MARSHSIDE RSPB

Andrew Mitchell · Status: Offline

RE: MARSHSIDE RSPB

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Day at Marshide with Tony Darby. A day when it really delivered

On the shoreline an hour after high tide:
Dunlin 1,000+
Ringed Plover 500+
Grey Plover 7 including one in full breeding plumage
Cormorant 53
Great Black-backed Gulls 4
Lesser Black-backed Gulls 20

Nel's Hide:
Garganey 2 drakes
Pintail pair
Wigeon 2
Shoveler 1
Gadwall 7
Tufted duck failed to count
Greylag 2 with 2 goslings
Curlew Sandpiper 1 coming into breeding plumage
Ruff 1 male in full breeding plumage with black head, orange ruff and white belly with large black patches - absolutely stunning. Never seen one in full regalia before only partial breeding plumage
Avocet 6
Black-tailed Godwit 39 many in breeding plumage
Redshank 6
Lapwing 6
Oystercatcher 2
Reed Warbler 2 in front of the hide

Sandgrounder's Hide area:
Sedge Warbler 1
Swallows nesting
Whitethroat 2

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Chris Greene wrote:

Stunning leucist/albinistic ?? Sedge warbler currently showing unbelivebly well about 60 yards down marshside road. Cheers Chris

Leucistic Chris smile

Chris Greene · Status: Offline

Stunning leucist/albinistic ?? Sedge warbler currently showing unbelivebly well about 60 yards down marshside road. Cheers Chris

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Visiting family in Southport today called in at Sandgrounders hide for a short time - of note several Avocets, Dunlin, Swifts, House Martins and a Ruff in very bright breeding plumage.

John Doherty · Status: Offline

Today's annual Spring visit

Beach - loads of Dunlins and several Ringed Plovers

Nel's -3 Avocet
Sandgrounders - 2 Avocet, some Redshanks, Black Tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers

Several Reed Warblers were singing with one showing briefly, plus Sedge singing and plenty of Whitethroat; 2 Chiffchaffs were singing from the golf course.

At Junction Pool the Long Tailed Duck was present, showing well, as well as a Little Grebe.

From there I could see clouds of waders on the beach, probably Knots.
A Shoveler pair were present
Also, two Hares on the reserve,

plus lots of the usual...

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Couple of hours around lunch time today mainly around Hesketh Road and walking along the original sea wall that bisects the golf course

39 Ruff including stunning black male
Great White Egret (young bird) spending time in front of Nells Hide
Long Tailed Duck still from Junction Pool
Whinchat, in dip at the corner of Hesketh Road
Sedge Warbler
Whitethroat
Blackcap
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Wheatear
still Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Shoveler, Shelduck, Gadwall in varying numbers
Little Grebe
Sand Martin, Swallow
Linnet
Greylags and Moorhen with young

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Down on the beach at 5pm just where the salt marsh peters out:
2,000 Dunlin
60 Ringed Plover
1 summer plumage Grey Plover
and all to myself - not another human being or dog as far as the scope could see just cars moving on the coast road in the distance. A sublime birding moment :)

Tanmay Dixit · Status: Offline

quick visit yesterday in lovely weather:

Avocets (14+)
Black-tailed godwit (many)
100+ golden plover from Nell's
Little gull flew into Nell's (presumably off the sea) and was present until I left at about 3pm. It was feeding actively like a tern and constantly harassed by BH and LBB gulls.
Ruff (5+)
redshank
All common wildfowl including 2 pairs of pintail
lots of meadow pipit and skylark
1st hirundine of the year - 1 swallow over car park
Spent most of my time searching for the Long-Tailed duck at Nell's, but as I was leaving saw Simon Smethurst (nice to meet you again) at the screen just opposite the car park, who was on the LT duck. Thanks for the lifer Simon! It was diving continuously allowing extremely brief views but at least it seems to be feeding well.

lots of insects on the wing was both lovely and irritating (in the case of midges) so let's hope for a bumper breeding year! smile

Louise Aspden · Status: Offline

I had a quick visit to Marshside today to see avocets, the Long tailed duck was pointed out to me in the pool in front of Nel's hide.

