Latest Sightings
An extraordinary start to the day when it appeared it wasn't going to get light, all caused by Saharan dust brought up on the weather system driving ex-hurricane Ophelia. When the Sun did break through it looked like this.
As the light improved and wind got up a good selection of birds were see. The Long-billed Dowitcher is still present seen mostly out on Woodend Marsh although it did end up briefly on the Mere after a juvenile Peregrine flushed everything, making it the fourth new species on the in focus shop list in 2017, after 3 blank years!
Other waders present; 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Golden Plover, Dunlin, 98 Ruff, 20+ Snipe and 700+ Lapwing.
Five Marsh Harrier today, 5+ Buzzard, Peregrine (juv), 3 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
Three Swallow south this morning. Brambling over this morning, first of the autumn.
At least 10,000 Pink-footed Geese roosting. Keep an eye out for Greenland White-fronted Goose as one was seen on the Ribble Estuary with Pink-footed Geese on Saturday. Seven Whooper Swan flew in mid afternoon (3ad + 4 juv).