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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> PENNINGTON FLASH.
Post Info TOPIC: PENNINGTON FLASH.
Ian McKerchar


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PENNINGTON FLASH.
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Two adult Mediterranean Gulls roosted this late afternoon, the regular bird and another new bird mainly in non-breeding plumage (so not the new adult seen on the 30th January).

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes





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Steven Heywood


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Late afternoon wander as the wind got up and the rain started. Two Muscovy ducks on the car park, the car park oystercatcher was on the spit at the Horrocks Hide with seventy-odd lapwings. A couple of drake pochards were on the flash close to the car park, at least three dozen tufted ducks out on the water with eighteen goldeneyes and three drake scoters quite far out. Large gull numbers were building up, a raft of about a hundred each of herring gulls and lesser black-backs with half a dozen great black-backs at the Eastern end of the flash, a larger but unidentifiable raft of gulls was out over by the sailing club; a lot more were coming in as I left. Three goosanders, a drake and two redheads, with the teal and shovelers at Ramsdales where a couple of willow tits were showing well in the company of a family of long-tailed tits. A couple of buzzards were sparring over the Tom Edmondson Hide.

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Ian McKerchar


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Also earlier today, 7 Little Egrets, 12 Goosander, 40 Cormorants and 2 Snipe.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme



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Ian McKerchar


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Female Marsh Harrier at the rear of Horrocks Hide at 08:35

Info thanks to Bill Harrison



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Ian McKerchar


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Late afternoon up to dusk today:

Female Common Scoter still present, tucked in by the sailing club mainly asleep, then woke up and began swimming about nearer dusk

Single drake Shelduck in Ramsdales

Now two adult Mediterranean Gulls, with the new bird showing considerably more white around the base of the bill than the regular bird

1460 Herring Gulls

129 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

44 Great Black-backed Gulls

57 Cormorants

Now 3 Oystercatchers

316 Lapwings



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Ian McKerchar


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21 Lesser Redpolls in trees along the canal bank.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from this morning:

4 Common Scoters, with three present at first light (male and two females) which flew off strongly west at 08:30 and a single female which flew in at 08:40 but wasn't present at c09:30

2 Whooper Swans flew east at 09:25

4 Greylag Geese flew west

2 Shelduck flew west at 08:44

3 Pochard

139 Lapwings

3 Little Egrets

18 Goosanders

A peak of 54 Cormorants through the early morning but much comings and goings of birds

2 Oystercatchers

2 small flocks of Siskins at the western end and at the back of Teal Scrape

And a quick count up revealed 90 species seen on site during the month without actually trying (though only a few other additions would have been possible to be fair!).



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning, 4 Lesser Redpolls along the canal bank, 6 Goosander, 2 Little Egret and 4 Shelduck at the western end.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme



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Ian McKerchar


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7 Pochard, 6 Goosanders and 1 Little Egret this morning.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme



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Ian McKerchar


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A relatively poor gull roost this late afternoon but highlights included:

85 Great Black-backed Gulls (including proportionately many more first winter birds than usual in the roost)

The usual adult Mediterranean Gull off Sorrow Cow Farm, now very close to a complete breeding plumaged black hood

Also, two Oystercatchers on the spit and a drake Pochard in Ramsdales



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Ian McKerchar


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So far this morning:

Adult Mediterranean Gull off the sailing club

Adult male Peregrine

8 Little Egrets

Info thanks to Bill Harrison and Barry Hulme



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from mid-afternoon today up to dusk:

First winter Caspian Gull, a very advanced bird in moult and certainly new in (a few more images on the website)

620 Herring Gulls

226 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

96 Great Black-backed Gulls

Usual adult Mediterranean Gull showing very well close in off Sorrow Cow Farm/Sailing Club area

1 Curlew though east

2 Oystercatchers

1 Kingfisher off Sorrow Cow Farm

2 Sparrowhawks

1 adult Peregrine hunting over the flash for a while, having a good (but unsuccessful) go at the Lapwings

 

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This afternoon:

84 Cormorants

2 Wigeon

11 Goosanders



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colin davies


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This morning, 8:45 - 12:15;