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Pair of Garganey this evening, at the south end of the reserve near Fairclough's Pool but viewed from Nells.

M Gannon · Status: Offline

Visited this site for the first time today. Managed to see:

Long tailed duck (female)
Barnacle goose
Pink footed geese-2500
Greylag goose-2
Pintail-3
Tufted duck-50
Shelduck-100
Shoveler-20
Teal-100
Wigeon-30
Avocet-30
Ruff-3
Black tailed godwit-50
Snipe
Dunlin-300
Little egret-2
Comorant

smile

steven burke · Status: Offline

46 species seen, with phil Kelly.

35 avocets
1 Mediterranean gull
1 ross's goose
1 barnacle goose
hundreds of pink footed geese
8 little egrets
good numbers of teal, wigeon, pintails, black tailed godwits, lapwings & golden plovers.
1 hen harrier, male
1 peregrine falcon
1 merlin
could not find the long tailed duck.
plus all the usuals around.

good day out in lovely weather, thanks again phil.

Dave Higginson-Tranter · Status: Offline

48 species - Skylark; Goldfinch; Meadow Pipit; Shelduck; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Black Headed Gull; Black Tailed Godwit; Lapwing; Cormorant; Blackbird; Pink Footed Goose; Starling; Coot; Peregrine Falcon; Wigeon; Teal; Shoveler; Great Black Backed Gull; Tufted Duck; Carrion Crow; Mallard; Jackdaw; Redshank; Herring Gull; House Sparrow; Oystercatcher; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Great Tit; Curlew; Pintail; Ruff; Pied Wagtail; Song Thrush; Common Gull; Greenfinch; Chaffinch; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Pheasant; Mute Swan; Pochard; Greylag Goose; Golden Plover; Little Egret; Little Grebe + Robin and Blue Tit on call.

Fungalpunk Dave - www.fungalpunknature.co.uk

Bernard McGurrin · Status: Offline

pleasant afternoons birding in good sunshine
long tailed duck from junction pool screen, pintail, wigeon, loads of shelduck, at least 5 little egret, great white egret from sandgrounders hide, loads of black tailed godwit, curlew, golden plover,dunlin, knot, pink footed geese, grey lag geese, canada geese,
tried the marine lake for the great northern diver but dipped on that one.

Chris Harper · Status: Online

9.30-11.00:
Long Tailed Duck from viewing screen near main car park
Peregrine Falcon
100's of Black Tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Lapwing
Merlin
Snipe
5 Little Egret
Great White Egret north of Sandgrounders hide
Drake Pintail

Terry Long · Status: Offline

Ok thanks Phil

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Thursday, January 30th.

Plenty of stuff such as Black-tailed Godwits, Curlews, Pinkfeet Geese, 3 Little Egrets, Pintails, Wigeons, Teal, etc.etc.

However, no sign of the LT Duck.

Terry Long · Status: Offline

Does anybody know if the long-tailed duck is still about?

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Yes same here Dave, first Ross's Goose and Baikal Teal I've ever had in the wild so I'm sticking with my view, both cracking birds.
Cheers

Davidcaron62 · Status: Offline

Cheers Rob

Yes I understand that. I am not much of a purist myself. I like to see birds and record what I see. It was a first time spot for me whether, domestic, hybrid or wild and as such pleasant to see.

Regards

Dave

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Hi David,
This always happens with certain species of Goose and Duck. Martyn is correct because some doubt always creeps in about escaped birds, hybrids, and 'of domestic origin' birds, and as far as the Ross's Goose goes, some birders think it's the real deal whilst others don't. My own opinion is that it is a true Ross's Goose, from what I saw of the bird anyway.
The same happened with the drake Baikal Teal some weeks ago. Some questioned its credentials, others then reviewed it and eventually deemed it to be of wild origin, I myself thought it was good for a wild one.
But I'm not the one who ultimately makes that decision, there are people who can make that decision though. Until that decision is made by the experts, quite often you're own opinion is the one that counts.
I hope you've understood that.
Cheers
Rob smile

Davidcaron62 · Status: Offline

Hi Martyn

Thanks for the explanation. I think that did form part of what he told me but I was so taken up with the spotting scope (First time I've used one

) I missed it. I think he also stated that there were a few about. Only saw the one here but there were possibly anthor two at Hesketh Out Marsh a little further up the coast. Mallard sized, hanging around with Mallards and one had the black wing tips.
Regards

Dave

Martyn Jones · Status: Offline

Davidcaron62 wrote:

26th January 2014

Also saw what the warden identified as a Ross Goose. However he did qualify this by saying it was disputed by some purist. What this meant I have no idea but who am I to argue with the might of the RSPB.

