RSPB Marshside 2

I paid a trip to RSPB Marshside this morning and arrived just after 10am in the middle of a storm. It was a very windy day altogether, at times I had a job walking and keeping upright. The rain was an added problem, most of the time it was horizontal. The love of this hobby eh!!

The birding made up for it though, which, given the inclement weather, was done from Sandgrounders hide and Nells hide, with just a quick dash in between.

Most notably, from Sandgrounders hide, were the Wigeon - I am useless at estimating numbers, but there must have been a couple of thousand. They were joined by many hundreds of Lapwing and Crows.

Hidden in the grasses of the embankment to the left, were two Snipe and off in the distance were Greylag Geese and Canada Geese - again, many hundreds, if not a few thousand. Amongst these were large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, but they were so distant I could only really make them out when they took off.

Masses of gulls included Herring, Black-headed, Lesser and Greater Black-backed.

The highlights of the morning were viewed from Sandgrounders hide. First off was a beautiful and large female Peregrine that made several swoops at the Wigeon flock. They took to the air in one united dash for their lives. The Peregrine was unsuccessful.

Shortly after this, a large flock of Starlings flew over the hide and as I looked up, I could see they were being chased by a female Kestrel - again unsuccessful.

Later, a Greater Black-backed Gull swooped into the Wigeon and picked one off. It sat in the fields towards Crossens Marsh and fed, seeing off the occasional Herring Gull and Crows, who wanted their share of the bounty.

There were 4 Little Egrets, seen individually over a couple of hours, flying across the marshes towards Southport.

Making a drenched dash to Nells hide, I saw a small brown bird in the bushes and rattled off a couple of desperate shots - I've no idea what it was, so have posted a pic for ID in the 'what is that bird' section.

From Nells hide I viewed several hundred Teal, Shoveler ducks, Pochard, about 100 Shelduck and 2 female and 2 male Pintails. I'd seen these earlier in the year, but these were by far the best views I'd had. They are really beautiful and graceful.

I'm not a great bird photographer at the best of times, but occasionaly get it right. It's frustrating when the elements are against you and all of your pics come out dreadfully. Never mind, they are a record of the birds on the day and help to remind me of a great day out.

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