Green-winged Teal near Sandgrounders, Marshside in March 2007.Yesterday (25th) I nipped down to Marshside and joined Graham Clarkson for a couple of hours late afternoon birding on the Ribble. It hit me how winter was slowly turning to spring and it could be my last looks at some birds about to depart our shores.
Meadow Pipits were definitely on the move northwards, although I didn't get to stand long enough at an appropriate spot for a proper count. Thanks largely to Graham's diligence we ended up with some decent counts of 58 Avocets, 21 Ruff and there were still over 800 Golden Plover on the marsh by dusk. The drake Green-winged Teal was still showing off on Rimmer's Marsh and viewing the saltmarsh from the sandplant mound we found 3 Merlins, a Sparrowhawk and over 2000 Pink-footed Geese were feeding on the edge. At least 14 Sand Martins made their way over Rimmer's but a flock of 63 Whooper Swans flying across Crossens Marsh in the distance reminded me that winter wasn't quite done with just yet.
2 comments:
It has that end of winter feeling here too............I got a Hoopoe yesterday though so roll on spring.
Late March was often a slow time on the Ribble when I used to watch it. Seems to have improved since then......
It's been pretty good while I was away and picked up with the arroval of April - Garganeys, the return of the dowitcher, Yellow-legged Gull, etc, etc, etc.
Can't wait to get out there!
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