I think he meant it was probably an escapee rather than a truly wild bird David, and that it might additionally be a hybrid. The Ross's goose is a North American species not usually seen these parts.

-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Sunday 26th of January 2014 10:18:08 PM

Davidcaron62 · Status: Offline

26th January 2014

11am until 2pm.

What a wet and windy morning

. And what better place to be than in a warmish RSPB hide with like minded folk.

Black-tailed Godwit
Canada Goose
Coot
Cormorant
Gadwall
Great Black-backed Gull
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Mute Swan
Pintail
Shelduck
Shoveler
Starling
Teal
Tufted Duck
Wigeon

Also saw what the warden identified as a Ross Goose. However he did qualify this by saying it was disputed by some purist. What this meant I have no idea confuse

but who am I to argue with the might of the RSPB.

All in all a great day out with many thanks to the warden for making me feel so welcome and assisting me with identification, knowledge of the area and use of the spotting scope. This may not be a flag ship site but I had as good a day out as I have had at other more established reserves.

Dave

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

1.30 - 3.00 highlights

Long Tailed Duck
Pintail x 100's
Wigeon x100's
Pink Footed Geese x 100's
Barnacle Goose associating with a small flock of Canada Geese
Huge number of Black Tailed Godwit several 1000

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Visited yesterday afternoon after a trip to Martin Mere the outer marsh still flooded following high tide

Excellent numbers of birds about especially at junction pool. Highlights

Ross's Goose (?) very close views from Sandgrounder's Hide

Long Tailed Duck

Merlin

Golden Plover

Dunlin

Knot

Barnacle Goose

Black Tailed Godwit

Laurence Hopkins · Status: Offline

Thanks Jonathan, i'll try my luck tomorrow!

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

I don't think the Baikal's been seen for a couple of weeks now, but there's at least one Great White Egret still being seen regularly, usually on the outer marsh. Yesterday there were 30+ Barnacle Geese from Sandgrounders, a couple of Peregrines, several Ruff and lots of Black-tailed Godwits, Wigeon, Teal and Golden Plover. Plus a Great Northern Diver on the Marine Lake!

Laurence Hopkins · Status: Offline

Has there been any recent sightings of the Baikal Teal or the Great White Egret? blankstare

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Rob Creek wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

After a late lunch in Sandgrounders watching a Peregrine spooking the waterfowl we headed down to the Marine Lake for the Egret roost. 63 Little Egrets and 1 Great White Egret had come in by the time we set off home. A modest total of 47 species for the day but some good birds none-the-less. Good numbers of Golden Plover & Black-tailed Godwit and impressive numbers of Shelduck and Cormorant on the sea.

I don't know how it fits in with other sightings of the Baikal Teal, but the bird was found today with Wigeon (none of which were on the Outer Marsh when we arrived) and its' disappearance last Monday afternoon coincided with the departure of the Wigeon from the usual channel when all the wildfowl were flushed, so anyone still looking for it may do well to seek out the Wigeon.

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 8th of December 2013 10:13:17 PM

Hi Mike,
When I arrived at lunchtime, I actually parked up at Crossens Outer Marsh and made the correct decision to ask some birders if the Baikal Teal was still showing well, to which they replied "yes mate but you're in the wrong place, it's been on the inner marsh all morning and is still there now" so from that comment I knew it hadn't been at the Outer Marsh and I drove round there to the Inner Marsh.

