Where to Watch Birds on Frodsham Marsh

Frodsham Marsh is my personal ‘local patch’, generally a local patch is an area where a single person or a group of birdwatchers choose to watch over a particular area in an attempt to see or record or even just chill out to watch its birds and/or the fauna and flora in that given area.

Where and Why: Frodsham Marsh is situated in the north west of Cheshire on the south banks of the River Mersey and is a mixture of farmland, salt marsh, woodland, river and industry. It lies on the northern edge of the Cheshire plain at the village of  Frodsham. The route follows several tracks taking in two rivers, an active sludge deposit tank, hedgerow bordered lanes and open farmland all of which are ideal for owls, raptors, passerines and waterfowl. There is no particular time of day to see birds but high tides create the best opportunity for birds moving to and from the river.

 Route Planner

The marsh is accessed at the south end of  Main Street in the village via Marsh Lane. Once on Marsh Lane (SJ5078)  park up and follow the road on foot. Follow the road over the bridge which crosses the M56 for a few minutes: Brook Furlong Lane is ahead of you with its hawthorn hedge bordered track. The hedgerows are good for late autumn/winter blackcap and chiffchaff and in previous years waxwing and hawfinch have been seen. Continuing along the track for a third of a mile the road starts to climb up a short steep ramp (at the fork in the lane), follow the left track up the ramp to Marsh Farm (SJ498791). At the first cattle grid check the pipes that run the length of No.1 tank (SJ5079) for stonechat and wheatear.

At the farm buildings park at the second cattle grid and view the River Mersey to watch flocks of shorebirds moving about during and after a high tide. Recent finds have featured great egret and little egret, great skua, ruddy shelduck and white-winged gulls. A peregrine can often be seen perched on the blue-topped power station chimney across the Weaver Estuary at Weston Point. Retracing our steps we return to the bottom of the ramp and take the left-hand path that borders a reedy ditch and a hedgerow, this opens out into a field after climbing over a stile (this can be wet and muddy in winter). Walk along the edge of the field until you reach the river. Once on the bank you have the opportunity to look up (to your left) at the Weaver Estuary (SJ520796) where winter duck are usually in good numbers with scaup and long-tailed duck a possibility. Both whinchat and stonechat frequent this area with an opportunity of marsh harrier and short-eared owl often encountered.

Walking to your right along the river bank for a quarter of a mile, the water takes a sharp twist known locally as the Weaver Bend (SJ513793). This location is good for gulls that drop in to bathe en route to their roost on the Mersey Estuary. The ‘Bend’ is famous for attracting rarities over past years – it still produces a few surprises. Walking back the way you have come to the motorway bridge we now take the right hand road: adjacent to this is an area used as a horse paddock and can be good for yellow wagtail and barn owl with one seen most autumn/winters. Follow the tarmac road (keep a lookout for kingfisher in the ditch to your left) until you reach a ramp track to your right, this takes you to an area between two tanks .

At the top of the ramp and to your right is No.5 tank (SJ505785), obsolete as a working sludge deposit tank. It is now open rough grazing land with a reedy ditch and scattered willow and elder trees alongside the pot-holed track. A wind farm immediately becomes obvious towering overhead. The whole area is ideal for short-eared owl, merlin and all year chiffchaff. Walking along the track, to your left is an embankment which overlooks No.6 tank (SJ495779), an active deposit tank and the most productive area, particularly notable for ducks (be careful not to flush the birds, a cautious approach is to be encouraged). Big flocks of tufted duck, gadwall, shelduck, shoveler and teal with smaller numbers of pintail, wigeon and pochard often present.

There is always a chance of something much rarer with occasionally wintering flocks of dunlin using the tank at high tide while buff-breasted sandpiper, green-winged teal, ringed-necked duck and long-tailed duck are just a few recent surprises. It is also possible to find little stint wintering here from their main site on the Mersey Estuary.

Following the track to the west at the sharp S bend is No.3 tank (SJ4978) which has a series of shallow pools. This tank is No.3 and was set aside as mitigation during the creation of the wind farm. I once found a wintering curlew sandpiper here so again a good opportunity for those with a sharp eye. The open area is good for short-eared owl, merlin, marsh and the occasional hen harrier. It is possible to walk the perimeter of No.6 as the track circumnavigates the tank. At dusk huge numbers of starlings can gather to roost in the reed beds and spectacular murmurations create some bizarre shapes – they in turn attract raptors with sparrowhawk, merlin and harriers often seen together. 

