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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> Pickerings Pasture, Widnes.
Post Info TOPIC: Pickerings Pasture, Widnes.
John Williams


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RE: Pickerings Pasture, Widnes.
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14.00-16.30

Beautiful afternoon amble from the car park to the screen, where I stayed for a couple of hours, and back,

largely for the butterflies as the bird scene was pretty quiet.

A male and female Blackcap frequently commuted across the clearing in front of screen, usually carrying food.

A flock of 70 Lapwings rested on the river bank, but moved across to an emerging sandbank in the centre of the

Mersey as the high tide ebbed. They were soon joined by a single Curlew, 6 Shelducks and lots of gulls, mainly

Lesser Black Backs. A juvenile Lesser Black Back landed on the small pool in front of screen, and was soon joined

by a resplendent adult. The youngster then started it's begging for food routine, really pestering the adult.

The adult was having none of this and flew off appearing really vexed by the youngster. The juvenile did not look

pitiful after this though, a quick drink from the pool and it was off to find another adult. Thank heaven human kids

do not behave like this.

As usual here the marsh held large numbers of Canada Geese, although their numbers seem to have been visibly

depleted by bird flu.







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John Williams
John Williams


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08.00-11.30

Hale Marsh : A group of 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, a flock of 12 Pied Wagtails and 3 Lapwings.

2 Cormorants were seen carrying nesting material.

A female Blackcap gave close views in front of the screen, whilst a Chiffchaff sang nearby, and a pair

of Song Thrushes were seen engaged in vicious fight

Mersey Sandbanks : 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew and 9 Oystercatchers.

Noticeably large numbers of adult Lesser Black Backed Gulls, most seemed already paired.

Alongside the path between Pickerings Pasture and the rear of the large Tesco warehouse :

2 Kestrels and a flock of 30+ mixed finches, 5 of which were Linnets, at least 7 Greenfinches, whilst the rest seemed to be Goldfinches.

Both Kestrels, one definitely a male, the other I suspect was a female, clearly showed an interest in the finches.

A Willow Warbler was in song at one point, and a single Jay was seen.





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John Williams
Terry Long


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A Green Sandpiper was on the scrape in front of the screen hide during high tide at around 2pm today

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John Williams


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11.00-15.00

Mersey sandbanks at low tide : 30 Redshanks, 27 Curlews, 8 Oystercatchers and 1 Dunlin.

Amongst a large gathering of gulls on the river close to the Tesco warehouse, which contained all the common species,

were 1 adult Yellow Legged and 1 huge "Argentatus" Herring Gull.

A male Kestrel patrolled the river bank, where a squabbling group of 3 Ravens were also seen.

A Kingfisher caught a small fish for every dive on the pool in front of the hide/screen, where singles of Little Egret and Redshank were also seen.

50+ Shelduck were noted on Hale Marsh.

Finches, including a couple of Greenfinches, feeding on the ground below the feeders were often disturbed by a pair of "Yorkshire Terrier"

sized Brown Rats.

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John Williams
John O'Neill


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11/11/21 PM
High tide
Great White Egrets actually outnumbered Little Egrets on Hale Marsh.
Exciting game though....final score was 4 : 3

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John O'Neill


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AM
Single Common Sandpiper close in from hide.
Small nos of Golden Plover in with Lapwing flocks

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Rob Smith


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Pink footed geese - 220 high to NW with 50 coming off local field Golden Plover - 180 on mudflats Yellow Wagtail - 2 on marsh in front of hide Grey Wagtail - 1 on marsh Whitethroat & Chiffchaff noted in shrubs nearby

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Rob Smith


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On mudflats:

Golden Plover - 1, among a flock of 200+ Lapwings
Curlew - 85

Canada Geese - 100s everywhere didn't bother counting


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John Williams


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13.30-16.30

Quiet bird wise, great for butterflies though after the rain stopped, please see separate thread.

25 Curlew on the mudflats, plus Oystercatchers, Shelduck etc,.

300+ Canada Geese, including many half grown goslings, were on Hale Marsh.

2 Gadwall were on the pool in front of the screen, whilst a single Grey Heron was on the river bank.

Local dog walkers advised me that an Osprey has been seen patrolling the river a couple of times in the last week.

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John Williams
Rob Smith


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A few birds on the Mersey mudflats in the cold & biting wind.

