LANCS: In search of local Goldies.

I resisted the temptation to go to Martin Mere and dip on yet another Lancashire Cattle Egret today, opting for another few hours on the Ribble Estuary. The weather was pretty dire early on so I waited a bit before venturing out thinking that things were about to improve.

Wrong! Warton Marsh was windy, wet and cold and don't be fooled by the public footpath signs in the foreground - it's like a bog this time of year, Plenty of birds about though, mainly at the edge of the saltmarsh but quite "do-able" with a 'scope. Spotted Redshank in with the Lapwings was bar far the best. In fact it's the first time I've had one here I think, although I know of a few sightings during spring tides in the past. Single Grey Plover and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits in with 120+ Dunlin but only 5 Golden Plover. Two Little Egrets brightened up the scene until a Peregrine spooked the lot and more rain meant it was time to move on.
Thoughts of a look for Hen Harriers or Short-eared Owls at Warton Bank were put to bed by the weather so I stopped off to overlook Freckleton Marsh once again. This time the fields were full of birds, mainly Lapwings and at least 1200 Golden Plovers. The Naze Pool was much the same as yesterday apart from a couple of pairs of Gadwall only seen after a Peregrine put everything up. I spent about an hour with the Goldies but couldn't find anything in them. Nice to see so many birds on the marshes today.

By the way - still updating the Brazil posts. See below.