Inner Marsh Farm - from the horse's mouth (1 Viewer)

[Cheshire Birder]

Don't worry too much, I can assure you that when the new section of the reserve is open access will still be granted all the way up to the bench allowing for scoping of No 1. Also a viewpoint will be placed at the bottom of this field giving even closer views of the back of No1. In addition the bridge over the railway will be opened up and a path to Burton Point will be put in place, this also gives some great elevation over all 3 pools at IMF and when you reach the point the views of the entire estuary are stunning.

Lesser Yellowlegs seen again today.

Thats excellent news!! All those extra viewpoints will be make the reserve better. When is work due for completion?

CB

 

[bradinho]

Thats excellent news!! All those extra viewpoints will be make the reserve better. When is work due for completion?

CB

Its a big project but we're anticipating this phase of the project to be completed for Spring 2011.

The 5 ha wader scrape is now complete - 13 species of wader recorded there already - not open to the public though

Construction of the new reception building should start Jan 2011.

Artists impression of the reception building now up in reception area of IMF.

Bird News from current hide:
60 ish Blackwits,
Lapwings
2 dunlin (1 summer plumage)
4 ruff

 

[bradinho]

Lesser yellowlegs and curlew sandpiper seen by wardens yeserday whilst the reserve was closed (normal Tuesday practice)

 

[bradinho]

Long-billed dowitcher - http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1910142#post1910142

 

[bradinho]

Long-billed dowitcher was seen to "fly away" at about 4.30pm last night, no sign this morning .... so far!

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Missed it again!!

CB

 

[bradinho]

Good birds yesterday:
2 merlin
3 marsh harrier
1 hobby (taking a linnet)
several buzzards including a report of a honey buzzard - any one got any more info ???
1 little owl
9 raven over
2 ruff

30 greenshank today

 

[Bananafishbones]

Today 09.15 - 11.00am
Of note:
Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 4 Greenshank, pair of Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Handful of Black Tail Godwit with 100s more on the other pools, 30+ Dunlin very active but mostly airbourne over and around the pools, 2 Raven, 100+ Canada geese flying over to Burton Marsh

No sign of Garganey

Dave

 

[bradinho]

Today 09.15 - 11.00am
Of note:
Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 4 Greenshank, pair of Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Handful of Black Tail Godwit with 100s more on the other pools, 30+ Dunlin very active but mostly airbourne over and around the pools, 2 Raven, 100+ Canada geese flying over to Burton Marsh

No sign of Garganey

Dave

I believe the garganey numbering 3 were female and hence very trick to pick out amongst 6000 teal !

 

[bradinho]

As per the rare birds thread - juv whiskered tern is showing well at IMF. Several golden plover and ruff are present whilst a hobby was seen over the car parking area.

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Not forgetting excellent views of a juv Quail yesterday afternoon/evening.

CB

 

[bradinho]

This mornings shopping list for IMF ....

juv Whiskered Tern
2 curlew sandpiper
4 snipe
1 golden plover
2 spotted redshank
1 green woodpecker (car park)

juv Whiskered Tern last reported at Decca Pools Compound with 2 black terns

 

[Blackduck]

The Whiskered Tern Left IMF around 0920 and was back there by 1310. 'twas a long wait, punctuated by a dash for the exit when it was reported at Decca pools, then a return dash when word came that the tern had been seen in flight en route IMF!

 

[bradinho]

Black tern and little stint this mornings highlights

 

[bradinho]

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/groups/deeestuary/default.aspx

BloA bit more background info on events, sightings and the latest developments .... sluices for new wetland areas (IMF 2) have just gone in. Pics to be posted soon)

Good mix of birds at IMF today
Black Tern
Little stint x 2
Curlew Sandpiper x2
Ruff x 14
Blackwit x 3
Golden plover
Snipe
Dunlin

 

[bartolli]

Hi Bradinho!

There were 3 little stints yesterday!
Also 2 spotted redshanks and marsh harrier;

& also a flipping big fish in no2! One chap in the hide reckoned it may be a carp, I guess it was about 3' long?

 

[bradinho]

Hi Bradinho!

There were 3 little stints yesterday!
Also 2 spotted redshanks and marsh harrier;

& also a flipping big fish in no2! One chap in the hide reckoned it may be a carp, I guess it was about 3' long?

Eel???

Present this morning
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Spotted Redshank
5 Siskin (flyover car par area)

 

[Pitvar]

& also a flipping big fish in no2! One chap in the hide reckoned it may be a carp, I guess it was about 3' long?

I think, but no doubt will be corrected, that part of the expansion of the reserve takes in what was a carp and catfish fishery in the woods to the north so it would not be impossible that not all the carp were netted and removed [most would have been due to their value I reckon] or that some smaller carp got washed into the pool years ago and have done quite well in them ever since!

 

[gareth_blockley]

How deep is no. 2? a 3 foot carp would normally be at least a foot and half deep and require a very deep pool with lots of food to reach that sort of size.

Gareth

 

[bartolli]

Eel???

Certain it wasnt an eel! As it broached the water you could see its back and quite a large, floppy, dorsel fin. It also had a goldish colour tinge.

.....part of the expansion of the reserve takes in what was a carp and catfish fishery in the woods to the north

There was a fishery to the north which has been cleared, I'm sure Bradinho can provide more info!

My guestimate on 3' length was based purely on the visible bit (ie its back) being a tad over 1' long, so I added a tail and a head and came up with 3'! LOL.