PM, 2024
Late post for Sat 13th Jan
Highlights: 1 Smew - drake 1 Green-winged Teal - drake 1 Mediterranean Gull 6 Whooper Swan 3 Cettis Warbler - heard but not seen Hundreds of Pink-feet feeding in fields 2 Stonechat 2 Pintail amongst the Wigeon, Teal, a few Goosander and other usual ducks
Unfortunately the Richardsons Canada Goose had flown off somewhere.
Went up to Lunt Meadows, early afternoon after visiting nearby Crosby Marine Lake. The two star attractions are still present, namely the Richardsons Cackling Goose and the Green-winged Teal. Also of note :-
Went early morn to try and get the Green-winged Teal for the year list. Succeeded after two hrs, not much open water so the Teal (three or four flocks, about 260 in total) were moving from one small patch to another and often going in't the reeds. Eventually saw it land on Pump Pool where it stayed for a few minutes before flying off with the flock. Bittern at the back of Pump Pool and two Grey Herons. Flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover off the field by the Alt and a Marsh Harrier quartering the redbeeds.
Back at Great White Pool later the Teal flock with the Green-winged had returned and as the mud started to defrost two Snipe and a Redshank flew in.
Edit: changed Big Pool to correct name Pump Pool, must have thought I was at Newchurch Common by mistake
-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 30th of November 2023 04:08:25 PM
Chris Harper said
Sat Jul 8 6:37 PM, 2023
A pair of Spoonbill showed well this morning moving around the reserve. Photo attached.
Also 25 Black Tailed Godwit, Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, Red Legged Partridge, 100 Lapwing, 6 Reed Warbler, 7 Reed Bunting, 6 Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Common Buzzard, 100 Swift, 10 Sand Martin.
Paid my fifth ever visit to this reserve this morning in the hope of seeing the Temmincks Stint, present since 3 May. Unfortunately, the bird had other ideas and, despite a few birders being present for two or three hours, it would appear to have moved on, or at least remains well hidden. A Barn Owl quartering the rough field by the track to the car park was a welcome opening to the days list. It really is a nice spot at this time of year and small enough to get round easily enough. Of note :-
Northern Shoveler (5) Gadwall (4) Eurasian Teal (1) Tufted Duck (2) Great Crested Grebe (1) Pied Avocet (2) Eurasian Oystercatcher (1) Northern Lapwing (11) Little Ringed Plover (1) Dunlin (2) Common Sandpiper (1) Common Buzzard (1) Barn Owl (1) Eurasian Skylark (1) Sedge Warbler (12) Common Reed Warbler (4) Barn Swallow (4) Willow Warbler (2) Chiffchaff (3) Cettis Warbler (5) Blackcap (1) Greater Whitethroat (4) Reed Bunting (1)
42 species seen
John Williams said
Wed Nov 23 3:57 PM, 2022
10.00-13.30
2m+3f Goosanders, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Kestrels, 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret, 5 Stonechats and 2 Grey Herons.
On neighbouring arable fields were 120 Pink-footed Geese, 14 Fieldfares and 7 Common Gulls.
Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard and Tufted Ducks seemed relatively numerous, but no Little Grebes were seen.
malcolm roach said
Fri Apr 15 4:34 PM, 2022
My first whitethroat and sedge warbler of the year plenty of chifchaffs and Cettis warblers calling blackcap Reed bunting kestrel 8 avocet 4 black t godwits little ringed plover some of the highlights
John Williams said
Wed Apr 6 6:18 PM, 2022
10.30-14.30
My first visit to this site and I was impressed.
1 Willow Warbler and 2m Blackcaps in the copse in the SE corner.
Around 60 Shovelers on the main pools, with lesser numbers of Gadwall, Teal, Shelduck and Tufted Duck.
Also 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Avocets, 2 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Redshank,
1 2nd winter Great Black Backed Gull, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Swallow, 4 adult Common Gulls, 3 Grey Herons,
11 Cormorants, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and a flock of 9 Linnets.
At least 6 Cettis Warblers were blasting out song from the bramble thickets, with 1 of them posing for a while on top of a bush.
Also 6 singing Chiffchaffs in the wooded areas.
Rob Creek said
Tue Nov 23 7:25 PM, 2021
On way back from my last delivery in Crosby, I passed the outskirts of Lunt Meadows en route to the M57. Plenty of Curlew dotted around in the fields along Brooms Cross Road.