You're Peregrinne sighting totally fits in with ours as we watched the Baikal get flushed by the raptor, whereas you would only have seen a shed load of Wigeon take to the air from where you were...
...and you're comment about it favouring to stick with the Wigeon is also correct, and I heard a few birders say that today. Despite it being a Teal (and incidently has the vertical white bar of the Green Winged Teal) it is actually a bit larger on average than the Eurasian and Green Winged Teal and I think this factor could explain to some degree why it prefers to be with Wigeon, Mallard, and the Pintail. It probably feels that much safer with larger species by its side.
Cheers
Rob

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 9th of December 2013 03:10:04 PM

Hi Rob, we didn't actually see it flush the Wigeon, it was operating well over to our left over the area next to the road when we were watching it. From Sandgrounders we could see the birders on the embanked path but not the birds on the deck. As Gordon has commented, both the Teal (if genuine) and some of the wintering Wigeon come from the same area of Russia, so it probably came with them and is hanging around with its' travelling companions. Another plus point for it being the real deal.

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Monday 9th of December 2013 09:23:33 PM

Gordon Taylor · Status: Offline

Regarding the Baikal Teal.
The bird has been compared with male that was transferred from Castle Espie WWT to Martin Mere very recently. This bird hatched this Spring and shows very similar plumage development. Young males acquire the full adult head pattern in their second calendar year. Wigeon migrate to the Ribble Estuary from a similar direction to that which a vagrant Baikal Teal would come from. I am assured by experts that there is no reason to doubt the birds wild origins.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

9.15 - 15.00, 35 species seen highlights.

Baikal Teal on the inner marsh, As suggested below associating with Wigeon
Long Tailed Duck
Pintail
Merlin on the outer marsh perched on top of a large dead tree stump
Ruff
Pink Footed Geese 100's

-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Monday 9th of December 2013 05:42:55 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Mike Chorley wrote:

After a late lunch in Sandgrounders watching a Peregrine spooking the waterfowl we headed down to the Marine Lake for the Egret roost. 63 Little Egrets and 1 Great White Egret had come in by the time we set off home. A modest total of 47 species for the day but some good birds none-the-less. Good numbers of Golden Plover & Black-tailed Godwit and impressive numbers of Shelduck and Cormorant on the sea.

I don't know how it fits in with other sightings of the Baikal Teal, but the bird was found today with Wigeon (none of which were on the Outer Marsh when we arrived) and its' disappearance last Monday afternoon coincided with the departure of the Wigeon from the usual channel when all the wildfowl were flushed, so anyone still looking for it may do well to seek out the Wigeon.

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 8th of December 2013 10:13:17 PM

Hi Mike,
When I arrived at lunchtime, I actually parked up at Crossens Outer Marsh and made the correct decision to ask some birders if the Baikal Teal was still showing well, to which they replied "yes mate but you're in the wrong place, it's been on the inner marsh all morning and is still there now" so from that comment I knew it hadn't been at the Outer Marsh and I drove round there to the Inner Marsh.

You're Peregrinne sighting totally fits in with ours as we watched the Baikal get flushed by the raptor, whereas you would only have seen a shed load of Wigeon take to the air from where you were...
...and you're comment about it favouring to stick with the Wigeon is also correct, and I heard a few birders say that today. Despite it being a Teal (and incidently has the vertical white bar of the Green Winged Teal) it is actually a bit larger on average than the Eurasian and Green Winged Teal and I think this factor could explain to some degree why it prefers to be with Wigeon, Mallard, and the Pintail. It probably feels that much safer with larger species by its side.
Cheers
Rob

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 9th of December 2013 03:10:04 PM

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Oldham Birders monthly trip. Riggers, Mike Ausberger, self & Hon. Oldhamer( biggrin

) Karen F.

Morning visit to Crossens Outer Marsh failed to produce anything of note apart from 2 Great White Egret and 1 Rob Smallwood. Unlike the line of birders snaking along the embankment, most of the waterfowl kept out of the wind down in the channel which the Baikal Teal had been frequenting!

