Hesketh Out Marsh

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Recent sightings

• 8 October 2012

  Knots fear not

  The big ‘spring’ tides of the autumn blow in again soon (seasons can get confusing can't they!) and the birds are even more mobile than usual.

  On the September spring tides our Marshside guided walk participants enjoyed some great close-up views of knots and dunlins out on the estuary.  I wonder if the bird in the photo was just too tired to fly away after its incredible journey from perhaps as far away as Greenland?  Or is it because these birds don’t see humans as a threat - perhaps they have never seen one before?  Either way it makes for great views and a photographer’s dream!

  Our Hesketh Out Marsh guided-walkers were lucky to see a young spoonbill circling them for some time.  The young marsh harriers have also been popping up everywhere but especially at Hesketh where there have been 3 together recently.  There are at least 40 little egrets about and they have been joined by a great white egret recently.
   
  The bright sunny spells are still tempting migrant hawker dragonflies and small tortoiseshells and red admirals to fly too.  Perhaps it is still not too late for an ‘Indian summer’?

  Why not join one of our big tide walks coming up on the 16th and 17th October?

  Posted by Alex

• 6 February 2012

  Beautiful Barn owl

  Last Wednesday evening I had an amazing view of a Barn owl as it flew right over my head!
  I was lucky to watch it for quite a while as it was hunting along the bottom of the sea wall next to the hedge heading straight towards me, as I was walking along the newly laid hedge measuring the new fence heading straight towards it. I thought it would have turned to fly away from me but instead it continued towards me undeterred by my presence.
  Why do i never have a camera when I need one?

  Posted by Alex

• 30 October 2011

  Great views of Great White

  A Great white egret has been at Hesketh Out Marsh since wednesday 26 October. It has been seen everyday in the lagoons or creeks on the reserve, and yesterday was very close to the sea wall and viewing platform especially as the tide was coming in.

  Posted by Alex

• 2 August 2011

  Crossbill! -a first for HOM

  A near verbatim report from Colin again -

  "During a High tide wildfowl count today a  Crossbill headed SE calling as I was watching Barn Owl at 12.50PM at the east end of the reserve; 2 Sandwich Terns heading up-river, 2 Marsh Harriers, 12 Kestrels (10 sitting on posts on NNR), Sparrowhawk, 11 Cormorants, 21 Mute Swans, 88 Canada Geese, 19 Greylags, 69 Teal, 60 Mallard, 135 Oystercatcher, 225 Dunlin, 45 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 75 Curlew, 22 Greenshank, 175 Redshank, 7 Common Terns, 6 Arctic Terns, 3 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Corn Bunting and 2 Raven. 

  Butterflies included plenty of Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, a few Common Blues, Small Tortoishell, Green-veined White and Peacock Butterflies and a Brown Hawker."

  High Tide again tomorrow so well worth a visit.

   

  Posted by Vera Marsden

• 1 August 2011

  Autumn round the corner?

  This is a verbatim report from one of our local birders - thanks, Colin.

  "My first Merlin (a female) of the autumn at HOM lunchtime! The biggish tide pushed a few more birds onto the reserve including 12 Little Egrets, 15 Greylags, 8 Teal, 10 Greenshank, a Grey Plover, 7 Dunlin, Green and Common Sandpipers and the usual Avocets were still there. The imm' Marsh Harrier was about as well as 5 Kestrels hunting the NNR and 49 Golden Plovers flew over before heading back to HOM east. Adult Lesser Whitethroat calling from the big hedge accompanied by what looks like a recently fledged young bird."

  So, it's time to check for high tides again and the first Pink-foots returning. There is one already at neighbouring Marshside reserve.

   

  Posted by Vera Marsden

• 10 April 2011

  Transition time again

   

  There are still up to 3000 Pink-foots with the odd Barnacle around and the usual cast of raptors but they have been joined by singing Chiffchaffs, Corn Buntings and Willow Warblers, Wheatears and Meadow Pipits. Swallows have been reported and Avocet numbers are increasing. Hopefully, they will have a better breeding season this year.

  Plenty Golden and Grey Plover and Black-tailed Godwits with the odd Little Ringed Plover.

  Red-legged and Grey Partridge are about.

  Earlier in April a male Ring Ouzel caused much excitement. 

  Posted by Vera Marsden

• 12 March 2011

  Spring really is coming!

  Our ex-warden visited this morning and found plenty of evidence; singing skylarks, displaying lapwings and a curlew displaying.

  Other highlights were 2 marsh harriers, 1 merlin, 1 buzzard, 1 little egret, 2 corn buntings, 3 reed buntings and loads of shelducks, wigeon, teal and redshank.

  Looking forward to next weekend there are more Spring high-tides coming up which always result in exiting watching.

   

   

  Posted by Vera Marsden

• 8 March 2011

  The move out has started.

  This verbatim report from last Sunday would indicate that the spring migration is underway.

  "The Marsh was reliable for raptors with single female Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier over the saltmarsh and a male Sparrowhawk along the lanes. There seemed to be plenty of Pink-footed Geese with itchy feet; several hundred overhead so I wonder if the Norfolk birds have started arriving as as Lancs is a staging post on their northbound journey back to the breeding grounds. No doubt there'll be a few goodies in the 'Pink's over the coming weeks. It was good to see some Golden Plovers in the fields yesterday at HOM too. A bit flighty but we counted at least 150 with 40 Lapwings. The latter were displaying over the stubble and with Skylarks in full song over the pastures it was just like spring and a Siskin bombing north must've been a migrant."

  A siskin has also been seen on a feeder in the north part of Southport and a Ring-necked Parakeet!

   

  Posted by Vera Marsden

• 8 March 2011

  Spring migrations underway.

   

  This verbatim report from last Sunday would indicate that the spring migration is underway.

  "The Marsh was reliable for raptors with single female Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier over the saltmarsh and a male Sparrowhawk along the lanes. There seemed to be plenty of Pink-footed Geese with itchy feet; several hundred overhead so I wonder if the Norfolk birds have started arriving as as Lancs is a staging post on their northbound journey back to the breeding grounds. No doubt there'll be a few goodies in the 'Pink's over the coming weeks. It was good to see some Golden Plovers in the fields yesterday at HOM too. A bit flighty but we counted at least 150 with 40 Lapwings. The latter were displaying over the stubble and with Skylarks in full song over the pastures it was just like spring and a Siskin bombing north must've been a migrant."

  A siskin has also been seen on a feeder in the north part of Southport and a Ring-necked Parakeet!

   

   

  Posted by Vera Marsden