19.07.14. Birdlog
The heavy overnight rain continued into the morning, the reeds and attendant vegetation seemed to be holding gallons of water. Walking along the track below No.1 tank from the old log parking area entailed brushing through the reeds and each one shedding its watery load. By the time I reach the track on the Weaver causeway no amount of waterproofing was enough to keep me dry and I was a little sodden to say the least.
The reward for the soaking was a wary drake Common Scoter on the Weaver Estuary. This sea duck surprisingly kept a safe distance, not tolerating any close approach. A bird less self-conscious was the Red-necked Grebe which was further down the river by the Weaver Bend, (for a change) briefly before drifting up to its usual spot opposite Redwall.
Other birds of interest included 9 Great Crested Grebe, 100 Tufted Duck, 4 Common Teal, 10 Greylag Goose, 2 Ringed Plover, 10 Common Sandpiper, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Redshank, 12 Dunlin and 12 Oystercatcher. 400 Common Swift were over the ducks on the river.
Marsh Farm was quite productive with a passage of 400 Sand Martin with lesser numbers of Swallow heading south. A Yellow Wagtail flew over calling, while a couple of Pied were on the farm building.
The Weaver sluice gate area and the flood water released into the River Mersey held 25 Great Crested Grebe (1 juvenile). Further out on the mudflats was a Little Egret seen flying across the estuary from Hale lighthouse. Also noted were 2,000 Common Shelduck, 300 Black-tailed Godwit and 20 Curlew.
Observers: Tony Broome (images 2, 4,5 & 6), WSM (images 1 &3).
I smiled to myself when I read this blog. When I was last at Frodsham I thought to myself “It must be a nightmare walking through the reed bed following heavy rain” – and it obviously was!! Some lovely images though (particularly the Sand Martins all lined up) and some good numbers of birds elsewhere. Keep up the good work!
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