Dunlin - 1200
Lapwing - 100
Shelduck - 120

Canada geese - 300 on marsh
Grey Wagtail - 1 on marsh



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John Williams


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13.45-15.15

1 Ring Tail Hen Harrier flew from Hale Marsh across the estuary towards the bridges and Wigg Island.

2 Barnacle Geese were amongst Canada Geese on Hale Marsh. A Kingfisher was by the pool in front of the screen.

In the middle of the estuary 60+ Golden Plover were among the Lapwings, together with 2 Curlews and a Black Tailed Godwit.

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John Williams
John Williams


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09.30-13.00

1 Chiffchaff in riverside bushes near Ditton Brook. 24 Teal on Ditton Brook.

Also along the Mersey embankment :1 Raven and 2 Kestrels.

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John Williams
Rob Smith


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On incoming tide & on the marsh from the hide

Little Egret - 1
Cormorant - 10
Shelduck - 235
Oystercatcher - 7
Dunlin - ca 1200
Turnstone - 3
Raven - 1
Mistle Thrush - 1 pair around area

Peregrine Falcon perched on top of Silver Jubilee bridge

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Pete Hines


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Ruff 6
Egyptian Goose 1
Little Egret 2

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Rob Smith


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View of Hale Marsh from the hide at high tide.

Ruddy Shelduck x hybrid - among shelduck, a fair way across the marsh but stood out well.
Shelduck - 270+
Cormorant - 22
Little Egret - 1
Dunlin - 100 on edge of bank in front of hide

plus canada geese and a few mallard


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John O'Neill


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Big flocks of waders on sandbanks
Dunlin 1000+
Lapwing 500+
Golden Plover 100 +

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Rob Smith


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A quick visit after the walk around Hale Head.

Golden Plover - 600- on mudflats
Lapwing - 1250
Heron - 10
Little Egret - 1

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Rob Smith


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Common Sandpiper & Kingfisher on the pool in front of hide

Shelduck - 70 out on marsh

Cormorants - 30 along waterfront along with
Dunlin - 800
Golden Plover - 160
Lapwing - 500
Black Tailed Godwit - 15 flew off towards Carr Lane pools

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John Watson


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Nothing wrong with a little understatement, Ian

There's a discussion elsewhere on the origin of various populations of Snow Goose, such as Lancs, Oxon, York, Mull. Some or all are likely from feral populations in Netherlands or Germany. Really muddies the waters if a potentially genuine individual appears with Pinkfoot Geese

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=330917

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Ian McKerchar


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John Watson wrote:

22 Snow Geese (21 ad, 1 juv), presumably escaped. Others had counted up to 24. View from hide: birds located far SW of reserve, and reported to be a little nervous. Unlikely to be visible from the main road

1 Barnacle Goose

-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 21st of August 2016 06:59:07 PM




Presumably escaped is probably putting it mildy John biggrin

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John Watson


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22 Snow Geese (21 ad, 1 juv), presumably escaped. Others had counted up to 24. View from hide: birds located far SW of reserve, and reported to be a little nervous. Unlikely to be visible from the main road

1 Barnacle Goose

-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 21st of August 2016 06:59:07 PM

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John Williams


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10.00-12.00

Poor visibility early on, but it soon cleared, sadly the rain did'nt.

On the marsh viewable from the screen

60 Lapwings, 10 Redshanks, 36 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail.

Also 1 small "pipit" like bird, that was feeding along the edges of the small pools in the centre of the marsh, I just could'nt ID it, but it is worth looking out for.

Lots of Greenfinches and Chaffinches, several with very swollen diseased feet, but no sign of Bramblings or Bullfinches.

Noticeably lots of Blackbirds catching worms on the wet grass, amongst them were 2 Song Thrushes.

As the tide receded, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Curlews, 1 Common Gull and 3 Grey Herons joined the mass of Black Headed Gulls on the sandbanks.



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John Williams
Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted today by Rob Smith:


Despite the cool, blustery wind it was a good morning for birding.

Common Sandpiper still on the pool in front of the screen along with Little Egret and Kingfisher.

A Great White Egret, Peregrine Falcon (fem) and two Ravens were out on Hale Marsh along with usual birds.

Two Bramblings, ca30 House Sparrows & a male great spotted woodpecker on the feeders next to the rangers cabin.


