Got down to Marshside for an hour or two today, with squadrons of Pinkies droppin' in from all points of the compass, and over 300 with the ferals on Marshside Two.
Good numbers of Snipe too, as you would expect at this time of the year, a young Peregrine (quite a dark bird) freaking out the Lapwings and Starling, plus Merlin and Kestrel.
Vis mig in the Sandplant, despite the fact work was goin' on again, included 4 Grey Wags, 6 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Blackbirds, Mipits, Linnet and Goldfinch.
The arrival of a Highland Coo on the Junction Pool was further evidence of movement from the north.
Plenty of Migrant Hawkers, a few Red Admiral, Painted Lady and even a Small Torty-shell.
Greenshank calling around M2 and 8 Little Egrets on Crossens Outer...the "big fella" was on the other side of the estuary while I was down.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John,
can you add this Twitter link for WWT Martin Mere.
http://twitter.com/WWTMartinmere
cheers
Andy
Called in at Minsmere, sorry Banks Marsh, Old Hollow Farm around 4pm this afternoon. Pools and creeks were full of birds including in one scopeful, Great White Egret, seven Little Egrets (>30 in total), two Spoonbills, various waders including Little Stint and apparently earlier Greenshanks and Spotted Reds.
Usually leave Banks to Ron Jackson as generally can't stand the place - too much mooing and cowsh*t, but it certainly came up trumps today.
Ears to the piers!
16.9.09: Hesketh Out Marsh;
8 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 9 Little Egret, Merlin, Sparrowhawk & Marsh Harrier
Churchtown Moss;
Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard
Hay wondering if anyone could help, where and how exactly do you get to Banks Marsh?
Thanks Lee harrison
16/9 2 Kestrels, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and 2 Whimbrel over Plex Moss Lane this afternoon
Sending this from my bed .... Just watching tv when a loud screechin from above had to be investigated, stepped outside and shone a torch on the roof of the house and sat there was a Barn Owl!!! We see it most evenings heading over to hunt on the fields behind Three Pools in Crossens, have a feeling its in the old mullards! Right, off to sleep now
Access to the Banks Marsh/ Hesketh Marsh section of the Ribble NNR is strictly speaking only via the public footpath which runs along the sea-wall from Crossens Sluice to Hundred End (there is similarly a public footpath adjoining the coast road from Crossens towards Marshside which forms a boundary to that part of the NNR which borders the salt-marsh looked after by the RSPB).
Cars can be parked either at Crossens opposite the pumping station where the footpath commences or at Shore Road, Hundred End where the footpath terminates (opposite a bus stop).
There is a pedestrian right of way along the track from New Lane Pace Banks to "Old Hollow" farm but no vehicular right of way. This is a private road, as many who have driven down and parked in the past have found out! One can expect to be forthrightly informed by one of the inhabitants as to what the situation is!
Vehicular access is limited to those either on Natural England, "Old Hollow" farm or "Grey Goose" farm business.
There are minor, very minor in some cases, tracks which lead out to the sea-wall from Banks village and from Shore Road between Banks and Hundred End. These are used by local dog-walkers plus members of the Southport wildfowler's club.
I did ask a NE manager (I'm a official N.E.Volunteer by the way) what would happen in the event of a "mega" on Banks Marsh. "Suppression" was the answer in a nutshell.
Ron
I must add that I'm unaware of any "suppressed " records from the NNR but in a way I wouldn't would I?
A pair of Harris's Hawks bred nearby until "interrupted" and a paper about this is scheduled for publication in British Birds.
I noticed a few walking birdwatchers (or birders) yesterday and they all strolled along on top of the sea wall. A couple of hints, avoid the skyline, walk along the bottom of the sea wall, a bit mucky but this is the Ribble and most of us go over-kitted when out bird-watching anyway.
Do your scoping from the styles/gates as you're less noticeable if you use these as cover. Sit down on the sea wall but off the skyline, a wet bum maybe (or carry a poly bag) but you'll see more and disturb less. Remember, our feathered friends have much better eyesight than we have!
Ron
ps Nowt wrong with the smell of cow muck! I own half of one as part of a syndicate of locals who just love that salt marsh beef.
Hi Ron,
Graham can correct me on this if I am wrong one but my understanding from the tour he gave me that the public right of way is along the top of the sea wall. This means walking anywhere else would strictly be trespass. The birds did not seem to mind us being there on Monday, including at least two Greenshanks close in and they are usually quite nervy, as I found at Elton Resrvoir earlier this year.
"Strictly Speaking" the public footpath is along the top of the sea wall, however, at least as far as the NNR goes nobody gives a monkeys about whether one goes on top or below, the place is by now well churned up by cows anyway. Thus I suggest a little common sense and field craft ( showing me age again!) can be "helpful".
This option may not be available within the new reserve once completed, but a bit of "field craft" ought still to be a possibility.
Some birds e.g. Avocets and Black Tailed Godwits, can become very tolerant of people in close proximity like for example in the two Marshside hides. The birds can see us without a doubt and would be away in a flash if the hides were suddenly to disappear. Hides are not an option at the Out Marsh (more's the pity) so there is a greater risk of disturbance. The Greenshanks there may not have seen people (or even birders) before but they'll learn!
Ron