Grimsargh Wetlands – Sunday 8th December

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paul b
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Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Grimsargh Wetlands – Sunday 8th December

Post by paul b »

A new venue for us. Grimsargh Wetlands has been created from Grimsargh Reservoirs and seems to attract a good selection of wildfowl in winter. Access is from the B2643 Preston Road in Grimsargh opposite the junction with Elston Lane at SD59037. Allow time to find somewhere to park. Meet at the access point at 9.30 am. See the ELOC website gazetteer for a larger map. If time allows we may also look at Alston Reservoirs / wetlands.
Jed Kirkham
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Re: Grimsargh Wetlands – Sunday 8th December

Post by Jed Kirkham »

Field Trip Notes:
Grimsargh Wetlands
7 of us met at 0930hrs and enjoyed about 90 mins walking around the site comprising 2 former reservoirs, reedbed and other damp vegetated areas which is being restored and managed - a team of volunteers was working at the site. The warden, Ken Maylor, showed us round, explained the work being done, future plans, wildlife present currently and seen there at different times of the year. An impressive list of wildlife in a relatively small area, including more than 150 bird sp. recorded there. More info can be found on the Grimsargh Wetlands Facebook page.
Moderate W wind made it feel cooler than on the thermometer, it was quite exposed on the embankments. Largely dry with an occasional light shower.

Birds seen below: any additions welcome, I didn't count numbers of all sp, too much to see!
Shoveler (ca 15), Gadwall, Goosander (3), Cormorant, Canada Geese (4), Mute Swans, Tufted Duck (2), Mallard (approx. 50 inc. in fields nearby), Grey Heron, BH Gull (ca. 120), Fieldfare (ca 10), Sparrowhawk seen several times, including raising a flock of ca 400 Starling across fields NE of the site, Shelduck (2), Feral Goose, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Redwing (7), Coot, (ca 5), Goldeneye (3F/2M), Pochard (1 M), Jay, Common Gull, LBB Gull (2), Wren, Moorhen, Mistle Thrush, Reed Bunting, LT Tit, Dunnock, Magpie and Robin.

Mammals: the 4 resident Roe Deer seen, plus a dead vole, possibly a short-tailed field vole.

Alston Wetlands
Continued the trip by spending about 30mins looking out across the nearby Alston Wetlands. We looked out from 2 of the 3 available screens. Mallard present in large numbers, ca 15 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 3 Goldeneye, Carrion Crow, Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipit, Woodpigeon, Coot, Herring Gull, 2 Jays, Mistle Thrush over nearby, and 3 Curlew in a field near the junction with the Longridge Road.

For those attendees, please add anything I may have missed - thanks.
paul b
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Re: Grimsargh Wetlands – Sunday 8th December

Post by paul b »

Just to add -thanks to Jed for the recording, Graham for leading and organising the tour. Very impressive work being undertaken by a Community Trust with a real dedication and determination to preserve and enhance a valued habitat -really positive.
Neville Root
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Re: Grimsargh Wetlands – Sunday 8th December

Post by Neville Root »

Some photos taken by Graham Thomas from Sunday's (8th Dec) excellent trip to Grimsargh Wetlands
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Goldeneyes
Goldeneyes
Grimsargh Wetlands Dec2019Resized1.JPG (33.51 KiB) Viewed 3156 times
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