With a couple of scarcities being recorded near Southport Marine Lake in recent days, we set off slightly earlier than normal to chance our arm on gaining views before meeting the group on the RSPB Marshside car park. However, prior to getting to Southport, it would be inexcusable to bypass the Gravel Lane Little Owls, so this would be our first port of call. A dank morning greeted us with low cloud and the threat of rain as we reached Gravel Lane, the Owls must have also realised this and stayed in bed as they were nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, but that is birding, we continued down Marine Drive and parked up behind KFC as one of our targets the Twite is regularly recorded on the marsh across from the KFC and in the nearby boat club grounds.
As we exited the car the rain commenced and with no initial sign of the Twite it was decided to scan the Marine Lake as the previous day a Snow Goose had been recorded roosting with a “gaggle” of Greylag Geese. Initially there was no sign of the Snow Goose or the Greylags but the Greylags soon began to appear from behind the southern most of the two islands. Not far behind a white goose appeared that was quickly confirmed as the Snow Goose, so one of the three targets ticked off. Other species added to start the days list included Reed Bunting, unfazed close Pink-footed Geese and a distant Marsh Harrier.
As the rain continued, we headed to the car park and waited for our fellow birdwatchers for the day, they soon arrived and after the usual debacle of getting a car park ticket we headed to Sandgrounder’s Hide to shelter from the rain but not before Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Little Egret were added to the list from the car park. The pool at the side of Sandgrounder’s Hide produced Tufted Duck, Teal, Oystercatcher and Cormorant but it was soon mentioned a good choice would be to scan the reserve from the dry of the hide, this was unanimously agreed and we moved the short distance into the relative comfort of the hide. A scan through the thousands of birds produced many Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and a “congregation” of Golden Plover that soon became a “wing” as the nervous flocks lifted. As the birds circled three Dunlin were also picked out. Additional wildfowl contingent consisted of Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail and Shelduck.
A scan of the posts around the reserve produced a female Kestrel, sat seemingly enjoying the rain. A call that a pipit had been seen to the left of the hide soon had binoculars scanning as the previous day a Water Pipit had been recorded in that area, though initially illusive the Water Pipit was picked up, an excellent day tick, that soon emerged from the grasses as it continued to feed near several Canada Geese. News soon got out and the hide filled with many arriving getting great views of the little gem in the Anthus family. The birds lifted again, including the Water Pipit, this time the tormentor was seen in the shape of a female Sparrowhawk as she made her way across the reserve to perch on a post to the right of the hide. A fellow birder put the group onto a single Common Snipe that had melted into the grasses on the island that the Water Pipit touched down on though the pipit was not seen again whilst we were there.
The weather apps showed a ten-minute break in the relentless rain so the opportunity was taken to head to Nel’s Hide with brief scans taken at Junction Pool Viewpoint and Halfway Viewpoint. Two Great Black-backed Gulls sat on the flooded reserve in front of Nel’s Hide showing the sheer size of the world’s largest Gull as a Lesser Black-backed rested alongside for comparison. The seemingly ever-present Buzzard was sat in its usual perch on a post down the right-hand fence line. Whilst watching the Buzzard another raptor came into view, this being a female Merlin that was tracked across the reserve before disappearing into the trees opposite. Five raptors in a couple of hours, not a bad start to the day even if it was raining. The rain started to lighten a little so we headed back towards the car park for lunch, the stroll revealed a Grey Heron, with a Pochard seen by a couple of the group who had remained at Sandgrounder’s Hide taking the days tally to well over the fifty mark.
Post lunch, the rain abated so we took the short stroll to the north side of the Sandworks and the viewpoint over the marsh. An initial scan with the binoculars revealed many Skylarks throughout the marsh gliding a foot or so above the grasses. It took a while but eventually a pair of Stonechat were located, along with a Reed Bunting and several Linnets. A quick check of the Birdguides App showed the long staying Smew was in front of the Junction Pool Viewpoint. The group was informed and we quickly headed to the screen located opposite the car park. An initial scan did not produce the bird but the now cloudless sky made all the bird’s black silhouettes as the sun is located in front of the viewpoint. A decision was made to head to the Halfway Viewpoint and look back towards the Junction Pool thus moving the suns position to our right-hand side. This turned out to be a great move as all the birds could be seen in full colour but still no Smew, then right on cue it flew in landing in a “rafting” of Tufted Duck in front of the Junction Pool Viewpoint. The Smew, a first winter male was in full sun albeit further away than we’d have liked, a move back to the Junction Pool Viewpoint to gain a better view, another great addition to the list, could the day get better.
Time was now pressing so the decision was taken to head to Hesketh Out Marsh but not without first calling in at Gravel Lane to see if the Little Owls had awakened. On reaching the view to the barn a Little Owl could be seen on sentry duty albeit with the sun behind, another great tick for the day. We continued our journey to Hesketh Out Marsh passing two herds of Whooper Swans on the way, on parking up we headed firstly to the east side of the reserve.
A second Merlin of the day was spotted flying low across the reserve before landing on one of the many distant fence posts. Spotted Redshank and Little Grebe were the only new additions as we headed back past the car park and onto the west side of the reserve. On reaching the old bus stop platform the group scanned the marsh looking for new additions, the first of which was a pair of Curlew. A scan of the rear fields as we walked the old sea wall produced a Brown Hare and more herds of Whooper Swans, as we neared the far end a Great White Egret appeared on the reserve, the only one of the day. A little further on a hunting ringtail Hen Harrier gave great views albeit into the bright sun.
As we returned to the old bus stop platform, a distant white bird was spotted along the hedge line towards the east side of the reserve. The telltale flight of a Barn Owl was heading our way; we sat on the grass bank to remove our silhouette and hopefully bring the owl closer. This worked a treat as it scoured the hedgerows and made its way towards us giving excellent views and photograph opportunities. From the raised area of the platform, you have views across the car park looking towards the east side of the reserve, this lofty look out gave us great views of a second ringtail Hen Harrier (or possibly the same one as earlier) and a third Merlin, this time a spectacular male. As the temperature was dropping and the sun lowering in the blue winter sky, it was time to call it a day but not before Tree Sparrow was added to the list as we neared the car park.
71 species, a Roe Deer and a Brown Hare were seen during the day, I think you’ll agree an excellent total for a day out in February, wet and miserable in the morning with brilliant sunshine throughout the afternoon.
I hope to see you on the next field trip.
Keith Williams
L.O.S. Fieldtrips Officer
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