I took an hour to spare this morning and went to see if the Eurasian White-fronted Goose (Anser (albifrons) albifronsa) were still in the area after my visit yesterday. There were still shooting activity taking place so everything was on high alert with only 2 Mute Swan on their wintering field by the Holpool Gutter. A gaggle of grey geese could be seen in the distance but were spooked and left the field not long after my arrival.
I checked some photographs I had taken from the 09.12.18 and they showed that White-fronts were present from that date (I don’t know why I didn’t check then sooner? A Marsh Harrier flew in from Ince and on to No.4 tank putting the Lapwing and Golden Plover flocks into panic mode as well as 6 Common Snipe. A Kingfisher added a splash of colour to an otherwise dull and wet day in the gutter
Observer and images: Paul Ralston.
Additionally the Herd of 25 Whooper Swan were still in fields by Lordship Lane as seen from the westbound carriageway of the M56.
