Sunday 18 May 2014

Bolton Ings et al - 18th May

Got back last night from a weeks holiday in Benidorm, brought the weather back with me and was on Bolton this morning at 09.30. Very quiet migrant wise on WeBS count day although 90 Tufted Duck was a good count. Both pairs of Mute Swans now have cygnets, 8 and 4, and a pair of Great Crested Grebes had 2 chicks. Also noted 2 Kingfishers both with food for young. Full list:- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 2+8y, 2+4y, Canada Goose 19+6y, Grey Lag Goose 18+8y, Great Crested Grebe 5+2y, Little Grebe 7, Mallard 12, Gadwall 14, Shoveler 2, Tufted Duck 90, Pochard 16, Coot 57+9 pairs+19y, Moorhen 4, Lapwing 9, Oystercatcher 3, Black Headed Gull 232, LBB Gull 1, Common Tern 1, Kestrel 2, Buzzard 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Grey Wagtail 2, Kingfisher 2, Sand Martin c20, Swift c150, Willow Warbler 7, Chiffchaff 10, Whitethroat 6, Blackcap 3, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 6.

Onto Old Moor this evening where the highlight was 4 drake Garganeys, 2 were on the Wader Scrape and another 2 flew round and dropped on the Willow Pool. A Bittern was booming from the Reedbeds, a Lesser Whitethroat was singing on Green Lane, 25 Mute Swans on the Main Marsh, a Little Egret  in full breeding plumage with long plumes was roosting in the Willows. On the Wader Scrape were 2 Shelduck, 2 LRP's, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and 8 Common Terns.

On Wombwell Ings were 3 Avocets, LRP and Common Sandpiper and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing outside the Old Moor Tavern.

Earlier at Old Moor a first summer Med Gull with no rings was seen in front of the Mere Hide.

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