Sunday 10 February 2013

Wet And Marshy

This week I was really excited to be asked to help out with the the Frodsham Marsh bird count as part of the Monthly Wetland Bird Survey. Thanks Bill Morton for asking me and my family. The Mersey Estuary is one of the best wetlands in Britain and bird numbers have fallen lots and helping do a count helps find out WHY ?

The weather this weekend has been terrible and no football. Due to us not going ringing, I decided to invite Peter Fearon to do the wader count with us. As the tide kept on coming in, it pushed a reasonable flock of 1500 Dunlin, joined by some Lapwing and about 30 Black Tailed Godwit on to number 6 tank.


This mixture of Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing were disturbed by a Peregrine that came across number 6 tank and onwards to number 5 tank.


Hardly any geese were about apart from a a pair of Canada Geese that thought about coming in to land, but then thought not.


A mixture of duck species today; there were 60 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 65 Shelduck, 150  Mallard, 20 Widgeon and 25 Teal.


Number 5 tank brought 15 Raven, 500 Lapwing, 150 Golden Plover and 4 Redshank. 


As we were driving down the lane this Cormorant flew over (I called it The Cormorant of the North).


This gully doesn't normally have much activity, however today I saw a Little Egret.


As we moved forward it also did, which made it rather hard to get a photo.


Although I think we did quite well in the end...




 We also paid a visit to the marshes yesterday, seeing a beautiful Kestrel.


Which soon took flight as we trickled past it.


Lapwings and Golden Plover moved about loads yesterday and today.


This male Hen Harrier was a first in a while, it isn't the best picture, but you can still see the black wing tips and greyish blue wings.


Although nothing beats a wonderful Starling roost day finish.


As we were coming back along the track I spotted a Barn owl flying through the middle of the gully.

Thanks again for Bill for inviting me, its great to get involved.

Frodsham Marsh Total Count

Number 6 Tank
1500 Dunlin
65 Shelduck
60 Tufted Duck
4 Mute Swans
3 Grey Heron
150 Mallard
10 Pochard
20 Widgeon
25 Teal
2 Curlew

Number 5 Tank
15 Raven
500 Lapwing
150 Golden Plover
4 Redshank

Other Notes
Peregrine flew over and lifted all the birds off the marsh
Flock of 100 Goldfinch came over after the count
400 Lapwing and 200 Golden Plover on Lordship Marsh 
Little Egret in gully ditch

14 comments:

  1. you got to see quite a lot of birds! i like the egret flying over the fence and grasses.

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  2. Wonderful, I really enjoyed seeing all these birds. Great pictures.

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  3. Wow Findlay you really are getting yourself known in the birding community - good for you, always enjoy reading what you've been up to - Gary and I still want to visit Frodsham Marsh some time if you fancy showing us around, have a great day, bet you're looking forward to half term!

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  4. By the way as I'm browsing through blogs I noticed Austin was at Frodsham Marsh also and wants help with ID on a photo - I wonder if you can help http://austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/10022013-frodsham-marsh.html

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  5. It looks like you had another great day out counting the birds Findlay?... and all capped off with the amazing sight of those Starlings coming in to roost. Who needs boring old football when you can have amazing days like this?...lol!...[;o)

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  6. Great post. You saw a lot of birds!

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  7. Great count!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  8. It sounds like an interesting day and you got a great series of photos.

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  9. Findlay, sounds like a great day of birding. And a wonderful count and variety! Love the egret and the kestrel. Thanks for sharing, happy birding!

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  10. I love to see the egrets in full flight too and the masses of starlings would be quite something to see and hear

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  11. It's wonderful you were able to take part. I'm sure it was nice also being able to see the variety of birds you saw.
    The egret over the fence is quite nice!

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  12. Looks like a great day - The egret would have been a very rare bird when I was your age.

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  13. Great stuff Findlay. Nice to see a male Hen Harrier too.

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  14. Very nice report! Looks like you had some good numbers by the time the day finished.
    Glad to see a Harrier was spotted.

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