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Getting frisky at Marshside

Posted by on January 12, 2008 4:26 PM | 

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Didn't get down to the marsh much before 2.30pm today, but in my defence I was up till 5am doing Capital of Culture stuff from the opening night in Liverpool last night.
Normally I run faster from "culcha" than Scooby Doo and Shaggy when confronted by the Zombie-Horror-Bitch-Vampire monster (although I never say no to a nice bit of Cervantes or Vaughan Williams), but I have to admit that last night's opening show was pretty spectacular.
Ringo Starr didn't fall off St George's Hall, and The Wombats certainly seemed worth another look.
All of which meant a very late start today, but the Wigeon at the bottom of Marshside One were getting very frisky, the young males carefully edging out any potential suitors to females they swam beside.
Too much sunshine today probably, that's the problem.

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Good numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwing on Marshide Two, with at least four Little Egrets on the inland marsh and two on the outer, 97 Pochards on the Sandplant lagoon and 18 Tufties there too (Graham Clarkson had counted more earlier in the day).

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A smallish gull roost strung out across the back of Marshside Two and Crossens, but more were out along the beach south of the Pier on the way up to the marsh - Weld Road should be worth a check tomorrow.
From the top of Mount Baker, Graham C phoned me, as he could see the three Greenland Whitefronts in with the Pinkies in the vegetation, but I was too lowdown on the road to pick 'em out.
Graham reckons the birds are juvs - presumably the same ones that were here before Christmas.
Merlin and Peregrine on the outer marsh, but the light faded all too quickly.

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Time to head for home before another all night stint from the Capital of Culture - Scooby Doo, Where Are You?
Finally, while I think that the ever-growing number of people visiting Marshside can only be good for conservation, education etc, can I just suggest to the gentleman out on the road today, that a high visibility yellow jacket probably ain't the best attire for concealing yourself from the birdies.
You'd probably do better banging a big drum.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....

Comments (3)

Graham Clarkson wrote...

GREAT WHITE EGRET over Marshside reserve just now going south (4.25pm).

Posted by: Graham Clarkson  | January 12, 2008 5:04 PM

john wrote...

Now that's what I call impressive nocturnal birding! Nice one Graham!

Posted by: john  | January 12, 2008 5:05 PM

Graham Clarkson wrote...

I've been out and about with Jacob, my three year old son, around Burscough recently collecting some roving records for my tetrads.
Definitely worth it, some nice highlights; 90 Tree Sparrows along Back Moss Lane, flocks of Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings along Warper's Moss and a female Goosander along the canal there too.
Eight Bullfinches and a Nuthatch near the canal opposite Briar's Hall were nice, as was a Willow Tit and Redpolls at Platts Lane lake.
As you know Marshside has been good (as usual!), yesterday's highlights were three 1st winter Greenland White fronts, 118 Pochards, 25 Tufted Ducks, an adult male and ringtail Hen Harriers were seen by Ed Smith and a juv. Marsh Harrier was reported by several observers. I saw a Great White Egret at 16.05 (more crepuscular than nocturnal, I leave the nocturnal stuff to the Brick and Mr Bannon) flying low over Sutton's Marsh, it actually dropped in briefly and then continued over Rimmer's towards Hesketh road, lost it in the twilight at about 16.15 - I wonder if it was going off to roost on the Marine Lake islands?
Up early for the Icelandic Goose census at Martin Mere for more crepuscular birding this morning. Arrived at 07.25 but due to the heavy black clouds it wasn't light enough for counting until nearer 08.00, 1770 Pink feet at the roost with 50 feral Barnies, the Red-breast and two Canada x Barnies. Rough estimate of 1650 Whoopers. A highly unusual record was an adult Shag flying south along the sluice, right in front of the Ron Barker hide, against the wind!
Tony Baker (Rimmer's Marsh) and I (Sutton's Marsh and Crossens Inner) will be webs counting today, I'll let you know the totals for the reserve in due course.

Posted by: Graham Clarkson  | January 13, 2008 11:49 AM

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