Martin Mere and Marshside

Nice Saturday birding trip to West Lancashire. Good selection of wildfowl and waders. The highlight were Corn Bunting off Curlew lane near Martin Mere

Martin Mere and Parkgate

Myself and Dave had a great day out in the winter sunshine heading to Martin Mere and Parkgate Marsh. We were straight onto 9 Corn Buntings at Martin Mere but I could get any shots as the sun was behind them. We headed into the reserve and had great views of a roosting Tawny Owl. There were good numbers of Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Pintail, and Pinkfooted Goose. There were 3 Peregrine looking like two adults and a juvenile and we watched the large female eating a freshly caught Teal. Before leaving we went back to see if we could see any more Corn Buntings and we were rewarded with a flock of around 25, one of which flew to a nearby bush allowing some decent shots. We then headed to Parkgate on the Dee estuary and had excellent views of several female Hen Harriers plus 2 Merlin one of which chased a small bird up onto the sky and swooped at it several times but didn't catch its prey

20131130 103731 from Anthony Capuano on Vimeo.

Peregrine at Martin Mere from Anthony Capuano on Vimeo.



Corn Bunting at Martin Mere from Anthony Capuano on Vimeo.



Corn Bunting at Martin Mere from Anthony Capuano on Vimeo.

Red Breasted Goose

Myself and Dave Evans went up to Dumfries on Saturday 25th. Feb on a wild goose chase. We stopped off at Sizergh castle first and had rubbish views of several Hawfinch. Up in Scotland we had a look for the Ross's Goose at Caerlaverock WWT but failed. What a great reserve though. Fantastic to see so many wintering Barnacle Geese and the hides were all superb. We had good views of Whooper Swans, Pintail and Wigeon.

We then headed to Southerness point and spent hours staring at thousands of barnacle geese before locating the Red Breasted Goose. What a fabulous looking goose. We also saw a Red Kite. Overall we were impressed with the Solway Firth and its also pretty quick to get to so I'm sure we will be back again soon.

Taiga Bean Goose

Went over to Fairburn Ings on Wednesday 11th. January. Eventually picked out the Taiga Bean goose amongst the hundreds of Greylags and 2 Pink footed geese. Other highlights were a drake Ruddy duck and some Pintail