..and just round the corner a few moments before, 2 male Pheasant on the school field of Holy Family High School.
Rob Creek said
Mon Nov 9 5:13 PM, 2020
Closest thread - location is close proximity to my posts below.
Fields in between Switch Island (A59/M57/M58 intersection) and Lunt Meadows. En-route from Aintree to Ormskirk this morning I noticed some bird activity in the above mentioned fields.
- 1 Great Egret - 1 Little Egret - 6 Grey Herons - c500 Woodpigeon - and then another group of birds went up and they were all feral Pigeons maybe around 250-300
Rob Creek said
Tue Oct 13 5:59 PM, 2020
I passed the same area yesterday early afternoon (Monday) not a single Pink-footed Goose in sight.
This afternoon a rough estimate of 300-350 birds in the field off Long Lane, near Lunt. But then a microlight types came flying over and the whole lot went up, I could only see the tip of the iceberg as this field has longer grass, there mustve been around 1000 birds or more in that field.
Scanning the area with bins I picked up on 7 large skeins to the NE towards Ormskirk and a massive skein to the N, but all were distant so couldnt put numbers to them, apologies.
Also 2 Common Buzzard circling the area
Rob Creek said
Tue Oct 6 11:02 PM, 2020
Tuesday 6th Oct.
Delivering in Liverpool today and finished off in Waterloo so I passed Lunt Meadows on the way home and decided to call in on my break. I had no idea it was closed until I saw the signs at the entrance. Ive now seen the Lancashire Wildlife Trust tweet from Sunday stating that the main reserve is closed until further notice due to the River Alt overtopping the spillway as per design and it has also breached at 2 further points undermining the safety of the bank.
So I went back to the van and drove back down Long Lane towards Brooms Cross Rd and M57 to see what was about.
- 9 Grey Partridge together up close - 1 Raven over - 1 Common Buzzard over
Then in one of the fields off the main road I noticed it was jam packed with Pink-footed Geese, few 1000 of them ranging right across the field and then some more in the next field. ???
Its a causeway on that stretch so theres no stopping to scan through for rarer geese but I didnt really have time to stop on the B-road that splits the field anyway.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 7th of October 2020 12:42:48 AM
John O'Neill said
Wed Mar 18 7:25 PM, 2020
3.30pmish
2 Barn Owls hunting close together
m Goosander
Flocks of Fieldfare noisily over and in trees
Chris Harper said
Sun Jan 26 5:11 PM, 2020
A muddy treck to the central area of the reserve from 14.30-15.30 gave great views of a Marsh Harrier and Short Eared Owl circling together. Best of the rest were 3 Common Snipe, Goosander, 2 Little Egret, 1000's of Pink Footed Geese.
Craig Higson said
Sun Sep 22 3:59 PM, 2019
No American Golden Plovers today, but a probable Citrine Wagtail was seen and heard. I was lucky enough to get a few seconds on the bird and it certainly looked the business, with very clear line around its cheeks and obvious wing bars. The birder who found it picked it up on call. Hopefully it gets found again and better views had to confirm it is a Citrine.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Monday 23rd of September 2019 12:28:15 AM
Richard Thew said
Sat Sep 21 8:45 PM, 2019
Last year, I just missed an American golden plover at marshside, so I thought, "I'm not going to miss this one".
Unfortunately, I'm usually busy Saturday mornings and I'd rather spend a day out than chase after rare birds. Adding to that, there was reported a Red necked phalarope at Marshside, now that is something I was especially interested in - so what to do?
Something I wouldn't normally do, I made plans to see both during the afternoon by train and bike. However, I asked my mother if she would like to see them and a trip by car was arranged with my family. So lunt meadows was first on the agenda.
We set off at 11am and arrived for 12:40pm. The American golden plovers were there waiting for us giving fantastic views in the sunny conditions.
Other highlights included:
Flocks of Pink footed geese Several snipes Shoveler Wigeon Gadwall Teal etc.
Because of the nature of our plans, we skipped much of the reserve and birds and headed towards marshside where this report continues under... during the journey, I saw a fantastic view of a .....
Delivering in Liverpool and my last drop in Waterloo so I was passing Lunt on the way back to Manchester. Nice to see Colin Davies who turned up.
