Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB - 5th December 2010

Both Reece and I headed out to Hesketh Out Marsh today to have a further look around after fridays visit and an email from Colin Bushell giving me a little more information on the area. Well the temperature wasn't as cold as Friday and we got a few more sightings but no sign of the Barn Owl though it was afternoon. First stop was a scan across the field to the east of he car park with a large flock of Linnet mixed with Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow and Brambling.
LINNET, TREE SPARROW AND BRAMBLING IN THE FIELD NEXT TO THE CAR PARK
 A scan from the platform gave distant views of Pink-footed Geese, a few Redshank, Kestrel, Curlew, Shellduck and Mallard. From the platform we headed west and added 4 Dunlin which dropped in with a couple of Redshank. More Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Blue Tit were in the hedges as well as more views odf the Merlin and a Buzzard and Little Egret over. A large number of Teal could be seen in one of the distches as well as a second Kestrel and we flushed 2 Woodcock in seperate locations, one as we were leaving the car park. A Sparrowhawk made an appearance on the way back to the car and we were told of a Female Hen Harrier having been seen from the platform wilst we were wandering around!
                                                    ABOVE 1500+ PINK FOOTED GEESE BY THE RIBBLE
ABOVE SPARROWHAWK (TAKEN BY REECE) BELOW TREE SPAROW

2 comments:

Jonny Scragg said...

Sounds like a great day Derek!

I was wondering if it was possible for me to have Colin's e-mail as I am also thinking of visiting the site in search of some species for the first time and he has lots of info about the reserve.

Thanks Jonny Scragg

Derek Gallagher said...

I don't like passing on others details without prior permission so I've emailed you with some suggestions on how to get in touch with Colin.