Bittern sunbathing on the edge of Ramsdales reedbed at noon

Marsh harrier 1 immature flew south over the ruck at 9:15

Little egret 7 roosting in a tree at the western end

Water rail 2 calling in Ramsdales reedbed

Goosander 32

Goldeneye 29

Teal 50+

Wigeon 1 male at western end

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Mid-afternoon up to dusk again today:

Bittern flew across Ramsdales at 3:43pm and presumably into the reedebed along the western edge of Ramsdales (which was out of view from my vantage point)

2490 Herring Gulls

56 Great Black-backed Gulls

Regular adult Mediterranean Gull 

101 Cormorants

5 Pochard in Ramsdales

43 Greylag Geese

1 Kingfisher

5 Little Egrets at the western end, went to roost just prior to dusk



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Ian McKerchar


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Mid afternoon up to dusk today:

2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, one of which I almost missed as it was so close inshore off Sorrow Cow Farm!

The regular adult Mediterranean Gull

1940 Herring Gulls

37 Goosanders

97 Teal, including 66 in a single flock off the south side of the spit

109 Cormorants

21 Snipe on the spit

26 Shovelers

3 Greylag Geese at the western end again

346 Canada Geese flew in from the west at 3:40pm and dropped out from the sailing club

2 Sparrowhawks



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Ian McKerchar


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Mid-afternoon up to dusk today:

3 Greylag Geese at the western end, then around 4:40pm as I was getting back to my car a flock of c70 flew over E/SE just south of the flash

3 Little Egrets feeding at the western end

840 Herring Gulls

Only 33 Great Black-backed Gulls

The usual adult Mediterranean Gull just off Sorrow Cow Pond 

8 Goosanders

 

Also, one I forgot to add for yesterday when a Tawny Owl was singing briefly in the area around Sorrow Cow Farm late afternoon but still light!



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Andy Isherwood


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Highlights from a couple of hours this morning included 2 adult Whooper Swan over heading North east c. 9.10am c.30 Greylag geese at the western end 11 Pink footed geese North just after 8.30 7 Siskin in trees by the leaning posts 61 Cormorant in a large fishing raft off the sailing club 2 Grey Partridge Woodcock Kingfisher Little egret in ramsdales

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Ian McKerchar


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Late afternoon today up to dusk:

First winter Caspian Gull in a decent sized gull roost (record photos on the website)

The usual adult Mediterranean Gull

At least 104 Greylag Geese at the western end, feeding with Canada Geese, though there were probably more as many were in the reeds and out of view etc. Towards dusk some of the flock flew off towards the Lightshaw area.

27 Goldeneye

16 Goosander 

63 Pink-footed Geese over W/SW at 16:10

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Early this morning:

Treecreeper in song at the western end

3 drake Pochard (two at the eastern outflow and one in Ramsdales)

Single Greylag Goose over NE

8 Meadow Pipits on Ramsdales Ruck

103 Pink-footed Geese over NW at 09:20

31 Teal with lots of displaying drakes, by the mini spit

6 Goosanders



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Ian McKerchar


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Early afternoon today, 6 Little Egrets below Ramsdales Ruck, the regular adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Pochard and a pair of Wigeon on Pengies.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

10 Whooper Swans flew west

7 Little Egrets

2 Willow Tits

Info thanks to Bill Harrison



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Ian McKerchar


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Mid-afternoon today up to dusk:

69 Cormorants

5 Little Egrets, at least three of which were initially at the western end but flew towards the lagoon/Ramsdales and towards dusk they were then all on Ramsdales Scrape

Resident Oystercatcher on the spit

2160 Herring Gulls

Usual adult Mediterranean Gull

41 Woodpigeons in trees and bushes around Sorrow Cow Pond

2 drake Pochard

6 Goosanders

 



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Ian McKerchar


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5 Little Egrets, 2 Goosander, 2 Pochard and 38 Cormorants this morning.

