Croston Finney and Eyes Lane

[John Frankland]

Finney
The small flooded area resembled the spectacle of Eyes Lane a few weeks ago with geese and swans in very good numbers

Pink-footed Goose 2000+ including 1 leucistic one and several with white feathers at the base of their beaks which got me interested !
Canada Goose c350
Greylag Goose c100
Whooper Swan c125
Black-headed Gull c100
Herring Gull c50
Ruff 3 including one white male
Skylark c100
Fieldfare/Redwing over in 10-20s

Eyes Lane
Wigeon 2
Great White Egret 1
Ruff 3
Lapwing c100
Black-headed Gull c50
Buzzard 1
Fieldfare 50+ in flock
Grey Heron 3

[Leonard Poxon]

In addition to John's list at Eyes lane, I saw:

2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, Wren heard, Woodpigeon, Pheasant, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Moorhen, several small flocks of Redwing, Red-legged Partridge heard, 1 Yellowhammer, 30+ Skylark, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (f), a Peregrine Falcon trying to catch a Starling within a murmuration of approximately 3 thousand birds - it was quite a sight! and it failed to catch one.

I also saw a Stoat carrying a young rat, it came within 8ft of me then dropped the rat.

The floodwater is now much reduced which may make even more appealing to waders for a short time.

[John Frankland]

Finney
Even more Geese and Swans than yesterday.

Pink-footed Goose c2500 to 3000 estimate
Canada Goose c300
Greylag Goose c100
Barnacle Goose 2

Whooper Swan 175
Mute Swan 2

Herring Gull 10
Black-headed Gull 50

Buzzard 1
One possible Merlin but distant.

Eyes Lane
Great White Egret 1
Grey Heron 3
Shoveler 1m
Ruff 1
Greylag Goose 82
Whooper Swan 11
Sparrowhawk 1
Lapwing 75
Shelduck 3
Buzzard 1
Tree Sparrow 6
Fieldfare 2

[Leonard Poxon]

I also went to both sites this morning, only differences to John's post were a female Goosander and a wader in flight on the River south of Red Bridge (see photo) which I think was a Green Sandpiper although the wings look very long for a sandpiper!

[John Frankland]

I think you're right with Green Sandpiper - probably explains why I've not seen it 2 out of 3 times I've heard it recently as I would have had my back to the river !

The wings do look long but I think it's just the angle of the wings in the straight vertical position which makes them look longer.

I just missed you earlier but did see your car pass in the opposite direction in the centre of Croston !