01.09.15. Birdlog
The marsh was quiet tonight so I took a walk along the track on the south side of No.3 tank with the occasional stop off to view the birds on No.6 tank en route to the north-west corner of that tank.
Out on the ever-increasing water level of No.6 tank and at its east end were c120 Tufted Duck which could be seen rafting together at dusk. A solitary juvenile Pochard was hiding within this flock. 8 Shoveler, 167 Common Teal and 4 Wigeon were also present.
The tide was well on the ebb on the River Mersey. I wasn’t expecting to see much on the shorebird front and I wasn’t to be disappointed. Although, there was 3 Greenshank and 14 Ruff on the secluded pool.
A juvenile Peregrine was having a pop at a passing Lesser Black-backed Gull while its parents watched from the tall blue-topped chimney high above the Weaver Sluices.
At dusk a splendid water-colour effect sunset framed a flock of 500 hirundines hawking high and low over sludge tank.
Work continues with the mitigation of No.3 tank and contractors are creating a shallow scrape area on the north edges of No.3 tank.
Observer and images: WSM