Just before 11 a.m. we moved to the screen at Junction Pool for an early lunch and a look at the Long-tailed Duck. Both were quickly interrupted by news that the Teal had been found on the landward side of Crossens Inner Marsh among a group of several hundred Wigeon. Despite going the long way round ( biggrin

) we were quickly on the scene and scanning "the fifth point". The bird was initially quite well tucked in among the snoozing Wigeon but was bullied futher left, giving better views. After a couple more commutes between these spots the bird moved much further left and to the back of the flock giving good views

After a late lunch in Sandgrounders watching a Peregrine spooking the waterfowl we headed down to the Marine Lake for the Egret roost. 63 Little Egrets and 1 Great White Egret had come in by the time we set off home. A modest total of 47 species for the day but some good birds none-the-less. Good numbers of Golden Plover & Black-tailed Godwit and impressive numbers of Shelduck and Cormorant on the sea.

I don't know how it fits in with other sightings of the Baikal Teal, but the bird was found today with Wigeon (none of which were on the Outer Marsh when we arrived) and its' disappearance last Monday afternoon coincided with the departure of the Wigeon from the usual channel when all the wildfowl were flushed, so anyone still looking for it may do well to seek out the Wigeon.

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 8th of December 2013 10:13:17 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

This afternoon - good to see some familiar faces out here and meet some new faces.

Well worth the drive to get my 1st Baikal Teal.

The bird had moved from Crossens Outer Marsh to the Inner Marsh virtually in the same location where I had a Spoonbill back in April. Located the bird in the vast numbers, bit far out for a photo with my equipment but good views with my trusty Nocs!
Everything took to the air after getting restless so we had to find it again which didn't take long. After a while they took to the air yet again and this time it was a Peregrinne that flushed them all up, it was a fairly smallish one so could've been a young one.
I relocated the Baikal fairly quickly and it settled down for a rest with its head tucked well in. This is when it made a fool of me, as it was resting, I was talking to another birder, I glanced back at the Baikal and thought it's still resting. Few minutes later I said 'it looks like it's not moving for a while now' to which I got the reply 'which bird are you watching?'
Another bird had moved into the same spot where the Baikal Teal was and began resting, while I was talking, the Baikal had waddled a 100yds off to the left. I was watching the wrong bloody bird!
It then disappeared into a ditch below one of the ridges and didn't show again while I was there.

1 Baikal Teal
1 Peregrinne Falcon
1 Black Tailed Godwit
2 Dunlin
3 Little Egret (1 was quite large but was definitely Little Egret)
A few Redwings over
Alot of Pink Footed Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail and a few pairs of Shoveler.

Also a Gull roost in the same field mainly consisting of...
Black Headed Gulls
Herring Gulls
3 Great Black-Backed Gulls and
a few Lesser Black-Backed Gulls

My opinion for what it's worth, although I'm no expert on Hybridisation, I've only studied it a little bit in A-level Biology, but had I been the one making the call as to whether the Baikal Teal was genuine full breed or a hybrid, I would probably have said genuine, although that said, it does lack the chinstrap which could be variation, and I think there's an overall look and feel about it that says genuine. Like I said, I'm no expert, and it is only my opinion.

Cheers
Rob

steven burke · Status: Offline

late post for 7th dec. 50 species

Baikal teal still present on crossens outer marsh, distant scope views amongst the huge numbers of teal & wigeon. lots of golden plovers in the same area with distant waders, possibly knot & dunlin. 2 great white egrets.

along the beach which was very quiet apart from...

shelducks
curlews
pink footed geese
meadow pipits & linnets, only seen 1 skylark
1 reed bunting
3 little egrets

nels hide...

1 long tailed duck, junction pool.
1 water rail, swam in front of nels hide.
3 ruff
2 golden plover amongst the lapwings
hundreds of teal, wigeon, pintail & shovelers.

sandgrousers hide...

