The clouds cleared long enough for an hour or two at Marshside today; I got there after the tide, which although a big 'un, hadn't covered the marsh.
Plenty of Blackwits, Goldies and Lapwing with a scattering of Little Egrets on the inland side, while over the other side of the road, good numbers of Pink Feet were poking their heads up out of the marsh grasses.
The damp morning meant most raptors weren't in the best of shape for hunting - one of the resident Kestrels was trying to dry itself out, just north of the Sandplant.
A Rock Pipit was calling over the marsh here too as I wandered up to join SiG and Bones on the remains of the Sandplant walls - a bird that used to be fairly frequent, but is scarcer now.
Further out, Merlin and Sprawk were cruising, while the two Short Eared Owls were in the usual place.
Very pleasant scanning the marsh as the sun sank.
One of the owls (the richer coloured of the two) went up high, about 100ft to "shadow" a circling Carrion Crow - the owl didn't mob the corvid, preferring to keep its distance, but mirrored its every movement with slow wing flaps until the crow cleared off.
More Little Egrets on the outer marsh, with good numbers of Wigeon and Pintail in the shallows.
Song Thrush, Dunnock and Reed Bunting in the remains of the Sandplant compound, and growing numbers of roosting Pochard and Tufties on the lagoon.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Thanks for your knowledge and work on keeping the blog going.
Hi John,
Has anybody any idea if the demolition of the Sandplant compound is continuing (or not)?
I go past most days but there seems to be a distinct lack of dozers and trucks.
Any ideas what its future is?
Regards
John
Hi John,
c.400 Pinkies just flown NW over Castle Bytham, near Stamford in SW Lincs (8.55am).
I guess they left north Norfolk just after first light and will probably be with you by late afternoon.
Lovely sound, not often heard in these parts.
Best regards,
Barrie
Hi John and John
Graham brought this minute of the council's area committee to my notice yesterday: it's in the public domain at http://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000159/M00003845/AI00004125/$FormerSandwinningSiteMarineDriveSouthport.docA.ps.pdf so safe to reproduce.
Meeting: Southport Area Committee
Date of Meeting: 3rd December 2008
Title of Report: Update on the former Southport Sandwinning Site
Marine Drive, Southport
Purpose of Report: To update members on the current situation regarding the former Sandwinning compound, Marine Drive, Southport.
Recommendation(s): That the report be noted.
Departments consulted in the preparation of this Report: Technical Services Special Projects Team
List of background papers relied upon in the preparation of this Report: None
SEFTON M.B.C.
Introduction
1. The extraction of sand (the Sandwinning) operation at Southport was approved subject to conditions by the Secretary of State in February 2002 following a Public Inquiry. In February 2007 sand extraction ceased and the buildings, plant and machinery that comprised the site compound were removed within a few months of the cessation of works.
2. The approval granted by the Secretary of State was the subject to a number of conditions. The requirements for the restoration of the site were contained in the planning approval and the Sandwinning Agreement. Condition No.17 of the planning approval states â The proposed restoration scheme for the site shall be submitted to the Mineral Planning Authority 12 months before expiry of this planning permission
or within 12 months after permanent cessation of working, which ever is sooner. The scheme shall include details of the method of restoration and the removal of materials, including final levels and an after care scheme for 5 years following the completion of restoration works. Restoration of the site shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme.â The Sandwinning Agreement required that
immediately following the termination of the agreement, William Rainford shall
remove from the site and compound their building plant and equipment and any
stocks of sand, restore any fence, wire post or dyke or similar thing which they have removed damaged or diverted; restore and level the site compound and lagoon in accordance with the requirements of the Council and in accordance with the Planning Conditions and leave all in a safe, stable and tidy condition.
3. Members will be aware that removal of sand from the site has been taking place over recent months. Approximately 50,000 tonnes of sand have been removed and is being re-used together with other materials as part of the âÂÂNewlandsâ project. This is a major landscaping scheme currently being undertaken by the Forestry Commission to create a âÂÂCommunity Woodlandâ area on land to the western side of
Benthams Way and Town Lane. The material removed thus far accounts for in excess of 1/3 of that on site. An area of the compound extending to 50 metres from Marine Drive is currently being considered for retention. The RSPB, who lease the surrounding land comprising the Marshside Nature Reserve are keen to establish additional facilities and the former compound is an ideal location.
4. The Planning and Economic Regeneration Director has written to William Rainford the former operator on a number of occasions recently, advising them that as a scheme of restoration for the site was not submitted to the Local Authority by 28th
February 2008 they are technically in breach of the planning condition.
5. William Rainford has advised they are currently in discussion with the Forestry Commission and other parties to secure the removal of further material from the site. This will result in the re-use of the material from the site in a more sustainable way
as opposed to it being returned to landfill, in addition to being a more cost effective solution for the operator.
6. A meeting has been arranged with William Rainford to progress the submission of the Restoration Scheme for the site. Should this take place prior to the Area Committee a further update will be provided. The Director considers that a continuing dialogue with William Rainford will be the best prospect for achieving a satisfactory conclusion to the site restoration.
50+ Twite still present around shrimpers' carts at Weld Road beach entrance.
Hi John Have you got the Barn Owl pics I sent you?
Great views of 20.000+ Pinkies at Martin Mere this Sunday and just after I put scope away Barn Owl flying just 10ft away.