Lordship Lane can be reached by following Moorditch Lane as it bares left skirting the outer walls of No.6 tank (to your right) towards the outdoor carting site and model flying field. It is possible to circumnavigate this sludge tank and where it meets the ramp track between No.4 and No.6 tanks the fields (Lordship Marsh) towards the M56 motorway attracts a herd of whooper swan in the winter. If the stubble fields are flooded they can be good for linnet, stonechat and the occasional water pipit.

Sites and access

A Whooper Swan which has just arrived from Iceland and still with the rusty colouring from its breeding lakes.

There are some access restrictions on the marsh most notably around the wind farm construction sites and it is advised that you should not enter areas where turbines are situated. The marsh is also a working site with farm vehicles and access required at all hours, so if you do use a vehicle please remember to park where you are not blocking access gates. I can not stress enough that the roads/tracks and paths are pitted with pot-holes which can fill with rain water and are potentially a problem for vehicles (vehicles have had tyres burst and suspension/shock absorbers broken-I should known). The location is not suitable for wheel chairs and the nearest public toilets are in the village. Please ensure your dog is on a lead, livestock roam freely on tracks, particaluarly during the lambing season.

Birders map of Frodsham Marsh

Maps OS Landranger 117 Chester and Wrexham, Ellesmere Port.

Images 1 by Paul Ralston & images 2-6 by WSM.

03.01.21. Birdlog.

We decided on a long walk across the marshes starting from Moorditch Lane out to Ince marsh fields. The icy tracks were still trecherous to walk over but birding calls and you have to take the call.

No.6 tank was 90% frozen but there areas that weren’t had c600 Eurasian Teal, 6 Northern Pintail, 1 Eurasian Wigeon, 11 Mallard, 4 Common Shelduck and 6 Gadwall.

The Whooper Swan herd of 21 birds were still in the flooded fields on Lordship Lane with a few hundred Black-headed Gull. A sien of c100 Pink-footed Goose flew over to the north.

A look by the Holpool Gutter produced 6 European Stonechat, 1 Mistle Thrush, several Redwing, 121 Linnet and 2 Common Chiffchaff (bringing the total of 5 wintering this year).

Frodsham Score had a few Pink-footed Goose, 2 Great and 7 Little Egret but two wildfowlers out by the rivers edge must have seen most of the birds to find sanctuary elsewhere. A dog Red Fox was chasing a calling female onto the banks of the tank and a Eurasian Oystercatcher was probing the grassy banks for food.

Walking back along Moorditch Lane a male Peregrine was chasing a female in their courtship display.

Observers: JS & WSM (images).

02.01.21. Birdlog.

I started my days birding along Lower Rake Lane early this morning where skeins of Pink-footed Goose passed overhead on their way to the Dee Estuary for the day. A herd of 5 Whooper Swan flew in at first light to graze on Lordship Marsh. A female Peregrine was sat on its tower watching over the marsh and left its perch to drive a tercel away from her airspace. A herd of 11 Mute Swan were grazing in the fields alongside the Holpool Gutter and a Merlin was hunting pipits nearby.

Shooting was taking place out on Frodsham Score salt marsh so the Canada Goose moved towards the Manchester Ship Canal while the wildfowlers concentrated on the birds near to the river. A Great Egret was feeding in a creek alongside 3 Little Egret with more egrets dotted about the salt marsh.

The Western Marsh Harrier (the one shot gun damaged leg) was seen hunting over No.4 tank with Common Kestrel and Common Buzzard trying their luck in the same area.

Hundreds of Canada Goose were grazing near to the canal pools but flushed when the farmer arrived to feedhis cattle and a small flock of European Golden Plover passed overhead to join the bigger flock near to Marsh Farm.

Looking over Lordship Marsh from the junction of No.4 and No.6 tanks the Whooper Swan herd could be seen in the field along Lordship Lane and c30 Pink-footed Goose circled around looking for a safe place to land. Again the Linnet, European Goldfinch and Chaffinch were numerous in the area with several Common Reed Bunting noted. A Common Kingfisher was heard then seen as it flashed by making its way along the ditch. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was searching for grubs in the stand of dead trees along the lane another was seen at Ince later.

