Photos:
Pink-footed Geese and Snipe at Burton Mere Wetlands
Short-eared Owl at Burton Marsh
15th November
Back home today after a week in North Lancs. I checked the feeding station – it was quiet with nothing around and curiously, quite a bit of uneaten food from before I went away. Further up the lane I did see 11 Yellowhammers and 2 Tree Sparrows.
At HGF 23 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares emerged from a roost in the south hedge. Two Goldeneyes are still present (imm drake and a duck) and two coveys of Grey Partridges were seen (30+6).
This afternoon I headed over to Burton Mere Wetlands. When I arrived I found the Whoopers, Bewicks and White-fronted Geese had all done one ten minutes earlier. I went and parked myself in the hide where the Jack Snipe had been seen – no luck although a few Common Snipe provided entertainment. It was interesting to see the wide variations in plumage tones and sizes of this species when viewed at close quarters. A few Pintails were on the pool and plenty of Pink-footed Geese flew over – at least 360 birds in various groups. Two ring-tail Hen Harriers were also seen.
Pete Welch turned up so we had a natter and then walking back to the centre a flock of Greylags contained the feral Ross’ Goose and a Barnacle Goose and two Whooper Swans.
Later I left (still not sure about this place) and headed for Denhall Lane where I experienced one of the birding spectaculars of the year. At least 14 Short-eared Owls were up and several came repeatedly very close. Another ring-tail Hen Harrier also appeared plus a Merlin. The afternoon went from cold, grey/grim and overcast to clear and sunny for the last hour and the spirits brightened immensely watching those owls in the pale golden light. Fantastic! I counted the egrets again as they flew to roost with 91 birds and then the Great White Egret bringing up the rear. A Woodcock also flew off the marsh and past me. What an afternoon!!!!
Back home today after a week in North Lancs. I checked the feeding station – it was quiet with nothing around and curiously, quite a bit of uneaten food from before I went away. Further up the lane I did see 11 Yellowhammers and 2 Tree Sparrows.
At HGF 23 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares emerged from a roost in the south hedge. Two Goldeneyes are still present (imm drake and a duck) and two coveys of Grey Partridges were seen (30+6).
This afternoon I headed over to Burton Mere Wetlands. When I arrived I found the Whoopers, Bewicks and White-fronted Geese had all done one ten minutes earlier. I went and parked myself in the hide where the Jack Snipe had been seen – no luck although a few Common Snipe provided entertainment. It was interesting to see the wide variations in plumage tones and sizes of this species when viewed at close quarters. A few Pintails were on the pool and plenty of Pink-footed Geese flew over – at least 360 birds in various groups. Two ring-tail Hen Harriers were also seen.
Pete Welch turned up so we had a natter and then walking back to the centre a flock of Greylags contained the feral Ross’ Goose and a Barnacle Goose and two Whooper Swans.
Later I left (still not sure about this place) and headed for Denhall Lane where I experienced one of the birding spectaculars of the year. At least 14 Short-eared Owls were up and several came repeatedly very close. Another ring-tail Hen Harrier also appeared plus a Merlin. The afternoon went from cold, grey/grim and overcast to clear and sunny for the last hour and the spirits brightened immensely watching those owls in the pale golden light. Fantastic! I counted the egrets again as they flew to roost with 91 birds and then the Great White Egret bringing up the rear. A Woodcock also flew off the marsh and past me. What an afternoon!!!!
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