The Fylde Coast: Clifton Marsh, Fairhaven Lake and Brockholes Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve

 

Black-headed Gull (J Wharton)

The Fylde Coast: Clifton Marsh, Fairhaven Lake and Brockholes Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve

 4^th December 2021

 

Weather:  Cold and very wet

Members and friends:  29                      Driver: Glenn

On a very wet and wild day only twenty-two members and friends set off from Stockport for the relatively short journey to the Fylde coast. The day was spent visiting three sites adjacent to the course of the River Ribble. After a comfort stop at Charnock Richards Service Station, we pulled up in driving rain adjacent to Clifton Marsh.

In the dykes and ditches good numbers of Wigeon were present with plenty of Teal and a handful of Shelduck, Mallard and Shoveler. Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls were all recorded along with a solitary Buzzard and a couple of Carrion Crow. A small flock of Lapwing sat in a field, huddled in the driving rain and overhead a flock of Black-tailed Godwit flew out towards the estuary. It was only a short stop as the weather deterred many from alighting the coach.

Herring Gull (J Wharton)

We quickly moved off towards Lytham. On the journey we recorded Little Egret, with twenty individuals in one field. Arriving at Fairhaven Lake, in very windy and wet conditions, many members headed straight for the café. Those that took the path around the far side of the lake found the tide on the front was very high, covering the lower concrete steps at the seawall. The strong wind meant a steady binocular view was almost impossible. Even the birds were struggling, with Back-headed Gull seen summersaulting through the air!

Taking shelter where we could we picked up on the waders moving up and down the coast. Turnstone sheltered on the concrete steps and small flocks of Knot, Redshank and Dunlin flew back and forth. The occasional Curlew passed by and Bar-tailed Godwit was recorded. Oystercatchers were present as well as a flock of Shelduck bobbing on the waves close to shore.

Common Scoter (J Wharton)

In the debris washed up on the shoreline small numbers of Linnet, Skylark, Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit were buffeted by the wind. Starling and Carrion Crow were also picking through the detritus.  

On Fairhaven Lake we found a small flock of Tufted Duck with a single female (or possibly first winter male) Common Scoter. Mute Swan, Coot and a variety of gulls were also present on the water including a single Great Black-Backed. On the islands we recorded Grey Heron and a couple of Little Egret. Snipe flew overhead. The only passerines around were a small flock of Goldfinch and the odd Blackbird.

A walk around Fairhaven pumping station and the adjacent sand dunes produced nothing further of note so we made our way back to the coach and set off to Brockholes Local Nature reserve, which is managed by the Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust. We arrived in the rain which continued for much of our visit. Fortunately, there was the café and Christmas markets for those that sought shelter.

Great Black-backed Gull & Herring Gull (J Wharton)

Those members that had a wander around the reserve were rewarded with the commoner species. Great and Blue Tit, Song Thrush and Kestrel were noted. The pools and lakes held Mute Swan, Moorhen and the commoner duck species. A walk up to Red Scar Wood produced Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush and plenty of Wood Pigeon. A Peregrine gave good views and was seen harrying the Wood Pigeon. A pair of Buzzard rose above the wood and circled.

A few of us took the chance to climb down to the River Ribble and stake out the bank where a Belted Kingfisher had been frequenting a couple of days earlier. This rare vagrant from America had been seen intermittently over the last couple of weeks but didn’t oblige and unfortunately wasn’t added to the societies list. A Common Kingfisher did give good views and Little Grebe, Goosander and Grey Wagtail were also recorded at the river. An arduous muddy climb in persistent rain was the reward for our adventurous endeavours.

The inclement weather also put paid to any potential starling murmuration over Brockholes reedbeds, so we took the opportunity of an early departure and returned to Stockport on the coach.

Black-headed Gull (J Wharton)

Birds seen;