At Ince flocks of Pink-footed Goose were heard calling as they left Ince salt marsh and flew in all directions after being targeted by the wildfowlers. A single Western Cattle Egret, 2 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron were amongst the pigs with Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Curlew in good numbers in the nearby fields. One of the pools had an ice free area which had Eurasian Teal, Mallard and Northern Shoveler took advantage of the open water and one of the teal was sporting a ring.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images 1-5 & ).

We took a hike around No.6 tank being careful not to slip on the icy paths. A look over No.6 tank was vertually ice covered and the small area whic wasn’t was kept clear by the 200 Eurasian Teal, several Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler. The leg damaged Western Marsh Harrier flew across to its roost.

A Common Raven flew over No.3 tank from Frodsham Score with areas of its wings missing big chunks and obvious gunshot pellet holes.

Walking out to the junction of No.4 & No.6 tank looking across Lordship Marsh where the 22 Whooper Swan were still frequenting the flooded fields with manys Eurasian Curlew and 8 Ruff. A small skein of Pink-footed Goose flew over from the south and moved out to the Mersey Estuary.

Looking across to a ship sailing along the ‘big ditch’ aka the Manchester Ship Canal flushed a flock of c600 Eurasian Teal which twisted and turned inflight like a flock of Starling. A couple of Common Chiffchaff were in the vegetation on No.3 tank while overhead Common Raven flew south to their roost in NE Wales.

Finally walking back down Moorditch Lane in the cold and dark a Peregrine flew over and landed on top of a pylon by the horse paddock.

Observers: JS & WSM (image 6). 

01.01.21. Birdlog.

A very early start and a walk out to the River Weaver in the hope of catching up with last years Garganey but alas most of the Eurasian Teal had departed the river overnight and left c200. A flock of 17 Common Goldeneye, 51 Common Pochard, 147 Tufted Duck, 17 Common Shelduck, 11 Gadwall and 6 Mute Swan. A solitary Black-tailed Godwit joined a small group of Northern Lapwing and Common Redshank and a wintering Common Sandpiper.

Observers: Paul Ralston (1-3 & 10 & 13-16) and WSM (4-9 & 11-12).

After our disappointment we headed in our own directions and I walked back along Brookfurlong Lane where a Cetti’s Warbler heralded the new year with a track from its back catalogue.

No.6 tank was still frozen over with the only area free from the freeze was adjacent to the marshy vegetation. A gathering of c100 Northern Shoveler, c270 Eurasian Teal, 15 Northern Pintail and 12 Mallard.

A small flock of 18 Black-tailed Godwit were knee deep in freezing water.

A skein of Pink-footed Goose flew over from the east and a small segment dropped down onto No.3 tankand joined up with the c100 Canada Goose herd.

Walking back to my car and at the ramp track to Moorditch Lane a pale grey Chiffchaff had all the hallmarks of a ‘tristis’ until it called like a ‘collybita’?. It was feeding in the ditch and gave great views and one of the images I managed is above.

Observer: WSM.

A Jay was along Brook Furlong Lane at first light. On the Weaver Estuary was a single Common Sandpiper on the river bank. A couple of European Stonechat were on the fence line and c300 European Golden Plover with large flock of Northern Lapwing were at Marsh Farm.

The Whooper Swan herd had split into 3 groups and were spread across Lordship Marshand a large mixed flock of finches mostly Linnet and European Goldfinch with smaller numbers of Chaffinch and Greenfinch were in the stubble along Lordship Lane. Common Kestrel and Common Buzzard were active throughout my walk.

I stopped of at Kinsey Lane, Ince on the way home and a single Western Cattle Egret, 4 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron were foraging amongst the pigs. There was 13 Common Snipe and many more Northern Lapwing were noted in the stubble with groups of Eurasian Curlew passing overhead.

Out on the sFrodsham Score salt marsh were over 1000 Pink-footed Goose grazing with the Canada Goose and Common Shelduck. A mass of Dunlin were moving about at the edge of Stanlow Island with a Great Egret nearby.      

Observer: Paul Ralston.

31.12.20. Birdlog.

An updated birders map of Frodsham Marsh for 2021 (tomorrow).

A last wring of the wet towel before we start it all over again tomorrow.

