I was out this morning starting at Brook Furlong Lane. The sorry sight of a dead Brown Hare on the lane which had no obvious signs of any injuries and was warm to touch was very odd indeed.
Onward to the River Weaver where a pair of Mute Swan and 3 cygnets are new in and a flock of c150 Tufted Duck were noted along with 5 Great Crested Grebe which also on the river and Manchester Ship Canal. A flock of c150 Common Redshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Sandpiper were at the edge of the river.
A Common Buzzard was feasting on the carcase of a Canada Goose and a Kestrel was plucking a small bird probably a European Goldfinch.
A partial leucistic Canada Goose.
Shooting was taking place on the salt marshes so not a lot to see out there today despite the WeBS count being conducted.
The ‘phalarope pool’ held 6 Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, several Gadwall and Eurasian Teal, 2 Common Shelduck and 2 Eurasian Wigeon, 5 more Wigeon passed overhead.
On No.6 tank were c400 Black-tailed Godwit, c80 Northern Lapwing and c20 Common Redshank were in the shallows with 20 Little Grebe were amongst the Tufted Duck, Eurasian Teal and Common Shelduck being present.
A couple of Marsh Harrier were present briefly before heading out towards the river.
I made my way to Ince for the WeBs count where the pools held 14 Eurasian Coot 5 Moorhen, 4 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebe, 13 Eurasian Teal, 9 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 2 Mute Swan.
The Holpool Gutter and surrounding fields held c120 Canada Goose, 7 Moorhen, 36 Mallard ,3 Eurasian Coot and 5 Eurasian Curlew.
A Peregrine Falcon with a full crop sat on its tower at the Growhow Works digesting its meal and 3 Mistle Thrush fed nearby.
Observer and images: Paul Ralston.
