Croston/Bretherton 26th Jan

[Paul Whittaker]

Took some binoculars on my regular bike ride today and saw 35 bird species without falling off! Highlights included:

Buzzard. 4 in the air together over Croston Big Wood and 3 more North of Bank Hall and 1 at the E-shaped pond.

On the moss there was a flock of 50+ Linnets along Carr Lane, LT Tits and Fieldfare. Near Moss House Farm 20ish Yellowhammer and a couple of Kestrels in the area.

Near the reed bed a flock of about 300 gulls was mainly Black-headed with a few Herring. Lots of Starling and Fieldfare from here to Gt Hanging Bridge where there was a single Cormorant on the wires and a few Mallard on the river. There were a few pinkfoots on the ground but too far away to count.

Around to Red Bridge/Eyes Lane and not much here probably due to the presence of about 20 "guns" along Eyes Lane. Wonderful display of Snowdrops in front of Bank Hall. There were 10 Lapwing on flooded fields near Red Bridge Farm.

Along Back Lane, Bretherton there were about 20 Mallard and at the E-Shaped pond about 20 Coot, 3 Tufted Duck (2 male), 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, a Moorhen and 2 Mallard. Then on the river Lostock a pair of Goosander.

Other birds included; Tawny Owl, Tree Sparrow, GS Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Mistle Thrush on Grape Lane.