No.6 tank was mostly frozen with just a tiny section of water open for the ducks, which consisdered of 230 eurasian Teal, 10 Mallard and 17 Northern Shoveler. A Common Chiffchaff and 3 Lesser Redpoll were on the banks.

A look over No.3 tank produced the European Golden Plover flock from the last few days still warding off the advances of the Black-headed Gull bullies. A herd of c350 Canada and 28 Greylag Goose were displaced from outside the area. A Western Marsh Harrier flew over surveying the fields below and drifted off to Frodsham Score. The ‘phalarope pool’ and ‘the splashing pool’ weere mostly frozen and apart from a small group of Northern Shoveler. A further 2 Common Chiffchaff were contact calling to each other in the thick vegetation.

A look across the salt marshes on the ebbing tide was rewarded with 4 Great and 6 Little Egret, 15 Grey Heron and 100’s of Pink-footed Goose herds. With most of the inland waters virually a closed shop to ducks thetre were hundreds of them out on the tide line with 200 Common Shelduck, c850 Eurasian Wigeon, and smaller numbers of Northern Pintail. The same Western Marsh Harrier was perched up on the score and a female Merlin wasbusy preening on a wooden stump. Shorebirds included 1000’s of Dunlin, 3 Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Common Redshank with several hundred Eurasian Curlew. A Cetti’s Warbler was calling from the willows and another was scolding by the track.

I continued my hike out to the junction of No.4 & 6 tanks which affords views across Lordship Marsh. The herd of 21 Whooper Swan were on the flooded fields with hundreds of Black-headed & Common Gull were busy seeking food from these fields with 100’s of Eurasian Curlew joining the.

Walking back I met Dermot Smith who tolf me he had seen a drake Garganey on the River Weaver and ironically his first of the year! I rushed over to the river in the dying light of 2020 and when I got to the Weaver the light had expired with the neon lights of the works casting rainbow colours on the water…A new day and year tomorrow!

Observer: WSM (images).

I started my birding at Brook Furlong Lane this morning where a few winter thrushes were foraging along the track with a group of Long-tailed Tit were following close behind. On the River Weaver were Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Gadwall and sCommon Shelduck being noted with 6 Mute Swan and numerous Eurasian Coot. A handfull of Common Redshank moved along the river leaving a Common Sandpiper behind, which made its way over to the far bank of the Manchester Ship Canal. Also 3 European Stonechat were feeding alongside several Meadow Pipit at the river edge and a mixed flock of finches and Reed Bunting passed overhead.

Hundreds of Northern Lapwing with c 300 European Golden Plover were in the fields close to Marsh Farm while several Common Snipe and another European Stonechat were noted on No.5 tank.

The best part of No.6 was frozen over with a few Mallard and Northern Shoveler keeping a small patch ice free while a large flock of Eurasian Teal with a few more Northern Shoveler stayed close to the edge. Linnet, Chaffinch, European Goldfinch and Reed Bunting were numerus along the bank.

A Common Moorhen submerged its self under water with its bill sticking out like a periscope to avoid detection. Hundreds of Canada Goose were grazing on No.3 and a group of 7 Ruff flew west.

I called in at Kinsey Lane, Ince on my way home where just 2 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron were foraging amongst with the pigs and hundreds of Northern Lapwing and c30 Eurasian Curlew. Out on the Frodsham Score salt marsh were c1500 Pink-footed Goose grazing with numerous Common Shelduck and 2 Great Egret strolled stuff nearby.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images).

30.12.20. Birdlog.

A couple of visits to the marshes today with an early frosty start at Kinsey Lane pig farm and its inmates were released for the day but their attendant egrets were having a lay-in and apart from a Grey Heron and a lone Little Egret were pig bothering. I turned my attention to the salt marshes where hundreds of Pink-footed Goose herds were dispersed by the incoming tide.

A big female Peregrine was sat close to the geese causing them further anxiety. A couple Great Egret were strutting their stuff through the tall marsh grass and small flocks of Dunlin were shifting their feeding and high tide roosts site. It started to rain heavy so a tactical retreat postponed our visit to Frodsham until later in the afternoon.

The afternoon forecast looked okay so we parked up and began our walk along Moorditch Lane, and yes it started to rain and apart from a couple of interludes it increased from sleet, to drizzle, to regular type rain throughout the rest of our walk. Walking along Lordship Lane at the junction with Moorditch Lane produced a flock of 10 Chaffinch, c60 Linnet and a Lesser Redpoll loosely associating with a European Goldfinch in ditch side vegetation.

