Hesketh Out Marsh Bird Report 2009

The Birds of Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB 2009.

The Hesketh Out Marsh (HOM) recording area covers the RSPB nature reserve and adjacent salt marsh south of the Ribble, land immediately behind the seawall west to Hundred End and east to the River Douglas. The recording area includes the fields inland to Shore Road.

In some cases WeBS data has been used in the species accounts with monthly peak counts included if appropriate. Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB reserve was officially opened in October 2009 so some species accounts are incomplete and lacking data. We feel sure that 2010 will be better!

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
4	3	2	4	0	0	26	4	5	8	5	5

One pair present in breeding season.

Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus

 First winter period: 31 present January 25^th and 19 seen on February 12^th.

Second winter period: Present from December 8^th when 19 were recorded with a peak of 29 (4 juveniles) on 13^th December. Smaller numbers (up to 9) present until end of year.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

Large numbers recorded in the second winter period with 148 present December 4^th. Thereafter figures around 135 were maintained until December 13th when the peak count of 179 was achieved. Up to 70 present until the end of the year.

Bean Goose Anser fabalis

A rare visitor on the Ribble with one record of 6 birds that flew over the reserve on December 21^st before landing on the adjacent NNR. Unfortunately they could not be relocated and therefore unassigned to race.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus

First winter period: 2,200 present January 3^rd and 810 counted during WeBS.

Second winter period: 2 seen during August WeBS counts with first autumn arrival of 22 on September 12^th. In October 8,500 were seen on 5^th with varying numbers (max. 10,000 October 12^th) present on and around the reserve until the end of the year.

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Three Greenland White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris present on January 3^rd were the only records.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Rather scarce with two birds seen on March 23^rd and during the April WeBS counts being the only first winter period records. One seen during the December WeBS counts.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
470	0	0	2	12	5	0	0	0	950	0	160

Only two other records: 2 on February 25^th and March 23^rd.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

Just one record in 2009: single with Pink-footed Geese on December 8^th. 

Barnacle x Pink-footed Goose

A presumed hybrid of these two species was seen in the second winter period from October onwards. It subsequently relocated to Marshside and Crossens Outer Marsh.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Single Dark-bellied Brent Geese Branta bernicla bernicla were seen on January 3^rd and December 8^th.

Ruddy Shelduck x Shelduck hybrid

One seen on October 27^th was presumably the same individual seen subsequently at Martin Mere WWT.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
75	70	142	350	87	190	182	226	38	360	83	58

Maximum breeding season count of 22 on 15 August included 3 broods. A count of 590 on November 17^th is also noteworthy.

Wigeon Anas penelope

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
3500	1080	70	0	0	0	0	0	0	490	375	1890

Large numbers returned to the reserve in the second winter period from September 15^th when 120 were present. Numbers remained steady throughout October until an increase in November with 520 counted on 27^th and again on December 1^st. 

Gadwall Anas strepera

Six pairs present in the breeding season. Five on December 17^th and six on December 19^th were the only other records.

Teal Anas crecca

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
235	520	65	0	0	0	4	368	230	390	150	80

Other significant counts included: 500 January 28^th and August 26^th, 800 September 28^th, 1000 October 21^st, 1400 November 27^th and 125 December 1^st.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
83	47	20	21	7	48	12	31	40	87	55	62

Six pairs present in the breeding season. Other significant counts included: 350 October 21^st, 190 November 17^th and 67 December 1st.

Pintail Anas acuta

Female on December 17^th was the sole record.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Two on September 12^th.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Only recorded during the WeBS counts with 2 seen in June and 4 in July.

Eider Somateria mollissima

Regular on the Ribble adjacent to the reserve in the spring and summer months with 8 seen on March 26^th, 6 on April 27^th and 2 during May WeBS counts.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

A drake on October 15^th was the only record.

Goosander Mergus merganser

One seen during the September WeBS survey was the only record.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 

Two on May 10^th.

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix

Recorded on 8 dates with a maximum of 10 on September 9^th. One pair present in the breeding season.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Probably under recorded. Three on October 4^th was the highest count.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

WeBS revealed the presence of 2 –3 birds from April to August. Outside the breeding season 5 were recorded during October WeBS and 2 were seen on November 11^th.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

One on the Ribble January 17^th.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
0	7	1	11	0	10	7	10	10	2	10	11

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

One on December 16^th only stayed a short time during a period when several were recorded along the Lancashire coast.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
0	0	3	1	1	0	14	19	17	3	2	6

Other significant counts included: 10 on June 30^th and 22 on 15^th August.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Singles in September on 17^th and 25^th and during December on 18^th and 19^th. Records almost certainly relate to two different individuals with a colour-ringed bird present on the Ribble from late September until the end of the year at least.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
1	2	2	4	3	15	10	10	9	4	4	2

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Singles recorded on several dates with two present June and August WeBS counts. Three were recorded on September 9^th. Most were females or immatures, but a male was seen on September 25^th. The last record of the year was a female on October 28^th.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus

A male seen on four dates in January and February was joined by a ringtail on 8 February. A male first recorded on 15 November was seen on many dates until the end of the year.

