South Walney Island Nature Reserve:
As I did not go last weekend as planned I visited South Walney Island nature Reserve yesterday(Saturday) and was there the whole day. The sea was wild and the wind very strong but the walk was exhilerating. Arrived at a very high tide
Managed to see the following:-
Redshank, 650+ Dunlin, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, numerous Eider, Oystercatcher, Lesser Black backed and Herring Gull, Brent and Canada Geese, Reed Bunting, Curlew, meadow Pipits, numerous Wigeon, Teal and Shelduck, 5 Common Seals. There were also Sanderling about. Finally, I watched a Merlin in flight, hunting and perched at very close quarters.
Saw those same three geese I could not ID the last time I was there. They had a white face and white neck at rear and black all the way down front of neck.
The wind remained strong most of the day on the reserve and it was very cold but a thoroughly good walking and birding experience:t: In the afternoon there was blue sky and sunshine. The whole place was alive with birds resting, sheltering, preening, feeding and in flight.
Dean