I started my walk at Ince this morning where 4 Little Egret, c40 Gadwall, Eurasian Teal, Mallard and a few Northern Shoveler were on the bigger of the pools. A Tawny Owl an unusual visitor to the marshes was seen to fly from its perch and take refuge in an ivy clad tree where it stayed hidden from view, but was scolded by a posse of small birds and 2 Magpies.
Several skeins of Pink-footed Goose were heading inland to their grazing grounds, while on the marsh a few thousand Canada Goose were more sedentary.
A flock of c300 Stock Dove were feeding at the edge of the salt marsh and suddenly took to the air when a Sparrowhawk cruised by. The plover flocks took to the air in alarm as well but with hundreds of Starling (everything’s a bit jittery out there today).
Onward to the path between No.4 and No.6 tanks and a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen in the distance over the reed bed followed by a Marsh Harrier.
Looking over Lordship Marsh from the ramp track and another turbine and another dead swan was found. (I saw this dead swan last weekend, but it hadn’t be predated on then per WSM).
The Mute Swan herd was seen alongside the Holpool Gutter and a flock of c60 Curlew were feeding close by.
Arriving back to my car and a Grey Wagtail was feeding on the path ahead of me.
Observer and images: Paul Ralston.