1 barnacle goose
3 pochards
5 little egrets
again hundreds of teal, pintail & wigeon.

only counted 33 little egrets going to roost inc the 2 great whites.
no raptors.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

In addition to the Baikal Teal on Crossens outer marsh (National Mega Sightings thread), the Ross's Goose and Long-tailed Duck were seen to be still present this morning. Also 2 Great white Egrets were on the outer marsh.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 5th of December 2013 09:12:06 PM

James Walsh · Status: Offline

Aswell as the Baikal Teal & Ross's Goose (see mega sightings), Marsh Harrier, plus reports of Great White Egret & Merlin

The Long-tailed Duck was still present on Saturday

There also seem to a number of hybrid wildfowl around this area, keep an eye out for probable Baikal Teal x Teal, Chiloe x Eurasian Wigeon & Snow x Greylag Goose smile

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

a.m. visit, good views of 2 female Merlin, Ross's Goose, Long-tailed Duck and a Great White Egret plus large numbers of all the regular birds with at least 300 Skylark on the marsh by the old sand works.
Cheers Ian

sid ashton · Status: Offline

On my way to see my brother in Southport today managed a couple of short birding stops:- of interest at Crossens Marsh, 2 Great White Egrets, minimum 6 Little Egrets, a Peregrine and a Merlin. At the junction pool the longish staying female Long-tailed Duck spent a lot of time under water smile

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Jonathan Platt wrote:

Hi Rob,

Probably less than 100 Common Sandpiper winter in the UK each year, mainly in the SW. They generally winter by flowing water and alone, but not always - for instance, I seem to remember three wintering together on the River Clwyd (?) in North Wales in recent years, and I think two have wintered at Condor Green near Lancaster. According to the Cheshire atlas 1-5 winter in that region every year. Once they've found a place to winter they'll probably see the period out in that area. So, as you can see, the chances of five Common Sands suddenly appearing at Marshside then, just as swiftly, disappearing (no-one else has seen any as far as I'm aware?), are pretty remote. Not saying it's impossible Rob, just that it's highly unlikely. Did you notice if the birds you saw had the characteristic bobbing motion of Common Sandpipers?

Totally get what you're saying their Jonathan, and this is the confusing bit, I did not see the bobbing motion as I lost them when they went to ground. They flew in from the left as though from over Junction Pool, very low over the water and not a constant flap but more of mixed flap and glide in as Sandpiper do, the white wing bar visible, basically brownish in colour with white underparts, and too small to be a Black Tailed Godwit, but they landed virtually in with the Black-Wits, and where there was literally 100's of them and it being uneven terrain to the right of Nel's, I totally lost these few birds, so what had the characteristics of Sandpiper could well be something different as I haven't witnessed the giveaway Bobbing.
Cheers
Rob

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Gordon Taylor wrote:

Hi Rob, Martin Mere is probably the best place in the country to see Ruff throughout the year. Post breeding males (still in their finery) appear in July followed by females then juveniles which causes great confusion with the variety of sizes and plumages. Regularly 100+ winter there and are often seen closely from Raine's Observatory eating grain from the Swan Feeds. Late birds can linger into early May.

Hi Gordon,
Yeah I'm well aware of Ruff sizes, plumage, etc. differences causing problems. I had some shots last year with the masses of Pink Footed Geese, Whooper Swan, Pintail, etc and every so often was a wader in the hustle and bustle. I think I managed to ID one correctly although straight forward enough as a Ruff, but another bird had me pulling my hair out. Ian M had to ID it for me as another Ruff and I would never have got it!

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Rob Creek wrote:

I will put it down to Dunlin as they were a bit far away to positively ID and went to ground very quickly, I would've expected Golden Plover as appearing larger in flight, and there were already Golden Plover present (easily visible) which came in separately but some mixed with the Lapwing.

There was nothing that suggested anything other than Sandpiper to me, but if you're saying you won't get them in a group of 5, only singles, then I'm unsure what they were, certainly appeared to be just Common Sandpipers. It was time of year that got me, and if you say 91 Ruff were counted at Martin Mere, would it be that unusual for only 5 Sandpipers together to be still here?
Asking the question...not questioning your comment so to speak.
Cheers
Rob

Hi Rob,

Probably less than 100 Common Sandpiper winter in the UK each year, mainly in the SW. They generally winter by flowing water and alone, but not always - for instance, I seem to remember three wintering together on the River Clwyd (?) in North Wales in recent years, and I think two have wintered at Condor Green near Lancaster. According to the Cheshire atlas 1-5 winter in that region every year. Once they've found a place to winter they'll probably see the period out in that area. So, as you can see, the chances of five Common Sands suddenly appearing at Marshside then, just as swiftly, disappearing (no-one else has seen any as far as I'm aware?), are pretty remote. Not saying it's impossible Rob, just that it's highly unlikely. Did you notice if the birds you saw had the characteristic bobbing motion of Common Sandpipers?

