Trip reports

Sunday Morning at Bowesfield Marsh

Sunday, 14 December 2008

Seventeen of us managed to find our way to Bowesfield Marsh and, after the usual jollities, set off around the site to see what was about. Muddy paths were about, but that did not deter us. At the first pond we saw coot, mute swan, pochard and shoveller. There followed assorted gulls, tufted duck, cormorant and wigeon.
Moving on we spotted moorhen, teal, gadwall and (probably) snipe.

This was turning out to be a productive morning, even more so when we added heron, goldfinch, blue tit, and great tit to the list. If two heads are better than one, then seventeen pairs of eyes are even more so, bringing us splendid view of stonechat and reed bunting. A curlew flew overhead and a little grebe battled its way across the river. There were redwing a-plenty, approx. 50+ lapwing and good views of a lone kestrel.

Next stop was the 'marsh' area. Here there were large numbers of Canada geese and redshank, with some shelduck. Then came the two highlight of the morning. One was a shrew, travelling at high speed from one grassy tussock to another(see photograph). Highly entertaining. The other highlight was a small flock of long-tailed tits foraging within close proximity. Too much! Too much!

Heading back to the cars we picked up pied wagtail, wren and (don't forget the) wood pigeon. At which point it was seasons greetings all round and home for lunch.

P.S. Members who visited Castle Eden Walkway before returning home, later reported seeing fieldfare and 40+ waxwings.