Wild goose chase!

Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Moore Nature Reserve

The usual pair of Grey Partridges in the garden this evening

Golden Plover, Redshank and Dunlin at Pilling Lane Ends marsh during high tide

The Pilling marsh partially flooded at high tide packed with ducks, geese and waders.

Golden Plover, Knot and Dunlin

Two Spotted Redshanks, Conder creek

Greenland White-fronted Geese, Fluke Hall

Greenshank, Conder creek

Adult and juvenile Bewicks Swans, Thurnham

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I left home this morning still debating whether to have another go at the Bean Geese around Pilling. Not feeling the love for such a trip, I decided to have a wander around Moore Nature Reserve. On arrival the first thing I noticed was a Peregrine which skimmed low over the trees and flew across Lapwing Lane. Nuthatches (3) and Great Spotted Woodpeckers (4) were seen and heard with two male GSW having a tiff. Then down came the rain - don't think that was in the weather forecast!

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Down at the end of Lapwing Lane I heard a Nuthatch calling from a tree where the lane meets the Birch Wood track. As soon as I got the bins up I heard the Nuthatch call from behind me (amazing how quick they move), however I saw movement in the top of the tree and locked onto a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Only brief views before the bird shot off, however it made me feel positive enough for a trip to Pilling.

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On arrival at Fluke Hall I noticed three birders scanning approx 2500 Pink-footed Geese and immediately joined them. There, right in front of us, were 4 Tundra Bean Geese and 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese. The light was awful though the views through the scope were much better than the bilge digiscope shots I got. Unfortunately the farmer soon turned up on his quad bike and spooked the whole flock. This was my seventh attempt this winter to connect with Bean Geese! It was very nice to meet Paul Brewster who steered me onto the geese.

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Tundra Bean Geese originate from northern Russia (race, Rossicus) as opposed to the Taiga form (fabilis) which originates from northern Scandinavia. Despite the odd Taiga Bean Goose being seen in the NW this winter, none were seen today.

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Off then to Conder Pool with Paul for the Spotted Redshank that has been wintering there. The bird was showing well on the creek opposite Conder Pool - it was soon joined by a second bird. A Greenshank also made an appearance here, while at least 4 female Goldeneye were present on the pool.

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I then drove round to Jeremy Lane in Thurham. The Swan herd was a little distant and the wind increased rapidly and down came the rain again. Despite the weather I managed to latch onto 3 Bewicks Swans (2 adults and a juvenile) amongst the 35+ Whooper Swans and 50+ Mute Swans.

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By this time high tide was upon us so I headed back to Pilling Lane Ends. As soon as I started scanning it, the Pink-foot flock in the field by the lane was flushed by a couple of Richard Edwards (ramblers) who had strayed off the path. Morecambe Bay was busy washing over a good part of the salt marsh and birds were everywhere. The Pink-footed Geese buggered off towards Fluke Hall again (approx 2,500) with a few stragglers heading inland. A scan from the lane ends car park revealed:

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2,000+ Oystercatcher

700+ Bar-tailed Godwit

500+ Dunlin

200+ Knot

130+ Grey Plover

250+ Golden Plover

140+ Curlew

200+ Shelduck

400+ Redshank

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I then headed back home where I found Karen and Dorothy had been watching the male Siskin on the feeders again today. A quick scan of the garden revealed a female Brambling, 2 Grey Partirdges and a pair of Reed Buntings amongst 15+ Chaffinches and 12+ House Sparrows.