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John O'Neill


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High winds had driven the water onto Hale Marsh 3.30pmish

F Peregrine on Hale Marsh hopping about on ground. Large bird.

Common Sandpiper still present close to screen. Otherwise, wader nos low, three or four Redshank, few Lapwing.

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M Gannon


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Late post from yesterday between 2:30-3:15:

Five Brent geese on the opposite side of hale marsh from pickerings hide, feeding with plenty of Canada geese. A lifer for me, although I would recommend going to withins way in hale village to get better views as they were closer to the fields there
1 kingfisher on scrape pool
2 great crested grebe (1 on scrape pool, one on mersey
1 common sandpiper (scrape)
200 shelduck in hale marsh
40 long tailed tit
60 golden plover
5 whooper swan
500 Dunlin
1 sparrowhawk


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M Gannon


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Today 1:45-3:00pm

30- 40 golden Plover on the river
Kingfisher
2 common sandpiper
2 whimbrel
7 buzzard
2 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk

I was hoping that there would be a big wader roost at high tide, like there was on Thursday, unfortunately the waders decided to spend high tide on the frodsham side instead. Still a good flock of golden plover were on the river before high tide, and I got great views of 2 common sandpipers, a kingfisher and a kestrel on the scrape pool right in front of the hide at pickerings

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M Gannon


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Today 1:45-3:00pm

30- 40 golden Plover on the river
Kingfisher
2 common sandpiper
2 whimbrel
7 buzzard
2 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk

I was hoping that there would be a big wader roost at high tide, like there was on Thursday, unfortunately the waders decided to spend high tide on the frodsham side instead. Still a good flock of golden plover were on the river before high tide, and I got great views of 2 common sandpipers, a kingfisher and a kestrel on the scrape pool right in front of the hide at pickerings

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M Gannon


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1w Iceland gull from the white bridge at Pickerings pasture around 5:45 this evening

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Chris Harper


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From 11-1
500 Dunlin
150 Shelduck
Little Egret
Kingfisher
3 Gadwall
40 Fieldfare
Sparrowhawk
Grey Wagtail
50 Teal

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M Gannon


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Had a look at the hide and the feeders on friday 21st

Hide

Little Egret
Redshank
Comorant-2

Hale marsh from the hide

Shelduck-100
Canada goose-100
Dunlin-30
Curlew
Lapwing-100
Grey plover

Feeders

Greater spotted woodpecker-2
Greenfinch-10
Chaffinch-15
Blue tit-20
Great tit-10
Coal tit-5
Dunnock-2
wren
Goldfinch
possible Bullfinch

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James Walsh


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Red-breasted Goose still present this afternoon, the ring looks to be an unmarked white or pale yellow colour, there is a ringing programme that uses yellow rings, but with 3 letters

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Tanmay Dixit


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Pete Hines wrote:

Tanmay Dixit wrote:

Brian Baird wrote:


Excellent views of a Great White Egret with a Little Egret and a Kingfisher all feeding together in the scrape this morning.

The Red-breasted Goose (reported on Birdguides at the weekend) was still present, but distant, feeding with the Shelduck out on Hale marsh.




What's the judgment on this bird? Wild?



Metal ring on right leg. Presumed escape.



Cheers Pete :)

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Pete Hines


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Tanmay Dixit wrote:

Brian Baird wrote:


Excellent views of a Great White Egret with a Little Egret and a Kingfisher all feeding together in the scrape this morning.

The Red-breasted Goose (reported on Birdguides at the weekend) was still present, but distant, feeding with the Shelduck out on Hale marsh.




What's the judgment on this bird? Wild?



Metal ring on right leg. Presumed escape.

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Tanmay Dixit


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Brian Baird wrote:


Excellent views of a Great White Egret with a Little Egret and a Kingfisher all feeding together in the scrape this morning.

The Red-breasted Goose (reported on Birdguides at the weekend) was still present, but distant, feeding with the Shelduck out on Hale marsh.




What's the judgment on this bird? Wild?

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Brian Baird


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Excellent views of a Great White Egret with a Little Egret and a Kingfisher all feeding together in the scrape this morning.

The Red-breasted Goose (reported on Birdguides at the weekend) was still present, but distant, feeding with the Shelduck out on Hale marsh.

