Sunday 18 January 2015

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 18th January

An early and cold start this morning, decided to check the Little Egret roost first at Old Moor. Minus 3c when I arrived at the top gate at 07.20 but disaster the lock was frozen and I couldn't open the gate. I decided to view the willows from the Trans Pennine Trail and eventually 5 Egrets flew out at 08.05 and flew up the valley towards Edderthorpe. I progressed onto Bolton with both pools 95% frozen, highlight being 120 Shoveler. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 8, Grey Lag Goose 21, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 60, Teal 25, Gadwall 30, Shoveler 120, Pochard 19, Tufted Duck 19, Goldeneye 3, Coot 50, Moorhen 2,  Black Headed Gull 23, Common Gull 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Goldcrest 1.

After breakfast in the cafe at Old Moor I went onto the reserve, all waters were frozen apart from the Mere and a small open area on the Wader Scrape. There were 11 Snipe on the Main Marsh. Later on 53 Goosanders came into roost on the Wader Scrape and 3 Little Egrets and 2 Cormorants were roosting in the willows.

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