Gordon Taylor · Status: Offline

Hi Rob, Martin Mere is probably the best place in the country to see Ruff throughout the year. Post breeding males (still in their finery) appear in July followed by females then juveniles which causes great confusion with the variety of sizes and plumages. Regularly 100+ winter there and are often seen closely from Raine's Observatory eating grain from the Swan Feeds. Late birds can linger into early May.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Jon Bowen wrote:

Rob,

The American Wigeon has been knocking about for a week or so and is widely reported as a hybrid, confirmed by significantly more able birders than me from stills and video footage.

The smew has been at HOM for at least a week ( I saw it last Saturday) and is frequenting the one permanent pool which is about 400 yds up from the shelter

Hi Jon,
Yep the very same pool at HOM a bit further up to what looks like a tram stop (shelter).
Only 2 birds, 1 Curlew and 1 Little Egret, although that's not to say it wasn't there, it could well have been sheltering somewhere, it was cold and bleak out there.
The American Wigeon I wasn't even going to try as it could've been anywhere, and possibly hidden from view anyway.

Jonathan, (and Sid)
I will put it down to Dunlin as they were a bit far away to positively ID and went to ground very quickly, I would've expected Golden Plover as appearing larger in flight, and there were already Golden Plover present (easily visible) which came in separately but some mixed with the Lapwing.

There was nothing that suggested anything other than Sandpiper to me, but if you're saying you won't get them in a group of 5, only singles, then I'm unsure what they were, certainly appeared to be just Common Sandpipers. It was time of year that got me, and if you say 91 Ruff were counted at Martin Mere, would it be that unusual for only 5 Sandpipers together to be still here?
Asking the question...not questioning your comment so to speak.
Cheers
Rob

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Just realised on re-reading Rob's post, that you guys were talking about the possibility of 5 Common Sandpipers at Marshside doh

Anyway there was only one at BMW !!!!!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Jonathan Platt wrote:
A single Common Sandpiper would be unusual at this time of year Rob...........

Of interest there was also a single Common Sandpiper at Burton Mere Wetlands last week on Thursday the 14th, perhaps the same bird.

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Rob Creek wrote:

Saturday 16th Nov.
One birder reported an American Wigeon on the reserve but I couldn't pick it out of the vast numbers, he said its most likely a hybrid, but having not seen it I couldn't possibly make that judgement. Same birder reported a Smew at Hesketh Out Marsh but when I arrived there was barely a single bird of any species that I could see besides a Curlew and a Little Egret.

A couple of things I'd appreciate any comments on...

Firstly the Ruff was pointed out to me at Nel's by a kind birder and it certainly looked like a Ruff, and I thought I had 5 Common Sandpiper at Nel's also. Does anyone else besides myself think it's quite late for these 2 species to be still here or have some lingered on with the slightly milder than usual weather?

Secondly, 2 large flocks of small waders approx 70+each came swooping in on the far side of Nel's pool and vanished into the ditchy ground. I'm putting them down as most likely being Sanderlings. ???

Cheers
Rob

A single Common Sandpiper would be unusual at this time of year Rob, five points towards them being another species. Someone counted 91 Ruff at Martin Mere yesterday so it's not unusual to see them at this time of year, you might find this interesting:

http://www.cheshireandwirralbirdatlas.org/species/ruff-wintering.htm

I doubt very much the other waders you saw were Sanderling, they're normally found on the beach/mudflats. That number points towards Dunlin perhaps if they were indeed small, though I didn't see any there yesterday. Sure they weren't Golden Plover Rob?

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Rob,

The American Wigeon has been knocking about for a week or so and is widely reported as a hybrid, confirmed by significantly more able birders than me from stills and video footage.

The smew has been at HOM for at least a week ( I saw it last Saturday) and is frequenting the one permanent pool which is about 400 yds up from the shelter