A wild goose chase across the mosslands today, hoping not to miss out on the
(unprecedented?) Russian white-fronted goose influx that has been happening
all over the UK in recent days, with double figure counts in many places and
over 100 at a few. I started at Plex Moss where there had been a few white-fronts reported
yesterday in amongst large numbers of pink-footed geese. Finding the goose flocks
was not a problem but picking out the white-fronts was still a challenge.
Probably at least half the flock was hidden and out of view, but even so I
managed to pick out at least 10 adult white-fronts with around 1500 pink-footed
geese and a few greylags. Then I headed down Carr Lane on my way to Martin
Mere and found another couple of flocks but no more white-fronts.
Three Russian white-fronts had been reported at Martin Mere this
morning, but when I got to the UU hide and viewed over Plover field, I
immediately saw eight adults, then suddenly there was another and finally
three more popped out from behind some reeds! Twelve birds at least, all
adults. Later I made my way to the Ron Barker hide and found another adult on
Sunley's marsh with greylags, bringing my total for the day to 23 birds. That'll do for starters, at least now I don't feel left out.
Pink-footed geese on Plex Moss.
At least six corn buntings were singing on Plex Moss and a marsh harrier
quartered the fields.
Meanwhile the juvenile knot was still about, associating with ruff on the mere
and occasionally coming quite close to the hide.
....and the ring-necked duck continues to show well on the Mere.
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