Weekend Reports
Another wet and wild weekend with the best viewing occurring on the chiller Sunday. On both days the potentially elusive Green-winged Teal was found with Eurasian Teal from the Ron Barker Hide before being flushed by hunting Marsh Harrier(s).
The return of the Ross's Goose which showed well in front of the Discovery Hide is a mixed blessing. Nice to see this tiny Snow Goose even if it's credentials looked tarnished. The bird arrived at Marshside RSPB in August of 2013 and has been disappearing from the North West during the summer and returning each autumn ever since.
We have had some better qualified Ross's traveling with Pink-footed Geese in the past, although no Ross's Geese have been accepted as genuine vagrants in the UK, not even the mid 1970's Lanc's mossland bird found with Pink-footed Geese at a time when only a handful of captive Ross's were in Europe and none of those in the UK.
At least 3 Marsh Harrier present, also 3+ Common Buzzard, Peregrine, 2+ Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Barn and Tawny Owls again.
On the wader front 800+ Lapwing, 50+ Ruff, 14 Black-tailed Godwit and a report of Common Sandpiper on Saturday.
Three Roe Deer were of note.
The Mere is packed with wildfowl at the moment and it's interesting to note there have been some westerly movement of Pink-footed Geese across the Pennines this weekend.
