Did Marshside with Bazzo from 8.45am to 11.40am today, and despite the raging southerly and occasional rain, it wasn't too bad.
The wind was warm and the light quite milky (my excuse for the way these pix look), and small parties of Meadow Pipits were going through constantly.
A few Pied Wagtails dropped in too, and Woodpigeons were on the move - at least six burst out of the Forest of Bale on the western slopes of Mount Baker.
There was a Greenshank with a few Blackwits on the Sandplant Pool, and shedloads of Canada Geese as usual.
The six young Ruddy Ducks were bobbing about on the water, and at least two Common Sandpipers were in the drains off the Sandgrounders Hide.
From Mount Baker we had another two Greenshank in among the passage waders - Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Ringed Plover etc, and there must have been at least 2,500 Shelducks out on the flats.
The sea looked mountainous - shame the tides are no good for a seawatch today.
A Whitethroat was around the junction pool, and a Migrant Hawker was on the bank a little way down the path to Nels.
From Nels Hide perhaps 200 Teal were dozing, with a few Wigeon, Shoveler and two small roosts of Black Tailed Godwits.
Best of all was this Whimbrel, which showed very well at first, but sneaked off into the long grass by the time I'd got my digicamera out.
Lovely strong head pattern.
Nice bird, shame about the shots...
Two Peregrines were visible in the distance perched up on the Gasometer, but then the rain set in.
I drove up to Crossens Marsh which was quiet - everything was spooked by a passing SeaKing helicopter doing its thing for the airshow, until 120 Pink Feet flew in from the east and pitched down on Crossens Inner and Outer Marshes - say goodbye to summer.....
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.....
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hi john,
Where is Mt. Baker?
Mt Baker is the highest point at Marshside - the western end of the Sandwinning Plant's compound wall of sand facing out to the marsh.
It's a good place to watch visible migration and scan the outer marsh.
It's named after Tony Baker, the RSPB's head honcho on the marsh. The Forest of Bale is the hawthorn scrub directly beneath it (planted by the legendary Alan Bale).
You can get to the top of Baker (but don't forget your oxygen and Kendal Mint Cake) by scaling the Devil's Staircase, a narrow path up through the vegetation at the north west tip of the plant compound.
Just climb over the stile on the opposite side of the road to the Sandgrounders Hide and follow the path round, and the staircase is on your left just past the reedbed.
It's called the Devil's Staircase because you'll invariably fall down it at least once a year.
Always try to do this when there's no one else around - far more dignified.
Finally, NEVER go into the Sandplant Compound itself, unless you want to meet the Hounds of Hades.....
Hi John Dempsey,
Thanks for pin-pointing "Mount Baker", the "Forest of Bale" and the "Devils Staircase" Your directions are fully appreciated.
It would be great if you could create a small map of the area showing these points and the entrances to them, just a hopeful thought.
Thanks again,
Ron.