LANCS: North Ribble Marshes.

Found a bit of time to drive out to Newton Marsh (only about 6 miles from home) on the Ribble at lunchtime today. Breezy today and very wintry with about 500 Wigeon out on the entrance pool, some very near the road.

Newton Marsh Entrance Pool, 20 November 2008.

Only small numbers of other ducks - 25+ Teal, 12+ Shoveler and just a couple of Mallards on the pool. The damp fields had attracted a few waders including a flock of 30 Curlew. Lapwings seemed scarce until a flock of 150 flew over accompanied by 30 Golden Plover. There were loads more out on Freckleton Marsh that I could see from the road so if tomorrow morning is fine I'll take the trudge out for a look (there's an American Golden Plover somewhere on the loose in Lancs, last seen in Morcambe Bay a few days ago).

Large flock of Starlings in the stubble with 100+ Fieldfare and a dozen or so Redwings too. No Corn Buntings or finches though (I've seen Bramblings here in Chaffinch flocks). Perhaps they were just hunkering down in the strong wind. I used to see Merlins regularly here - where is everything? Early days I suppose.

I checked a site favoured by Waxwings in recent winters on the way home but no joy. Can't be long until we get them in w. Lancs though.

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