Bolton Ings et al - 6th October

A glorious day weather wise and a glorious day birding. Started cool, only 7c at 07.30 when I set out this morning but clear blue skies and very little wind. Highlight today on the Bolton was 7 Buzzards, Coot up to 300+ just, good counts for Gadwall and Little Grebe and Skylarks and Meadow Pipits going over. Full list:- Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 10 adults + 10 juvs, Canada Goose 165, Grey Lag Goose 26, Cormorant 12, Great Crested Grebe 6, Little Grebe 30, Mallard 18, Teal 21, Gadwall 142, Shoveler 8, Wigeon 11, Tufted Duck 21, Pochard 14, Coot 305, Moorhen 23, Lapwing 135, Snipe 7, Dunlin 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Black Tailed Godwit 1, Black Headed Gull 40, LBB Gull 15, Common Gull 3, Buzzard 7 (birds in the air nearly all morning then 4 flew west and 3 remained over Bolton tip), Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Jay 4, Grey Wagtail 1, Kingfisher 2, Chiffchaff 2 singing males, Skylark 30 south, Meadow Pipit 15 south.

Whilst on Bolton I received a text that the American Golden Plover was on the Main Marsh, after a couple of phone calls and failing to see it from the old railway line I made my way to the Wath Ings hide where I finally had good views after a nervous wait. Thanks to Paul White for finding it today and to John Hewitt for the text. The bird gave good views for about an hour but never looked settled as did all the other Goldies. At 13.35 they all got up and the AGP hadn't returned when I left. Shortly after all the waders had flown an adult male Peregrine gave a good display in front of the hide. I tried counting the Goldies but never got past 500 before they flew but we estimated about 800 today. The other waders took a back seat today but included 4 Spotted Redshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 25 Dunlin, 16 Black Tailed Godwits and 13 Ruff.

Received a text later from Jeff Wragg, day total for Buzzard up to 9+, also birds present on Wombwell Ings included 2 Little Egrets, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 5 Black Tailed Godwits.

A great day and good to see lots of visiting birders seeing the American Goldie and all the other birds from a packed hide overlooking the glorious Wath Ings mud. There is no better place.