Slightly clearing skies meant I had just enough time this afternoon to nip over onto Downholland Moss to check out the goose flock, feeding on the fields between there and Plex.
There were thousands of 'em - at least 7,000 birds as I arrived at about 4.30pm, with small skeins coming and going all the time.
Unfortunately most were pretty distant, and it took a good 45 minutes to find the Ross's Goose, feeding right at the back of the sloping field behind the fishing lake amongst the stubble and uncut crops.
Imagination is the key with the picture above - you can just see the Ross's Goose's white back in the centre of this pic - unless it's a windblown shopping bag....
Joking aside, the bird was very distant, and while you could make out the black wingtips, small bill and stocky neck etc, I must admit I thought it looked rather "long" for a Ross's - presumably it was showing a lot better earlier in the day, when the windchill wasn't plummeting as dusk edged in.
Jellyhead Jackson was happy anyway - Ross's was a Lancs tick for the great man (on the official Marshside's Finest "mad b*stard" list at least, which includes dicey wildfowl, iffy raptors, shipjumpers etc, and is kept separate from our proper "grown-up" lists).
Actually it was quite a social afternoon - Steve Riley popped down, as did Chris Tynan and Mr Jelly, so chatting about the incredible "Yankee" autumn the south west and Ireland is having at least took our minds off the cold (let's face it, anyone whose heart isn't warmed by the thought of a Philly Vireo is probably dead already).
Two Buzzards over Downholland, with a further bird on Plex, where I startled a covey of 32 Red Legged Partridges on the track on the way home.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Grown up list, oh dear! As for Marshside's finest - that'll be my Uncle John from Lytham Road, we've at least got the decency to be from Marshside unlike any of Southport's listing mafia!
Over 50,000 Pinks in Lancs on last week's IGC, Derek has details.
Night night.
Hi John,
any chance you could put a link to the new Merseyside Naturalists Association website
http://www.mnapage.info/
Thanks
Sabena
16.10.08: Seawatch, Formby Point, 9.50am-2.10pm:
Low numbers of birds, but a good range of species!
Pomarine Skua 1 juv
Great Crested Grebe 1
Fulmar 1
Manx Shearwater 1
Common Scoter 700+
Velvet Scoter 1
Long Tailed Duck 2
Red Breasted Merganser 12
Scaup 1
Kittiwake 9
Sandwich Tern 6
Razorbill 7
Guillemot 1
Pale Bellied Brent Goose 11
I too was on the Moss around the same time today about 4.30 pm - I started counting Pinkies in the field closest to the road and only got up to 2500 ran out of fingers, got fed up and missed the Ross's - I'm not a proper birder tho!!!
Sid Ashton
I just noticed that the original post was the 15th, yesterday - I was there today 16th whoops.
Sid A
Hi, the Ross's Goose was showing really well last nite (16.10.08)! Same area, closer field.
Hi John,
Four Crossbills this afternoon on Fisherman's Path, 150 yards west of level crossing.