Birding Group to Visit to Inner Marsh Farm 15th April 2013
We had a lovely spring-like day for our group visit to Inner Marsh Farm and with the weather being quite sunny and warm we had everything we needed for a food days birding. Our treat of the day cam early on with very good views of our first Wheatear for the the year – about half a dozen of them too-ing and fro-ing from the dry-stone wall on the left just as you get past the gate that cuts across the path down to the railway line and thence to the hide.
As we walked by the fields we could hear Chiffchaff but, of course, had the greatest difficulty finding one. I got a glimpse of my first Swallow of the year as well. Down at the hide there were a pair of Little Egrets and a large number of Black-tailed Godwit now getting into their summer plumage. A spattering of Lapwings, Coots and Tufted Ducks were seen and also pairs of Shoveler, Oystercatcher and Pintail. There was a decent showing of Avocets and at least one looked like it was starting to build a rudimentary nest to roost on.
A Marsh Harrier flew by and we also saw a few Sand Martins darting about over the water.
Bird Sightings : Inner Marsh Farm
| Species | Count |
|---|---|
| Mute Swan | 2 |
| Canada Goose | 20 |
| Pintail | 2 |
| Shoveler | 2 |
| Tufted Duck | 4 |
| Little Egret | 2 |
| Grey Heron | 1 |
| Marsh Harrier | 1 |
| Coot | 4 |
| Oystercatcher | 2 |
| Avocet | 14 |
| Lapwing | 10 |
| Black-tailed Godwit | 60 |
| Black-headed Gull | 4 |
| Magpie | 1 |
| Sand Martin | 2 |
| Swallow | 1 |
| Wheatear | 6 |