Did a day trip on Sunday with Paul Burke and first stop was Hesketh Out Marsh. No birders there just dog walkers - not a good sign! Unless they had gone on a twitch locally somewhere but nothing was showing on Birdguides. There were Shelducks, Mallards, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Little Egrets, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Common Terns, Avocet and the usual Gulls on the wetlands. A single Buzzard was the only bird of prey. In the hedges Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler put on fantastic displays even song flighting. Linnet, Tree Sparrow, Skylark and Meadow Pipits also entertained us. We got a nice little surprise in the form of two Grey Partridge in the fields.
We decided to set off to Marshside after an our and within a few minutes I spotted something on a lamp post. It was a Little Owl having an early morning chillax. Once again the usual resident suspects at Marshside with Garganey and Glossy ibis reported the day before. Paul caught sight of a Marsh Harrier which disappeared out of view. An Avocet had nested on the island before the main hide and other breeding birds were Black-headed Gulls, Coots, Moorhen, Mallard. Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler again both dazzled us with performances. I noticed a dark bird in the long grass and said "could that be the Ibis" but Paul and 2 others present said it was a Coot. In Nel's Hide a Reed Warbler sang and a pair were seen frittering around in the reeds. Paul pointed at a bird flying in front of the hide which I thought was a Cormorant but then said was a Coot as I saw the legs droop as the bird lowered itself to ground level. Paul asked "is nt that the Ibis?" and I replied "yes it is". My Ibis had become a Coot and my Coot as become an Ibis. It gave very good views for 30 minutes and the only people who saw it were Paul and I. It flew further away but still could be seen. Another man walked in the hide and we pointed it out to him.
Next and final stop was Lunt Meadows, which is the reserve of the moment. The reserve belongs to the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and is about 25 minutes from Marshside. It has a great list of birds with Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper and a Drake Smew seen over the last 6 weeks. The landscape is quite open and not many trees in the reserve or near it. There is a wood to one side but from some pints you get a good view across the open landscape. There were some dragonflies and butterflies about. The usual birds species which were seen on a regular basis were present. The Garganey which were seen before and after our visit were not showing. At first the reserve looked disappointing but it was not long before we appreciated it. It is the sort of place which would be amazing to visit in mid-summer. We had a little walk along the River Alt and seeing such a clear stream with such green and open surroundings felt amazing. The day was amazing even if there were no cafes for a coffee and a cake. Photographs will be added soon.
