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Recent sightings

• 4 December 2011

  Wet and Windy but still great for wildlife

  Today was very wet and windy on the reserve with the odd hail shower added for good measure, but the wildlife (birds especially) definitely made up for it.

  Views from Sandgrounder's out  across the marsh were difficult first thing but eight European white fronted geese were spotted in amongst the pink feet.

  The usual Water rail made fleeting dashes out in the open seemingly undeterred by the Sparrow hawk sat right above its head.

  Kestrel and Peregrine added to the raptors for the day and a Short eared owl created a spectacle as it flew right over the hide followed by a Magpie in hot pursuit.

  Throughout the day there were great views of Hares, some quite close to the hide.

  At the end of the day 16 Little egrets passed in front of the hide on their way to roost on Marine Lake with one Great white egret bringing up the rear.

  Posted by Alex

• 24 September 2011

  Last minute decision paid off

  As I was about to leave Marshside today I thought I'll just check the saltmarsh from the end of the sand works. I'm glad i did!

  First was a Peregrine perched up, then a buzzard also perched up, then a Marsh Harrier flying/hunting over the marsh and then a Kestrel also hunting. But the best was when the Buzzard decided to leave its perch only to be mobbed by the first Harrier joined by a second. The Buzzard dropped down and perched again on a fence post but both Harriers kept flying. Meanwhile I think the Peregrine thought there was far too much action out on the marsh and had left its perch unnoticed.

  What a great sight before heading home!! 

  Posted by Alex

• 14 September 2011

  Osprey over marsh

  Wow today I have seen my first osprey over the reserve. It disturbed a group of about twenty curlews and plenty of lapwings, as it came across the reserve heading inland towards Churchtown and beyond. Did anyone see it over at Martin Mere?

  Pink feet numbers have dramatically increased from the eight I saw yesterday, there were over 200 on the marsh, just outside the reserve boundary though on Crossens inner marsh.

  I wonder how many there will be tomorrow? 

   

  Posted by Alex

• 13 September 2011

  Pink Feet have landed

  This morning I have seen 8 Pink-footed geese on Suttons Marsh. These are the first I have seen this Autumn on the reserve, although a small flock were seen flying over the reserve back in August by the previous reserve warden, these are the first that have landed!

  The RSPB are asking everyone to help spot returning geese this Autumn/Winter. You can report your own goose sightings via Twitter using #goosewatch or by e-mail to goosewatch@rspb.org.uk. The more people watching the skies, the better!

   

  Posted by Alex

• 7 September 2011

  Black Tern at Sandgrounders

   Yesterdays winds brought a Juvenile Black Tern to the reserve. It was seen at midday on Suttons marsh heading south across the reserve. Good but short views of it in front of the hide and over Rainford's lagoon before it headed onto Rimmers Marsh. The same bird was later seen, again in front of the hide at about 7pm.

  At Nels hide 1100 Teal, 17 Shoveler (plus another 10 at Junction pool, 8 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 3 Pintail and an amazing 1050 Black-tailed Godwits, the highest count of Autumn so far. This included one colour ringed bird (Right leg Red flag, Left leg Yellow over White).

  Also 80 Golden Plover seen flying low across Suttons Marsh.

   

  Posted by Alex

• 30 August 2011

  The Pink-feet have arrived!

  Admitedly only a vanguard of 8 but the heart quickens, ears tune. The same volunteer also reported 2 Lesser Black-backs, 20+ Black-tailed Godwits, a mixed flock of 70 Ringed Plover & Dunlin on Polly's Pool and 1 redshank) and a Little Stint on Rainford's Lagoon.  30+ Goldfinch on teasel, 220 Greylag, 200 Canada and a distant Sparrow-hawk. Barnacle and Bar-headed Goose, Gadwall and Teal. A single distant Swift  bidding farewell---?

  Our former warden added to this list with a Juvenile Ruff, 95 Golden Plover, 70 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 3 Little Egrets (foreshore), 8 Kestrels, 145 Meadow Pipits (Sandworks) . A big passage of Swallows with flocks feeding over the sea aster of 310 (Sandworks) & an impressive 830 (Crossens Outer Marsh).

  High tides over the next few days should add interest.

  Posted by Vera Marsden

• 31 July 2011

  Is Autumn here?

  Do 20+ Curlews, 80+ Lapwing, one Pink footed Goose, one Golden Plover and two Snipe mean it is autumn already?

  There were also good views of a Merlin hunting out on the marsh this afternoon. Common and Green Sandpiper were seen as well.

   

  Posted by Alex

• 27 July 2011

  Avocet chicks

  This year two Avocet chicks successfully fledged on the reserve. We still have Avocets with chicks at our Hesketh Out Marsh just up the road if you missed seeing these iconic birds at Marshside. Telescopes are recommended though as the views are unfortunately not as close as you get here. 

  Three Common sandpipers and a Curlew Sandpiper were showing well at Sandgrounders today, Curlew numbers have been slowly building over the last week with ten or more seen out on the marsh amongst the cattle.

  Swallows and House martins are busy feeding in front of the hide, you can also get good views of Herons and cormorants as they take advantage of the shallow water to catch unsuspecting eels.  

  Posted by Alex

• 24 June 2011

  Closest views you'll get...

  One Avocet chick has been pleasing visitors with the closest views you are likey to to get. It has been feeding so close to the hide that it often went out of view under the windows.

  This picture was taken on thursday but the family were still there today.

   

  
  Today joining the Avocet family out on the reserve were the usual Lapwing, Redshank, lots of Black headed gulls and chicks. There was also a Common sandpiper and unusually a lone female Eider on Rainfords lagoon.

  Yellow rattle, Buttercups, Purple loosestrike and Marsh orchids to name a few are out in force and adding colour and interest to the marsh.

  Posted by Alex

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