- 2 American Golden Plovers I got on the first bird fairly easily, then I picked up on the second bird with my bins, cracking plumages birds they are too! Both birds were being harassed by Lapwings, one being driven to the left whilst the other ended up further right. In the end you could only see the head of the second bird. Then everything was flushed and when they settled only one bird was in view, I gave the pool a good scan but I couldnt locate the second individual anywhere, it was refound a little later after Id left.
Also of note... - 5 Ruff - c50 Pink-footed Geese over
The American Golden Plovers are still present this morning and again are on Pump Pool, they have been seen on Main Pool too. For the names & location of the pools see the reserve map in the following link:
Early this morning, the two American Golden Plovers were hanging out together on the Pumphouse pool. The surrounding Lapwings were quite flighty, and sometimes the plovers took off with them, other times they stayed behind, but they were mostly quite faithful to the same pool for the 2 hours from 0830 that I was there.
At least 1 American Golden Plover present back at Lunt this morning (pers comm).
Doc Brewster said
Sun Sep 15 4:23 PM, 2019
Made the short trip over to Lunt today as yesterday's moulting adult American Golden Plover had turned up again after flying off last night. Quite a full car park when I arrived, but much fuller when I left!
The bird showed well, first on Pump Pool and then it took off and flew and landed on the Main Pool near Garganey Scrape. Unusually the bird was not with a single Eurasian Golden Plover but mainly satyed with the Lapwings and a single Ruff. One time though the Lapwings flew and the American Golden Plover was the only bird remaining! Now amongst Canada Geese! I got a few record digiscoped pics, including a raised wing shot, showing the diagnostic grey underwing, which was very noticeable in flight too. After I had left the bird was joined by a 2nd adult American Goldie, amazing!! But then both flew off and hadn't returned by 4.08pm at least. Since it flew off yesterday but returned today there is a chance both will be back tomorrow. Well worth the visit for cracking plumaged birds.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 15th of September 2019 04:23:53 PM
Stilt Sandpiper still showing well at 11.00 hrs .... seems palled up with a Black Tailed Godwit ... like watching a truck and trailer.
Roger.
Mike Chorley said
Sun May 19 11:05 PM, 2019
Popped over to visit today with Mike A, collecting my sister, who lives in the area, en route. Had great views of the Stilt Sandpiper (a lifer for both of them) year ticked Garganey, month ticked Black-necked Grebe () and generally enjoyed visiting, checking off around 50 species on our less than comprehensive circuit, which is probably twice as many as I would have seen had I checked the area out as I went past on my way to school in the 1960's.
Paul Beachcroft said
Sun May 19 6:49 PM, 2019
An early morning dash to Lunt Meadows today. Never seen so many birders there during my previous numerous visits. The Stilt Sandpiper was there, along with a Black Necked Grebe, Garganey, Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Blackbird, Great Tit, Wren, Grey Heron, Coot. Moorhen, Sedge Warbler, Magpie, Mallard, Pheasant, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Pied Wagtail.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of May 2019 07:40:08 PM
Paul Beachcroft said
Tue Apr 23 4:50 PM, 2019
Tuesday 23rd April 2019, 15.00, sunny, warm and dry: Black Necked Grebes still present....
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Apr 10 4:43 PM, 2019
Spent three and a half hours on the reserve today trying to get decent photos of the still present Black-necked Grebes. Speaking to locals, the pair are now frequentlng areas well away from the viewing screens after being close in for the first few days after their arrival. Consequently, my attached photograph of one of them really is a record shot. Great to see in full summer breeding plumage though. It would be superb if they stayed on to breed but that remains to be seen as they have been getting stick off one or more of the resident Great-crested Grebes.
Just back from a couple of hours, after work, at Lunt Meadows. Monday 09th April 2018, 17.30 - 19.30, drizzle, breezy, 10 degrees centigrade. Little Egret; Grey Heron; a handful of Lapwing on the nesting site adjacent to the Car Park, plenty of Swallows.
Paul Beachcroft said
Sun Apr 8 8:01 PM, 2018
Back at Lunt Meadows again today, Sunday 08th April 2018 between 16.00 and 19.30. Dry, bright and relatively calm with temperature around 11 degrees centigrade. Highlights: 2 x Barn Owls hunting adjacent to the pumping station; 2 x Marsh Harriers; 3 x Wrens; 1 x Reed Bunting; 1 x Blackbird; numerous Greylag Geese, Coots, Oystercatchers, Pink Footed Geese.