Info thanks to Barry Hulme



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Ian McKerchar


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Late afternoon up to dusk today:

1044 Herring Gulls (much reduced numbers of Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls)

Usual adult Mediterranean Gull, drifted out from East Bay into the middle of the flash

2 Little Egrets in Ramsdales

5 Pochard, with 4 in Ramsdales (including one female) and a single male off the east end of the car park

1 Kingfisher off Sorrow Cow Farm

Drake Mandarin in Ramsdales with a flock of Mallard

6 Goosanders flying in and around at dusk

 

 



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Ian McKerchar


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733 Herring Gulls roosted this late afternoon, also 2 Wigeon present.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Ian McKerchar


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Mid-afternoon up to dusk today:

1 Chiffchaff briefly around Sorrow Cow Pond

1 Raven over NW at 3:20pm

Blue nasal saddled female Tufted Duck still on site, in Ramsdales

33 Goldeneye

Only 3 drake Pochards visible around the eastern outflow

96 Great Black-backed Gulls, over half of which departed SW prior to dusk

1710 Herring Gulls (with another increase in argentatus birds)

The usual adult Mediterranean Gull in its favoured location just off Sorrow Cow Farm 

c3800 Jackdaws in the south side roost, an average of several counts from their impressive murmurations

 



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Andy Isherwood


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Redshank circled calling over where the spit normally is this morning before heading off west. Several Water rail seen well with the high water levels.

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Steve Monty


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Two Marsh Harriers flew directly overhead at the viewing fence behind Teal Scrape (where it says liable to flooding.) They were in plain view for around two minutes, being mobbed by crows and were finally chased away.

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colin davies


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This morning, 9:00 - 12:15;

59 species in total for me, including;

Woodcock 1 flew over the southern side 

Several willow tits near Bunting hide

Siskin 4 from the canal

Lesser redpoll 1 with the siskins

Mandarin 1 still at Plank Lane marina

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This late afternoon up to dusk:

181 Great Black-backed Gulls

660 Herring Gulls

1 adult Mediterranean Gull

28 Goldeneye



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Andy Isherwood


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67 species seen or heard this morning, highlights included: 3 Little Egret in flooded fields near Moseley Hall Farm 4 Raven flew south over Moseley Hall Farm, 1 landed in large conifers next to farm and then called loudly (can Raven call any other way?!) for several minutes before flying back north. c 80 Pink footed goose flee east c.8.30 am and 4 flew west at c. 9.30. Cettis Warbler singing from flooded area between Charlie Owenl hide and canal 3 Siskin in trees in the same area 2 drake and a female Wigeon circled the fkash for a minute before landing in East bay

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colin davies


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This morning 10am - 12 noon;

Little egret 3 on flooded horse field at Mossley Hall farm 

Pochard 17

Wigeon 1 female Pengy's 

Mandarin 1 still Plank Lane marina 

 



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colin davies


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An afternoon visit to the hides revealed a further seven goosander from Charlie Owen (Teal) hide giving a total of 11 birds for me today.  

Also on the car park amongst the frequent blue ringed black-headed gulls, blue ringed 2T62 which was ringed at the flash 16/10/2020, seen at a breeding colony at Poznan, Poland in July 2022 (1300km, 807 miles) and last seen by me at the Flash a year ago today, 30/12/2022. Also the Dutch metal ringed bird 3,738,977 (558km, 347 miles).

 



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colin davies


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This morning,

Pochard 17 off the car park

Goosander 2 (male and female)

Goldeneye 27

Wigeon 2 (male and female) at the west end

Greylag goose 4

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Late afternoon up to dark today:

158 Great Black-backed Gulls

434 Herring Gulls

154 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

28 Stock Doves in a single flock going to roost around Pennies somewhere

Drake Wigeon still at the western end

Two redhead Goosander



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Ian McKerchar


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Around 8:35 this morning a Peregrine was chasing Lapwings and landed briefly in the spit before heading off west.

Info thanks to Bill Harrison



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colin davies


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This morning, 8:45 - 11:00, partly with Bill Harrison;

Mediterranean gull 1 adult landed in east bay at about 9:30am. Still present to at least 10:30am

Wigeon 1 drake west end

Pochard 17 off the car park

Goosander 2 flew over, male and female

Black-headed gull on car park with metal ring 3,738,977 ringed in Holland 2016. I've seen it on many occasions since at least 6th November 2022. Also several birds with blue plastic rings but all previously ringed at the flash.

