Lancashire Birding

So! Its ages since I wrote anything. A few reasons for that. Firstly I started a new job just after the family summer holidays which meant I had other things on my mind. Secondly, despite having several days out on top of my normal birding activities, I really didn't see much or have anything that interesting to write about. I had my usual autumn visit to Spurn, which was as enjoyable as always without throwing up anything unexpected. I was pretty regular at my local patch(es) but aside from a nice Ring Ouzel (which was a brilliant bird in the location I found it) it was quiet from late spring through to Christmas, and my birding year finished on a bit of a flat.

However, my birding in January has been quite the opposite. I have had three days out and about so far, including one at Llanfairfechan and Morfa Madryn, and the last two days have seen me out and about in Lancashire. Yesterday I spent most of the day on the Ribble estuary at Hesketh Outmarsh and Marshside RSPB, and today I have been at Leighton Moss RSPB with my mate, Rob. As is usual when Rob accompanies me anywhere, it turned into a good day.

Hesketh Out Marsh

Hesketh and Marshside both provided some good birding, with the best coming at Marshside where I managed Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-Eared Owl on the raptor front, plus Barnacle Goose and White-fronted Goose for the year list.

Today at Leighton Moss we started with a fantastic experience - as we walked down the causeway to the Lower Hide the Starlings were leaving their roost, flying directly over our heads. Standing there in the dawn light and almost complete silence bar the noise of the Starlings wings was absolutely magical. Several thousands must have flown over us in the space of no more than 3 or 4 minutes. I should have taken a video on my phone but it would have spoiled the experience. From here we made our way to the Lower Hide where we were greeted by an Otter 30-40 metres from the hide. Brilliant. Next we worked our way round all the hides, finishing at the Saltmarsh pools where we managed to add a few more species to the day list including Peregrine, Red-breasted Merganser and Greenshank. Overall a really enjoyable day.