Inner Marsh Farm - from the horse's mouth (7 Viewers)

[John Barber]

Thanks Rob, I managed the last three, but wasn't sure about the first.

 

[bradinho]

Short-eared owl seen flying along the visitor path late yesterday evening PLUS a RECORD number of little egrets!

Good numbers of pintails.

Gotta love those reeves! Anadin anyone?

 

[Cheshire Birder]

....a RECORD number of little egrets!

Almost unbelievable 315!!! Got to be one of the largest roost sites in the country!!

CB

 

[upstarts1979]

I remember going to IMF many years ago - (the best kept secret in birding in those days)
a great place being at the top of the estuary I suppose birds are funnelled into it at high tide.
What I like about the reserve is its 'homely' feel and its attraction to waders. It reminds me of my local patch Upton Warren.
what are the plans for expansion, ie size and target species. and will access be more advertised
I'm sure with the RSPB management techniques the place will be even better.

 

[bradinho]

I remember going to IMF many years ago - (the best kept secret in birding in those days)
a great place being at the top of the estuary I suppose birds are funnelled into it at high tide.
What I like about the reserve is its 'homely' feel and its attraction to waders. It reminds me of my local patch Upton Warren.
what are the plans for expansion, ie size and target species. and will access be more advertised
I'm sure with the RSPB management techniques the place will be even better.

Check back a page for the extension update or ask next time you visit the reserve.

Targets - well creating more lowland wet grassland for breeding waders and continuing to provide wintering areas for wildfowl and mud for passage waders. Intersetingly though we have now planted an extra 3500 reeds toatlling 7000 now - obviously for reed bed specialists.

And yes the site will be more widely advertised - although we will try and retain our "homely" feel - thanks for the comments

 

[bartolli]

Nice to see the 9 golden plovers there yesterday.

There was a small flock of abt 20 birds in the top field by the bench, looked a bit like spotted flycatchers but not sure, is this likely?

 

[bradinho]

Nice to see the 9 golden plovers there yesterday.

There was a small flock of abt 20 birds in the top field by the bench, looked a bit like spotted flycatchers but not sure, is this likely?

Linnet? Have been present in good numbers as winter flocks start to form.

 

[Boom]

Am amazed at some of the negative comments about IMF, as a regular visitor to the reserve over the last few years i`ve found the local birders and the staff really pleasant and helpful.

Some of the sightings have been excellent-stopped for an hour earlier on in the year and saw a calling Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine sending all the Godwits up- all in less than an hour.

You can only go on your own experiences admittedly and they`re mine. I`ll be there on Monday-just hope the expansion doesn`t loose the what it`s already got.

A great reserve.

cheers.

 

[derekg]

My first and certainly not my last visit today and what a great place. It's what I hope my local patch of Brockholes Wetland turns into in years to come.
Did find the hide a little noisy though but with the Long-billed Dorwitcher on show it was busy, very little space to move around but thanks to the couple who gave up their bench space for my son and I as they left.

Sightings whilst we were there between 14.00 - 16.00


Long-billed Dorwitcher, Hobby, Water Rail, Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Golden Plover, Teal, Shoveler, Dunlin, Ruff, Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, Common Gull, BH Gull, Med Gull, 2 Greenshank and a Peregrine.

May have been more around but thats all we saw.

Derek

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Am amazed at some of the negative comments about IMF, as a regular visitor to the reserve over the last few years i`ve found the local birders and the staff really pleasant and helpful.

Some of the sightings have been excellent-stopped for an hour earlier on in the year and saw a calling Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine sending all the Godwits up- all in less than an hour.

You can only go on your own experiences admittedly and they`re mine. I`ll be there on Monday-just hope the expansion doesn`t loose the what it`s already got.

A great reserve.

cheers.

Boom - it is a great reserve and can be very friendly. It can also be noisy, a little "cliquey" and unfriendly, depending on when you visit and who is there.

That makes it a great reserve, and very like every other reserve in the country, not perfect!

My comments earlier were meant to perhaps jog some of the "regulars" who treat it as a personal and private members club reserve.

Don't be put off going - just help change some of the practices there!

 

[Cheshire Birder]

A great reserve.

:t::t:

Boom - it is a great reserve and can be very friendly. It can also be noisy, a little "cliquey" and unfriendly, depending on when you visit and who is there.

My comments earlier were meant to perhaps jog some of the "regulars" who treat it as a personal and private members club reserve.

Don't be put off going - just help change some of the practices there!

I made a visit today to see the two Long-billed Dowitchers. When I arrived the hide was packed with what I can only describe as "hide-hoggers" who had clearly been there some time when I arrived mid afternoon. One group had spread themselves blocking the seating for me and the other three birders, who arrived shortly after me.

That said I must thank the couple who left so that I could sit and the two mature ladies who I showed the Dowitchers too for their kind thanks. I did manage some photos including some rather good shots of Water Rail!

CB

 

[bradinho]

A note to all,

Due to the presence of 2 Long billed Dowitchers the hide may be a liitle crowded so could all visitors ensure that they are not occupying more room than they need and make space for others where possible.

Also, if you could try and keep the noise to a minimum as although the birds may be used to your voices we wouldn't want to disturb any of the birds whilst they are roosting/feeding etc.

Thanks a lot.

 

[bradinho]

On a differnt note the 2 long billed dowitchers are currently in front of the hide. WHilst a female mandarin and a garganey have also been reported.

Hen Harrier and Hobby spotted too.

 

[John Barber]

Excellent views of the LBD's this morning, plus the Hobby. The mandarin and garganey are less easy to see in the far pool to the left ( No. 1 pool ? )

PS everyone well behaved !

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

first visit this morning to site great little patch there :T:

2 LBD
4 golden plover
5 black tailed godwit
3 dunlin
6 ruff
2 snipe
8 red shank
water rail
pintail
gargney
in a very brief visit of about 45 mins

 

[bradinho]

Good News:

The reserve will be open tomorrow due to the continued presence of the 2 long billed dowitchers.

However, due to essential maintenance/conservation work being carried out at the back of No. 1 pool there may be some disruptions. We will do our best to ensure that as few birds as possible are disturbed.

See You there!

 

[Boom]

my least enjoyable visit today. couldn`t move for birders, the hide was loud/over crowded and generally rather unenjoyable.

Obviously this was no doubt down to the LBDs, each to their own, obviously but think i`ll be waiting a while before visiting again.

No wish to offend as i`ve always tended to have great days here-just was a bit dissapointed today.

cheers.

 

[Robert L Jarvis]

I wonder how many were members of the RSPB?

 

[Cheshire Birder]

I wonder how many were members of the RSPB?

Not as many as you might think.

CB

 

[Boom]

To be fair, i was asked to show my membership card upon arriving. The first time that`s happened. Don`t know if everyone was asked but i was.

Apparently there was a queue before the reserve opened.