The Whooper Swan herd of 22 birds were again by the turbines on Lordship Marsh with a flock of c200 Eurasian Curlew.

Walking back at dusk in the rain and another fat moon peeked over the skyline at Beechwood, Runcorn. Ducks on No.6 tank included c500 Eurasian Teal, 20 Northern Pintail, 41 Mallard and c200 Northern Shoveler occuping the areas which had’nt froze overnight.

Observers: JS & WSM (images).

29.12.20. Birdlog.

We made our way along Moorditch Lane where a Cetti’s Warbler was scolding something deep into cover and several Linnet were about the telegraph wires.

A look across No.6 tank and the usual species of duck were scattered widely with the wind less of a feature today and temperatures increasing after a dismal start to the day. The pools on No.3 tank had Eursaian Teal and Eurasian Wigeon with both Northern Shoveler and Mallard busy feeding. A large gathering of Northern Lapwing included c400 European Golden Plover and their attendant Black-headed Gull flock harrying the plovers of their tasty worms.

After passing pleasantries with Mr & Mrs Roberts and informed the winter swans were back on their usual field on Lordship Marsh we carried on to the corner of No.4 & No.6 tanks. A herd of 22 Whooper Swan were just where Jacqui & Idris said they were and walking along the track I managed a few shots.

2 Ruff join the Curlew flock over Lordship Marsh.

Also present were literally hundreds of Eurasian Curlew and a flock that flew over my head had 2 Ruff with them. The big flock of gulls were again on the slurry fields with both Northern Lapwing and Common Starling.

A skein of 34 Pink-footed Goose flew over to the score and another skein headed off to the Dee marshes for the night.

Observers: JS & WSM (images 2-8).

I spent the last hour of light at Ince this evening where two Western Cattle Egret and 4 Little Egret were amongst the pigs with c200 Northern Lapwing and several Eurasian Curlew. There were skeins of Pink-footed Goose dropping on to the Frodsham Score salt marsh where Common Shelduck in good numbers which dotted the marsh.

A partial leucistic winged Raven was noted.

Earlier my walk along the Gowy Meadows was uneventful apart from a jelly like mould substance near one of the pools possibly known as ‘star jelly’ or ‘snow mould’?

Observer: Paul Ralston (1 & 9-10).

28.12.20. Birdlog.

After overnight snow we ventured down to the marshes for a walk and by the time we got there most of it have melted. A quick look over No.6 tank revealed a cluster of ducks including several Common Redshank, 17 Northern Pintail, c120 Northern Shoveler, 2 drake Tufted Duck, c50 Mallard and c250 Eurasian Teal. A couple of quarrelling Water Rail were in the reeds below the embankment.

Further along the track and a dead cow was on No.5 tank which has been laying dead for over a week at this spot. Its bloated stomach is growing by the day (batten down the hatches, because when this baby blows they’ll be a shower of shite all over Cheshire). The local Common Raven and Great Black-backed Gull are taking a keen interest in its tender neither regions, currently a Robin has taken ownership of the corpse and sits on the extended flanks bringing comical festive tidings to the proceedings.

A look over No.3 tank revealed where most of the ducks have relocated with the Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler are loitering and a single Black-tailed Godwit. The female Western Marsh Harrier flew high over No.3 tank and settled in trees on No.6 tank. A small skein of Pink-footed Goose headed over from the east to spend time on Frodsham Score.

Nice to bump into Jacqui & Idris (King & Queen of the jigsaw) and to meet Tim (of @WilderThingsUK)

Observers: JS & WSM (images).

27.12.20. Birdlog.

An early start from Lower Rake Lane, Helsby and to the stubble fields behind the GrowHow works. The herd of 24 Whooper Swan were sheltering from the icy cold breeze after Storm Bella coming overnight. A small skein of Pink-footed Goose were disturbed from the fields by Hillview Farm by the sound of gun shot. A group of 6 Little Egret were in the same field as the big Black-headed Gull flock feeding in the silage covered muddy patches off Lordship Lane.

Continuing my hike to the area by Ince marsh fields west of No.4 tank which held 5 Mute and a family group of mum, dad and junior Whooper Swan.

