The minimal ice free areas on the west pool managed to support a few species this morning & apart from a skein of Pink footed Geese - 70, flying west there was
Wigeon - 54,
Mallard - 23,
Black headed Gull - 30
Herring Gull - 1
Elsewhere:
Fieldfare - 100+
Goldfinch - 10, numbers way down on previous years
A lovely crisp (cold!) morning stroll with main pools partially frozen over. Along the east side drilling with associated bits & bobs has started on proposed MSA field.
Todays stroll was mainly about checking, cleaning & repairing bird boxes (with more to do another day) which I have been installing around the area in recent times. Despite the weather & getting soaked later, some birds were also braving the conditions.
This is probably the best thread for this sighting.
Unbelievably whilst driving to Liverpool on both mornings I managed to spot a Green Sandpiper bobbing on the edge of a pool at the side of the M62 westbound, not too far from the Birchwood slip road. I could see it bobbing clear as day, bear in mind Im in a limited speed vehicle which helped.
Am today east pool nearly totally frozen for the first time this winter
of note
Teal -8
Gadwall- 10
Wigeon - 1 Pair
Pochard - 1 Pair
Shoveler-2
Cormorant-5
Stonechat-3
Redpoll -10
Linnet -60
Meadow Pipit -20
Grey Partridge-3
Buzzard-1
Fieldfare -50
Redwing-40
plus the regulars
Unfortunately has happens every year when the first frost arrives the old farmer decides to come out with his big gun and stands in the middle of the set aside firing at anything that moves. So that area then becomes quieter .
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 30th of November 2023 08:29:02 AM
Pink Footed Geese - fairly continuous movement East/SE all morning , and strangely from my vis mig point they were coming from the Mersey/Dee , and the Ribble . About 1400 altogether in the movement.
Yellowhammer-8
Reed Bunting - 9
Common Gull -1 adult
Meadow Pipit - 14
Shoveler- 1
Gadwall-8
Teal -2
Little Grebe - 6
Tufted Duck -14
Pochard -1
Stonechat-1 Imm Male
Cormorant-2
Kestrel-3
Buzzard-1
Linnet- 200+
Long Tailed Tit-20
Goldcrest -6
Fieldfare - 500+ around the area feeding
Redwing - 300+ around the area
Siskin- 10
Redpoll - 5
Grey Wagtail-2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 16th of November 2023 09:19:55 PM
Nothing of real note today,pools the quietest I've ever seen them 8 Gadwall ,2 Cormorant and 40 Black Headed Gulls all that could be seen ,along with 10 coot and a few Tufted Duck on the entrance pool . Plenty Fieldfare and Redwing about and a few Redpoll and Siskin .
Pools rather quiet with just a few Tufted and Little Grebe and 6 Gadwall
Other of note on surrounding farmland
Linnet - 300 + .largest flock I've seen here and unfortunately were the new Motorway Service station is imminently being built. Strange the ecology reports said the site held no birds of any significance on that land.
Corn Bunting - 1
Stonechat -1 male
Yellowhammer- 6
Chaffinch-60
Lapwing- 60
Brambling-2
Redpoll- 6
Siskin -8
Fieldfare - 100
Redwing - 80
Meadow Pipit-8
Kestrel - 2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Wednesday 15th of November 2023 11:13:55 AM