Birding Group Visit to Pennington Flash 24th September 2013
This was the first day of the new birding group term and it was to the oft-visited Pennington Flash. There had been recent sightings of a Lesser Scap, sometimes on the water visible from the car park but, more usually, off Ramsdale Ruck and visible from the Ramsdale Hide. We got to the car park a bit early so I had a good chance to scan the main body of water but, apart from some Pochard, there was nothing particularly interesting around.We started off at the Horrocks Hide but that was pretty much dominated by Canada Geese and Cormorants. The Tom Edmonson hide was quiet as were the other hides. We had a good look for the Lesser Scaup and a Mediterranean Gull that was also supposed to be about but we had no luck and, in general, the whole site was disappointing. Even at the Bunting Hide there were no Bullfinches – perhaps the first time we have failed to see them at that hide. The one notable sighting from this hide was a pair of Stock Doves.
In short, a nice day for a walk but very disappointing. Even more disappointing was the the Lesser Scaup was recorded on the Manchester Birding web site later that day – DOH !