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John Williams


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10.30-13.30

Higb Tide on arrival, but by 13.00 the mud banks in the centre of the river were exposed, and covered in gulls.

Ditton Brook

36 Teal and 6 Redshanks.

1 Grey Wagtail on the embankment.

A flock of 30 Fieldfares flying East. On the river masses of gulls, including all the common species.

Lots of Cormorants, catching what look like Mullet. 1 (perhaps 2) Grey Seal also seen catching what appear to be Mullet.

A group of 40+ Dunlin flew downstream and settled on a newly exposed mudbank.

60+ Lapwing flew downstream too.

Hale Marsh held masses of Canada Geese and 10 Shelduck.




-- Edited by John Williams on Sunday 15th of December 2013 05:33:39 PM

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John Williams
Patrick Earith


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Quick visit this morning.

Out on the mudflats, 8 Golden Plover amongst the Lapwings.

Juvenile Kingfisher, fishing from a post at the back of the pool in front of the hide, giving great views

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Brian Baird


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2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Redshank on the scrape this afternoon plus Brown and Southern Hawker Dragonflies near the hide.

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Patrick Earith


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An evening vist produced, amongst the usual fare:

Jack Snipe - out in the open, feeding on the small pool to the left of the hide.
Wheatear 1m, 1f
Chiffchaff x 2
Little Egret
Stock Dove x 4
Mistle Thrush x 2
Teal x 4

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alan patterson


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pete berry wrote:

See on Birdguides that the reported American G.P. has been re-identified as an Eurasian Golden Plover.




Hi Pete, I have just looked at Birdguides as I was planning to go. I only get the free bit so I can not click on a record to see the details. All I can see is American Golden Plover with a black cross beside it, so does the details say it was just a Eurasian Golden Plover. I would have assumed that the x indicated what the record had been changed to rather than to what it was!

Not a good morning as I have just dipped on a Scaup at Woolston, it was the first time I have been able to walk there since I injured both my achilese in March.

Cheers Alan

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pete berry


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See on Birdguides that the reported American G.P. has been re-identified as an Eurasian Golden Plover.

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JOHN TYMON


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.

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 10th of November 2012 03:31:49 PM

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sid ashton


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The reported American Golden Plover, in partial summer plumage, amongst c.800 Golden Plovers on the river mud in front of the car park at 14.00 this afternoon. With Mr Barber - arrived just in time to beat the rain

-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 10th of November 2012 08:33:05 AM

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Pete Hines


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16 Golden Plover on the estuary at low tide this pm

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Mike Turton


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Quick stop of on way back from Carr lane pools not much of note
Very little on marsh surprising as tide was still up.
1 Little Egret
15 Canada Geese
3 Oystercatchers
1 Common Buzzard
4 Teal
20 Black-Headed Gulls
1 Curlew
on marsh
1000+ Canada Geese swimming in the river
MIKE

-- Edited by Mike Turton on Wednesday 12th of September 2012 03:03:59 PM

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Patrick Earith


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Great views of a very vocal male Kingfisher here yesterday, sat on a post in front of the hide and dipping into the scrape pool every so often.

Also, 3 Little Egret, half a dozen Pied Wagtails, Kesterel (sat on a fallen tree out on the marsh). Also, hundreds of Canada Geese and dozens of Shelduck

-- Edited by Patrick Earith on Sunday 9th of September 2012 10:09:00 PM

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Terry Long


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4 ruddy shelduck on marsh with over 1000 canada geese, 2 little egret and kingfisher on main scrape. 2blackwits on 2nd scrape.

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Pete Hines


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1 Little Egret
1 Swift

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Mike Turton


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Late afternoon today
out on the estuary
30 Lapwing
15 Curlew
20 Redshank
40+ black-tailed Godwits
Common Whitethroat in front of hide
2 Yellow Wagtails on marsh behind scrape
Mike

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Mike Turton


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Short vist this afternoon
200 Lapwings
100+ Ringed Plover with few Dunlin in with them
8 Curlew
2 Ruddy Shelducks
15 Redshank
6 Black-tailed Godwits
Highlight a Peregrine giving some great views as it came though a few times putting all the
Lapwings and Plovers up pity as I was still checking though them still a great sight though
MIKE

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 22nd of August 2012 10:06:16 PM

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