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This afternoon up to nightfall:

167 Great Black-backed Gulls in what remained a relatively small roost for Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls

5300 Black-headed Gulls

c3400 Jackdaws in the south side roost with an impressive pre-roost 'murmeration'

Pair of Wigeon on the sailing club shore

33 Goldeneye

At least 15 Pochard, perhaps as many as 18



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Michael Hood


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Only managed 34 species on my quick walk around the hides around midday - only the 3 nearest the car park were open - although there's the viewing bit next to Ramsdales and you can go round the front of Teal hide for a "lesser" view.

Highlights were:

  • How close you can get to the car park Oystercatcher for a good look at it, it moved to the spit towards the end of my quick visit (I'm presuming there's just the one)
  • Seeing 5 tit species with 4 of them (not Long-tailed) + Bullfinch + Nuthatch from really close up on the feeders between Bunting and Teal hides - there was a young man putting seed out and taking photos

I've never seen the water level that high (no doubt others have)



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Ian McKerchar


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This late afternoon up to dark:

A relatively poor gull roost for large gulls at least held 42 Great Black-backed Gulls

20 Pochard, with 18 in Ramsdales and two off the car park though towards dusk more birds moved over to off the car park

38 Goldeneye

2 Wigeon (probably missed the female this morning as the pair were not together and the female was around the sailing club shore area)

420 Lapwings

56 Pink-footed Geese over west at 3:50pm

1 Little Egret at the western end

 

66 species were recorded during my two visits today without even trying (I only totalled up tonight out of interest), if I had done, I could probably have added a further four or five species.



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Ian McKerchar


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From first light to midday today, some interesting full site counts on what was a very decent day weather wise for a change!

202 Tufted Duck

24 Shoveler

97 Gadwall

66 Teal

1 drake Wigeon

13 Pochard, 12 off the car park and one in East Bay

5 Goosander (three western end and two on Teal Scrape)

865 Pink-footed Geese over east in three skeins between 08:58 and 09:25

21 Goldcrests

78 Long-tailed Tits

36 Song Thrushes (of which 15 were in song)

2 Lesser Redpolls feeding in trees on the side of Ramsdales Ruck

18 Redwings behind Ramsdales Hide

6 Nuthatches

8 Treecreepers

4+ Siskin in alders north of Teal Scrape

2+ Willow Tits, both in the feeding station

12 Coal Tits

8 Bullfinches, all in the feeding station

16 Reed Buntings, all in the feeding station/Pengies area

40 Goldfinch in one flock feeding in alders on the south side

4, probably 5, Little Egrets around the western end

31 Cormorants

The resident Oystercatcher, of course

 



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colin davies


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This morning 8.15-9.45;

Little egret 7 at Mossley Hall farm, then flushed by buzzard. I think my highest count ever at the flash.

 

Pochard 14 off the car park

Wigeon 4 (2 pairs)

Goldeneye 25

 



-- Edited by colin davies on Monday 25th of December 2023 10:22:38 AM

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Ian McKerchar


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Today’s highlights include a first winter drake Scaup, pair of Wigeon and two Little Egrets.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday late afternoon when a drake Common Scoter, 9 Pochard and a Little Egret were all present.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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colin davies


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First visit for a while following a holiday, 12:30 - 13:30. Mainly from the boat club;

Wigeon 3 (2 drakes)

Goldeneye 27

Little egret 1

 



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Ian McKerchar


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'Interesting' conditions this late afternoon!

220 Lapwings around the spit

320 Tufted Duck, mainly at the slightly more sheltered western end

44 Cormorants

26 Great Black-backed Gulls

210 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

At least one adult Mediterranean Gull



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Ian McKerchar


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This late afternoon:

538 Herring Gulls roosted

3 Little Egrets at the western end

5 Pochard

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from mid-afternoon up to dark today:

Adult Mediterranean Gull

1037 Herring Gulls

142 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

31 Great Black-backed Gulls

206 Tufted Ducks

10 Pochard

c120 Lapwing, which as water levels have dropped just under two feet in the past couple of days (!), now have some spit to utilise 

6 Goosanders



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Ian McKerchar


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An improved gull roost this late afternoon up to dark!

512 Herring Gulls, including a small but noticeable increase in argentatus birds

42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

8 Great Black-backed Gulls

67 Lapwings still circling around towards duck looking for some dry land to roost

1 drake Mandarin in Ramsdales

29 Goldeneye

12 Pink-footed Geese over low NW at 4:15pm

 



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