                                                

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Recorded on at least 15 dates, mostly singles but 2 seen on August 29^th and September 11^th.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Seemingly only absent in the mid-summer months. Two birds frequented the reserve during the first winter period with the first post-breeding record on 24 August. Singles recorded until the end of the year.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Maximum daily count of 6 on September 15^th. Recorded on many dates in smaller numbers.

Merlin Falco columbarius

The Ribble Estuary is a reliable site to see this fierce little falcon outside the breeding season with singles seen on many dates in both winter periods (returning by 31 August). Up to three birds present in December.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

Recorded January – May with first returning bird seen on August 15^th. Mostly singles but two seen on several occasions in December.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

WeBS revealed its presence on the reserve from June to December with 4 present in September. One pair bred.

Coot Fulica atra

Two in the first winter period and up to 4 birds present June – September. Apparently absent thereafter until the end of the year.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
200	0	300	138	16	89	35	0	0	0	0	0

Breeding: 14 pairs present.         

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Two on April 27^th were the first of the year. Peak numbers occurred May 19^th – 20^th when up to 30 birds were seen and 24 pairs nested. Up to 17 still present in mid-June.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

One pair present in the breeding season.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Largest numbers seen in August with 20 on 25^th and 30 the following day. In September 35 were seen on 9^th and 28 during WeBS counts.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

WeBS recorded 920 in January, 2200 in February, 195 in August, 556 in September, 1100 in November and 20 in December.

Other significant counts included 163 on December 18^th and 440 on December 27^th.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

All records: 3 in October (WeBS) and a single on 21 December 21^st .

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
850	5560	313	130	12	146	322	570	2010	90	7900	157

Thirty-one pairs present in the breeding season. Post breeding flocks started to build in earnest in August with 370 on 12^th and 448 on 31^st. September counts of 487 and 1200 on 6^th and 28^th respectively were the first signs of an autumn increase and numbers continued to build when 1100 were counted on 4^th November, 2200 on 17^th and the impressive WeBS count of 7900.

Knot Calidris canutus

August WeBS count produced 6 birds.

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Two arrived with 20 Dunlin and 2 Curlew Sandpipers at high tide on September 9^th, but only stayed a few minutes before departing with the flock.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Two associated with the above species on September 9^th.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Maximum count 500 on 26^th August but recorded in smaller numbers on several dates including 270 in September and 105 in November (WeBS).

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Single on September 12^th.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Maximum count in first winter period was 10 on January 3^rd. More frequently seen later in the year with 80 counted on November 4^th.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Best first winter period count was achieved on March 29^th when 210 were seen. August WeBS recorded 1100. Thereafter only seen in small numbers with 45 on September 12^th being the best count during the rest of the year.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Singles on July 29^th and August 6^th.

Curlew Numenius arquata

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
150	27	9	2	0	3	10	15	22	26	10	55

One of the most frequently recorded waders at HOM.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Seen June – September with 5 on July 29^th best daily count.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

WeBS recorded 3 in July and 5 in August. Seen on three other dates: 2 on July 26^th, and singles on September 6^th and 15^th

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Singles on four dates between September 1^st – 16^th.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

In the first winter period a record of 5 on 3^rd January was exceptional. Thereafter present in late summer from mid July (WeBS) until mid October (single recorded WeBS) with peak counts of 11 on July 29^th, 18 on 15 August and 11 on 15^th September.

Redshank Tringa totanus                      

WeBS

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
31	37	35	20	10	47	32	30	144	54	16	47

Breeding: 34 pairs.

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Large numbers in early spring with 1000 counted on March 13^th and 400 in April (WeBS). Small numbers rest of year with 47 the best count on November 17^th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Two on April 27^th and another on May 19^th.

Common Gull Larus canus

Seen but no counts received. Undoubtedly under-recorded and counts required, especially at passage times.

  

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

Under-recorded with counts of 2 on February 25^th, 4 on August 31^st, one September 6^th, 4 on September 9^th and one on 25^th November 25^th.                                  

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Another species present in small numbers (though more abundant on the Ribble), but with no records received.

                                                  

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Under recorded with only 4 records on the reserve for 2009. More numerous on the Ribble bordering the reserve.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

A pair in May and June but did not breed.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

One June 22^nd.

Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia

Ten on August 31^st.

Stock Dove Columba oenas

All records: 2 on February 25^th, 3 on September 6^th, 5 on September 11^th, 14 on December 8^th, 42 on December 17^th and 8 on December 23^rd.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

A count of 125 on February 25^th.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

One September 12^th.

