Stephen Williams
Stephen Williams
RSPB Marshside, 9th November 2019
Nine members turned up on a very cold frosty morning. A quick look around before heading for the main hide gave us a Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and flocks of Pink Footed Geese. The water on the lake from the main hide was too high for many waders and these were forced to the back and side of the water. These included large numbers of Black Tailed Godwits with a few Bar Tailed Godwits. Many Pink Footed Geese with some Canada Geese. A Little Grebe on the water with some Lapwings in the background. All the ducks were present with good numbers of Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintails . Afterwards we left the hide where we crossed the road to view any raptors or waders on the marsh. We saw a male Hen Harrier along with several Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard. Little Egrets were in the channels. Looking towards the beach we could see flocks of Knot wheeling similar to Starling murmurations. Fieldfares and Redwings flew over whilst watching these birds.
We then checked the water adjacent to the main hide. Here we found the female Greater Scaup.
Now lunch then off to the pier to see the large flock (100+) of Twite. We had good views and here we also had a solitary Knot.
Then on to Mere Sands Wood reserve where we saw Goosanders and had good views of Goldcrests.
In total we had 46 species.
Paul Kenyon
LWT Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve and WWT Martin Mere, 19th November 2019
Fourteen members arrived at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, near Rufford run by Lancashire Wildlife Trust on a cold morning but dry. We found that the renovations to the Visitor Centre had overrun, and a pile driver started thumping away! So we decided to walk away from the building noise around the outskirts of the mature woodland and were rewarded by views of Treecreeper and Nuthatch. There were comfortable hides to look over the lakes and we got the usual tally of waterfowl including a female Goosander. Sadly, no Kingfisher, but it had been seen earlier by some keen photographers who had staked it out. On to Martin Mere Wetland Centre and we needed bowls of hot soup to warm up! We headed for the hides and masses of waterfowl were seen, Pintail, Greylag, Wigeon and Pochard. We returned to the Discovery Hide for the 3pm feeding and it was mayhem as they devoured a whole barrowload of food! Amazing sight with great close views of Ruff. This was a fitting end to our day out. Thanks to Simon Smith for the great photos. Total species count was 41