Paul Beachcroft said
Tue Apr 3 8:43 PM, 2018
07.00 - 09.30 Sunday 01st April 2018 - Cold but bright and sunny. Grey Partridge, Dunnock, Snipe, Grey Heron, Barn Owls x 2, Reed Bunting, Linnet x 2, Little Egret, Kestrel, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Wren.
-- Edited by Paul Beachcroft on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 06:50:00 PM
Rene Griffiths said
Sat Feb 17 4:52 PM, 2018
First time at Lunt Meadows, went specifically hoping to see a Short-eared Owl but did not think we would be lucky enough. Between 2:30+4pm saw Wigeon, Little Egret, Stonechat, Teal, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Goldfinch, Canada Geese and... Short-Eared Owl. I think it was 3 Short-Eared Owls but they were not up at the exact same time so hard to tell, one was good enough for me :) :) We had really really good views, the Owl didn't seem fazed at all by people walking dogs, playing with a ball or walking around, even flying very low between people walking on the footpath at one point. Lunt Meadows has parking and is free so I really recommend it, thanks all who mentioned about the Owls here. Although we saw between 1 and 3, on the notice board it said that 9 had been spotted on 11th February! The board also said there were 4 Barn Owl and several other raptors, seems an interesting place!
John O'Neill said
Sun Jan 28 3:01 PM, 2018
AM 1 Red Kite quite distant soaring high then came lower. 5 or 6 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels also present.
3 Pintail
-- Edited by John O'Neill on Sunday 28th of January 2018 03:02:10 PM
Andy Hankinson said
Sat Jan 20 6:35 PM, 2018
First visit to Lunt Meadows today in the hope of seeing the Short eared owls. Didn't do a complete count but here's a list of what else I saw
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag's, Wren, Robin, Blue tit, Stonechat, Mallards, Grey heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Shoveler, Teal, Kestrel, Tufted duck, Song Thrush, Coot, Water Rail, Common Buzzard, Pheasant and Short eared owl
18.12.2017 pm Due to it being foggy at penny moved over to Lunt for the Afternoon
Bittern - 1 flew into the centre of the half mile of marshland at the front of the Kingfisher hide at 2.30 Cetti's Warbler-1 Short Eared Owl - 5 all up at once between 2.30 and 3.30 ,then they all disappeared again. Black Tailed Godwit-2 Pintail-1 Pair Stonechat - 6 plus the usual's
Chris Greene said
Sat May 6 6:30 PM, 2017
Flying visit on way home from mum's this afternoon,highlight being 3 Wood Sandpipers showing ridiculously well from the first screen.Supporting cast of Common Sandpipers,Ruff,plus all the expected warblers.30+ Swifts plus Sand Martins were putting on the air show.After about 10 minutes of me going on about how spectacular the sandpipers were, the missus must have got a bit bored,so she started scanning the distant trees behind the screen with her binocs......seconds later she shouted "there's a macaw!".....sure enough, about 100 yards away, up a tree there it was.......picture below!.....good to see the Scouse sense of humour is still alive and well
Called in at dawn on my way up to the Fylde to get goose ticks.
Barn owl hunting up and down the riverbank giving very close views.
All the usual waterfowl including 2 coots having a very bloody encounter.
Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Grey Partridge and Reed Bunting were also seen.
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Jan 5 9:08 PM, 2017
16.20 hrs. Thurs 5th Jan.
With Ian Lyth and Paul Greenall.
Quick visit on way home.
Distant views of a hunting Barn Owl.
