Blue-winged Teal....
No sign of the Blue-winged Teal found at Marshside RSPB yesterday. Although perhaps that's not surprising in the windy condition which kept most of the wildfowl tucked away.
Birds regularly move between sites in the area so we shall be keeping an eye or two out for this bird. The bird thought to be a juvenile male (which looks similar to a female) and will most likely be associating with Shoveler.
It's only the 4th Lancashire record of this species, the last being from September 1992 seen on this reserve.
The star birds today were undoubtedly the Pink-footed Geese with 5000+ birds coming in and out of the reserve during the day.
Common Teal numbers were up with at least 1500 birds, some showing signs of moulting out of the dull eclipsed plumage. More Pintail, now into double figures.
The 'usual' raptors included Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
A few 'alba' wagtail moving south, also Skylark this morning.
