Picked up a Hesketh Out Marsh tick in the shape of a female Goshawk this morning. She was along way off, sat on a post and in heat haze. But no doubt about her ID; size of a Buzzard and a big, flaring white super. She briefly flew towards Tony and I but then disappeared over the seawall and presumably headed inland - we couldn't find her again. Maybe a migrant, an escape, a falconer's bird? Who knows? I'll leave that to the commitee. Regardless of her origins a nice bird to pick up on a visit to HOM. Other stuff at HOM; 76 Goldfinch and two Whitethroats in the hedge, juv Marsh Harrier, two Buzzards, four Kestrels; four Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, three Little Egrets, 40 Teal, three Wigeon and three Common Terns over the river.
At Old Hollow farm from the sewall I saw my first local Golden Plover of the 'autumn', along with two Barnacle Geese (with Canadas), 81 juv Shelduck with six adult female minders, nine Wigeon, two Yellow Wagtails and a distant juv Marsh Harrier towards Crossens outer marsh.
At Marshside no sign of Garganey but a flock of c.450 Black-tailed Godwits, included three juveniles (first of the year). Also two moulting male Ruff (see photo below), female Tufted Duck with six young ducklings and the usual scattering of Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal and single Pintail and Wigeon. Three Reed Warblers were frustrating the lensmen as they scurried in the reeds in front of Nel's hide.
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