Was told that 4 Short-eared Owls had been about earlier.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 5th of January 2017 09:09:49 PM
Gordon Cottle said
Sun Aug 21 7:45 PM, 2016
Marsh Harrier over Reed bed No 2 at around 3-30 pm
Mark Burgess said
Sat Aug 13 6:36 PM, 2016
Little Stint still present at 3.45pm giving good close views on the main pool from the second viewing screen anti clockwise from the car park
John O'Neill said
Mon Apr 18 11:40 PM, 2016
M Smew still present 17:30 diving constantly on main mere
Also here - 2 Little Egrets
1 Little Grebe
Several Swallows
M Gannon said
Sun Apr 17 10:02 PM, 2016
Male smew seen today in a narrow channel in between the reeds bordering the main pool, after diving around for a while where it couldn't fully be seen, it decided to become more obliging and came onto a bank with a couple of mallard and sat down for a while. My first ever male smew, despite seeing two redheads
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Apr 16 2:28 PM, 2016
Male smew flew to the very north end of reserve after being chased by a goose not been seen for an hour
Chris Greene said
Fri Apr 15 2:06 PM, 2016
Magnificent drake Smew currently showing well on first pool,from the screen.Also 50 + Sand Martins and a dozen or so Swallows. Cheers Chris
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Friday 15th of April 2016 03:55:54 PM
1 Short Eared Owl giving v close views hunting right next to the carpark 5.10pm
1 Barn Owl distant
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Mar 9 8:32 PM, 2016
Visited this afternoon between 15.30 and 17.00 hrs, weather cold and very blustery, walked left from car park following the path to the pump house and the River Alt, followed the river down to the bridge, then back to the car park in a full circle of the reserve. Amongst others :-
What great site this is, v accessible too. Car park closes at 6 tho
i5. 30sh
2(prob 3) Barn Owls showing v well
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
1Sparrowhawk
4 Little Egret
3Greylag
John Doherty said
Mon Mar 7 9:08 PM, 2016
Got my first ever (blockkkkerrr) Barn Owl today at Lunt. Amazing weather and the owls didn't disappoint with two Short Eared Owls around. Also Kestrel, Little Egrets, Shelducks
Back on my childhood patch for a day out with former school friends - sunny but with a cold breeze, which reduced the insect activity except down at ground level, so the only hirundine seen all day was a single Swallow while we were driving over from Formby station.
41 species seen (about 30 more than this area held in my early birding days!) plus lots of unseen Cetti's Warblers and a Barnacle Goose that had probably wandered from the feral flock at Knowsley.
Plenty of Sedge Warblers (but no Reed heard/seen) and Common Whitethroats. 4 Avocets, 2 Common Sandpipers chasing each other, Buzzard and Kestrel, 3 Stock Dove on site with a large flock distantly on fields across the Alt, where some of the Lapwing still hold territories. Shoveler in display (2F 1 M), single Shelduck, Greylag Goose creche and just the 4 commoner species of gulls.
Green Winged Teal still present today.
2 Goldeneye
8 Goosander
2 Pintail
1 Marsh Harrier
2 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Visit from 10am-12:30pm today.
The Richardson's Cackling Goose was on route to Great White pool seen from the second viewing ledge. The drake Green Winged Teal was on the pool itself. In the flock of 3000+Pink Footed Geese picked up 3 Greater White Fronted.
Also present 2 Goldeneye, 10 Goosander, Common Snipe, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Cettis Warbler, 10 Meadow Pipit plus numerous Eurasian Teal, Shoveler, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall...
Car park is currently closed.
2 images attached
Mostly frozen except for small areas of clear water on the three main pools. We couldn't pick out the Richardson's Cackling Goose among the Canada Geese despite viewing the flock from several angles and neither could anyone else, it seemed. Maybe off for the day again. A 'flasher' Grey Heron was sunning itself in front of the mixed flock of waterbirds.
The Green-winged Teal showed well on the ice on Great White Pool, getting jostled around from time to time by the rest of the flock. Seemed to react least when a male Sparrowhawk shot low across the back of the pool, on one of several appearances.
Biggest surprise was a drake Goosander which literally popped up in the open area on Main Pool as we were taking a second scan of the waterfowl there. Even more surprising than the Aylesbury type in with the Mallards, given how much smaller the hole was than the ones at Alexandra Park lake. The Pinkfeet over the other side of the Alt flushed a couple of times, probably due to the quartering Marsh Harrier
A couple of Stonechats and several Robins were the only small birds of note, 2 over-flying Lapwings the only waders and a Stock Dove was a nice addition to the trip and year list.
We came home via the local mosses, with Long Lane still proving a good spot for winter thrushes and a Little Egret along Broad Lane the final tick of the trip.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Friday 19th of January 2024 05:10:40 PM
Highlights:
1 Smew - drake
1 Green-winged Teal - drake
1 Mediterranean Gull
6 Whooper Swan
3 Cettis Warbler - heard but not seen
Hundreds of Pink-feet feeding in fields
2 Stonechat
2 Pintail amongst the Wigeon, Teal, a few Goosander and other usual ducks
Unfortunately the Richardsons Canada Goose had flown off somewhere.