A broken winged Pink-footed Goose was hiding in the rough grass by the Holpool Gutter and when it saw me coming it flapped into the ditch and swam away. Despite several attempts to rescue the poor stricken thing I lost out of view. Just one of the consequences of existing on the Mersey marshes away from their summer homelands.

A couple of young Merlin were sparring in fight over the Manchester Ship Canal and were lost over the marsh. Paul turned up and we both enjoyed views of a female Western Marsh Harrier flew in and quartered the edge of the river until a Peregrine took umbridge and did its best to shoo the harrier away. A couple of adult Peregrine were perched on posts far off in the distance.

Another Merlin (male) was sat on the edge of the canal bank keeping an eye on the several hundred Northern Lapwing hunkered down in the marsh grass. Further out on the marsh were hundreds of Canada and Pink-footed Goose and a bloodied Canada was the result of shooting out there. There were also 6 Barnacle Goose doing their best to hide within the goose herds.

Watching over all these preceedings were several Little Egret with c5 Great Egret.

The blue topped chimney at Weston Point had 2 Peregrine sat on the rim watching over the action below.

The ‘splashing pool’ had 10 Northern Shoveler, 6 Gadwall and 14 Eurasian Teal, while further out on the hidden pools were c300 Eurasian Teal, 23 Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler and Mallard. A couple of European Stonechat were on the fence line with a flock of Common Starling rising and falling from the fields adjacent to it.

The ducks on No.6 tank were finding shelter from the cold wind with c150 Northern Shoveler, 1 drake Tufted Duck, 12 Northern Pintail, c400 Eurasian Teal and 19 Little Grebe were seen.

Observer: WSM (images 2-7 & 9-10 & 14 ).

Some additional sightings from today to add to the above. It’s the first time in a while that I have drawn a blank with the Western Cattle Egrets flock on Kinseys Lane, Ince with just 2 Little Egret and several Eurasian Curlew taking advantage of the pigs grubbing up the field.

A small flock of Redwing and Blackbird were present in the hedgerows and a Sparrowhawk and Common Kestrel were keeping the thrushes and finch flocks on red alert.

A Common Sandpiper was moving along the Manchester Ship Canal while 3 Little Egret joined the mixed group of Mute and (3) Whooper Swan alongside the gutter.

A Peregrine was resting up after indulging in the excesses of the festive break.

The pools at Ince held c100 Eurasian Teal, 4 Northern Shoveler, numerous Mallard and several Gadwall, 2 Mute Swan were grazing in the field with 5 Grey Heron standing like sentinels alongside a fence.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images 1 & 11-13 & 15 -18).

26.12.20. Birdlog.

A stroll along Moorditch Lane around No.6 tank and back via Lordship Marsh was the order of play. The big female Peregrine was sat on top of the blue topped chimney at Weston Point and a few Common Raven were gorging on an inflated cow that had fallen dead some time ago and is bloating by the day. A small skein of Pink-footed Goose flew over heading to Frodsham Score and at the junction of No.5/6/3 tanks a Common Chiffchaff was contact calling. The gunshot damaged legged female Western Marsh Harrier from previous years flew over and quartered the reed beds on No.6 tank.

Looking out over Lordship Marsh and wind turbine contractors and some shooters were in the fields so the Whooper Swan herd had relocated to fields behind the GrowHow works and safely out of the cold wind blowing.

A small number of c120 Eurasian Teal, 97 Northern Shoveler, 12 Northern Pintail with 14 Mallard and 9 Little Grebe.

Observer: WSM.

The 3 Western Cattle Egret, 2 Little Egret, a single Grey Heron and several Eurasian Curlew were foraging amongst the pigs at Kinsey Lane, Ince which were watched over by a Common Buzzard.

Out on Frodsham Score salt marsh were 3 Great Egret feeding with the Canada Goose and Pink-footed Goose flocks. The fields alongside the Holpool Gutter held 4 Mute Swan, c50 Eurasian Curlew and the leg damaged Western Marsh Harrier seen earlier passed overhead again. Five more Little Egret and a mass of Black-headed Gull were feeding in the field at the junction of Lordship Lane and Lower Rake Lane. A walk along the lane to look for the Whooper Swan herd drew a blank.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images1-4).

A Goldfiinch charm.

Image 5 by Duncan Cowley.