Tuesday 7 January 2014

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 5th January 2014

A late start yesterday following Saturdays celebrating, only 1c at 10 am when I started out, clear at first but soon clouded over but remained cold all day only reaching 4c mid afternoon. Very quiet bird wise, highlight being a fine display by 2 Buzzards over Bolton Tip. A Great Crested Grebe was a surprise for early January and Pochard were up to a healthy 42 although Coot were down by over 100 since my last visit. Full list :- Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 18, Grey Lag Goose 46, Cormorant 2, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 12, Teal 19, Gadwall 61, Shoveler 10, Wigeon 12, Tufted Duck 20, Pochard 42, Goldeneye 1 drake + 3 ducks, Goosander 4, Coot 256, Moorhen 4, Lapwing 88, Black Headed Gull 97, Common Gull 10, Kestrel 2, Buzzard2, Green Woodpecker 1, Long Tailed Tit c30.

Late afternoon I had a walk onto the Reedbeds at Old Moor and was rewarded with good but brief views of a Bittern, over 20 Goosanders were seen flying to roost and a Green Sandpiper was heard calling.

Other bits of news from Old Moor include Peregrine killing a Common Gull, Pintail, 77 Shoveler and a female Brambling.


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