Sunday, 3 February 2013

Bolton Ings - 3rd February

A milder day today, 6c this morning but the ground was frozen and all the puddles had ice, 10c this afternoon but still a cold wind. Plenty of wildfowl today, 126 Gadwall was my highest count ever, also noteworthy 37 Pochard and 6 Goldeneye. A few Herring Gulls on the move but not a single raptor or wader seen today. Full List:- Mute Swan 9, Canada Goose 19, Grey Lag Goose 1, Cormorant 4, Little Grebe 1, Mallard 34, Gadwall 126, Wigeon 6, Teal 11, Shoveler 4, Tufted Duck 23, Pochard 37, Goldeneye 1 drake + 5 females, Goosander 5, Coot 163, Moorhen 5, Black Headed Gull 475, Common Gull 17, Herring Gull 12 West, LBB Gull 2 West, Green Woodpecker 3.

The Smew was still present on the Wader Scrape at Old Moor and I saw it from Warbler Way about 12 o'clock but later on I couldnt find it from the hide. It was reported from Wath Ings but again no sign. I did see 42 Shoveler on the Main Marsh and also 3 Goldeneye (1 drake). 3 female Goldenenye and a Great Crested Grebe were on the Mere and a Redshank on The Main Marsh. A Peregrine had a go at the Wigeon on the Field Pools mid afternoon and then grappled with a Corvid for about 5 minutes giving excellent views untill it drifted off slowly down the valley.

2 Goldeneye were also on Broomhill Flash today, therefore a minimum of 14 birds in the area today.

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