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Seen on 15 dates during the first winter period January 3^rd  – March 29^th. Most observations were of single birds but four present on January 25^th and two on January 28^th and February 8^th.

Little Owl Athene noctua

Resident in the Hundred End section of the recording area.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Singles on January 3^rd and 13^th, March 13^th, October 18^th , November 14^th and December 20^th.

Swift Apus apus

Another under-recorded species: One September 11^th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

One or two present in the second winter period November 27^th – December 19^th.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

Singles on 9^th and 11^th September.

Skylark Alauda arvensis

A staggering 74 pairs located during breeding bird surveys. Thirty-five seen on December 1^st was the highest count outside the breeding season.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

A count of 25 on August 15^th.

Swallow Hirundo rustica

Counts of 30 on August 15^th and 19 on September 6^th with the last 2 birds recorded on 12 October.

House Martin Delichon urbicum

Maximum counted received was 7 on September 9^th.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Twenty-three pairs present in the breeding season. Second winter period counts included: 71 on September 6^th, 51 on September 11^th and 5 on December 21^st.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

One pair present in the breeding season. A good series of records of the scarce local species at HOM in the late summer included 3 on August 15^th and singles on August 31^st , September 9^th  and 11^th.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

One on September 6^th and 11^th.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

Two pairs present in the breeding season. Counts included: 30 on August 30^th, 17 on September 6^th and 22 on September 11^th.

White / Pied Wagtail

Three seen October 4^th.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Under recorded but present in the east of the reserve. Five seen September 11^th.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

This unobtrusive species is undoubtedly under-recorded but present on the reserve near the farm buildings and car park at least.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Counts of 3 – 8 between September 6^th and 11^th.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Singles on January 3^rd, February 25^th and December 16^th – 23^rd.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Passage birds were seen on May 10^th, July 29^th, August 6^th (2), August 31^st and September 6^th.

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus

A record received of one sometime in April.

Blackbird Turdus merula

Often present along the seawall hedgerow or near the ditch to the east of the reserve. Possibly under recorded but 5 on September 6^th, 3 seen on November 11^th.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Regular winter visitor. Numbers well documented during the second winter period particularly between November 11^th and the Christmas period when numbers grew from 6 to 200 by mid-December.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Up 6 on December 21^st appeared to be part of a local cold weather influx.

Redwing Turdus iliacus

Regular winter visitor, usually in smaller numbers than Fieldfare. Four seen on November 29^th.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Scarce, but possibly under-recorded with 4 on September 11^th and a single on November 11^th.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

A male held territory in willow scrub on the reserve in the breeding season.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Two pairs present in the breeding season.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

One August 30^th.

Long-tailed Tit  Aegithalos caudatus

One on December 8^th.

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

Maximum count 8 on August 31^st.

Great Tit Parus major

Probably under-recorded: 2 August 31^st – September 12^th.

Magpie Pica pica

At least 5 on September 12^th.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Common in the autumn months in the stubble fields to the east of the reserve.

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Associates with the above species in autumn.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Counts of 32 on May 20^th and 5 on October 4^th.

Raven Corvus corax

A pair frequented land between the reserve and the River Douglas in 2009. Seen on 8 dates but absent April – August.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

In the first winter period counts of 150 (February 25^th) and 500 (March 13^th) were reached. Up to 1000 seen from November until the end of the year.

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

The car park area appears to be the most reliable spot for this species on the reserve with 7 on July 15^th, 20 on August 15^th, 1 on August 31^st, 2 on September 11^th and 3 on October 28^th.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Four pairs present in the breeding season.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Apparently scarce but under-recorded: 1 on September 6^th and 3 on September 11^th.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Present but probably under recorded. A flock of 55 seen on September 11^th.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Between 7 – 14 pairs present in the breeding season. On October 4^th 60 were counted during high tide.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

A male on territory along the access track in the breeding season.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Recorded throughout the year with 5 pairs present in the breeding season and  peak counts of 15 on November 15^th and December 23^rd.

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra

Very few records of the scarce species in 2009 with 3 pairs present in the breeding season and 12 seen December 15^th.

ESCAPES OR UNKNOWN ORIGIN                                

Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Singles on February 12^th and during July WeBS. Two consorted with Whooper and Bewick’s Swans on December 13^th.

Ross's Goose Anser rossii                                                

An adult seen in January.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all RSPB staff, volunteers and birdwatchers who generously gave their time and contributed with their sightings: Ken Abram, Tony Baker, John Bannon, Andy Bate, Dave Bickerton, Colin Bushell, Graham Clarkson, Stephen Dunstan, Charlie Ligget, Vera Marsden, Kim Neal.