Short-toed Lark found yesterday evening by model airfield at south end of Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park. Still present today.
Sue and I went to see this today. A nice bird. Some bloke had a go at me for rattling a metal gate which annoyed me - as I hadn't been touching the gate - the breeze was causing the gate to rattle.
An very early start this morning with Jason Atkinson took us to Fleetwood Marsh where we had good views of the reported 1st Summer White Stork both in flight and out on the mudflats.
The bird was present first thing after roosting on a nearby Pylon overnight but flew off after a couple of hours or so.
Up there in the cold this morning, but the normal road was blocked so no dog walkers anywhere to be seen!? A large flock of Twite the real highlight, 48+. Other birds this monring of note: PF Geese 100+ Shelduck 120+ Shoveller 3 Black-tailed Godwit 270+ Redshank 100+ Knot 20+ Snipe 10+
Have been continuing some survey work on the Wyre estuary. Was up there on the 19th Dec, but nothing much to report back, other than the PF Geese numbers being high (2500+) and: Shelduck 100+ Wigeon Mallard Teal Pochard 3 Tufted Duck 4 Goldeneye 4 Black-tailed Godwit 200+ Dunlin 220+ Knot 200+ Redshank 240+ Curlew 101 Oystercatcher 4 Sparrowhawk 1 Twite 8 Stock Dove 1
Another visit for the survey, this time a little further north at the Wyre Docks south a couple of kilmetres, taking in the Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve, Wyre river banks and surrounding saltmarsh. Another cold but clear morning gave me good views of several good species, including:
Wyre Estuary/river banks Teal 500+ Wigeon 400+ Mallard 200+ Black Tailed Godwit 20 Oystercatcher 4 Lapwing 350+ Redshank 100+ Snipe 30+ Knot 500+ (mainly on far bank) Dunlin 500+ (mainly on far bank Shelduck 30+ (mainly on far bank Rock Pipit 2
Thanks Nick, I'll have a look at that. I'm doing some more surveys this week and towards the month end and will pass on info to Fylde bird club. I am hoping to get the surveys in line with WeBS Count weenends in the New Year and submit them to the BTO through the usual route too. Watch this space.
Not been up here before, but was doing some survey work there this morning over the tide cycle up from the Wyre Country Park. Merlin hunting Twite and Meadow Pipits over the saltmarsh, Redwings filled the bushes and resident Reed Buntings all over the place. About 5000+ PF Geese flying over, mainly landing on the fields to the eastern side of the river, but some stopping on the mudflats. Other birds included:
A large flock of Twite the real highlight, 48+.