Pink-footed Goose (200)
Shelduck (4)
Shoveler (20)
Gadwall (20)
Wigeon (75)
Teal (100)
Tufted Duck (2)
Goosander (8)
Stock Dove (6)
Water Rail (1)
Lapwing (150)
Buzzard (1)
Kestrel (1)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Linnet (2)
Cracking little place.
Went early morn to try and get the Green-winged Teal for the year list. Succeeded after two hrs, not much open water so the Teal (three or four flocks, about 260 in total) were moving from one small patch to another and often going in't the reeds. Eventually saw it land on Pump Pool where it stayed for a few minutes before flying off with the flock. Bittern at the back of Pump Pool and two Grey Herons. Flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover off the field by the Alt and a Marsh Harrier quartering the redbeeds.
Back at Great White Pool later the Teal flock with the Green-winged had returned and as the mud started to defrost two Snipe and a Redshank flew in.
Edit: changed Big Pool to correct name Pump Pool, must have thought I was at Newchurch Common by mistake
-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 30th of November 2023 04:08:25 PM
A pair of Spoonbill showed well this morning moving around the reserve. Photo attached.
Also 25 Black Tailed Godwit, Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, Red Legged Partridge, 100 Lapwing, 6 Reed Warbler, 7 Reed Bunting, 6 Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Common Buzzard, 100 Swift, 10 Sand Martin.
Northern Shoveler (5)
Gadwall (4)
Eurasian Teal (1)
Tufted Duck (2)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Pied Avocet (2)
Eurasian Oystercatcher (1)
Northern Lapwing (11)
Little Ringed Plover (1)
Dunlin (2)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Common Buzzard (1)
Barn Owl (1)
Eurasian Skylark (1)
Sedge Warbler (12)
Common Reed Warbler (4)
Barn Swallow (4)
Willow Warbler (2)
Chiffchaff (3)
Cettis Warbler (5)
Blackcap (1)
Greater Whitethroat (4)
Reed Bunting (1)
42 species seen
2m+3f Goosanders, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Kestrels, 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret, 5 Stonechats and 2 Grey Herons.
On neighbouring arable fields were 120 Pink-footed Geese, 14 Fieldfares and 7 Common Gulls.
Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard and Tufted Ducks seemed relatively numerous, but no Little Grebes were seen.
My first whitethroat and sedge warbler of the year plenty of chifchaffs and Cettis warblers calling blackcap Reed bunting kestrel 8 avocet 4 black t godwits little ringed plover some of the highlights
My first visit to this site and I was impressed.
1 Willow Warbler and 2m Blackcaps in the copse in the SE corner.
Around 60 Shovelers on the main pools, with lesser numbers of Gadwall, Teal, Shelduck and Tufted Duck.
Also 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Avocets, 2 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Redshank,
1 2nd winter Great Black Backed Gull, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Swallow, 4 adult Common Gulls, 3 Grey Herons,
11 Cormorants, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and a flock of 9 Linnets.
At least 6 Cettis Warblers were blasting out song from the bramble thickets, with 1 of them posing for a while on top of a bush.
Also 6 singing Chiffchaffs in the wooded areas.
Plenty of Curlew dotted around in the fields along Brooms Cross Road.
..and just round the corner a few moments before, 2 male Pheasant on the school field of Holy Family High School.
Fields in between Switch Island (A59/M57/M58 intersection) and Lunt Meadows.
En-route from Aintree to Ormskirk this morning I noticed some bird activity in the above mentioned fields.
- 1 Great Egret
- 1 Little Egret
- 6 Grey Herons
- c500 Woodpigeon
- and then another group of birds went up and they were all feral Pigeons maybe around 250-300
This afternoon a rough estimate of 300-350 birds in the field off Long Lane, near Lunt. But then a microlight types came flying over and the whole lot went up, I could only see the tip of the iceberg as this field has longer grass, there mustve been around 1000 birds or more in that field.
Scanning the area with bins I picked up on 7 large skeins to the NE towards Ormskirk and a massive skein to the N, but all were distant so couldnt put numbers to them, apologies.
Also 2 Common Buzzard circling the area
Tuesday 6th Oct.
Delivering in Liverpool today and finished off in Waterloo so I passed Lunt Meadows on the way home and decided to call in on my break.
I had no idea it was closed until I saw the signs at the entrance. Ive now seen the Lancashire Wildlife Trust tweet from Sunday stating that the main reserve is closed until further notice due to the River Alt overtopping the spillway as per design and it has also breached at 2 further points undermining the safety of the bank.
