Great White Egret, Banks Marsh 17 September 2009. It wasn't always like this!Viewing from the public footpath overlooking Hesketh Out Marsh I could see at least 4 Little Egrets but no sign of GWE. News that the big white one had returned to Banks had me driving west after a quick look round Hesketh Out Marsh, but on arrival it was nowhere to be seen.
It was sometimes like this .......Once again this large bird showed its amazing skill for appearing out of nowhere, suddenly easy peasey at about the same range as the other day. Not as much on the splashes as the other day with Spotted Redshank the best of the gathering that also included 2 Ruff, 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 15+ Dunlin and 30+ Redshanks.
Or even this!
But did get better.Thankfully Egbert came a bit closer allowing me to get a few record shots at least. In fact it performed very well on the splashes, mingling with several Little Egrets. Couple of hundred Pink-footed Geese down on the salt marsh behind the pools too.
Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Greenshanks and Pink-feet at Hesketh Out Marsh, more Swallows around today (35+ over the Hesketh pools) and larger flocks of Meadow Pipits. Plenty to look forward to with autumn getting into gear.
No sign of the Spoonbills still (they were around again yesterday afternoon). Spoonbills have history in this area by the way; a pair raising two young in 1999 (The Birds of Lancashire & North Merseyside).
4 comments:
A last minute flurry to get better views of the GWE Colin......excellent.
Enjoy Brazil and its birds. Kind Regards.
Pete W.
Thanks Pete. Lanky's in the roost with the Little Egrets at Freckleton this evening apparently. Some good local birds seen today with R N Phal' a late show at Martin Mere WWT too.
Colin
Whereabout on Hesketh Marsh were you? Near Crossings?
I was at SD422251 approx. There's a public footpath there but no parking anywhere in the immediate area (it's a private road). The GWE seems to favour Banks Marsh more though and was seen heading that way from the roost at Freckleton Naze this morning.
Must fly ..... literally (me, not GWE).
Colin
Post a Comment