Mere Sands Wood and Marshside RSPB Reserve 12th November 2022

Pink-footed Geese (J Wharton)

Mere Sands Wood and Marshside RSPB Reserve

12th November 2022

Weather: An unseasonably warm and sunny day

Members and friends: 31 Driver: Glenn

Thirty-one members and friends set off from Stockport for the trip over to the west Lancashire coast. An early morning pit stop at Rivington Services gave us our first species of the day, Pied Wagtail. As we continued up the M61 we added Buzzard and Redwing to the day’s list.

Robin (J Wharton)

Alighting from the coach we walked down the access road to the carpark and split up to explore this Lancashire Wildlife Trust nature reserve, including the new visitor centre and cafe. Mere End pool was quiet with a handful of Mallard, a few Tufted Duck and a single female Goldeneye. The adjacent woodland was generally quiet, with the occasional tit feeding party moving through. All the commoner species were recorded; Blue, Great, Coal and Long Tailed. Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren and Robin were the other commoner birds present. Goldcrest were noted and we added Nuthatch and Treecreeper to the list. A pair of noisy Great Spotted Woodpecker chased each other around the treetops. The occasional Chaffinch and a smart pair of Bullfinch were also seen. A few Siskin passed overhead.

Teal (J Wharton)

The arable fields to the north of the woodland held a wary group of Pink-footed Geese, with another flock of Greylag Geese more relaxed, venturing closer to the road as they fed. A couple of Red-legged Partridge moved slowly through the furrows. Viewing the arable fields from the south end of the wood we could see distant parties of Pink-footed Geese and Dave R. was able to identify distant Corn Bunting.

In the area west of the wooded reserve we picked up at least three Whooper Swans feeding in the dykes, with a Little Egret close by. Grey Heron and Stock Dove, as well as more Red-legged Partridge were seen in this area.

On the main lake at the west of the reserve there were many waterbirds present with Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal to add to the list. A large group of Cormorant were present and a Great White Egret was seen. A lucky few had views of a Kingfisher.

Shoveler (J Wharton)

Our group returned to the coach and added a fly-over Peregrine to our sightings. On the journey over to the Marshside RSPB reserve we observed a large flock of Fieldfare moving over the Lancashire mosslands. After a tricky manoeuvre to park the coach the group spread out over the reserve.

Those that chose to walk down the track, through the saltmarsh, to the shoreline were rewarded with relatively good views of a large selection of waders. Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit were all present. A Peregrine sat calling on the shoreline and Little Egret fed in the shallows. Further out, on the sea, we could see Shelduck, Wigeon and Pintail and, in the distance, large numbers of Common Scoter. Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Reed Bunting were present in the adjacent saltmarsh.

Pink-footed Geese (A Mossman)

Viewing from the old Sand Works, over Crossens Outer marsh, we watched a variety of raptors. A number of Merlin were present, at least three birds and a pair of distant Peregrine sat on a large piece of driftwood. A Marsh Harrier quartered over the marsh which resulted in the heads of hundreds of Pink-footed Geese popping up to give away their presence. We recorded hunting Kestrel and a distant Buzzard having a dispute with a couple of crows over some carrion. Close birds included a pair of Stonechat and a Cetti’s Warbler. Distant birds included a distinctive Great White Egret.

Merlin (J Wharton)

A walk to the north end of Marine Drive, close to Crossens River, produced Water Pipit. Mark W. finding one of the two birds that had been reported to be present. Good views were had of this potential new bird for the societies list.

Over Crossens Inner marsh and in the area of pools outside the visitor centre the group was entertained with large flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit. The commoner duck species were present and we added Snipe, Canada Geese and Mute Swan to our lists. It had been an excellent day with 90 species recorded on this trip to the Lancashire coast.