So I went back to the van and drove back down Long Lane towards Brooms Cross Rd and M57 to see what was about.
- 9 Grey Partridge together up close
- 1 Raven over
- 1 Common Buzzard over
Then in one of the fields off the main road I noticed it was jam packed with Pink-footed Geese, few 1000 of them ranging right across the field and then some more in the next field. ???
Its a causeway on that stretch so theres no stopping to scan through for rarer geese but I didnt really have time to stop on the B-road that splits the field anyway.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 7th of October 2020 12:42:48 AM
2 Barn Owls hunting close together
m Goosander
Flocks of Fieldfare noisily over and in trees
A muddy treck to the central area of the reserve from 14.30-15.30 gave great views of a Marsh Harrier and Short Eared Owl circling together. Best of the rest were 3 Common Snipe, Goosander, 2 Little Egret, 1000's of Pink Footed Geese.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Monday 23rd of September 2019 12:28:15 AM
Unfortunately, I'm usually busy Saturday mornings and I'd rather spend a day out than chase after rare birds. Adding to that, there was reported a Red necked phalarope at Marshside, now that is something I was especially interested in - so what to do?
Something I wouldn't normally do, I made plans to see both during the afternoon by train and bike. However, I asked my mother if she would like to see them and a trip by car was arranged with my family. So lunt meadows was first on the agenda.
We set off at 11am and arrived for 12:40pm. The American golden plovers were there waiting for us giving fantastic views in the sunny conditions.
Other highlights included:
Flocks of Pink footed geese
Several snipes
Shoveler
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal etc.
Because of the nature of our plans, we skipped much of the reserve and birds and headed towards marshside where this report continues under... during the journey, I saw a fantastic view of a .....
Tuesday 17th September.
Delivering in Liverpool and my last drop in Waterloo so I was passing Lunt on the way back to Manchester.
Nice to see Colin Davies who turned up.
- 2 American Golden Plovers
I got on the first bird fairly easily, then I picked up on the second bird with my bins, cracking plumages birds they are too!
Both birds were being harassed by Lapwings, one being driven to the left whilst the other ended up further right. In the end you could only see the head of the second bird.
Then everything was flushed and when they settled only one bird was in view, I gave the pool a good scan but I couldnt locate the second individual anywhere, it was refound a little later after Id left.
Also of note...
- 5 Ruff
- c50 Pink-footed Geese over
The American Golden Plovers are still present this morning and again are on Pump Pool, they have been seen on Main Pool too. For the names & location of the pools see the reserve map in the following link:
https://www.lancswt.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-10/Lunt%20Meadows%20Visitor%20Map%20final.jpg
Early this morning, the two American Golden Plovers were hanging out together on the Pumphouse pool. The surrounding Lapwings were quite flighty, and sometimes the plovers took off with them, other times they stayed behind, but they were mostly quite faithful to the same pool for the 2 hours from 0830 that I was there.
At least 1 American Golden Plover present back at Lunt this morning (pers comm).
Made the short trip over to Lunt today as yesterday's moulting adult American Golden Plover had turned up again after flying off last night. Quite a full car park when I arrived, but much fuller when I left!
The bird showed well, first on Pump Pool and then it took off and flew and landed on the Main Pool near Garganey Scrape. Unusually the bird was not with a single Eurasian Golden Plover but mainly satyed with the Lapwings and a single Ruff. One time though the Lapwings flew and the American Golden Plover was the only bird remaining! Now amongst Canada Geese! I got a few record digiscoped pics, including a raised wing shot, showing the diagnostic grey underwing, which was very noticeable in flight too. After I had left the bird was joined by a 2nd adult American Goldie, amazing!! But then both flew off and hadn't returned by 4.08pm at least. Since it flew off yesterday but returned today there is a chance both will be back tomorrow. Well worth the visit for cracking plumaged birds.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 15th of September 2019 04:23:53 PM
Stilt Sandpiper still showing well at 11.00 hrs .... seems palled up with a Black Tailed Godwit ... like watching a truck and trailer.
Roger.
An early morning dash to Lunt Meadows today. Never seen so many birders there during my previous numerous visits. The Stilt Sandpiper was there, along with a Black Necked Grebe, Garganey, Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Blackbird, Great Tit, Wren, Grey Heron, Coot. Moorhen, Sedge Warbler, Magpie, Mallard, Pheasant, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Pied Wagtail.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of May 2019 07:40:08 PM
Tuesday 23rd April 2019, 15.00, sunny, warm and dry: Black Necked Grebes still present....
