Rishton Reservoir - 27th September 2009

With Reece having a home match against Wigan St Judes this morning we hadn't planned anything for the day but a text from Mike just before Kick off saying there was a Red Throated Diver at Rishton Reservoir, one of our wish list birds we just had to head out in search of it. Oh the score? A reverse of last seasons result with Chorley Panthers dominating the match and winning 24 - 4. With it not being a patch we had been to before we didn't really know where to start, but with sailing on the main part of the reservoir we didn't think there would be much hope of seeing anything there so we just had a look around the smaller side. All we could see was Mallards, Coot and a single Scaup. There was a Scooter reported at the same time as the Diver but no sign of this either. We were either just unlucky or looking in the wrong place, any help with where the best place to veiw from would be appreciated as I don't work far and could easily look in during my lunch.

SCAUP AND BELOW WITH A MALLARD

Inner Marsh Farm RSPB - 26th September 2009

A trip down to Inner Marsh Farm RSPB to see the Long-billed Dorwicher was the plan for the afternoon once Reece had returned from rugby training. We had missed out on it at Marshside the day before as well as the Great White Egret down at Brockholes. The thought was even if it wasn't there when we arrived at least we were going to have a good day as we've heard nothing but great things about the place. As it was it was still there and showed well for the 2 hours we watched from the hide. Reece took full control of photography today and I'm sure you will agree he hasn't done a bad job considering the overcast conditions.

ABOVE AND BELOW THE LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER

And it wasn't the only lifer of the day for both of us as I sighted 3 Golden Plover amongst some grounded Lapwing and someone in the hide pointed out a Mediteranean Gull (Reeces 3rd lifer).

ABOVE 2 GOLDEN PLOVER AN LAPWING

ABOVE MED GULL BELOW WITH BH GULL AND BLACK TAILED GODWIT

There were raptors a plenty with Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine taking their chances with the waders as well as 5 Buzzard above the woods in the distance. Waders included a single Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff and Greenshank and Black-headed and Common Gull can be added to the Med we saw.

ABOVE BLACK-TAILED GODWIT AND TEAL

ABOVE AND BELOW GREENSHANK

ABOVE A LONE DUNLIN WITH LAPWING AND BELOW ONE OF A FEW RUFF

One of the best sights of the day was of a Water Rail right in front of the hide. Thanks goes out to the guy sat next to us who said when and where it would be seen next and it turned up right on time enabling Reece to get off some good shots.

ABOVE AND BELOW A WATER RAIL AS IT PASSED BETWEEN REED BEDS IN FRONT OF THE HIDE

Inner Marsh Farm is a great site to visit and I would recomend it to anyone. It is what I hope Brockholes Wetland to be in coming years being a similar habitat. I take my hat off to the RSPB and its staff there, they have done a great job and I'm sure it will only improve with time.

Black-necke Grebe - Brockholes Wetland - 17th September 2009

Headed down to Brockholes Wetland for an hour tonight after receiving a text from Mike confirming the reported Black-necked Grebe was still on the main pit.

             

       BLACK-NECKED GREBE COURTESY OF MIKE FOLEY

MY FIRST BROCKHOLES LITTLE EGRET

Neither Reece nor I had seen one before so we headed straight up to the top layby to set up our scopes in search of it. Luckily Mike was still there and pointed it out to us as I’m sure I wouldn’t have spotted it being so small and spending most of the time diving. Watching it I would have said it was smaller then a Little Grebe but looking in several books they state it’s slightly larger. Whilst up at the top layby I took a quick look at Pit No 1 and to my surprise was the first Little Egret I’d seen there and as I write this on the 19th I’ve just had word that 4 Little Egret were there together tonight along with the Black-necked Grebe. Other sightings of note were Cormorant. Tufted Duck, 6 House Martin, Jay, Kestrel and 1 Roe Deer with 2 Fawn.