Pished and miffed......

09.00 - 12.00

Had a slow walk along the track from the crossroads towards the sewage works and a few things of interest. There were up to 12 Robin and a few more Chaffinch flitting about. A Blackcap and a few Chiffchaff in the bushes. 2 Flocks of Long-tailed Tits, a GS Woodpecker and 2 Jays. A pair of Grey Wagtails and 8 Pied Wagtails near the works. A Comma and Speckled Wood here as well. On the river a GC Grebe, Dunlin 250, Lapwing and Curlew along with up to 8 Little Egrets. The 2 Barnacles still present. A large number of river birds were disturbed by something, on the return walk I bumped into a couple who thought they had seen a Marsh Harrier, I missed it as I was pishing yet more Robins and Wrens! Definitely not a Buzzard as this was still circling above. A Raven and Kestrel was also seen and 2 Skylark and Linnets. 

Steve

Barnacles

2 barnacle geese were on Colloway Marsh before re-locating to the parish properly at snipe bog. 5 goldcrest and 5 little egrets were seen. 2 swallows moved through with a few meadow pipit and skylarks.

Guy

Two flew over

Two whooper swans entered Aldcliffe airspace this morning and flew down the estuary towards Glasson. Other sightings included 4 goldcrests, 6 swallows, 30 pink footed geese and approx. 100 golden plovers on Gull Bank.
There was a bit of finch movement until about 9.30. One of them had a "tchup" call which got my attention but by the time I had a view of it, it was over my head and flying away from me, so couldn't get an ID from the silhouette. I fear I may have missed a lapland bunting.

Guy

Marsh Hurrier...........

09.15 – 12.00

Highlight was Marsh Harrier female adult, flew low over Aldcliffe Marsh, hassled by everything, even Little Egrets screeching and mobbing. After recent wet visits it was a proper treat to be strolling in the sunshine, without doubt the birds were also enjoying the fine weather.  Ravens 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1, Com Buzzard 1. As I walked along the river bank towards Snatchems there was plenty to see, Long-tailed Tits, Blue/Great, Linnet, Reed Buntings, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Blackcap, Robin, Wren, overhead going south up to 25 Skylark, 30 Meadow Pipits, 6 Swallow and other small birds I couldn’t ID. On the marsh were 4 Snipe, 40 Curlew, a good 400 Dunlin spooked with hundreds of Lapwing. Pink footed Geese x2 of 70 over, Little Egret 3. Wildfowlers’ 2 Green Sandpiper, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard and 30+ Pied Wagtails, saw 2 Alba.
Freeman's Pool nothing as some idiot was walking a dog round the pool!

Steve

Barnacle......

09.30. Mixed with the Canada Geese was a Barnacle, let’s hope for more to follow. Greylag, Lapwing and at least 6 Little Egret also on the marsh. A few Swallow heading through plus a stream of Meadow Pipits. Pink Feet also flying over, 70, 120, 90 and a couple of smaller groups. A bird of prey was spooking birds over the marsh looked Merlin sized from a distance. Gadwall, Shoveler and Mallard plus variations on the Wildfowlers’ Lake. Also a still present are Pied Wagtails and saw 1 Alba. Jay on fence post.

Steve