Just back from a couple of hours, after work, at Lunt Meadows. Monday 09th April 2018, 17.30 - 19.30, drizzle, breezy, 10 degrees centigrade. Little Egret; Grey Heron; a handful of Lapwing on the nesting site adjacent to the Car Park, plenty of Swallows.
Back at Lunt Meadows again today, Sunday 08th April 2018 between 16.00 and 19.30. Dry, bright and relatively calm with temperature around 11 degrees centigrade. Highlights: 2 x Barn Owls hunting adjacent to the pumping station; 2 x Marsh Harriers; 3 x Wrens; 1 x Reed Bunting; 1 x Blackbird; numerous Greylag Geese, Coots, Oystercatchers, Pink Footed Geese.
07.00 - 09.30 Sunday 01st April 2018 - Cold but bright and sunny. Grey Partridge, Dunnock, Snipe, Grey Heron, Barn Owls x 2, Reed Bunting, Linnet x 2, Little Egret, Kestrel, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Wren.
-- Edited by Paul Beachcroft on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 06:50:00 PM
AM
1 Red Kite quite distant soaring high then came lower.
5 or 6 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels also present.
3 Pintail
-- Edited by John O'Neill on Sunday 28th of January 2018 03:02:10 PM
First visit to Lunt Meadows today in the hope of seeing the Short eared owls. Didn't do a complete count but here's a list of what else I saw
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag's, Wren, Robin, Blue tit, Stonechat, Mallards, Grey heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Shoveler, Teal, Kestrel, Tufted duck, Song Thrush, Coot, Water Rail, Common Buzzard, Pheasant and Short eared owl
18.12.2017 pm Due to it being foggy at penny moved over to Lunt for the Afternoon
Bittern - 1 flew into the centre of the half mile of marshland at the front of the Kingfisher hide at 2.30
Cetti's Warbler-1
Short Eared Owl - 5 all up at once between 2.30 and 3.30 ,then they all disappeared again.
Black Tailed Godwit-2
Pintail-1 Pair
Stonechat - 6
plus the usual's
Flying visit on way home from mum's this afternoon,highlight being 3 Wood Sandpipers showing ridiculously well from the first screen.Supporting cast of Common Sandpipers,Ruff,plus all the expected warblers.30+ Swifts plus Sand Martins were putting on the air show.After about 10 minutes of me going on about how spectacular the sandpipers were, the missus must have got a bit bored,so she started scanning the distant trees behind the screen with her binocs......seconds later she shouted "there's a macaw!".....sure enough, about 100 yards away, up a tree there it was.......picture below!.....good to see the Scouse sense of humour is still alive and well
Cheers Chris
Called in at dawn on my way up to the Fylde to get goose ticks.
Barn owl hunting up and down the riverbank giving very close views.
All the usual waterfowl including 2 coots having a very bloody encounter.
Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Grey Partridge and Reed Bunting were also seen.
With Ian Lyth and Paul Greenall.
Quick visit on way home.
Distant views of a hunting Barn Owl.
Was told that 4 Short-eared Owls had been about earlier.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 5th of January 2017 09:09:49 PM
Marsh Harrier over Reed bed No 2 at around 3-30 pm
Also here - 2 Little Egrets
1 Little Grebe
Several Swallows
Magnificent drake Smew currently showing well on first pool,from the screen.Also 50 + Sand Martins and a dozen or so Swallows. Cheers Chris
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Friday 15th of April 2016 03:55:54 PM
1 Barn Owl distant
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
Cormorant
Little Egret (c.6)
Grey Heron
Mute Swan (2)
Pink footed Goose (c.20)
Greylag Goose (3)
Canada Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon (2)
Gadwall (7)
Teal
Tufted Duck
Buzzard (3)
Kestrel (2)
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Black tailed Godwit (13)
Redshank (1)
Barn Owl (1)
i5. 30sh
2(prob 3) Barn Owls showing v well
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
1Sparrowhawk
4 Little Egret
3Greylag
Got my first ever (blockkkkerrr) Barn Owl today at Lunt. Amazing weather and the owls didn't disappoint with two Short Eared Owls around. Also Kestrel, Little Egrets, Shelducks